Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk… If I did, then… you know already… Miyagi will be mine/laughs out/

Chapter 14

Miyuki looked out the window of her room. She can't bear to tell to her family about what happened weeks ago. As she held the medical encyclopedia in her hands, a deep sigh came to her. That's it, she is indeed sick and her life is already limited. Tears welled up in her eyes every now and then. She felt so alone, in the solitude of her room, away from her family who knew nothing about this, her friends, and Mitsui. Once your gene is manipulated, there can be no antidote for the side effects… That's the fact that you have t admit… Now, that fact is just simply hard to accept. What would everyone around her feel? As much as she wanted to leave this sickening life of hers before, she don't have the strength to do so anymore. And it was all because she met someone who changed all the philosophy she knew… Hisashi Mitsui.

She wiped away her tears, locking herself up in her room and finding ways on how to cure her curse. Haruko visits every now and then to check up on her. Miyuki is lucky enough to have Haruko left behind to share her grief. It is a bright sunny morning; the usual scenario of spring is just outside her windowsill. However, she can't bear to smile. The traces of cheer and joy in her deep green eyes vanished and the cold and expressionless ones replaced them once again. After a few days, the Shohoku team will come back to Kanagawa. Haruko said that the team is competing for second place once again. But then again, the team performed a good start for a rookie team in the Inter-High. Miyuki suddenly remembered, she didn't promise Mitsui that she could make it.

Meanwhile, at the Inter-High tournament, the teams are now doing their warm-up exercises. Miyagi did a few sit-ups with Sakuragi and Kogure. That's when Kogure noticed that Mitsui is nowhere to be found.

"Hey, have you guys seen Mitsui around? I haven't noticed him do some warm-up…" Kogure asked as he looked around.

"He warmed-up a bit, but he said he'd just make a quick phone call. He'll be back before the game starts." Ayako assured as she looked out the doors.

Mitsui walked down the hallway and into the phone booth. What a day for him to left his phone at the hotel. He dug his coins and dialed Miyuki's number.

Miyuki was in the kitchen, staring blankly at the food Haruko left her. She can't bear to eat anything after what happened. Her body is getting frail and weak that she can't even bear to stand up straight for long periods of time. That's when the phone rang. At first, Miyuki just ignored the continuous ringing. But after a few tries, she stood up and answered the phone.

"Moushi moushi… Kanazumi-san here…"

"Anou, ohayou… Miyuki?"

"sempai? Err… Where are you? Aren't you supposed to be in the Inter-High game?"

"Hmm… I just thought I'd call you up before hitting the court…"

"Anou… Gomen sempai… I… I can't make it… I'm kind of sick. I have a light cough…"

"Eh? You're sick? Who's taking care of you? Is Kaname-san or Minaku-san with you?"

"Err… Iie… It's okay… It's just a cold… Haruko-chan is checking up on me once in a while… No need to worry, sempai…"

"Anyway, when I get back, I'm dropping by at your house first, got that? Well, off to the game… Ja ne Miyuki! Odaijini…"

"Anou… I wish you all the luck kami-sama might impart on you… Odaijini…"

Miyuki didn't realize that Mitsui already hung-up. She held the phone in her hands and smiled a bit. Mitsui has been always so sweet to her. Not to mention that he's willing away everything just for her. But, what is his purpose of doing all those good things to her. Does he like her back as much as she does?

Mitsui ran back to the court as Akagi and the others waited for him. "Gomen nasai! I just made a quick phone call… Sorry to trouble you guys…" he said as he scratched his head. Akagi and the others just smiled as they shook their heads. It seems that it's clear to all of them who Mitsui actually called.

"Micchy you darn slowpoke! How long are you going to stay all so sweety-eyed on Miyuki? For crying out loud! You're graduating anytime soon and yet you still haven't said anything!" Sakuragi yelled at Mitsui as he lightly punched him on the chest.

