Disclaimer: Reporter: Ms. chibi-onna, what can you say about the award you'll be receiving tonight for your wonderful creation of Slam Dunk?
chibi: *smiles modestly* Well, I--
Without warning, somebody pushed her and she landed face-first on the red carpet.
chibi: *massages forehead* Owwwww....
Mitsui: Oi. Wake up....
chibi: Huh? What happened? *suddenly remembers* Hey! How dare you push me off my swiveling chair?! I AM FREE TO DREAM, AM I NOT?! *waves fists in the air*
Mitsui: Calm down, woman! You have a fic to write! That's the reason I saved you from the clutches of those two murdering freaks! see end of chap 10
chibi: Awwww... I didn't know you cared.... *sniff*
Mitsui: .....Anou.... Since you owe me your life, c-could you make a lemon for me and---
chibi: No.
Mitsui: But--
chibi: No! Lime's as far as you're gonna get.
Mitsui: *immensely cute puppy-dog eyes* Pretty please?
chibi: *tries very hard to ignore immensely cute puppy-dog eyes* No. And that's final.
Mitsui: *growls* You ungrateful little--
chibi: Either that or nothing. Choose. *boots computer*
Mitsui: *sighs defeatedly* Fine... I'll go for the lime....
A/N: Hey guys, sorry I took so long... Anyway, here's the next chapter.. just as i promised!
Legend:
~place/time/flashback~
"dialogue"
//thoughts//
inserts
*sigh or something like it*
/*stuff outside the fic*/
Chapter11: State of Denial
The next day found Sakuragi Hanamichi in a state of blissful ignorance. He yawned and stretched as he normally did in each of his waking days. He went through his daily morning rituals and proceeded to the dining room, humming to himself as he went. He was, surprisingly, the first one there. He checked his watch and saw that it was 7:00 a.m. He walked towards his usual seat.
//The others should be arriving any second now...//
No sooner had he thought this, Sakuragi heard two giggling male voices.
Hanamichi stopped in his tracks.
//GIGGLING?!!!//
He whipped his head around just in time to see Mitsui envelope their vice-captain in a hug and then kiss the latter to oblivion. Words utterly failed him. He just stood there, unable to move. His jaw fell open and if flies were present in the immaculately clean mansion, they would certainly be attracted to the big dark cave that was his mouth.
Meanwhile, the two were obviously too wrapped up in their own little world to take notice of the stunned redhead. When they finally parted, the giggling resumed and they suddenly became all mushy.
"I love you..."
Mitsui frowned. "Nope. I love YOU more..."
Kogure shrugged. "If you say so."
Mitsui tried to look hurt. "Aww, c'mon... That's the part where you say, 'Nah, I DEFINITELY love you more'..."
Kogure smiled and shook his head in amusement. That's when he first set eyes upon the freshman. The poor kid looked like he just got the shock of his life! Mitsui followed his lover's gaze and saw the living statue. As the implications of the situation dawned on him, the former MVP's eyes widened.
"Min-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"We're in deep shit."
And in deep shit they were.
~an explanation and a moment later~
"Please, please... Promise us you won't tell anyone..." Mitsui pleaded.
"This is.... This is just too much.... A-and don't worry, I won't tell anyone..." Apparently, Sakuragi was still visibly shaken by the earlier events.
"Demo, aren't you glad that at least we can gauge the others' reactions based on his? I mean, he's supposed to have the worst, ne?" Kogure directed this to Mitsui.
"Hey!" Sakuragi was slowly coming out of his stupor. He sounded almost normal.
As laughter filled the air, the tension in the room slowly dissipated. The couple was grateful for that.
"Thanks, Hanamichi," Mitsui sincerely said after the merry moment.
Sakuragi just nodded in return.
At this point, the rest decided to arrive, completely ignorant of the events that took place moments before they entered the dining hall. Perhaps they were better off not knowing.
"O-ha-you," Miyagi broke the greeting down into syllables. Noticing the redhead and remembering his weird behavior last night, he spoke again, "Yo, 'Michi! You okay?" Though it was said in a cheerful manner, the concern was evident on the point guard's face.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Not you, bighead! Him!" Miyagi gestured towards Hanamichi vigorously.
"Who're you callin' a bighead, shorty?"
"Why, you, of course, MISSY!" Ryota smirked. He knew how Mitsui hated to be called as such. //That'll teach him to call me 'shorty'...//
"Why you *bleep* *bleep* *bleep* *BLEEP* *bleep*!!!!!!!" Miyagi found himself being attacked by an unhealthy dose of swear words so early in the morning. When the ordeal was over, his ears were actually ringing.
"Ryocchin, why were you asking if the tensai is okay?"
