A/N: Hi! Sorry! I'm so lazy when it comes to typing. Gomen nasai! Here's
Chapter four, " I want to." Please review!!!!
Another two weeks had passed and Mayu felt her illness seemed to catch up with her. It's a miracle that she wouldn't cough for about five minutes, continuously. Haruko's bloodshot eyes looked at Mayu helplessly. She survived without coughing out blood the whole day. At practice, she decided to tell her teammates about it.
That afternoon, the whole bunch of dancers sat in a crowd in front of her and Otomo-sensei. It was long after they gather and still she can't talk. Until the basketball players arrived, with their outsider friends. " do you want to tell us something?" a dancer asked her. Mayu continued to wring her hands. " if you continue that, it will come off." Hanamichi commented. They laughed while Mayu gave a weak smile. Haruko and the others were there too, standing behind the cluster of dancers. To her right is the door, a perfect exit! Rukawa stayed at the side.
" there is something that I need to tell you." Mayu started then cough once. Haruko was about to come to her but a hand stopped her, Rukawa's. " are you ok?" Mitsui asked worriedly.
This is it! for once I'll know what's happening to her. Rukawa said. " she doesn't look so good. She looked like she might faint." Sendoh whispered to Hanamichi. Anzai-sensei stepped beside Mayu and tapped her shoulders then nodded to her. Oniichan told him. Mayu concluded, looking at the sensei's cloudy eyes.
Mayu took a deep breath, maybe her last. She took courage to look at them into the eyes. " I want to tell you that I can't dance with you to the competition." Mayu announced. Surprised murmurs and gasps were heard. " but why? We can win the competition with you around!" Hanamichi said. Mayu raised her hand to shut them up. " please.help me get through this." Mayu said. the gym went gravely silent. Mayu took another deep breath.
" it's because.it's because." Mayu stammered. " it's because of what?" one of her co-dancers demanded. " yeah! First to made us feel that you're a part of the team then you're leaving us suspended in the air! Please stop wasting our time!" the other said. the dancers stared protesting. " come on! let her talk!" Sakuragi yelled. Their words stung like knives into Mayu's heart. " stop it. please stop it. don't give her ugly memories." Haruko cried. she can't hold it anymore. She collapsed against her brother and started sobbing. " Haruko-san! What happened?" Sakuragi yelled as the angry babble continued.
" I HAVE PNEUMONIA AND I DON'T THINK I CAN MAKE IT 'TILL TOMORROW!" Mayu suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs. Everybody was stunned. N-no. Rukawa's heart sank. " w-what?" Otomo-sensei said in disbelief. Anzai- sensei stopped her from asking more questions. Haruko cried even more. " that's why I trained Hana to be my replacement because I knew then that I only have a month to live.." Mayu paused. " that's it. I've said it, finally." She added then coughed a little." b-but that can't be possible! You're too far from being sick!" Hanamichi pressed. Mayu gave him a sad smile. " looks can be deceiving, that's what I told Haruko when I told her about it three weeks ago." Mayu said. " stop.it. Mayu.please." Haruko sobbed.
That's the reason! Kami-sama, that really is the reason! Rukawa thought. the cold expression in his eyes melted and was replaced by concern and sadness. Otomo-sensei suddenly burst into tears and leaned against Anzai- sensei for support.
" Arigatou gozaimashite! I don't think I can get through this pain without you. demo, gomen nasai!" Mayu said. her teammates started to cry and Ayako leaned against Ryota for help.
" there's so many things that I want to do. I want to paint but I can't because of the smell. I want to compete in the Olympics and win the gold but I can't." Mayu said. she's trying her hardest not to cry in front of them. she started twirling at the string of black beads around her right wrist, Ken's gift for her. K'so! I hate seeing other people cry! Mayu thought while looking at them.
" I want to play basketball but I can't. I want to play soccer so that I can play with oniichan but I can't." Mayu paused. Tears finally came down her eyes. stop it! please I'm begging you, Mayu. Stop it! Rukawa's head screamed.
" I.I.want to dance.be.because I.practiced.but.I.I can't." Mayu sobbed. She stepped away form the comforting hand of Otomo-sensei. " Mayu.stop this. I'm.begging you." Haruko sobbed.
