By the way, this is the last chappy, guys…*sniff* But there's a SEQUELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's some codes for this last chappie:
This is Rukawa's thought
this
is Ryota's thought
Mitsui's…
Akagi's…
Sakuragi's…
and kogure's…
Get it? Whenever you see this sign -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+, it means that the codes count. If ever not, they would loose their effect. To name one, if you see THIS while that sign is there, it's Ryota's thought. If not, then this serves as a flashback sign.
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is the property of the great Takehiko Inoue. We are just borrowing it.
Final Chapter: To our dreams…
I open my eyes to the light through the window…and think
This would be our last game…
A deciding game…whatever happens here
Would be the key to open whichever path…
Victory? Or defeat…
Would our sacrifices be in vain…or not?
Whatever may happen is up to our play now…
We'll give our best for sure….
We'll never lose…
We'll play fair…
We'll bag the golden trophies in our hearts
And would cherish them forever.
Everything lies on our hands, our minds, and our souls. May our hearts lead us to the path that we are worthy of…
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
" Okay guys, we're here." Ayako hopped down the bus, fixing her dress. " * Sigh* the last game. This makes me nervous."
" I do feel the same way though I experience this for a lot of times now." Akane said, following Ayako. " Well, the guys are ready. Let's go."
One by one, drowned in thoughts, excited by the pressure of the final game the team would be facing, they hopped down from the bus, their things hanging by the straps on their shoulders. They looked dead serious, and no one spoke a single word. Tension filled their minds as they went in the gym to the locker room, where they heard the first hollers of voices in it, cheering either them or the other team.
It was obvious that this team experiences this kind of pressure for the first time in their lives. The first five members, including the old-member Rukawa, felt their hearts crash onto their ribs in heavy patterns. It was just like yesterday when they were still playing for the pride of their school, and now, for the pride of the whole Japanese country. It was only like yesterday when they wore the red jersey with a big "SHOHOKU" read in it, and now, it read "JAPAN".
The other team had arrived and the crowd cheered once more. Now it's time. They need to go out and greet the other team, Thriller, for a fair and nice deciding match. Who would win? Them or us? Only destiny knows.
Minutes had passed and the seats were full of people who were of different kinds. Japanese supporters, Thriller supporters, friends or family of any of the players or other members of the team, anxious people, people who just passed by, or people who just want to watch some basketball action. Well, whoever and whatever they are, one thing is for sure. They'll be watching a fiery match for the crown bearing the fruits of sweat and tears, pain and struggles.
The referee finally blew his whistle, signaling the end of the agonizing waiting and the start of the moment-of-truth. Players listen and respond whenever they are introduced to the crowd. After these, they positioned onto their posts and checked their rightful opponents, whose eyes were gleaming, shouting for victory.
It seemed that time slowed down when the referee threw the ball in the air, and as the raging centers fight to reach for the ball. Everyone watched closely to find out who'd swat the ball and prove that he's the man.
A loud sound of a hand slapping the ball echoed in the gym. The other center, IBM, an Akagi-look-alike, succeeded in getting the jump ball. Alas for him, before it could even reach the hands of his team mate, Sakuragi blocked it with his hand, ending the hard try of IBM into Japan's first score, result of Sakuragi's block, his baseball pass to Mitsui, and Mitsui stopping behind the three point line and tossing the ball to the hoop. The crowd grew wild on the first shot.
The next minutes flew like the wind, and to everyone's surprise, despite the fact that the Japanese scored the first one, the Thrillers ended up the first 15 minutes of the first half by having a 10 point lead over Japan. The current score was 30-20. Four points of the 30 was earned by two free throws via Sakuragi and Akagi's foul.
But the next five minutes weren't so bad for the Japanese team…or so they were. They were able to decrease the lead by a goal, but then Sakuragi got his second foul and Mitsui got his first. But with the support and the famous "Don't mind" line of the other members, they still had hope, and didn't treat the times when the referee would whistle loudly, shout out their number, and "FOUL!" as a big wall to their now raging plays. As they have said…this is just the FIRST HALF.
The referee blew his whistle and shouted: "FIRST HALF OVER!!!".
" Sakuragi, be careful. You have two fouls. We don't want to have another again. That goes for Mitsui and Akagi." Akane reminded, checking her flipchart once more.
" This is no ordinary team. For fifteen minutes they've been on a ten point lead." Ayako added.
