Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk, it's characters, contents and storyline… They belong to Inoue-sensei… If I did, then Miyagi will be mine /sinister laugh/ heheh…

Santeira- Thank you for the review… It helped me a lot... Thanks again.. Hope you like this chapter too…

The previous chapter, this chapter and chapter 10 are part of my Autumn chapters… hehehe.. It's nothing special, it's just that autumn is my favorite season… Heheh…I dedicate the Autumn chapters to my good online sister, autumnchloe aka blissful sin.. heheh…

NOTE: I know the characters are getting confusing since a lot of Ocs have appeared.. heheh.. Gomen nasai.. I just want to clear things out… Sorry if there are a bunch of Ocs… They're related to Miyuki… 2 more Ocs coming up…

Kaname Kanazumi- Miyuki's older brother

Kaori Wataru- Kaname's girlfriend

Chapter 9

Miyuki was silent for a while and stared out into space. I think there is no better time than today… So, it's all settled… "Sempai, I need to have a word with you please…" Miyuki called out.

Mitsui looked at Miyagi and patted him on the shoulder. "I need to go, Miyuki's calling…" he said.

"Yeah, I know you can't resist…" Miyagi teased as he practiced some shots.

Mitsui approached Miyuki by the bench. He looked at her expression as he sighed. Okay, this girl is again thinking of something.. I wonder what's new…. "Err.. Miyuki.. What was that you wanted to talk about?" he asked as he fixed his eyes on Miyuki.

"I need to talk to you and Kaori-san about some important matters.. But I think it's about time for breakfast so we'll talk afterwards by the terrace okay?" Miyuki said as she smiled. "It's about a certain plan up my brain cells…"

Brain cells? She really makes things sound complicated…. Mitsui thought. He nodded as he looked around. They walked towards the house to have breakfast. While eating, Mitsui looked at Miyuki who was very quiet and is thinking deeply about something. Hmm… Whatever it is that she wants to talk about, it must be very important for her….

"Miyu-chan, you're pretty quiet right now.. Is there something bothering you?" Ayako asked.

"Eh? Uhh… nothing Aya-chan… Don't mind me… I just don't have anything to say, that's all…" Miyuki replied with a nervous chuckle.

After breakfast, everyone left the kitchen except Kaori and Ayako. Miyuki and Mitsui waited for Kaori by the living room.

"Uhh… Miyu-chan.. Is Kaori-san involved in what you're about to say?" Mitsui asked. Miyuki nodded as she looked around. Seeing Ayako and Kaori leave the kitchen. Miyuki quickly ran towards them and grabbed Kaori's hand.

"Uhh.. Aya-chan… I need to borrow Kaori-chan for a minute…" Miyuki said nervously and rapidly.

Ayako looked at her for a while and nodded. "Thanks Aya-chan.. You're the best!" Miyuki said rapidly again as she quickly pulled Kaori to the living room.

"Whoa? What's up with her…." Ayako asked herself as she sighed and went to her room.

Mitsui sat by the window as he waited for Miyuki to come back. After a while, Miyuki came back dragging Kaori along. She grabbed Mitsui's hand and dragged him along as well. She stopped by the terrace and took a deep breath. Kaori and Mitsui looked at each other with confused looks. They looked at Miyuki again and waited for her to say something.

"Uhh… Miyu-chan.. What is it that you want to say.." Kaori asked as she looked at Miyuki.

Miyuki was silent for a while. She then looked at Kaori seriously and pleaded, "Please, I need you to narrate to me how my brother confessed to you his feelings." Miyuki said plainly.

"What! What for?" Kaori exclaimed as she blushed. Miyuki clasped her hands together and began to plead harder.

"Please, Kaori-chan… I need to know… It's for something I have to do later.. Please please!"

Kaori sighed as she lowered her head. "It's pretty embarrassing you know.. But okay, I'll tell you.. Just don't tell Kaname-kun I told you okay!" Kaori muttered. Miyuki smiled as she seated on the floor.

