Disclaimer : People are sensible enough to know what I own and what I don't....
Title : The Sakuragi Cousins
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CHAPTER 9 :
She reluctantly gave the number to him. And the boy glare at her with equal contempt though it faded as soon as the card showed a familiar character written on it. In a flash he found himself out of the room, card in hand, searching for the nearest phone.
***
The smell of coffee flitted through his senses and infiltrated the surrounding. They were brewing it up in the stewardess' cabin to his request. Hanamichi was exhausted, mentally exhausted. He passed. No need to elaborate; remembering it would give him a headache. All he knew was that they told him he passed, with flying colors, they say. Now this confused him so? The egotistic part of him says why doubt it when he's the tensai; but then Hanamichi didn't finally get a chunk of brain for nothing, the reality got him totally perplexed.
He tried to face the recent facts. Everybody knows he wasn't actually, er, some kind of a, well, 'genius'; he admitted much to the depletion of his pride. Yet the fact persisted to reveal to him an unbelievable result that even he could not completely grasp. Hanamichi took the exam with as much confidence which was expected of him; too much of his irritating confidence came actually, pissing off neighboring examinees successfully. A lot of students cleared out his path as soon as they heard his booming voice along the corridor, not daring to collide with the looming trouble that the red head could presumably cause. Oddly enough he wasn't prohibited on doing his own seemingly scandalous merriment; instead he was, to a doubtful hallucinating level, conjured by the faculties and ushers inconspicuously. What Hanamichi thought should have been reprimanding greetings were miraculously replaced by gestures of cordial concessions and conversational exchanges. The staff smiled at him and converse with him in an air of parallel coexistence which the redhead, who was becoming conscious of the unusual treatment, courteously repaid in an equal and unusual degree of mansuetude. The instructors seem to welcome his character and exhibited in themselves some eccentricities that were something Hanamichi had never yet encountered.
The instructors were open to his noise; and if he hadn't known better, his constant ludicrous quirks (humiliations, mind you) seem to amuse them immensely. Some of these peculiar instances were increasingly obvious and totally unexpected. There was this lady teacher who keeps looking and smiling at him. Hanamichi gazed at his sides to check the direction of her stare, but it seems that they were directed at him. Being the old redhead, he was overflowing with pride. At last somebody had taken notice of him. The only not-so-comfortable side of this was that the teacher kept hovering around his table, stopping near his desk too often than needed, and then showering him with cloying attention. It's something good, owing to his pride. Unfortunately, either he was not used to it or the attention given to him is by someone he did not personally know nor fondly like, Hanamichi felt very much uneasy. Despite the apparent voluptuousness of the said lady, she was not the type to convey an effect on him (he's still an innocent do'aho after all, uncorrupted by worldly images).
While he was busy doing his sciences, another teacher, a male, distracted him by suddenly touching his hair. Hanamichi was slightly offended by this; expectedly, his reaction was by far loud. He could have dared the handsome young pedagogue to a fight, only that the latter vanquished his uncalled for temper with an apologetic smile saying that he got attracted by the color of Hanamichi's hair. Of course, this goes for a point to the redhead's larger-than-life pride. He's had a new hairstyle that day, courtesy of his beloved cousin, Vanessa, and her best friend, Meimei. Yesternight was a night of gradual change, both physically and characteristically. The two girls had with them a group of parlor staff to do him a make-over. They advised him not to use hair gel and refrain as much as possible to the current hairstyles that boy's prefer. His hair was let loose, all soft and silky directing downwards. It was almost like the kitsune's style, though more delicately and seductively arranged. That morning he just had the urge to apply hairspray; luckily he was prevented by Van and she strongly admonished him not to ruin his hair through promises of a slow and painful death.