"I'll tell her… Don't worry! You don't need to be excited about it!" Mitsui remarked as he patted the loudmouth's shoulder. Ayako could only smile at the scene. But in her mind, the words Miyuki told her kept echoing in her mind. "I… love him… very much…" Demo, why doesn't she even bother to keep everything to herself? She's too oblivious to notice Mitsui's main purpose for protecting her…

The buzzer signaled the first half of the Inter-High tournament: Shohoku High School and Teijun no Haira High School. After a few attempts of scoring, Mitsui and Rukawa are having a hard time scoring against the tight defense of Teiji High. Their captain already scored 10 points while Shohoku only managed to score 3 points, thanks to Rukawa's slam-dunks. The time for the first half is running out as Sakuragi held the ball and looking for someone to pass it on. Akagi is open, but the Teiji captain is blocking Akagi as well.

"Where the hell should I pass this stupid ball!" Sakuragi yelled as he tried to keep the ball away from the other team. As Sakuragi looked for open teammates, Miyagi overtook two of the tall players of Teiji and ran beside Sakuragi.

"Hanamichi! Pass the ball to me! Hurry!" Miyagi shouted as he prepared to receive. Sakuragi hesitated to pass the ball since 2 players are trailing right behind Miyagi. "Just pass the darn ball, Sakuragi! I'll take care of the rest!" Sakuragi passed the ball to Miyagi, almost missing Miyagi's hands. He then ran as fast as he could towards the ring, dribbling the ball at top speed so that it would not be easily stolen. As he went nearer the ring, he threw the ball in an upward motion. Just as soon as the ball entered the ring, the buzzer for half time rang off. Miyagi stooped down for a while to catch his breath. Akagi and the others looked at the referee as he signaled to the judges.

"He raised his hand and announced. "Basket not counted!" Sakuragi's head gave off steam as he clenched his fist and approached the referee. "Why you… Why do you think that ball is not counted! It scored the same time as the buzzer went off! The ball was ALREADY inside the net when the buzzer went off! Are you darn blind or something!" Sakuragi yelled at the referee as he held him by his collar. Miyagi held him back and reasoned with the referee himself. Mitsui knelt down and punched the floor. "Sorry guys… That's what the judges said… We can't do anything about it…" the referee replied.

Meanwhile at the bleachers, Kainan are watching the game. Maki could just shake his head in disbelief. So, there are cheating and favoritism going on this year. Kiyota clenched his fist as he stood up. "I hate to admit it, but Sakuragi's right! That basket should be counted! What the hell!" he yelled and gritted his teeth.

Maki silenced Kiyota as he pulled him back to his seat. "Don't be such a nuisance, Kiyota!" Maki replied as he held Kiyota by the shoulder.

The judges decided to let the teams jumble. Akagi and the Teiji captain stood face to face as the referee threw the ball in the air. Akagi managed to pass the ball to his teammates as Miyagi caught it and is on his way towards the ring. Mitsui is losing some precious stamina as he felt his eyes getting blurred. Darn! I won't pass out… Not here… Not yet! He thought as he fought off the temptation of passing out at the last second.

There are only 2 minutes left, and Teiji High is still in the lead by 8 points. There is very minimal chance for them to actually win the game. But like Sakuragi said before, don't stop until you hear the final buzzer. Mitsui is getting slower and slower as he looked at Rukawa who is aiming for a score, but the captain managed to block his attempt and pass it to his teammate. The time is rapidly slipping away as there is only a minute left. Again, Rukawa has the ball. But he is being strictly guarded, making it impossible to score. That's when he saw Mitsui near enough to the ring to score. Rukawa swallowed all his pride and threw the ball to Mitsui. As Mitsui caught the ball, he kept the ball away from his opponents as possible. He is getting weaker, but he has the chance to score. Darn! Will you just get out of my way! He thought as he tightened his grip.

I'll be wishing for the best sempai… I know you can do it… Mitsui managed to outrun his opponents as he ran towards the ring. It's only a few seconds until time runs out, but he didn't mind it at all. He stood there and threw the ball towards the ring. The ball entered the basket 2 seconds before the buzzer rang. Shohoku High lost to Teijun no Haira High School. Mitsui stopped down to catch his breath, and so with the rest of the team. The Teijun team captain approached Akagi and nodded. "Your team did very well for a freshman team in the Inter-High… It's nice playing against you guys." He muttered. Akagi could just look at him as he smirked.

