Title: Stalker

Author: Wowie

Status: 10/12

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Humor/Mystery

Archive: Ask permission first.

Previously: Hikoichi proved his reliability to Youhei, but accidentally slipped the information to Sendoh.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (Boy X Boy Love) and some mild swearing.

Author's Note: Yes, I'm alive... ehehe... okay so I broke my promise... gomen nasai sheepish grin It seemed that my muses have abandoned me for a while, ehehe...

Standard Disclaimers Apply

...

Strike 10: Conversation

Youhei inhaled the sweet cool night air, his eyes closing occasionally as he walked on side by side with Hanamichi to the Pachinko Parlor where the rest of the Sakuragi Gundan were at the moment. It was past seven in the evening and the sun had already set more than an hour ago, which was a bit earlier than usual because it was expected that the sun sets late during summer time. Everything looked so peaceful because most people were already inside their houses, except for some cars that occasionally pass by them. He then noticed that something was amiss because Hanamichi hasn't been talking since they left Hikoichi in Yoshinoya.

Youhei stopped on his tracks but Hanamichi just continued walking, not noticing that his companion was left behind. Youhei smiled and tried to catch up with the redhead, and when he reached him, he breathed deeply before releasing a loud, "Hoe! Hanamichi!!!"

Hanamichi jumped in surprise with the sound of his name still ringing in his head. With an irate expression, he approached Youhei and held a fistful of his collar.

"You don't have to shout at the genius like that! He can hear you just clearly!" Hanamichi said while shaking the smaller guy repeatedly.

"Oi! Oi! Calm down already! It was just a joke!" Youhei tried to reason out, even if it was rather hard for him to talk while being shaken like that.

Finally, Hanamichi released him a bit abruptly. Youhei fixed himself and wiped off the imaginary dust on his shirt. "Heh, I just checked out if you're still here with me or you're already deep in lala land. Apparently, it was the latter," Youhei said while he watched the redhead twist his pinky in his ear hole.

"Ch. You shouted so loud, my name is practically bouncing back and forth in my eardrum," Hanimichi said, wrinkling his nose.

"Well it's nothing compared with the way you always shout at us," Youhei muttered then smirked.

"What did you say?!" Hanamichi posed to launch at him again.

"Nothing! Nothing!" He raised both of his hands as a gesture of defeat, which made the redhead calm down, but still looked smug. "I just did that because you seemed to be preoccupied with something else since we left Hikoichi. Uh, let me correct that, since you came to the gym this morning. Shohoku's victory made a momentary lapse, but as soon as you went out of Yoshinoya's washroom, you've been acting weird again."

"Why? Can't a man be quiet once in a while? Are you implying that the genius don't get tired of talking?" Hanamichi frowned.

"Er... something like that."

"What?!"

"Oi! Easy! Heh," Youhei chuckled at the fuming redhead. "At least you seem to be pretty normal again." He then turned serious all of a sudden and his voice was laced with concern when he spoke again, "But honestly, Hanamichi, what's bothering you? You know that you can tell me anything right?"

With this, Hanamichi shifted uncomfortably and looked down the floor. "Well, I saw the benchwarmer and his four-eyed friend..."

"Hn?" Youhei's brow rose and then his eyes twinkled and a corner of his mouth curved, "Ah yes, Shoyo's Coach/Captain and Vice-Captain. Well what about them?"

Hanamichi lowered his voice, "I saw them come out of the same washroom and looked like they've been through a storm..."

Youhei frowned as he tried to digest what his friend told him, and when realization dawned on him, he could only produce an "Oh..." He tried not to burst out laughing as he asked again, "So how did you react?"

"Well shocked of course! What do you expect?" Hanamichi replied immediately. And then his voice was softer, "though I didn't show it to them. They explained something about the toilet flush malfunctioning, like I would fall for something that dumb."

"But you really are dumb sometimes, Hanamichi," Youhei implied.

"Yeah," Hanamichi paused for a while to think about what he just said and then he suddenly growled, "Damn you! I'm not dumb! I'm a genius!"

"Right." Youhei grinned when Hanamichi's face flushed in annoyance.

"Okay, so I admit that I act before thinking, and I can be pretty shallow at times..."

"Wow, what a blow on your ego for admitting that." Youhei smirked.

"Shut up!" he then gave Youhei a painful head-butt that made the poor guy cringe down in pain. "Grr, you deserve that!"

