Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from slam dunk.

He could hear her breathing, so even and rhythmic. It was strangely in time with the silence of the night. A slight breeze blew through the curtains, causing their silken waves to fall and crash against the window panes ever so gently. He was nice and warm in bed, with a beautiful girl beside him. Everything was perfect.

Too perfect.

Mitsui stared blankly at the white ceiling. He had been trying to get himself to sleep for the past four hours. Each attempt was obviously unsuccessful. Letting out a little hiss of frustration, Mitsui pulled himself out of bed, taking careful measures not to shake the bed, lest the sleeping form beside him awakes.

He stood by the bedside for a moment, gazing at the girl on his bed. She even looked angelic in her sleep. She was beautiful. And he was very, very, very lucky to have her.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to say those three words to her tonight.

He closed his eyes for a moment and relived the night.

~

They had gone out for dinner again, as they did every night. They ate at Le Clachet, the restaurant they often frequented and sat at their usual spot. She had ordered his meal for him, already accustomed to his eating habits. They had talked and chatted, the conversation really going nowhere; everything would have gone as it normally should.

Til she turned to look at him adoringly and said those three words.

His mouth went dry at that point in time. And the silence that ensued was awkward. Her smile faded as she realized that he had nothing to say, that he was unable to reciprocate her feelings.

"Uh... thanks, I like you too," Mitsui said finally. His words obviously cut her more. He could tell from the wounded expression on her face.

They quickly paid the check and returned back to his place

~

Mitsui opened his eyes. Why couldn't he have told her those words? He had been wrestling with this question for the past four hours. Did he not love her? Was he not happy with her?

Sighing, Mitsui quietly padded his way out of the room. Four hours of contemplation and he had still come up with nothing. Making his way to the kitchen, he set down his favourite red bowl and poured himself a bowl of cereal. As he munched on the flakes of cereal, he knew that he could only get some sleep if he got the issue off his chest. He reached across the kitchen counter for the cordless phone and punched in a number that he knew by heart.

~

"Helllloooo?" A sleepy voice on the other end said

"Hey you, did I wake you?" Mitsui said, an easy grin slipping onto his face as he imagined her reaction to his question.

"Mitsui?" The female voice was agitated now. "Did you wake me? No, no... of course not... I love to be woken up at..." Mitsui could hear her scuffling for her clock now. "at 3.54am in the morning."

"I knew you would, Ayako." Mitsui teased and enjoyed hearing the strangled sounds that followed on the other end.

"You have 30 seconds to make this call worthwhile..." Ayako threatened.

"I couldn't sleep," Mitsui said, his formerly light-hearted tone turned serious.

"19 seconds left..."

"Aya, Sheryl told me she loved me tonight." Mitsui said.

There was silence on the other end as this information sank in.

"And you couldn't reply her." Ayako finally said.

"Yeah, and I don't know why I couldn't."

"Go on,"

"I think I love her, but ... I don't know, I mean we have fun and all, and she's great to be with but... I don't know if I love her. I mean we've been together for 1 and a half years, you'd think a guy would know by now right? But ..."

"Hisashi, did you feel like you were lying if you said those three words?" Mitsui remained silent at this.

"Maybe," he conceded.

"Can you see yourself with her down the road?"

"I guess, who else am I going to be with?" "Hisashi, do you really love her for her? Do you see yourself wanting to be the guy that can help her be the best she can be and love her even despite her flaws?"

He grew silent at this point and she could tell that he was seriously considering her questions.

She broke the silence first. Despite the fact that Ayako truly wanted to help her former sempai, sleep was overtaking her and she had a presentation to do the next day.

"I think you do know the answer at this point, but maybe you don't want to embrace it," Ayako said gently.

"Yeah," Mitsui replied hoarsely.

"Let's talk more tomorrow ok? We'll meet for breakfast or something. Jimmy's at 9?"

"Sure."

"Ok, I'll see you then. And Hisashi? Don't ... just take care of yourself ok? You have to look out for your best interests too."

"Yeah, I know."

They exchanged their goodbyes on the phone. Mitsui hung on til he heard the soft click on the other side. Perhaps he had known all along, but needed someone else to confirm it. He had known, he had known. But he had been afraid.

Wearily, Mitsui grabbed some sheets from the nearby cupboard and made his way to the living room. He needed to get some rest. And tonight, he would sleep on the couch.