Miyagi ran towards Mitsui and so is Sakuragi. "Mitsui… Are you okay? You stayed up all throughout the game!" Miyagi exclaimed as he ruffled Mitsui's hair.

Kogure approached his teammates as he smiled. "We did pretty great for someone new in the Inter-High… We shouldn't brood over this…" he said. The three nodded as Mitsui managed to stand up straight.

After a while, the team went back to their hotel to pack up. They're going back to Kanagawa tomorrow morning. The team celebrated with a fabulous dinner at the dining hall. Coach Anzai stood up and raised his glass. "Cheers for managing to surviving the Inter-high that far!" he announced. The team agreed as they cheered on and ate their dinner.

"You know, I missed Kanagawa while were away…" Sakuragi said as he munched down on ramen and riceballs.

Miyagi agreed as he munched down on the food. Ayako giggled as he looked at Mitsui. "Hmm… I know someone who is itching to go back to Kanagawa as soon as possible!" Ayako remarked as she looked at Mitsui who is busy talking to Kogure.

Mitsui caught Ayako looking at him. "Oi… are you pertaining to me Aya-chan?" he mumbled as he stuffed his mouth with sashimi.

"Of course, who do you think I'm pertaining to?" Ayako said sarcastically. Miyagi and the others laughed out as Mitsui's face turned into a light shade of red. Kogure laughed out as he laid down his chopsticks for a while.

"Hmm… I think I know why… Haruko-chan said Miyu-chan's kinda sick…" Kogure said as he looked at Ayako and Miyagi. The team laughed out again as Sakuragi stood up with his chopsticks.

"For crying out loud! After a month, you're leaving Shohoku High! When are you planning to confess!" Sakuragi shouted at the top of his lungs. Mitsui sweatdropped and continued with his meal.

"I have nothing to confess…" Mitsui mumbled.

Coach Anzai laughed his trademark laugh as he looked at Mitsui. "How ironic… A great player like you stammers in front of a high school girl…" he remarked.

Mitsui continued eating. Then he replied. "Sensei! I'm also in high school you know!"

Coach Anzai laughed as he looked at his meal. "You know, Sakuragi is right. You're leaving high school soon… Why can't you just tell her then? Or do you want the whole Shohoku team to barge at her doorway and do the courting for you?" he replied sarcastically. Mitsui turned bright red as he let it be. There's no stopping them at all. After their dinner celebration, the Shohoku team turned up for the night.

Early the next morning, the team left for Kanagawa. They arrived just before lunchtime. As promised, Mitsui chose to visit Miyuki first. He walked with Miyagi and Ayako who both agreed to pay her a visit as well. As soon as they reached her house, Miyagi knocked on the door. After a while, Miyuki opened the door.

"Eh? Konnichiwa minna-san! What brings you guys around here?" Miyuki asked sheepishly. Ayako and Mitsui noticed Miyuki's change in an instant. She is very pale and weak and not to mention her eyes are all puffy and red.

"Miyuki… What happened to you? You look terrible…" Mitsui asked as he examined Miyuki's face.

Miyuki gripped on the door as she looked at Mitsui. "I..It's nothing… really… It's just mere upper respiratory infection… Nothing more…" she muttered as she managed to give out a faint chuckle.

"Upper respiratory blah blah a.k.a. common cold cold doesn't drain a person's body like that… Are you sure you're okay?" Ayako asked as she placed her palm on her forehead. Without sensing any fever, Ayako just smiled and nodded.

Miyuki invited them inside as they narrated to her the whole story. Mitsui fixed his eyes on Miyuki. Now that the whole team knew about his little so-called infatuation, he has to be on a lookout. The last thing that he needs right now is a bunch of basketball lunatics courting Miyuki for him. He pictured the scene in his mind. Hmm… comical yet very unpleasant! He thought as he sweatdropped. As Ayako and Miyuki talked, Mitsui smiled faintly as he watched how the two got along again. In spite of her pale face and seemingly forlorn eyes, Mitsui still gets captivated on the way Miyuki smiles. Ayako really doesn't fail in putting up a smile on the girl's face. What a way to go. Heck, even Miyagi noticed that.

