By: Kuroi Neko-kun
Summary: Rukawa's mute sister returns to his life after years of separation. With the new school year coming, he expects a better life. Meanwhile, Sakuragi suffers his 51st rejection. To top it off, Haruko rejects him for Megane-kun. But a turn of events made him meet Rukawa Kinaki and finds out about her secrets, giving a chance to make peace with Rukawa. Could this be the ultimate boon or will it turn to something else?
Chapter 4: Unexplored Feelings
Key:
"Spoken"
'Sign language'
Thoughts
'Mental messages'
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The ball entered the hoop with ease. Sakuragi wiped his brow before picking up the ball again. He shot from the three-pointer line and it went in. He was about to pick up the ball again when he heard someone clapping. He turned to see Kinaki holding a bottle of water.
"Ah, what are you doing here? Rukawa will get worried if you're out here this time of night," he said, smiling at her.
'Daijoubu… you're here with me. He trusts you as much as he does to me.' Sakuragi smiled before picking up the ball again. After a half an hour of shots and mock rebounding, she handed him a towel. 'That's enough practicing, Sakuragi-san…' Sakuragi could not agree less. He wiped his sweat and took a gulp of water from the bottle. Kinaki just watched him. That made Sakuragi realize that she been staring at him for quite awhile now. He stared at her foxy blue eyes.
"Kinaki-san…" He mumbled. Kinaki felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "Um… do you like me staying in your house?" Kinaki nodded slowly. Sakuragi just smiled at her. "You're a really lucky girl, Kinaki-san. You have a loving father and a brother who'd do anything for you…"
'Iya… things were not like that. I just moved to Kanagawa about a month ago… I had been living with my mother.'
"You did? What happened?" Kinaki sighed as she looked into his hazel eyes.
'Let me show you…' As soon as she touched his hand, Sakuragi felt his mind being zapped to another place.
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Sakuragi was now looking at a home that was very similar to his own. Located at the poorer sections of the town, the houses was cramped and stacked in untidy rows. He heard the shouts coming from the house in front of him.
"You defiant girl! I told you so many times not to contact that idiotic family of yours!" The door opened, revealing a crying Kinaki. She was about to head to school but her mother grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to fall. "Where do you think you're going?! I'm not done with you yet!" She got up slowly and brushed her skirt. "It's a good thing that I'm still taking care of you! You'd think that pompous bastard would take you if you lived there? He'll throw you to a home once you step at his door!" the girl burst into tears. Sakuragi just wanted to hold her tight.
"Sakuragi-san…" He turned to face another Kinaki," this was my life before I was sent to my father's. I was afraid that he would do what my mother had said." Sakuragi pulled her towards him. Kinaki blushed.
"I understand how this feels," he whispered," but things ended up better for you."
"Sakuragi-san, your life changed too…" Kinaki said as she touched his hand. Sakuragi felt the same mental tug as before.
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He stared at Kinaki who just played with her skirt. Sakuragi patted her head and smiled. Kinaki stared into his hazel eyes, her eyes wavering.
"Daijoubu da yo," he mumbled," my life did change. A lot of things happened but most of it was for the better. And if I didn't meet you, Kinaki-san, it would not change at all." Sakuragi smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Ara, Sakuragi-kun?" The two of them turned to face Haruko and Kogure, both of them dressed up for a date. Kinaki glared at the girl.
"Ah, Sakuragi…" Kogure said, rather meekly," were you practicing?" Sakuragi nodded, suddenly interested in his laces. Kogure turned to Kinaki. "You must be Rukawa Kinaki. I heard a lot about you from Haruko-san…" Kinaki bowed curtly at him before turning her glare at Haruko.
"Kinaki-san, are you here to watch Sakuragi-kun practice?" Kinaki nodded. "He's a great player now and much more focused. I think he can lead the team to victory…" Kinaki took out her notepad and scribbled something.
'We were just heading home. Sakuragi-san has to get up bright and early tomorrow.'
"Sou ka?" Haruko mumbled," that's right. Sakuragi-kun is living with Rukawa-kun now. How is he?"
"Fine," Sakuragi answered," Rukawa had never been better but he'd like to have his imouto home now." Kinaki gathered everything and got up. As the two walked away, Kinaki linked her arm with Sakuragi's. He was too absorbed in his thoughts to even notice.
