TITLE:  EXTRA-ORDINARY LOVE QUADRANGLE

( ayami – sakuragi -  haruko - rukawa  - ayami )

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slam Dunk or any of its character… don't sue me k? ^_^

CHAPTER 26: Last Chance

AYAMI

GAH! I knew Ayako-sa… scratch that. From now on, it's just plain A-YA-KO. I have no respect for her whatsoever anymore…

We all began ranting on and on different reasons on why we think her idea was totally absurd while Rukawa, on the other hand, continued glaring at Ayako.


"Why not?" Ayako said, glancing at Miyagi, obviously asking for help.
"Yeah... why not?" Miyagi asked as well.
"Uh…let's see…because I DON'T WANT TO?!"

"Come on! You two don't have a partner yet. And besides, it wouldn't hurt if you go together right? Of course, it'll cause a lot of broken hearts…especially in Rukawa's part…but who cares? As long as the two of you are happy, nothing else should matter."

GAH! Who gave her the right to ORDER me to be his partner to this silly excuse for hormonally-charged teenagers to get jiggy with the opposite sex?!

HAH! Sure I want to go with Rukawa but I'm not THAT desperate… and I don't want to push myself to someone who obviously doesn't want to have any business with me.

"Ayako-san, I. DON'T. WANT. TO. And my decision's final, ok?"

"Tuh. How about you Rukawa?"

"Same here."

I looked at Rukawa, searching for any hint that he's lying…that he ACTUALLY wants to go with me but just too shy to ask. As usual, all I saw was a poker face.

"See? Ayako, I understand what you're TRYING to do but I have the right to make my own decisions. And…and I still can get a partner. And…and who wants to be partnered with HIM anyway?! He'll just sleep through the whole dance and then he'll --"

I stopped explaining when I saw Miyagi turn pale all of a sudden. We all glanced at Ayako and our eyes grew wide…with fear.

MIYAGI
"Anou…Aya-chan, it's ok. C-ca-calm down. Ayami's just explaining her side and --"
"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!"
"H-hai!" ( ¬.¬')

Tsk…tsk…they should have just agreed…

Might as well go as far as I can before Aya-chan vents all her anger at me…


AYAKO

These two are really stubborn… especially Ayami!

Here I am, helping her to get closer with Rukawa  and they're being too picky?!

"SAKIMOTO AYAMI! You WILL attend THIS dance because THIS is your idea."

"O-okay, A-ayako-s-san."
"And you, RUKAWA KAEDE! Stop this ascetic act. You will BE Ayami's escort, GOT THAT?!"

Rukawa looked at me threateningly. I glared back and took out my almighty fan. He grimaced at the sight of it.

"Hn…"

RUKAWA

Che! I wouldn't have said yes if Ayako-san didn't threaten me with her fan…

… and if I didn't love my basketball career this much.

We froze for a while, waiting for Ayako to calm down. Finally, she did. She smiled cheerfully and then went to the still petrified Miyagi. We all sighed in relief, trying to forget the very scary manageress we just saw a while ago. Ayami then turned to me.

"S-So, I guess we have to go, huh?"

"Hn."

"O-okay. Then I'll just talk to you later….or tomorrow. You know, about some…stuff.  I'll go and have a 'sermon' with Ayako first. Ja."

What stuff? And I have one problem… I don't have any ticket. I already sold the one Ayako gave me.

~ SATURDAY: At the school corridors ~

MIYAGI

I wonder why Mitsui wants to see Rukawa this early…?

Maybe he gave up on girls and he's into guys now…yuck.

And why do I have to go with him anyway…?

MITSUI

Crap. I look gay because I'm too nice.

RUKAWA

"Oi Rukawa!"

I turned around and saw Miyagi and Mitsui walking towards my direction. Mitsui was looking smugly at me so I glared at him. He stared at me for a few seconds more and then threw something at my face.

"It's my spare ticket. You can have it. I don't need it anymore anyway."

"Wh--"

"I saw you being attacked by a horde of girls everyday. Before, I envy you for that but seeing how animalistic those girls can get…I'm leaving all of them to you. And I assumed that you, being stupid and everything, sold the ticket Ayako gave to you the other day. So there… consider that as a gift."

"Do'ahou."

"Yare, yare…you're welcome. Oh… here comes your date. I'll take that as a cue for me to leave…ja!"

