Rukawa's ocean-beauty blue eyes glanced at his left and saw the least person he ever thought of seeing after fourteen years. His gaze went lower towards the round pin on the man's left chest... where the word CHEF was written in big bold letters.
Uozumi.
Fourteen years is not enough to forget the captain of one of the best teams in Kanagawa, Japan. The overly six-feet tall center and the most determined rival of Akagi, the once team captain of Shohoku Team where Rukawa used to play for.
"Rukawa... I've always wanted to watch one of your games held here in L.A., but I never got a break from my work." Uozumi said, his voice was even bigger and lower, jolly and excited.
Uozumi might have grown an inch or two but it's not noticeable compared to his belly that had blown out like Santa Claus' with huge bags under his eyes.
Anyone who would just meet the Japanese restaurant's chef would be astounded to know that he's a former good Basketball player.
"I established this business five years ago. The original branch of this is in Kanagawa, which I left to my cousin's management," the chef added in the same energized tone.
On the other hand, Sakuragi was looking at the huge man standing before him and his father. He was smiling because he thought that the chef was an addict fan of Rukawa Kaede... and he seemed to be very confident to face the sportsman.
Hovering for a response from the ever-cold Rukawa, Uozumi's eyes transferred from the famous Basketball star to the redhead across him.
There was an apparent combination of wonder, exhilaration and implausible reaction on the big man's facial expression.
"Is this....?" He kept an eye on the younger boy and the latter was starting to query inside him about the man's weird reaction upon seeing him. "Rukawa, I heard you keep Sakuragi's son?"
The present Sakuragi's heart, jumped on his chest. Days before, Carla had shown him his adoption paper signed by Rukawa Kaede almost a decade and a half ago and he was certain to remember his real parents' names... even if it's difficult to memorize Japanese syllables.
"Is this him?" Ouzumi continued, inching his head closer to Sakuragi for a clearer view.
Rukawa uttered nothing and he didn't need to because Uozumi found it by himself the absolute resemblance between Sakuragi Hanamichi and the boy sitting across Rukawa.
"Yes... it is him!"
Uozumi touched the boy's cheeks and pinched it a little. "Hello, Hana-chan! You've grown!"
Sakuragi was pale. The chef was a total stranger to him, but it's not everything that made him flabbergasted. The man playing jovially at his cheeks was somehow related to his father... and reason need not play on his existence. He relased his voice as what his heart intended to and not his mind.
"You know my father?"
An angelic face of innocence and vulnerablity looked staright at the chef. It seemed like anything that Ouzumi would say... he would listen.
"Yes..."
"No he doesn't." Rukawa suddenly returned in the picture and hindered the continuation of Uozumi's sentence. There were various explanations for the cause of his behavior but the only thing he could understand for the present... was his annoyance in hearing any topic concerning his past boyfriend.
"Ru..." Uozumi wished to tell more but Rukawa was more persistent in having what he wants.
"Leave us alone. We don't need you here."
Uozumi was stabbed on the chest. The rejection of the once so-called super rookie slashed his pride and good mood... but customers are always right and to prevent trouble that could put his business name at stake especially when it's hooked with an eminent sportsman... Uozumi chose to leave the table.
"Dad... I think he wants to say..." Sakuragi attempted to speak. He wanted the chef to stay and query about a lot of things... but the seriousness on Rukawa's blue eyes turning into a midnight indigo orbs... froze Sakuragi.
He never had the will and the courage to oppose to his father... so he kept silent even until the foods were served. Sakuragi watched in jaws-dropped as Rukawa used the disposable chopsticks expertly in munching the tuna teruyaki in a rice bowl. There really was no doubt he is a Japanese... and even if he speaks in American accent... his natural way of eating Japanese foods proved his origin.
Unlike the redhead, having used of western spoon and fork, the sushi easily fell on the plate and some bits of rice spilled on the table.
A shining silver BMW convertible automobile hauled in front of a two-storey house. A 5-meter long cemented passageway separated the BMW car from the house' facade.
Rukawa leaned his back even more at his seat and didn't bother to glance at the young man beside him. On the other hand, Sakuragi merely lowered his head and hesitated in looking at his father.
"Your home now." Rukawa muttered emotionlessly, when he concluded the futility of the deep silence.
"I know." Sakuragi mumbled, still preventing his eyes to gaze at his left. After a few seconds, Sakuragi opened the car door and hopped one leg outside. "Good night, dad."
In a very unexpected move, Sakuragi suddenly pulled himself closer to Rukawa and gave the man a swift good night kiss.
Rukawa was stunned. He said no words and when Sakuragi walked towards his house... Rukawa finally glanced and saw the retreating back of the once Hana-chan of his life.
A weird feeling ceased to escape from the borders of his soul. He wasn't used of being kissed by anyone... even just on the cheek. Besides from his father, the last one who had kissed him was the only boyfriend he ever had... and it was a very long time ago.
Meanwhile, as Sakuragi stepped up the little staircase before the main door of the house... he was smiling. The feeling was incomparable when he has someone to call 'dad'. It was the happiest day of his life.