~~~
"So that's why…" Rukawa muttered as he sat in Kinaki's room. She was trying to concentrate on her homework but all she wrote down on her book was 'Die! Haruko! Die!' It also came with a stick figure with long hair hanging from a noose. She sighed.
'He was devastated… I've never seen him like that before,' Kinaki sighed again,' I wish I could cheer him up a bit.' Rukawa ruffle Kinaki's raven hair.
"You always want to cheer everybody up," he commented.
'But Sakuragi-san…' Kinaki started. Rukawa just sat beside her and smiled.
"If you want to cheer him up, Kinaki-chan, maybe you should cook for him something nice…" She happily agreed to that plan.
'Arigatou na, onii-chan!'
~~~
The weather seemed to mesh with his feelings. Sakuragi stared at the window, watching the raindrops patter from his window. He had been thinking about Haruko again. She seemed happy with Megane-kun. I know I'm over her… but I still think about her. He got out of bed and was about to shower when there was a knock on his room door. He was surprised to seen Kinaki holding up a tray of food for him.
"Kinaki-san…" She entered the room.
'Ohaiyo, Sakuragi-san. I made this for you. So I hope you enjoy it…'
"You didn't have to go all this trouble for me…"
'Iya… I insist,' she placed the tray on the table,' I'd do anything to see you smile again, Sakuragi-san.' Sakuragi understood then. Kinaki was worried about him.
"I'm sorry to make you worry…" He muttered as he took a bite of toast. "I should be glad that a pretty girl like you made me such a delicious breakfast just for me." Kinaki felt the blood rush to her cheeks again. She cleaned his bed as she ate. He watched her and felt warmth towards Kinaki. She is a very sweet girl and not to mention really beautiful. I'm lucky to have her as a friend…
'Sakuragi-san… is Haruko-san your ex-girlfriend?' Sakuragi looked down before shaking his head.
"She was a person I used to like a lot… but she rejected me. I'm just feeling a lot of pain from that…" Sakuragi explained. Kinaki went up to him and lightly pushed his chin up.
'Cheer up, Sakuragi-san. She's not the only girl in the world and you don't have to go looking for a girl. She might be in front of you and you wouldn't know it…' Sakuragi smiled at her.
"Sou da na… I told myself that but the pain's still here," he touched his chest. Kinaki wrapped her arms around his neck.
'It hurts because you never cried. Let it go, Sakuragi-san…' For the first time in ages, Sakuragi Hanamichi let out the pain in his heart. He cried until there were no tears left. Despite her red face, Kinaki was relieved that he let out his pain. When he was ready, he let go of Kinaki. The both of them stared at each other. Sakuragi's face was so close to Kinaki's that she could feel his breath on her face. Her heart was beating crazily fast.
"Kinaki-san…" His face was inching closer to hers. His lips brushed against hers lightly. As soon as that happened, they broke apart. Both of them flushed, not looking at each other.
'Sakuragi-san… I think I should go…' She quickly ran out of the room before Sakuragi could say anything.
~~~
"Ne Youhei…" Okutsu muttered, feeling bored," is it just way too quiet around here?" Youhei just smiled at his friend.
"Ever since Hanamichi got dumped by Haruko, he had been concentrating on basketball. He is a great player now, right?" The blonde sighed.
"I can't disagree with that but since then, we have nothing to make fun of him. Life gets boring after that…" Youhei shook his head.
"But you can't help feeling sorry for him. He thought Haruko was the one for him…"
"Yeah… If this goes on, maybe he'll turn into Rukawa and play obsessively," Okutsu laughed. Youhei sighed at that.
"Speaking of Rukawa, have you seen his imouto?"
"She's the talk of the town. Such a cute girl… And Hanamichi gets to see her everyday because he's living with Rukawa now…" The blonde kicked a stray can away.
"Yeah… maybe Hanamichi might get a girl after all," he mumbled. Okutsu looked at him.
"What did you say, Youhei?"
"Betsuni…"
~~~
"Kinaki-chan?" Rukawa mumbled, staring at his sister. The team was taking their break. As usual, Rukawa would take the chance to talk to his sister [and fend off any guys trying to get to know her]. He noticed she was staring into space. "Kinaki-chan?" he repeated. She snapped out of her trance and turned to him. "Is there anything wrong?"