"I was just being honest you know... it hurts..." Youhei tried to stand up again while stroking his forehead, where he could already feel a lump.

"I'm not dumb! And I'm not that naïve not to know what they did inside the washroom." Hanamichi wrinkled his nose in disgust. Then his features softened a little, "And it made me think..."

"Oh? Now that's new."

"Will you shut up already? I thought you said I could tell you anything?! You're just ruining my mood! Ch!" Hanamichi snapped then started to walk away from his supposed best friend.

"O-oi! Wait for me!" Youhei caught the redhead by the arm. "Okay, promise I won't interrupt anymore."

Hanamichi just raised his brow and gave Youhei his killer eyes.

"Honest!"

Hanamichi regarded him for a while before leaning to the post and closing his eyes for a while.

Seeing the serious expression on the redhead's face, Youhei walked closer and leaned on the sidewalk's railing and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well?"

"Hn." Hanamichi opened his eyes and looked wistful as he said, "I've been rejected many times in the past. It may look like that it was just infatuation, something I would easily forget about. But you, of all people, know very well that I was really serious with every single one of those fifty girls I've courted, and that it did hurt a lot when they rejected me." He paused for a while then looked at Youhei, who was just watching him earnestly. He chuckled ironically and then continued, "And now, after all that rejection, I still hadn't learned my lesson and let myself fall yet again with another girl." He sighed then looked up to the sky. The night was young, but the stars were already sprinkled in the heavens and were shining ever so bright that even if there was no moon, it was still enough to lighten up the dark sky. "You know how much I like Haruko, Youhei. But sometimes, I can't help but feel tired. Tired of waiting, tired of hoping..." [1]

"Hanamichi..." Youhei didn't know what to say. This was one of those rare moments when his friend would pour out his thoughts to him. To others he may just look like a hyperactive person that has no serious disposition in life. Only he and the gundan were the ones who could read Hanamichi very well and the only ones whom he shows his vulnerability. The redhead was a very egotistic person. He would never show this side of himself to just about anybody without getting his full trust first, which was something Youhei was proud of having.

"But when someone started to send me gifts... I don't know... At first, I was really afraid and annoyed. But later on... I found out that I kind of liked the thought that someone likes me too, even if we're the same gender..." Hanamichi closed his eyes again and relaxed himself on the post.

'... I like you... Hana-kun...'

"Hanamichi?"

Hanamichi opened his eyes abruptly and saw Youhei looking at him with a worried expression. He sighed then said, "He told me he likes me."

Youhei blinked, "What?"

Hanamichi didn't reply and settled to look down on the floor instead.

"Wait, are you telling me you actually talked to the guy?" Youhei pushed further. If that was the case, then they have to work faster than he had planned.

"Well we didn't exactly talk. I'm sure Takamiya already told you that last night someone was making prank calls on me. I even mistook Haruko-chan for it." Having said the girl's name, Hanamichi smiled shyly with his cheeks tinged with pink.

"Hehe, so Haruko-san called you eh? What did she tell you?" Youhei grinned while seeing his friend blush even more.

"Well... she thanked me for the flowers." Hanamichi released a blissful sigh, "Man, her voice still held the same sweetness even if she's on telephone." And then he cuffed his head repeatedly, "It was really embarrassing! I actually shouted at her as a greeting because I was so pissed off with the prankster!"

"Oi! Stop it already!" Youhei tried to restrain Hanamichi from hitting himself but to no avail.

So he just bashed him, which made the redhead stop and jump away.

"What did you do that for?!"

Youhei shrugged, "You were so intent in hurting yourself so I thought, what the heck, might as well hit you too to lessen your effort right?"

"Ch. You and your twisted reasoning." Hanamichi said gruffly.

"Heh, can't help it," Youhei said and chuckled. And then he turned serious again, "And?"

Hanamichi frowned, "And what?"

"The phone call?"

The redhead's frown deepened, then slowly nodded and looked thoughtful, "Oh yeah... that..."

"Well?"

"Someone called again after that, but the prankster just hang-up again. But the last one..." he paused while Youhei waited eagerly for him to continue. "The last one actually talked... and that's when the caller told me he likes me."

'... I like you... Hana-kun...'

A few moments has gone when Youhei nodded, "I see..."