Mitsui winked at me then proceeded to annoy and tease Miyagi on how lucky he was to have a date. Then, I felt someone tap me from behind. It was Ayami. She was asking me what time I'm going to pick her up later and other irrelevant details like what I'm going to wear and its color or if I'm bringing a camera.

Sheesh…do'ahou.


HARUKO

I saw Ayami-chan and Rukawa-kun talking with each other. They seem to be deciding on what time he'd pick her up. I couldn't help but notice how happy Ayami-chan is and how they actually make a cute couple.

And the weirdest part was I didn't feel any pang of jealousy. I actually felt… HAPPY… for them.

What's happening to me…? Does this mean… I'm really over him already?

SAKURAGI

I looked at Haruko-san. She was looking intently at something so I decided to follow her gaze. Just as I expected, she was looking at Rukawa who was talking with Ayami.

"You'd rather be with him than with me, ne?"

"Sakuragi-kun!"

"You don't have to go with me if you don't want to…"

"Iie…I was just thinking how good they look together. And…I'm really honored to be your partner."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Haruko-san…" (began blushing and turns hearty-eyed)

Maybe I do have a chance after all…

MITSUI

Che! Stupid dance…makes people around me lovey-dovey.

I might as well stay at home… or I can visit Akagi and Kogure…

I was about to leave when I heard someone call my name. When I turned around, I saw that it was Rukawa.

"Nani?"

"Thanks."

"Wow…can't believe you'll stoop that low to thank me. Um…you're thanking me for what?"

"Ticket."

"Oh…that. No problem… I wouldn't use it anyway, since Ayami-chan rejected me."

"……………………………………………"

"I'm not mad at you or anything…"

"……………………………………………"

"Just as long you send me pictures of her wearing a gown. And make sure they're good ok?"

"Do'ahou."

I patted him on the back, wished him good luck and then, I waved good-bye.

I think I'm being too nice already…

Oh well, just as long everyone's satisfied…


~ Later that evening ~

RUKAWA

Finally, I was ready.

It was seven forty, only twenty minutes before the dance started. I was wearing a long sleeved polo shirt and a coat, complete with a necktie. I was waiting for Ayami to go downstairs so I sat myself on the couch.

"Rukawa-kun… nice to see you all dressed up."

"Anzai-sensei."

"Sit down…sit down. Do you want anything to eat while waiting for Ayami-chan?"

"Iie…"

"She'll be down in a few more minutes. My wife's just placing some finishing touches. She was really noisy a while ago… saying that she'd rather watch a gory movie and then drink an overdose of sleeping pills than waste her time with you."

"Typical of her."

"Yes… but I've never seen her this happy and excited before."

"……………………………………………….."

"Take care of her, ne?"

"I will."

"HO! HO! HO!"

 
I was about to ask Anzai-sensei about what he thinks of my recent plays when I heard a voice behind me.

"Rukawa… hurry up or we'll be late. I hate grand entrances, if you know what I mean."

I turned around...and what I saw surprised me.

She was wearing a simple lavender gown, held by thin straps over her shoulders. Her shoulder-length hair was tied in a loose half-ponytail and she wore the lightest of make-ups.

"What? Wait…are these your eyeballs? I found them stuck on my face."

"You look…weird."

"Weird? As in what kind of weird?"

Of course I couldn't say that she looks weird in a good way. That would be too embarrassing. So, I opted for the first thing that popped in my mind.

"Like Barney."

Her eyebrows twitched upon hearing my answer.

What? Barney's not that bad. He's… educational.

And besides, he…I mean she… I mean…whatever… is the only purple thing I could remember.

"Obaa-san…see??? I told you… he is not obnoxious like so many other people. He is obnoxious in a completely different and far worse way!"

"Do'ahou ononoko."

"SEE? He even calls me do'ahou. How disrespectful!"

"Now, now. Stop all this nonsense. Go and make this night a memorable one."

"Right. Tell that to this guy here…hey! Move faster…we're going to be late if you keep moving like a zombie."

"Do'ahou."


She should just keep her mouth shut…it ruins her image.


AYAMI

BARNEY?! He actually said I look like that autistic dinosaur?!?!

And what's with this ride?!
Now THIS is not what I dreamed of for my first 'date' with Rukawa…or with any other guy!

I was expecting him to at least get a decent ride but here we are, inside an old, ventilation-deprived taxi. I asked him why he didn't get at least a nicer taxi. He said that it would have been a waste of good money to rent a limo that's why he just took this cab.

Hehehe….

Isn't he just so…cheap?