"What?"
Sakuragi spoke louder, "Why did you ask if I'm okay?"
"I can't hear you!" Miyagi bellowed.
"I SAID, WHY DID YOU ASK IF I'M OKAY!!!!!!" Hanamichi bellowed back.
The booming voice did more than make Ryota hear the redhead's words. In fact, it got rid of the ringing that was caused by Mitsui.
/*A/N: Ironic, isn't it?*/
"Thanks... I needed that...."
"Ryocchin, you didn't answer my question!"
"Uh, yeah, I asked if you were okay 'cause you were acting kinda weird last night."
The monkey scratched his head like most of his kind, obviously trying to remember. This took quite a while, so the others just dismissed it. Sakuragi was weird enough for them to accept the incident without further explanation.
Rukawa finally arrived and the maids started to serve breakfast. The sitting arrangement was the same as the night before. He looked to his side and saw the redhead scratching his head, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. He almost smiled. //Kawaii!!!//
The delicious smell of breakfast wafted its way to Hanamichi's nostrils. He took in the wonderful aroma and released his breath. "Food!" He quickly piled the said food on his plate. "Itadakimasu!!" He dug in.
The others blinked at him and followed suit, just mumbling the word before they ate. They were all wondering about this odd behavioral swing. They certainly weren't subjected to this before.
"A-anou... Sakuragi-kun?"
The redhead looked at her.
"Could you please pass the butter?"
Dejavu.
The pieces were slowly falling in place. The fog cleared up bit by bit. The veil of ignorance that protected him was lifted; exposing him, rendering him speechless, leaving him vulnerable... The sudden exposure blinded him, and he came crashing back down to earth, only to find reality crashing down on him as well.
There was no escape. The memories flashed before his eyes. He was reacquainted with his feelings of love, hate, fear and anger all meshed together to form a single emotion that could be nothing else but confusion. He was forced to remember every minute detail, and he knew that all these would be seared in his memory, whether he likes it or not. Forever.
//Oh, there it is!//
"A-anou... Sakuragi-kun?"
The redhead looked at her.
"Could you please pass the butter?"
Haruko waited patiently for him to pass her the butter, as he had done with the gravy just the night before. Funny how the items she is in need of always turns up closest to him..
/*A/N: Hah! I see a double meaning... *snickers* */
Hanamichi didn't move an inch. She was in the direction of his gaze, but he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were glazed over. It was as if he was miles and miles away and left his body an empty shell. Haruko shivered involuntarily. It was quite unnerving.
She cleared her throat. "Are you okay, Sakuragi-kun?" she managed to draw out.
Sakuragi focused his eyes on her for what seemed like hours, but it was just for a moment; in fact, it was barely a second. He handed her the butter and said nothing. He put down the utensils he had been using so enthusiastically. Following his movement, she saw that he had finished his food.
//Wow! Sakuragi-kun eats really fast! Plenty, too....//
Akagi Haruko is a very simple-minded girl. She takes great joy in small things that don't seem to matter to anyone else. And so she didn't notice the looks of concern everyone was giving the redhead. Poor girl. Perhaps she was fated to be oblivious of everything so painfully obvious.
//IIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!//
Hanamichi's mind was suffering from severe information and stress overload. He just couldn't take it anymore... And so his body did what it had to in order to protect its own well-being.
"Of course, how can the tensai not be okay? NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
Yup, he's in denial.
Again.
Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief. They were starting to think Hanamichi was going bonkers. Akagi again presided over their morning meeting regarding their activities for the day.
"Sight seeing's due today, right? Have you decided where to go?"
Kogure bounced up to such an excited state that was so unbecoming of him.
"I know, I know!!!! I've been looking at the brochures I got back at the airport, and I found...." He rummaged through his pockets and took a crumpled piece of colored paper. "This!"
It featured a newly discovered pyramid, in exhibit for that day only.
One would think that the others would vehemently scoff at the idea. On the contrary, they all agreed, thinking that it would be an adventure of sorts. They all geared up and left as soon as they could. They wanted to make the best out of it.
~At the Pyramid~
"Wow, it's huge!"
"Yeah, it must've been hard with the kind of equipment they had back then..."
"Who cares? Let's just go with the rest of the tourists... We might be left behind, you know."
At that, they all hustled up to where the tour guide was.
"Oh my! It's you guys again! Hi, Hana-chan!" Sendoh greeted cheerfully.
"Hi, Akira!" Hanamichi greeted back.
Rukawa frowned.
