Author's note!!!!!!!

Hagaki: Hohoho…! I'm getting possessed!!! Possessed by the demon of writing and imaginations and romance, humor, and YAOI!!!!!!!! Nyahahaha!!!!! (Glasses turn into pitch black and background color turns into blue and black lines)

Minami: Sweatdrop^^ Yare yare…she's really possessed…waitaminit!!!! You're laughing just like Sakuragi!!!!! And Yaoi?!?! According to my super authorRIFFIC senses de la Minami Ishigami…there's no yaoi in this Michin chappy!!!! I mean-

Hagaki: By the power of my super duper great brain!!!!! THERE IS a little teensy weensy (as in!) Yaoi hinty here!!!!!!!!

Wait a super milli-second of time…. why the hell am I speaking like this? Am I one of those crazy "super heroes" (small letter s^^) who spend their lives chatting boring lines and fly with usual red capes and wears those old briefs outside that creates a bad, BAAAD fashion statement and even a bad appearance and saves people who fall from buildings and get beat up by the enemy, and with an exaggerating one weak blow the enemy will quickly die?!?!?!?! Then they'll shout " (Put anything here like bat, super, pancake, toilet bowl, weirdo…) MAN" ?!?!?!

Minami: Calm the hell down, Hagaki!!!!!!^^

Hagaki: (Looks around, breathes, then finally comes back to her senses) Eh? Ah, gomen. I am just excited…

Both: Anyway, here's our CHAPPY MITCHIN!!!! Er-CHAPPY 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Some notes: The basketball court is closer to the racetrack compared to the volleyball court.

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is the property of Inoue Takehiko-sensei!!!!!! WE. ARE. JUST. BORROWING. IT!!!!!!!!

Chapter 14: Koko watashi wa de… (I am here…)

*ZOOM!!!*

Hikari went straight at the finish line; bringing a loud and ear piercing "ZOOM!" with it.

" 1'19'-" Started Mr. Honda, indicating Yohei's practice time. He then stopped to take a second glance at his silver stopwatch.

" A-re? I think I read wrong…1…" He paused, then smiled as Yohei came to him rushing, his helmet on his hand.

" Honda-san…" He started, getting nervous. Mr. Honda looked at him with a grin full of joy.

" 1'16'111." He finally said as he watched Yohei's eyes slowly widen in joy. " You've improved a lot."

" I…did?!" He said with disbelief, grabbing the stopwatch on Mr. Honda's hand. " I really did!!!!!" He rejoiced heartily as his teammates went to him and threw themselves to him, patting his head like a kid.

" Yukata ne, Yohei!!"

" Well, well. I think you're really ready for this day's match." Their coach, Kiyoemon Michio remarked, patting the flattered rookie racer at the back. Yohei smiled and muffled an embarrassed " Thanks" as he looked at his 'Hikari' preciously. Today…he'll win. For sure. Strike that on a rock.

Rukawa arose from his seat and pulled his bag with him. He finally recovered at a short time, and he looked brand new (What BRAND NEW? Is he a car?!!?) The moment he was about to leave the gym, he felt someone tug his arm. Devastated and short-tempered from the ice-breaking game a while ago, he then looked back with a "darn", hoping it wasn't someone who'd ask him something.

" Ne, Rukawa. They'll be watching the race today." Sendoh's cutie voice said, fixing his bag hung on his shoulder.

" What now?" Rukawa asked coldly. " You're already a race fan too?"

" Nope. But my brother was the former representative of the race team. Too bad that he had an accident last year. I just wanted to see who would replace him." reported Sendoh.

" Brother?" Rukawa asked, searching his mind if ever he heard someone with the surname "SENDOH" at the race team. " Ah…Kei…Was that Keij…Keiji Sen...doh?" He asked, a bit unsure.

" He definitely is." Sendoh said. " What? Are you coming or not?" Rukawa shook his head. " Please?" Rukawa still didn't agree. " PUHLEEAASSE?!?!"

" Iyada. (No)"

" Please?"

"No…"

" Kaede?"

" Urusai. Shine. (Shut up. Die.)"

" Please?!?!?!?!"

