Boku-tachi no kisetsu: Our Seasons
By Yukohana
PART 1 Sotto wa ame ga: The gentle rain Ame-Rukawa
I looked up at the gray sky and liquid started to trickle on my face. I sighed as the wind kissed my cheeks and softly ruffled my hair. I love rain! There is something about it that is so comforting. something that makes me feel light and calm. The cool air, the misty smell, the droplets which sound is like music to my ear. everything!
Sometimes I think this has something to do with me being named after this wonderful shower. Ame. Yes, that would have to be my name. My mom tells me that when I was born, there was a cloudburst. The gloomy sky was as shaded as my chance to live. Yet, when I came out and cried, the rain allayed down as if the heaven was welcoming me.
I looked back down on the ground. On my feet lay my mom's tomb, memories with her flashed back into me that it was hard not to break down and cry, "I'm sorry Oka-san. I know I promised to be strong, and here I am, still feeling weak. feeling helpless without you."
This is my first rainfall without her. I remember how we would be enjoying every drops of liquid. celebrating like it's my birthday. The first rainfall that I sighed and cried. The first. and who knows when will be it's last.
The weather hasn't changed since yesterday. Still, droplets touch my umbrella and the equally blowing wind plays with my skirt, which annoys me anyhow. I stood in front of the train station where I was supposed to be fetched by a cousin. Since Oka-san isn't with me anymore and Ottou-san has to stay at America for work, I should be staying at an Ojii-san and Oba- san's place so as to serve as guardians who will look after me.
They are my Ottou-san's uncle and aunt, the only grandparents I have who are still alive. I have never met them before though. That's probably why I'm a little shaking here, because I have no idea what kind of people I will have to deal with. I heard that they are looking after their granddaughter who opted to stay with them after her parents has separated. Yes, their granddaughter who is already two-and-a-half-hours late!
Across the street was a basketball court, but it wasn't the square that got my attention, the four guys who were playing and shooting without any care on the wet weather. With their stands, heights that professionals have, I can assume that they play for their school. I examined each one of them, there's the shortest guy who probably plays as point guard, not just in view of his height but his speed and agility, the red-haired comical chap, who waived at me with the widest grin I've ever seen this day. The guy who is evidently a good three-point shooter, smiled at me following the grin of his companion, and the last, who seemed reserved, just gave me a glance and proceeded to his shootings.
I respond to their greetings with a diminutive smile and returned my eyes to the empty railroad. I sighed, wondering how long I will have to stay here standing like a security guard. Feeling bored, I glanced back at the basketball buffs, right exactly when the serious guy dunked the ball into the hoop. My eyes widened, it was a perfectly done slamdunk! My lips were already halfway smiling with awe when he gave me a quick look. Within a microsecond, I can be certain that our eyes met. My heartbeat went faster and louder as I felt hardness on my throat, I can't breathe. Somehow his gaze stayed at the back of my mind. I can hear his playmates jeer him, with his dunk, maybe. with me? I don't know. I hope not. I'm not that sure if they noticed, but I felt hot and I know that when I feel hot, that means I'm turning crimson. blushing!
I was so embarrassed on the thought that I had turned red in front of four guys who I don't even know yet. Although we're more or less thirty meters away, I feel that my burning cheeks were very much noticeable.
I quickly turned around, and was jolted to find out I was face-to-face to a pair of brown eyes, staring straight at me. I took a step backward and studied the similar startled look on her face. We stayed like that for a minute or two, both trying to identify each other.
"Ame?" she finally asked with a little hesitation on her voice.
I smiled feeling relieved that I can finally go home and rest, but remembering something, I frowned, "You are almost three hours late!" I commented, crossing my arms on my chest.
She bowed repeatedly while saying "Gomen. gomen. gomen nasai."
I beamed at her, "It's okay. Let's go home now."
She smiled back and extended her hand for a shake, "I'm Miko."
I took her hand, "Ame."
"I know." she chuckled.
"Let's go." I prompted as I lift my bag from the bench and hooked it on my shoulder. I noted that Miko was gazing at something across the street, I followed her gaze and it turned out that she's gazing at someone from the four basketball players. "Doushitano, Miko-san?"
There was no reply.
"Miko? Are you alright?" I put a hand on her shoulder.
She blinked and returned her look on me. "I'm sorry." Miko said softly.
"Do you know them?"