'Iya… I was daydreaming…' She blushed before fussing over Rukawa's towel. The boy just looked across the sports hall. Sakuragi was sitting there, wiping his face with his shirt.
"Do'ahou…" Rukawa shook his head," don't you think so?" Kinaki gave him a small smile before passing him the towel. "Are you okay, Kinaki-chan?"
'Hai… I just… well,' she could not really continue as Ryota called out for the practice to commence again. She patted her brother's shoulder as he went on.
"You've been staring at Sakuragi for so long." She turned to face Ayako who was smirking at her. She quickly took out her notepad and scribbled something fast.
'I wasn't… I was just daydreaming…'
"Sou ka? Kinaki-chan, I can tell when someone has a crush. It's my special ability. And you definitely have feelings for Sakuragi," Ayako pointed out. Kinaki just blushed, staring uncertainly at Sakuragi who was concentrating on the game. "Kinaki-chan, if this was a year ago, your brother would bury Sakuragi before even letting you near him. Now, things are better and they get along so well. I can say that it's the perfect timing…" She quickly scribbled something onto her notepad.
'But does he like me?' Ayako smiled at her.
"You have to find that out," she said, winking at Kinaki who was still blushing.
~~~
Youhei watched his best friend practice with a smile. He was definitely more focused than before. Though things might be boring, he found it a relief. Sakuragi was not only a better player but also a true friend. He had not forgotten his gang at all. Sakuragi, with Rukawa's permission, had invited them to stay over for the weekend. The redhead was even worried whether Youhei could make it since he was working. But he could not miss it for the world. Besides, he needed the weekend off. He could not wait for the weekend to come.
~~~
"Yo! Hanamichi!" The gang of four greeted him at the gates. Sakuragi waved at them as the gates opened. The four of them walked with their friend.
"It's great that you get to live here, Hanamichi," Noma commented," this place is so royal…" Sakuragi just smiled.
"Why so quiet, Hanamichi?" Youhei asked. Sakuragi shook his head.
"It's nothing… Can you guys behave yourselves? Even if Rukawa-san was excited to have some friends around, I don't want to frustrate him in any way," he said. The four of them grinned.
"Daijoubu, Hanamichi," they went, simultaneously," we can behave ourselves!"
"Oh, they're the ones you invited." The four of them turned to see Rukawa. Sakuragi smirked at him.
"Who else, Rukawa?"
"You never told me. I was afraid that you might invite girls," Rukawa muttered, walking up to them.
"I don't know many girls to invite over," Sakuragi pointed out," and if I did, inviting them here would be a disaster."
"We thought you and Rukawa living under one roof was a disaster." For that, Okutsu was the first to be head butted.
"Speaking of girls, where's Kinaki-san? I've wanted to meet her—"Takamiya was not only head butted. Rukawa punched the back of his head. The both of them had pop veins at the side of their heads.
"Ahou ka, Takamiya?" Noma laughed at him. Youhei turned to Rukawa.
"Thanks for letting us stay, Rukawa-san." Rukawa just nodded.
"It's no problem. My father had always pestered me to bring friends here…"
"Where is your father, anyway?" the boy asked.
"He has some business to attend to," Rukawa answered," he won't be back till late."
"Sou ka?"
~~~
After a hearty dinner, the four of them invaded Rukawa's room, much to his silent annoyance. Youhei and Sakuragi apologized dearly for the invasion.
"Sugoi na, Rukawa!" Takamiya said as he played on Rukawa's game console," this thing's expensive. And look at these games… Oi!"
"Ha! I beat you!" Okutsu exclaimed.
"Aa…" Noma was flipping through Rukawa's comics, obviously awed.
"I didn't know you like Captain America too. He's really cool!" Rukawa felt the blood rush to his cheeks. "Ah, issue twenty-two! I never got to read this one!"
"Sou ka?" Rukawa muttered. Youhei looked through his book collection with interest.
"Rukawa, you're a very mature person, aren't you?"
"What do you mean by that?" Sakuragi asked, curious.
"All these books… Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet… Rukawa's read all of Shakespeare's works," Youhei pointed out," you must be really good in literature." Rukawa was now feeling embarrassed, despite his nature. Never had anyone praised him for anything else than basketball.
"Not really…" he muttered. Sakuragi chuckled.