" NO!"

" Aw…just this once. Or are you really mad at me because I beat you in terms of fluidity and showy styles just minutes ago…" Rukawa flared when he heard this. No one in earth could beat him. NO ONE. Especially the hedgehog before him.

* Okay, okay! Just to shut his goddamned mouth up!!!* " Fine." He finally replied.

" Sankyuu ne. We better go now or we'll just watch dirt flying around the track." Sendoh said as they rushed out of the gym.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

" Mito-san!!! Somebody's here to talk with ya!!!!" A mechanic said.

" Yeah! I'm coming!!!" Yohei replied, standing from his seat. He then saw a man about 190 cm, a little bit spiky-haired, dressed in jeans and white polo, with a simple jacket. Seems like a normal tall guy until the guy faced him slowly. GOOD HEAVENS! No ARMS!!!! It was a shocking sight for him. He saw lots and lots of people who lack their arms, but he saw them on TV, not in personal.

" You're…Mito Yohei?" The guy asked, smiling. Yohei nodded blankly.

" I'm Sendoh Keiji, former representative of the All-Japan race team." Keiji said while Yohei turned back to his normal self again.

" Ah…Yoroshiku….( It's nice to meet you)" He said, stretching out a hand, softly laughing at himself for being absent minded a while ago. Keiji's brows met curiously at the middle of his forehead.

" Um…Mito-san? Unfortunately…I…think I cannot shake hands with you since…" Keiji said, looking at Yohei's hand, then at his arm-less body.

" Uh…Yeah. Sorry." Yohei said, withdrawing his hand to his side. " Wait, Sendoh? By any means, what is your relation between Sendoh Akira?"

" Akira? He's my little bro. You know him?"

" Of course. My best friend's arch enemy is the long time rival of your brother."

" Ah…Rukawa Kaede."

" Yup."

" Hmm…and your best friend is…Ah! Let me guess…Sakuragi Hanamichi?"
" You got it right."

" Ah.,. I see."

" Anyway…why are your arms missing?" Yohei asked, looking at his shoulders peculiarly.

" This? My arms were accidentally caught at a factory drill, so they were ripped off."

 * Yeouch!* Yohei thought, erasing the picture of Keiji's dreadful head-ripping experience on his mind. "  Too bad."

" I know." Keiji replied sadly.

After a little while, they noticed a man pacing back and forth in front of their pit house. The man looked as if he was looking for someone. An ominous frown darkened Keiji's face as he recognized who the man was.

" Mito-san…look over there…" Keiji said, trying not to be as obvious as possible. Yohei then turned slightly enough to see the man in front of the pit stop. " Before I became Japan's representative, he was the one who did. Hideyoshi Yourre."

" What? But, isn't he a LOLian?"

" He's half Japanese and half LOLian." Keiji then remained quiet for a few seconds, then asked Yohei: " Do you want to know the story behind that man and how he ended up as a LOLian player and my former rival?" Yohei nodded eagerly.

Flashback

" What in heaven's name are you doing Sendoh Keiji?! Is that what you call a race? You're just driving fast, that's all!!!!!" Old coach Kiyada Matsu  ( Kiyoemon Michio was just the assistant these times ) hollered at poor Keiji, who couldn't help but look down on the floor. He hated this. It was already a month since he entered the team but he had no improvement at all. And this was the part of his daily routine. Be shouted at by the old hag after race practices.

" …and why look at Hideyoshi! He started almost the same time as you but now he's a professional, high ranking, first class elite player of Japan!" He said, pointing at Hideyoshi proudly and shouting at Keiji in a discriminating manner. Hideyoshi, in return, looked at Keiji like a speck of dirt, a burden.

" I'm…sorry…I'll try my bes-"

" That line again?! I'll try my best sir! I'll try my best…but is this what you call BEST? Argh! Sendoh, if you don't improve within the next month, I'll kick you out of this team, is that clear?"
" Yes..sir.."

" Sensei, Why give him a month? He's useless, and for sure, he'd be kicked out. The sloth, the pathetic man. …HAHAHA!" Hideyoshi said, jumping off from his seat. Sendoh burned. * Better not say anything more or I'll really kill you….!*

" Hah. That's what I wish, Hideyoshi…but…" Their voices were out of range now.

