Disclaimer: None of Slam Dunk characters or events came from me, but I love them nevertheless! However, Kimiko was drawn up by me, so she is solely mine!

Thanks for the reviews! Really encouraging. Personally, I've always felt that Mitsui is a character that has a tremendous potential for development. Just as he simply evolved under Inoue Takehiko's great drawing pen, I've always felt that there's a story waiting to be told about Mitsui...esp. during his one year absence.

Shohoku was not known for its basketball team. Never was...until the 'Age of Akagi Takenori'.

Akagi... the gorilla beneath the basketball hoop

Akagi... the team's pillar of strength as a captain

Akagi... who lead the final victory against Sannoh...

...With the help of the 'Problematic' Foursome of course. The four who brought many troubles to him, but also brought never-before victories for Shohoku, victories which allowed Akagi to 'retire' from the team with no regrets. Mitsui Hisashi was one of the four. Although the same age as Akagi, Mitsui was different; he had regrets. That was why he chose to remain in the team and train for the upcoming winter IH games that Shohoku would be taking part in.

After School (of the same day)

The sound of the bouncing basketball echoed off the sports stadium. Mitsui was alone in the sports hall. It was rare for him to be able to practice a few shots alone before the rest of the members come. Normally, Rukawa would be the first to turn up.

The popularity of the basketball team has swelled even further after the summer IH games. Now, the hall was always filled to its brim with people during practice. Rukawa's Brigade, Shohoku supporters, and basketball fanatics...the team even had to resort lately to chasing off some people during practice to prevent them from distracting the players.

Mitsui jumped and shot a three-pointer, his right hand forming a fist of victory as the ball left his hand, already confident that this ball will sail smoothly into the basket.

Good, my shots are getting more accurate... plus all the training I've been doing to build up my stamina, I should be in a better shape now.

Doors to the sports hall opened, and Mitsui turned to see a group of new members file in. "Mitsui-sempai," they greeted.

For the first time, the school was paying more attention to the basketball team and the winter IH games, and had allowed a group of persistent year1s to join the team at this time of the year. Anzai-sensei had also agreed.

I guess the reason for allowing more members now is the higher chance of finding someone like Rukawa or even Sakuragi, who had such tremendous hidden potential... than Shohoku has higher chances of maintaining our current position... but while I'm here, Shohoku will not lose!

Mitsui's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Ayako. He immediately looked towards her direction when he heard her voice. Unfortunately, she was only chatting with Haruko, Akagi's sister and manager-in-training.

Kimiko...

He felt a pang around his heart, and was surprised at how disappointed he was. I'm an idiot... she already said she wouldn't be coming, what did I expect? And why would she even forgive me... after all I have done, we haven't even spoken for the past one year now.

"Come on, five rounds of running, and some stretching exercises for warm- ups! The games are just around the corner, so training will be more intense now..." Miyagi was starting training. Although he did not have Akagi's imposing stature, he makes a good captain with his knowledge of the game and the ability to spot the strengths and weaknesses of his players.

The members were spilt up after the warm-ups, with the new members doing intensive basic training with the managers and Miyagi, who was sizing up the potential of the new players. Mitsui lead the other seniors, practicing lay-ups and defense. By the time training ended, Mitsui was tired and hungry. "Hey Micchi, want to grab something to eat at the ramen stall outside school?" Miyagi asked. Mitsui nodded, and knowing what Miyagi was thinking, he called out to Ayako who was still packing up, "Hey Ayako, you've been working hard today, want to grab a bite with Ryota and I?" However, Ayako declined.

"No thanks sempai, I'm on a diet."

Mitsui slung an arm around Miyagi, who was trying not to look disappointed. "What diet? She's already too skinny!" he grumbled as the two of them walk out of school. The other members were too tired to join them as well.

Over bowls of steaming hot noodles, the two friends avoided talking about girls. Instead, Miyagi shared with Mitsui his opinions about the new players. "Among the ten new members, Jun and Ken are the tallest, both over 180cm. I noticed they handle the ball quite well, with more training, hopefully they can take up defense under the basket, than our team would have less of a height disadvantage."

"True, without Akagi, Sakuragi and Rukawa, we would be at a disadvantage if we come up against tall players... For you, speed is your advantage, which is an area we could strengthen on. We cannot do anything about height, but we can use speed as one of our defense against it. By the way, Rukawa is coming back from his special training tomorrow?"

"Yes," Miyagi replied, "We will have to chase away those fans of his again... do you think he will have improved? Training with the Japan team... I wonder what Sakuragi would have said if he was here?"

"That idiot, he'll probably complain his head off! Haha..." Mitsui laughed as he thought of the redheaded player. "I wonder how's his treatment going though, it's been quiet without him..." The two players became quiet as each was lost in their own thoughts about their former team members.

The sun had already set by the time Mitsui started back home. He kept his hands in his pocket to keep them warm. Weather's been cold lately...

Kimiko felt her back hit the wall behind her. "What do you want?" She said to the two boys who cornered her. They had an unfriendly look in their eyes.

"Nothing... we just want to be your friends..." One of them laughed lewdly. "You look very pretty. Its so late now, why don't we send you home? You might meet some bad guys on the way." A hand reached out to try to touch her cheek.

Fear hit Kimiko... she felt it creeping up her spine. No, I must not show my fear... must not scream... must not show that I'm weak...

She leaned away from the wall and gathered up her courage. She felt her heart beating faster and blood rushing through her veins. Poke the shorter one in his eyes and run past him while they are distracted...

"Get away from her."

"Micchi...!" Kimiko's relieve was evident in that single exclamation. Mitsui could also hear the fear in her voice, and it made him even angrier. How dare they try to hurt her...

This chapter basically shows the current situation in Mitsui's life... basketball and Kimiko. I'm not a basketball player, so hope I made those scenes realistic enough! I try not to reveal too much about the relationship between Mitsui and Kimiko too much at a time ;p. Also, I thought the last part was a little cliche...was trying to add more 'drama' into this drama of mine, haha. Anyway, I'm halfway through the next chapter(more stuff between Mit. and Kim.)..in the meantime, tell me what you think.--open to suggestons-- ;p