The students, dressed in civilian clothing, were another queer bunch, either that or he was never used to friendly reception. Commonly when Hanamichi goes to show his brash attitude, people would disapprove of him scornfully; and some would scamper away from him permanently: a deeply saddening treatment, if one considers it thoughtfully. Yusenko students met him with vigorous enthusiasm, hardly dissuaded by his uncouth character and startling appearance, nor by the negative glances the other examinees bore him. Once he dared ask, the day after the first screening when he was out strolling downtown, a short sweet young lad from Yusenko who was one of the ushers he had met, as to their opinion of him. The boy only raised his head up to him, smiling with apparent fondness and oozing cordiality --a feature breathtaking to behold if one favors sweet things-- then in a flawless tone replied in subtlety. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye[1]. Does it not sound good? I've read it once out of a novel," was his idle words. Hanamichi was about to bellow over his nonsensical fancy when the boy spoke. "I think I like you." He paused. "Though you're a bit brash and loud, I think you're a good guy. Your eyes show it; they look very innocent." Those words stuck him. It was the first time someone told him straight-out that he's being like. Though, of course, it came from a guy; but not even Haruko could say outright something like that, whether implied as lovers or friends. Hanamichi was temporarily speechless. Here was infront of him, an average looking youngster of the same age, staring and speaking up at him boldly, when others of the same age would have cowered shamelessly at the mere sight of his ominous hair and towering height.
Enough of those queer folks and let us venture to queerer incidents. Of all the students from in and around Okinawa, from the nearby islands of Anami-Oshima downsouth to Yonaguni, only six students passed the screening in Yusenko Naha. It was phenomenal, considering that Hanamichi was one of them; and queerer to consume was the rumor spreading that some of them were to be considered to the premiere level, the best among the whole Yusenko system. Shocking would have been a cliche word to say if one tells that Hanamichi was one of the three who got into the elite level. Dumbfounding would have to be the newer word. As Van had said after the results were all acquired, "They say Yusenko students are the cream of the crop. When you're inside and among the elite, you're the top cream."
The other two who were considered in the level were known to him; much more, to his surprise, they were related. One was Van's younger sister, Mary Anne; the other was Luthiana Hikaru, daughter of his Aunt Sonomi, third eldest sister of Remedios.
If Van has the poise of a model, Mary Anne, or Yan[2], Hanamichi's pet name for her, is a doll. A seemingly lifesize, frigid, walking, talking mold of a doll. She's almost the opposite of Van, in terms of style and manner. Yan has a short(cut to her shoulders) and very straight hair, shining midnight black with oriental touch. Her dark almond eyes could stare down a live bomb like it was an old boring stump she'd seen for most of her life; she gives an air of apathy and closeness, unlike Van who seems to be cheerful and open. On the first day of examination in Naha, people gazed at her in wonder for she emitted a mysterious aura with her delicate porcelain face and contrasting dark clothes; a Goth doll if described. On her desk she went, back straight, knees and feet together, hands on lap, eyes on table, resembling a static Japanese doll. She wore a plain dark violet dress which was to her knees and black stockings, yet she was pretty to behold. All the while Yan was quiet, raising her head only when needed so, mostly when the instructors were speaking and once when Hanamichi had called her. She stayed in Canada for sometime and had only came to Japan because of the test. Quiet and behaved were the most common initial description of her; but being a Sakuragi, looks have to be deceiving. In actuality, Yan is only 14 years old, having the same height as Miyagi. But there's more to her than meets vital statistics and appearance.
Luthiana Hikaru is one of Hanamichi's cousins who actually stayed in Japan. Though her father was from Gisborne, New Zealand, Luch decided to stay in Ishigaki to continue, they say, her poetic relationship with the sea. An inch taller than Van, she has almost the same muscular built and age(19 yrs. old). Her boyish hair is ragged though, highlighted by brown strands. Her skin's a bit brown, natural for a daughter of the sea. Tomboyish and quite loud for a female, she's a bundle of smiles and confidence. At first meeting, Luch and Hanamichi have already bonded well together (of course, the nickname came from Hana himself), even back when they were kids. Her manner is carefree and light that one would not be much scared to approach her. She loves to talk to people, regardless of whoever they are; and she's quick to find common grounds for conversation.