" That's what makes it more exciting." Replied Mitsui after helping himself to some of the remaining water on his jug.
" A game worthy to be called 'A match for the gold'". he added.
" I believe Rukawa sacrificed the first half again." Akane remarked, smiling happily. Rukawa responded with a what-else look on his eyes.
" Thrillers defeated us last year, and he was really frustrated." Told Mikatsu to the other members like he was telling a story to little kids.
" Che." Was all that Rukawa could say as he turned his back on them, fixing his arm band.
" He's seeking revenge for the humiliation." Masaki said.
After minutes of the break, they stood from their benches and onto the court. The fiery fight launched again as the referee called for the jump ball.
But then, victory isn't always on our side…
Number 30 Jet Eightten scored a three pointer after breaking Sakuragi's defense. Of course, now, it's Japan's ball. But before Rukawa could shoot, number 18 Des KC stole it from him and displayed a good (but annoying for the Japanese) Alley hoop with IBM. Fire raged in our heroes minds as they rushed another score, but then it turned out to be Akagi's second foul.
Though the first five members of the All-Japan basketball team doesn't notice, they've been showing the same weaknesses that Coach Taoka had mentioned before. Number one: Foul trouble.
It was hard for them but they've tried hard to catch up, minds covered with a fog of nervousness that blocked their great plays.
* DARN! What are we doing?!* Thought every single Japanese player on the court.
" AKAGI! SAKURAGI! MIYAGI! MITSUI! RUKAWA!" someone with a deep voice shouted from the crowd that caused the five to stop on their tracks.
" That's-!" Mitsui started as his eyes widened.
" Uozumi!!!" Akagi finished, exclaiming his former-rival's name loudly.
" Even Maki, Fujima, Jin, Fukuda, Nobunaga, Hanagata, Hasegawa…and…" Ryota exclaimed.
" Everyone that we fought, along with their old coaches!!!!!" Hollered Sakuragi.
" What are you guys doing there?!" Uozumi shouted. " Remember, you're bagging the trophy for our COUNTRY!!!"
" Don't lose hope!!!" Maki exclaimed, standing from his seat.
" We're here to cheer for you so do your best guys!!!!" Nobunaga cried out.
The next thing they knew was that their former enemies were cheering for them, shouting "GO GO JAPAN!!!" Over and over again, along with their other countrymen. Smiles were instantly plastered upon the first five members faces.
(FIVE, SO INCLUDE KAE-CHAN)
" We'll never lose!!!!" They replied to them before going on for the offense, the cheers as their background.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
That's right…our team wouldn't lose…
Of course, we'll never lose!
We wont stand being losers against this team! NEVER!
I wont let them humiliate me ever again!
They don't qualify as a team that would stand as a wall against our victory!
Does this team know how many events it cost to build this team?
Yes…how many events…
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
" I HATE BASKETBALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! IT'S JUST A SHOOTING BALL GAME FOR KIDS!!!"
" Shooting ball game?! Why you-!!!!"
" Okay, you'd be practicing basics."
" Sakuragi! Where are you going?"
" I'm going home! I can't stand this place anymore!!!"
" Oh no! If Miyagi and Sakuragi would be together, it's like two nuclear bombs meeting!!!"
" Hanamichi!"
" Ryota!"
" LET'S GO!!!"
" I'm going to crush this basketball team!"
" National tournament! Championship! Isn't it that YOU were the one who created those dreams?! MITSUI!!!"
" You guys are now national players!"
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Al those events…
All those years it took us and now were here…
We won't be defeated!!!!
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Dribbling the ball with a changing pace style, Ryota looked out for some chances of scoring. Spotting Rukawa, he passed the ball onto him. Rukawa faked in shooting and saw Mitsui running to his direction. he faked yet again onto passing to Mitsui. Instead, he did the unbelievable: Pass it to Sakuragi. But it didn't end there. Number 17, Pusle, was defending him very well under the basket. it was nearly the three second violation when he saw Akagi was free. With one swift pass to Akagi, he smiled. Akagi dunked it heavily on the hoop as the crowd went wild. The current score was 50-42.
Victory seemed to turn it's back on the thrillers as the A.J.B.T members displayed their best plays. They've reversed the score into an 80-83 within sixteen minutes of time. Only four minutes left. Sakuragi dunked the ball onto the hoop that made the score into an 80-85. It was a truly spectacular sight to see everyone cheer for them. Now, their mind fogged with nervousness was replaced with a mind full of hope and the thoughts of victory.