The next day was just like any other day, screams from the old hag, last placing in practices, poor results, and discriminations from Hideyoshi. It was all the same until Mr. Honda came to help him.

" Why are you giving up already? Don't forget you're still living, ne?"

Mr. Honda's words struck him straight. I'm still living….I won't give up…I wouldn't be beaten by anybody….

The hearty mechanic helped him fix his car to the right adjustment needed.

" There! That should give them a shock tomorrow!" said Mr. Honda.

" Ah…Thank you, Honda-san!!!" Keiji replied, bowing several times at him.

" That's nothing. Hm…what about this? May I be your personal mechanic from this day on?" Keiji's eyes widened as he nodded his head happily. Surely, a miracle is going to happen. Ashita…(Tomorrow..)

" 1'11'001!!!!!!" Shouted the old bum Kiyada; his eyes as wide as saucers in incredulity.

" What?!" Hideyoshi exclaimed, rushing to Kiyada's side to look at the stopwatch. "B-ut…Impossible!!!!! Keiji?! The sloth?!" Keiji's soul almost jumped out of his body when he heard the coach shout "It's a new record!!!! A new record!!!!!"

" I still don't believe it." Hideyoshi interrupted, changing Keiji's dreamy mood. " It was just a fluke. SUPER fluke. Why don't we have a match to see whose better, Sendoh Keiji, the ever sloth, or me, Hideyoshi Yourre, Elite…first-cla-"

" Okay, it's settled." Interrupted Keiji. * He looks at himself as if he's a God or something. F*** you. Go to hell*

" Hm…since this looks good…Okay! The one who wins this match would be the new representative of Japan!" Kiyada exclaimed. Hideyoshi smirked confidently but is a bit nervous. Keiji's time was no joke. And maybe…

Six Minutes of the most unbelievable moments happened. Keiji miraculously passed everyone with ease, and gained first place on this practice game. Everyone had their jaws dropped after the race. Others were shaking their heads and pinched their selves, making sure that it wasn't a dream. Kiyada nearly fainted…um…well…really fainted at the shocking result.

Hideyoshi, the ever-sore loser, declared another match. He said that it was just super fluke that brought Keiji to the front. But the result of the second game was just the same. Keiji was first once more.

" What on Jesus Christ's name is that?!?!"  Hideyoshi showed a tantrum, his head steaming hot from dismay and red from humiliation. " Hey you! Sendoh the SLOTH!!!!! What on heaven's name is THAT?! What magic did you use?!?!"

" I didn't use magic." Keiji replied, looking more confident than ever. " I just believed in myself."

" BELIEVE?!?! Why…ha! Don't use abstract whatsoever on me. I know you tricked me!!"

" I didn't. You can check the engine to make sure." Hideyoshi sighed a heavy one as he thundered is way to Keiji's car with his personal mechanic.

" Sir…it's assembled perfectly. There's no wrong hint here and absolutely no trick." The mechanic said, gazing at the inner parts of the car eagerly.

" Well, Hideyoshi…" Kiyada said as he stood from his seat (ice bag in place!) with a sad expression. " I guess Sendoh has to move in your place since he won…"

" No….NO!!!" Hideyoshi ran away.

The very next day, he officially left the team and flew to LOL where he'd join the All-LOL race team. And then, after a month, Sendoh Keiji and Hideyoshi Yourre became the greatest rivals ever.

End of flashback

" I see…." Yohei said after listening to Keiji's story.

" Beware. He isn't an ordinary player." Keiji said. Shockingly, Hideyoshi finally approached them, to be exact, on Yohei's direction.

" This'll be another hot game, right? Se-" He then tapped Yohei shoulder and was dazed when he found out that it was not Keiji. But then, he quickly spotted the true one behind with a frown. " …doh…ah. So there you are. So you're not playing for Japan?" He asked in a mocking voice, not seeing Keiji's condition.

" No."