"Hey, why is Mitsui-san here… It adds to my embarrassment…" Kaori muttered as she darted her eyes in Mitsui.

"Yeah, she has a point.. I'm not supposed to be here!" Mitsui replied. "At least I should have brought Miyagi—:

"No… Don't fetch Ryota-kun! Just be quiet. I need you and Kaori-san for a plan, okay?" Miyuki interrupted.

"What? You're going to use us for your scheme?" Mitsui asked sarcastically. Miyuki darted her eyes on Mitsui. Mitsui kept quiet as he looked at Kaori. "So, shall we start then?" he asked. Kaori took a deep breath and narrated the story.

"Okay, I am a freshman in Tokyo University back then. I met your brother a few weeks after school opened. We were both in the same club, Ecology club to be exact. I was not as presentable as this before. Back then, I wore this big glasses and my hair gets real messy. I carry a bunch of books in my hand all the time. I never trusted lockers before. Okay, so when I saw him, let's say that I had a little crush on him… just a teeny-weeny affection for him.. Then, we were assigned to work on something together… "

Flashback

Okay, so we were in the computer room that time. I don't even know why I'm in that place anyway. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be at home a long time ago.. But no, Kaname has to drag me in here to keep him company! What am I supposed to do in there anyway? He's not even talking to me… Oh! The things I do for him! And yet.. He's very kawaii…. As I was staring at him, he got a very thick book beside him and handed it over to me.

"Eh? What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked sheepishly. He kept his eyes on the monitor as he typed in full speed.

"Dictate to me the marked pages.." he said as he looked at the monitor.

Oh, now he's treating me as his private secretary? The hell with him! But still.. I just whined a little and began dictating the words to him. After a while, my voice is getting tired dictating every word in the book. I glared at him for a while.

"Hey, why am I even doing this? I'm not your private secretary you know.. And an unpaid private secretary to be more precise! Why did you even chose me to keep you company? A lot of girls were practically rushing towards you, but why silly old me!" I exclaimed as I closed the book. The why questions.. I'm expecting a genius-like answer from him.. I just hope I'll be able to counter his answers…

He just stopped typing for a while… He lowered his head as he smiled.. "Gomen nasai, Wataru-san.. Nothing special.. I just want to hear your voice while I work… Somehow it alleviates my stress…" he muttered.

He.. wants to hear.. my voice? Did those words just came out from his mouth? From the genius himself? Oh wow.. That's new.. And I'm so happy! And because I'm so crazy for him.. I began dictating again.. What a way to go..

About a half hour later, we finally finished what we are doing. Finally I can now go home, sleep all I want and probably do something worthwhile with my life… I was practically flying to the door, oh sweet joy!

"Hey, wait.." Kaname called out. I stopped by the door without looking at him. Now what? I looked at him as he smiled.. So cute!

"Thanks for helping me out.. Gomen nasai.. I believe I took some of your precious time…" Kaname said as he bowed.

I believe my smile almost reached my ears! I'm so weird sometimes… "nothing much…" I blurted out. Hell, why did I even say that?

"Eh? What do you mean nothing much?" Kaname asked. My eyes widened as I thought of something to say.

"Yeah! Nothing much.. I have this trivia for you.. did you know that saying nothing much is a subconscious mind's way of saying you know… 143.." I said. I can see a very weird expression on his face.

"Uhh.. 143? What's a subconscious mind got to do with saying one hundred forty three?" he answered sheepishly. I rolled my eyes as I sighed. Just as I thought.. He's only philosophically smart.. and yet he looks like an innocent kid!

"For a genius, you sure are senseless sometimes…" I muttered as I giggled.

"Huh? You think I'm senseless? Since when?" Kaname asked as he scratched his head. He sighed as he kept silent for a while. "Okay, I have a query for you and I need a solid answer from you, got that?" Kaname asked with a stern face. "Do you like me or not?"

I looked at him wide-eyed. I believe I'm practically blushing in front of him. "Of course…. Not.." I answered with uncertainty. Wow, he is sure blunt with that question.. What made him think that way anyway?

