TITLE: EXTRA-ORDINARY LOVE QUADRANGLE
( ayami – sakuragi - haruko - rukawa - ayami )
PURPOSE OF WRITING: To continue what I began…WOOHOO!!!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slam Dunk or any of its character… don't sue me k? ^_^ And McDonalds™ is not mine.
SPECIAL THANKS:
~ rj-chan: Don't worry. This story will still be a quadrangle somehow…trust me.
~ white meteor: Sorry for the sudden introduction of 3 OCs… don't worry. They will not be major characters here… just thought I'd include them to make a point that Ayami found new friends while everyone was away.
~ chalce: TY for reviewing! ^_^
~ rheia: Yeah…they're friends for now.
~ tensaispira: Uhmm… ty for correcting me. I knew in the back of my head that what I wrote was wrong… ARIGATOU!!! ^_^
~ lambie: Mwehe. TY for the cheers and confetti! ^_^
~ jellybeann: You're jealous of my writing?! Wow…umm… thanks. Me really REALLY flattered.
~ unchained: Yep…he's slow. I seriously think he should be the one called 'do'ahou'…
~ akira: I know…it's becoming less and less of a quadrangle. Oh well… 1st one in a really long time?! Meaning the other chaps were bad? Haaah…oh well. That's your opinion…
~ renei: YEY! Finally uploaded….told you I still haven't forgotten this fic. Mwehe. I'm not a slacker… I'm just a very busy person. And…TY for the really nice suggestions for Ayami's next wishes. They were really…erm…cool.
~ shari potter: SWEETIE (we never get tired using this nick…), it's ok. At least you still reviewed, ne? ^_^
~ akuma-tenshi, minoru & wadohui: Although the three of you didn't leave a review in my review page, I'm still thanking all of you for your all-out support. Yikee…touched! Sa wakes…naka-upload na uli ako! ::cheers all over the house::
* Now, on with my story, shall we…
CHAPTER 22: Stepping Out
RUKAWA
It all started when I decided to grant her wish a week ago. As her definition of being friendlier, I began to hang around with her and talk to her more during school hours. I don't know if that was a good thing though. On one hand, it's nice 'cause I got a reason to be with her more. On the other hand, we also became the topic of thousands of stupid gossips so we're forced to just secretly meet in the most ridiculous places here at Shohoku.
Tsk! Do'ahous.
Today, we're inside the school's old storage room. This place looks so old, I bet this was built during the restoration period of Japan…or something to that effect.
"Oi! Your food's getting cold already."
"Don't care."
"AND, your food's getting dirtier with dust every second."
"Don't care."
"Fine. Starve yourself to death then. I won't care anymore…"
She continued eating while I continued sulking. I can't take anymore of this…this…suffocating environment.
This sucks…
"OI."
"What?"
"Let's go outside."
"And be seen by your fan girls? No way. They'd kill me right then and there!"
"As if I'll let them..."
"Well, I can't ignore the possibility that you'll let them right?"
"Do'ahou."
"And back to you."
She sucks big time…
AYAMI
Today was supposed to be another one of our famous 'bonding' activities but as usual, I was the only one who always does the talking while Rukawa does the sulking and moping. Not that I'm complaining or anything…it's just that, it would be nicer if he can just be more talkative even for just a few minutes and try to enjoy each other's company.
"Look, this place isn't so bad. Sure it's kind of dusty and dark…and a little old too…"
"……………………………………………………"
"OK. It's ancient old…but at least we're safer here. And here, we can have more privacy right?"
"……………………………………………………"
"And look! As a bonus, we can learn here some things about Japan's history, or Kanagawa's specifically …right?"
Gah! I'm beginning to sound like a dumb voice-over at those info-mercials in TV. Ugh.
"Speaking of privacy, are you sure nobody saw you coming here?"
"……………………………………………………"
"Well, in case you have forgotten, this is already the 5th time we're forced to change our meeting place. If we get caught again, I don't know where in this campus we should meet next time…"
"Good."
"What?! HOW can THAT be GOOD?!"
"Beats me."
HAH! I give up…why did I even ask him to do that stupid wish?
~ Meanwhile: Back outside… ~
SAKURAGI
Kusou…
Of all times to disappear… where is Ayami-chan?! I have to tell her something!
