Disclaimer: I absolutely do not own Slam Dunk… If I did, Miyagi will be mine mine MINE! Ahehehe.. SD belongs to Inoue-sensei…
Autumnchloe.. You're the only reviewer for chapter 5.. Ironduke is nowhere to be found.. oh well, thanks for reviewing chapter 5.. here's what's going to happen next.. (obviously..)
Chapter 6
Miyuki was surprised upon hearing what Ayako said. She took a step backward and decided to run away, she wanted to get as far as she could from Ayako. She was supposed to be absent for today to take care of Mitsui. But Mitsui insisted her to go to school.
I shouldn't have gone to school if I only knew I was going to find something I don't want to find out! Miyuki said as she ran outside the school gates and slowed down when she was outside. She walked back to her house and locked the door. She then buried herself in the covers, planning not to come out until she can figure out what the hell can she do with her life. Just when things were getting pretty nice for me..
Miyuki, don't you understand? You're nothing but a mere experiment. So why bother living this incompetent world of yours. You're a freak! You don't belong here! Aya-chan is keeping secrets from you. She didn't mention anything about her feelings for Ryota, right? And besides, haven't you heard from some of the starting players that Ryota liked Ayako since they were in first year? You're optimistic view is keeping you from seeing the fact. You have an exceptional mind, for crying out loud! Use it!
Thoughts began to circulate in her mind, as if someone was dictating her what to do.
"No way! Aya-chan wouldn't do such a thing! She must have some rational reason for not telling me." Miyuki said to herself as she closed her eyes.
Really, then what do you think is her rational reason? Have you forgotten already that humans can easily mock other people? You don't know what's on their minds. That's what makes freaks like you exceptional. You're different from them. You're more advanced. But it seems Ryota is changing your point of view. You opt for the things you only want to see.
Miyuki covered her ears. She doesn't want to listen to that frantic voice already. "No, I'm not listing to you anymore! I'm.. I.. I am a human being too, you know! Please just stop making me think such nonsense!" Miyuki screamed as she buried herself under the covers as she tried to fall asleep. "I.. I want to escape this fraud world. Can't anyone take me already?"
The next morning, Mitsui waited for Miyuki in the gym. It seems that Miyuki likes hanging out there before classes start. She even told him to wait for her there and watch him do some free throw shots. Mitsui looked at his watch as he waited for Miyuki to arrive. She might not come to school today. He thought with a disappointed look on his face. He then walked towards his locker to get some of his things. He then happened to meet Miyagi on his way.
"Hey, is Miyuki with you this morning?" Mitsui asked.
"Huh? Not today, Mitsui. As of now she's absent for two days in a row." Miyagi said in a worried tone. "I thought she's with you. I tried to see if she was at home, but there's no one there." He added.
Mitsui was surprised at what Miyagi said. "No way! I told her yesterday to attend her class. And she's not in my house anymore." Mitsui said with a worried tone.
"Aya-chan tried calling her up, but only her answering machine is on." Miyagi replied.
"Oh well, maybe she just went out to visit someone." Mitsui said. Miyagi shrugged as they decided to hang out. Visit someone? But who is it? She's not that close to her relatives… 3 days later, there were still no sign of Miyuki. No phone call, no message and she were absent since Monday. It troubled Mitsui so much. He tried calling her through her cell phone, but it was off.
Man! Why would she just vanish like that? Mitsui thought as she tried reaching Miyuki's phone again. They were having their Saturday practice that time. While on their break, Mitsui gave up on trying to contact her.
"You can't contact Miyu-chan too, don't you sempai?" Ayako asked as she seated next to him. Mitsui shook his head and sighed.
"Where do you think she may have gone?" Mitsui asked.
"I don't know either, sempai. Her house is shut tight. And if she went out to visit somebody, who could it be? She said she's not that fond of her relatives" Ayako said worriedly.
Meanwhile, Miyuki arose from her bed as she changed her clothes and stepped out of her house. She was wearing a black blouse and a long gray skirt and was walking towards Shohoku High. Her skin was pale and her lonely green eyes stared blankly at the pathway. As she entered the gates, she headed for the hallway and made her way upstairs to the rooftop. She happened to pass by Sakuragi who was wandering in the hallway.
"Hey, you're the girl with Micchy back then." Sakuragi asked as he looked at the girl. She looked at Sakuragi blankly and lowered her head.
"Sakuragi-kun, do me a favor and don't mention to anyone that you saw me just now, ne?." Miyuki said as she walked away.