"Oh.. so you don't.. That's too bad.. I think I have this feeling that I like you.. uhh.. something like that.." Kaname stammered as he tried to look at me.

"So.. what now? Does that mean that you don't like me anymore because I don't like you?" I asked with a disappointed tone.

"Well, of course…. Not…" Kaname answered as he smiled. "I still like you… maybe even more than that…" he added.

-End of Flashback-

Kaori took a deep breath as she looked at Miyuki. "There.. I narrated what you told me.. Now, can you please tell me why the hell do I need to that for?" Kaori said as she sighed.

Miyuki smiled as she thought of something. "Well, you see.. We're all aware that Ryota-kun likes Aya-chan, right? You see… Aya-chan likes Ryota-kun too.. But she doesn't want to say.. I don't know why.. So I'm thinking of setting up a plan.. What do you say? Can you guys help out?" Miyuki asked as she looked at Mitsui and Kaori.

"Wow! Hontouni deska? Great! Miyagi is waiting for so long. He deserves his chance on Aya-chan… I'm in!" Mitsui exclaimed as he raised his hand. Kaori giggled and raised her hand too. The three nodded in unison as they began to create their plan. Afterwards, the three separated ways for the rest of the day. They planned to do it tomorrow, before they leave for Kanagawa.

Early the next morning, Ayako woke up and went out to the garden. This would be their last day in that rest house. At least, she wanted to picture out everything in that rest house in her mind. Another perfect opportunity put to waste… She thought as she frowned. The one to be blamed is herself. She always has doubts in her. And it is her weakness. As she looked around, she caught sight of Mitsui by the other side of the garden. She followed him into the stream. She lost sight of Mitsui for a while, but she later saw him under a tree near the stream. After a while, Miyuki arrived and smiled sweetly at Mitsui. What? Miyu-chan… and sempai? Could it be? She walked closer to them, still hiding behind the bushes.

"Sempai.. we have to do our best.. Just act normal, okay?" Miyuki whispered to Mitsui as she smiled. Mitsui blushed a little as he looked away.

Ayako decided to come out of the bushes as she slowly stepped out. Miyuki and Mitsui looked at Ayako as she looked at them, confused.

"Aya-chan.. you're up early… ohayo gozaimas!" Miyuki greeted as she smiled. Mitsui bowed down and smiled at Ayako as well.

"Miyu-chan… Is it me… or you're spending a lot of time with sempai. Is there something going on?" Ayako said as she played with her fingers.

Miyuki giggled as she approached Ayako. "Yeah.. you see… he's my… boyfriend now!" Miyuki exclaimed as she pulled Mitsui beside her as she laughed nervously. She kicked Mitsui's shin lightly and continued giggling.

"Eh! Since when… Miyu-chan? Why didn't… you tell me?" Ayako asked, still looking confused.

"Uhh… since… when?" Miyuki stammered as she tried to think. What… should I say? I can't say after the camp-out… When… when?

"We we're together since… the other day!" Mitsui exclaimed as he pulled Miyuki beside him and gave out a nervous chuckle. "Back at the pool! Yeah.. you see.." Mitsui added as he stammered. "I told her everything.. How I like her so much.. And that I've never been so caught up with a girl… I told her my feelings back then… I just got to spill everything to her somehow…" he continued in a more serious tone.

Miyuki's eyes widened as she looked up to Mitsui. She was blushing slightly and looked at Mitsui's expression. He was nervous.. she can tell… And yet, she can see that he is serious. Is he saying made up stuff? He seems so… serious…

"So, there's your answer, Aya-chan…" Mitsui added as he looked down. Miyuki smiled faintly as she looked at Ayako. "Gomen ne, Aya-chan… I forgot to tell you yesterday…" Miyuki muttered as she approached Ayako and embraced her.

"Aya-chan… Ryota-kun is for you…no matter how much the world is against you; you'd still end up with the one for you… You see, I sort of.. found out that you like Ryota-kun…" Miyuki whispered to Ayako.