The three of them had confirmed the Yusenko branch in which they will install themselves; whether the result was an unexpected crack of fate, they all had filed for the Kanagawa branch. So that's the story and Hanamichi's present location resolved him there.
He was sitting near the window on his Kanagawa unit, his head propped backwards on the saddle, contemplating --or rather enjoying the time given for thinking nothing at all-- his troubled existence. Whiffs of air coming through the window almost lulled him to sleep. Nearly he drifted to subconscious; and pressing matters resided slowly to dimness. Soft whistles from the wind comforted him. They were like music to his ears, until he actually heard tunes, loud and distinct ones.
His mobile phone rang.
He picked it up sleepily, grumbling under his breath. "Moshi moshi."
"Hana-chan!"
The thought of sleep left him as fast as a blink of an eye, Hanamichi's heart froze at the very instant and it threatened to explode unless he regain the knowledge of proper breathing.
Automatically, the name flowed out of his lips like sweet music to his own ears.
"Antoine....."
Holding one's breath is a painful task, especially if shock has rendered the automatic mechanisms of the body to a not-more-than-a-minute halt. In which case Hanamichi's chest nearly collapsed, much the same as the person on the other line. It was when the pain became intolerable that he decided to gather his wits. Antoinette, on the other line, must have done the same as he spoke first. "Anou.... Hana-- 'niichan...." He was on the verge of crying.
Hanamichi did not know what to do; should he scream, cry, laugh in joy? He could only gasp for air and shake. It would not do them good, nor would any gesture be of great necessity for them, he thought. Sighing, he decided to make things calm, though it was awfully hard to bear. "You've called me 'niichan again. I'm not your brother," he chuckled. "You're excited; calm down." Never had his Kanagawa friends, not even his gundan, heard him speak with such softness and affection as what he had delivered just moments ago. If the Gori had heard him or even saw him, one would bet he'd cry out of sheer disbelief.
Antoinette was apparently sobbing. "S-sorry... Hana-chan!"
"Don't cry. It pains me."
"Why should I not? It has been seven years and I'm horribly lonely. Though I was strong, believe me, I am. I never broke my promise!" he muttered hysterically. "I was just glad to talk to you again, Hana-chan."
"I know; I never doubted you," was his only reply. Smiling as he was, he felt a dreadful pang like a stab within him. "Where are you?"
"Sapporo. They've called me."
Hanamichi closed his eyes. They never told him; even Remedios didn't. He never had thought that Antoine would be included. He was delighted and saddened all at once. "Sou desu..."
There was a suffocating pause, disrupted constantly by Antoinette's gasps and sighs. It had been seven years indeed, cruel hard seven years. Hanamichi severely willed himself, despite the tempting desire to laugh and cry all at once. It would make Antoinette excited further and that is something which he was trying to avoid. Nevertheless, tears flowed down his cheeks; his smile flashing bitter sweet.
"H-how are you, Antoine?" Hanamichi nearly faltered; vain was his attempt, he dearly knew. The younger boy was a sharp one; he's the only one who could read him like a book, and alter the very pages which he had carefully constructed for so long.
"Fine..." he briefly replied; after that, they plunged into comfortable silence. There was not much words to speak of.....
***
'Twas a fine day indeed for Shohoku students as they crowded along the path which leads to their destination. Along the same path, a tall broad figure with a mass of fine red hair trudged in awkward stance. People eyed him in wonder; a few hardly recognized him; but most of the lot saw something new in him.
Hanamichi was not suppose to come this soon. He had only been gone for some three and a half weeks; and after three days --in time for him to play at the practice game-- he'd again be gone. After the exam, he flew back to Kanagawa for an orientation. He was careful in hiding from his friends or anyone he knew there. The reason for his absence must yet be kept.
