Title: The Christmas Mystery
Chapter: 1/3
Genre: Shounen ai aka slash, Mystery, General; told from Mitsui Hisashi's POV
Warning: Mild OOC, a number of grammatical errors, (possibly) a lousy plot, sappiness

DISCLAIMER: Slam Dunk and its characters belong to Takehiko Inoue, not Hikaru R. Kudou.

Author's Notes: Before reading this fic, answer these questions honestly:
1. Do you know what shounen ai / slash means?
2. Are you aware that this fic has shounen ai / slash?
3. Are you OK with shounen ai / slash?

If you answered "No" to any of the question, for goodness' sake click on the Back button right away and just forget about this fic. Chances are you won't like what you'll be reading. Moreover, I cannot tolerate flames.
On the other hand, if you're comfortable with such, I implore you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

{Part One}

"No, no, no, that's not how you do it," he tells me as he shakes his head.
          Gripping my pen tightly, I grit my teeth in frustration. Suppressing my irritation in vain, I slam my chemistry book brutally. "Let's just face it, Min-kun, I'm hopeless! I can never understand all these complicated theories, formulas and some other bunch of craps related to chemistry!"
          My boyfriend smiles at me nonchalantly. His expression is calm and encouraging, and he reopens my book for the-what, fifteenth time?
          "Don't say that, Hisashi," says he kindly, "We can do this. Let's do this again, slowly this time."
          I fiddle with my calculator. "I'm sorry, Min-kun."
          Surprised, he replies, "Why? Whatever for?"
          "Tomorrow's Christmas, and yet you're stuck here teaching me chemistry. You could be doing some last-minute shopping if you're not here with me."
          Min-kun removes his glasses and rests it on the table. He watches me intently with his friendly, clear as crystal orbs. "I assure you, Hisashi, being there for my boyfriend is by far more important than any shopping."
          I am touched. "And another thing—"
          "Yes?"
          "I truly appreciate you coming over to my place to teach me. I know it must be really trying - plus irritating - to coach an idiot like me."
          He frowns in disagreement, "You're not stupid, Hisashi, nobody is. You just don't have a strong foundation on—"
          "I paid attention in class! Why is it I still can't figure what Akechi-sensei was saying in front of the class?"
          "I think it's best if we take a break for a minute. Let's talk about something else, shall we? Something that has no connection with chemistry."
          I have to hand it to him. He really knows how to make me feel better. I have to be the luckiest person on earth to have him as my soul mate.
          "OK. So you'll be going to Akagi's Christmas party tomorrow night?" I ask.
          Min-kun nods. "And you?"
          Damn. Goodbye, Christmas candlelight dinner with Min-kun. "Yeah, I'll be there."
          He cannot miss the mild grief in my tone. "Anything wrong?"
          "No…Yes." The truth has to come out—it's now or never. I cannot bear hiding my discomfort any second longer. "We'll still be together, right? Even after you leave school?"
          "Oh, so that's why you're gloomy nowadays. At last I know what has been disturbing you."
          For sure I am troubled. Knowing I am to stay for another year in Shohoku High School whereas Min-kun and the rest of my batch are entering university.
          Oh, yeah. I have every reason to be depressed.
          "You haven't answered my question," I remind him.
          "You can have my word for it, Hisashi. I won't let our relationship come to an end. Ever."
          I blame my stupidity for not being able to finish school, hence not able to be admitted in any university.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

          I ring the doorbell. The front door opens, and a woman appears. Min- kun's mother. I put on my most appealing smile.
          "Oh, hello, Hisashi-kun!" She beckons me to enter. "Kiminobu is still getting ready. Take a seat while waiting for him, won't you?"
          "Thank you. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Kogure!" I take out a small wrapped box from my pocket and hand it to her. "It's not much, but I hope you'll like it."
          "You shouldn't have. I can't accept it. It's too kind of you!" She refuses amiably.
          I force her to take it-politely, of course. At that moment my Min-kun descends the staircase.
          "Merry Christmas, Hisashi!" he wishes me, his hand gripping mine warmly.
          "Merry Christmas to you too, Min-kun." I kiss him lightly on his forehead. "So where's my present?"
          Min-kun titters. "You'll have to wait. You're opening it at Akagi's, along with the rest."
          I pout comically, and he merely chuckles in response. We say good night to his mother, promising we will be home before half past ten. Soon we are on our way to Akagi's Christmas party.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