It'll take us about ten minutes to get to our school, which left us with five minutes more before the dance started.
We sat together in silence inside the cab. We both looked out of our windows and gazed at the objects outside.

It felt REALLY awkward...at least for me.

After a few minutes, we reached Shohoku. The dance was to be held inside the gymnasium. As we were nearing the school gates, a flock of girls suddenly bombarded Rukawa. I was about to drag him out of the mess but somebody pushed me aside. Luckily, someone caught me before my butt made friends with the floor.

"Ow…thanks."

"No prob – Ayami-chan?"

I looked up and saw that it was Sakuragi-kun. He looked really…nice and respectable. And beside him was Haruko-chan. She was also looking at her best today.

"Wow…I almost didn't recognize you, Sakuragi!"

"Of course! This is the first time you'll see the Tensai in his formal look. NYAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!"

"Yeah…I guess. Um…Haruko, you also look great."

"You too Ayami-chan. You'll almost pass for a lady."

"Gee…thanks. I guess…"

I wonder if I should take that as a compliment or an insult?

And where the hell is Rukawa???

SAKURAGI

"Are? RYOCHIN! AYAKO-SAN! OVER HERE!"

Hehehehehehe… I've got to show-off my Tensai good looks to impress Haruko-san!

AYAKO

Well, well, well… I didn't know that these first years have potentials in the looks department…

"Ayako-san…sugoi! You look really great, ne Ayami-chan?"

"I guess so…what do you think Sakuragi?"

"Feh! Ayako-san looks good BUT Haruko-san's better 'cause she's the Tensai's date. NYAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!"

"Thanks… and you all look great too."

At the mention of this, Sakuragi began laughing like a maniac while Haruko-chan just blushed. Ayami-chan, on the other had, looked like she was looking for someone.

Which reminds me… where is Rukawa?

MIYAGI

"Hanamichi! Look at you… now I know that miracles do happen."

"NYAHAHAAHAHAHAHA! A tensai doesn't need miracles to look good. NYAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!"

"But your case is an exception."

"TEME Ryo-chin…hah! I will not let you ruin the Tensai's night."

And I will not let anyone ruin my night either…

"Anou…Aya-chan, are we still waiting for someone?"

"Um… I don't think so. How about you, Haruko-chan?"

"I'm still waiting for Fujii and Matsui."

"Haruko-san, I think it'll be better if me and Ryochin will go ahead inside and reserve seats for us."

"Hanamichi's right…what do you think Aya-chan?"

"Oh…okay. I'll just accompany Haruko-chan here…since Ayami seems to have a problem of her own."

We all looked at Ayami and saw that she was obviously looking for something or someone. We heard her mutter some curses and we faintly heard her mention 'Rukawa' in between her curses.

"Um…okay. See you later then, Aya-chan."

"Ok."

"Later Haruko-san!"

"Ja!"

AYAMI

Where did Rukawa go?

Sheesh… I'm the only one here who doesn't have a date to show-off…

Just then, I heard several girls shriek inside the hall. Then I heard several disgruntled cries coming from the guys but more girls screaming at the top of their lungs overpowered it.

AHA! Rukawa.… I finally know where you are.

Jerk… why did I even agree to be your date?

"I think they're all screaming for Rukawa. It's your fault 'cause you let him go…plus the fact that you're so slow doesn't help at all."

I turned around and saw Ayako smiling at me mischievously. Haruko, on the other hand, gave me this sympathetic look, though I don't know why. I was actually expecting her to be happy.

"Sheesh… I don't really give a damn if that Bakemono wants to display his horrifying good looks to the whole female population. What I'm worried about is…is…"

I'm worried that he won't even notice I'm not there.

"What?"

"W-Well, it's none of your business. Where are the guys anyway?"

"They're inside, reserving seats."

"Oh…okay."

"So, care to tell us what are you worried about, Ayami-chan?"

"Anou…um…AH! MATSUI! FUJII! Over here!"

Whew! I'm saved…Kami-sama, arigatou.

Ugh! Rukawa…you'll pay for this!

After everyone had said their compliments, we all decided to finally go inside. Upon reaching the door, we were greeted by a line of shrieking girls. Apparently, they're all lining up to have a dance with Rukawa.

I knew I shouldn't have come here…


~ FAST FORWARD: 3 hours ~
 
AYAMI

Now this day was a total waste of effort and good make-up…

Three hours had already passed… one more hour to go before twelve, the end of this stupid and boring program. Everybody was having the time of their lives while I'm stuck here at our table. Sakuragi, Miyagi, and other guys would occasionally ask me to dance with them but of course, I know that they'd rather dance with their dates than with me. I would even bet that they're only asking me out of pity.

