Mayu lay still on a well-made bed in the hospital. Her skin regained a
little color than last night. she lay asleep, breathing air slowly as if
relishing the sweet scent of fresh air in her weak but working lungs.
Tanaka Laika left her fashion boutique to take care of her full time while Shoichiro does half-day schedule in the sport shop he and Ken are running as business partners. Ken tried to stay at the hospital as much as possible but he needs to practice for a few hours. The three of them tried to be with Mayu so that they would witness her awakening, welcoming her to the world again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haruko sat uneasily on her seat that afternoon. " Haruko, please don't fidget like that." Matsui said. Haruko sighed. Fuji looked at her sympathetically. " its just." Haruko started. " she's going to be fine. Don't worry. if you want, we'll visit her this afternoon if you're that paranoid." Matsui said. " o-ok." Haruko nodded uncertainly.
After class, Haruko, Matsui and Fuji went to the hospital to visit Mayu. When they arrived, they found Ken sitting next to Mayu's bed while holding her hand. Mayu is still asleep but color returned on her pale skin.
Ken looked up when he heard someone went inside and saw Haruko and her friends.
" Moshi!" Ken greeted them with a tired, smiling face. " Konnichiwa. I'm Akagi Haruko and these are my friends, Matsui and Fuji. We are friends of Mayu." Haruko said. " oh, sit down." Ken gestured to them. they sat down on the couch while still staring at the sleeping figure of Mayu.
" is.is she going to be ok?" Matsui asked. " oh yeah." Ken said with a smile. " you mean." Fuji started. " she survived. She will live." Ken said. Haruko suddenly burst into feats of sobs. " Arigatou Kami-sama, Arigatou." Matsui said while crying. " don't worry. she'll wake up eventually." Ken said. " when?" Haruko asked while drying her eyes. " we don't know. but the doctor said sooner or later." Ken said. " oh." they murmured. Ken yawned.
" gomen ne. I think we've disturbed you. we'll leave now to give you time to rest." Haruko said. " no it's ok." Ken told them. " we just came here to check if Mayu is still ok." Matsui said. " demo." Ken protested. " we'll come back this Thursday." Fuji said. " oh well, if you insist." Ken said. he stood up to walked them up to the door. " sayonara!" he said. " domo." They said and stepped out of the room.
Haruko felt the big thorn stuck in her throat was pulled out. " see? I told you she's ok." Matsui told them as they walk along the corridor. When they reached the lobby, Haruko's eyes caught something. She saw the tall figure of Rukawa Kaede holding a bouquet of white lilies. Rukawa-kun? Why is he here? Haruko mused. " Haruko, will you hurry up?" Matsui called to her. the two were already by the door. Haruko jolted especially when Rukawa took the elevator. Maybe.maybe he's here to visit Mayu but why? Maybe.oh no. Haruko smiled sadly. It's ok.I know.Rukawa has the right to love someone he likes and Mayu is perfect for him.perfect for him. she sadly concluded in her mind. " Haruko." Fuji's voice shook her off from her sad musings. Haruko sighed then started to walk towards the door. It's ok. there made for each other. Haruko though, with a smiled she walked out of the door, admitting to herself that Rukawa is for Mayu and Mayu is for Rukawa.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rukawa knocked on the door three times. he waited for a few seconds before the door opened and Ken welcomed him in.
" Yo! Howdy." Ken said. Rukawa nodded and came in. he laid the bouquet of lilies at the table beside Mayu's bed then sat on the chair at the other side of the bed. He looked at her sleeping figure with relief. Ken smiled, knowing Rukawa, he's sure that this boy is in love with her sister.
" don't you have any practice?" Ken asked while taking the bouquet to the sink to place them in a vase. " I told them I would not join." Rukawa said. " oh." Ken said while filling the white vase with water.