She… found out? Oh no… When did she found out? But.. why isn't she sad… I've been keeping myself from getting jealous.. and here she is.. telling me that she found out… And still, she's not angry? Ayako thought. She looked at Miyuki and tried to speak out. "Why aren't you angry? Don't you hate me… I didn't tell you that I had feelings for Ryota-kun… And I was feeling jealous deep inside and all… I'm such a bad friend."

Miyuki simply shook her head and looked at Ayako. "You know, when I heard you at the gym back then.. It dawned on me that you might have hated me since I told you.. and so, I tried to give way… Because.. I don't have the right to hate you or to get angry.. You have that right…"

Ayako's tears fell down as she wiped them away. Miyuki faced her and smiled. "Go and tell him…He must be around here somewhere… ne?" Seeing the look of hesitation on Ayako's face, she smiled again and said, "Aya-chan.. Genki-desu (I'm fine)… I'm with sempai…" Ayako wiped her tears and nodded as Miyuki gave way for her. She watched Ayako walk away to find Miyagi. That's it Aya-chan.. tell him… I'll be okay…

"So, looks like the plan worked out… thanks to Kaori-chan's brilliant mind…" Mitsui muttered as he stood beside Miyuki. Miyuki nodded and smiled faintly.

"Ne, sempai…you acted very good a while ago… It seems like she really fell for our act!" Miyuki said as she looked at Mitsui and smiled.

Mitsui blushed a little and looked away. "Yeah.. I guess I did…" Well.. thank heaven for this act… I finally let out all I wanted to say to her in a way that she didn't notice.. But…

Mitsui's thinking was interrupted as Miyuki pulled his arm. "We have to see what happens, sempai! Let's go…" Miyuki said with enthusiasm as they followed Ayako. All I said a while ago.. is the whole truth.. Miyuki… Mitsui thought.

"Hey… does this mean the only thing keeping her from telling Miyagi is.. you?" Mitsui asked as they walked by the stream.

Miyuki nodded as they turned around. "Judging Aya-chan's mindset.. I figured it was me that's been keeping her from telling all along…"

Meanwhile, Ayako walked around by the stream for a while. Miyuki said that Miyagi might be around here somewhere. Oh.. how am I going to say this to him… I might stammer in front of him and make a complete idiot out of myself… she thought as she looked around. This is it… If I don't tell, Miyu-chan might do some other way for him to find out… She might use some of her dastardly schemes for me! It's even more embarrassing if Ryota finds that out from Miyu-chan… She looked around, desperately trying to find Miyagi. She stopped under one of the trees and leaned at it for a while.

"For heaven's sake.. Why am I even rushing things out? I can tell him back at Kanagawa.. or later before we leave… right?" Ayako said to herself as she sighed.

"Aya-chan…" a familiar voice called from behind her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned around and saw Miyagi.

"What are you doing out here all alone? I thought you're with Miyu-chan… Kaori-chan said that you went here with Miyu-chan" Miyagi asked as he smiled.

What? Kaori-chan? She's into this set-up too! I should have know… So, they really used their skills to set tings up! Argh! They owe me tons of explanation later! "Err.. uhh.. I kind of.. followed Mitsui out here… Did you know that Miyu-chan and sempai are… you know? In a relationship?" Ayako stammered as she played with her fingers.

"Nani! Shiri masen deshita!" Miyagi exclaimed as Ayako nodded. "I can't believe it… He got a girlfriend first!" he added.

Ayako raised and eyebrow and looked sternly at Miyagi. Miyagi gave up a nervous chuckle as he shielded himself from Ayako's fan. "Waaah! Hontouni gomen nasai… Aya-chan!" he called out as Ayako chased him with her oh-so-reliable fan.

Ayako sighed and leaned back at the tree. "You're a very crazy kid aren't you?" she said to Miyagi as she smiled. Miyagi laughed as he scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders.

