CHAPTER FIFTEEN

~ She could never ask for anything more ~

Hitotsu dake

-0-

Youre the only one

Ayako stared with unwavering amusement at the raven-haired lad striding and turning adroitly around the whole expanse of the half-court overlaying one side of the freshly mowed lawn. The morning was bright and friendly and Phoebus's fiery sphere made his perspiring body glisten in all its youthful glory. His eyes had that sparkling, blazing determination in them that Ayako once feared she would never get the chance to see again. Slowly, abstractedly, she stirred the green tea she was preparing for him as she kept her gaze on the godly being spreading his magnificence all over her gardenreaching further out to poke her heart with overwhelming bliss.

Rukawathe name undoubtedly fit him very well. Like a river flowing smoothly, yet rapidly, on a calm, halcyon day, he moved with ease pass his imaginary opponents and delivered an exquisite dribble shot into the hoop.

"And Kaede scores!" he cried in commentary of his own athletic prowess.

A wide, proud smile stretched Ayako's lips as for the umpteenth time in years, she wondered what had she ever done to deserve all this? To deserve him?

A whiff of summer breeze came wafting through the porch, playfully ruffling the fresh flowers she had put in the middle of the breakfast table. She sighed and gently placed the teaspoon down beside the cup and walked to the top of the porch steps where she sat down and engaged herself in watching the highly energetic lad show off more of his skills.

The ball clanged loudly against the rim. "And Kaede goes for the rebound!" He jumped up and snatched the ball in the air, hugging it close to his chest, protecting it from non-existent enemies. Then, only a second after reaching the ground, he sprung up again and dunked the ball forcefully into the basket. In almost exactly the same passion that Ayako clearly remembered a particular shot was done several years ago.

She cupped her face in her hands as her eyes began to zone willingly into retrospect. Back to the year when gaining meant everything and losing was closely synonymous to death

Seven years had passed since that incident in the promontory. Seven long years that she had to endure and live through all the opprobrium and social stigma it had induced. The pain had somehow subsided, though bits of spasmodic residues still remained. People had somehow learned to forgive, yet occasional condemning eyes had never really stopped gracing her from head to foot whenever she passed by some busybodies who just couldn't let sleeping dogs lie.

She had made it through them all. Scathed yet still breathing. Scarred, yet healing.

The ball went cleanly into the hoop once again and another string of excited commentaries followed. Of course, how could she ever forget that the cardinal reason she was still alive today was the raven-haired basketball ace kicking the sorry ass of the opponents he had woven out of the early morning breaths of summer frolicking around the garden. "Kaede gets the ball Kaede goes for a three-point shot and" The ball deftly found its way to the hoop A delighted squeal instantly followed, "He scores!"

Ayako chuckled faintly as she fought off the urge to run to him right then and there and lock him in a tight embrace that could literally knock all the breath out of his system Smother him with kisses that could make him giggle so hard he'd definitely faint into her arms from lack of air. She wanted so much to torture him with all the love that was welling up in her heart. All the love she had for him

She decided to keep her cool for the time being. She knew she could do that later. Anytime she wanted actually. He was all hers anyway.

Just let him enjoy himself a little while longer, she silently told herself, once again profusely filling her sight with all the lively exuberance emitting from that nimble athlete in her garden. She wished she had the power to halt the rotation of the earth so she could just sit here all day and stare at him. Memorize all his moves. Bask in his beauty and drown endlessly in his charms

"Makenai ze!" he cried as he glided through the air and slammed the ball into the basket. "Wooohooo!" he hollered enthusiastically, pumping his fist in the air while his other hand kept its grip on the rim. The whole structure creaked and whined at his weight as he swung his body a few times more before jumping back to the ground.

At about the same time he did, an exclamation of delight accompanied by a series of excited applause turned his attention to the direction of the low fence, where his azure eyes came into contact with the sparkling blues of

"Haruko!" Ayako jumped to her feet and dashed toward her friend who had by then stopped applauding and was standing on the other side of the stone fence like the prim and proper lady she always was.

"H-H-Haruko-chan!' Kaede exclaimed with glee as he ran through the court and planted himself beside Ayako to stare like a sick puppy at their morning visitor. "Ohayou!"

"Ohayou, Kaede-kun," Haruko greeted cheerfully. "You were pretty rough with your opponents back there, ne."

Ayako couldn't help but snicker as a furious blush slowly crept its way up to the lad's cheeks. "Why don't you come in, Haruko?" she chortled while in the act of opening the gate.

Haruko's brown, corkscrew tangles swayed about her shoulders as she shook her head in protest. "Iie. I just came by to make sure the two of you make it this afternoon. Five o'clock sharp."

"Of course, well be there." Ayako chuckled good-naturedly and added, "I see Akagi-senpai's never learned to tolerate late-comers, has he?"

Haruko giggled in response. "You can say that again."

"Haruko-chan," Kaede, who had kept quiet during the brief exchange spoke at last. "Are you really gonna marry that jerk?"

"Kaede!" Ayako snapped, all the traces of her cheer replaced by startled amusement.

