Chapter 2: The Past Yo! This is the second chapter. I've had this story in my computer for a year now. But I just posted it today. Nyahaha! Isn't it great?

Anyway, I have a suggestion to make… if you feel that you cannot follow the story line anymore, please read NO JOCKS ALLOWED by renei. This is supposedly a sequel to it, but then I changed mind. Still, there is a connection that could make you comprehend better.

Please also read my other fic… To Live Again in the Initial D Section. Thanks a lot! Enjoy!


Rrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggggggggggg!

"Ugh! Damn that alarm clock!" Early in the morning, Kaede woke up in a very sour mood. Instead of waking up with his head on the headboard, he awakened with the headboard on his head instead. He slammed the alarm to silence it and tried to get up to a new day. For some strange reason, he felt different today. The usual heaviness within him every time he needed to go to school was not present that day. Instead, he felt light and jolly. He went to the bathroom to take a nice, comforting shower. Afterwards, he changed into a clean school uniform. He then gathered his things and put them neatly inside his bag. "Oh shit!" he cursed out loud, "I haven't finished the assignments yet. Damn those dreams and tickets!"

He got down the stairs, still muttering curses beneath his breath. Now how was he supposed to face detention after school? He still had basketball practices to attend to, y'know! Just as he was about to enter the dining room, he heard his mom cooking in the kitchen. He went to her to greet good morning.

"Ohayoiu Gozaimasu!" Kaede said simply to his mother. He kissed his mom and turned towards the dining room when he noticed something. "Mom? Are you wearing a wig right now?"

"No, why?" came the confused answer from the aproned cook.

"I remember yesterday your hair was short and black. Now it's long and brown." He said while shaking his head in vexation.

"Kaede, I'm not wearing a wig, and this was my hair yesterday. What? You think I've grown another head and switched it on?" She chuckled despite of herself and continued frying the omelet.

Kaede, on the other hand, gave up arguing with his mom. But he was sure that yesterday her hair was different. He last saw this hairstyle two years ago, when he was in freshman year in Shohoku. Whatever. I'm not gonna crack my brains out trying to figure what my weirdo of a mom did to her hair now. I have more things to worry about.

After having his breakfast, he rushed out of the house and hurriedly took off for school. If he didn't move fast, he'd be late again for school. It would be his fifth consecutive late within a week. What a record! He'd be in detention for not doing his homework, and he'd also be in the janitorial services for being late for school. Good work, Kaede! In a month's time, you should as well quit the basketball team and be a full-pledged janitor and detention-regular!

Because of God's mercy, and of Kaede's legs' endurance and strength, he arrived at Shohoku High just in time. He chained his ever-so-popular bicycle and ran towards his first class. He went to the third floor of the main building and got inside section III-10. He ran too fast and sat on his chair at the back end of the room on the last row. What a relief! Now I can sleep in peace

"Oi Kaede!" Somebody slapped his back, as he was about to drift off into peaceful sleep, "wake up!"

He turned to see who was pestering him, putting on a scary look, "Nani?" To his surprise, it was Akagi he saw. Oh no. Not another dream from the past and the tickets! Please? "C-captain! What are you doing here?"

At his last remark, everyone in the room laughed out loudly.

"Kaede, I should be asking you that question, not the other way around, "Akagi said between cheerful laughter. "Have you forgotten that you're still a freshman around here?" He shook his head, still laughing from the comical situation.

I don't understand. What's happening? "Gomen," was all he could say before he darted out of the room and went to the first floor of the main building, where section I-10 is located. Behind him, he could still hear the boisterous laughter lounged at him. I can't believe it! Yesterday I found myself a year away from graduation, and a day later I found myself back to zero.

When finally he entered the room, all everyone became quiet all of a sudden. He walked towards the back of the room and sat on his usual place. Whatever is happening, I'm sure it's just a dream. If I sleep, maybe I'll wake up to my own time . He then prepared for a peaceful sleep when he felt something hit his calf. What? I don't belong in this section? He turned to see whom it was and was greatly surprised to see the person he had wanted to see in a long time. "You!"

"Oh jock boy!" greeted the female in depressing black behind him, "how was your research on our project? Have you finished it?"

What? How the hell did this happen? How could she appear right in front of me?

"Oi, baka! I'm talking to you, "she said in an irritating tone of hers, "don't let me make a monologue again."

"Ohayou," was all he could say.

That was the last thing Reiko expected to hear from him. He studies him closely and tried to find the odd one with him today.

