- Rakka eda ni kaerazu
- ~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
- -- a Japanese proverb
- Chapter Eighteen: Love and Disaster
- Summer, Present
- Kanagawa, Japan
- Fujima residence
- "I can't believe it," Fujima said over and over.
- He had been right.
- His elder half-sister had been on the phone with him, at some ungodly hour of the night, and had told him about her budding relationship with Kogure.
- He laughed.
- "Good for you, Kogure."
- The one who would win her hand and heart would be one lucky guy.
- Fujima smiled.
- Michiko sounded happy. And so, he was happy for her as well.
- Summer, Present
- Kanagawa, Japan
- Kawasaki residence
- Michiko hugged her knees as she sat in bed, recalling the walk home.
- The most memorable walk she had ever taken.
- She smiled at her childish pleasure.
- Then chastised herself for being so girlish and excited.
- Then giggled anyway.
- Her expression suddenly became solemn. Her giggle died away.
- 'I'm sorry, Kenji-kun."
- Autumn, Twenty-one years ago
- Melbourne, Australia
- Fujima residence
- "I'm sorry, Ayumi. My father has made me marry another woman."
- "But our love-"
- "Is genuine, believe me. Don't worry. I will come back for you. Wait for me."
- Six months later, Fujima Ayumi moved to Japan. To become the mistress of Kawasaki Taro.
- Summer, Present
- Kanagawa, Japan
- Kogure residence
- His elation must have been plain on his face, for his mother immediately forced a confession out of him when he got home.
- Kogure Maeko was a perceptive woman.
- Kogure spilled his happy tale.
- The woman smiled. Megumi would be happy. She looked triumphantly at her husband, who shrugged.
- Summer, Present
- Kanagawa, Japan
- A hospital
- "Anzai-sensei…"
- The Shohoku team had gathered around their beloved coach and mentor.
- We'll bring you a ticket to the Inter High.
- Summer, Present
- Kanagawa, Japan
- A park near Kogure residence
- "You'll make it, don't worry so much," Michiko's cheerful voice said.
- Kogure looked at her, and she sighed. Maybe her acting skills weren't as good as she had hoped. Maybe a little tremor of fear had crept in.
- Play their most crucial match without a coach?
- Against an equally hungry opponent?
- Kogure sat down on a park bench.
- Michiko sat down next to him, and put her arms around him.
- In a more confident voice, she said, "I believe in you. I believe in the team."
- You don't need to wish for courage. You have healthy supply already.
- Spirit.
- Heart.
- Courage.
- Kogure put his hands on Michiko's cheeks, making her laugh.
- "Thank you."
- ~rurouni
Author's Notes:
Tried to portray contrasting emotions in this
chapter...yet on hindsight, love can make you feel afraid and confused, and can
also be what makes you smile again... These were actually two filler
chapters before I began on the Shohoku/Ryonan game, but I changed my mind.
Anyway, the climax of the Kanagawa play-offs is coming!
Thank you cookies, renei, unchained and tensaispira for reading and reviewing!
cookies: yup, kogure is sweet! ^^
renei: hee, what a weird way of reacting to something sweet. ^____^ glad you liked it. more to come, definitely...
unchained: hey...Michiko can have a chance in just this one story, ne? *grin*
tensaispira: welcome back *hugz*