Disclaimers: I do not own Slam Dunk and its characters. However, some of the characters in this wonderful work of fiction belong to me.
Author's Notes: This fic is set after 5 years from the original series.

Dedication: This one's for Kyo-chan

I Wanna Be Your Angel

By: nagi_silvermoon

Chapter 4

Kyori roamed around the mall for about an hour before she finally took the initiative of resting. It was a very tiring Sunday afternoon and all she wanted was a peace of mind and an ample time to reflect on what was happening for the past few days.

Hiro was now back home. Released by the doctors earlier that day, Hiro suddenly became excited and said that he wanted to go and visit some friends. Toshi and Mizu were already near their wedding day. They had to do lots of preparations and neither can be pulled out even for a short while just to stroll along the parks.

She had been too lonely, she thought as she sat on a bench in front of a clothes store. Everybody was so busy that they had almost forgotten about her. Even her boyfriend was too preoccupied at work to even call her for a minute and say those three sweet words "I love you".

She sighed as she opened her bag, took out a book she bought earlier and began to read it.

She was halfway through the second chapter when a "shadow" loomed above her and she was forced to look up to see what was causing it.

"I thought I saw you and I was right."

Kyori frowned with mixed feelings. "Konnichiwa, Mitsui-kantoku."

"Konnichiwa," Mitsui returned briefly. "What are you doing here all alone, Miss Yatsura?"

"Nothing, actually," she replied, turning back to her book. "I just wanted to have a walk and all but everybody at hoe was too busy to come with me."

"Even Hiro?" He asked a bit startled.

"Yeah. He said he wanted to meet with his friends." She sighed as she closed the book. "It's so hard to be unwanted."

"What if I say I'm seeking company as well?" He proposed. "Will it be alright if you come with me just so we could be of company with each other?"

Kyori hesitated. Here was a man she barely knew offering her company while those she wanted to be with were just too dense. Why is this world full of irony and disappointments?

"You're hesitating," he commented, airing her thoughts.

Wow, he's even a psychic, Kyori thought bitterly. Why can't they be like him?

"How about if I tell you that we're going to find your new discman? I still owe you, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then, let's go."

Before she knew it, she was in the company of Mitsui Hisashi.

~@~@~

After an hour of standing, walking around, and looking for the right kind of discman, Mitsui and Kyori found their selves inside a café in the mall having dinner getting to know more about each other. Mitsui was in telling her all about his exploits in high school while Kyori shares with him her family's idiosyncrasies. Soon, both were rendered laughing and with stitches at their sides.

"You've got a wholesome family," Mitsui commented after another story by her. He tried to shake away his laughter and get some drink.

"Well, if you prefer wholesome then they are wholesome," she replied, wrinkling her nose. "But they're still a bunch of dense idiots to me."

Mitsui laughed again and leaned forward just to stifle it. "Not again…" He muttered in between laughs.

Kyori laughed at him and drank from her beverage. Mitsui calmed down again. He straightened in his chair and began to tell her about the time when they defeated Shoyo.

"They played well," he commented. "That I must admit."

"Of course, they are," she replied matter-of-factly. "They've got Fujima Kenji during those times. Even Hanagata was there, too."

"Shoyo fanatic, are you?"

"Well, I am from Shoyo," she proclaimed proudly, "and Kenji is my boyfriend."

Mitsui looked at her, baffled. "Fujima?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Surprised?"

"Well… sort of," he admitted, stirring his orange juice with his straw. "I never imagined you with a guy of his caliber. I'm not underestimating you, though."

"I understand."

"How is he, by the way?" He inquired.

"Well, he's busy with work." She wrinkled her nose at the thought. It just makes her sad to remember it. "He hasn't called me in a few days. Probably because of overtime and all. He overworks himself too much and that's what worries me."

"I know what you mean."

Both kept silent. Mitsui glanced at his watch and sighed. "We've been in here for an hour or so."

"Really?" Kyori glanced at hers. "My, I have to get going."

"Me, too." Mitsui stood up and stretched a little. "Can I give you a ride home?"

"No, that's okay," she replied, standing up as well. "I'll just walk home."

"I insist."

Kyori smiled and shook her head. "No, really."

"C'mon." Mitsui took her hand and started to walk to the parking lot. "I don't mind really."

"But I do," said another voice.

The two turned around and found their selves face to face with a woman of about twenty with long black hair and brown eyes clad in a pastel yellow dress.

"Who is this girl with you, Hisashi?" She asked, obviously trying to contain rage by keeping her voice even. "Introduce me."

Mitsui placed his hand on his forehead and sighed. "Shiori, this is Kyori. Kyori, that's Shiori, my girlfriend."

"Yoroshiku." Kyori greeted pleasantly but the look returned by Shiori was acidic and Kyori was rebuked silently.

"Hisashi, we need to talk."

To be continued

Author's Notes: okay… this chapter was completely revised because I had a problem when I realized that I uploaded the first chapter four early. I had to introduce Shiori first before actually continuing with the previous chapter four as to not surprise the readers with a sudden event in the story. For those who have read the first version, sorry for the confusion and spoiling I have caused. For those who haven't, I'm happy because you won't be able to see where and how I blundered. I can't tell… spoilers.

How was this chapter?? Fine??? I hope so… hehehe