"Are you sure you saw Rukawa-sama?"
Ru-Rukawa-SAMA?! I didn't know there are students here who are Satanists…
"Yep. I'm totally sure it was him! After all, he's the only one who has the looks and the body to drool for here right?"
NANI?! That corpse look-like is worth drooling for?! Since when?!?!?!?!
"True…was he with THAT bitch again?"
"I'm not sure…is she the one with the shoulder-length hair, around your height, kind of tomboyish because of the way she acts plus all the scars…"
"It's HER alright. So, was she with him?"
Are they talking about Ayami-chan? Then maybe they know where she is…
"No."
"No?! Then why did you even describe her! Do you want me to have nightmares or something?!"
"No. I just did that for the benefit of those who decided to eavesdrop on our conversation! Cool ne?"
"You…you have a point there. Anyway, do you know where Rukawa-sama is?"
"Yep. He's inside the storage room and guess what?"
"What?"
"He's with HER!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Tell me that isn't, like, true!"
"You know, I seriously think she just pleaded to him to have lunch with her…or she might have seduced her or--"
"Damn! She's such a whore…"
Ayami?! MY Ayami-chan?! A whore?!
Why this stupid excuse for a bottom-feeder…
…and he's supposed to be a GUY!
I grabbed the said person by the collar and slammed HIS disgusting body to the wall BEFORE giving him a really nice head butt. After all, nobody has any right to insult any of my friends…especially my girl friends. Shocked, his companion left the said premises while screaming her guts out. Good thing she was a girl or I would have done the same thing to her.
Now that's done, off to the storage room!
THE gay guy and THE girl…plus a thousand more of their kind
THAT girl's going to get it this time!
~ Back to the storage room ~
RUKAWA
I was busy counting the grains of rice in my bento when I remembered the only reason why I came here: to invite Ayami out…to my house actually. But before going to my house, she's going to help me first practice basketball. Now, from what I've heard from other guys, girls dig this stuff. It makes them feel more important 'cause we let them see how we live our life.
Personally, I think those suggestions were merely thoughts of a loveless and pathetic do'ahou who's desperate to have a girlfriend…but, it wouldn't hurt if I give it a try right? Right.
"Oi."
"What now? Are you going to complain and whine again like a 3-yr old brat who peed on his pants OR have you decided to become more mature about the situation?"
She's not going to make this easy on me…
"Look…"
"I'm already looking. Can't you see I'm looking? Did you even--"
"Tomorrow…"
"What about tomorrow? Is there any special occasion tomorrow? Is tomorrow your birthday? 'Cause if it is--"
"It's Sunday."
"I know its Sunday. Why? Did the days of the week suddenly changed overnight and you're the only one who knows about that? And how in the world--"
"Do'ahou."
"WHY am I always the do'ahou?! For your information, I think you're a much more do'ahou than me because you like my company. GAH! And what's with that smug attitude?! Do you think I enjoy eating in a place like this?! Why do you always blame me whenever things don't go with your whims?! Have you even considered how I--?"
"Go out with me."
Oh look. That made her shut up. Whoopee.
AYAMI
Did he just ask me out?
He did right?
But why did he do that? And why am I feeling excited all of a sudden? In the first place--
"Tomorrow."
"Wh-What?"
"10 am. Basketball court."
"Basketball court? Oh! I get it…there's a practice tomorrow and you're just reminding me about it. Well, have you forgotten that I'm not in the team anymore? But wait… Haruko didn't say anything about this to me this morning. Are you su--"
"Say yes."
"Why would I do that? Is this a trick question? Because I'm an expert on this. You see, one time--"
"Go out with me."
GAH! He was REALLY inviting me out…drats! And I thought I could confuse him by blabbering non-stop and make him realize the fact that he's going mental right now…
Sheesh…what was he thinking anyway?
Does he completely understand the gravity of the situation he's placing me in? I mean, if I'll kill everyone who will hate me if I say yes to his…erm…proposal, it wouldn't be murder… it would be an APOCALYPSE! Ugh.