" So you're afrai-AAA!!!" He at that moment saw that Keiji has no arms. " I get it." He finished, looking really upset.    " Hey sonny." He told Yohei, patting his back. " Be sure to give me a nice match."

" Uh…yeah..?"

 ~ Calling all participants. Please go to your posts now. The game will start in a few moments…~

" Oops, there's the signal! Better, go now! Bye!" He said, running off to the next pit house.

  " Hm. Too cheeky." Hideyoshi said.

" You're right." Yohei said.

" Yohei!!!!! Come here right away!!!!" Haruko said, waving her hands in the air. " Hayaku!!!!!!"

" Yeah, I'm comin'!!!!!" He answered back, running to her.

" Be sure to come back safe, ne?" She told him, looking at his eyes with a worried expression printed heavily on her face. Yohei winked at her. " Sure. I'll win."

" Good heavens!!!!! At last we're here." Mitsui said, taking a seat. He then looked around to see a big track and a big audience in front of him. " *Whistle* It's kinda cool here, ne?"

" Sure is." Ayako replied. " Anyway, it's nice to have Akagi-sempai with us, ne?"

" By the way Akagi, what urged you to come with us?" Kogure asked.

" Er..nothing. Just nothing." He replied. *I know Haruko's here.*

" Akagi, you're hiding something from us." Mitsui said, a mischievous smile on his face.

" AH! Maybe you're girlfriend's going here too?" Ryota asked, having the same smile on his face.

" Baka!" Exclaimed Akagi, turning red.

" Maa ,maa…." Kogure said, trying to calm the flaring Gori down. " Oh, by the way…who's going to represent our country in this race?"

" Um… last year, it was…it was…um…I forgot…" Mitsui said, thinking really hard.

" Sendoh Keiji." Someone said from behind. It was Sendoh; with him was a yawning Rukawa.

" Ah! Yes! Sendoh Keiji…." Mitsui exclaimed.

" Wait! Isn't he your relative or something?" Ryota asked.

" Oh, he's my bro." Sendoh said, taking a seat behind them. " To be exact, my BIG bro."

" Too bad he had an accident last year after the games." Ayako said.

" His arms were ripped off." Ryota continued.

" He was really sad then." Sendoh said.

" Wait! My question is not answered yet!" Kogure interrupted.

" Yeah! Who's the representative?!" Mitsui asked.

" He's…" Akagi started.

" Who else but our comrade Mito Yohei!!!!!!!!" The guntai said out of nowhere, with a banner saying " Mito Yohei! Part of the Sakuragi guntai!!!! He's the best!!!!".

" WAAH! Anta tachi!!!! ( You guys!!!!)" Everyone ( Sen, Akagi, Mit, Ko, Ryo, Aya (Rukawa is silent as usual.) exclaimed. Sakuragi then went near the railing to have a better look at the people below. (Good thing Haruko is inside the Pit house^^) He then spotted Yohei standing in front of his car, his back facing them while he's fixing his gloves.

Sakuragi then heaved a heavy breath, then held it for a few seconds.

Minna: Sweatdrop^^ What's he up to?!?!

" YYYYYOOOOOOOOHHHHHEEEEEEEIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!! GAAAAAAANNNNNBBBAAATTTTTEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"

Everyone's hairs nearly flew away with Sakuragi's ala thunder voice. Yohei, quickly recognizing who that was, faced at their direction happily.

" Hanamichi!!!!!" He said waving a hand in the air.

" Yohei! Ganbatte!!!!" He repeated, now his volume decreased a bit.

" Sure." Yohei replied. Spotting Sakuragi and the other three salute at him, he then responded with a salute, too.

~ Racers, please go to your positions now.~

Yohei then rode on his Hikari while his mechanics take their last check on his car. After checking, Yohei drove his car to lane number 3, while Hideyoshi at lane number 5.

" This' going to be a great game." Keiji said as he made his way to Akira's side. " Right, Aki-chan?"

" ' nichan!" Akira said (Lets call him Akira for now, since they're both Sendoh^^). Keiji then smiled at Rukawa.