" so how is she?" Rukawa asked, timidly taking Mayu's hand in his. " well, the doctor said." Ken yawned. " .she will be fine." He continued. He started stacking the long slender flowers into the vase. A calm silence filled the room; only the rustling of the flowing water can be heard. When Ken turned around, he saw Rukawa holding Mayu's hand. The brunette suddenly released it the looked at her face to avoid his gaze.
Ken yawned again. He hadn't slept all morning and afternoon, hesitant that by the moment he closed his tired eyes, something will happen to Mayu.
" you look tired." Rukawa said. " yeah. I haven't had a decent sleep since last night. dad will be here in a hour." Ken said. " I can stay with her 'till your father comes. You can take your rest." Rukawa said. Ken stared at him in amazement. " um, well maybe not." Rukawa added, catching a sidelong glance at Ken.
" no, it's ok. my eyelids are very heavy. Ok, I'll sleep on the couch. Wake me up when dad comes, ok?" Ken said while walking towards the couch. " yosh." Rukawa said. " Arigatou.Rukawa-kun." Ken said then lazily stretched on the couch. After a few seconds, he was sound asleep. Rukawa turned his attention back to Mayu. She looked so innocent, so naïve that you'd suspect her for an angel. Rukawa took her hand again and held it. he rested his head on the bed, just staring at her.
after a two hours, Shoichiro arrived and found Rukawa sitting beside Mayu while Ken was sleeping on the couch. He thanked the brunette for keeping eye on Mayu. Rukawa left the hospital with a light heart.
" our little angel is quite lucky, right Ken?" Shoichiro asked his eldest as he arranged the fruits he brought for Mayu. " yeah. She has a fox guarding her." Ken answered. the two men laughed.
it was cool the following afternoon and Anzai-sensei ordered the basketball team to visit Mayu. The first years stayed to practice some more while Rukawa and Hanamichi managed to tag along.
Something came up Kogure's mind while they are walking down town. " hey guys, let's visit the gift shop and find something for Mayu." Kogure said. " great idea!" Ayako said and they had no choice but to follow their lead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken, Laika and Shoichiro were just about to shift places when they heard Mayu stirring from her deep slumber. The three hurried to her bed as Mayu finally opened her eyes. Laika sobbed in happiness, seeing her daughter's blue eyes again.
" is this heaven?" Mayu asked softly. Shoichiro smiled. " no honey, you're still alive and you're here with us." he said. Mayu looked around and saw the grinning face of her brother. " oniichan." Mayu whispered. " yes, Yu- chan, I'm here." Ken said, fighting back his advancing tears. " Ottousan." Mayu whispered. " yes, baby..I'm here." Shoichiro said, his unshed tears finally fell down. " I'm here." he murmured as he embraced his only daughter. Life came back to the Tanaka family, because Mayu is back, their little piece of sunshine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was afternoon and when Haruko finally approached Rukawa. They were standing behind the school buildings.
" what is it?" Rukawa asked Haruko with his usual monotone voice. " A-ano, Rukawa-kun." Haruko murmured. Her heart was beating like hell. " I don't have time. hurry." He told her. " A-ano.do you like." Haruko started. Rukawa's brow arched. Haruko looked at him and saw her flushed face and teary eyes.
" do you like Mayu?" Haruko asked with a shaky voice. Rukawa stared at her. " I mean, I just want to know, that's all." Haruko said, wiping her eyes. " un." Rukawa groaned. It's true! Kami-sama, it's true! Haruko's mind shouted. " oh well.good for you.take care of her." Haruko said. Rukawa nodded, slightly touched by the girl's reaction.
Tears flowed down freely from her eyes. " that's all I wanted to asked, Rukawa-kun. Arigatou." Haruko said. Rukawa nodded and turned his back from her and walked away.