"Well…erm…you see…um…ehe. Um…see…I mean…hah. Sheesh…I guess…maaaan…this sucks. Geee….drats. Ummm…"
"…………………………………………………"
As I was busy contemplating for an answer, and while Rukawa was busy staring at me, obviously waiting for my 'yes', the door was suddenly slammed open. It was slammed so hard, it was a miracle that the whole room didn't collapse and turn into moldy ashes. When I opened my eyes, I saw my all-time savior standing in the doorway.
SAKURAGI
Eh?! What's with the look?
Ayami was looking at me with sparkling eyes and gratefulness plastered all over her face. Honestly, the only thing left for her to do is chant some weird prayers and it would actually look that she's considering me as her god. Not that's bad or anything…NYAHAAHA!
And the baka kitsune, on the other hand, was looking at me with disdain and disgust plastered on his face. In short, no difference at all… except for sharper death glares.
Might be the effect of the air here…or they just had some "session" here and considering the possibility that Rukawa is a Satanist or Satan himself, he might have done something…unholy to Ayami-chan…
Before I had the chance to ask them what happened, Ayami-chan suddenly charged towards the kitsune, her previously sparkling eyes now firing with anger.
"RUKAWA!"
"………………………………………………………………"
"YOU said that NOBODY followed you!"
"………………………………………………………………"
"Then…HOW THE HELL DID SAKURAGI KNOW WHERE WE WERE?!?!?!"
"Ask him."
Ayami-chan released her grip on the kitsune's shirt and looked at me, obviously waiting for a plausible explanation.
"Someone told me but no need to worry. I head butted him…or her…after that so he…or she…probably won't remember anything anymore. NYAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"You…you head…AAAAAAAAAARGH! I'm DOOMED FOR LIFE! I really should start writing my last will and testament...WHY DID I EVEN BEFRIEND THIS BAKEMONO?!?!?!?"
Poor Ayami-chan…she had completely lost it. Good thing I have some nice news for her…
RUKAWA
Tsk. Worthless do'ahou.
AYAMI
Rukawa is so worthless…
I am so worthless…
My life's so worthless…
My death will be worthless…
AM I NOT WORTH ANYTHING?!
"Ayami-chan…"
I looked up and saw Sakuragi handing me a hanky and a glass of water that came from God-knows-where while having this silly look on his face. The water looked and smelled clean though so I still took it.
Maaaaan…why can't Rukawa be more like him…?
"A-Arigatou."
"It's nothing. So, can you go out with me tomorrow?"
I sputtered the water out of my mouth. Sakuragi went NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA-ing in the background while Rukawa…well, he remained silent, as usual.
GAH! What's happening to my life…? WHAT?!?!?!?!!?!?
I couldn't go out with him…I couldn't go…I couldn't go…I'm just hallucinating…I can't go…I WON'T go…I really…
"Go out with me! It'll be fun, trust me. I'm a tensai after all…NYAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
"Oh…okay!"
"Great. Pick you up at 6 pm ok?"
"Six? Don't you think that's too…"
"Better early than never, ne?"
"Right…sure! Six it is!"
"Ok…ja ne! NYAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHA!!!"
And off he went, leaving me dazed and confused at the same time.
HE ASKED ME OUT! YEY!!!!
RUKAWA
Do'ahou ononoko…
"RUKAWA! You heard him right?! Sakuragi asked me out. HE asked ME out! And I said YES!"
"…………………………………"
"THIS is sooo great! Finally…he noticed me! I know I already said a million times that I'm over him but,,,GAH! I think I'm going to be sick. I have all this mixed emotions inside! Have you ever felt this way? Like… like you just want to scream and punch something just to make sure you're not dreaming?"
"Hn."
"Good. For that's exactly what I feel right now!"
"Funny…me too."
"……………………………………"
"Have fun. Ja."
And I left her there, gaping at my retreating back. I can't believe why I was even trying so hard for her to notice ME…
Do'ahou ononoko.
AYAMI
Oh shit!
Oh well…what's done is done. I could just say sorry tomorrow…
Sheesh…what should I wear tomorrow?! What should I do?! AH! I've got to find Ayako-san…
~ THE NEXT DAY: Fast Forward: Time of the Date ~
RUKAWA
I hope she chokes in her food… that do'ahou ononoko! And then, that do'ahou will slap her back so hard that her guts and her other internal organs will come spilling out of her mouth and then I'll come running and crush her heart into tiny pieces…
Ugh. Change plans…too messy.