" Right, Kae-chan?" He said. Rukawa nearly choked and threw a death glare at Keiji.^^

* Hn. Just like his brother, except for the arm-conditions of course* Rukawa thought (Chibi)

~ Three…two...one…go!!!!!~

The cars are straight in passing the starting line. Today's weather condition is perfect for a race. Yohei remained third place in the first lap, and he finished it with a time of 1'49. 875 by a speed of 222 km/hr and a gear of 5. Annoyingly, the second lap started with Hideyoshi passing the third (him), the second, and the first, causing Hideyoshi to be first and him to be in the fourth place. A feeble curse croaked through his throat as he stepped on the gas pedal harder. To his dismay, the car behind bumped him. He lost his balance for a slight while, but then got it back. But because of this, the car that bumped him that made him into the fifth place surpassed him. There was still time. With his speed, that is 166 km/hr and his gear in 4, he turned left and gained the third place again. He finished lap two with a smooth 1'41'242. Lap three now. He was aiming for the first place but the second car would let him over take. But then, with sheer luck, he was able to surpass the second placer. Now, it was only a close fight with Hideyoshi and him.

Helicopters flew overhead, capturing the fight in a video cam, directly showing it on a big screen. Lap three finished as smooth as lap one, with Yohei's time track of 1'36'191 and a speed of 235km/hr, gear five. He couldn't go as fast as 1'16'111 since the competition was tough. But he had to. In order to win, at least 1'20 something would do.

It's the final lap that everyone waits for. Yohei nearly got first, but Hideyoshi was really tough. He kept on surpassing Yohei. Then happened an accident that nearly ended Yohei's dream of winning. The car number three and four collided with each other, causing a minor explosion. Though it was minor, Yohei was near the explosion, and his rear tires were damaged. Everyone was shocked (they're watching all these in the big monitor).

" Yohei!" Sakuragi exclaimed, jumping off his seat.

" Would he be all right?" Akagi asked.

" He better stop on the pit! His tires are damaged!" Kogure said.

" No." Said Keiji, his eyes fixed on the monitor. " Rider's pride, specially for a guy like him, wouldn't allow his mind to stop. I'm sure he's thinking of beating Hideyoshi, and that the finish line is just a short distance away. He wouldn't give up easily, I know." Everyone fell dead silent at Keiji's words. That's true. That's the same when you play basketball, you're nearly defeated, then the coach asks for a time out. Your pace and pride is ruined slightly. You feel as if you're feeble and helpless, and needs a short break to just catch up with them.

" Yohei…" Haruko prayed, clasping her hands tightly than ever.

With rear tires nearly worn-out and the metal part of the wheel hitting the ground, causing sparks to fly in the sky, Yohei was just an arm away from Hideyoshi, and two feet away from the finish line. *I'll win! I'll win!!* He kept on repeating in his mind. With one enormous spark that flew in the air, Yohei finally claimed first place as he passed on the finish line, with a time of 1'29'068. The All-Japan race team and the all-Japan Basketball team stood up in delight, along with their other countrymen. They won!!!!!

Yohei quickly left his car and jumped along with his rejoicing team members. His first victory was truly smashing!!!!! His other team members shook a bottle of liquor, then popped it's cover out, making a vast liquor exlplosion. Sakuragi and the others quickly went down to greet Yohei's victory.

" DARN IT!" Hideyoshi cursed, banging his helmet on the ground. " Darn. Darn…DARN!!!"

" Yohei!!!!" Haruko shouted, teary eyed. She then ran to him as he hugged her, with the explosion of liquor as their background. " I'm so happy…" She said, crying.

" That I won?" He asked, helping her wipe the tears from her eyes. Haruko shook her head.

" It's because you returned safely." She said, tightening her grip on his waist. Yohei smiled as he held her close, close enough to see those forming tears on her eyes. Then and there, the urge to kiss her fired in his whole body. He inched his face closer. * Kirei…(Beautiful)* He thought. Just then….

" Yohei!!!!! Omede-(Congra-)…" Sakuragi was then halted when he saw this *SHOCKING* scene for him. Akagi just looked down in defeat. *I knew this would happen* He thought as he shifted his gaze back to the ever-traumatized Sakuragi in front of him. " …tou…( tulations…)" He then finished weakly, his eyes as big as saucers. Yohei and Haruko panicked, as they parted a bit, preparing for the worst.

