The Death of Sakuragi Hanamichi

Chapter 4: Confrontation

When Youhei woke up in the morning, he just wanted to go straight back into bed. Then, his father came in with a phone in his hand.

"Here," he said. "It's for you."

It was that blunt statement that caused Youhei to arouse. The statement was sentimental, cajoling almost. It was then that Youhei had begun to realize the change in his father.

His father was normally a self-centered, grouchy man with a pretty face. It was the face that Youhei looked like the most. It also looked much different than Youhei had remembered it to be.

Youhei's father's face was usually cold and didn't think highly of showing his emotions to the world. Ever since Youhei's parents divorced, he didn't see a hint of a smile on his father's face. Even before the divorce, his father strictly kept his emotions to himself. His father's well-kept, black hair would be as much good order as his clothes. To match, he had stern eyes and a dignified chin. Although culmination in the business world was impossible for him, he still tried to look as proper as he could.

Now, however, he looked like a grade school book – easy to read. It seemed, to Youhei, that his father was actually granting him pity. No words can possibly describe an emotionless man handing out pity to his own son. It was a hated, awkward feeling to Youhei, but he accepted it. Nonetheless, he didn't want pity, but vengeance. However, it felt nice that someone was supporting him, one way or the other.

With a weak smile, he accepted the phone and put it against his ear. It was Auntie Sakuragi.

"Hello?"

"Youhei! L-listen, I'll have the report on the autopsy... uh...after school! Meet me at my house with p-people you trust. Y-you'd better get ready for school now."

Then, the phone hung up before Youhei could even try to speak. She seemed to be in a hurry, even though she didn't have to go to work today. But then again, this was Autnie Sakuragi, the ultimate workaholic. Yet, for some strange reason, she seemed to be a bit panicky for some strange reason.

Youhei just shook it off and checked the clock on his room's wall. It read 4:00. Of course, both Autnie Sakuragi and his father had to wake him so early in the morning.

Slowly and groggily, he slowly started to adjust to the morning, completely waking himself up. He spotted a spider at the corner of his ceiling, but decided to leave it alone. He thought it would die up there, by itself, eventually. His room smelt sweaty and stuffy, so Youhei took shorter breaths. He had heard the door of his house close softly; his father left for his low-paying job. He felt the taste of salt from the instant noodles he ate last night for dinner. And as he felt the rough texture of his futon, he got up.

He thought of his five, primary senses. All of them told Youhei that everything was the same as it always was, but his sixth sense known as emotion told him otherwise. That kept telling him something was missing. It told him that nothing will be well again until Hanamichi was avenged.

Youhei then began to get ready for school.

Youhei felt a strange sensation the moment he entered the campus. Perhaps, it was because he was purposely late for school and a PE teacher placed him detention. It didn't matter anyway, because he skipped detention all the time. But throughout his morning classes, he felt this strange feeling as though he was being carefully watched. He just brushed those insecurities aside and focused his mind on the day's lesson.

It was during lunch where Youhei finally met what caused his thoughts of being watched. It started when he couldn't find anyone from the Sakuragi Gundam to eat with. They must be skipping school because of the incident. So, he decided to go eat on the top of the roof. Nobody eats there, because people in gangs would fight over there whenever there was some type of feud. The Sakuragi Gundam was not afraid; they just didn't eat there, because Takamiya refused to climb up the stairs everyday just to eat. He opened up his store-bought bento box and began eating his cheap meal while sitting with his back behind the ledges.

It was a strangely beautiful day. Isolation seemed to make his mind clearer as he began to notice his surroundings. The gym below was empty due to the recent tragedy. Youhei knew Sakuragi's death was a tragedy; he was so sure. A lone cloud in the dark blue sky glided gently, giving Youhei a sense of peace of mind.

A sudden noise cranked the air and disturbed the peaceful serenity. Youhei turned to see who had entered the roof; it was the Sakuragi Gundam.

Youehi had hardly set eyes on any of his friends since the death of his best friend. It was the most awkward situation, seeing as it looking like they were about to jump him. A long pause of silence came forth as they came closer.