Haruko sank unto her knees and sobbed her heart out. K'so! No matter how I do it, it's still damned painful! She mused. A lone zephyr swept past her, leaving her in pain and sorrow of unfulfilled love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hanamichi and the others were busy finding the right gift for Mayu. Each of them has an idea of their own. Rukawa paced at the back of the store and spotted a life-size teddy bear with eyes that looked so real. he tapped the shoulders of a saleslady and asked the prize. Hanamichi and the rest except Ayako on the other hand settled for a set of cute cuddly teddy bears of different shades of brown. Ayako chose to buy balloons for each bear to hold.
" there!" Hanamichi said. they're jaws dropped when Rukawa took the life- size bear to the counter. " Rukawa? Is that you?" Mitsui asked in disbelief. " see? Since Rukawa bought a life-size bear, the small bears can act as its cubs." Kogure said. " come to think of it." Akagi murmured. The paid for their purchase then went out of the store.
A few moments later, they reached the hospital and soon were standing in front of Mayu's room.
" please remember that this is a hospital, ok?" Akagi told them again. He turned around and knocked thrice before Mrs. Tanaka opened the door.
" konnichiwa!" they greeted. " konnichiwa. Come in. Mayu just awakened." Laika said. Rukawa's heart jolted. She's awake!
They entered the room quietly, wanting to surprise Mayu but they were the once surprised when they peeked by the divider to see her. she was beautiful than before, having her hair lose in a carefree way, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes wide and alive, her hands holding a pencil that was frantically sketching across the sketch pad and most especially her lips curled up into a smile while looking at the window as the sun floods inside. the moment looked surreal.
Laika approached her to kiss her forehead and take the earphones she has in her ears. " you have visitors." Laika whispered to her. Mayu peeked past her mom and saw the smiling faces of her friends form the basketball team.
" Moshi!" she greeted with a smile. That gave them signal. They crowded around her bed, happy to see her alive and well. " oh we have something for you." Akagi said and took out their presents. Mayu unwrapped them all and cooed at the cuteness of the balloons and teddy bears. Then her eyes widened when Rukawa dumped his gift for her on the bed. Shoichiro, Ken and Laika watched curiously as Mayu slowly ripped the wrapper. Her eyes looked in awe as she stared at the life-size bear in front of her. she pushed the gift aside and hugged the closest person to her, Ayako. " Arigatou." Mayu sobbed. Ayako smiled and rubbed her back. When Mayu released her, she hugged another person, Kogure, sobbing her thanks to them until she had embraced everybody that was surrounding her.
" Arigatou." Mayu sobbed. " shhh, don't cry." Ryota said. " we're all glad that you're back." Mitsui said. " and now you can dance not only because you practiced but you surpassed everything for it." Hanamichi said. " they're right, Yu-chan. They're right." Shoichiro murmured.
Mayu smiled at them, especially to Kaede. " Arigatou, Rukawa-kun." Mayu murmured while blushing. " that's nothing, Mayu." Rukawa said. Mayu smiled.true that to live again is to be surrounded by love from everyone.
A week after, Mayu was discharged from the hospital. She was back to school three days after that. she rejoined the dance group, not as a trainer but as a dancer.
It was Monday afternoon and Mayu was running to the gym when she suddenly dropped a couple of books that she was holding. Cursing under her breath, she bend down, placing the other stack of papers beside her to gather her things up when a gust of air blew past her, blowing her papers away.
" no! K'so!" Mayu cursed. She didn't notice the tall pale figure who picked her papers up. " you better have a binder next time." a low, monotone voice said. Mayu turned around and blushed, seeing Rukawa holding her papers while walking towards her. " Ru-Rukawa." Mayu murmured. Rukawa gave her a small smile and lend a hand to her. " Call me Kaede." He said softly. Mayu smiled and took his hand, which helped her to stand up. she looked at him in the eyes and saw a raw emotion in them.