" and lastly, I.want to.live.I really.want to.live." Mayu sobbed then she raised her head. " but I can't because this disease is killing me!!!" she yelled. Haruko sobbed harder. " thanks.for listening. Domo. Sayonara, minna- san." Mayu said then started running towards the door. Before she can get out, a hand stopped her, Rukawa's hand. " Mayu, please stay." Rukawa said oh so softly.
" Let go of me Rukawa." Mayu said but his hand won't tug away. " I said LET GO!" Mayu yelled then yanked her right hand from his grip, destroying the bracelet in the process then ran outside. " MAYU!!!" Hanamichi yelled. Rukawa wasn't thinking but he ran after her and so as Hanamichi.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Yu-chan." Ken murmured while clutching his heart. Kami-sama please don't let something happen to her. please! Ken's mind screamed. He looked around the empty soccer field and felt empty. N-no. he murmured. " NO!!!" he yelled and started to run out of the field to his car, ignoring the sensei's call.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mayu was running, her eyes blinded with tears and she can't see where she's going. She suddenly dropped into her knees by the sidewalk not far from the school gate. She started coughing continuously. Kami-sama, this is it. she pondered as she continued, feeling her back hurt from her ministrations. rust colored liquid dripped on the concrete from the hand Mayu used to cover her mouth. She stared at the red liquid in her hand before another fit of coughs came out of her. hell! She mused. She can't even hear the yells of Rukawa and Hanamichi who were running towards her.
No! Rukawa sped up then landed next to the coughing Mayu. She looked so pale and weak and his eyes widened when he saw the drops of blood-like liquid on the cement.
" is she ok?" Hanamichi panted. " go tell Anzai-sensei to call her parents now!" Rukawa said. " but-" Hanamichi paused. " NOW! god damn it! I'll bring her to the nearest hospital!" Rukawa yelled then carried the limp Mayu. Hanamichi hesitantly turned his back before running back to the gym.
Rukawa hailed a taxi then quickly stepped inside. " to the nearest hospital, please hurry." Rukawa panted. The driver saw Mayu and the taxi sped away. Good thing Rukawa hid his money in his shoes. He brushed the blood off Mayu's lips. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Ru.ka.wa." Mayu stammered, feeling limp in his arms. " shhh. Don't speak. Just hang on." Rukawa said in a soft voice. Mayu's heart lightened and she smiled weakly. " I forgot to tell them something." Mayu said.
" I told you not to talk." Rukawa gently scolded her while tucking her dark locks aside. " I.forgot to tell them that.I want to live.being loved.by someone." Mayu paused then coughed a little. " I told you not to talk." Rukawa said firmly this time. talking wastes their time, together. He may be afraid to admit it but he loves her. Those four cold weeks he'd been battling with his mind, to love or not to love Mayu. And he felt so stupid, not being able to tell her, even at last moments of her life here on earth.
" someone.some.one like.you." Mayu finished her sentence. Rukawa stared at her. " hai.a.aishiteru.Ruka.wa Ka.Kaede." Mayu faltered, gasping for air. " shhh. Please don't talk. Save your energy." Rukawa said, touched by her struggle to tell him how she feels. She closed her eyes, not waiting for the dreaded response she'd been waiting for.
" we're here, sir." The taxi driver said." wait for me." Rukawa said then jumped out, carrying Mayu inside the hospital. The taxi driver looked at the couple in sympathy the sped away. Leave aside the payment, good sir. May your love survive. The driver thought as he drove away from the hospital.
Rukawa hailed the nurses and they immediately took care of her. they brought her to the intensive care unit (ICU). Rukawa was not permitted inside. he slumped down on a bench outside the room when he remembered the taxi driver. He hurried out and found nothing. " where could that man be?" Rukawa asked when he went back inside. he sat alone, his head buried against his knees as he pondered on the words that Mayu had said.
a.aishiteru.Ruka.wa.Ka.Kaede. Rukawa thought. He was far from crying but his heart and mind is clouded with unbearable sadness. Kami-sama, please don't let her die. Rukawa wished silently. Please.