" Sakuragi…" Yohei began, looking down.

The figure reached out a shaky hand to take - no- rip off the man's heart out

 This.is.unbelievable." The guntai said in unison, looking as if this is the biggest UNBELIEVABLE in the twentieth century.

" No…" Sakuragi said, backing a bit. " No…"

" Sakuragi-kun…go-gomen…(sorry)…" Haruko muttered, clinging onto Yohei's arm.

Sakuragi was then struck straight at the heart. " Go-gomen…?" He repeated. HE then remembered Yoko, the 50th girl who dumped him…

" Gomen, Sakuragi-kun…."

" I'm very sorry, Hanamichi…"Yohei said.

* I'm sorry...* he heard from the figure's lips. * I'm very sorry…*

" No….This can't…this can't be!!!!!!" He exclaimed, his fists rolling up into a ball. Ryota, Mitsui, and Kogure tried to calm him down, but they couldn't help it.

Tookute hatenai tabiji ni kanpai shiyou sekai wa                       It's been so long after that day I saw

Kieta no sa Mou kegasarenai yo                                               We drank to love, but when we went our own ways

Kimi to futari de okashita tsumi wo sokonau mirai mo             Was there an excuse, or did we simply run away?

Kiete yuku Sou Hikikaesenai                                                      I know that you said that you could never love me

                                                                                                    That it was just a whim, a fleeting feeling

                    How could you be sure, when you've never even felt this

                    way? 

Dakedo ano hi osanai sekai ni                                                  However, just that same day I saw you look at him

Oite kita kokoro wa                                                                   And I know that you could see me too, but you turned

Ima mo kawaita nodo wo sakebase                                           And when I saw you kiss, my throat went dry

Utsukushii ai wo utau yo…                                                        And my salty tears won't help quench it away.

" Hanamichi…" Yohei muttered.

" Yohei…and come to think of it…ha! You're my best…MY BEST FRIEND!!!!!"

The pain crept from the tip of his hair until the very end of his toenails…slowly…throbbing…

" Hanamichi! I've come here-huh?" Midori then saw the scene and eyed it curiously. " What is happening?" She asked Takamiya.

" Long story, Midori-san." Takamiya said, his eyes showed loneliness. Sakuragi then felt tears on his eyes, and he couldn't help it.

Water…he had water in his eyes…it was flowing heavily. He was crying.

" Matte! Sakuragi-kun!!!!" Haruko called as Sakuragi ran away, leaving trails of tears behind. Midori then followed him.

" I don't know exactly what happened, but all I know is Sakuragi's…" Ryota said, looking at the two.

" Heartbroken." Mitsui finished.

" Let me explain…" Yohei started..

Boku ga kizutsuita hi ha naze ga kimi mo damatte                     On the day I realized it, why did you deceive me?

Kazou e kirenai kimochi daite aruita ne                                      I embraced the countless emotions and kept walking

" Matte!!!! Hanamichi!!!!" Midori said as she tried to catch up with Sakuragi. But to no avail. Sakuragi's speed was far more than hers. He was heading for the basketball gym. Reason? None. He just felt like going there and burst out his feelings there. Of Pain. Of hatred.

Sakuragi's POV

This..is absurd! I knew the world was against me! I knew it!

I don't know why but I still love her the way I do when I was still in high school. Like the flame that burned out and lost its fuel, I lost her. Who was it that loved her and she loved back? My Friend!!! My best friend who grew up with me, who was my sidekick in all of the pain, the mem'ries, in happiness, and sadness….

Even though Midori came to my life…I still love her….

I don't know where I'm going and I don't know what to do…

Maybe…this could be the end of my world…

Haruko is the fifty-first girl to dump me…

Our POV

" Matte!!!" She cried out louder. But then, she didn't notice a big rock in front of her. She tripped and fell, causing a big cut in her knee. Sakuragi then saw this and quickly ran to her side.

" I'm okay." she said, as she tried to get up. " How about you?" Sakuragi didn't answer. Midori has no choice but to halt a taxi to bring them to the nearest gym, the basketball gym.