Meanwhile, Miyuki and Mitsui were sneaking up behind Ayako and Miyagi. They were doing their best to keep quiet while they were sneaking closer to them

"This is pathetic.. we look like stalkers!" Miyuki groaned as Mitsui covered up her mouth with his hand. "If you want to see what's going to happen, we must do this.." Mitsui said as he hid behind a tree about a meter away.

The leaves were falling continuously to the ground as the wind blew them away. Ayako looked at Miyagi for a while as she lowered her head. She is blushing so much, but she can't let Miyagi see it. The two were silent for a while. She looked at Miyagi who was looking by the stream. She has to tell him, right now.

"Ryota-kun… I have something very important to tell you…" Ayako muttered as she lowered her head.

Miyagi looked at her and waited for her to say something. "What is it, Aya-chan?" he asked.

Ayako closed her eyes and waited for the words to come out of her mouth. "I.. I.. Li—" Ayako's sentence was cut short when they heard a tree branch snap by the bushes. Miyagi and Ayako looked by the bushes and exchanged glances.

"Oh darn! Was that us?" Mitsui whispered to Miyuki as they slowly stepped backward. Miyuki nodded, as she kept quiet. They hid behind a tree as Mitsui peeked to see if Miyagi is close by.

"Hmm.. There's nothing here… Oh well, maybe it was just our imagination!" Miyagi said as he ran back to Ayako.

"Yeah… I guess you're right!" Ayako said as she giggled. They laughed heartily together as the leaves began to fall again from the tress as the wind blew again.

"Anou… Aya-chan, you have something to tell me right? What is it?" Miyagi said as he broke off his laughter. Ayako suddenly stopped to catch her breath. She is silent for a while as she sighed continuously.

Ayako then took a deep breath and spilled a few words. "Ryota… You see… I…" Ayako closed her eyes as she depended the words go with the flow. "Ryota, daisuki!"

The wind blew harder as leaves rustled as they were being swept away. The faint sound of the stream can be heard in spite of the rustle of the leaves. Ayako couldn't bear to open her eyes. She clasped her hands tighter as she waited for Miyagi to say something.

The words echoed in Miyagi's head. It took him some time before he can fully comprehend the words. He smiled faintly and stood in front of her. "Are you sure.. Aya-chan?" he whispered to her.

Ayako nodded nervously as she closed her eyes and bowed down her head. "I.. I almost.. lost you.. but… it seems that… I was so lucky having a friend like Miyu-chan.. She convinced me to tell you… I.. I won't lose you again!" she muttered as tears fell down her cheeks.

Ayako felt Miyagi approach her.. Miyagi enfolded his arms around Ayako as he whispered, "Well, it's about time that I'll be able to hold you like this… Arigato.. This is the best birthday gift from you…" Miyagi whispered. "Daisuki, Aya-chan…" Miyu-chan.. Arigato… Ayako thought to herself as she leaned on Miyagi.

From where they're hiding (stalking?) Miyuki and Mitsui were celebrating. Miyuki is jumping joyously as she cheered. Mitsui is laughing uncontrollably as he leaned by the tree.

"We did it, sempai! They're together!" Miyuki exclaimed as she giggled and jumped up and down.

"Yeah.. We're so good in doing this!" Mitsui replied as he looked at Miyagi and Ayako again. Miyuki tripped on one of the tree roots and accidentally pushed Mitsui as they both fell down on the ground.

"Oh.. Gomen nasai sempai! Are you hurt somewhere?" Miyuki apologized as she groaned from the pain. Mitsui simply shook his head and smiled.

"Miyu-chan? Mitsui?" someone called out from behind them. They looked up and saw Miyagi and Ayako with confused looks. "What are you doing here? And what's going on?" he added as he pointed his finger on the two. Seeing the position they were in, Mitsui and Miyuki quickly sat up and turned their backs on each other.

"Err.. no… That's not what you're thinking, Ryota-kun.. I.. just tripped… right, sempai?" Miyuki stammered as Mitsui nodded. Both of them were blushing.