          We arrive at Akagi's house at eight-thirty. We meet Sakuragi at the gate.
          "Merry Christmas! Megane-kun! Mitchy!" With a delighted grin he greets us.
          "How's your back?" asks Min-kun.
          Sakuragi got injured in a game against Sannoh and he was discharged from hospital about a week ago after undergoing several series of treatments. His injury does not change his jubilant attitude in the least.Which is a good thing.
          "A mere injury can never harm the genius!" He laughs exuberantly.
          Then again, maybe not.
          His laughter is ceased by a monotone "Do'aho."
          "Teme!"
          I am somewhat obliged to Rukawa for stopping Sakuragi's loud guffaw. I owe that guy my life (and Min-kun's as well) for saving us from utter embarrassment. Sakuragi's cackles had attracted the passer-by's curious stares like bees were to honey.
          "Merry Christmas, Rukawa," I say. "Thank you for rescuing our ears, by the way. It's a lucky thing you showed up before my eardrums explode."
          "Merry Christmas," Rukawa acknowledges. He stiffens a yawn.
          Sakuragi snorts. "Stupid fox who only sleeps."
          "A do'aho who doesn't know anything."
          The retort is almost like a bell, a signal for the two of them to start wrestling there and then.
          Min-kun endeavours to stop them. "Rukawa...Sakuragi…let's not kill each other...it's Christmas…"
          I have to smile in amusement. I tug his arm. "I have a better idea. Why don't we just let them be?"
          "But they—"
          I wave my hand. "Just let Akagi handle these two. Speaking of the devil, here's the very man himself."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

