Kaede Rukawa had never been so energetic, so vigor and so determined all his life. It was double the old-perfectionist-Rukawa. He was even more.
He dribbled the basketball in an intensified force that quaked the wooden ground of his private Basketball court inside his million-dollar-worth house. He sprinted like a tiger aiming for food and without any hesitations. His cobalt blue eyes chilled like a hungry fox and in a very quick movement, he dunked the ball to the hoop.
It had been two grueling weeks since Hanamichi Sakuragi's funeral and he was fortunate to be still alive right now. He couldn't calculate how many times he intended to kill himself. He felt his irrational life drowning him to inferno and it was the fight he couldn't battle with. Not without the man he only loved in his life.
His biological father called last night from Los Angeles, California. Mr. Rukawa had been aware of the news and knowing that Hanamichi Sakuragi was the only closest friend of his son, he felt the force that asked him to call his son in Kanagawa.
Kaede had never cried in the presence of his biological father whom he had only seen four or five times in his sixteen years on earth. But the mere mention of his boyfriend's tragic death, made him surrender his hard core.
"I wonder if you would just prefer staying here in L.A. and pursue your studies also here. Besides, you could enhance your athletic skills here."
The words of his father echoed on his mind since last night. It was the very first time his father showed concern for him especially to his Basketball dreams. He knew Anzai-sensei would disapprove but he felt it was the right path.
Leaving the region of Kanagawa would give him nothing but peace of mind and a new life to begin.
Everytime he looks around and see a familiar place where Sakuragi and he used to spend time with, he felt the pain in his heart. The best way he knew right now was to depart himself from the loving memories he had in his birthplace especially his memories of Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Kaede dribbled the ball once more and in a fierceful move, he made a three-point shot that entered the hoop in a bull's eye.
Finally, he would be able to train in America. It was his long-time dream that he didn't pursue for a while because of his love for Sakuragi. He didn't want to leave him. He wanted to be with him all day and all night. But now that Sakuragi was gone, there's nothing left for him in Kanagawa.
Don't give up, Kaede.
If only he could speak with Sakuragi, his boyfriend would surely say those words to him.
"Yes Hana, I will never give up."
The next morning, Kaede began placing some of his things on his luggage bag. Two more nights and he would be leaving Kanagawa forever to pursue his lifetime dream, to be a Basketball pro.
He was certain that wherever his Hanamichi may be, he is happy for him.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
Kaede had been used with the ringing sound since the death of Sakuragi. Before, only Sakuragi phoned him or sometimes Akagi for some emergency practices, but because of what happened to his boyfriend, it seemed like the entire world cared for him.
Kogure, Mitsui, Ayako, Miyagi and Haruko. Especially Haruko. That Akagi-sister called him more often since Sakuragi's death.
"Moshi Moshi."
"Rukawa-kun."
Kaede wanted to put the phone down after recognizing the voice. He knew perfectly well that voice. It's Haruko Akagi, again.
"What?" Kaede gave her a chance to speak. Maybe this time she had better things to tell rather than comforting him with her sweet mellow irritating female voice.
"I heard you're leaving to America soon."
Don't tell me you're going to follow and pisses my life? Kaede thought.
Without receiving any response from Kaede, Haruko assumed a yes-answer.
"What about Hana-chan? Are you leaving him?"
Not again. Kaede rolled his eyes.
"You want me to bring him?" He sarcastically asked.
"Hana-chan is in the orphanage now. Sakuragi-kun's parents-in-law have financial problems and they couldn't raise the baby by themselves."
"So?"
Haruko had been used of Kaede Rukawa's coldblooded attitude that his reaction towards Hana-chan's fate wasn't considered as cruelty yet.
"You know what could possibly happen? If a wrong family adopts him and mistreated him, Hana-chan's future would be miserable."
"Is that my concern?"
"Sure you do." Haruko blurted. "He's Sakuragi-kun's son and he died to save his life..."
"That's why I blame that child for his father's death."
"No."
"Would you please stop calling me?" Kaede suddenly put the phone down and continued fixing his things.
Kaede took Sakuragi's framed picture from his bedside table. His boyfriend was so handsome especially on his semi-bald redhead. Then he smiled upon staring at the colored photo. He would bring that frame to Los Angeles and it would serve as his inspiration to succeed in America and his pillow when he needed to cry.
As he placed the frame inside the luggage bag, something reeled on his mind.
"Please Kaede, I just want you to see my son." Sakuragi held Kaede's hand softly and kneeled before him. "He's a very beautiful boy. He has long legs, tan skin and I bet he would be a Basketball player too, like me."
Kaede was overwhelmed with the puppy eyes of his boyfriend. He gave him a peck on the lips and grinned.
"I love you, Hana." He kissed him tenderly and inserted his wet tongue to his.
Kaede realized how much he changed the topic whenever Sakuragi talked about his son. He apparently cared nothing for the child and most especially now that he knew his boyfriend's death was caused by that same child.
But no matter how he hid himself to the truth, Sakuragi loved his son and he couldn't fake that.
His boyfriend's time and love were divided between them and it made Kaede very jealous.
Then they'll ask me to keep the baby? He told himself. He would live in Los Angeles not only to be a Basketball pro, but to move on. How could I move on when everytime I look at that child, I see Hana?
Two more mornings and Kaede Rukawa found himself in the waiting area of the airport. He was in his white simple V-neck shirt and pants.
Suddenly, he glanced on his right. Three meters away he could view Haruko holding Hana-chan in her arms.
Kaede couldn't believe what he did. He sent his lawyers to the orphanage yesterday to clear any documents related in his adoption for Hana-chan and with mind and fortune, he was able to have the child.
Now he could see the baby in white sleeveless and shorts with a bib around his neck. Sakuragi's parents-in-law were also there to bid farewell to the child. In addition, the entire Shohoku team came to say farewell to their very popular super-rookie. Also, the Ru-Ka-Wa cheerleaders and the brigade were present.
Kaede kept his temper. He called Haruko last night and informed her about his adoption to Hana-chan in order to let her mouth shut. He didn't want that girl to be calling him in America and ruining his peaceful life anymore.
But beacuse of that one single move, everyone knew it. It was like a headline news that spread like a wildfire.
Everyone was there to say goodbye to him.
When the airplane flight for Los Angeles was announced, Rukawa took his luggage and walked towards the departure section. He had hired a nanny for the baby that would also leave Los Angeles after two days and return to Kanagawa. Kaede would prefer to meet no Japanese people that could remind him of his Hanamichi.