Rakka eda ni kaerazu
~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
-- a Japanese proverb
Chapter Five: A Visit
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Kogure residence
"Kogure-kun, can I ask a favour of you?" Michiko's hesitant question made Kogure feel that the matter she was pursuing was serious.
When he had nodded, Michiko stopped in her tracks and faced him squarely. "Kogure-kun, could we not go around the neighbourhood? I need to visit someone."
Kogure was mystified. First, she had complied with his mother's suggestion that Kogure take her out with the surrounding area, so that she could familiarise herself with her new home. Now, she was telling him that she wanted to go somewhere else. And who was that mysterious "someone" anyway.
Michiko, sensing his uncertainty, plunged on, "I need to go to this address." She took out a small scrap of paper from her wallet. "The person I need to see is the one who gave me hope. I met him in America three years ago. I wanted to give him a surprise."
Him. Kogure felt a sudden, inexplicable stab of jealousy. He had only known her for two days. From whence came this feeling? He kept his outward display neutral though, and asked instead, "Who is he?"
Michiko knew she had won. "Fujima. Fujima Kenji. He studies in Shoyo High."
Kogure's jaw must have visibly dropped, for she asked, "Is anything the matter?"
Kogure hurriedly tried to assure her that everything was fine. "Fujima is one of the best point guards in Kanagawa. He plays for Shoyo's basketball team. He's also their captain and coach. He is great."
"Oh, so you know him too. He didn't tell me that he was a captain, or a coach. Or one of the best players. Or a point guard. He just told me he liked basketball. Major understatement," Michiko laughed.
They went to Fujima's house. All the way, Kogure was wrestling with his inner feelings, something he was unaccustomed to doing.
Michiko rang the doorbell once, then once more.
Kogure watched her expression as she waited impatiently for the door to open. She looked so excited.
"Fujima-kun!" Michiko exclaimed as a brown-haired boy opened the door. She stunned the already surprised boy when she came up and gave him a hug. "Fujima-kun, don't you even recognise me? I'm hurt!"
Fujima, who up to now had been looking like someone who had just been raised from a long slumber and had no sense of time, suddenly brightened and said, "Michiko-chan! You're looking very well. Pretty, even."
Then he noticed Kogure. "Kogure-san! Nice to see you too!"
He gestured for them to go into the living room, and poured them some drinks.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Fujima residence
"Funny, I was just thinking of you last night," Fujima said as he placed the cold drinks carefully on the tabletop.
"The full moon was beautiful, wasn't it?" Michiko asked innocently.
Fujima looked at her strangely for a moment, then said, "There wasn't a full moon last night."
Michiko and Kogure both laughed. Michiko said, "No there wasn't. I didn't even stay awake long enough to look out of the window to marvel at the night sky!"
Their conversation went on, with Fujima and Michiko eager to get up to date with each others' lives. At some point, Michiko did mention his basketball carreer, and Fujima blushed. "Demo, it's nothing…" he brushed off her compliments with a shrug.
"You have a nice house," Michiko said as she and Kogure were about to leave.
Then, she caught sight of a small picture hung, among others, next to the door. She gave a small gasp, and seemed to crumble at the knees. Both Kogure and Fujima were just in time to catch her before she hit the ground.
"No…" Her murmur was the last thing she said.












Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not belong to me...


Author's Notes:
Gomenasai! I've heartlessly kept you waiting for this chapter, but do forgive me, I've kept my homework pile waiting as well! ^___^

Replies:
Joy: Sorry for the delay, I think I must have hit my head to hard when I was trying skateboarding. j/k!

Nellie: Promised you Fujima somewhere in my fics, so here he is!

tensaispira: Yes, believe it or not, Fujima's here, and here to stay! So what say you to this chapter?

white-angel: Hey, where did you disappear to! Glad you liked the chapter!

DiaBLo: Nope, Slam Dunk ain't boring. Not to me, that is!





till we meet again!

~rurouni