Hanamichi walked beside his best friend and leaned on the sidewalk railing before continuing, "I don't know how to explain what I felt that moment, Youhei. It was a miracle that I was able to sleep at least for a few hours. I wasn't happy in any way of course... but I wasn't angry either. I just felt... well... numb... and that's what I hate about it. I mean, I should be at least disgusted right? And I'm supposed to be homophobic goddammit!" [2] Hanamichi's voice grew louder with every phrase, though his expression softened again, "But when I saw the benchwarmer and his... companion, it made me think. Is it always like that?"

"What? You suddenly realized you're gay?" Youhei raised his brow.

"Of course not!" Hanamichi's eyes widened and shot back defensibly. "What I meant is, do they always have to hide themselves?"

"Heh, I'm sure there's a more profound reason why they were hiding, Hanamichi." 'Like trying to hide their activities from the real boyfriend.' Youhei snickered, but continued mildly. "But sometimes, the society is really a big factor to it. You can't help but think of what would people think of you when you engage into such unconformity."

"Hn..." was all Hanamichi could utter and was already deep in thought with his eyes closed tightly.

Youhei watched the changing of emotions in the redhead's face and knew that his friend was getting more confused with what he should feel so he asked, "Hanamichi, what would you do if you found out who your stalker is?"

Hanamichi's eyes fluttered open, blinked a couple of times, and stared at his best friend who was waiting for his reply. And then with a determined look he said, "Well I'll definitely show him a piece of my mind! Hah! I would make it really painful that next time he would think twice first before messing with the genius! Nyahahahahaha!!!" And while he laughed, he was in his customary genius pose.

Youhei released an exasperated sigh, "And here I am thinking that you'd be more open-minded about it. But then I guess I should have expected this from you."

"Of course! You don't think I would let it go that easy right? But if he had just been straight-forward..." And then Hanamichi stopped himself from talking further.

"Oh?" Youhei smiled knowingly, "I'm really curious. What if he did tell it to you directly, hmm?"

Hanamichi's face turned beet red. "Well I don't know either! Stop making fun of me dammit!" And then he played with his fingers and turned redder, "But it's the first time someone actually liked me..."

Youhei shook his head and smiled. It was quite obvious that Hanamichi was battling over his feelings, though he still needed a lot of time before he could think things over. After all, they were still young. The future offers countless possibilities, even if there were others who never had the chance to experience them. For now, Youhei decided that it would be better to keep things secret from Hanamichi and he was determined to catch the stalker first before his friend could give him 'a piece of his mind'.

"Well, let's go," Youhei patted Hanamichi on the back. "The others are waiting for us in the Pachinko Parlor long enough. Takamiya sent me an SMS saying that they were able to go inside with the help of Mitsui."

"Missy?" Hanamichi laughed, "I didn't know he also goes to Pachinko Parlors!"

"Heh, well it turned out that he was having a part time job there."

"Goody!" the redhead rubbed his palms together in anticipation. "Pinballs! Here I come!" He ran towards the direction of the Pachinko Parlor dragging Youhei with him.

They were already gone a few moments when someone appeared round the bend where they came from. It was none other than Hikoichi who was still in panic over Sendoh's decision to go to the redhead's house.

"Aw! I really have to be there soon or I won't have any chance to warn Mito-san. I don't want to admit it, but with my physique, I can't pretend to be an 18 year-old boy! If that's the case, then I'm sure I won't be allowed to go inside the Pachinko Parlor!"

...

"Hah! I'm the Pinball Champion!!!" Takamiya shouted. "Mwahahaha! Pay up Noma!!"

"Ch!" Noma reached for his wallet grumpily, "You're just lucky this time, pig. But next time won't be the same."

"Promises, promises," Takamiya grinned. "You can never defeat the Pinball Champion haha!!"

"Shut up! You're too loud!" Mitsui hissed while glancing once in a while for his boss. Good thing he was nowhere near them or else his job would be in jeopardy. And then his eyes caught red from the window and recognized it as his loudmouth teammate.

"Hey! I think Sakuragi and Mito are already outside," Mitsui told Ookusu for the other two was obviously engaged too much in their fight.

Ookusu glanced to where Mitsui was looking and saw Youhei waving at them and beside him was Hanamichi who was frantically rubbing his hands. He then looked back to Mitsui again whom he caught grinning for no particular reason.

"Hey Missy, mind if you go with me to greet them so that they can easily enter?" he asked.

Mitsui raised his brow and said dryly, "Yeah, and then next thing I'll know is that I won't have any job to go to tomorrow."