"Despite your cold manner, you're a shy and humble guy, Rukawa," he said. Rukawa's usually pale skin was now a shade of pink. The gang turned to Sakuragi like he had grown three heads.
"Who are you and what did you do with the Real Sakuragi Hanamichi?" Youhei asked, chiding. Sakuragi glared at them, annoyed. It was then Benibana-san came into Rukawa's room with a tray filled with goodies.
"Ah, it's been awhile since Young Master's room had so much liveliness," he commented, chuckling," I hope this will be sufficient for a snack."
"Arigatou, Benibana-san…" Sakuragi mumbled. The butler smiled at the redhead.
"No, I thank you for making Young Master so happy," he said. Rukawa's face turned from pink to red.
"Benibana-san…" he mumbled. The butler chuckled again.
"Have a good time, minna-san."
"Hai!" They wholeheartedly agreed.
~~~
"Benibana… How long have you seen Kaede-kun so lively?" Rukawa-san asked as he passed his son's room. The butler smiled at his master.
"Since I changed his diapers," he said. Rukawa-san smiled.
"Sou da na… He doesn't have many friends. Since Sakuragi Hanamichi moved here, he had been much warmer. It was a refreshing change to the house." Rukawa-san took a peek in his daughter's room. She was engrossed in knitting that she had not registered to her father at all. He just smiled and left her alone. She was busy after all. He went to his room quietly after that.
~~~
Youhei looked out his room window. It was a quiet night for him, the way he enjoyed it. It was the best time to think about all the events that had happened. He had never seen Rukawa have so much fun in his life. Then again, he had never seen Rukawa had fun at all. Maybe he never had friends… Well, he should know by now that he's part of the gundan… Youhei smiled at the thought.
"Youhei, you awake?" He opened his door.
"Hanamichi, what's wrong? Can't you sleep?" Sakuragi gave him a weak smile.
"No, I've been thinking about something…" Youhei watched his friend play with his shirt and gave him time to talk. "I think… I might be in love…" Youhei glanced at him.
~~~
"Kinaki-san ka?" Youhei mumbled," are you sure you two kissed?" Sakuragi sighed, expecting that reaction from Youhei.
"Would you like a demonstration, Youhei?" The boy shook his head in response. "Anyway, I thought I was dreaming at first but when I saw her face all flushed, I realized that we did and she was…" He could not describe the way she looked and reacted.
"Did she run off?"
"Yeah…" Sakuragi mumbled, turning red.
"Then it's confirmed. She likes you…" Youhei pointed out.
"Are you sure, Youhei? She didn't run away because I kissed her?"
"She'd slap you if she didn't like you," his friend said," isn't this great? You finally have a girl who likes you without you having to look for one!" Sakuragi stared at Youhei.
"True but… I live with her and I don't think Rukawa…" Youhei sighed.
"Why don't we think about it another time? You need sleep. We have a big day ahead tomorrow," he said, ushering Sakuragi out of his room.
~~~
Rukawa did not want to admit it, but he hated it when the gundan had to leave Sunday evening. He had a lot of fun. He had always thought those four were idiots but he was wrong. Noma turned out to be quite the comic book fan and he enjoyed talking about the many adventures of Captain America. He enjoyed watching Takamiya and Okutsu battle it out through every game he had. He had wondrous chats with Youhei about… well, a lot of things. Best of all, Sakuragi was having a ball making fun of everyone, including Rukawa. And when any of the boys were trying to chat up with Kinaki, Sakuragi would have head butted them before they could even try. Kinaki seemed to enjoy herself as well. Now, the four of them picked up their bags and turned to the three.
"Well, I guess I'll see you in school," Youhei said. Rukawa nodded.
"Thanks for coming here…" Rukawa mumbled.
"We might want to do it again some other time, Rukawa," Takamiya pointed out," anyway, thanks for the game!"
"I'll return the comics as soon as I'm done," Noma said.
"We had a great time here, Rukawa," Youhei said," I hope you did too."
"Hey, maybe we can bring Rukawa to the Pachinko shop…" Sakuragi head butted Takamiya.
"Ahou, it's illegal for us!"
"Maybe the beach then," Youhei suggested," I mean we haven't been fishing for a while…" The four of them agreed simultaneously. Youhei smiled at them. "The beach it is… okay, it's almost sunset. Let's shove off!"
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