Mayu's family was informed immediately and they went to the nearest hospital, thinking that Rukawa brought Mayu there. When they went to the information desk, they found out that a girl with pneumonia was brought to the ICU a few moments ago. They ran towards the ICU and found Rukawa sitting on the bench outside the room with his knees up and his head buried in it.
" Rukawa-kun, what happened to her?" Laika asked the boy immediately. Rukawa stared at her with sad blue eyes then looked at the door. " they brought her in ten minutes ago." He said. then after a few seconds, the basketball team went in.
" where's she?" Akagi asked. Hanamichi was staring at Rukawa, can't believe on the new emotion the kitsune was portraying now in his eyes.
The nurse suddenly pulled the curtain aside and they saw the limp body of Mayu lying on a bed with a tube attached to her right hand, leading to a pack of dextrose. " n-no." Laika sobbed again. They saw Mayu moved and coughed. Ken tore his eyes away from the scene as Mayu coughed painfully, clutching her chest. Shoichiro closed his eyes. a nurse went out of the door but Laika stopped her.
" please, please pull the curtain. I don't want to see her that way. Please." She sobbed. The nurse was frozen. " please." Ken said, watching his sister's painful ministrations. The nurse nodded then went inside. Rukawa caught a last glance at Mayu before the nurse pulled the curtain to hide her from the view then walked away, so slowly, feeling that metal balls were attached to his feet
" Rukawa." Hanamichi murmured and followed him. they walked out of the scene silently, contemplating on picture they just saw. Hanamichi looked at Rukawa's extra pale face as they went to the cafeteria.
Rukawa slumped on a chair while Hanamichi ordered tea for both of them. he offered Rukawa tea and the by accepted it. an eerie silence filled the gap between them. " so.did she say anything?" Hanamichi asked him hesitantly. Not that kitsune will tell me. Hanamichi concluded in his mind.
" she." Rukawa started, not looking at Hanamichi but to his tea. Hanamichi froze. Kami-sama, he's really going to tell me! He thought, staring at Rukawa in disbelief. " she told me that she wanted to live her life being loved by someone." the brunette continued with no haste. " uh-uh, then?" Hanamichi persisted him. " by someone like me." Rukawa finished his sentence with a sigh. Hanamichi was off-track for a few seconds.
" wha-what? Say that again." Hanamichi said, wanting to make sure he heard right.
" she said she loves me, do'aho." Rukawa said nonchalantly, finally looking at the dumbfounded redhead.
" temme kitsune!" Hanamichi blurted out. The canteen personnel and other patrons of that place looked at the redhead in shock. " uh, gomen nasai." Hanamichi said then looked at Rukawa.
" so, what will you do about that? you're not certainly breaking her heart coz I'll break your nose first." Hanamichi said. Rukawa gave him a cold look. " I thought you're interested with Akagi's sister?" Rukawa asked him. " Baka. Mayu is a friend of the guntai and she's a sick girl. Breaking her heart might worsen her conditions if." Hanamichi paused, a dark gloom passed his face.
Rukawa noticed him then slammed him hands on the table, making their cups rattle. " she not going to die!" Rukawa cried, anger flaring in his eyes. now they caught real attention from the canteen manager.
" Good sirs, please if you're making such noise here, please get out, QUIETLY." The manager emphasized at the word quiet. " gomen." Hanamichi said. he gave Rukawa his cup of tea then dragged their butts out.
when they are safe outside, Hanamichi gave a sigh of relief. " baka." He said. " do'aho." Rukawa retorted. Hanamichi let off his insult for once.
" you didn't answer my question." Hanamichi said as they started walking back to the ICU.
" I want her to live too.to live being loved." Rukawa paused then looked at the ceiling, his face a little flushed. " being love by me." Rukawa said then looked at Hanamichi. Hanamichi stood frozen but Rukawa continued to walk. He can't believe seeing Rukawa in that state.
He sighed then followed him. as they walked back to the ICU, they found the same sad persons outside the room though no one is crying this time. it seems that a heavy aura fills this corner of the hospital.
Rukawa stayed at the corner, staring at the door.