"What the hell happened to you, jock boy? Are you ill?" She looked like she was gonna throw up. "A morning greeting is something out of your vocabulary!" She let out a sound of a vomiting person. "Yuck!"

What is this? Could this be…?

Yes.

Is this what you're saying about…?

Yes. This will help you correct the errors you've made in the past. I hope you enjoy it.

"Oi!" Reiko was waving her hands in front of Kaede's eyes, "You're spacing out again, baka!"

"Huh?!?" The sound of Reiko's voice still sounded odd to him. He hadn't heard that voice for two years.

"I was asking you where the books are and where are your research papers?" She asked when Rukawa still didn't react. "I just hope you made them."

Rukawa fished for his notebook. Surely, he'd made them; he did the assign readings in the past. Two years ago!. "There," he put the notebook on her desk.

She opened the notebook and searched for his notes. "Ah, Kaede!" Reiko exclaimed with disgust. "How am I supposed to understand your handwriting? They're invisible!" She flipped through more pages of the notebook, still seeing nothing but margins and blue lines. "You surely have a magical pen!" She said with the full force of sarcasm.

What? How could this happen? I remember doing them!

This is a new life, remember?

What do you mean?

You may be seeing the past, but not the exact scenes. That, I cannot possibly do.

So could I change the past, if I still don't know what's gonna happen?

It's up to you…

"Oi!" Reiko's voice jolted him back to reality. "I was talking, and you weren't listening?" she was really exasperated!

"Sorry," he said without any real emotion. He snatched the notebook from her and put it in his bag. "I'll just do them tonight."

"Yeah, whatever."


After classes ended that day, Rukawa went to the library to do the assigned readings for the project, since there are no basketball practices that day. It wasn't his first time to enter the hideout of the nutcases. He first came in two years ago for the same reason - project with Reiko. Yuck! I didn't know the world could contain so many books. Who would read them all, anyway? He went to a hidden spot in the library and made himself comfortable. He was about to open the Anatomy book, when a piece of black paper fell from it. There was a message written in white ink, saying:

Oi, Rukawa! Meet me at the music room. 3:30. Sharp! Or else…

Three-thirty! How could this possibly happen? It's already 3:45! Now Reiko is gonna kill him for being late. He already 'failed' to do the reading earlier, and now he's gonna be late for the meeting. Great! Just great for a view of the past!

Rukawa stood up, gathered his things and hurried out of the library, now caring even if he made too much noise in the library.


Rukawa must be running too fast, since he could already hear his own heartbeat after only a minute of vigorous racing with time. He arrived at the music room's door a minute and a half later. He was about to push the door open when he heard the piano being played. Even though he didn't recognize the musical piece, he felt peace. He felt like every note coming from the music is caressing his mind, and his heart. He stopped and listened for a minute more, but then the playing suddenly stopped. He pushed the door slightly open, so he could see who was doing the magic. He was surprised, at first, to see Reiko sitting on the seat, which was supposed to be for the player. But he remembered that she could play the piano. How stupid of him! How could he forget?

He stepped inside the deserted music room, not making too much noise. He was looking at Reiko, who was still unmindful of his entrance. He realized she must be preparing for another song, for her fingers were doing a sort-of exercise on the keys. Then, she started moving her fingers, and music soon filled the room. Her fingers don't look like striking the keys. They look like the fingers of a mother, caressing her child. They were gliding on each key, like it was something very precious. He moved his eyes away from her fingers and towards her face. She has her eyes closed? He was astounded by this. How could someone play the piano with so much ease and grace with her eyes closed? But then, maybe she was an expert after all. Or maybe she was just reveling in the serenity that music gives her. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. He just stood there, unmoving, listening to the little angels playing with his ears.

He stood there for so long, lost in the magic he was feeling, that he didn't realize the music had stopped. He looked up to see Reiko, who was still wearing her dazed eyes. She looked sleepier than Rukawa!

"Hi," was all Rukawa could utter at that instant.

"How long have you been standing there?" she asked softly.

"All the time you were playing that piece," he said with softness that equaled her own. "What's it called?"

"I've played it since I was a kid," she explained. "It's called 'The Sunlit Garden'."

"It's beautiful"

She looked deep into his eyes before she replied, "Arigatou."

A moment of silence and awkwardness passed between them. Neither spoke nor moved, only felt. They felt the serenity offered to them by the sweet refuge of the music room. If only it could go on for eternity…

"Reiko," Rukawa said after awhile, "a-ano… Can you play another piece?" He stared into her eyes and continued, "For me?"

