Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters belong to Inoue Takehiko. The new characters I created in this fic belong to me.
Chalk and Cheese
Chapter One: Confession
"I'm so glad that you're fully cured now, Sakuragi-kun!" Haruko said cheerfully when she saw her friend exiting the hospital, carrying his belongings. Her happiness at seeing Sakuragi again was beyond description. "I am sure everyone will be more than happy to see you in full health again!" she exclaimed.
The redhead grinned stupidly, his chest rising with pleasure to see his dear Haruko coming to accompany him home. "The Tensai is back!" he guffawed proudly.
Haruko giggled, and her childlike features looked more beautiful than ever. Sakuragi's heart pounded violently when he heard her laugh, her soft melodious giggles sending him over the moon. Her shining smile had always brought him immeasurable pleasure. Although she wasn't the first girl he had fallen for, since he had had the misfortune of experiencing the misery of 50 unrequited loves, Haruko was different. She had always been there for him, her sweet words never failing to cheer him up whenever he felt downhearted. She had always been thoughtful and cared about him, something he had never felt from any other girl he had been attracted to before.
Today is your big day, Hanamichi! the boy thought excitedly. This is the perfect opportunity... don't screw up your golden chance! He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the most important moment in his life, the one he had been waiting for since the very first time he saw this girl.
The moment of truth had finally arrived.
"Say, Sakuragi-kun, why didn't you tell anyone else that you would be discharged from hospital today?" Haruko inquired. "Not even your mother or the gang? I am really amazed," she added, looking puzzled.
He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, his face going as red as his hair. "Erm… because… Haruko-chan… I … I…"
Oh c'mon, you jerk! Just shoot! Don't chicken out now!
"Um… because I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone." Huh? What kind of excuse is that, moron? Why can't you just tell her the real reason?
"Oh…," Haruko blinked in bemusement for a second, and then she smiled sweetly. "Why, that would be a wonderful surprise! In that case, it is a good thing I haven't told anyone."
She clapped her hands in excitement, saying eagerly, "I can't wait to see everybody's face when they see you! I can imagine how stunned they will be!"
"Bwahaha! They should be thankful that the Tensai is back so soon to lead the team to the winter championship!" he boasted.
Haruko chortled. She put her hand in Sakuragi's big palm and pulled him forward, urging him to move. "What are we waiting for? Let's go and meet them at the school gym! They must be training there now. Hurry!" she exclaimed with extreme enthusiasm.
He blushed at her action, feeling that he would suffer from a nosebleed at any moment. Her small hand was smooth and warm. "Um… sure, Haruko-chan!"
Walking side by side, the two friends made their way to Shohoku. Sakuragi was struggling with his own thoughts. He had promised himself that he would confess his feelings to Haruko when his treatment was over. After many months of indecision, Sakuragi had decided to reveal his love to his dear Haruko, whom he believed was the only one for him.
When I see you walk on by,
You do something to me.
And every time you're by my side,
You know my heart keeps skipping a beat.
Heaven only knows, that I want you so.
Tell me everything you see, everything you do.
If you give your love to me, I'll give all my love to you.
Heaven only knows, that I love you so.
Hold me, squeeze me, never let me go.
Hold me, squeeze me, never let me go, never let me go.
Let me tell you one more time,
Don't you realize?
I love you more than any other guy,
And it should come as no surprise.
Heaven only knows, that I need you so.
Hold me, squeeze me, never let me go.
Hold me, squeeze me, never let me go, never let me go.
('Hold Me, Squeeze Me' by 'ANGEL')
He was aware that his love might be one-sided, though. Haruko had never shown any feelings towards him that were beyond mere friendship. In addition, there was still a chance that her crush on Rukawa hadn't faded. Sakuragi almost groaned at that, remembering his loathsome rival in basketball and love. Suddenly, a thought hit him. He found himself wondering about old 'kitsune', whom he hadn't seen for a couple of months, ever since the latter joined the national junior team. The last time he had seen him was when the latter was jogging on the beach in the Junior Team's uniform.
Ugh! That stupid kitsune! He did that on purpose! When I see him again, I will give him a piece of my mind!
Sakuragi decided to shrug those distracting thoughts off and concentrate on the matter at hand. Later Hana, later! Important things come first.
Taking his courage in both hands, he made his mind up. He would admit his love to Haruko. It was risky, for he couldn't imagine how he was to carry on with his life if she rejected him. He was crazy about her. The only thing he wanted from life right then was to have her by his side.
Think positive, Hana! What if she likes you too? Maybe she feels the same for you but is too shy to show it. There is only one way to find out!
"Haruko-chan," he said timidly, stopping dead in his tracks.
Haruko stopped too. She looked at her companion, who was wearing an oddly serious expression. Raising an eyebrow quizzically, she wondered about his sudden change in mood. "Yes, Sakuragi-kun?"
"B-before we a-arrive at Shohoku, there is ss-something I want to tell y-you," he stammered bashfully, his throat becoming drier by the minute. He was shaking slightly with nervousness. He blushed to the roots of his flaming hair.
Akagi Haruko wasn't sure if she was to laugh at his strange behavior or worry about him. He looked as if he was about to faint. "Erm… sure. But are you feeling alright? Would you rather to go home and rest?" she asked, concerned.
"I am ff-fine! See?" he managed a nervous laugh.
"Eh… if you say so," Haruko blinked in puzzlement. She waited for him to speak.
C'mon, Hanamichi! For God's sake, get a hold on yourself! A man has to do what he has to do. You practiced this a thousand times before!! You can do it! Believe in yourself!