" we're ready for this. I know we've talked about it but it's just." Laika said with a voice hoarse from crying. " it's just too painful." Ken finished her sentence. " Ken-chan." Shoichiro murmured. " but still, I believe that she will be ok, she will." Ken said in a distant voice. " she will." Shoichiro repeated what his son had said. she will.
After an hour of silence, Akagi, Ayako, Haruko, Ryota, Mitsui and Hanamichi went home while Rukawa stayed behind.
" I've never seen you hang out with my sister. what's your name?" Ken asked in a monotone voice. He sat down next to him.
" Rukawa, Rukawa Kaede." Rukawa answered. " oh so you're the Rukawa guy." Ken murmured. Rukawa arched one brow. " my sister used to tell me things about you." Ken sighed. " Mayu? Like what?" Rukawa asked. " that you are good in basketball and you'll be making Michael Jordan run for his money." Ken said, looking up. Rukawa smiled a little.
" she talks about me?" he asked. " actually a lot, her tantrum nights are excluded." Shoichiro said. " tantrum nights" Rukawa asked. " hai." Laika said. Rukawa blushed. " She's my best friend. she defended me from my raging ex-girlfriends, gave me advices and helped me practice. She was the best gymnast I've ever seen but her stopped a year ago because we found out that she has pneumonia." Ken said.
" she one of the good girls in school. You know, law-abiding students." Rukawa said. " oh? odd. She used to violate school rules when we're still studying at U.K." Ken said chuckling. " She a very naughty girl. I remembered her spying on the men's locker room one time." Ken said. They talked about Mayu and her sweetness as a daughter and her other pleasant characteristics.
A few moments later and the clock struck 7:00. the doctor that was observing her from inside came out. they all stood up, waiting for results. The doctor sighed.
" doctor, please tell me if my daughter will live." Shoichiro said. " she stopped coughing out blood and." the doctor paused. Laika's lip trembled. " and?" Ken asked. " and she's going to be ok." the doctor finished with a smile. Laika squealed in delight and embraced Shoichiro. " Kami-sama, thank you." Ken said. Rukawa smiled and gave a sigh of relief.
" she'll be asleep for one or two days because her lungs is still weak but she managed. She embraced death and surpassed it. she'll be wonderful when she wake up." the doctor said.
Another two weeks had passed and Mayu felt her illness seemed to catch up with her. It's a miracle that she wouldn't cough for about five minutes, continuously. Haruko's bloodshot eyes looked at Mayu helplessly. She survived without coughing out blood the whole day. At practice, she decided to tell her teammates about it.
That afternoon, the whole bunch of dancers sat in a crowd in front of her and Otomo-sensei. It was long after they gather and still she can't talk. Until the basketball players arrived, with their outsider friends. " do you want to tell us something?" a dancer asked her. Mayu continued to wring her hands. " if you continue that, it will come off." Hanamichi commented. They laughed while Mayu gave a weak smile. Haruko and the others were there too, standing behind the cluster of dancers. To her right is the door, a perfect exit! Rukawa stayed at the side.
" there is something that I need to tell you." Mayu started then cough once. Haruko was about to come to her but a hand stopped her, Rukawa's. " are you ok?" Mitsui asked worriedly.
This is it! for once I'll know what's happening to her. Rukawa said. " she doesn't look so good. She looked like she might faint." Sendoh whispered to Hanamichi. Anzai-sensei stepped beside Mayu and tapped her shoulders then nodded to her. Oniichan told him. Mayu concluded, looking at the sensei's cloudy eyes.
Mayu took a deep breath, maybe her last. She took courage to look at them into the eyes. " I want to tell you that I can't dance with you to the competition." Mayu announced. Surprised murmurs and gasps were heard. " but why? We can win the competition with you around!" Hanamichi said. Mayu raised her hand to shut them up. " please.help me get through this." Mayu said. the gym went gravely silent. Mayu took another deep breath.
" it's because.it's because." Mayu stammered. " it's because of what?" one of her co-dancers demanded. " yeah! First to made us feel that you're a part of the team then you're leaving us suspended in the air! Please stop wasting our time!" the other said. the dancers stared protesting. " come on! let her talk!" Sakuragi yelled. Their words stung like knives into Mayu's heart. " stop it. please stop it. don't give her ugly memories." Haruko cried. she can't hold it anymore. She collapsed against her brother and started sobbing. " Haruko-san! What happened?" Sakuragi yelled as the angry babble continued.