What? Micchy sure has a weird taste when it comes to women! Sakuragi thought as he whistled and walked away.
Miyuki reached the rooftop and looked at the beautiful view of Kanagawa.
Kanagawa, who would have thought that I'd find inclusion here... She took out her cell phone and opened it. She received a lot of messages from Ayako, Mitsui and Kogure. She deleted the other messages and read Kogure's message.
Miyu-chan, where on earth are you? Ayako, Mitsui and Miyagi are all worried about you. Please tell me where you are.
She decided to reply to his message. While Kogure was eating his snack, he heard his cell phone beep. He opened the message as soon as he saw that it was Miyuki.
Kiminobu-san, I'm glad you still bother to look for me. Anyway, don't worry about me. A few moments from now, I will finally escape this forsaken life of mine. And I will finally be happy, happier than I was before. Please tell my brother to take care of himself. And please tell Aya-chan, sempai and Miyagi-kun that I'm very glad that they were so good to me.
"What the… What did she mean by that?" Kogure said to himself. He suddenly remembered what Miyuki said to him when she lost her dear best friend.
Someday, I'll finally have my rest, just like her. All the pains of my life will go away and I'll be able to escape my fate. He ran to the hallways to look for Mitsui or Miyagi. He called Miyuki and waited for an answer.
"Kiminobu-kun"
"Miyu-chan! Where on earth are you? Look, if you're planning what I think you're planning, forget it! I'm going to find you if it's the last thing I do!" Kogure said nervously on the other line. Miyuki disconnected the line as Kogure tried to reach her again. Great! I have to find Mitsui or Ayako, anyone! He thought. He then saw Mitsui resting under a tree.
"Mitsui! We have to find Miyu-chan right now!" Kogure said as he shook Mitsui.
"Oi, oi.. Megane-kun! We don't even know where she is." Mitsui said with a worried look.
Sakuragi then passed by Kogure and Mitsui and stopped when he saw all their worried faces.
"What's up? It seems you guys just found a dead body or something." Sakuragi said as he laughed. Mitsui's eyes darted at Sakuragi as he stopped laughing.
"Hey, it was a joke Micchy! Sheesh, you're just like your girlfriend today." Sakuragi said as he walked away. Mitsui sighed as he began to think.
"Hey, wait a minute, just like… her…" Mitsui said as he ran after Sakuragi.
"Tell me tensai! If you are really one.. Did you see Miyuki today?" Mitsui said as he shook Sakuragi with one hand. "Darn! Answer me!"
"Yeah, yeah.. I saw her a while ago in the hallway. But she told me not to tell anyone I saw her!" Sakuragi said. Mitsui let go of Sakuragi and began to think.
If she is here, where could she have gone? Kogure looked up and saw the rooftop. Yeah! She could be there, she said she like heights very much.
"Mitsui-san, go to the rooftop and get Miyuki down right now. I have the feeling she might be there." Kogure said with a worried tone. Mitsui looked confused, but he nodded and ran upstairs to the rooftop.
If that girl is planning to kill herself, she said she wanted to die in a place where she was truly happy. And if I am correct, Miyuki likes to stay in rooftops or anywhere where she can see a good view. That girl really needs an attitude adjustment. Kogure thought. Kogure then looked for Miyagi and Ayako and told them about why Miyuki suddenly disappeared.
Why are you doing this Miyu-chan?. Ayako thought.
"Miyagi, Mitsui wanted you to do him a favor if ever he failed to persuade Miyuki." Kogure said.
"What is it?" Miyagi asked. Kogure talked to him as Ayako paced back and forth. She wanted to run after Miyuki but Kogure stopped her.
"Aya-chan, I'm sure Mitsui can handle her himself." Kogure said as Ayako looked up to the rooftop with tears in her eyes.
"Mitsui is counting on you too, Miyagi" Kogure said as the curly-haired guy (kawaii!) nodded and prepared himself.
Meanwhile, Mitsui ran like hell upstairs to the rooftop. He opened the door and saw Miyuki looking down at the ground. Miyuki was about to step into the edge but she turned around when he heard Mitsui's voice.
"Miyuki! What the hell are you doing? Get down from there and we'll talk your problems through!"
"I'm finally going to transcend death, the phenomenon that no one in this world can explain. I'll.. I'll have the answer and you expect me to turn away from it? And besides, I'll be able to elude this torture—"
"Darn! You think you can escape everything by jumping this stupid roof—"
"I'll be happy, sempai! Don't you want me to be happy? Aya-chan and Miyagi-kun-kun will be happy too!"
