Title: Remorse
Author: arisfilan
Rating: PG-13
Part II. Haruko's Confession
Rukawa had sold his house in Kanagawa so he had to check into a hotel. After calling several connections, he found out from their former basketball team manageress, Ayako that Akagi was working in ANGLEE law office as a paralegal assistant.
"Akagi, someone's looking for you," one of the employees called out.
"I'm coming. Just take care of this papers, okay? Mr. Lee will need this at his hearing at 2:00 pm," Akagi replied.
"Who's looking for me?"
"He said he's one of your former teammate."
Akagi was surprised to see a tall raven-haired man standing outside his office.
"Rukawa… Long time no see," Shohoku's former center shook his hand, "When did you arrive?"
"Just this morning. Can I talk to you for a while?"
"Sure. Why don't we just go to the café? It's my lunch break anyway."
"Okay."
In the café.
"So, Rukawa, how are you? I've heard you're doing good in the All-Japan team," Akagi place two cups of hot java on the table. Rukawa sat opposite to him.
"Well, I'm fine."
"Still short for words?"
"I don't think so," Rukawa took a sample of his java. Realizing it was kind of hot, he put it down and languidly stir it with a teaspoon.
"What would you want to talk about?"
"Your sister. I really didn't mean to…"
"I think we should forget about it," Akagi closed his eyes, "It was years ago and besides we can't do anything about it anymore."
"But I have to explain. I have to tell you what happened. I know you're still hurt, she was a very nice person and much nicer sister. I owe you an explanation."
*Flashback*
Rukawa just finished his personal basketball practice and was on his way home when he saw a pretty brown-haired girl outside the gym.
The girl was already approaching when he recognized that she was Akagi Haruko, the younger sister of their captain and the apple of the do'aho's eyes.
"Rukawa, can I…umm…can I talk to you?" Haruko asked, blushing to the roots of her hair.
"Hmm…" What would she want to talk about?
"Can we go to the park? It's more private there."
"Okay." Quite annoyed by this disruption of his sleeping schedule, he nodded.
While walking, Haruko tried to start a conversation. Asking anything that comes to her mind to the taciturn pale boy walking beside her.
"Do you practice everyday?" she glanced at his side.
"Yeah."
"Don't you feel tired?"
"No."
"When did you started playing basketball."
"Since I was a boy."
"How did you learn to play that good?"
"I don't know."
"Do you think you can—oops! We're already here. Let's sit there," she pointed to the bench near the children's playground that was deserted at that moment.
"Uhmm… Rukawa-kun… I know it's very bold of me to talk to you like this but I… I have to do it."
Is she going to confess her feelings for me?
"I've heard that you're going to train for the All-Japan Team and you'll be gone for long, is that right?"
"Yes."
"I don't think I can wait that long to tell you that…" Haruko started to fidget.
"…" That?
"That…"
"…" That what? Are we going to spend the whole night here?
She took a deep breath as if she stayed underwater for too long.
"That I love you, Kaede-kun"
"…" How do I answer that?
The silence after that was unbearable. He knows that he had to say something. He's been waiting for the moment to tell this girl that he doesn't like her so that the do'aho won't be mad at him. So that the do'aho would stop form beating him whenever he's jealous of the attention given to him by Haruko.
"Sorry."
"Huh?" Haruko was bewildered.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"I don't love you."
"You don't love me? Why?" Tears were forming in her eyes. "Why? Is it because I'm not pretty or it is because I act like those stupid girls who faint whenever you're near? Why?" The tears she tried to control are slowly falling down her cheeks.
"It's not about you. I love somebody… somebody else."
"Who? I know I don't have the right to ask this, but who? Who is she?"
"You wouldn't want to know."
"No, I want to know. Please." Haruko pleaded.
"No, Haruko-san. You don't have to know."
Oh God! Why is it so hard to tell her that I love the person who worships her?
How can I tell her that I love that idiot who blushes like the color of his hair whenever she smiles to him?
How can I tell her that I love… Sakuragi?