She stared back at him. She didn't know what she saw in his eyes, but her hands did the move anyway. She started playing "Anna's Song" and let herself get lost in the music…


This is something I missed when I was with Reiko that one time.

The music of "Anna's Song" was in the air.

She should have played for me that time, when I asked her to.

The tempo shifted from andante to largo.

And now she did…

And the music ended.


A loud clap echoed in the room. It seemed to come from the doorway. Reiko turned to see who was applauding and was surprised to see who it was. Leaning on the slightly opened door was Mitsui.

"Bravo, Reiko!" he greeted, "I didn't know you could play that well."

Reiko smiled shyly.

"it's true," he prodded, " you shouldn't keep this talent of yours to just a nonexistent audience." He turned to Rukawa, who was standing still the middle of the room. He gave Rukawa a hard, icy glare.

"No," Reiko said slowly, "we were just here doing our Biology Project." She still had her eyes on the piano keys.

"I see," Mitsui said, not entirely convinced. He still had his eyes trained on Rukawa.

"Oh no!" Reiko exclaimed, panic suddenly evident in her eyes. "I'm supposed to be home by five, or else my brother would kill me!" She stood up and gathered her things.

"It's not yet late," Mitsui said, trying to calm her down. "You still have enough time." He looked at his watch to confer with it. "I could walk you home, so Ryo won't get mad."

Reiko looked up to see the sincerity in her friend's eyes, but part of her still in panic. "O-okay," Reiko replied, still unsure of what to do. She turned and started for the door, but remembered Rukawa was still inside.

"Rukawa? Aren't you gonna go home yet?"

"No." Rukawa said in his usual monotone.

"Okay." She opened the door, so she could get out, "Ja ne."

The door silently closed behind Mitsui and Reiko, leaving Rukawa alone in a darkened music room.


What's happening to me? First, I admit to myself that HER music is making me feel nice. And now I get mad just because that guy interrupted our peaceful moment?

Oh hell! I just called it a peaceful moment! Since when have I gotten such a flowery vocabulary?

This is getting weirder and weirder every moment! I can't stand this.

This is a part of it…

You again?

Yes, it's me

You're saying this is part of something, right? Part of what?

Part of realizing what went wrong in the past. Just hold on and enjoy yourself! I already am…


The next morning, Rukawa woke up early and went to school after breakfast. His mother was so confused why her son was acting very differently.

When Kaede arrived, he thought he was the first one to enter the classroom. The lights were still out, and the room eerily quiet. He stepped inside and turned on the lights.

"Ohayou gozaimasu," a voice from behind him greeted.

He turned around to see the owner of the familiar voice. She was reading something, which looked like a magazine. He nodded towards her and went to sit in his usual place.

"Why are you so early?" she asked, not removing her gaze from the interesting magazine, "I thought you were always late."

He didn't reply to her usual sarcastic remarks to him. Instead, he pulled out his notebook and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she asked, finally giving him her full attention. She opened the notebook and studied its contents. "Ah! So Rukawa Kaede knows how to write," she gave him a listless shrug.

I got it! I think I've figured out what went wrong in the past! So you have, huh?

Yes. I should have killed her two years ago! If I could just maim her right now…!

Ha ha. You are so childish, Kaede…

I can't stand her! She's so irritating.

There's no reason to be malignant. Just sit back and enjoy…

"A 'thank you, Rukawa,' would be much more appropriate." Rukawa spat in his anger. "You're lucky I even had the time to do this trash."

"So touchy?" Reiko gave him an aquiline smile. "I was just kidding."

"Whatever"

She turned her attention to his notebook. What she found was really amazing. Rukawa wrote a very detailed discussion on the circulatory and respiratory system! He even made a clear connection between the two systems! He even made tabulations of the different organs in the reproductive system and their functions!

"I must say this is good," Reiko said after reading the notes. She should really be! This is something out of the ordinary for a Rukawa Kaede! "I see you've made a detailed discussion." She looked up at him and tried to read his usual stone expression. And as usual, nothing in there.

"I was just making up for not doing it earlier," he replied.

"Really?" She had on her skeptic smile, "Then you should also think about how to present this thing!"

The last time they made the project, they shot a video, with him as the professor and her as the cameraman. He still remembered everything… even that stupid line he practiced for an hour!

I don't want that thing to happen again! And I don't want to rehearse that line over and over again! Might as well dress me in a bunny costume to hide my face, instead of making me wear that same pink polo and tweety tie!