They showed them, the qualified students, the facilities which they could use. Liwette University was also available for them. The faculties were introduced and they had a heart-to-heart talk with the principal, with Hanamichi ending up calling the principal an 'old hag'. The Kanagawa students were as cordial and delightful to greet him as the Naha did, and were equally queer. He had signed up for the long distance support program where they were given modules instead of going to school themselves to hear lectures. The support program is convenient for students who are always on the go. They would give Hanamichi modules as long as he needs it, whether he would attend the lectures or not. He had only subscribed in minor classes; the major ones he is still trying to place in schedule. Of course he had chosen the course he'd like to be in. But this will be dealt with some time later.
Strange it may seem, how Shohoku students would look at him right now. Hanamichi glared at them; he was not a freak show for pete's sake!
The gundan gaped at him to his utter annoyance. What was it with the world today??!!! Can't they just keep their eyes to themselves? Youhei was the most stunned. Hanamichi came in like a fresh breeze in the usual shore of Kanagawa, almost foreign and changed. Though it still held in figure the same redhead, there was a deep lingering force enveloping his being, something new, something that was then residing down within and was awaken and now flaunting its presence unknown to the redhead. His hair was brought down, unhindered, in soft cascades framing his fine features. The uniform he wore became stately and respectable in unspeakable aspects instead of the simple uniform that everyone wears. Bringing forth their concerns, they ask him so of his unannounced leave; only Hanamichi turned aside their questions as if his sudden disappearance was too trivial to evoke worries on them.
Shohoku students stared at him, whispered of him, and fancied him. Calls like "Is that Sakuragi?" or "What happened to him?", "Where did he go off to?", "I didn't know he looks good", "Wow! He's cool", or "He smells sweet!" rang from corner to corner of Shohoku until these came to the ears of the other basketball members.
Hanamichi went to class and was loud as usual. That one didn't change, though others would stare at him in interest. No one dared to ask him where he was off, seeing that he headbutted the gundan whenever they pestered him about it.
The gym was rendered quiet. Hanamichi greeted them with the usual hollering, calling everyone by their pet names, insulting the Gori, picking a fight with the kitsune, laughing his head off, and running over to Haruko; nevertheless, they silently acknowledged the eccentricity of his act. There was something different about him, a thing which they could not name of.
Blue eyes watched him behind raven curtains. Rukawa, among all others, was disturbed. He was a bit glad at first (though he'd die first before he admits it even to himself) hearing that Hanamichi has come; yet he nearly fainted when he saw him. Hanamichi seemed like a different person; unfortunately for Rukawa, he was probably the only one who could put it in words. The redhead was oozing with charm, and this is speaking in magnitude. The way he walked, talked, laughed... They may look the same which they are; but the additive was the appeal. He had no idea what caused the aura; he could have cared less; however it was completely disturbing. Ayako was also stunned, flabbergasted even. The sensitive manageress must have sensed it faster than Rukawa had, or maybe she had detected more changes.
It came to pass that while Hanamichi was shooting some hoops, a polyphonic tune resounded throughout the gym, causing all to fall their attention to the bench where the discordant call was heard. Hanamichi suddenly dropped the ball that he was holding, dashed to the bench, grabbed his bag, fished out something, and ran out of the gym. The sound fainted then completely stopped, replaced by Hanamichi's indistinct voice coming from outside. Everyone was puzzled as they went back to their practice. Ayako was the only one who took a peek of Hanamichi, to see what was amiss.
Her eyes grew marginally. The do'aho was smiling! She wasn't suppose to react much about it; it was just a smile. And yet there it is still, Hanamichi smiling, not grinning! Not in the idiotic way; but in a dead drop charming way! His honey eyes were brilliant; his smile mild and delicious; his hair swaying silkily to his every movement; his face innocently beautiful, blooming as they would put it.
He was talking to someone, that she could clearly see for the most obvious reasons. Hanamichi looked alleviated.
"So what happened?" He asked fondly, smiling and laughing in between pauses, thoroughly happy he looked.
"Really?" he would say in a jesting tone. Then afterwards he would say about what happened to him, giggling like a girl if something funny came out. The conversation lasted for half an hour; though at the tone of Hanamichi's goodbye, he was unwilling to let go; and neither did the other line so as it seemed by their long and reluctant farewell.