"Right… you were looking at us weren't you… Or to be more precise, spying on us…" Ayako said as she raised her eyebrow. Miyuki giggled nervously as she stood up. "Gomen ne, Aya-chan.. I just have to see the results…"

Ayako blushed as she looked away. Miyagi snickered as he looked at Ayako. "She's still quite embarrassed…" he muttered as he smiled.

The four went back to the cottage as they prepared their things. They will be heading back to Kanagawa this evening. Miyuki went to her room and fixed her things. As she took out her things in her bag, she saw her sketchpad in it. She smiled as she took it out and flipped through the pages Tears welled up in her eyes as she closed her sketchpad and embraced it. It's for the best Miyuki… I'm sure Aya-chan is happy now… and so is Ryota… Isn't that enough reason for you to be happy? She went out of her room and walked aimlessly towards the terrace. Ayako and Miyagi are talking outside by the terrace. They were holding each other's hand as they talked blissfully. Miyuki looked at them and smiled faintly. They're not aware that Miyuki is around.

You were always gonna be my love
itsuka dareko to mato koini
ochitemo
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
you were always gonna be the one
ima wa mada kanashii love song
atarashii uta utaerumade

Mitsui went out of her room and saw Miyuki standing near the terrace and looking out blankly. Even though he can't see her face, he knew what she's feeling right now. Miyuki… what I've said earlier, was no adlib, and especially not acting… Why can't you see? It's hard for me to see you like that… Darn!

"Kaname told me you like Miyu-chan…" someone said from beside him. He looked and saw Kaori by his side. He smiled faintly and nodded. "Ouch… that's got to hurt real bad…" Kaori added.

"You don't need to rub it in…" Mitsui muttered. He remained silent for a while as he looked at Miyuki. Kaori stared at him for a while.

"I don't understand! Instead of keeping your feelings to yourself, why don't you tell her! After this, she's going to need you the most!" Kaori pouted as he looked at Mitsui sternly.

Mitsui lowered his head and sighed. "If I tell her now, that wouldn't do me any good. She still haven't moved on.. I don't want to be added to her usual worries… I'll tell when the right day comes, okay?" he muttered as he walked away leaving Kaori gazing at him as he walked away. Somehow, Kaori understood what Mitsui meant. She shifted her eyes back at Miyuki.

Miyuki leaned on the wall for a while, but she didn't notice Kaori by the stairway. She took a deep breath and walked closer to the terrace.

"Anou… Konnichiwa! Am I disturbing you guys? We're going back now…" Miyuki said in a cheerful voice. Miyagi and Ayako nodded as they followed Miyuki downstairs.

They arrived at Kanagawa just after sunset. Miyuki walked home with Miyagi. Miyuki was quiet as she stared at the ground while they walked. Miyagi kept looking at her from time to time. He flung his bag on his shoulder and sighed deeply. Somehow, he felt an awkward silence between them that never ensued before. Miyuki looked at Miyagi and smiled.

"Gomen nasai, Ryo-chan… I'm just tired from the trip…" Miyuki said in a low tone.

"Tell me something, Miyu-chan… Are you really with Mitsui right now?"

"Eh? Oh.. that one.. Another gomen nasai again… You see, we set the whole confession thing up. We did a little acting to convince Aya-chan to confess…"

"What! That's all an act! Oh man.. I thought it's for real! Don't tell me you manipulated Aya-chan… or tortured her into telling!"

"Iie! She liked you… but she didn't want to tell… For personal reasons."

They were talking so seriously that they almost passed by their house. Before they separated ways, Miyagi pulled Miyuki's arm and smiled. "Arigatou, Miyu-chan… You're such a nice girl… Thanks for the wonderful birthday gift! Ja!" Miyagi said as he waved at her. Miyuki watched him as he entered his house. She smiled faintly and walked aimlessly to her house. She took a quick shower and let herself fall on her bed.

Thanks for getting out of your busy schedule to read this fic of mine… Hehehe.. Please drop me a review on your way out.. heheh.. Take care!