//Oh, great. The baka smiley. Just. Great.//
A/N:BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I'M SO EVIL!!! I'M LEAVING A CLIFFIE BEHIND!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! author lost her mind due to stupid enrollment system in school... do forgive her... And oh, please review!!!
chibi: *smiles modestly* Well, I--
Without warning, somebody pushed her and she landed face-first on the red carpet.
chibi: *massages forehead* Owwwww....
Mitsui: Oi. Wake up....
chibi: Huh? What happened? *suddenly remembers* Hey! How dare you push me off my swiveling chair?! I AM FREE TO DREAM, AM I NOT?! *waves fists in the air*
Mitsui: Calm down, woman! You have a fic to write! That's the reason I saved you from the clutches of those two murdering freaks! see end of chap 10
chibi: Awwww... I didn't know you cared.... *sniff*
Mitsui: .....Anou.... Since you owe me your life, c-could you make a lemon for me and---
chibi: No.
Mitsui: But--
chibi: No! Lime's as far as you're gonna get.
Mitsui: *immensely cute puppy-dog eyes* Pretty please?
chibi: *tries very hard to ignore immensely cute puppy-dog eyes* No. And that's final.
Mitsui: *growls* You ungrateful little--
chibi: Either that or nothing. Choose. *boots computer*
Mitsui: *sighs defeatedly* Fine... I'll go for the lime....
A/N: Hey guys, sorry I took so long... Anyway, here's the next chapter.. just as i promised!
Legend:
~place/time/flashback~
"dialogue"
//thoughts//
inserts
*sigh or something like it*
/*stuff outside the fic*/
Chapter11: State of Denial
The next day found Sakuragi Hanamichi in a state of blissful ignorance. He yawned and stretched as he normally did in each of his waking days. He went through his daily morning rituals and proceeded to the dining room, humming to himself as he went. He was, surprisingly, the first one there. He checked his watch and saw that it was 7:00 a.m. He walked towards his usual seat.
//The others should be arriving any second now...//
No sooner had he thought this, Sakuragi heard two giggling male voices.
Hanamichi stopped in his tracks.
//GIGGLING?!!!//
He whipped his head around just in time to see Mitsui envelope their vice-captain in a hug and then kiss the latter to oblivion. Words utterly failed him. He just stood there, unable to move. His jaw fell open and if flies were present in the immaculately clean mansion, they would certainly be attracted to the big dark cave that was his mouth.
Meanwhile, the two were obviously too wrapped up in their own little world to take notice of the stunned redhead. When they finally parted, the giggling resumed and they suddenly became all mushy.
"I love you..."
Mitsui frowned. "Nope. I love YOU more..."
Kogure shrugged. "If you say so."
Mitsui tried to look hurt. "Aww, c'mon... That's the part where you say, 'Nah, I DEFINITELY love you more'..."
Kogure smiled and shook his head in amusement. That's when he first set eyes upon the freshman. The poor kid looked like he just got the shock of his life! Mitsui followed his lover's gaze and saw the living statue. As the implications of the situation dawned on him, the former MVP's eyes widened.
"Min-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"We're in deep shit."
And in deep shit they were.
~an explanation and a moment later~
"Please, please... Promise us you won't tell anyone..." Mitsui pleaded.
"This is.... This is just too much.... A-and don't worry, I won't tell anyone..." Apparently, Sakuragi was still visibly shaken by the earlier events.
"Demo, aren't you glad that at least we can gauge the others' reactions based on his? I mean, he's supposed to have the worst, ne?" Kogure directed this to Mitsui.
"Hey!" Sakuragi was slowly coming out of his stupor. He sounded almost normal.
As laughter filled the air, the tension in the room slowly dissipated. The couple was grateful for that.
"Thanks, Hanamichi," Mitsui sincerely said after the merry moment.
Sakuragi just nodded in return.
At this point, the rest decided to arrive, completely ignorant of the events that took place moments before they entered the dining hall. Perhaps they were better off not knowing.
"O-ha-you," Miyagi broke the greeting down into syllables. Noticing the redhead and remembering his weird behavior last night, he spoke again, "Yo, 'Michi! You okay?" Though it was said in a cheerful manner, the concern was evident on the point guard's face.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Not you, bighead! Him!" Miyagi gestured towards Hanamichi vigorously.
"Who're you callin' a bighead, shorty?"
"Why, you, of course, MISSY!" Ryota smirked. He knew how Mitsui hated to be called as such. //That'll teach him to call me 'shorty'...//
"Why you *bleep* *bleep* *bleep* *BLEEP* *bleep*!!!!!!!" Miyagi found himself being attacked by an unhealthy dose of swear words so early in the morning. When the ordeal was over, his ears were actually ringing.
"Ryocchin, why were you asking if the tensai is okay?"
"What?"
Sakuragi spoke louder, "Why did you ask if I'm okay?"