"Happy for what? I don't know if geniuses like you simply just can't understand normal people's logic, but no one's happy when someone dies especially if that someone has friends! You should know better, you experienced losing a friend already!"
Miyuki was silent for a while. She lowered her head and looked away.
"I'm doing this so that Aya-chan will be happy. She has been so good to me, but… I'm not even aware that I'm being selfish…" Miyuki said in a low tone. "I knew Ryota-kun liked Aya-chan. For crying out loud, I'm not dumb! I'm just living in an illusion, sempai. I have to escape from this fraud world.. I can't take this life anymore. Sure, I'm happy being with you guys. But what am I here anyway?." She added.
Miyuki looked at Mitsui with tearful eyes. She whispered, "Sayonara, Mitsui-kun". She took a step backward and waited for her to hit the ground and be lost forever. But Mitsui caught her hand as he held onto a metal post.
"Sempai! Please let me go.. Don't make me hesitate into doing this. I can't take it anymore. Solitude, hatred.. All of it is crammed in my head. I want to die, please!" Miyuki said as she looked pleadingly at Mitsui. Mitsui tightened his grasp as Miyuki was slowly slipping down.
"Climb back up! You might want to die, but I don't Ayako and Miyagi don't, no one does!" Mitsui said as he tried pulling her up. Miyuki closed her eyes as she slipped from Mitsui's hand. (A/N I think sooo dramatically, argh! Amphness!)
A lot of people wonder where and what afterlife really looks like. Some religions have different beliefs regarding this stage in a human life. Buddhists believe that when someone dies, they will cross the Sanzu River, the legendary river of the dead. A boat will carry him across into the after life. According to the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, afterlife is divided into three parts, heaven, purgatory and hell. Catholics also believe the same aspect. God will judge man and place him to his rightful place. I'm finally going to elude this life that I have hated so much. Miyuki thought as she can feel her end slowly nearing.
She closed her eyes and tried to picture everything on her mind. Aya-chan, Kiminobu-san, Mitsui sempai, onichan.. (Kaname)… I'll be happy, finally. Thoughts of Miyagi suddenly drifted into her mind. He was very good to her since they met, and he was still good to her. She has to forget about him, for the sake of her dear friend Aya-chan, and for her sake too. All those thoughts, those stupid emotions and her fate, soon she'll go insane like her father, if she doesn't do something. She closed her eyes again as she screamed in the top of her lungs. Ryota-kun! (A/N:please forgive the lunatic that created this that is me… I think kind of different.. and I'm beginning to show symptoms of weirdness in my head.. harhar.. /heh)
Then, out of nowhere, Miyagi ran like hell and jumped as high as he could to catch Miyuki. He managed to catch her and they both fell hard on the ground. Miyuki closed her eyes and passed out.
Whoa—What just happened? Miyuki thought as she opened her eyes and looked at the person who saved her.
"You might be a genius, Miyu-chan but sometimes a guy like Mitsui can outsmart you." The boy said. Miyuki was surprised when she saw that it was Miyagi.
"Miyagi-kun! What.. how.. how did you.." Miyuki stammered as Miyagi tried to calm her down. Tears welled up in Miyuki eyes and fell down her cheeks. Miyagi wrapped his arms around Miyuki as she silently cried in his arms.
"Why did you do it, Miyagi-kun? I have to get rid of myself. It's for you and Aya-chan's sake. It's for my sake too!" Miyuki said as she cried.
"Miyu-chan, if ever Aya-chan is already mine, she won't be the Aya-chan I liked so much. Hell, you guys are best friends, and she won't be happy when you're gone. And I won't be happy especially when I don't have you walking with me every morning and throwing pebbles to your window, ne?" Miyagi said as he placed his hand on Miyuki's shoulders.
"That why I just want to be a simple-minded guy. At least I don't have weird thoughts in my mind." Miyagi said as he smiled at Miyuki. Miyuki blushed as she lowered her head.
Ayako and Kogure ran towards Miyagi and Miyuki. When Ayako saw Miyuki, she quickly approached her with tears in her eyes and hugged her tight.
"For heaven's sake, Miyuki don't do that thing ever again!" Ayako said as tears fell down her cheeks. Miyuki embraced Ayako as she silently cried with her.
"Gomen ne, Ayako-chan." Miyuki said softly.
Meanwhile, Mitsui ran downstairs and approached Miyuki. "Hey, you think you're the only genius, I have some weird tricks up my sleeve too..." He said as he patted Miyuki's shoulders.