After a week, Miyuki finally managed to come back to school. Ayako and Miyuki walked together to school. Ayako noticed how Miyuki is oddly silent that time. She exhaled as she looked at her best friend. "Miyu-chan… Mitsui-sempai will be graduating next week… He said he passed his senior year. Looks like he put some effort in studying as well." she started. Miyuki simply nodded as she continued walking with her head down. "Well… Aren't you going to say anything to him then?" Ayako asked again.

Miyuki shook her head as she opened her mouth. She seems hesitated to speak out. The question is that… Will I even live long enough to see him claim his diploma? Would I live long enough to be with him for at least a month? Why does it have to be this way? Why did kami-sama even made our paths crossed when he's going to take me very soon! Miyuki closed her eyes as she felt pain in her head. Thinking too much nowadays makes things even worse.

Ayako examined Miyuki's expression. There is something that she's hiding from her. But Ayako can't just confront it to her. Maybe Miyuki is just thinking about what she should do to Mitsui. "Well, Miyu-chan… If you don't want to tell him yet… Then don't… Demo, you're wasting precious time and feelings you know…" Ayako explained.

Miyuki nodded as she tightened her grip on her notebook. "Hai… I'm aware of that… don't worry Aya-chan… I'll think up of something…" she replied. Ayako's nagging might make her insane. "I hope you haven't forgotten that it's going to be our secret…" Ayako nodded as she lowered her head. Demo…

As they reached the school, Ayako and Miyuki separated ways. Miyuki walked by herself to the washroom. No one else was around as she took out her phone. She called up her brother last night and confessed that her symptoms are showing up. Her eyes were still puffy since she cried again last night. Kaname said he would be looking for someone who can help her. After all, he said that their father is already insane. Maybe he just exaggerated that part. As she scanned the messages, she saw Kaname's new message: Yuki-chan… I found a doctor that can help you… She's Kaori's cousin and specializes in genetic disorders… You need to leave Kanagawa next week.

Miyuki took a slight breath of relief as she closed the message. Maybe there is still hope for all of this. She looked at her own reflection in the mirror. She looked awful, pale and forlorn. Kaname reminded her not to cry too much. She wiped away the tears pooling in her eyes as she went out of the washroom and walked to her locker. That when she saw him. He is there, waiting for him as always. Somehow, she can't bear to see him right now. She'll just break down in front of him, pretending that nothing serious is happening to her right now. All she wanted right now is to hold him and tell him everything. But she can't, Miyuki Kanazumi is… afraid.

"Miyuki? Hey… Hello?" Mitsui muttered as he snapped his finger in front of Miyuki. The girl snapped back to reality as she looked up to Mitsui. She smiled faintly as she bowed down. "Finally, you managed to come back to earth…" he added sarcastically.

"Yeah, I guess so… Gomen nasai sempai…" Miyuki muttered as she opened her locker. Mitsui smiled as he closed his locker.

"Hey… Got good news for you… Remember when I told you that I might not graduate this year. Guess what, sensei said I actually passed and I'm going to graduate! Isn't that great?" Mitsui exclaimed as he looked at Miyuki.

"Hontouni? That's great news sempai! Congratulations!" Miyuki exclaimed as she managed to smile. Mitsui-sempai is going to graduate… Too bad I can't show him how much I'm happy to know that…

"Arigatou… You helped me pass to you know… Ermm… I was thinking… Since you've helped a lot and all, I would like to ask you a favor. Would you come to the graduation ceremony? It would mean a lot to me if you do… Please…" Mitsui pleaded as he clasped his hands together. Miyuki stood there dumbfounded as she looked at Mitsui. Kaname said she should leave next week. How will she explain this to Mitsui?

"Well, okay sempai…" Miyuki muttered. Mitsui smiled as he nodded. "Well then, I'll be waiting for you… Ja ne… I need to go now… I'll be expecting you then!" Mitsui replied as he walked away. Miyuki could just stand there and watch him walk away. She knew deep inside of her that she couldn't really make it. She needs to tell some stupid lie because she can't bear to say no. The hardest part of all is to say goodbye without having him figure out why.