"They are four from the starting five of the Shohoku Basketball team."
Shohoku. At first, the name just sounded pretty familiar, but I remembered that's the name of the school where I would be transferring. Shohoku. so these guys are going to be my schoolmates, I thought, my eyes fixed on the guy who made the slamdunk. Not noticing that my lips are forming into a broad smile.
"Kaede Rukawa. Good choice!"
"Kaede Rukawa?" I asked inquisitively, partly hoping that he's the guy with the black armband.
"The guy you're melting with your spicy look."
I felt hot again, Miko laughed teasingly when she noticed this, "Stop laughing!" I protested, sounding worried that it might get the attention of the players.
Miko gave one last look at the court. She smiled. I caught her bit her lips, something that gave me a notion that she likes someone from the group. We marched to where the cab waiting for us was. We went in and the driver took off.
My eyes were glued to the car keys of the cab, dangling with it was a small key chain, an orange ball resembling to that used in the game basketball. I was having thoughts on asking Miko about Kaede Rukawa, but I felt that I needed to be fed with information about him.
It seemed as if Miko could read my mind. Without any foreword, she began talking about the Shohoku team. "They're great! People think they're not that good but they became stronger. They have taken up popular teams here in Kanagawa. I haven't watched any match against Shoyo, Kainan, or Ryonan but I've seen them play during their practices. Well, right now, you're not familiar with those names, but shortly you will." She says, "You should see their captain, Takenori Akagi. He's a big guy! Sometimes he looks scary, like that of an angry gorilla, but he's nice and very determined. Hanamichi Sakuragi is the red-haired guy from the court."
Sometimes I would cut in, "Hanamichi, he seems funny."
"He is funny! Very funny! He is a self-proclaimed genius, yet he's just a rookie. But he plays well, although he's not really that familiar about basketball and he often commits mistakes."
Most of the times, I would just nod and let her continue, waiting for the name Kaede Rukawa be mentioned.
"Ryota Miyagi is the point-guard."
"The shortest among the four?"
"Hai! But he's very speedy"
"Yeah, I saw him do some assists and steals during their practice." She nodded. "What about the guy you're staring at?" I asked.
Her cheeks turned pink. "Hisashi Mitsui." She uttered with a soft, almost inaudible voice.
"He's a three-pointer."
"Hai. He used to be an MVP during his early years."
"MVP, I see. so he must be a great factor for the team."
"Almost all of them are great factors of the team. But of course, Mit- chin's outside shoots are big help." She said matter-of-factly.
"Mit-chin." I said in jest as I nudge her softly by the side.
"But Rukawa is the team's ace player!" she replied mocking my tone.
My heartbeat went wild again. What's wrong?! I just saw him this morning and now. don't tell me I have a reason to believe on love at first sight!?
"Ru.ka.wa.? He seems snobbish."
"Yeah. He's a little aloof, reserved. but like what I said, he's the ace player of Shohoku! He is probably gonna get the Best Rookie award, no doubt about that!"
"Wow. he must be popular."
"He is very popular, especially among girls. He even has his own cheering squad to support him."
"You know a lot about the basketball team. is this because of Mit-chin?" I giggled.
Once again, her rosy cheeks turned red, "No. Ojii-san is the team's coach."
"Ojii-san? The team coach?"
"Yes." She confirmed.
Ojii-san is the team coach. That means I can hang around with the team. with Rukawa. "I think I'll love it here!" I sniggered beside her.
"I think you'll not just love it here, but you'll love Rukawa even more!" she declared, almost shouting and giggling at the same time.
I laughed sarcastically. "Like the way you love Mit-chin now?"
I looked out at the sky, I didn't even notice that the rain was falling harder, because I felt that no matter how hard it gets, I'd still feel the comfort I used to feel. The rain would always be gentle on me. Somehow, I feel that the rain has brought me peacefully to my new home. Somehow, I feel like the rain gives me enough reason to smile, to laugh, and to love amidst the pain of losing. The rain. will always be as gentle as my mom. "Oka-san." I said softly as I smiled. "I know you didn't really leave me."
This is my first Slam Dunk fic. I hope you'll follow the story and enjoy it. Bare with me though, I'm not a good writer. This is for my cousin who loves Mit-chin and Sendoh! LOL Disclaimers: Inoue Takehiko created Slam Dunk, the story and the characters belong to him. I thought of the names Miko and Ame though. Don't sue me. I don't have much.
