Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue.
Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.
I Couldn't Ask For More
Chapter 2: It Never Felt Like Home
The Rukawa Estate.
One of the biggest in Kanagawa.
Sprawling.
That's what it is. Sprawling. He always had to ride a bike to move around because of the sheer size of it. It's been handed down from generation to generation. When he was not in school or playing basketball, he spent most of his time here. That is if sleeping is considered spending time. Somehow the big house was never a home. It doesn't have the warmth of what a home supposed to have.
No. Before he left for Japan, he already made a resolution not to stay at their estate. That was why he engaged the services of a real state agent to get him a place of his own. In Kanagawa. Though it pales in comparison to the Rukawa Estate, it is something that he can call his own. He was never an extravagant person that's why he was able to save and live comfortably. He's content enough just to have his basketball, his bike and his discman.
And now a place of his own. And maybe, just maybe, someday, it may turn out to be a home and will have the warmth that he has been longing for through all these years.
Yes, it would take him an hour of travel time going to Tokyo by train for the games and practice but he chose to stay in Kanagawa. His hometown. Here, where he had spent the happiest days of his life.
With them.
"Welcome back, young master." The servants greeted him. He wanted to cringe. Young master. He never liked it when he is called like that. It lacks the warmth. It makes the people who lived with him so… so distant. He had always felt that way but it's different now. He had really changed. He is just another guy, not a master.
He looked around. The lavish paintings are still there adorning the walls that go up along with the staircase. He stared at his mother's life size portrait.
Okaa-san.
"Kaede, it's good that you're back."
He felt his father's hand on his shoulder. He also missed his father but something tells him that he should not have visited him. They were never warm to each other. They never had that bond that he saw between other fathers and sons. When he was in America, he saw fathers doing things with their sons, like fishing together, washing the car together and other things.
"There's something we have to talk about." With that his father walked into a big room. Rukawa followed him. Inside it was a big executive table and bookcases on the sides that form part of the room.
Rukawa doesn't like it when his father talks like that. As far as he could remember, whenever his father talks to him, it was never to bring him some good news. Nevertheless, he wanted to know. "What is it, Otou-san?"
His father answered him by picking up a folder from his big desk. "Take a look at this and tell me what you think." The older man handed the folder to his son.
He is getting a bad feeling about this. Still, he opened the folder. There he saw some information and a picture of a woman. He frowned. "What is this?"
"She is Miyuki Ueda, the daughter of Ueda Toshi, one of our business partners. I really think she is suited to be your bride."
"W-what?" Rukawa couldn't believe it. This is worse than he thought. He just came back from America and something is already being shoved at him.
"It's time you get married, Kaede, you're almost 27 and you will have to start managing our business." His father tells him as if it is the most natural thing to say to his son.
"No." He laid down the folder back to his father's table. Whoever said I wanted to manage a business anyway? His father even treated his marriage in a business-like manner and he doesn't like it one bit. He's gone crazy.
"Miyuki is a sophisticated, beautiful young woman coming from a good family. You will like her once you get to know her. She has a business masters degree from Princeton. You two would make a good combination when you manage our business."
"I don't believe this." Rukawa sighed and threw his hands in the air. "Father, I think I am old enough to decide when I want to get married and choose who I want to marry."
"Kaede, what is it you want? You already reached your dreams. It's time you start your own family."
"I am playing for the All Japan Team."
The older Rukawa felt exasperated and banged his fist on the table. "I already gave you all the time in the world to play basketball. It's time you get into serious things."
"I take my basketball seriously, Father." He glared at him. He couldn't believe what his father is saying.
"I have already arranged with Ueda-san. It will be an arranged marriage for you and Miyuki."
"You are just wasting your time. I wouldn't show up."
"Think about our family honor, Kaede."
"I will choose who I want to marry." He swallowed hard.
"You will marry Miyuki or else…"
Rukawa raised an eyebrow and turned to glare at his father. "Or else what, Father?"
"Or else you will not inherit a single yen, Kaede."
He doesn't know if he would laugh or what. His father actually thought that he would give in by blackmailing him like that? He shook his head. "I'm really sorry, Father."
"You will marry Miyuki and you will have a family."
"No."
"Don't be so stubborn, Kaede."
"I'm sorry, Father. I won't marry her."
"Think it over, Kaede."
"I have already thought it over and the answer is no. Father, I'm sorry." With that, he turned his back and left the family estate.
His steps were slow and even. Vast land. What a waste.
The Rukawa Estate.
It never felt like home.