I scanned the room for Rukawa. Sure enough, I found him on the dance floor dancing with a girl who was practically clinging on his neck like a monkey. I think she's the 47th girl he danced with tonight and he still has a long way to go. I saw him sleeping and drooling on her but she doesn't seem to care.

Ugh! I'm sick of those girls… don't they have their own date? Why do they have to dance with Rukawa?

Then, the host announced that it was already the second to the last song. I sighed. Everyone around me started whispering. Apparently, they were all excited for the last dance. I think it has some romantic meaning to it. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear the reason.

"Murder on the Dance Floor" by S.E. Bextor began playing in the background.

Heh. I sure want to murder those stupid, slutty, moronic, silly, foolish, arrogant…errr….ummm….bimbos.

I decided to go outside. I'd just feel left out later anyway.

Once outside, I began to ponder about the recent changes I had been experiencing towards my relationship with Rukawa. I must admit that I'm scared. This feeling that I'm falling further in love with him makes me shiver… but in a good way. [Does this line sound familiar to you? If yes, good for you! ^_^v]

It's just that, everything's so… sudden. A few months ago, I was worshipping the ground that was waiting for his corpse but now…

RUKAWA

Wh-where am I? What's with the noise? I think I got knocked down or something…

And…and who's this girl I'm dancing with???

Where's that do'ahou ononoko…?

I unlocked the weird girl's arm around my neck. She began to cry but I just ignored her. Besides, I've got more important things to do. I looked around for Ayami but I couldn't find her. I saw Ayako-san and the others so I decided to ask them.

RUKAWA'S FAN GIRLS

WAAAAH!!! I didn't get to dance with Rukawa-kun. WAAAAHHH!!!!

Damn. Now where is my date…?

RUKAWA

As I was about to approach Ayako-san, I heard some fireworks crackling outside. When I turned to look at it, I saw Ayami. She was looking intently up at the sky.

I bet she's boiling mad at me already…

It's not my fault those girls dragged me away…

As I was nearing her, I stopped. I began to think of different excuses. When I finally picked the right excuse, I began walking again. When I was just a few inches away, I stopped again.

What if she doesn't buy my excuse and lash out at me? What if she's hiding a bomb there and blows me up as soon as I appear in front of her? What if--? 

"Are you going to stand there all night or what?"

I looked up and saw her looking at me with this weird expression on her face. She was actually… smiling.

"Well, I've been waiting for ages for you to wake up from your reverie so I guess a few more minutes wouldn't hurt ne?"

She turned around again and looked up at the sky, still smiling but not as warm as before. 

"Took you a long time to finally realize I'm not the one you're dancing with."

She said this with sadness dripping from her every word. In fact, there was too much sadness.

 "Oi. It's not my fault."

"I know…I should have defended my rights as your 'official' and 'legal' partner."

"Do'ahou."

"Yep… I'm a do'ahou. Gomen ne…?"

She's not mad at me? And WORSE, she admitted that she's a do'ahou THEN asked for forgiveness…?

I think I'm still dreaming… or was her body took over by aliens?

Let's see… maybe I could still find their mother ship…

AYAMI
Outside, different fireworks were being shown. The second to the last song playing inside was about to end. I looked at Rukawa. He was looking keenly up at the starry sky and seemed to be thinking of something.

I wonder what it is…?

I gazed at the colorful fireworks and watched as it disappeared and then after a few seconds, a new one exploded. At that moment, the band started playing a slow song…the last song for the night. Everybody stood up and got their respective partners.


Then an idea came to my mind. I gathered up all my courage, cleared my throat, and turned to Rukawa. I tapped his shoulders. He turned his head towards my direction. I offered my slightly trembling hands to him.

"Ahem… may I have my second wish?"

"………………………………………………"

"May I have this dance?"

RUKAWA

What second wish?

And I'm supposed to be the one asking her right?

"Look, you only have to answer yes or no. Or in our case, you can only answer 'yes'."

"…………………………………………………"

"Hello??? This is the last dance for the night, in case you didn't notice."

"…………………………………………………"

"C'mon… I'm your partner but I don't get to dance with you? Are you saying you'd rather dance with those girls than with me? I think that's rather unfair…and a waste of good wish."