PART 1 Sotto wa ame ga: The gentle rain Ame-Rukawa
I looked up at the gray sky and liquid started to trickle on my face. I sighed as the wind kissed my cheeks and softly ruffled my hair. I love rain! There is something about it that is so comforting. something that makes me feel light and calm. The cool air, the misty smell, the droplets which sound is like music to my ear. everything!
Sometimes I think this has something to do with me being named after this wonderful shower. Ame. Yes, that would have to be my name. My mom tells me that when I was born, there was a cloudburst. The gloomy sky was as shaded as my chance to live. Yet, when I came out and cried, the rain allayed down as if the heaven was welcoming me.
I looked back down on the ground. On my feet lay my mom's tomb, memories with her flashed back into me that it was hard not to break down and cry, "I'm sorry Oka-san. I know I promised to be strong, and here I am, still feeling weak. feeling helpless without you."
This is my first rainfall without her. I remember how we would be enjoying every drops of liquid. celebrating like it's my birthday. The first rainfall that I sighed and cried. The first. and who knows when will be it's last.
The weather hasn't changed since yesterday. Still, droplets touch my umbrella and the equally blowing wind plays with my skirt, which annoys me anyhow. I stood in front of the train station where I was supposed to be fetched by a cousin. Since Oka-san isn't with me anymore and Ottou-san has to stay at America for work, I should be staying at an Ojii-san and Oba- san's place so as to serve as guardians who will look after me.
They are my Ottou-san's uncle and aunt, the only grandparents I have who are still alive. I have never met them before though. That's probably why I'm a little shaking here, because I have no idea what kind of people I will have to deal with. I heard that they are looking after their granddaughter who opted to stay with them after her parents has separated. Yes, their granddaughter who is already two-and-a-half-hours late!
Across the street was a basketball court, but it wasn't the square that got my attention, the four guys who were playing and shooting without any care on the wet weather. With their stands, heights that professionals have, I can assume that they play for their school. I examined each one of them, there's the shortest guy who probably plays as point guard, not just in view of his height but his speed and agility, the red-haired comical chap, who waived at me with the widest grin I've ever seen this day. The guy who is evidently a good three-point shooter, smiled at me following the grin of his companion, and the last, who seemed reserved, just gave me a glance and proceeded to his shootings.
I respond to their greetings with a diminutive smile and returned my eyes to the empty railroad. I sighed, wondering how long I will have to stay here standing like a security guard. Feeling bored, I glanced back at the basketball buffs, right exactly when the serious guy dunked the ball into the hoop. My eyes widened, it was a perfectly done slamdunk! My lips were already halfway smiling with awe when he gave me a quick look. Within a microsecond, I can be certain that our eyes met. My heartbeat went faster and louder as I felt hardness on my throat, I can't breathe. Somehow his gaze stayed at the back of my mind. I can hear his playmates jeer him, with his dunk, maybe. with me? I don't know. I hope not. I'm not that sure if they noticed, but I felt hot and I know that when I feel hot, that means I'm turning crimson. blushing!
I was so embarrassed on the thought that I had turned red in front of four guys who I don't even know yet. Although we're more or less thirty meters away, I feel that my burning cheeks were very much noticeable.
I quickly turned around, and was jolted to find out I was face-to-face to a pair of brown eyes, staring straight at me. I took a step backward and studied the similar startled look on her face. We stayed like that for a minute or two, both trying to identify each other.
"Ame?" she finally asked with a little hesitation on her voice.
I smiled feeling relieved that I can finally go home and rest, but remembering something, I frowned, "You are almost three hours late!" I commented, crossing my arms on my chest.
She bowed repeatedly while saying "Gomen. gomen. gomen nasai."
I beamed at her, "It's okay. Let's go home now."
She smiled back and extended her hand for a shake, "I'm Miko."
I took her hand, "Ame."
"I know." she chuckled.
"Let's go." I prompted as I lift my bag from the bench and hooked it on my shoulder. I noted that Miko was gazing at something across the street, I followed her gaze and it turned out that she's gazing at someone from the four basketball players. "Doushitano, Miko-san?"
There was no reply.
"Miko? Are you alright?" I put a hand on her shoulder.
She blinked and returned her look on me. "I'm sorry." Miko said softly.
"Do you know them?"
"They are four from the starting five of the Shohoku Basketball team."