Youhei couldn't move. It was hard for him to breathe. Anxiety weighed upon his delicate psyche. His best friend had died, and now, his few friends left had turned on him. Sweat poured down from his hairline. His face betrayed his thoughts, showing every emotion as easily as failing a test.

The hopeful part of Youhei's mind repeatedly wish that the Gundam would suddenly break out into their goofy grins and laugh at him for being so freaked out. But it never came, and Okusu came forward. It was like he became appointed the leader, and therefore, to inform Youhei of Youhei's demotion. They came to glare at each other for a little bit.

"Youhei," Okusu began. "You look as though you don't know what's going on."

Noma stepped up and began speaking as well.

"So how does it feel, Youhei," Noma said. "To be left in the dark without knowing what's going on?"

Youhei shakily became startled to the point of panicking. His eyes widened and he noticeably began to shed sweat. Worst-case scenarios flowed through the river of his mind. He even slightly suspected them of murdering Hanamichi for a few seconds. Why couldn't they be more frank? Must they be so evasive? Okusu stepped forward.

"We saw you sneaking off to Ryonan. We followed you and saw what you were doing. It was nice and all, seeing it's for Hanamichi's sake, but you shouldn't have left us out of it!"

Youhei heard these words as a rude awakening. Because of his, he had come to a realization. The realization was a letter that read about how he ignored his only other friends after his best friend died, because he was too busy feeling horrible about the loss. Takamiya finally came forward.

"Yeah! You and Hanamichi always did stuff without us. "You think you're special or something? We feel bad about Hanamichi, too!"

Youhei couldn't take anymore as his legs gave way and fell onto his knees. He put too hands in front of him, placing them onto the ground. From there, he did something that he hadn't done in a long time. He bowed and said, "Moushiwake arimasen deshita."

He thought he was almost going to cry. And Youhei felt the power of a formal, Japanese apology as Takamiya, Noma, and Okusu hoisted him up out of his bow. It seems that they had forgiven him.

"Oh, Youhei." Okusu said, more in a pre-Hanamichi-death tone. "Stop that. You're making us look bad."

"Yup, we forgive you." Noma agreed with a grin.

"Yeah, but we want a part of the action!" Takamiya exclaimed. "We're gonna help find our friend's killer too. Just make sure we get to beat him good."

Youhei nodded and smiled. Seeing the Sakuragi Gundam act like this calmed himself a bit. He also agreed for them to help. But everything was going to fast, and he needed time alone.

"I'll see you guys in class; I have to go somewhere."

Youhei walked away, not exactly knowing where he was going. And when his friends thought he was out of hearing range, he heard them talking.

"Mmm... Youhei seems to be taking it hard."

Youhei heard no more as he closed the door.

To be continued.

I looked it up as a very formal Japanese saying towards superiors. Youhei says it so formal because he feels that bad and unworthy. Poor Youhei, I feel like I'm going torturing everyone in this piece.

Author's Note: Anything OOC will be explained. There is a true reason for it. Well, except for any mistakes in Hanamichi's aquaintances' reaction. Those are just kinda wrong. Also, I don't think suicides were common in Japan during the time this manga was made. Also, "drunk Ryonan" does play a part in the plot, but it has nothing to do with the murder and was more for comic relief put in the wrong time due to bad timing.

Also, I shall finally say that torture requests will stay wanted until the last chapter.

If anyone didn't notice, I have decided to take out the time and places in the beginning of scenes. This is due to the fact that I had to thoroughly rewrite how the mystery would play out. Mr.s S. will finally just be known as Auntie Sakuragi from now on. I should learn not to be lazy. Also, I made it so the time would be irrelevant. Actually, I put in one heck of a bunch of unneeded things that may seem relevant to the story.

The true clues and hints will come up in the next chapters. I have decided to put new twists to make the mystery more exciting and more predictable than it once was. You'll notice I'll be putting the story in a new direction later on. But just because most of the things in present chapters are irrelevant doesn't mean they ALL are.

On a final note, this will not be a series, as I once wanted it to be. Perhaps it will be if I ever had another good thought for it. Until then, this mystery will be all you're getting from me at the moment, Slam Dunk fans.

Anyway, I will write once again when I'm finished with Thanks for the Chocolate! Thank you all for your patience.