Disclaimer: As usual, Slam Dunk™ isn't owned by me.
Once again, thanks for all the reviews... but they seem to get lesser and lesser. Why? And I thought my story was getting interesting. ;)
Sakuragi will always, to me, remain 'childish'. His actions and words may seem very carefree and even senseless sometimes, but I have utmost confidence in him to do the appropriate things at the right time. That's why he is the irritating but lovable lead in SD. And I thought the way he comforted Kimiko by admitting he cries himself was rather sweet. :) Anyway, as for Kimiko being well liked...I guess she isn't perfect, but maybe it's my own bias to portray her getting along well with all the main players. -- I think Mitsui deserves someone sweet. :)Of course, there's still time for Kimiko to meet someone unfriendly as the story goes...
Chapter 6: The In-between chapter...
Mitsui walked out of the hospital, relaxed. He had just finished a check-up on his problem knee, and luckily, all had remained fine. Mitsui has always hated being sick, or visiting doctors, dentists included.
It was ironic that he had to visit both within a year. He had to go to the dentist after the fight with Ryota, and later on to the doctor when he returned to the team.
Mitsui had actually let an injury during his days in Takeishi Middle School to go unchecked, resulting in his left knee growing weaker. He wasn't about to make the same costly mistake again. Now, he would visit his doctor after a particularly vigorous match or when he feels that he had overtaxed his knee.
All was fine...A sudden thought struck Mitsui. It has been a week since he visited Sakuragi Hanamichi...and the sanatorium he is staying at is near the hospital Mitsui had just come from.
Mitsui decided to give the redhead a surprise visit. He signed in at the front counter and made his way up to Sakuragi's room.
As he neared Sakuragi's room, he heard some voices. Oh, Sakuragi...he has visitors...?
/ You guys must think I'm so silly...crying like that. /
Eh? That sounds like Kimiko! Mitsui stopped by the door to Sakuragi's room in surprise.
/ I would think anybody would cry if they were you. It's not a crime so don't be sorry to show your tears! Even I cry...but only sometimes. /
Why is Kimiko crying...and Sakuragi comforting her? Mitsui didn't even know the two of them knew each other.
/ Michi was there for me while I was going through my most difficult time. He was always there for me...that was why I felt so helpless, so angry with myself when I couldn't help him. I knew he was hurt, I knew he was giving up on himself...but nothing I did could give him hope, could help him start all over again. /
Kimiko? Mitsui stared blindly ahead of him as it sank in that Kimiko was talking about him. He was the one that was making fer feel so sad. No, no...
/ All I ever did was to give him trouble.../
Mitsui felt as if a punch was being delivered to his stomach. He could hear all the hurt, all the helplessness that Kimiko felt coming out of her mouth. He could feel them... I would never have wished all those agony on you; Kimiko...all I wanted was for you to be as happy as can be. I wasn't in a state to be your friend. But it seems now that I made the wrong decision...
/So when I heard that he had gone back to basketball team again, I was so happy. /
He remembered how he had treated her. She was trying to be a good friend to him, to give him advice and support, but he had not -could not, listen to her. He had pushed her away time and time again, refusing to confide in her, and later even avoiding her. He had been so depressed at that time, but now, he had seemed so silly, in sacrificing such a dear friend due to his self-pity. Now-now, she is saying that she feels happy for me!
/ I went to the IH games, hoping to see him play again. I had never seen him look so happy for a long time... /
Mitsui couldn't bear listening further. He finally pushed away from the wall next to the door and walked into Sakuragi's room.
"Kimiko!"
A/N: I know, I know...this is a really short chapter, but at least you guys know how much Mitsui overheard. ;p I wouldn't be able to update for a while, so I hope this mini-chapter will help last over to the next chap( for all my regular readers), so it might seem a little redundant, heh. (And to reply to s.s., yeah, thks for your review. Attachment at TT is ok so far, but I have no time for my story!!Reports, reports, and more reports...) More about Mit and Kim next, I promise.
As always, review if you like my humble story! review...