"I can't hear you!" Miyagi bellowed.
"I SAID, WHY DID YOU ASK IF I'M OKAY!!!!!!" Hanamichi bellowed back.
The booming voice did more than make Ryota hear the redhead's words. In fact, it got rid of the ringing that was caused by Mitsui.
/*A/N: Ironic, isn't it?*/
"Thanks... I needed that...."
"Ryocchin, you didn't answer my question!"
"Uh, yeah, I asked if you were okay 'cause you were acting kinda weird last night."
The monkey scratched his head like most of his kind, obviously trying to remember. This took quite a while, so the others just dismissed it. Sakuragi was weird enough for them to accept the incident without further explanation.
Rukawa finally arrived and the maids started to serve breakfast. The sitting arrangement was the same as the night before. He looked to his side and saw the redhead scratching his head, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. He almost smiled. //Kawaii!!!//
The delicious smell of breakfast wafted its way to Hanamichi's nostrils. He took in the wonderful aroma and released his breath. "Food!" He quickly piled the said food on his plate. "Itadakimasu!!" He dug in.
The others blinked at him and followed suit, just mumbling the word before they ate. They were all wondering about this odd behavioral swing. They certainly weren't subjected to this before.
"A-anou... Sakuragi-kun?"
The redhead looked at her.
"Could you please pass the butter?"
Dejavu.
The pieces were slowly falling in place. The fog cleared up bit by bit. The veil of ignorance that protected him was lifted; exposing him, rendering him speechless, leaving him vulnerable... The sudden exposure blinded him, and he came crashing back down to earth, only to find reality crashing down on him as well.
There was no escape. The memories flashed before his eyes. He was reacquainted with his feelings of love, hate, fear and anger all meshed together to form a single emotion that could be nothing else but confusion. He was forced to remember every minute detail, and he knew that all these would be seared in his memory, whether he likes it or not. Forever.
//Oh, there it is!//
"A-anou... Sakuragi-kun?"
The redhead looked at her.
"Could you please pass the butter?"
Haruko waited patiently for him to pass her the butter, as he had done with the gravy just the night before. Funny how the items she is in need of always turns up closest to him..
/*A/N: Hah! I see a double meaning... *snickers* */
Hanamichi didn't move an inch. She was in the direction of his gaze, but he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were glazed over. It was as if he was miles and miles away and left his body an empty shell. Haruko shivered involuntarily. It was quite unnerving.
She cleared her throat. "Are you okay, Sakuragi-kun?" she managed to draw out.
Sakuragi focused his eyes on her for what seemed like hours, but it was just for a moment; in fact, it was barely a second. He handed her the butter and said nothing. He put down the utensils he had been using so enthusiastically. Following his movement, she saw that he had finished his food.
//Wow! Sakuragi-kun eats really fast! Plenty, too....//
Akagi Haruko is a very simple-minded girl. She takes great joy in small things that don't seem to matter to anyone else. And so she didn't notice the looks of concern everyone was giving the redhead. Poor girl. Perhaps she was fated to be oblivious of everything so painfully obvious.
//IIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!//
Hanamichi's mind was suffering from severe information and stress overload. He just couldn't take it anymore... And so his body did what it had to in order to protect its own well-being.
"Of course, how can the tensai not be okay? NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
Yup, he's in denial.
Again.
Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief. They were starting to think Hanamichi was going bonkers. Akagi again presided over their morning meeting regarding their activities for the day.
"Sight seeing's due today, right? Have you decided where to go?"
Kogure bounced up to such an excited state that was so unbecoming of him.
"I know, I know!!!! I've been looking at the brochures I got back at the airport, and I found...." He rummaged through his pockets and took a crumpled piece of colored paper. "This!"
It featured a newly discovered pyramid, in exhibit for that day only.
One would think that the others would vehemently scoff at the idea. On the contrary, they all agreed, thinking that it would be an adventure of sorts. They all geared up and left as soon as they could. They wanted to make the best out of it.
~At the Pyramid~
"Wow, it's huge!"
"Yeah, it must've been hard with the kind of equipment they had back then..."
"Who cares? Let's just go with the rest of the tourists... We might be left behind, you know."
At that, they all hustled up to where the tour guide was.
"Oh my! It's you guys again! Hi, Hana-chan!" Sendoh greeted cheerfully.
"Hi, Akira!" Hanamichi greeted back.
Rukawa frowned.
//Oh, great. The baka smiley. Just. Great.//
A/N:BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I'M SO EVIL!!! I'M LEAVING A CLIFFIE BEHIND!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! author lost her mind due to stupid enrollment system in school... do forgive her... And oh, please review!!!