A few hours later, Ayako and Miyagi decided to leave Miyuki with Mitsui.
"I have to teach this genius a lesson." Mitsui said as he pulled Miyuki into his house.
"Mitsui-sempai sure makes things sound drastic." Ayako said with a smile.
"Mitsui can handle Miyuki. He might not show it, but I bet he was really worried about Miyuki." Miyagi said with a grin. Ayako and Miyagi walked away and decided to hang out at the park until sunset.
Meanwhile, Mitsui was pacing back and forth in the living room while Miyuki watched him. Miyuki knew Mitsui is going to be pretty mad as she prepared herself for Mitsui to say something.
Mitsui-sempai, he acts like my brother. Miyuki said as she glanced at him again.
Mitsui then pulled Miyuki by the hand and dragged her to the attic. He opened one of the windows and climbed to the roof as Miyuki followed him. The two then settled on the roof and watched as the sun was slowly setting in the horizon.
Mitsui broke the silence as he sighed. "Why do you want to die so badly? If you have problems Miyuki, you can tell Ayako, Miyagi, Kogure, or even me. If you want to know your so-called "death" sheesh, go consult the encyclopedia!"
"Gomen nasai, sempai. It's just that, I don't even know why I'm here. I thought Kanagawa is no place for a gene manipulation experiment like me. If I don't something, all those thinking might make me insane!" Miyuki said as she lowered her head. "It's pretty weird how things in this world are somewhat linked and can work harmoniously." She added.
"Kogure was right. You are vulnerable. You shouldn't give in to your thoughts. I mean, a thought is only a thought. And you are the one who can control your thoughts, not the other way around." Mitsui said as he laughed. "Now where did I get those oh-so-inspiring words?"
Miyuki giggled and looked at the sun as it set in the bay. "Arigato, sempai." Miyuki said as she looked away. "You saved me for two times in a row already. Thanks for being so nice."
Mitsui looked at her as he smiled. She finally became cheerful again. Mitsui thought. The stars began to grow visible as the night sky swathe Kanagawa. The moon was very bright as it lightly illuminated the night sky. The street lamps and stores were lit all over the area.
"Kogure told me you like heights." Mitsui said as he scanned the view. "Now I understand why."
Miyuki nodded, as she kept silent for a while. Mitsui laid on his back and looked at the stars. He shifted his eyes on Miyuki who was looking up the stars too.
"Say, Miyuki. About Miyagi, what are you going to do now?" Mitsui said as he kept his eyes on Miyuki. Miyuki looked sad as she lowered her head.
"Sempai, I'm sure you know already one of the laws in physics, ne? When two are compatible, they bond with each other.. If they're not, they simply repel each other or look for some other things that they're compatible with…" Miyuki said as she sighed.
"Who cares about those physics stuff? I don't even know why we need to study all those crap." Mitsui said as he scratched his head.
"Well, sempai… physics plays a major role—" Miyuki was interrupted as Mitsui tugged her sleeve lightly. "For crying out loud, Miyuki! You sound like my Physics teacher already!" he said as he laughed.
Miyuki smiled as she looked up the sky again. "Well, what can I do? Aya-chan likes Miyagi-kun too. I don't have the right to be angry or anything… Maybe I ought to help them out."
"Wait, did you just say Ayako likes that oh-so-curly-haired kid too? Great! Hey, wait just one minute? Did you plan to kill yourself because of that?" Mitsui said as he looked sternly at Miyuki like she's some kind of suspect or something..
"No! Of course not.. That will be a pretty shallow excuse. Didn't I tell you about that a while ago?" Miyuki said with a smile. "I guess, I have to forget about him. I have to plan out something that will help Miyagi to know that Aya-chan likes him too. But, it won't be that easy. I can tell…" She added as she began to think.
Meanwhile, Ayako and Miyagi were having a snack by the park. They were seated under a tree as Miyagi laid on the soft grass. Ayako was in deep thought. She looked at Miyagi who was taking a short nap.
He's such a nice guy. No wonder Miyu-chan fell for him. Like I said before, he doesn't need to know I like him too. It's the consequence of not telling him my feelings earlier. Ayako thought. Miyagi woke up and stretched his arms. He looked at Ayako and smiled.
"You're looking at me for quite some time now, Aya-chan!" Miyagi said as he snickered. Ayako blushed as she hit him with her trademark paper fan and looked away.