The days passed by for Miyuki. She can't bear to see Mitsui everyday. Since the undergrads are not doing much at school now, she'd rather stay home and think things through. Realizing that it's only a couple of days until Mitsui's graduation, her mind is debating whether she should go or just disappear without any word at all. She felt like a liar, keeping her sickness to herself. Even Ayako doesn't know about it, even Miyagi, which is just next door to her. She is lying to all the people she loved in a different level. That's when she remembered the package she got yesterday. A prestigious university in England is inviting her to get her college education there. She decided to make this as an excuse for Mitsui. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Mitsui's number.

"Hello? Hisashi here…" Mitsui answered in a calm tone. Miyuki hesitated to speak as she gathered all her courage.

"Anou… sempai… it me…"

"Miyuki? Hey… Is there anything you need?"

"Anou… yeah… you see… I don't think I'll be able to make it to your graduation…"

"Eh? And why is that?"

"Anou… you see… I need to… fly to Europe at that day."

There was awkward silence after that. Tension grew in Miyuki's chest as she waited for his reply.

"I'm afraid if you don't go… Then I will not get my diploma… I'll skip graduation…"

"Demo…"

"I'll be waiting for you then… Ja ne…"

The words stabbed Miyuki's heart as she hung up the phone. Judging Mitsui, he always keeps his word. His graduation means a lot to him. Miyuki can't just take that away like that. As Mitsui hung up the phone, she said she'd do everything she can to make it. But Kaname already set the date. She has to make it to Tokyo as soon as possible. Time is precious when it comes to her illness.

Sempai… Doesn't have a clue on how painful it is for me to leave him like that! I can't even tell this darn feelings to him…Everything is just going to get wasted…

Her thinking was cut short when she heard a knock on the door. She wiped away her tears and opened the door. Kogure was there, smiling at her. "Ohayou, Miyu-chan… We need to talk about something…" Kogure said. Miyuki nodded as she led him to the living room. There was awkward silence between the two of them. It is very rare for Kogure to drop by since his house it a bit far from hers.

"Kaname… told me about your illness…" Kogure began. "He asked me to look after you once a while…"

Miyuki smiled as she lowered her head. "Oniichan is really sweet… Anou… I hope I'm not a big trouble for you… My house is a bit far from yours…" she muttered.

"Iie… not at all… After all, you are Kaname's imouto… ne?" Kogure replied as he smiled. Miyuki lowered her head as she gripped at the pillow in her hands. Kogure noticed tears coming from Miyuki. "Anou… is there something wrong, Miyu-chan?"

Miyuki wiped away her tears, but they kept falling involuntarily. She leaned on Kogure as she cried her heart out. "I don't want to die Kiminobu-san! I don't want to leave my friends and my family… And… and… I can't bear to leave sempai!" she cried out. Kogure looked at her as he comforted her. "Ki-kiminobu-san… i-mitsui means the whole world to me… I…I love him so much… I… I don't want to leave… I … I might not handle the regret!"

Kogure was surprised at Miyuki's confession. After all this time, Mitsui didn't have a one-sided love after all. Everything about Miyuki is just under wraps. He comforted her until she fell calm. So that's why Kaname wanted him to watch her. His mind is debating whether she would tell her that Mitsui felt the same way for her as well.

"Waiting is wasting, Miyu-chan…" Kogure muttered in Miyuki's ear. "Yes, there are some things that are better left unsaid. Demo, feelings shouldn't be kept locked within yourself… You're not going to be at peace if you keep it to yourself."

Miyuki stayed silent as she listened to Kogure. "Demo… I don't want to tell him I'm dying…"

Kogure looked into her and smiled. "Well, it's up to you… If you don't want to tell him, then show him…" Kogure muttered. Miyuki lowered her head. The reason is that, she was always scared of the outcome. She doesn't want to hear him reject her feelings for her… if ever. Her past experience with Miyagi might be too much for her already. She doesn't want to get hurt again.

A/N: In the anime/manga, It is said that Mitsui didn't graduate with Kogure and Akagi… That's why he was made Miyagi's vice-captain. But, I can't bear the thought of him as a repeater… heheh… So I changed some facts a bit… Heheheh… Thanks for reading, please drop a review on your way out… Arigatou minna-san…