This chapter is dedicated to each and every one of you who've read one, two, or all of the chapters I've written thus far for this story. It's been a pleasant journey. Thank you!

Have a meaningful Christmas! Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for...thank you for your patience.

Enjoy!

Rakka eda ni kaerazu

~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~

-- a Japanese proverb

Chapter Thirteen: Confessions

Summer, Present

Kanagawa, Japan

Outside a stadium

"Michiko-chan, wait up!"

Michiko turned at the sound of someone calling her name. It was Fujima Kenji.

He caught up with her quickly, gym bag hoisted to his shoulder. He smiled at her. Despite his relative shortness of height, he was taller then her. His eyes were teasing as he said, "You were crying."

Michiko punched him lightly in retaliation, but said nothing. She had been waiting for the Shohoku team to come out. But Fujima appeared instead.

"Let's grab a bite. My treat," Fujima suggested.

Michiko looked around, and seeing no one else she recognised, agreed. She just hoped Kogure wouldn't freak out. She smiled at that thought. He was so much like an elder brother to her.

Fujima and Michiko went off to a nearby snack bar.

Autumn, Three years ago

Philadelphia, USA

A deli near St. Mary's Hospital

Fujima sat alone in a booth, sipping his milkshake. Remains of a sandwich were on a plate in front of him. He kept thinking about the girl he had met. His eyes wandered to the park, visible from his seat near the window.

Was it love? Or was it just friendship? Nevertheless, he knew that he and Michiko shared a bond. As to what bond, he was unsure.

Summer, Present

Kanagawa, Japan

A snack bar

When they were satisfactorily settled with sandwiches and drinks each, Fujima opened his mouth. Then closed it again.

Much to Michiko's amusement. "Stop that goldfish imitation. It isn't becoming,"

Fujima smiled, and finally stoked up enough courage to say, "Michiko-chan, I don't know how to say this, but I think…I think I have something going for you."

Michiko was speechless, to say the least. It was as if the blood in her body had run dry. It seemed as if her heart had stopped beating.

"For me?" was her lame answer.

His eyes were fixed unwaveringly on her, catching her every reaction. His face fell.

"You don't…"

"Fujima-kun, you're wrong. I do like you. A lot. But, things won't work out between us."

Fujima was disappointed. And puzzled. She saw it too.

"I have a lot of explaining to do. This isn't the place." She stood up abruptly, carrying the wrapped sandwiches with her.

Fujima sat there, stunned. Until she poked him ungraciously in the back, indicating that he should help her with the drinks. He did so, moving mechanically.

Summer, Eighteen years ago

Kanagawa, Japan

Kawasaki residence

"You never loved me." Her statement was put across calmly, despite the tears swimming in her eyes.

His gruff voice returned, "You're right. For once. Now, leave me alone."

The man left the house, muttering, carrying an overnight bag.

The woman sank to her knees, devastated. Her man had just walked out on her.

The next five years, until his death, were filled with a false warmth between the couple, a façade for the benefit of their child. Whom she had been carrying when she had first discovered his affairs with another woman. They both had too much to lose by breaking their marriage vows. Hence, she watched him leave her in silence.

Summer, Present

Kanagawa, Japan

Kawasaki residence

Michiko opened the door to her apartment, inviting Fujima in.

He took in her quarters, admiring it. She noticed this and smiled. She loved her home too.

They sat down, next to each other, on the cushions. Fujima was aloof. Careful not to touch her. Careful not to make contact. It was a far cry from her visit to his home.

Taking a deep breath, Michiko closed her eyes and began the tale. The tale of infidelity. Of woe. Of suffering. Of unhappiness. Of love. And the lack of it. And the reason why he could not love her the way he wanted to.

Michiko's narration

…And so I called my mother up. She broke down and told me the truth. After all these years. The life I had known had been a lie.

My mother found out about Fujima Ayumi when she was three months pregnant – with me. She confronted my father when he was preparing to leave for one of his business trips. He had told her that he was going to another part of Japan. In Shiozaka, I think. He lied, of course. He was going to another part of Japan, another part of Kanagawa. To another woman.

She knew that too. I don't know how. She told him so, and accused him of not loving her. Which man, if he loves a woman, goes in search of another, as she is carrying his child?

He had blown up, and said that she was right. Things were tense, but they survived. The marriage survived. For me. For the family business. For theirs was a marriage of convenience. But my mother was never told. She foolishly believed that my father loved her.

It was only when she found out that he had been seeing another woman, on all his so-called business trips to Australia, ever since six months into their marriage.

She still gave birth to me. Hoping it would change his mind, perhaps. But the truth was: his mistress was also with child. Anyhow, I doubt she would have had an abortion even if she had known.

I never suspected all of this. She had never given me any hint, any reason. She was, is, very strong. Imagine her suffering all alone these years.

Anyway, I was, at the very least, shocked when I saw a photograph of my father in your house. You had told me about your mother being Australian, so I put two and two together…

At this point, Fujima had tears rolling down his cheeks. Michiko was choking back sobs as well.

"And got four, I suppose," Fujima said bitterly, the words falling like dead weights from his mouth.

"And got four," she echoed. "I'm sorry, Fujima-kun."

"I know."

Both of them sat in silence. Reflecting on the past. And its reverberations in the present.

Both of them shed tears.

Both of them were hurt, were victims. Of an event brought about by a father they hardly knew.


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


Author's Notes:


Thank you super rookie, Lazuli, Tan Kimiko, tensaispira, cookies, sLL, Joy, maemi and renei for reading and reviewing! I won't be giving you an individual reply due to a lack of time...do understand!

Hope you liked the chapter...




~rurouni