I just hope she'll have one HELL of a time…hn.
AYAMI
"Wow. Sakuragi…you look…great."
"You too Ayami-chan…just a little over-dress though."
"Ehe. Seems like it…"
I was wearing something that will resemble a girl going to her JS Prom while Sakuragi was wearing a more…casual look. Actually, he was just wearing a shirt and Hawaiian shorts…plus a cap.
"Um…I think I need to change. Wait for me here ok? I'll be done in a few minutes…"
Okay. Somehow, I get the feeling that he isn't treating me to a fancy dinner… so, where's he really taking me?
SAKURAGI
Sheesh…Ayami-chan looked really funny.
Why does she have to dress like that when we're just going to McDonalds?
~ Fast Forward Again ~
AYAMI
"Um…wow. Mc…McDonalds."
"Yep. Their burgers here are really good…"
"Yeah…right."
"So, shall we go in? We don't have all day."
"O-okay."
This is so unromantic…MCDONALDS?!
Sakuragi sure has weird tastes for a first date…
"So, what do you want?"
" Whatever you're having…"
"Okay. Two Happy meals then! Oh…can you look for a seat while I'm ordering?"
"Su-sure…whatever."
Ha-Happy Meal?! Something isn't right here…
THIS is NOT what I expected for my first date!
~ Fast forward…again ~
SAKURAGI
I took a glance at Ayami-chan and I didn't like what I saw: she was mashing her spaghetti like it was the most disgusting food she had ever seen until it was almost unrecognizable. After a few minutes, her food already resembled a fresh puke.
"Oi! What's--"
"Why did you invite me out?"
"Why? To thank you of course!"
"To what?!"
"To thank you for helping me last summer. I couldn't have recovered easily if it wasn't for your guidance…and Haruko-san's too…"
"So…you mean to say that this…this is…NOT…a date?"
"Of course not!"
"………………………………………………………"
"Micchy will never let me hear the end of it if I did want to ask you out! Not to mention that Rukawa will probably put spikes on his bike's wheel and kill me with it…and Haruko-san will never forgive me!"
"………………………………………………………"
"Wait. Don't tell me you thought that…"
"………………………………………………………"
"NYAHAHAHAHA! No wonder you dressed up like that! Tsk. Tsk…Ayami-chan, that was a really good joke. Sorry but this tensai is already taken, you know."
"………………………………………………………"
"And speaking of dates, Haruko-san and I will have one today. That's another reason why I invited you out. I would like you to help me find the perfect gift for--"
I wasn't able to finish what I was supposed to say because Ayami-chan was already walking her way out of the building.
Are? Did I say something wrong?
AYAMI
Baka! Baka! Baka! Baka! Baka! BAAAAAKAAAA!!!
"Ayami-chan! Wait!"
Don't look back…don't look back…don't look back…don't…ah!
"Finally…caught…up…with…you…"
"What do you want?!"
"TEME…what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing! My life's perfectly fine so just leave me alone."
"I can't do that! You're obviously hurt and--"
"I like you ok? I was so happy that you asked me out yesterday, thinking that 'Hey! Finally he noticed me!'. And I thought this was supposed to be OUR date but unfortunately, I found out that this doesn't mean anything to you. Plus, to make matters worse, you'll have a date with Haruko later and you ask me, your trusty friend, to accompany you while buying her a gift. Now, tell me why I'm supposed to be hurt?"
Sakuragi just stared at me, obviously at lost for word because of my sudden outburst. I looked away. I don't know but I felt much better now that I finally blurted out what I really felt.
"Go-gomen. I…I didn't know…I didn't expect…that you--"
"It's ok…really. To tell you the truth, I know somewhere in the back of my head that you'll never like me…not in the way I want you to like me anyway."
"Gomen."
"Heh. Don't look so gloomy…you don't want to appear ugly in front of Haruko later, right?"
"But--"
"Here. To show you that everything's really ok, I'll help you shop for Haruko."