" Arigatou.Kaede." Mayu said. ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: ah..finished at last. Thanks to all of those who reviewed this fic. I promised that I'll make more in the future. This is the hardest story I've ever written because I resolved to myself to make just one fanfiction without kissing scenes or some other mushy stuff. ~_~ well anyway, thanks to those who reviewed this ^_^ Mmmwahhh!!!!!! Luv you all!!!!! :)
Tanaka Laika left her fashion boutique to take care of her full time while Shoichiro does half-day schedule in the sport shop he and Ken are running as business partners. Ken tried to stay at the hospital as much as possible but he needs to practice for a few hours. The three of them tried to be with Mayu so that they would witness her awakening, welcoming her to the world again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haruko sat uneasily on her seat that afternoon. " Haruko, please don't fidget like that." Matsui said. Haruko sighed. Fuji looked at her sympathetically. " its just." Haruko started. " she's going to be fine. Don't worry. if you want, we'll visit her this afternoon if you're that paranoid." Matsui said. " o-ok." Haruko nodded uncertainly.
After class, Haruko, Matsui and Fuji went to the hospital to visit Mayu. When they arrived, they found Ken sitting next to Mayu's bed while holding her hand. Mayu is still asleep but color returned on her pale skin.
Ken looked up when he heard someone went inside and saw Haruko and her friends.
" Moshi!" Ken greeted them with a tired, smiling face. " Konnichiwa. I'm Akagi Haruko and these are my friends, Matsui and Fuji. We are friends of Mayu." Haruko said. " oh, sit down." Ken gestured to them. they sat down on the couch while still staring at the sleeping figure of Mayu.
" is.is she going to be ok?" Matsui asked. " oh yeah." Ken said with a smile. " you mean." Fuji started. " she survived. She will live." Ken said. Haruko suddenly burst into feats of sobs. " Arigatou Kami-sama, Arigatou." Matsui said while crying. " don't worry. she'll wake up eventually." Ken said. " when?" Haruko asked while drying her eyes. " we don't know. but the doctor said sooner or later." Ken said. " oh." they murmured. Ken yawned.
" gomen ne. I think we've disturbed you. we'll leave now to give you time to rest." Haruko said. " no it's ok." Ken told them. " we just came here to check if Mayu is still ok." Matsui said. " demo." Ken protested. " we'll come back this Thursday." Fuji said. " oh well, if you insist." Ken said. he stood up to walked them up to the door. " sayonara!" he said. " domo." They said and stepped out of the room.
Haruko felt the big thorn stuck in her throat was pulled out. " see? I told you she's ok." Matsui told them as they walk along the corridor. When they reached the lobby, Haruko's eyes caught something. She saw the tall figure of Rukawa Kaede holding a bouquet of white lilies. Rukawa-kun? Why is he here? Haruko mused. " Haruko, will you hurry up?" Matsui called to her. the two were already by the door. Haruko jolted especially when Rukawa took the elevator. Maybe.maybe he's here to visit Mayu but why? Maybe.oh no. Haruko smiled sadly. It's ok.I know.Rukawa has the right to love someone he likes and Mayu is perfect for him.perfect for him. she sadly concluded in her mind. " Haruko." Fuji's voice shook her off from her sad musings. Haruko sighed then started to walk towards the door. It's ok. there made for each other. Haruko though, with a smiled she walked out of the door, admitting to herself that Rukawa is for Mayu and Mayu is for Rukawa.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rukawa knocked on the door three times. he waited for a few seconds before the door opened and Ken welcomed him in.
" Yo! Howdy." Ken said. Rukawa nodded and came in. he laid the bouquet of lilies at the table beside Mayu's bed then sat on the chair at the other side of the bed. He looked at her sleeping figure with relief. Ken smiled, knowing Rukawa, he's sure that this boy is in love with her sister.
" don't you have any practice?" Ken asked while taking the bouquet to the sink to place them in a vase. " I told them I would not join." Rukawa said. " oh." Ken said while filling the white vase with water.
" so how is she?" Rukawa asked, timidly taking Mayu's hand in his. " well, the doctor said." Ken yawned. " .she will be fine." He continued. He started stacking the long slender flowers into the vase. A calm silence filled the room; only the rustling of the flowing water can be heard. When Ken turned around, he saw Rukawa holding Mayu's hand. The brunette suddenly released it the looked at her face to avoid his gaze.
