Kaede Rukawa entered the huge oak door with his lithe face tilted down. He was expressionless. No one can determine if he's grieving, rejoicing or frightened. He had given too much of his emotion in the past weeks since Hanamichi Sakuragi died. More than any emotion he had released in his entire life.
"Welcome to L.A., my son." Mr. Henry Rukawa spread his arms like an eagle soaring above the sky to greet his one and only son to his first wife. "How's the trip?"
Rukawa just gazed at the sapphire blue eyes of his father, perhaps only to see something that might have changed on his features. They haven't seen each other for five years since Henry was married to an American woman, but Rukawa's heart cried nothing for finally seeing his father.
Henry wrapped his arms around his son tightly. He missed him so much. When his first wife died from a suicidal intention, Rukawa refused living with him in America and be close with his new wife. Having enough money to sustain his son's decision of living independently in Japan, Henry had no repudiation.
"I've asked my assitant to fix all your requirements in getting to Marymount High School. I hope you'll like it there."
Rukawa gave his father one last glance and continued stepping forward. For strangers to their lives, the scene was like two males who just met. Henry chose not to argue with his son. He knew him perfectly well so he just remains silent and gives his son a space.
The raven-haired Japanese newcomer in Los Angeles, approached the vast viewing terrace of the house. He dropped his palms on the metal bar and gazed on the city. He inhaled the air of Los Angeles to his lungs, feeling its freshness, the feeling of having another life to live by.
Hana... you often tell me to pursue my dreams and leave to America. Here I am Hana... in Los Angeles and will be having the American training I used to dream about.
Rukawa resisted his tears to swell on his pretty blue eyes. He had cried too much, he had suffered the misery of losing someone he loves so much. I hope you're happy now, Hana. Rukawa gripped the metal bar almost crashing it if his strength allows. Sakuragi had so much pain living from the death of his dearest father, and in having a girl pregnant. They both were problematic adolescence, but now, he's alone to face his wolrd of endeavours. I will always love you, Hana. Till we meet again. I hope...
In the opening of classes in September, Kaede Rukawa began his Basketball training. First, he played in the training pool and as days went by and he had proved his inclination in the sports, he became a regular member of the team.
Having Basketball as his hobby, his best friend, his life; success became a part of his struggles. He didn't have to please anyone, to adapt in the American ways and neither to vie for Prom King; those things had never captured his interest but came like an inveitable rain to his life.
He was engaged in a private tutorial of the English Language for four years until he could speak it fluently like his native media. He even neglect speaking in Niponggo and he cared nothing to preserve it. All day long he spoke in the American tongue, he lived like Americans do such as having coffee in Starbucks and he wore American clothes as well.
Hana-chan, Sakuragi's son that caused his tragedy was long forgotten. Rukawa financed the child's education and everything he needs, but he never cared to pay him a visit. He let Hana-chan grows with private maids and he never bother to be updated on the child's performance.
Fourteen years after the death of Hanamichi Sakuragi, Rukawa had finally accepted the truth though there are still nights of depression and cravings to touch his beloved once again.
One night, he came home after a five-hour Basketball training. In the previous year he was accepted in the first line-up of the NBA Los Angeles Lakers team and he gained popularity in a short period of time. His talent was now recognized globally.
He inched towards the bar area of his house. It was the house he had sojourned for the past several years since he set foot in Los Angeles.
Rukawa took a bottle of hard liquor from the wooden shelves, took the cork off and pour some of the temptuous liquid in a wine glass. He took a sip and swallowed the sensation it offered. The heat consumed his stomach.
It was his birthday. His father gave him a red Porsche two-door car but he completely ignored it. He always did. He never accepted a birthday present in his life, except from his mother and from Sakuragi. But since they're gone, far from him, only Basketball gives him a reason to live and aspire.
Rukawa took another sip of the warm liquid. He looked straight at nowhere, remembering the last happy birthday he ever celebrated. His first and last birthday with Hanamichi Sakuragi.
They had eaten in a posh restaurant, talked with each other about anything under the sun and went home to Rukawa's place. They were suppose to have an intimate night to the deepest level when Sakuragi's cellphone rang and it was an emergency call from his ex-girlfriend. Rukawa had to accept the delay and Sakuragi had to leave because his ex-girlfriend was rushed to the hospital and in labor of giving birth.
The raven-haired ex-Shohoku ace tightened his hold on the wine glass and suddenly threw it on the wall robustly. Them. They had caused every misery I had and having now. Rukawa's chest panted hard. He was quivering with anger and rage. He hates Sakuragi's ex-girlfriend and as well as his son.
"Fuck them!" He screamed to release all the burning emotion inside him.
Loud Rock music filled the disco place that night. Sexy girls in skimpy outfits showed their bootylicious body on the dance floor and so were the gorgeous hunks.
"Have fun, guys, Just order anything. It's my birthday!" A tipsy six-footer guy in dark sleeveless top, revealing his toned chest, announced. His words earned roars from the party animals and bottles of beer were toast for him.
"Sakuragi!" A hip-hop guy in loose jersey shirt and heavy necklaces approached the birthday boy and shook hands with him. "Nice car!"
"Thanks." Hana-chan smiled and walked towards the dance floor sluggishly. That afternoon he received a red Porsche two-door car from the person who had been financing his needs since he could remember. But he never met him. His private headmaid said it's a male but he was apparently not his biological father because they had no physical resemblance at all. Even if he wanted to express his gratitude for the kind man who serves as his father, he couldn't.
In the dance floor, two girls were grooving.
"Cher, Sakuragi is looking for you." The other told her friend.
"Let him." Cher said without cutting her sexy dance.
"Better be protective of him. A lot of girls wants him so badly."
"His MONEY so badly." Cher corrected in a devilish tone and then suddenly her voice turned mild. "Hey, the Lakers will be playing next week against the Nets. Wanna go?"
"Sure. Why not? Can't wait to see Kaede Rukawa upclose."
"So am I."
The two girls giggled and forgot about the birthday boy who had been looking for them.
to-be-continued