"You don't have--"
"I want to. I don't have anything to do anyway…and I said to ojiisan that I'll probably be back around 10 in the evening. Don't want him to think something happened…"
"If you insist…"
GAH! I should be awarded as the stupidest woman here on earth…
~ Fast Forward: Around 10 in the evening ~
RUKAWA
Damn phone. Why wouldn't it stop ringing? And who in their right mind will call me at this time of the night…?
"Lo?"
"So you finally know how to answer the phone eh? Good for you."
"……………………………………………"
"Can you pick me up? I'm just outside the coffee shop."
"Who?"
"It's me…the do'ahou ononoko."
"Why me?"
"Don't know…you're just the first person that popped in my head."
"………………………………"
"I'll be waiting…ja."
Hah! Let her wait as long as she wants…what am I? Her driver? After what she did…tsk. Do'ahou.
~ Fast Forward ~
RUKAWA
"…and this wound here on my knee, I got it while trying out for the girls' soccer team. And this wound on my elbow, I got it while trying out for the track team. And this stitch on my forehead, I got it while I was trying out for the table tennis team…'cause the other player suddenly flung his racket to my face. It was just an accident, really. Oh look! These little scabs on my fingers… "
It was already around 11 in the evening and Ayami had been talking about herself for the past 30 minutes or so. I would have enjoyed her stories if her stories weren't the ones she already told me…and if it weren't cold out here.
"…and this wound on my other elbow, I got it while I was helping Sakuragi during one of his therapies. That baka! Can you believe he used me as a cushion?! Sheesh… but it was really nice spending time with him. You know, once, Sakuragi…"
Great. Just great. Another one of her famous 'Sakuragi-is-an-amazing-and-fantastic-guy-so-I-want-him' story.
Why did I even agree to have coffee with her?
I knew I should have just stayed home and slept…
AYAMI
"…and then, Sakuragi blushed all over so Youhei and the others began teasing him. Haruko, on the other hand, remained as the clueless as the girl she is. Gah. I pity Sakuragi sometimes…and you know, there was this time when…ouch!"
My story was cut short because suddenly, something hit the back of my head. I tried to look for the culprit but he or she was nowhere to be found. I cursed under my breath and saw the 'thing' that almost made another bump on my already-abused head.
It was a paper ball wrapped with lots and lots of tape.
What the--?
I started unwrapping the paper. Luckily, the tape wasn't too sticky so I didn't have a hard time undoing it. Finally, after a few minutes, I began reading its contents:
I MEAN NO HARM. IT'S JUST THAT I FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR COMPANION. LOOK AT HIM, HE'S DEAD BORED WITH YOUR COMPANYALREADY. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF HE STARTS DOUBTING HIS DECISION OF BEING CLOSER TO YOU…
AND I BET MY LIFE THAT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, HE DOESN'T EVEN NOTICE THAT YOU HAD ALREADY STOPPED TALKING.
JA NE.
O-kay. Now somebody's spying on us... cool. Really cool.
I closed the note. This was obviously a work of someone who doesn't have a life. I mean… Rukawa? Bored with my company? THAT will never happen.
I'll show him…or her.
I looked at Rukawa, expecting him to be looking at me with concern printed all over his face and then, he's going to ask me if I'm alright.
Boy, I was wrong.
All I saw was a guy staring silently at his cup with a bored look on his face, as if he was forced to meditate on the remains of his coffee. He was also wearing this look like he was debating with himself why he even agreed to have coffee with a miserable and self-absorbed girl like me.
All in all, the atmosphere around him sucked big time.
And it's my entire fault…how could I have been so insensitive?!
RUKAWA
I was having the best daydream of my life when all of a sudden, Ayami stood up and took my mug. After a few seconds, she returned with my mug, which was already full up to the brim. She placed it in front of me and then proceeded to sit down on her seat.
"Start talking…NOW."
"What?"
"Just say anything. I know you're mad at me for being so insensitive and stupid yesterday. I'm sorry about that. So, tell me about your life, your hobbies, your family, your love life…anything under the sun. Oh…not anything. Just those things that you think I should know."
"Why?"
"Because you're obviously bored! And I don't want you to be bored when you're with me. And I want you to know that you can tell me anything you want to…I promise that I'll listen."
" …………………………………………………………"
"Just…talk…ok?"
What the hell's wrong with her? Was her coffee drugged?
AYAMI
I bet he's thinking that I'm drugged or something…
"So…what…where…gah…why… did you call?"