" I HAVE PNEUMONIA AND I DON'T THINK I CAN MAKE IT 'TILL TOMORROW!" Mayu suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs. Everybody was stunned. N-no. Rukawa's heart sank. " w-what?" Otomo-sensei said in disbelief. Anzai- sensei stopped her from asking more questions. Haruko cried even more. " that's why I trained Hana to be my replacement because I knew then that I only have a month to live.." Mayu paused. " that's it. I've said it, finally." She added then coughed a little." b-but that can't be possible! You're too far from being sick!" Hanamichi pressed. Mayu gave him a sad smile. " looks can be deceiving, that's what I told Haruko when I told her about it three weeks ago." Mayu said. " stop.it. Mayu.please." Haruko sobbed.
That's the reason! Kami-sama, that really is the reason! Rukawa thought. the cold expression in his eyes melted and was replaced by concern and sadness. Otomo-sensei suddenly burst into tears and leaned against Anzai- sensei for support.
" Arigatou gozaimashite! I don't think I can get through this pain without you. demo, gomen nasai!" Mayu said. her teammates started to cry and Ayako leaned against Ryota for help.
" there's so many things that I want to do. I want to paint but I can't because of the smell. I want to compete in the Olympics and win the gold but I can't." Mayu said. she's trying her hardest not to cry in front of them. she started twirling at the string of black beads around her right wrist, Ken's gift for her. K'so! I hate seeing other people cry! Mayu thought while looking at them.
" I want to play basketball but I can't. I want to play soccer so that I can play with oniichan but I can't." Mayu paused. Tears finally came down her eyes. stop it! please I'm begging you, Mayu. Stop it! Rukawa's head screamed.
" I.I.want to dance.be.because I.practiced.but.I.I can't." Mayu sobbed. She stepped away form the comforting hand of Otomo-sensei. " Mayu.stop this. I'm.begging you." Haruko sobbed.
" and lastly, I.want to.live.I really.want to.live." Mayu sobbed then she raised her head. " but I can't because this disease is killing me!!!" she yelled. Haruko sobbed harder. " thanks.for listening. Domo. Sayonara, minna- san." Mayu said then started running towards the door. Before she can get out, a hand stopped her, Rukawa's hand. " Mayu, please stay." Rukawa said oh so softly.
" Let go of me Rukawa." Mayu said but his hand won't tug away. " I said LET GO!" Mayu yelled then yanked her right hand from his grip, destroying the bracelet in the process then ran outside. " MAYU!!!" Hanamichi yelled. Rukawa wasn't thinking but he ran after her and so as Hanamichi.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Yu-chan." Ken murmured while clutching his heart. Kami-sama please don't let something happen to her. please! Ken's mind screamed. He looked around the empty soccer field and felt empty. N-no. he murmured. " NO!!!" he yelled and started to run out of the field to his car, ignoring the sensei's call.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mayu was running, her eyes blinded with tears and she can't see where she's going. She suddenly dropped into her knees by the sidewalk not far from the school gate. She started coughing continuously. Kami-sama, this is it. she pondered as she continued, feeling her back hurt from her ministrations. rust colored liquid dripped on the concrete from the hand Mayu used to cover her mouth. She stared at the red liquid in her hand before another fit of coughs came out of her. hell! She mused. She can't even hear the yells of Rukawa and Hanamichi who were running towards her.
No! Rukawa sped up then landed next to the coughing Mayu. She looked so pale and weak and his eyes widened when he saw the drops of blood-like liquid on the cement.
" is she ok?" Hanamichi panted. " go tell Anzai-sensei to call her parents now!" Rukawa said. " but-" Hanamichi paused. " NOW! god damn it! I'll bring her to the nearest hospital!" Rukawa yelled then carried the limp Mayu. Hanamichi hesitantly turned his back before running back to the gym.