It seemed heaven for them until the Thrillers caught up with them. It was a close fight and there was only two minutes remaining. But Mitsui brought Japan into the lead again by, believe it or not, a dunk that pissed the Thrillers off.
" WA!!! MITCHIN DUNKED!!!!" The guntai exclaimed in unison.
" Unusual for a three-pointer, though." Sendoh Akira said.
" Well, there's nothing bad in it." Youhei remarked, grinning widely.
" Mitchin! Nice dunk!" Sakuragi exclaimed as he patted Mitsui's head.
" This is the first time I've seen you dunk!" Ryota exclaimed.
" Actually, I was going for a lay-up. But I thought that since this is the last game, I better show that I'm also good at dunkin'" Mitsui cheekily replied.
" Nice dunk MITSUI!!!" Kogure shouted from the bench.
" Ossu!"
But then, the Thrillers shot a three-pointer. But as the benchwarmers have said, "DON'T MIND!!!"
Later, there was only 9 seconds left, and the Thrillers were able to shoot a three pointer, plus two free throws because Sakuragi fouled Pusle while shooting the three pointer. As usual, he was reciting the " HAZUSE HAZUSE HAZUSE…OCHIRO OCHIRO OCHIRO…." ( Miss miss miss…fall fall fall….) Unfortunately, both went in, leaving the score into a crucial 88-87, considering that there was only less than ten seconds left.
" Oh no! I can't watch!" Haruko covered her eyes, preparing for the worst.
" They would do something, I know!!!" Youhei exclaimed.
" Their team is known for catching up in the last minute, leaving the other teams into an unexpected defeat." Maki said from his seat.
" I agree. So I know they won't loose." Uozumi added.
" They're worthy being a National team." Coach Taoka said.
Ryota has the ball and dribbled it swiftly towards the goal.
8..7..6..
He passed it onto Sakuragi that was double-teamed. The time pressured the red-head and spotted a gorilla-like figure underneath the basket. With one swift chest pass and a loud shout of "GORI!!!", the ball landed on the figure's hands.
5..4..
Alas, it wasn't Akagi. It was IBM who was under the basket. Haruko covered her eyes, Youhei wanted to scream, Sendoh was taken aback, the other players wanted to faint, their former enemies stood from their seats, Kogure dropped the towel he was holding.
Sakuragi screamed on his mind mentally, remembering the same incident before…
" Gori!!!"
He passed onto a tall guy under the basket, but it wasn't Akagi. It was Takasago of Kainan. Takasago was shocked, and so were Sakuragi and Akagi. The time ran out and they lost…a los that they would never forget for the rest of their lives….
" We won't be defeated by the same mistake!!!" Ryota tapped the ball from IBM's hands and threw it onto Rukawa. Rukawa was free. He jumped to slam the ball into the hoop.
Just then, memories flashed onto the first five's minds…
" Sakuragi Hanamichi! I'm the genius basketball man!!!"
" Kaede Rukawa, First year section ten. Even the gods cannot disturb my sleep."
" You fool! What do you mean by SHOOTING GAME?!"
" The greatest pointguard…Miyagi…Miyagi Ryota…"
" National Championship!!! Number one in Japan! Isn't it YOU were the one who created those dreams?!"
" I want…I still want to play basketball again…"
" This is how the game ends, Sakuragi…"
" Gorilla dunk two!!!"
" I am a senior. If we lose this game…this would be my last."
" I don't care if I break my leg or not! This is the chance I've got at last!"
" I'll beat Sendoh…"
" WE'RE STRONG!!!!!"
With that, Rukawa went on for the Dunk of victory…To their dreams…
owari 5:52 pm, April 5, 2003.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's note:
Hagaki:
*Sob…* AT LAST!! IT'S Finished! At LAST!!!
Minami: There's still the sequel…
Hagaki: Okay. So I'd like to thank everyone who supported us in writing this fic, rthose who reviewed, those who flamed us, those who loved our story and hated it, those who sacrificed their time to read this, to everyone! DOUMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN THE SEQUEL!!!!
The smile of victory is unbelievably true because it was the first smile, and then came the black wrapper gift that made us glance at the Excruciating past before we found ourselves sharing roller coaster experiences on this Drunken Christmas…
And Finally death…to him..
Fly away and drive today, shoot me a kiss, for as you practice, I watch and you win…
Koko Watashi wa de… your footstep number one. I will play…To our dreams…