He took several deep, audible breaths. Then, he started to do some push-ups on the pavement in order to get rid of his nervousness. Haruko was watching him, dumbfounded. Utter astonishment was written all over her face. Her friend was acting so weird that she started to wonder if he was running a fever.
When he had finished, Sakuragi felt a bit more at ease. He was ready for his confession of love.
"HarukochanIreallylikeyousowillyoupleasebemygirlfriend?" he said in a single breath.
She gaped at him, her eyes wide with confusion. "Huh? Excuse me, but could you please repeat that in Japanese? I didn't understand a single word."
Sakuragi grinned sheepishly at his alien speech. He cleared his throat, and this time his manner was confident and straightforward. "Haruko-chan, will you be my girlfriend?"
There was an awkward silence for the next few minutes. His request had shocked her deeply. She was completely taken aback by it.
To Haruko, Sakuragi was one of her best friends. She had never thought of him more than that. The first time they had met, Haruko's only concern was to convince him to join the basketball club, considering his height and fitness that would be useful for the team. She remembered how breath-taking it had been to see him soar gracefully through the air to perform a slam dunk that day. Although he had failed miserably, she could tell that Sakuragi had a future in the sport. She had vowed to support him in fulfilling his new ambition in life; basketball. Their friendship grew closer , and Sakuragi had become a very special friend to Haruko, but that was all. Asking her to be his girlfriend gave her quite a jolt, since she had never expected such a thing.
"Haruko-chan, I really like you." The words came smoothly now. "I have always liked you, and I will be the happiest man in the whole world if you accept my feelings and be my girlfriend."
The love-smitten boy felt relieved after finally speaking his mind. The tension had vanished, as if what he said had lifted a magic spell. He gazed at his beloved Haruko, waiting for her reply.
But much to his despair, Sakuragi saw a glint of pain in Haruko's face. His heart hammered violently in his chest, and he prepared himself for the worst. This expression wasn't new to the experienced, heart-broken for fifty times Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Oh no… not that look! Please don't let this happen again…
He gulped nervously, his eyes wide with alarm. He started to pray to God that the number of girls who dumped him wouldn't reach a new record of 51.
C'mon, say something, Haruko-chan! He thought awkwardly, eyeing the girl in front of him fearfully. I thought we shared something… I thought I meant something to you! Don't tell me it was just my imagination! Don't do that to me…
The girl was fidgeting with her brown locks, feeling uneasy. She was staring at her shoes to avoid looking into his wondering eyes.
Oh my… he likes me? What am I supposed to say now? How can I break the news to him? I can't break his heart! I don't want to hurt him…
"Haruko-chan?" he finally broke the deathly silence that enveloped them. His lips quivering, he was almost sobbing, like a dejected child, "You don't like me, Haruko-chan?"
Haruko jerked her head up abruptly. "Don't be silly! Of course I like you, Sakuragi!" she replied sincerely. When she saw his face brightening, she hated herself for what she was about to say next. "But as a friend… only," she added feebly, looking away from him. She couldn't bear to look into his eyes, now full of anguish and shock.
Sakuragi felt slightly dizzy at her last sentence. Her words had stabbed him straight in the heart, causing intolerable pain. She doesn't feel anything for me, he cried inwardly, with utter misery. My feelings mean nothing to her. And I thought I had finally found the girl who would truly love me, he thoughtwryly.
Fighting a childish urge to cry loudly, he decided to subdue his emotions and keep his cool. With great effort, he managed a halfhearted smile. "Well, I suppose that is enough for me," he lied.
Sensing the pain in his words, Haruko eyed him sadly. "I am so sorry, Sakuragi-kun. I… I don't know what to say."
"There is no need to say anything, Haruko-chan. I understand," he sighed silently. Rukawa…
"No you don't. It is not because there is something wrong with you, or because of Rukawa," she said nervously, as if reading his mind.
Sakuragi raised an eyebrow. "Not Rukawa? But I thought…"
"I gave up on him a long time ago, Sakuragi-kun. I am not so stupid so as not to realize that he would never notice my presence," Haruko said in a calm yet bitter tone.
Sakuragi felt sorry for Haruko. He knew what bitter rejection was like; especially since he was suffering it right that moment.
Haruko seemed hesitant. She was uncertain about what to say next.
"Actually," she murmured, blushing, "I am going out with someone else."
The heartbroken boy gawked stupidly. She is dating someone? Since when? Who could it be?
As if reading his mind again, she said cautiously, "I thought he had told you about us. I'm surprised that he hadn't."
"He who?" the redheaded asked, blinking rapidly.
Haruko blushed again. She wasn't sure if it was right to tell him. On the other hand, keeping him in the dark wasn't right either, she thought. "It's… it's… Mito-kun."
As if feeling guilty, Haruko gave Sakuragi an apologetic look before dashing away.
His world had fallen apart. Not only had his dreams of winning Haruko's heart been smashed into smithereens; but his trust in his best friend, too. It was painful enough to be rejected yet again, but to know that his dearest friend had stabbed him in the back was worse than that. That was too much to endure.
Sakuragi thought he had prepared himself for the worst, which was that of Haruko rejecting him because of her everlasting obsession with Rukawa. He had never thought that there was something worse than the worseness he had put into consideration. His so-called best friend was dating the girl he loved since God knows when, and to top it all off, he had been hiding it from him. Clenching his fists furiously, Sakuragi's face was dark with pain and disgust.
He had been betrayed.
If there was something more tortuous than being rejected by someone he loved, it was the bitter feeling of betrayal.