Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk. It's Takehiko-sensei's

Crusty's note: can't say much, but this is gonna be an alternate universe, since there are some parts that are not following the original SD story.

Room #2: Misplaced Scheme

Kaede stood gaping in front of a traditional-styled two stories gigantic house.

It was actually the inn his father had told about. But instead of an inn, it looked like more to a haunted house.

That building was for sure had been abandoned for a very long time.

Kaede dragged his luggage and put a key in to the key hole of the front door of that building.

He knows his father wouldn't interested in running an inn, but he thought at least that building deserves some maintenance.

Kaede entered the lobby.

'Hmph… I traveled almost half way around the world and left my comfortable bed just to find that I have to live in this dirty place?' (Actually it wasn't really half way around the world, but this town was for sure very far away from his home)

Kaede stepped on the upper floor of the lobby. He didn't bother to take off his shoes for he noticed there were dust everywhere.

"I have to clean this whole building? It could take me a year…" he murmured. But he knew paying someone to do the job would cost him some valuable cash.

"How am I suppose to run an inn with a very little money…?" Kaede mumbled scratching his head.

"Konnichiwa!!"

A voice outside startled him. He went out to see who it was.

"Ah! Konnichiwa! You must be Rukawa Kaede," a boy greeted him with a wide smile.

"Who are you?" Kaede is new in this town and he knows nothing about it, and of course he knows no one here.

"Aida Hikoichi's the name, but you can call me Hikoichi," the boy reached out his hand to shake Kaede's hand.

"You know me?" Kaede shook Hikoichi's hand hesitantly.

"Well, my great grandpa knew your great grandpa. They were be4stfriends. When your great grandpa decided to close this inn, he had asked my great grandpa to help his descendants if in any case they want to run it again. A couple of days ago, your father called my dad, so my dad se3nt me to help you out with this inn."

"So it's a generation to generation favor," Kaede mumbled, "Anyway hikoichi, why did my great grandpa closed this inn from the first place?"

"I don't know the story. Didn't your father tell you?"

"I've asked, but he said he knows nothing."

"Maybe you should ask your grandfather."

"He passed away ten years ago."

"Oh, sorry…" Hikoichi bowed a bit.

"It's okay. Umm… since you're here, I need your help to clean this place with me. I don't have enough money, even though  it's all the savings I got, so I can't pay anyone to clean it up. I s it okay with you?"

'Sure! It's my great grandpa's will, I'll help you!"

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Kaede and Hikoichi sat on the floor panting. They've used all of their time and energy to clean up the inn. And in this late at night they only managed to finish half of their work.

"Phew! A lobby, ten bedrooms, one routenburo, six bathrooms, one kitchen, one recreation room, and other bla bla rooms. This inn sure isn't a big one, but only two people doing the job really took time and efforts."

"You can say that again, " Kaede dropped himself on the floor. He glanced at Hikoichi, "Are you sure you're okay helping me out? You're not paid, so you can call this slavery, you know."

"Aw! Don't say that! I'm sincere in helping you. It's great grandpa's will…" Hikoichi's eyes were wandering in a sparkling way.

"Anyway!" suddenly Hikoichi stood up, "I have to go home now. Here's my phone number. Call me anytime you need help, okay?"

"Okay. You have no idea how grateful I am, Hikoichi, " Kaede smiled mildly.

"Don't mention it. By the way, you're new here aren't you? Have you signed in to any school?"

"Yes, I have."

"Which one?"

"Umm… Shohoku High."

"Hey! I went there too! We start our first year as high school students at the same school, our great grandpas must be very pleased. Bless their souls…" Hikoichi was very excited.

"Yeah…" Kaede smiled to see Hiloichi's childish act.

Kaede walked Hikoichi to the front door.

"See you tomorrow! Don't forget to come to school, Rukawa!!" Hikoichi grinned.

"See you tomorrow, and you can call me Kaede. Our families are attached from generation to generation anyway."

Hikoichi smiled excitedly to hear that, "Okay, Kaede! Bye!"

"Bye!"

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Kaede stepped inside and sighed.

"Now I have to decide how to run this place. Otousan is still helping me with the school fee. But I have to work my own ass so I can eat and pay other bills."

Kaede placed himself in one of the bed room. He was writing something on a paper.

"Ah-shit. To run an inn I have to feed the guests. But I can't cook and do other stuffs at the same time. And Hikoichi has his own life, of course. I can't expect him to help me all the time."

Kaede took the city map and observed it. Actually he got no need in looking at the map, but he was just busying himself trying to find any great idea to solve his problem.

"Humm…" Kaede cupped his chin. Something on the map captured his interest.

'There are so many schools around this block. And those schools are not to far away yet not too close enough. Maybe I could use this idea…" Kaede put a sly smile.

"Alright then!" he banged the table, "I'm too poor to run a decent inn, but I can run a dormitory for students! Hah! Kaede, you're smart just like your Okaasan!" Kaede pointed his fist up high feeling smart.

"This way I don't have to always provide food and I don't have to treat the guests like some king. The students can take turn in cleaning the house and preparing meal. And they can shop their own food if in any case I'm too broke to shop, heh-heh…"Kaede grinned.

Then he started to write again. He listed things he need to buy, including tool box and other materials to fix some part of the building which has worn away.

After some writing and thinking, Kaede fell asleep on the table, dreaming about his new title as a landlord of a student dormitory.

While outside, the stars and the dark sky shield above the 'Rukawa Inn' and the beautiful boy sleeping under its roof.

*tbc*

Crusty's endnote: Never crossed my mind before that Hikoichi would appear in any of my fics, but… there you have it…

Ganbatte ne, Hikoichi-kun! I hope you'll gain your very own fans during your appearance!