          "This is the last time any of you are stepping a foot into my house!" bellows Akagi in reproach. The gorilla in him is revealed.
          Sakuragi mumbles something inaudible. He grimaces as he feels the huge protuberance on his head. What of Rukawa, you ask? He is too busy sleeping-even with that similar lump.
          "It's a good thing my parents are away. You're humiliating me and my entire family, do you know that?" resumes Akagi. "But you two are too dumb to understand anything."
          "Gori!"
          One lump plus one equals two lumps. Rukawa gets his share also, since Akagi noted Rukawa was asleep.
          "Oniichan," says Akagi's sister, trying to sort out the situation. ""It's Christmas—we should start the party. Everybody's here." She smiles at Akagi.
          "Yeah, Akagi," I speak. "You don't want to ruin your Christmas, do you? Where's your Christmas spirit?"
          Akagi glares at me hotly, but I ignore it.
          Miyagi is too engrossed, too mesmerized by Ayako's beauty that his eyes are on her the around the clock. Ayako flinches every time Miyagi worships her immeasurable charms.
          I cannot decide whether to laugh or to puke. In the end I choose neither, for I busy myself with Min-kun.
          Generally we simply chat gaily, eat to our hearts' content and drink heartily. For some unknown reason, Rukawa and Sakuragi are fighting more often than ever.
          "Oi! That's my fork!"
          "So?"
          "Give it back!"
          Rukawa stuffs a napkin into the redhead's mouth.
          Akagi gives up. As long as the duo do not break anything—save, perhaps, each other's bones—Akagi has no intention of wasting his time and breath berating them.
          "Ayako-san, that's a lovely bracelet!" exclaims Haruko as she scans Ayako's wristlet. The gems sparkle with every colour of the rainbow, making the bearer look glamorous—or as Miyagi has put it, "A goddess of beauty."
          "That day I saw a magnificent necklace," Haruko tells the older girl. "It's really cute; White gold, a pink stone on its pendant. It's a sad thing my parents said no."
          "Try going there again with tem, and beg them profusely for it," suggests Ayako. "Tell them you're willing to pay for it."
          Haruko's eyes glint with excitement. "Great idea! Thank you very much, Ayako-san!"
          "Hey, Miyagi, you OK?" I ask, waving a hand in front of the shorter boy's face.
          He stares directly in Ayako's direction. When my hand pauses, blocking his view, he pushes my hand away.
          Shaking my head in defeat, my eyes meet that of Min-kun's. He shrugs with a smile.
          "Everyone! Let's open our presents now!" announces Haruko eagerly. "It's about time! Sakuragi-kun, why don't you sit here? Oh, Miyagi-san, I'm sure Ayako-san won't mind sitting next to you! Mitsui-sempai, you and Kogure-sempai won't sit with anyone else, will you? Ah, Rukawa-kun." She giggles.
          We sit and make ourselves comfortable on the sofas.
          "Haruko, it's kind of windy outside," says Akagi. "Why don't you shut the window?"
          Haruko glimpses at the window on her right, then to Akagi who was on her left. She smiles as answers. "It's very cooling, 'niichan, so I was thinking of leaving them open."
          Shrugging, "Suit yourself."
          "Go sit elsewhere," Sakuragi tells Rukawa, They are sharing a two-seat settee, much to Sakuragi's dislike.
          "Go to hell," retorts Rukawa coldly.
          "Come on you two…we've had enough fighting of fighting for one night," Min-kun says with a tired smile.
          "Not me," both of them answer at once.
          Min-kun sweat-drops, a nervous smile on his face.
          "Mitsui-sempai, why don't you start?" offers Haruko, eyeing me.
          I grin. Hey, it's fine with me. I produce a present from my breast pocket. Smiling at Min-kun, I open his hands and place it gently on his palms. He blushes instantaneously.
          We made no secret of our relationship, so it is natural all of them smile knowingly—except perhaps Akagi. He claimed once he was never into "sentimental stuff". Yes, those were his exact words.
          "Merry Christmas, love," I whisper, kissing his lips. I think Akagi must have clasped his hands over his sister's eyes or something.
          Min-kun blushes harder after I pull away. His trembling hands cover his mouth, attempting to hide his crimson face.
          "Open it, sempai!" urges Ayako.
          Min-kun opens his gift, unsealing the tape and unfolding the wrapper on his lap, an excuse to bow his head. Underneath the wrapper is a black box. He detached the cover, and he gasps.
          "What is it?" asks Sakuragi, eager.
          "A leather wallet! It must've cost you a fortune!" He looks guiltily at me. "It's branded, and imported.I."
          I interrupt his speech with another expert kiss. Then I shake my head. "I hope you like it."
          "Hisashi..."
          "So, Kogure-sempai, what do you have in store for Mitsui-sempai?" asks Ayako, twinkling first at Min-kun and secondly at me.
          Min-kun pushes the Christmas present he had readied for me. He gives me a nod, permitting me to unwrap it.
          And there it is; The latest walkman model with built-in mp3 player.
          "Min-kun! It's exactly what I need!" I throw and arm around my boyfriend.
          "Well, I saw how worn-out your current Walkman is, and I noticed it is not functioning properly. So I thought—"
          "Aw, Min-kun…"
          Akagi clears his throat. "Moving on! Miyagi?"
          "Ah, yes!" Miyagi holds his gift in front of the manageress. "For you, Aya-chan. Merry Christmas."
          Ayako inhales sharply when she sees what is inside the box. She pulls the content out of the packaging, revealing what it is. Two miniature swans, made of crystal. The ornament reflects light, and Ayako is completely moved.
          "Aya-chan, I know you're tired of listening my saying the same thing over and over again, but I really love you."
          "Ryota, I…"
          I can hazard a guess on what Miyagi is thinking. Is she going to reject me?
          But what Ayako does is surprising. She leans forward, closer to Miyagi and kisses him—exactly on his lips.
          "Yeah! Congratulations, you two!" I whistle.
          "Ryochin! You lucky guy!" Sakuragi laughs.
          "Ayako-sempai, I'm happy for you!" joins in Haruko.
          Needless to say, right after the long kiss ends Miyagi collapses.
          "Now he can't open my present for him," says Ayako lightly. She places her gift on Miyagi's chest. "We'll have to wait until he recovers."
          "Hopefully it won't take long," remarks Min-kun.
          Laughing, I reply, "I doubt that!"
          "So, I believe it's my turn now?" Akagi gets up from his seat and walks to one end of the room. He opens a drawer, takes a present out and gives it to Haruko.
          "Oniichan."
          Akagi nods in comprehension. Haruko tears the wrapping slowly but eagerly, and when she uncovers the box, her eyes were dancing genially.
          "Oniichan!" exclaims she. We have yet to see what is her present. She holds necklace up for everyone to see, a very beautiful one, in fact. "Isn't this—the very necklace I wanted so badly?"
          "Yes it is. I persuaded 'kaa-san and 'tou-san."
          "Thank you so much! You're the best!" She almost jumps her seat as she flings her arms around Akagi.
          And he said he is not into sentimental stuff.
          Akagi coughs deliberately, but I can see his mouth forming a tiny smile. He is pleased, definitely. Haruko releases him and puts the jewelry back into its case. She continues to watch it adoringly.
          Out of the blue everything is in pitch darkness. All of us gasp in surprise.
          "Blackout?" says Ayako. "What happened?"
          "A blown fuse?" suggests Min-kun. I can feel his hands grasping both of mine. "Maybe the lights will be restored in a few seconds."
          "You want to check it out?" I ask out loud.
          "I'll do it," volunteers Akagi.
          In a split second the lights return. Akagi, who has stood up, sits and grunts.
          Ayako hears a groan coming from her left. "Welcome back, Ryota." She smiles teasingly.
          "OH!" Haruko's cry apprehends our attention. Her face is pale, her hands shivering. She points a finger at her jewelry case. "My necklace—it's gone!"

{End of Part One}

More Author's Notes: I'm supposed to be taking a break for writing—oh well.
Pardon my grammatical mistakes. I got the idea and wrote this fic when I was half-asleep. My first mystery fic, so for God's sake be gentle. I want to know what you think of this story, so...Leave me a review, onegai?