Haruko playfully tweaked Kaede's nose as her giggles kept on. "Don't say that in front of Youhei-kun, ne? He's gonna be terribly hurt."

Pale cheeks once again turned red as crimson lips pouted in unmasked disappointment. "I still dont understand why you prefer that klutz over"

Ayako's hands instantly flew over the unbelievably tactless mouth, "Kaede!" She then turned to Haruko and grinned apologetically, "Im sorry."

"No, it's okay, Ayako," Haruko smiled with assurance. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Ayako nodded in response before they simultaneously cried, "Five o'clock sharp!" which in turn resulted to more girlish fits of laughter.

"Mmmmpph!" Kaede wanted to say something, but Ayako only pressed her hands harder over his mouth. He then defeatedly resorted to a quiet wave as they both watched Haruko walk off.

"Kaede," Ayako said gently as she slowly released her hold on his mouth. Haruko was a good distance away already and yet, Kaede kept his unwavering gaze after her. Another snicker threatened to escape her lips at the sight of it. "Let's go eat breakfast."

Kaede sighed as he laced his fingers through hers and walked with her to the porch. "I still can't believe Haruko-chan's getting married today. And to that jerk even! Ch!"

Ayako arched a brow at the foxy lad as she watched him settle at the breakfast table she had set on the porch. A lot of things had changed since the accident. And somehow, most people had managed to accept all these as Nature's way of proving just how inconsistent and uncertain life on earth could be. Yet, somehow still, some people just find it hard to jive with how things happen and change right before their very eyes. Some people like Kaede Rukawa.

Anyway, who would've thought a demure, gentle lady like Haruko Akagi would actually hook up with a rowdy, brawlish gent like Youhei Mito from the infamous Sakuragi's Gundan? Not to mention that Haruko was supposedly the last girl whom the Gundan leader was offering his heart and lifetime devotion to for the rest of his life

"Umm, is the do'ahou gonna be there?" Kaede asked before popping a muffin into his mouth and looking intently up at her.

"Yeah," Ayako ruffled his hair playfully. "He's taking Yayoi-chan along and I expect you to behave well around her, okay?"

A groan vibrated instantly from the disappointed guys throat as he reached out for another humongous piece of muffin. "Why do all the beautiful girls prefer jerks over me?"

Ayako responded simply with a chuckle. Hanamichi Sakuragi and Yayoi Aidaanother unexpected couple that shocked the daylights off Kanagawa. The issue of their May-December affair was given its fair share of talks and tinted attentions for a few weeks. But, like any other shocking occurrence, it eventually lost its glamour and charm and people soon learned to just live with it.

It was like when they found out about her and Rukawa. Their illicit affair when she was supposed to be committed to another guy... And just when the talks were about to die down, they discovered she was carrying the breathing product of her infidelity. That actually brought more stigmas than the initial shock. And she wouldn't have made it through it all had it not for the few sensible and understanding people who stayed beside her through and through.

First, there was Haruko whom she thought was going to be the first to lash at her after what happened, but ended up being the first to take her side. She was hurt, of course. But she was also the only other being who truly loved Rukawa to actually respect the person he had chosen to love.

"I'd rather you be his beloved than anybody else," were the very words she said which more than only proved her unfathomable kindness, but also sealed their lifetime pact of sisterhood.

Taking the third slot of the bond was Yayoi Aida who, after Akira Sendoh's untimely death, suddenly lost interest in her job and instantly gave up being a sports reporter. She took it hard upon herself that she never really cared enough about Sendohhaving focused most of her attention and devotion to him as a basketball player rather than to him as a person.

"I would've been able to help him," was her remorseful statement when she and Ayako met on Ace's Point, exactly a year after the tragedy. Because of the reputation that the promontory got for itself after the incident, people just began referring to it as "Ace's Point" and often visited it to give their respects accordingly, or just plainly take a look for the sake of it.

"We all share the same regret," she had told her weeping senpai as she coiled her comforting arms around her trembling body. "But there's really nothing much we can do about that now. The future is still on its way and is defying us to show it how much we have learned from the experiences we had in the past."

Yayoi eventually got over her sorrow with Ayako and Haruko's help, and was soon living her life almost as normally as before. However, she never went back to being a sports reporter, but instead chose to run a flower shop business with her newfound friends. They're currently doing very well and, needless to say, it was more than enough therapy to cure all woes and sorrows.

Then, there's Sakuragi and his Gundan. If there were people who actually had the best understanding of what exactly happened, it had to be them. Especially Youhei, who even took part in altering the conclusion of the event. Kaede may not get along well with him and would sometimes even treat him as a jerk and all, but if it weren't for that impulsive klutz, none of them would be alive today.

Then, there's also the basketball teamher senpais, contemporaries and kouhais who kept their respect and devotion to her despite what happened

And of course there's him Need she say more?

Ayako knelt down beside Kaede's chair and put on the most forlorn expression to match her whine, "But you're my number one, am I not beautiful enough?"