Hanamichi's heart-stopping smile did not once falter as he faced Ayako; and as he went back to the gym, it stayed for long, radiant and wistful. The others were as confused as hell.
***
"Oi!!" Hanamichi's flaring hair bobbed up and down among the crowd, until his whole body emerged out of it.
WHACK! said Mr. Paperfan, accompanied by another voice saying "YOU'RE LATE, SAKURAGI!"
The train was already there. All was well except Hanamichi's head which is not uncommon considering that he has been late. It was their practice game with Ryonan. They all went in silently, except again Hanamichi who was ranting about injustice done and unpunished and blah blah blah...
Akagi, Kogure, and Mitsui also came. Mainly to give off support and partly to see the redhead. They've receive news of Hanamichi's return and his unusual behaviors; quietly, they were somehow intrigued. They too noticed the certain unknown change. Whatever it was, it was there, tangible to sense.
Inside the train silence reigned. Tensed silence. And the one who caused the tense was none other than Sakuragi. After Akagi had introduced once again his Gori punch to him, Hanamichi merely grumbled, glared, then indulged himself in a maddening silence. His eyes were to the window, to the sea, right infront of him, listlessly looking pass Kogure. He looked dreadfully solemn, ridiculously pensive in other words. However, the word 'ridiculous' seems to falter much in Hanamichi's case once it exceeds normality. The silence was nerve-wrecking that a pin would have dropped and they'd all get started.
A pin dropped. Or rather a tune rang. They got started.
Hanamichi was startled by a sound coming from his duffel bag. The song from the Nutcracker came in polyphonic. Getting his mobile phone, a flash of glimmer went to his eyes. He opened the fliptop[3] and his smile grew wide.
"Oi, you called..." There was gentleness in his form and tone. Instantly he got up and scurried to the empty end of the trailer. His tone and expression invoked another dumbfounding impression on his companions that they wondered greatly who his mysterious caller is.
"I wish you were here," Hanamichi whispered, straining not to be heard. He was feeling deeply sad; therefore he knocked himself mentally for wishing too hard.
"I hope so," came the reply. "Goodluck."
"Yeah, thanks. " Hanamichi smile genuinely once more. "Ja..."
He turned to his seat with a sweet smile lingering his lips, totally oblivious of the shocked stares thrown at him. At the sea he looked, at the window just behind Kogure, seeing pass Megane-kun. His eyes brilliant like the twinkling of the sunlight on the surface of the sea; lips curving delicately. He stared peacefully at the sea.
***
The practice game of Ryonan versus Shohoku began. A lot of audience flocked in Ryonan's sports hall to watch the awaited event. It was natural, of course, since the teams involve are those vouching for this year's Inter High tickets. The first five were choosen; and to the great dismay of some fans, Hanamichi was not included. Surprisingly, Hanamichi was not overly affected by this. Well, he ranted at first, pulling on Coach Anzai's extra fat; but then it did not last long: he actually stopped and sat quietly. After that it was known to all that something was wrong with the redhead.
There were moments that he would seemed to be jolted back to present; then he would continue to be his old self, shouting insults and this and that. Still after that, he would gradually sink back to some unknown abyss that only he could conceive, to cryptic silence. He would not take notice of the game for some time; until an insult or a nudge would bring him to the real world. Even the Ryonan players acknowledged this, most especially Sendoh who at one instance tried to drew Hanamichi out by 'accidentally' flinging the ball to him; thus giving the redhead a concussion he deserved.
Minutes went by. Hanamichi sat pensive, elbows to thighs, palms and fingers pressed parallel together, stooping forward, staring at the floor, or at nothing in particular. His brows formed a scowl as he glanced up the score board.
49-45. Ryonan leading.
He said nor thought of anything about it, as if it was immaterial. He turned to look hard among the crowd, his gaze lost there. He thought he saw locks of yellow behind the crowd, though it disappeared from his sight. Those lovely orbs searched longingly; succumbing to defeat, they turned down disappointed.