"Oh come on! I know you can do it!" Ookusu batted his lashes and grinned when he saw Mitsui shake his head and mutter grudgingly, "Alright."

When they reached the entrance, the two were already there with Hanamichi already arguing with the security guard.

"Why? Do I look like I'm younger than 18? If you must know, I'll be turning 19 on April 1!" Hanamichi produced his best killer eyes while saying this. But it looked like the guard hadn't bought it.

"Sorry, but I still need to see your ID to make sure you're saying the truth."

"What? You're calling the genius a liar! Why you—!"

Youhei was able to hug the redhead from behind before he could launch at the guard. "Hanamichi calm down!"

Mitsui slapped his forehead. Trust that idiot to always make things worse. He approached his co-worker and said, "There's no need for that, Fujisaki. They're my classmates and they're not minors."

The said Fujisaki just raised his brow, "You sure?"

Mitsui sighed and nodded, "Of course." He then gave the redhead a warning look that if he gets kicked out of work, then he'll make sure he'll be kicking his ass off. Hanamichi just grinned boyishly in return. Mitsui looked back to Fujisaki again with a determined look. The other man regarded him for a while before nodding.

"Okay, you two may go inside."

"Nyahahaha!" Hanamichi immediately went inside without even waiting for his companions. The security guard followed while Youhei, Ookusu, and Mitsui remained where they were outside.

"Gods! Why did I let myself into this mess?" Mitsui rolled his eyes.

"Because you owe us your fat ass?" Ookusu replied.

"Shut up!" Mitsui was about to give the blonde a punch on the face when he heard footsteps running towards their direction.

"Mito-san!!!!!" Hikoichi shouted as he ran towards them. As soon as he reached them, he started talking incoherently. "Mito-san! Huff Sakuragi-san's house! Puff Sendoh-sempai! Huff Going there! Puff Now! Huff Have to stop him! Puff"

"Oh for god's sake twerp, breathe first before you talk!" Ookusu growled.

Hikoichi nodded and tried to catch his breath. When he was breathing normally, he wiped of the sweat trickling down his face and opened his mouth to talk, only to stop short when he realized that Mitsui was also there.

"Forgive me, Mitsui-sempai, but I have to talk to Mito-san and Ookusu-san privately."

Mitsui frowned which scared Hikoichi a bit.

"It's okay, Hikoichi, he's with us," Youhei said.

"Mito-san?" The boy stared at him and he just nodded in reply.

Hikoichi looked uncertainly at Mitsui but decided to tell them what he went there for.

...

"Hey... what's keeping them so long?" Takamiya said. Hanamichi was already enjoying himself playing pinball while he and Noma decided to rest for a while.

Beep! Beep!

Takamiya checked out his hand-phone and saw that it was Youhei who sent him an SMS.

do watevr u cn 2 dtén hanamichi dr ok?wer going 2 his haus 2 finish things 1ce & 4 all.

"What did he say?" Noma asked. Takamiya showed him the message and when Noma nodded, he proceeded on replying.

ok.u cn count on us buddy.

...

He didn't know if he was doing the right thing. But then he had to do this now for the redhead's sake. He paused just in front of Sakuragi's gate and suddenly found himself hesitating. Would his revelation do any good? Or would it make things worse? He shook away these thoughts. No. He had to tell the redhead now or he wouldn't have any chance in the future. Having made up his mind to finish his job, he moved to open the gate.

"Just as I thought. You really are a determined person right?"

He froze and slowly turned around and greeted by the sight Sendoh Akira leaning casually on a post just across the street, his arms crossed over his chest. The Ryonan player suddenly straightened up and proceeded on approaching him.

"I know how much you like Hanamichi. But I didn't know you would stoop down this low just to get his attention... Rukawa..." Sendoh said grimly and stopped just in front of the stoic Shohoku basketball player with a look of challenge in his azure eyes.

Rukawa sighed, "Idiot." [3]

-Tsuzuku-

...

[1] Hanamichi may seem to be OOC here, but I believe that he's not entirely naïve and that sometimes he can be contemplative. (Remember the episode of his solo training camp where he watched his lousy performance in videotape?). And well, I feel cheesy today heh

[2] Well, I don't remember the episode number, but in the scene when Ayako kissed Haruko, Hana-kun turned blue and inched away from the manageress. I think it's a sign that Hana-kun is homophobic.

[3] Oooooohhhhh another cliffhanger... wheeeeee hides behind a large post from flying objects