I looked up, surprised, when I heard Rukawa was actually starting a conversation with me. The irritated look on his face as he was obviously struggling to find a better topic was priceless so I couldn't help but smile.
A smile that made my heavy heart lighten up even for just a little bit and also made me warmer compared to the coldness radiated by the evening breeze.
"No reason. I just thought I'd hang around with my newfound best friend."
"You have a date with that do'ahou today."
"Oh. Yeah…I HAD a date with him. Well…it was very nice. Really really nice."
"…………………………………………………"
"Too bad that I found out it's not meant to happen at all."
"Why?"
I looked down because tears were already threatening to gush down from my eyes.
"Ugh. Their coffee's really bad. Gah. It's too…bitter. I should have just ordered a frap...next time, remind me not to buy fresh coffee here again. Look it's making even me cry…"
"Liar."
I looked at him and saw that he resumed on staring at his coffee. I sort of felt guilty 'cause I was the one who dragged him out here all of a sudden. The least I can do is to offer him some explanation.
"Because…because he dumped me after that."
RUKAWA
"…………………………………………………………………………"
I didn't ask her to recount everything again. Seeing her like this is enough for me already.
AYAMI
I was so thankful that Rukawa didn't pry any more information from me. It meant a lot…really.
"Rukawa, why do I have to have such a rubbish life…?"
"Meaning?"
"I'm not meant to do or have
anything. Everybody and everything I come in contact with, I seem to screw up.
Whatever's the opposite of the Midas touch, that's what I've got."
"Midas?"
"Ugh…don't you understand? I'm a living example that bad luck can sprout arms and legs."
"Because…"
"Because of the ridiculous reason that I'm seventeen and in my entire stay here, or my entire life actually, there has been only one person that have ever really known the real me. And that's--"
"Do'ahou."
"No. Not him. It's--"
"Sakuragi didn't know you. I don't care how you felt about him. Because if he knew you, he never would have walked away from the chance of being you."
Eh…where the hell did that come from? I didn't know he can talk THAT much…
"But it's--"
"And you're the do'ahou. You shouldn't have let him go because you're obviously in love with him because as you said, he's the only one who knows the real you."
Wha-what did he just say? He seemed to be out of character…is this really Rukawa?
And about his last statement, does he mean that I'm stupid because I didn't fall for…
RUKAWA
What did I just say?
Ayami stood up and got her things. She seemed a lot more frustrated now than before and I think it has everything to do with my sort-of once in a lifetime worthwhile speech.
"…you."
I looked at her. She was staring at me and upon realizing that we've been staring at each other for too long, she blushed. It wasn't just any blush though…it seemed to be hiding some meaning into it.
Did she just say something?
AYAMI
I walked away not because I'm already freezing to death out here…
I walked away not because I was mad at Rukawa for always interrupting me a while ago…
I walked away not because his stare made me blush so hard and it's infuriating me because I don't know why I was even blushing that hard…
I walked away not because of thousand of other insignificant reasons out there…
I walked away just for the simple reason that I was going to say it was HIM.
He was the only person I think that really knew the real me and thanks to his lovely speech back then…
...it just branched out to a thousand more realizations I wish I didn't realize.
GAH.
Does this mean… I'm supposed to be in love with him? HIM?!
GAH. Damnation…here I come. Woohoo. Yeah.
********************************************
~_^ MY! MY!
Yey! After a long hibernation period…I finally uploaded. YEY!!!
Well, nothing much to say here. Just hope this chap didn't make you wish I never uploaded. And if you're going to ask me who threw that paper ball that made Ayami aware of his surroundings…beats me. I can't think of anyone so let's just assume that he or she was just a concerned citizen AND a very important character for the development of the story. Yeah. And if you're going to tell me that the characters here were OOC, well…my fault. Sorry…might be losing my touch.
And I want to thank akuma-tenshi for being my beta-reader…and wadohui for always irritating the hell out of me and giving me some few good laughs simultaneously while typing this chap. ARIGATOU! ^_^
Next stop: Chap 23… and continuing BARF, I hope.
Love it? Hate it? Made you want to kill someone otherwise known as the author? Let me know!
Pls. Review! Ja! ^_^v