Rukawa hailed a taxi then quickly stepped inside. " to the nearest hospital, please hurry." Rukawa panted. The driver saw Mayu and the taxi sped away. Good thing Rukawa hid his money in his shoes. He brushed the blood off Mayu's lips. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Ru.ka.wa." Mayu stammered, feeling limp in his arms. " shhh. Don't speak. Just hang on." Rukawa said in a soft voice. Mayu's heart lightened and she smiled weakly. " I forgot to tell them something." Mayu said.
" I told you not to talk." Rukawa gently scolded her while tucking her dark locks aside. " I.forgot to tell them that.I want to live.being loved.by someone." Mayu paused then coughed a little. " I told you not to talk." Rukawa said firmly this time. talking wastes their time, together. He may be afraid to admit it but he loves her. Those four cold weeks he'd been battling with his mind, to love or not to love Mayu. And he felt so stupid, not being able to tell her, even at last moments of her life here on earth.
" someone.some.one like.you." Mayu finished her sentence. Rukawa stared at her. " hai.a.aishiteru.Ruka.wa Ka.Kaede." Mayu faltered, gasping for air. " shhh. Please don't talk. Save your energy." Rukawa said, touched by her struggle to tell him how she feels. She closed her eyes, not waiting for the dreaded response she'd been waiting for.
" we're here, sir." The taxi driver said." wait for me." Rukawa said then jumped out, carrying Mayu inside the hospital. The taxi driver looked at the couple in sympathy the sped away. Leave aside the payment, good sir. May your love survive. The driver thought as he drove away from the hospital.
Rukawa hailed the nurses and they immediately took care of her. they brought her to the intensive care unit (ICU). Rukawa was not permitted inside. he slumped down on a bench outside the room when he remembered the taxi driver. He hurried out and found nothing. " where could that man be?" Rukawa asked when he went back inside. he sat alone, his head buried against his knees as he pondered on the words that Mayu had said.
a.aishiteru.Ruka.wa.Ka.Kaede. Rukawa thought. He was far from crying but his heart and mind is clouded with unbearable sadness. Kami-sama, please don't let her die. Rukawa wished silently. Please.
Mayu's family was informed immediately and they went to the nearest hospital, thinking that Rukawa brought Mayu there. When they went to the information desk, they found out that a girl with pneumonia was brought to the ICU a few moments ago. They ran towards the ICU and found Rukawa sitting on the bench outside the room with his knees up and his head buried in it.
" Rukawa-kun, what happened to her?" Laika asked the boy immediately. Rukawa stared at her with sad blue eyes then looked at the door. " they brought her in ten minutes ago." He said. then after a few seconds, the basketball team went in.
" where's she?" Akagi asked. Hanamichi was staring at Rukawa, can't believe on the new emotion the kitsune was portraying now in his eyes.
The nurse suddenly pulled the curtain aside and they saw the limp body of Mayu lying on a bed with a tube attached to her right hand, leading to a pack of dextrose. " n-no." Laika sobbed again. They saw Mayu moved and coughed. Ken tore his eyes away from the scene as Mayu coughed painfully, clutching her chest. Shoichiro closed his eyes. a nurse went out of the door but Laika stopped her.
" please, please pull the curtain. I don't want to see her that way. Please." She sobbed. The nurse was frozen. " please." Ken said, watching his sister's painful ministrations. The nurse nodded then went inside. Rukawa caught a last glance at Mayu before the nurse pulled the curtain to hide her from the view then walked away, so slowly, feeling that metal balls were attached to his feet
" Rukawa." Hanamichi murmured and followed him. they walked out of the scene silently, contemplating on picture they just saw. Hanamichi looked at Rukawa's extra pale face as they went to the cafeteria.
Rukawa slumped on a chair while Hanamichi ordered tea for both of them. he offered Rukawa tea and the by accepted it. an eerie silence filled the gap between them. " so.did she say anything?" Hanamichi asked him hesitantly. Not that kitsune will tell me. Hanamichi concluded in his mind.
" she." Rukawa started, not looking at Hanamichi but to his tea. Hanamichi froze. Kami-sama, he's really going to tell me! He thought, staring at Rukawa in disbelief. " she told me that she wanted to live her life being loved by someone." the brunette continued with no haste. " uh-uh, then?" Hanamichi persisted him. " by someone like me." Rukawa finished his sentence with a sigh. Hanamichi was off-track for a few seconds.
