Rakka eda ni kaerazu
~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
-- a Japanese proverb
Chapter Twenty: Getting There
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
The referee's whistle pierced the cheers of the crowds. Its shrill tone indicated the start of the game between Shohoku and Ryonan.
Staking on the final Kanagawa ticket to the Inter High.
Jump ball.
Both captains jumped. Their build was so big and their height so tall that they seemed to fill the entire stadium with their presence.
Both got their hands on the ball.
Uozumi's power finally won out.
Ryonan's ball.
Summer, Two years ago
Philadelphia, USA
Kawasaki residence
She was finally home.
Kawasaki Michiko looked around her at her room. With its familiar wallpaper, wardrobe, bed, among other things. She was well now, for the moment.
She picked up a letter from Fujima. The one who had encouraged her even from his location miles away.
Fujima's letter
Dear Michiko,
It is really great that you have had a successful operation! I can't wait till you are fully well and able to come visit Kanagawa! Do try and come soon!
You asked about the news here. Well, Shoyo's basketball team is busy preparing for the summer tournament. Wish you could be here amidst all the excitement, and yes, gruelling training! I really love the sport!
……
Michiko refolded the letter and placed it in its envelope.
Go to Kanagawa. Maybe.
Her donor lived there too.
Go to Kanagawa. Why not?
She would start saving now.
Go to Kanagawa. Live there.
Japan was her home, after all.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
Michiko stood next to Ayako and Kogure. In Japan. In Kanagawa.
She looked at a photograph of Anzai-sensei on the bench, Mitsui's deed. She smiled.
He's not dead yet, you know!
She remembered her mother's indignant remark to an inquisitive reporter.
She's not dead yet, you know!
Shohoku was definitely alive and kicking. Just like her.
She had a lot to be thankful for.
Shohoku's pace had not picked up yet. In fact, the game was going in favour of Ryonan.
A normally spunky Rukawa was strangely laid-back.
An over-excited Sakuragi was jumping all over the place. As usual.
The other players were playing their hearts out.
For the Inter High.
Sendoh's casual smile would have startled her if she had not been witness to his perpetual lateness. He seemed as though he were playing just another five-on-five on the courts for practice. He seemed so relaxed, yet so in control. Ace material.
He had surprised her, though, by flashing one of his famous smiles at her. Directly at her.
She had smiled back, which surprised herself. She never smiled at the opposing team.
Then again, maybe Sendoh was just, well, Sendoh.
Lovable, yes, but not for her.
She smiled slightly as he executed a perfect shot. One just had to smile at perfection.
But her expression soon grew wary.
Shohoku was trailing.
Not far behind, but still trailing.
One had to wince at the prospect of losing.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
A stadium
Halftime.
Shohoku was still trailing.
The players sat down, tired, on the bench.
You are strong.
Their coach's words rang in their heads.
You are strong.
"You are strong."
She said it with conviction, with certainty.
They looked at her.
"You are strong," she repeated.
"You have spirit. You have heart. You have courage."
"You will win."
Michiko inhaled deeply.
"You will win."
Rukawa Kaede merely looked at her. He had had a plan from the beginning. He would carry it out. They would win. He hated to lose. He seldom lost. Almost never.
He wanted to be the best. He needed to be the best. That was his motivation, his conviction.
Kogure Kiminobu began nodding his head in agreement. They could do it.
Sakuragi Hanamichi repeated her words to himself. Then thought of what he had learnt.
The one who controls the rebound controls the game. Screen-out. Jump. Land on both feet. Protect the ball.
Lay the ball. For the common shot.
Use your knees. For the jump shot.
Akagi stared at her. This lithe girl spoke with so much conviction. She had just put words to their unspoken dreams. He would never give up. Down with Ryonan!
Miyagi Ryota looked at Aya-chan. I want to be the best. I will be the best.
He remembered his love for basketball. That had got him in trouble with Mitsui at first. But he looked at his teammate beside him. They shared a love for basketball. If Mitsui could come back after two years of absence, he, Miyagi Ryota, would not do any less.
Mitsui Hisashi eyed the photograph of Anzai-sensei he had brought.
Never give up until the end.
'I won't, sensei.
We won't."
Halftime was up.
The teams strode back on court.
Rukawa was tuned up and ready to blast off.
Only, no one knew it.
They had all thought that the ace of Shohoku was having a bad day.
What a change.
Thank you cookies, Alexia and Gem for reading and reviewing!
cookies: yeps...the game is up and running! with the exciting second-half coming up....i love the adrenalin rush that gets to me even while writing....haha
Alexia: hey! I love soujiro too! what you said about the supporting characters is very true...that's one key characteristic that makes writing about a supporting character so fulfilling, I suppose. thank you very much for your constructive comments....you don't have to be afraid that I'd take it negatively cos I won't. ^^;; I'll try to explore a different style of writing in another story (when I start one!), but for now the short lines stay because they work for me here. *grin*

Gem: hello...thanks for reading! I hope you'll continue. Thanks also for spotting the typo! Well, one can't be perfect all the time, but one tries. =)
~rurouni