Ken yawned again. He hadn't slept all morning and afternoon, hesitant that by the moment he closed his tired eyes, something will happen to Mayu.
" you look tired." Rukawa said. " yeah. I haven't had a decent sleep since last night. dad will be here in a hour." Ken said. " I can stay with her 'till your father comes. You can take your rest." Rukawa said. Ken stared at him in amazement. " um, well maybe not." Rukawa added, catching a sidelong glance at Ken.
" no, it's ok. my eyelids are very heavy. Ok, I'll sleep on the couch. Wake me up when dad comes, ok?" Ken said while walking towards the couch. " yosh." Rukawa said. " Arigatou.Rukawa-kun." Ken said then lazily stretched on the couch. After a few seconds, he was sound asleep. Rukawa turned his attention back to Mayu. She looked so innocent, so naïve that you'd suspect her for an angel. Rukawa took her hand again and held it. he rested his head on the bed, just staring at her.
after a two hours, Shoichiro arrived and found Rukawa sitting beside Mayu while Ken was sleeping on the couch. He thanked the brunette for keeping eye on Mayu. Rukawa left the hospital with a light heart.
" our little angel is quite lucky, right Ken?" Shoichiro asked his eldest as he arranged the fruits he brought for Mayu. " yeah. She has a fox guarding her." Ken answered. the two men laughed.
it was cool the following afternoon and Anzai-sensei ordered the basketball team to visit Mayu. The first years stayed to practice some more while Rukawa and Hanamichi managed to tag along.
Something came up Kogure's mind while they are walking down town. " hey guys, let's visit the gift shop and find something for Mayu." Kogure said. " great idea!" Ayako said and they had no choice but to follow their lead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken, Laika and Shoichiro were just about to shift places when they heard Mayu stirring from her deep slumber. The three hurried to her bed as Mayu finally opened her eyes. Laika sobbed in happiness, seeing her daughter's blue eyes again.
" is this heaven?" Mayu asked softly. Shoichiro smiled. " no honey, you're still alive and you're here with us." he said. Mayu looked around and saw the grinning face of her brother. " oniichan." Mayu whispered. " yes, Yu- chan, I'm here." Ken said, fighting back his advancing tears. " Ottousan." Mayu whispered. " yes, baby..I'm here." Shoichiro said, his unshed tears finally fell down. " I'm here." he murmured as he embraced his only daughter. Life came back to the Tanaka family, because Mayu is back, their little piece of sunshine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was afternoon and when Haruko finally approached Rukawa. They were standing behind the school buildings.
" what is it?" Rukawa asked Haruko with his usual monotone voice. " A-ano, Rukawa-kun." Haruko murmured. Her heart was beating like hell. " I don't have time. hurry." He told her. " A-ano.do you like." Haruko started. Rukawa's brow arched. Haruko looked at him and saw her flushed face and teary eyes.
" do you like Mayu?" Haruko asked with a shaky voice. Rukawa stared at her. " I mean, I just want to know, that's all." Haruko said, wiping her eyes. " un." Rukawa groaned. It's true! Kami-sama, it's true! Haruko's mind shouted. " oh well.good for you.take care of her." Haruko said. Rukawa nodded, slightly touched by the girl's reaction.
Tears flowed down freely from her eyes. " that's all I wanted to asked, Rukawa-kun. Arigatou." Haruko said. Rukawa nodded and turned his back from her and walked away.
Haruko sank unto her knees and sobbed her heart out. K'so! No matter how I do it, it's still damned painful! She mused. A lone zephyr swept past her, leaving her in pain and sorrow of unfulfilled love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hanamichi and the others were busy finding the right gift for Mayu. Each of them has an idea of their own. Rukawa paced at the back of the store and spotted a life-size teddy bear with eyes that looked so real. he tapped the shoulders of a saleslady and asked the prize. Hanamichi and the rest except Ayako on the other hand settled for a set of cute cuddly teddy bears of different shades of brown. Ayako chose to buy balloons for each bear to hold.