" ..that's the explanation of all of this….." Yohei finished, giving out an exasperated sigh.

" I understand Hanamichi and why he's like that. We can't blame him…" Ryota said.

" But you guys should've told the truth." Mitsui said.

" We did try to but we find it hard to tell him about it." Said Haruko, feeling guilty.

" It was quite a shock for him." Kogure said. " Now I'll understand if ever he'll not join the practice tomorrow."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

" …um…so that's what happened." Midori said as she looked at the ceiling of the gym, twirling the bandage on her knee by her finger. Sakuragi sat with his other knee raised up, which his right hand was rested onto.

" I…I'm not good at these things…comforting…you know…but cheer up. She isn't the only girl in the world. *Baka!  It's as if you present yourself to him!*"

Sakuragi still didn't answer. His expression was as if the heaven and earth fell down on him.

" Hanamichi! Look at me!!!" Midori said, waving her hands in front of him. "Are you listening?!" No reply. " If you wouldn't listen, I'll sing!" She said. There was still no reply from the ala zombie Sakuragi. Midori then heaved a sigh.

" I'll sing!!!" She said once more. " I'll really sing!!! *Okay..here goes nothing!*"

" Why? Nandaka Ochikonde'ru mitai

                (Why? For some reason you look sad)

  Voice, my voice, todoketai yo KIMI ni

                ( Voice, my voice, I hope that it will reach you)

 Omoidoori ni naranai koto nara

                ( If it's about things don't go the way I want them to)

 ima wa takusan attarisuru kedo

                ( There are a lot of them, but…)

 Mata ashita wa chigau kaze; fuite kuru yo

                ( Tomorrow a different wind will blow)

 Ryoute wo hirogeta mune ni kanjiru mama

                ( and we'll feel it in our hearts with hands wide open)

 Nani ga osoikakatte mo semetate'te mo

                ( Though things beat down on us, though they may torture us)

 Watashi-tachi wa daijobu

                ( we'll be alright) "

Sakuragi finally looked at her with a bewildered expression.

He heard another voice again, but this time, it was sweet and melodic.

" Finally, you noticed!" Midori said as she smiled happily. " You know, Hanamichi, every time you get rid of your worries, your heart will get stronger. Although you may feel, tears start to well up, don't give up! Believe in the power of smile! Open the door of light, don't be afraid! I'm sure! I'm very, very sure! You'll be all right!"

" Midori.." Sakuragi said as he cried like a child. Midori comforted him and patted his back.

" Daijobu, Hanamichi. Koko watashi wa de… (I'm here…)"

" I…am here…"

**********************************************************************************************

Author's note:

Hagaki: Aww….shucks….:p

Minami: *sob…sob…*  how… sweet…Even though I'm NOT a sakuragi fan, I still pity him. Don't worry Midori is still there!!!

Hagaki: So many songs here..er-slightly. There's Weiß Kreuz' "CARNIVAL 2000" and "KITTO WASURENAI" and Boys be's "DAIJOBU".

Minami: Yup. I just love Weiß Kreuz songs!!! They're so lonely yet sweet. I also love the characters!!! Omi-san!!! Aya-san!!! Ken-san!!! Yoji??? Anyway, I hope you loved it. I forgot to tell you guys, it was MY IDEA that Yohei would become a racer in this fic. I really like that idea. He's so kawaii!!! I also like calling Kaede, KAE-CHAN!!!

Hagaki: Anyway, I'm happy that we're already finished at chappy mitchin.

Minami: Excatly. This chapter is really hard to think about. Ah guys, we might not update soon anymore since exam week is near. But don't worry after exam week we promise to update as soon as possible.

Hagaki: Don't worry. The end of this fanficcy is quite near. Our next update might be around the second or third week of March. Note: THE CHAPTERS ONLY. We still plan to have 3 LOOONG Sequels.^^

Minami: By the way, I would like to thank one of my classmates that I would hide under the name of Umi_Clef. Arigato for reading and commenting on our fic!!!  R & R please!!!

 Both: JAAAANNNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!