'He's not coming.' He had to repeat it over and over to his head, itching to bang that part on somewhere hard. Constraint held him.
Second half was done. Both teams proceeded to their respective bench.
"Oi, Rukawa-sempai!" Ichiro called. "Nice play. You scored most of the points this half."
"Aa.." he muttered low.
"Hmp! I bet the tensai could score more points than you. Just wait till I get in, you stupid fox!" Hanamichi bellowed. He's coming into terms with the game now, mainly because it seems that Anzai-sensei has been saving him in the next half. Practically it was useless to stall Hanamichi from the game. He has got the stamina and keeping him in for the rest of the game wouldn't disable him, unless it turns brutally physical; nothing could stop him.
Then came Coach Anzai's turn to speak. "Abe-kun," came his mild paternal voice. "You did a good job; nevertheless, you will rest on the coming half. I can see that you are getting weary." He gazed at his left, zoning in on Hanamichi. "You will replace him, Sakuragi-kun."
"Nyahahaha! Mochiron! It's time for the tensai to shine. I will defeat that Smiley once again Nyahahaha!!"
"Do'aho."
"Teme!!!"
"Your back, you idiot," Rukawa said, out of nowhere.
"N-nani?!"
He averted Hanamichi's inquiring eyes. "How can someone with a lame back be able to defeat Sendoh? I think you should spend your time pondering that on your monkey head. You won't stand a chance, not a mite of chance."
Those words struck Hanamichi like a dagger to his pride. He was gravely infuriated. Grabbing with both hands the fabric near Rukawa's neckline, he was intending to inflict the kitsune mercilessly. If only he could dispose his remaining civility, if only just once he could be given -for just a minute- the privilege to send Rukawa to hell. "Yarou Rukawa!" he hissed. That was all he had to say as he pushed the raven haired boy away from him. He hated Rukawa... like hell he did and he woudn't let it pass, not in the usual way. A plan struck him.
From the other side of the gym, a pair of blue eyes were fixed on Hanamichi. He had heard from Hikoichi about the redhead's disappearance and wondered why so. By the look on his face, he's finally going in on the game. Sendoh felt excited; there must be something new about him this time.
***
Sendoh had the ball with him. Shohoku was in defense position with Rukawa guarding him. That was the scenario given on the first action of the second half. In swift movement the Ace of Ryonan escaped from Rukawa's hands, dashing to the goal. He encountered Kobayashi after that and he averted him skillfully, when immediately a hand had tampered the ball out of his hand just as he was to deliver a shot. It was Hanamichi. Before he could even realized, the redhead was nearing half court; Miyagi was already on the fore court by that time. From then on, Hanamichi displayed unbelievable speed and agility. Had his stay on the bench for long caused this? Or was it his recuperation process?
Shohoku is planning something. That is what the Ryonan members were thinking. Not because Anzai-sensei seemed a lot more pleased than ordinary throughout the whole game or because he had detained Rukawa too for ten minutes during the second half to regain his strength. The tension was caused by the redhead... again.
Dead silent would have to be the word. And that is what the redhead was fairly doing, being dead silent. He neither bellowed nor cursed nor glared nor called people by their pet names; he didn't even try to congratulate his teammates whenever they do well. It was suspicious and downright scary.
Hanamichi literally set the pace of the game. He was quick to go back and forth, never doing anything to delay the process. He hardly had a foul called on him. The crowd would cheer in awe whenever he makes a successful shot --a thee pointer, a dunk or a lay up-- , turning his heels instantly to their side of the court after assured of the point. Not a bit of exaggerated gesture nor expression surfaced; whether he's happy to have made a shot, a rebound, or a block, no one could clearly say; he did not express it. He paid attention less to his team mates; it was only when he passed the ball to them will they know that he acknowledged them still. Eye contacts are mostly exclusive for whoever is guarding him. His face drew nothing; his eyes were seemingly cold; this made him very much unreadable than he already was from the first place.