" wha-what? Say that again." Hanamichi said, wanting to make sure he heard right.
" she said she loves me, do'aho." Rukawa said nonchalantly, finally looking at the dumbfounded redhead.
" temme kitsune!" Hanamichi blurted out. The canteen personnel and other patrons of that place looked at the redhead in shock. " uh, gomen nasai." Hanamichi said then looked at Rukawa.
" so, what will you do about that? you're not certainly breaking her heart coz I'll break your nose first." Hanamichi said. Rukawa gave him a cold look. " I thought you're interested with Akagi's sister?" Rukawa asked him. " Baka. Mayu is a friend of the guntai and she's a sick girl. Breaking her heart might worsen her conditions if." Hanamichi paused, a dark gloom passed his face.
Rukawa noticed him then slammed him hands on the table, making their cups rattle. " she not going to die!" Rukawa cried, anger flaring in his eyes. now they caught real attention from the canteen manager.
" Good sirs, please if you're making such noise here, please get out, QUIETLY." The manager emphasized at the word quiet. " gomen." Hanamichi said. he gave Rukawa his cup of tea then dragged their butts out.
when they are safe outside, Hanamichi gave a sigh of relief. " baka." He said. " do'aho." Rukawa retorted. Hanamichi let off his insult for once.
" you didn't answer my question." Hanamichi said as they started walking back to the ICU.
" I want her to live too.to live being loved." Rukawa paused then looked at the ceiling, his face a little flushed. " being love by me." Rukawa said then looked at Hanamichi. Hanamichi stood frozen but Rukawa continued to walk. He can't believe seeing Rukawa in that state.
He sighed then followed him. as they walked back to the ICU, they found the same sad persons outside the room though no one is crying this time. it seems that a heavy aura fills this corner of the hospital.
Rukawa stayed at the corner, staring at the door.
" we're ready for this. I know we've talked about it but it's just." Laika said with a voice hoarse from crying. " it's just too painful." Ken finished her sentence. " Ken-chan." Shoichiro murmured. " but still, I believe that she will be ok, she will." Ken said in a distant voice. " she will." Shoichiro repeated what his son had said. she will.
After an hour of silence, Akagi, Ayako, Haruko, Ryota, Mitsui and Hanamichi went home while Rukawa stayed behind.
" I've never seen you hang out with my sister. what's your name?" Ken asked in a monotone voice. He sat down next to him.
" Rukawa, Rukawa Kaede." Rukawa answered. " oh so you're the Rukawa guy." Ken murmured. Rukawa arched one brow. " my sister used to tell me things about you." Ken sighed. " Mayu? Like what?" Rukawa asked. " that you are good in basketball and you'll be making Michael Jordan run for his money." Ken said, looking up. Rukawa smiled a little.
" she talks about me?" he asked. " actually a lot, her tantrum nights are excluded." Shoichiro said. " tantrum nights" Rukawa asked. " hai." Laika said. Rukawa blushed. " She's my best friend. she defended me from my raging ex-girlfriends, gave me advices and helped me practice. She was the best gymnast I've ever seen but her stopped a year ago because we found out that she has pneumonia." Ken said.
" she one of the good girls in school. You know, law-abiding students." Rukawa said. " oh? odd. She used to violate school rules when we're still studying at U.K." Ken said chuckling. " She a very naughty girl. I remembered her spying on the men's locker room one time." Ken said. They talked about Mayu and her sweetness as a daughter and her other pleasant characteristics.
A few moments later and the clock struck 7:00. the doctor that was observing her from inside came out. they all stood up, waiting for results. The doctor sighed.
" doctor, please tell me if my daughter will live." Shoichiro said. " she stopped coughing out blood and." the doctor paused. Laika's lip trembled. " and?" Ken asked. " and she's going to be ok." the doctor finished with a smile. Laika squealed in delight and embraced Shoichiro. " Kami-sama, thank you." Ken said. Rukawa smiled and gave a sigh of relief.
" she'll be asleep for one or two days because her lungs is still weak but she managed. She embraced death and surpassed it. she'll be wonderful when she wake up." the doctor said.