Soft sobs are now coming from Haruko.
Why is she crying? Doesn't she realize that she's lucky having Sakuragi's love? Isn't it enough that such adorable and loving person is in love with her? If Sakuragi was in love with me, I would be the happiest person in the whole world.
"I'm sorry Rukawa. I didn't mean to bawl like a baby in front of you," Haruko said, sniffing.
"I understand."
"I-I have to go. Takenori-nii-chan would be looking for me."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"And Rukawa…" Haruko took her last glance at him, "I wish that you would be happy with her."
"Thanks." Him not her.
*End of Flashback*
"Sou ka…," Akagi's eyes were misted. "When she got home, I noticed that her eyes were red from crying. I asked her why but she just told me that her head is aching and she needs rest so I let her go to her room to get some sleep. When I knocked at her room in the morning, she didn't answer and her door was locked. I was worried because she never locks her door. And when I opened her room, I saw her on the bed with…" Akagi stopped, remembered erring his sister lying in her bed, eyes closed and blood all over the sheets.
"…with her left wrist slashed while the other hand was clutching a picture of you," Akagi continued with tears threatening to fall.
"I'm very sorry. I was so insensitive. I didn't know that she would be hurt like that," Rukawa softly said.
"I guess we both underestimated my sister's feelings for you. I thought it was just a petty infatuation, I didn't realize that she loved you so much."
"I shouldn't have told her that."
"Stop feeling guilty, it wasn't your fault. Let's just try to forget it. I know that Haruko is happy wherever she is right now."
"All of you blamed me for her death." Rukawa couldn't look at him in the eye.
"No, I guess we just wanted someone to vent our anger to but really it wasn't your fault."
They fell silent after that. They continued eating the food they ordered.
"Don't tell me you came all the way from Tokyo just to ask for my forgiveness?" Akagi broke the ice.
"I'm planning to start a new life in America. I want to put all the bad things behind."
"You're going to America? Are you joining NBA?" Akagi said, still a bit awed with the former Shohoku Ace.
"Well, yes that's what I've been trying to do."
"I know you'll succeed. I never told you this before but you're a very good player."
"Very good? Not the Best?"
"You sounded like the self proclaimed Tensai."
Sakuragi…
Rukawa stopped, he never asked Ayako about Sakuragi. He haven't asked where the do'ahou is coz if he knew where he is, he won't have any reason not to look for him. He doesn't have the courage to face the person he had hurt the most.
Akagi noticed his silence.
"We haven't heard from him since he quit the team," he said instead.
"He must have been hurt about what happened. He likes Haruko so much." Rukawa look at him in the eye.
"I guess so, he's always been such an impulsive guy. He does whatever he wants without thinking about the consequences of his actions," Looking at his watch, Akagi straightened his form. "Rukawa, I have to go. My break is almost over."
"Thank you for talking to me."
"Well, it's nice seeing you again."
"Thanks again, Bye."
"Bye."
Arisfilan: Second chap! I really hope you'd appreciate this. The fic might look to bland but *scratches head* I really want to post this up so…
Crescent: Hey, you promised a movie for this.
Arisfilan: Nani?! It looks awful!
Crescent: C'mon, I don't want to ruin your writing style.
Arisfilan: some beta reader u are.
Crescent: *grins* I'll do better after our exams okay? *steps out of the room*
Arisfilan: *sigh* Please read and reiview, minna-san! Thank you to the following:
Kristel – ummm, no, not a sad one demo Haruko died here… thanks for reviewing!
Nakkie – hi! This one's a 6 page chap. Still short? Ehehe! Thank you! At least Rukawa knows he love Hana here…
Tina Caps – I've heard about you! My friend says ur fics are good! Thanks for reading this… it's not much but I think I progressed a bit! Thank you!
Ayu – thanks, I really appreciate that u liked it!
Crescent – what are you doing here? *eyes her suspiciously* you should be editing my other works! *drags her in front of the computer* hehe, ore wa tensai!