" there!" Hanamichi said. they're jaws dropped when Rukawa took the life- size bear to the counter. " Rukawa? Is that you?" Mitsui asked in disbelief. " see? Since Rukawa bought a life-size bear, the small bears can act as its cubs." Kogure said. " come to think of it." Akagi murmured. The paid for their purchase then went out of the store.
A few moments later, they reached the hospital and soon were standing in front of Mayu's room.
" please remember that this is a hospital, ok?" Akagi told them again. He turned around and knocked thrice before Mrs. Tanaka opened the door.
" konnichiwa!" they greeted. " konnichiwa. Come in. Mayu just awakened." Laika said. Rukawa's heart jolted. She's awake!
They entered the room quietly, wanting to surprise Mayu but they were the once surprised when they peeked by the divider to see her. she was beautiful than before, having her hair lose in a carefree way, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes wide and alive, her hands holding a pencil that was frantically sketching across the sketch pad and most especially her lips curled up into a smile while looking at the window as the sun floods inside. the moment looked surreal.
Laika approached her to kiss her forehead and take the earphones she has in her ears. " you have visitors." Laika whispered to her. Mayu peeked past her mom and saw the smiling faces of her friends form the basketball team.
" Moshi!" she greeted with a smile. That gave them signal. They crowded around her bed, happy to see her alive and well. " oh we have something for you." Akagi said and took out their presents. Mayu unwrapped them all and cooed at the cuteness of the balloons and teddy bears. Then her eyes widened when Rukawa dumped his gift for her on the bed. Shoichiro, Ken and Laika watched curiously as Mayu slowly ripped the wrapper. Her eyes looked in awe as she stared at the life-size bear in front of her. she pushed the gift aside and hugged the closest person to her, Ayako. " Arigatou." Mayu sobbed. Ayako smiled and rubbed her back. When Mayu released her, she hugged another person, Kogure, sobbing her thanks to them until she had embraced everybody that was surrounding her.
" Arigatou." Mayu sobbed. " shhh, don't cry." Ryota said. " we're all glad that you're back." Mitsui said. " and now you can dance not only because you practiced but you surpassed everything for it." Hanamichi said. " they're right, Yu-chan. They're right." Shoichiro murmured.
Mayu smiled at them, especially to Kaede. " Arigatou, Rukawa-kun." Mayu murmured while blushing. " that's nothing, Mayu." Rukawa said. Mayu smiled.true that to live again is to be surrounded by love from everyone.
A week after, Mayu was discharged from the hospital. She was back to school three days after that. she rejoined the dance group, not as a trainer but as a dancer.
It was Monday afternoon and Mayu was running to the gym when she suddenly dropped a couple of books that she was holding. Cursing under her breath, she bend down, placing the other stack of papers beside her to gather her things up when a gust of air blew past her, blowing her papers away.
" no! K'so!" Mayu cursed. She didn't notice the tall pale figure who picked her papers up. " you better have a binder next time." a low, monotone voice said. Mayu turned around and blushed, seeing Rukawa holding her papers while walking towards her. " Ru-Rukawa." Mayu murmured. Rukawa gave her a small smile and lend a hand to her. " Call me Kaede." He said softly. Mayu smiled and took his hand, which helped her to stand up. she looked at him in the eyes and saw a raw emotion in them.
" Arigatou.Kaede." Mayu said. ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: ah..finished at last. Thanks to all of those who reviewed this fic. I promised that I'll make more in the future. This is the hardest story I've ever written because I resolved to myself to make just one fanfiction without kissing scenes or some other mushy stuff. ~_~ well anyway, thanks to those who reviewed this ^_^ Mmmwahhh!!!!!! Luv you all!!!!! :)
