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Kanagawa Blues

By: Castor and Pollux

PART 16: ALL APOLOGIES

He waited for Miyagi to finish though he didn't actually know what to tell him. When Miyagi had finished, Sakuragi closed the door behind him and faced Miyagi.

          "You shouldn't have done that, Ryochin. There are a lot of ways to settle this, but this…"

          "What would you have done? I already told you before, Hanamichi, you know me. When it comes to this…"         

          "You ruined it yourself, you have just given her a reason to look at you in a different way. You have just given him the lead."

          Miyagi covered his head and sat down. Sakuragi sat beside him and said, "I'm trying to help you. You must forget about everything for just a little while to let it cool off. And wait for the right time to settle this."

          "But how? You know how I am, you know I think of her all the time…"

          "I believe in you even if you did the horrible…Ryochin, do not let this get you, this is the last thing Ayako wanted to happen so did I…and I believe you'll win her back." But even as Sakuragi said this with conviction, he wasn't sure. He knew Koshino was now ahead of him.

          "But she likes him too!" said Miyagi who was now beginning to sob.

Sakuragi didn't know what to say. He tapped Miyagi's back. Sakuragi was about to say, of course she does, you saw it yourself, but he realized what he was in for.

          "We're not so sure about that, maybe it's just, well, Kosh is kinda good-looking but that's all, they have just met. Maybe Ayako was just, er, out of her mind at the moment." Sakuragi said foolishly.

          "What do I have to do? I'm losing…"

          "Who? You? Never. Ryochin, you've got to put yourself together. You just have to let it pass and calm yourself down. You can tell Ayako that you didn't mean to do such thing and she'll surely listen."

          "What if she already hates me? What if she throws me away? Oh, Hanamichi, I have never been in so much shit in my life! You're right, I've ruined everything."

          "You're being paranoid. Of course, that's not going to happen, I assure you." Again, Sakuragi wasn't sure of what he was saying but he went on, "All you have to do is, well, be matured and show her that you've changed. You're the captain, you're taking care of many things, prove to her that you can manage everything. And that you won't be very, er, possessive again and…" he paused trying to find the right words, "…you have to apologize to Koshino, you see, it wasn't his fault."

          "NO WAY! He deserved it! I was living my life happily and there he goes and annihilated my world! Hanamichi, I thought we're best friends? Why are you doing this to me, asking me to do the hardest thing in the world! I'm so miserable, you're taking sides, how could you hurt me even more when you see I'm in a tortured state!?" He said tugging Sakuragi's shirt hysterically. Sakuragi wanted to whack his head but thought better of it.

          "Of course I'm taking sides, you know I'm always on your side. Er, why don't you, just get the hell off my shirt and do as I say?"

          "But Hanamichi, it's not that easy, I couldn't stand his face for a second. He took Ayachan from me, can't you understand?"

          "First and foremost, Ryochin, she belongs to no one yet, okay. I've told you not to be so possessive. Secondly, do you think she'd like it if you didn't apologize to Kosh? Lastly, it's not over yet, if you'll explain, she would surely understand. Trust me or you'll be dead meat."

Miyagi was staring at the floor; he wasn't ready. Maybe next time. He thought.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Not tomorrow, not the next day but today. You have to apologize right now. You can talk to Ayako whenever you want, it can wait but not the other one."

Miyagi stared at Sakuragi and nodded nervously.

"Alright. I don't know if it's the right thing to do, but if you say so, fine."

He stood up and breathed deeply. Sakuragi nodded slowly. Here goes nothing. Miyagi thought.

He went out of the locker room. Everybody turned to look. He headed to the corner where Koshino was lying. Kirin made a motion as if to stop him but Mitsui held his shoulder and shook his head. So frustrated Miyagi went straight to Koshino who wasn't making any move. Boy, ain't I lucky he wouldn't have to hear this. He thought.

"I'm sorry," he said without looking at anybody, not even Ayako. But nobody was pleased at this abhorrent attitude as he turned to go.

"What are you doing? You'll have to say it when he wakes up, and besides what happened in that field needs explanation," said Mitsui in a very surprising manner. He seemed to be too sure and righteous concerning the matter, he was serious.

"Explain what to who? Honestly, do I have to plead for his forgiveness when he's the one who's too cheeky to admit that this is his entire fault? Or are you just taking sides because you're not liking what you see? I know you, Hisashi, as you ought to remember." Ryota declared angrily. He was on fire.

"I don't give a fuck about what you think. Do you still see this as fair play? You're being too childish for your age, is this all you can give to Mr. Anzai after appointing you as team captain? Starting an awful fight among his teammates?

I won't hear any more shit from you lest you apologize and explain your side and Koshino will do likewise." Mitsui said flatly, there was a trace of bitterness on his face Miyagi didn't like.

          "I'll do it if that's what you ask for, Mitsui, but don't expect me to forgive you right away. You'll have to see who's the more reasonable."

          "And so I will if my thinking is proven to be wrong." Mitsui said with a happier tone.

And Ryota waited 'til Koshino regained his senses. He walked towards him and knelt beside him.

          "I'm sorry, I lost my temper for what I saw is disgusting…" Miyagi said in a low voice. Ayako didn't expect him to say such insult. She was stunned, Ryota, how could you? Beating Hiroaki up and now this? How hardheaded can you get? She thought as he continued,

          "I promise not to beat you again for the sake of being a good captain," he told Koshino as he straightened up and walked out of the door. Koshino didn't know what to say though a great desire to kick Miyagi out of the stadium came over him. 

He just watched as their captain took leave of them. I didn't fight back for the sake of my neck and so as yours. I expected better than this, and you have just given me shit, Miyagi. Koshino thought. But he didn't react. He just sighed and touched his forehead. I'm fine, thank god. He thought. He looked around at everybody and tried to stand up. Yasuda helped him to his feet.

          "Are you okay?" Mitsui asked.

          "Yeah, I'm fine."

Just then, Ayako stepped forward and told him, "I'm sorry about Ryota's behavior. I don't like it either but you have to promise us that you'll stay in the team no matter how he treats you."

          "Of course I would, next season is my last chance. Listen, can I skip practice today?"

"Sure, you need rest." Ayako said gravely.

Just then Ron walked to them and said, "I'll drive you home. You're not gonna refuse, are you?" he pointed at Koshino's cuts.

And so Ron drove him home. When they reached Koshino's home, "Thanks for the ride, Ron."

          "Sure, anytime. Hey, what are you gonna tell your parents? They might ask you to leave the team when they find out."

          "I don't know. Accident, maybe."

Ron tapped his shoulder and said, "Alright that's best. I'll see you next time when you're better. Bye."

          "Bye, thanks again."

TBC

A/N: We don't ask for much in life, just a few reviews maybe… hint, hint