Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue.

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

I Couldn't Ask For More

Chapter 5: She

She's married?

And not to the do'aho.

It must be more than two hours past midnight but Rukawa Kaede couldn't sleep. He just kept on tossing and turning. At times, he would stare at the ceiling or study the patterns of the wallpaper around him. It's not the first time though. Times like these he plays some soft mellow music on his mini-component so the slow melody would help him drift off to sleep. He had a lot of sleepless nights back in America, thinking how things are going on back home. How are they? How is she?

How is she…

Somehow he liked to think that the reason why they did not end up together is because of him. But why did she not wait for me?

Do'aho.

What made you think she would wait for you?

It's not like you asked her to wait.

But still.

………

Am I having regrets?

Her pretty face came back to him again. Always cheerful. Always full of life.

-Gambatte, Rukawa-kun!-

Her beautiful smile.

Idiot. What right do you have to feel that way?

You got what you wanted.

You've been to America.

You're the best basketball player in Japan.

What makes you think you can have all the good things in life?

Damn! He turned on his left side. His light tan sheets are already crumpled from all the tossing and turning.

He closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.

But sleep wouldn't come.

"Do you play basketball a lot, Rukawa-san?"

Rukawa looked at the little boy beside him. It's been a while since he taught him the basics of basketball and he was really making a lot of progress. He could see the burning determination in the little boy's face every time he plays.

"Hai. That's how you become good. By playing and practicing a lot."

"I will be the best when I grow up!" There was a sound of conviction in his voice. The last bright rays of the sun for the day shining down on his face.

Rukawa wanted to grin. He sounds just like him when he himself was a small boy. "How old are you anyway?"

"I am already six!" There was a slight tug on Rukawa's lips as he looked at the little boy's sunny face. Right, he too was exactly six years old when he made the vow to become the best.

"Ayako-san? The lady Gori?" The former team manageress sweatdropped when she heard the voice at the other end of the line.

It's Sakuragi Hanamichi, alright.

"You are missing the tensai, aren't you? Nyahahaha!" Ayako felt her eardrums got busted from the loud laughter that came from the other end. "Wait, how did you know my number?"

"I have my sources. Erm… Sakuragi-kun, we are planning of holding a reunion next month. Can you come?" The former team manageress chirped.

"Reunion? Who's coming? Gori's not here, right?"

"Well, Ryota and I will be there. We are still waiting for Kogure-sempai's call. I'm sure Rukawa-kun would come as he---."

"Nani? Kitsune is here?"

"Er…hai. He came back about two weeks ago. You don't know?"

"No! Anyway, I will be there. Tensai will not be beaten by kitsune so I will show up. Nyahahahaha!" Ayako cringed before she could hang up.

High School. Basketball. Those two things only remind him of one person.

Haruko.

Flashback

"I'm sorry, Sakuragi-kun…. I know you like me but …. I cannot give you more than friendship. I wouldn't want to pretend that I could give more than that. It would be unfair to you."

He felt his heart was being squeezed. It hurts. He wished he could just rip out his chest, take his heart out and throw it away. "Is it because of Rukawa?"

"No, Sakuragi-kun. I have made up my mind to forget my feelings for him. Especially now that he already left to find his dream."

He willed himself to look at her. She was his bestfriend apart from his gundam and she had been a great part of his life. It was because of her that he joined basketball. It was because of her that he made the conviction to turn his life around. She always believed in him. Even when nobody else would.

It would be unfair to you.

He swallowed. "Will I still be your friend then?"

"Of course, Sakuragi-kun. We will always be friends, no matter what."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Let's make another promise then."

"What is it?"

"Let's promise that we would attend each other's wedding."

She smiled. "Of course, Sakuragi-kun. I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world."

End of flashback

So she was there on his wedding and he was there on hers. On his wedding day, she sang One Friend for him.

...If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you...

She on the other hand, looked radiant on her wedding day, that day when she married her college boyfriend. But then again, she always looked radiant to him. I wonder how she is doing now? He never had any contact with her for a year now. They were both busy with their families and earning a living.

The loud yelling of his sons shook him out of his reverie. His wife called out to him saying dinner is ready. He doesn't have any regrets. He is happy with her and Haruko should be happy too. That is all that matters.