Deep inside Hanamichi was excited. He had watched Yan enough to copy her blank expression and his mind had been liberated enough of social complications in Yusenko High to be able to entreat certain characteristics in him. Therefore he was not to be called a narrow-minded redhead with a simple mind. He suddenly had a thing for acting and a natural talent for it. Since he started in Yusenko, he had learned many things about himself. He could react differently to different people. Negative treatment begets negative result; positive begets positive; sometimes negative begets positive or vice versa; that is what he had discovered. Yusenko students were dear to him; and in return he was dear to them. The company of Yusenko was the one he had been craving for. They never judged him merely by his appearance, never marked him as an outsider, a violator. They looked pass his flaring hair and brash punk attitude and saw clearly the child that was there, the one that craved proper respect and attention. Meeting them, those fresh and open-minded individuals, had improved his capacity to emphatize, to draw out the various personalities in his person. He found out that he could be sweet, charming, calm, and intelligent. That he's not the only one cooped up in the social maltreatment. That is what they kept showing to him: that he's never alone..... He never had been.
Sendoh eyes were held captive by his brown orbs. Be it Sendoh or somebody else from their team, his gaze held theirs with equal severity. Whoever they are, Hanamichi didn't mind at all. He has to show them one and all what Sakuragi Hanamichi can do.
Smiley was guarding him. Miyagi to left guarded by Koshino; Fukuda blocking Rukawa; Kobayashi coming from the back interfered by another Ryonan player. He need to get the ball pass Sendoh, give it maybe to the others, if he could.
'Annoying,' thought Sendoh. Hanamichi's eyes were completely fixed on him; nevertheless he could not read his thoughts. The redhead was transforming into something lethal. With those piercing brown orbs to him, he could not tell who among them will he pass the ball to.
He has to do it, now. In a matter of seconds Hanamichi broke the eye contact, side glanced at Rukawa who was currently open, readied the ball in one hand for delivery accompanied by the misleading footwork; then abruptly he turned his head to Miyagi, now open, and raising his hand together with the ball, as the enemies' thoughts zeroed in on Miyagi in a split second, Hanamichi pushed forth his hand to the captain's direction.....
.... But Hanamichi's hand only pushed air; yet everyone assumed that the ball was suppose to have reached the small captain's hands. The ball was left rolling in midair, on the initial spot where it was supposed to have been launched. They all had been played fool by the redhead as in a flash he retrived the ball. And before Sendoh could stop him, he had already jumped, delivering a shot.
SWOSH! It went, making points for Shohoku.
There were loud cheers, gasps, and applause coming from the crowd. And the delight heightened when on the next scene Hanamichi having stolen the ball from Ryonan, in attempt for a fast break, threw the ball from the backcourt to the forecourt. But it seemed that he aimed too high and none of the Shohoku players could reach it. Then something unexpected happened.....
SWOSH!
The ball was in and the crowd went wild. A wild struck of good luck indeed! Sakuragi Hanamichi was setting the game to his very will.
***
The game ended. 93-90. Shohoku's win.
The crowd applauded while Shohoku rejoiced, shouting and jumping in joy.
"Unbelievable..." Hikoichi gaped at the eerily silent form of Hanamichi, standing immobile in a corner; his head tilted upwards, eyes closed.
Sleep was nearing; he was horribly tired. Oh, yes, he is still Hanamichi with the known stamina. But stamina is also prone to dullness once overused. After all attending two schools at almost the same time is quite tiring, even if you think of it. He has been sleeping late for weeks; tons of work have been piling up his desk. Modules, textbooks, reference books, thesis, and term papers were littered; papers have to be prepared within the deadline, proposal too. And drafts!
Yusenko's a great school; but it's also a great slaver-driver. If the students were average teenagers, they wouldn't stand a chance. Pressure here, pressure there. They expect too much from the students.