Kaede turned to her and sighed. Then threw his arms around her neck and assaulted her face with kisses. She giggled like a little girl, gleeful and pleased.

"Is Miyagi gonna be there?" he asked after a while, arms still wrapped around her neck.

Ayako shrugged and pulled him in a tight hug so he wouldn't see the hint of uneasiness on her face. "I guess," she said, not quite sure of her own statement. They had not really talked much after what happened. He was crushed when they broke up and chose to move miles away from her to somehow get over the pain. What she knew of Ryota since then were based on the things he told Mitsui and Sakuragi on the phone. They said he had never really hooked up with anybody else and had always asked about her and Kaede to which she would only smile and tell them, "Yeah right" or "Get lost." She never really believed them until Ryota himself called on her birthday last week. They chatted for quite a while and even gradually rekindled a bit of the old familiarity

"Uh, Ayako?" his voice was low, cautious.

"Hm?" hers was cool, casual.

"I hope its' not too much to ask but"

She felt her heart skip with a tinge of agitation, almost afraid to hear what he was about to say. "Yes?"

"Please Please call me Ryota. I mean, I know I can never change your mind about about Rukawa, but but I hope I can at least be your friend. Again. Please? Aya-chan?"

She sighed to expel all the initial anxiety from her system and even managed a smile. "Sure Ryota."

If Ryota made it today, this was going to be the first time they would d see each other after seven years. And somehow, Ayako couldn't help but feel discomforted. Even after the years, she still hadn't completely gotten over the remorse she felt over what she did to him

"Will it be all right for you to see him?" Kaede asked cautiously, yet full of concern as though sensing her wariness. Ayako swore his innocent looking foxy-face could really fool a lot into thinking him dumb, when in truth, he was really one precocious little imp.

She sighed. "It's about time we do, don't you think?" Sooner or later, they would have to see each other anyway and completely put the past behind to start anew, right? Theyre both trying to live their lives as successfully as they could while still tied up to the past they had hastily left hanging somewhere. She's now a successful businesswoman and he, a successful basketball player playing for the National team. Who knows how much more they could achieve if they finally break the walls of apathy and acknowledge each other's existence again even as friends?

Kaede drew away from the hug and plastered a wide grin on his lips, "Is Oyaji gonna be there?"

Ayako playfully pulled on the young guy's chin and replied chuckling, "Of course. Everyone's gonna be there!"

Coach Anzai, despite being seven years older, never once thought of giving up the team. Okay, so maybe he did for a while, but he soon came back to his senses and realized how many wonderful dreams could go to waste if he let himself be defeated by bitterness. He remained strong for her, for everybody. And even though they never made it to the Inter-High since the incident, he kept on training and disciplining and giving his fatherly care to every aspiring athlete who joined the team.

Yet, of course, finally feeling the fated wear of the years, he now took on the new task of preparing a competent successor to the job.

"Even Mit-chin?"

Ayako rolled her eyes and pulled on Kaede's cheeks. "Even Mit-chin."

That competent successor happened to be Hisashi Mitsui, who had become really close to Kaede through the years.

"Yosh! Then I can play one on one with him, ne?" he exclaimed hopefully as though it was the very thing he lived and breathed for.

Ayako found it best to just ride along his excitement. "And you're gonna win for me, right?"

Kaede put on an assuring grin. The kind of grin that very rarely showed on his predecessor's lips. And the longer Ayako looked at it, the more it seemed to change into a vision that reminded her of the distant past. When she saw for the first and last time an older version of him smile. A wide genuine smile that spelled a kind of contentment. Of satisfaction over having fulfilled a lifetime dream... Or perhaps a self-induced promise he had kept to the very end

It was the smile that seemed to cry, "I love you" in the quietest, yet most overwhelming way

"Just watch me kick his ass!"

The cocky statement that sounded more like a threat than an assurance woke Ayako out of the trance and snapped her right back to reality, somewhat rattled, yet amused by the foxy-lad's choice of words. She shrugged and pulled the sputtering kid for another tight hug. Had she mentioned how close he and that ex-gangster Mitsui had become?

She felt his little six-year-old arms coil around her neck once again and shivered with delight at the feel of his breath in her ear when he whispered, "I'm gonna make you proud, Mom."

The summer breeze wafted pass the porch once again, as though wanting to match the warmth Ayako felt deep within her heart. Again, she wondered what had she ever done that could've caused this kind of rapture? This kind of bliss? Was it possible that all the pain, the agony, and the regret she felt through the years had somehow accumulated into the happiness she had been longing for, and that which was gradually blotting out all the dark blue spots from her soul? Did the laws of Nature allow such a contradictory phenomenon?

Well, Ayako could only care less. Right now, all that really mattered was the little angel she held steadfastly in her arms. The way he made her life worth living The unrivaled kind of elation his mere existence induced The convincing way he showed her all the euphoric and fulfilling sides of heaven whenever they were hugging each other this way Needing each other this way Loving each other this way

And, yes, being the content and satisfied mother she had become, Ayako could never ask for anything more

-end-

Song: Hitotsudake (Only One)

Artist: Sakura Tange

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