"What does that mean!" Ayako exclaimed as she looked away. The two then looked at the night sky and sighed.
"I hope this will be a lesson for Mitsui." Miyagi said.
"Lesson about what?"
"Lesson that he should say to Miyu-chan how much he likes her, before it's too late." Miyagi said. He looked at Ayako for a while. She doesn't have her cap with her, so her curly hair is not tied. "At least I'm safe already" Miyagi added.
Ayako looked at her with a confused look. "Safe from what? You're saying some weird stuff tonight. Are you hungry already?"
Miyagi looked at the street lamp as he said. "No, I mean I'm safe from regret. At least I told you my feelings already. All I'm waiting right now is for you to like me back."
Ayako was surprised. Miyagi is really serious about his feelings for her that he is actually waiting for two years in a row. Miyagi and Ayako stood up and looked at the bay.
"Can I at least walk you home for tonight?" Miyagi said. Ayako looked at him for a while before nodding. The two began walking to Ayako's house.
I like you already Ryota-kun. I just don't want to tell you.. That's all. Ayako thought as she looked at Miyagi who was walking casually beside her.
The two stopped at the corner of Ayako's home. The two were silent for a while. Ayako looked at the ground as she waited for Miyagi to say something.
"So, err.. I guess I'll be seeing you around, ne Ryota-kun?" Ayako said as she tried to avoid looking into Miyagi's eyes.
"Right…" Miyagi said as he looked at Ayako who was walking towards her house. He stood there for a while before turning around and walked away. Ayako peeked through the window. She looked at Miyagi who was walking away casually. She went up to her room and opened her window.
A lot of things have happened today. Hmm, I couldn't even think that those things can actually happen in real life. Ayako thought. The big question in her mind right now is: To tell or not to tell Miyagi.
Miyuki might feel awfully bad if she finds out. I wonder what Mitsui-sempai felt when he found out Miyuki likes Ryota-kun. Oh, this is turning into a huge pain in the head! Ayako thought. She closed her window and fell asleep on her chair.
Meanwhile, Miyagi walked back to his house. He noticed Miyuki who was opening her front door.
"Miyu-chan!" Miyagi said as he ran towards Miyuki.
"Miyagi-kun, where have you been?" Miyuki asked with a surprised tone.
"I walked Aya-chan home.." Miyagi said as he smiled. "Are you busy or something? Can we hang out here for a while?"
"Well, I don't have much to do. Well, I guess we can hang out here for a while." Miyuki said. The two seated on the terrace and was silent for a moment. Miyuki felt awkward, but she tried to keep herself calm. She looked at Miyagi who was very deep in thought. She sighed as she looked at the Sakura trees nearby.
"Hey.. Thanks for saving me earlier.." Miyuki whispered as she looked at the ground.
Miyagi smiled as he looked up the moon. "Nah, if there's someone to thank, you should thank Mitsui…" he replied. The two were silent for a while as they both took a deep breath.
"Miyagi-kun, I knew you like Aya-chan" Miyuki said. Miyagi smiled as he looked at Miyuki.
"Yeah. All the team members know about it, even Coach Anzai." (A/N: if not, let's just pretend he does..)
"Do you think Aya-chan likes you too?"
"If she does, then I'll be the happiest point guard alive.."
Miyagi and Miyuki laughed. "But, I guess she only wants me as a friend." Miyagi said. "All I want is for her to like me back, is that so hard to do?"
Miyuki shook her head as she looked away. Aya-chan, why aren't you telling him anything about your feelings?
Miyagi sighed as he closed his eyes and felt the cold breeze against his face. "But even so Miyu-chan, I won't give up on her. I promised her that she is the only girl for me."
Miyuki looked at him. She didn't want to feel bad or to cry in front of him. She lowered her head as she spoke. "You're a nice guy, Miyagi-kun. Good things come to those who wait."
Miyagi stood up and stretched his arms. "Miyu-chan, have I ever called you Kanazumi-san before?" Miyagi asked.
"Err, uhm, no.. why ask?" Miyuki said as she looked up to Miyagi.
"Do me a favor. Can you please call me Ryota-kun?" Miyagi said as he looked at Miyuki. Miyuki smiled as she looked away. "Alright then… Ryota-kun"
"That's better! Well, I guess I'll be going now. Thanks for hanging out with me." Miyagi said as he smiled at Miyuki. "You're a nice girl too, Miyu-chan" he added.
Miyuki watched Miyagi as he entered his house. She stayed on the terrace for a while and watched the leaves from the trees fall to the ground.