Shohoku. At first, the name just sounded pretty familiar, but I remembered that's the name of the school where I would be transferring. Shohoku. so these guys are going to be my schoolmates, I thought, my eyes fixed on the guy who made the slamdunk. Not noticing that my lips are forming into a broad smile.
"Kaede Rukawa. Good choice!"
"Kaede Rukawa?" I asked inquisitively, partly hoping that he's the guy with the black armband.
"The guy you're melting with your spicy look."
I felt hot again, Miko laughed teasingly when she noticed this, "Stop laughing!" I protested, sounding worried that it might get the attention of the players.
Miko gave one last look at the court. She smiled. I caught her bit her lips, something that gave me a notion that she likes someone from the group. We marched to where the cab waiting for us was. We went in and the driver took off.
My eyes were glued to the car keys of the cab, dangling with it was a small key chain, an orange ball resembling to that used in the game basketball. I was having thoughts on asking Miko about Kaede Rukawa, but I felt that I needed to be fed with information about him.
It seemed as if Miko could read my mind. Without any foreword, she began talking about the Shohoku team. "They're great! People think they're not that good but they became stronger. They have taken up popular teams here in Kanagawa. I haven't watched any match against Shoyo, Kainan, or Ryonan but I've seen them play during their practices. Well, right now, you're not familiar with those names, but shortly you will." She says, "You should see their captain, Takenori Akagi. He's a big guy! Sometimes he looks scary, like that of an angry gorilla, but he's nice and very determined. Hanamichi Sakuragi is the red-haired guy from the court."
Sometimes I would cut in, "Hanamichi, he seems funny."
"He is funny! Very funny! He is a self-proclaimed genius, yet he's just a rookie. But he plays well, although he's not really that familiar about basketball and he often commits mistakes."
Most of the times, I would just nod and let her continue, waiting for the name Kaede Rukawa be mentioned.
"Ryota Miyagi is the point-guard."
"The shortest among the four?"
"Hai! But he's very speedy"
"Yeah, I saw him do some assists and steals during their practice." She nodded. "What about the guy you're staring at?" I asked.
Her cheeks turned pink. "Hisashi Mitsui." She uttered with a soft, almost inaudible voice.
"He's a three-pointer."
"Hai. He used to be an MVP during his early years."
"MVP, I see. so he must be a great factor for the team."
"Almost all of them are great factors of the team. But of course, Mit- chin's outside shoots are big help." She said matter-of-factly.
"Mit-chin." I said in jest as I nudge her softly by the side.
"But Rukawa is the team's ace player!" she replied mocking my tone.
My heartbeat went wild again. What's wrong?! I just saw him this morning and now. don't tell me I have a reason to believe on love at first sight!?
"Ru.ka.wa.? He seems snobbish."
"Yeah. He's a little aloof, reserved. but like what I said, he's the ace player of Shohoku! He is probably gonna get the Best Rookie award, no doubt about that!"
"Wow. he must be popular."
"He is very popular, especially among girls. He even has his own cheering squad to support him."
"You know a lot about the basketball team. is this because of Mit-chin?" I giggled.
Once again, her rosy cheeks turned red, "No. Ojii-san is the team's coach."
"Ojii-san? The team coach?"
"Yes." She confirmed.
Ojii-san is the team coach. That means I can hang around with the team. with Rukawa. "I think I'll love it here!" I sniggered beside her.
"I think you'll not just love it here, but you'll love Rukawa even more!" she declared, almost shouting and giggling at the same time.
I laughed sarcastically. "Like the way you love Mit-chin now?"
I looked out at the sky, I didn't even notice that the rain was falling harder, because I felt that no matter how hard it gets, I'd still feel the comfort I used to feel. The rain would always be gentle on me. Somehow, I feel that the rain has brought me peacefully to my new home. Somehow, I feel like the rain gives me enough reason to smile, to laugh, and to love amidst the pain of losing. The rain. will always be as gentle as my mom. "Oka-san." I said softly as I smiled. "I know you didn't really leave me."
This is my first Slam Dunk fic. I hope you'll follow the story and enjoy it. Bare with me though, I'm not a good writer. This is for my cousin who loves Mit-chin and Sendoh! LOL Disclaimers: Inoue Takehiko created Slam Dunk, the story and the characters belong to him. I thought of the names Miko and Ame though. Don't sue me. I don't have much.