I don't know whether she's just acting like she never asked for her second wish before or she's just not good in adding numbers. Oddly enough, I decided to go with the flow. I accepted her trembling hands. She looked startled at first but then, she smiled afterwards.

"Finally came back to your senses eh?"

"Do'ahou."

"Wow. Your hands are so warm… compared to mine, that is."

"You're cold as ice."

"Hehe… guess I stayed out too long."

"Do'ahou."

"Look, don't you ever get tired of calling people that name?"

"No."

"Fine. Anou… I think it would be better if we'll just dance out here. I don't want to be murdered by your fan girls."

"Hn."

I carefully placed one of my hands around her waist. She placed her left hand on my shoulder and held my other hand with her right hand.

And off we went, dancing slowly yet gracefully…

~ Meanwhile, inside the court~

SAKURAGI & MIYAGI

YOSH! I'm going to confess to her how I really feel later…

HARUKO

I wonder where's Rukawa-kun and Ayami-chan?

Hah! I shouldn't think about them anymore…

Are? Why is Sakuragi-kun smiling like this? It's as if he's planning something…

AYAKO

I have this funny feeling that something important will happen to me later…

~ Back outside ~

AYAMI

ARGH!  He's too close for my comfort!!! Wait….wow. He looks much better up close…

ARGH! Why can't I stop feeling giddy?!?!?! It's making me tremble too much!!!

Hah…breathe in… breathe out…breathe in… breathe--

"Beware of dripping snot."

"What?! Sh-shut up."

"You're like a human vibrator."

"Why can't you just dance and keep your comments to yourself? You're ruining the mood."

"Let's go inside."

"No. It's more…private here. And I don't exactly want to be seen dancing with you by other people."

"There's no other way then…"

He removed his coat and then placed it around me. It was a really sweet gesture so I couldn't help but blush. I was about to thank him when I felt his arms around me, hugging me so close to his body. And because of that, my formerly over-active imagination and mouth had officially ceased to operate anymore.

I slowly relaxed and just followed his lead.

"I…I didn't know you can dance."

"Me too."

Silence. Then I decided to ask him the question that's been bugging me since yesterday.

"May…may I know why you agreed to go with me tonight?"

"I don't know."

"Wh-What did I do…for you to…hate me that much?"

"I don't hate you."

"Yeah right…there's no use lying to me you know. I have evidences. Loads of them."

"Really."

"Of course. I read your note…I mean, I read through your actions. You've been avoiding me since last week. And you slammed the door on my face the other day! And here I was behaving my best around you since…since I realized that…that…"

"………………………………………………"

"AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FRIENDS! Friends…friends don't treat each other like dirt."

"………………………………………………"

"Gah. W-Why are you so unpredictable? When I'm already thinking that I understand who you really are, you'll suddenly do something outrageous that always affects me in one way or another. I mean--"

He suddenly stopped dancing. Then, he bent down and whispered something in my ears.

"You make me do and say things I know I'll regret later on."

"…………………………………"

"But I'm still here."

Then we resumed dancing. I looked up at him to see if he was just playing around with me. He looks really serious though…but he always looks like that so I really can't tell.

He just said things that I bet he's going to regret too. But…it's still nice of him to say that. And although he says the stupidest things and thinks highly of himself all the time, he's the only person I can depend on because he understands the real me…and accepts me for it.

I think that's the reason why I was drawn towards his direction…

…I really love this jerk.

"Anou…Rukawa, there's…there's something I like to tell you."

"………………………………………………."

"I…I know we've known each other for a long time already…"

"…………………………………………….."

"And… and you see, I think…I think…hey! Are you listening?"

I felt his head rest on my head. Then, suddenly, I heard him snore.

What the???

Haaaay… I guess I'll just confess AGAIN some other day then…

Err…I hope he doesn't drool on my hair…or my shoulder…or any part of my body for that matter.

RUKAWA

Because Ayami kept on shaking, it was just normal for me to hold her closer. Surprisingly, she didn't give any violent reaction.

I knew it wasn't right to sleep when dancing with someone but I don't care. Everything seemed to be too perfect and peaceful at that time…



And for the nth time…


…I fell in love again with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~_^ MY! MY!

HAH! Finally…confessions. Sorry if I didn't put too much scenes and details on Ryo/Aya & Hana/Haru. ^_^;;

In the meantime, just do your stuff as readers…

Love it? Hate it? Made you want to cry, sigh, scream, or vomit?! Let me know!

Pls. Review! Ja! ^_^v