Damn! Why do they have to entrust a staggeringly big responsibility on him? Of all the people! He sighed, retrieving himself before he succumb to stupor. He's not a regular student there. The program stipulated that participants are not allowed to hold student positions in clubs or anywhere within the range of the student government, unless they decided to shift to Yusenko and be regular students. Though they could acquire positions in temporary and non-formal committees, or be regular members of the clubs, just as long as it's not a part of the leading position. They could also handle faculty-assigned positions, in which case Hanamichi was given the General Managerial Arbitrator seat. The Middleman they claim. He's partly a student representative, partly their manager, but mostly the school administration's emissary to arrange student concern. The Arbitrator collects, refines, and reports data and claims of students, as well as, gives, implements, and informs students of the decree sent by the administration, the university, or any sectors outside the student government.
Usually the General Managerial Arbitrator position is occupied by a regular student designated by the principal. The position in the Kanagawa branch had been long vacant because students were deeply appalled of the various and difficult stress the responsibility carries. Since then, students have to undergo tiresome series of processes to send certain calls to various sectors; whereas if they had an arbitrator, it would be an easy task since it would be up to the arbitrator and his long line of connections and privileges to do the job twice as fast as the students could. But who's incredibly good and stupid enough to avail the position?
Hanamichi suddenly had a headache at the thought. He's incredibly good and incredibly stupid, no wonder. Mikiko-sensei, the old hag, offered him the position. He was the perfect candidate; he was 'an outside(r) looking in'. The position was in wholly neutral grounds, meaning it was an independent seat, neither possessed by the student body nor by any other outside sector. But the job was more than a pain in the neck; it was a migraine a hundred times worse, a tumor bigger than his ego. Regardless of the pains, there are consolations to be accounted for. Like for example, Hanamichi's the only person who's daring enough to call their principal an old hag and live to tell it again to her face. The other benefits were somehow overshadowed by the disadvantages that it became futile to think of them.
Almost clouded by lethargy, it took sometime for Hanamichi to hear Ichiro's voice calling to him among the assemble of jubilation.
"Neh, Sakuragi-kun, daijobu ka." Ichiro was worried. The others were still thrown to their merriment over their winning; some would occasionally look at him.
"Aa," he muttered, shaking off the remnants of sleep. The younger boy smiled, turning afterwards to the group. Seconds passed and he heard the tune from his mobile phone. He got his phone from the bench. The screen was flashing a familiar name. Sleep left him totally. There was funny feeling in his stomach as he raised the phone to his ears.
"Congratulations."
He nearly gasped. How the hell did he know??!!
"Turn around."
Hanamichi didn't know whether to obey or just shout at the other line. Nevertheless he turned.
Up on the bleachers, a prominent figure stood with long strands of yellow hair. His soft blue eyes were fixed on him; his face fair. He held his phone dearly to him, then smiled at Hanamichi.
The redhead was stunned; his face softened, that unusual expression appeared again, milder than ever.
"Antoinette....." They both smiled.
-_-;;TBC
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(-_-;;) ummmm..... fine....
[1] from "The Little Prince" by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry, translated by Katherine Woods
[2] the Y in Yan is in Spanish... yeah something (e.g. compañero y compañera) so it's pronounced as Ian
[3] new cellphone (?), probably......
starsong : erm.. nice song... ehehehehe... thanks anyway ^____^
chris : don't you get it? you're not suppose to get it!! just kidding... =P Hanamichi doesn't have a brother; he's the only son of Remedios. you'll soon find the answer's to your question since the next chap will deal with it.... hopefully.... his family is strange. Period.
Genkaku: it's you! *gasps* you changed.... neway, believe in Hana, he's the Tensai hehehehe... T_T ... i got the info stuff there from old notes, some of which i have to revise since my notes were, ehem, not actually that *cough* legible *whispers* or decent ^_~;. i dare not write something i don't know.... well, i appreaciate you reading this... indulge.
xiaoj : well.... i think so too... ehehehe *cough, cough* thanks for reading.
candy : you want more? here it comes..... only it's late... -__-;;; i'm so lazy....
this is long.... next chapter will hopefully clear everything up. hopefully... it's about family history.... something..... neway.... read on... indulge.... enjoy.... (*^_^*)