Seven
Hanamichi is on his way to the Shohoku HighSchool campus. He's walking slowly... very slow for his six-footer frame and toned muscles.
His eyes are set downwards on the ground he's walking at... like he'll step on something.
He's thinking about a pair of beautiful sapphire blue eyes... twinkling for him. It glimmers with delight and mirrors the pulchritude of love.
He remembers how a pretty cherry-red lips pursed on his hand and speaking of his name with mildness.
I love you, Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Hanamichi smiles as those words echo inside his head like a sweet lullaby.
Suddenly, he isn't able to step forward. Someone is blocking him to make another step... so he prudently raises his head upwards.
He meets with a pair of sapphire blue eyes... but not as beautiful as what he's thinking of.
"Good morning, Hanamichi." It's a very sweet greeting that warms his heart.
"Sendoh."
Akira places his hands over Hanamichi's shoulder and looks straight on his copper brown eyes.
"Please don't call me by my last name. We're not in a Basketball court." Akira holds his chin and lifts his head a little upward to face him.
Hanamichi feels uncomfortable. Akira caresses his cheek like they're intimate.
"I have two tickets to the carnival. Care to come with me tonight?"
Hanamichi grins like a little child receiving a lollipop.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes Hana, I am."
"Sure."
"So I'll be waiting for you here this afternoon. We'll go there together."
"Yes!"
"Where's my hug?" Akira spreads his arms to invite Hanamichi but the latter thinks it's not necessary.
"Should I?"
"Yes, as a way to thank me."
Hanamichi is grateful that Akira is giving him a ticket to the carnival, so he hugs him.
When Hanamichi left Akira, the latter was smiling to the maximum. It's his happiest day. Little did they know, a pair of darkening sapphire blue eyes are watching them.
The bell rings and it's dissmissal time.
Hanamichi hastily packs his things, bids farewell to his friends and zooms out of the classroom.
He swiftly crosses the corridors heading outside the building before any other student could.
He is about to take the last staircase to exit when Kaede blocks his way.
"I know where you are going." Kaede says very seriously.
"So?" Hanamichi intends to pass him, but Kaede persistenly blocks his way.
"You can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm not allowing you."
Hanamichi feels a slap on his face. Never in his did he ever wish anyone to rule him, to tell him what to do.
"I don't care." Hanamichi insists to pass but Kaede hinders him.
"You're going out with Sendoh... alone."
"I will go with anyone I want."
"Don't be stubborn."
"You're not my boyfriend."
Kaede becomes weak once these words came out of Hanamichi's mouth. His legs and arms lose its strength that Hanamichi is able to pass on his side and leaves the building.
That's true. He's not his boyfriend. They're nothing but former enemies and starting a good friendship. He shouldn't act like they're in a relationship and he has no right to own Hanamichi.
Hanamichi perches on one of the carts of the giant wheel ride.
As the wheel moves to bring them at 22.5 degrees higher, Hanamichi enjoys himself as he licks his coned ice cream.
Akira watches as the seemingly little kid licks the ice cream with such enthusiasm.
"Tastes good?" Akira puts his arm around Hanamichi and moves closer to him.
"Yeah. Very good."
The wheel moves once more... bringing them to another 22.5 degrees higher.
"Like this..." Akira touches Hanamichi's cheek and makes him face his eyes. He purses his lips against Hanamichi's lips for about two seconds.
Hanamichi freezes as he absorbs what happened.
"What for is that?" Hanamichi asks with such innocence.
"I like you, Hana." Akira brushes his semi-bald red head gently and closes their gap. Now Akira can breathe Hanamichi's breath. "You are the most adorable boy I've ever met."
Hanamichi is touched by those words that his ice cream is left unattended and melts on his hand... dripping until his plain white shirt.
"Oh no." Hanamichi curses. The ice cream has stained his shirt and he's freaking out.
"Don't worry." Akira clams him. Now they are the highest peak of the wheel. Akira takes off his black leather jacket. "You can wear this."
Hanamichi takes off his shirt with the help of Akira and puts on the jacket over his body.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Hanamichi leans his nape on Akira's arm and looks at the dark velvety sky with silence.
Akira loves his situation. He puts his other free arm around Hanamichi's waist. Now they are really close to each other.
The wheel starts to roll and roll and roll. Screams from the other riders are heard but Hanamichi and Akira pay no heed of it.
Akira traces his nose along Hanamichi's face.
"Can you be my boyfriend?" Akira asks.
Hanamichi doesn't want their situation. It feels warm to have Akira's body near him... but thinking about Kaede makes him to ask more. Hanamichi knows that it would feel best with Kaede.
"I'm sorry..." He pushes Akira away gently. "I'm not ready for this."
"Don't worry, I'm not forcing you."
"No. I mean... I don't think my answer would ever be a Yes."
-to-be-continued-