Really, Kaede? I'd make sure that Reiko hears it…

Ugh. Damn you!

"So, what's on your mind?" Reiko asked inquisitively.

The bell suddenly rang, even before Kaede could open his mouth. He didn't realize that all his classmates were already inside. The English professor stepped in and greeted the whole class.

"Ah, Kaede!" the professor exclaimed with full emotion, "I'm so honored to have you early and awake in my class!" In God's truth, the professor looked really stupid. He almost cried his heart out, over this 'miraculous incident'.

Kaede really didn't fall asleep that hour. Instead, he was busy trying to figure out an alternative for that stupid project.


"So, you were really awake!" Reiko slapped his back, the usual way she did, when the bell rang, signaling the end of English period. "What were you doing? Trying to sleep with eyes wide open?" She laughed at her own vicious remark. If anything could make Reiko happy, it would be Rukawa's painful death!

"I was thinking, idiot!" He countered.

"Thinking of what? Your gay explorations last night?" She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed out loud.

If I could just throttle her to death right now!

You wouldn't…

I would!

You couldn't…

I…

"Or are you thinking about the reproductive system again?" Her voice jolted him out of his wonderworld. "I now understand why you made a very detailed discussion about it…"

"Will you please shut up!?! I was thinking about how we could present the project. Not anything about the perversions you were making up!" Even though his words were filled with emotion, his voice wasn't. It sounded like the humdrum of the chain saw working its way on the tree trunk.

"Okay," Reiko conceded. "So, do you have any suggestion?"

"Nope," he admitted. He really tried to think hard for any alternative. But he just couldn't make anything.

"I figured." She glanced at him for a second. "It's a good thing I have an idea." She paused to see if her partner was still all ears for her, "Maybe we could do a live performance."


What?!? This is getting crazier by the moment.

At least you're not making the video.

Yeah. But I'm gonna make a complete fool of myself. LIVE!

You could wear the bunny costume, so no one would notice you…

Ahhhh. @#%$&!


At last, classes ended for the day. Nothing could make Kaede's already rotten mood into a more lethal level. He swung the doors to the boys' locker room open and changed into his basketball uniform. What a day! He pulled out a gatorade from his backpack and ran for the court.

When he arrived at the bench, Akagi was already talking about the days' schedule.

"Defense is one of the best things we could do to beat Ryonan," he was saying. "If we could stop Sendoh making his moves to the basket and could convert those turnovers into precious points…" Rukawa stopped listening to the captain. He heard of it before. And I know now what to do… His breath was caught when he saw what was coming. Coming near them, holding hands and smiling at each other, were Reiko and Mitsui.

What the hell is going on here? I didn't know that Reiko was going out with Mitsui!

Reiko and Mitsui stopped in front of them, but they didn't realize Rukawa could see them. Reiko handed Mitsui a bottle of cold water and he whispered something to her ear. And it is he said, it definitely made her laugh. Mitsui stepped forward and into the bench, while Reiko turned and left for the gym doors.

Rukawa felt jaw clench tighter. He'd never felt more energetic for a ball game before.

"Kogure, go with Hanamichi and Rukawa. Mitsui and Ryota, you come with me"

The game started intensely. Hanamichi was guarding Akagi, while Rukawa had his mind on Mitsui. During the whole course of the game, Mitsui never scored a point. Rukawa had his hands guarding him tightly, blocking his every shot and stealing the ball whenever possible. You could say Rukawa was in heat.

Ppprrrrrrrttttttt…..

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the game.

"Nice game, Rukawa," Akagi managed to greet his player. "You were practically on Mitsui's face all the time. Now, if you could do it on Sendoh…" And he left the court for the locker room.

Everyone greeted him for his well-played game except for Mitsui, and of course, Hanamichi.

"I could also do that!" Hanamichi drawled on, pumping his fists in the air. "That kitsune was just lucky this day!"

As usual, Rukawa was left alone in the court. He went for shooting more hoops this time.


That was called JEALOUSY

What was? (still shooting hoops)

What you did to Mitsui. Jealousy is a bad virtue.

NO. I was just really into the game (more shooting)

You saw them together, and you're jealous

Why should I? (goes for the three)

How would I know?

It's more like FORTITUDE (slams the dunk)

Why?

Befriending someone you DON'T like needs courage. (… down the baseline…)

Then tell them that.

… (he misses the drive)


Nyahahaha! This is the end of chapter 2. To be continued, though. Watch out for the next chapter! It will be a sort-of diary of Rukawa!