Thinking of you

By: K

Chap 4: Not giving up

Hitonari's POV

'No! Impossible! This can't be happening… Akane, in the hospital… A car, he's hit by a car…

A big change that he's not going to be able to play basket any more. He's so not going to like that. He lives for basket. It's his life…

Why did this have to happen to him? Why him and not me? Why does this only happen to someone I care for, and never to me…

Akane… You have to get better. You have to be able to play again… Who do I have to give passes now? I need you at my side there. No one is able to play like you… No one is able to take over your place at my side. You belong there Akane. From the first moment we met I knew you would be at my side. And you would stay there. No matter what.

This can't keep you down. Don't let it keep you down…'

A tear is rolling down…

'No, I don't want to be alone again. I don't want to…

Akane, you can't leave me like this… Don't leave me… Don't…'

I crumble down. My back against the wall. I can't… can't see you like this. This isn't right. You're not supposed to be here. Lying in that bed.

The others already went home, but I couldn't go. Somehow, I can't leave you here on your own.

I silently enter the room. You're sleeping, but I can see your face twist in pain sometimes.

My fingers gently trace your cheek. A little stir, a soft moan. But you don't wake up…

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"Why aren't you going to visit him? You haven't been with him one single time… How can you leave him like that?"

Harumoto really sounds pissed off. He's even ready to fight me.

"Who said I didn't visit him?"

Wow, my voice sounds cold.

You look at me surprised.

"It's not because I'm not there together with you, that I don't visit him."

I turn around, start to dribble, and make a perfect lay-up.

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"So, and why do you want me to help him so badly?"

I sigh. Do I have to explain it another time?

"Because he lives for basket. And I want him to be able to catch up with me. That he's able again to play with or against me. It is because of him that I took pleasure in playing again. It's because of him that I can play at my best…"

'And because I love him… But I'm not about to tell you yet. You wouldn't approve, and than I truly doubt if you would help him…'

"Okay, I'll talk to him, but that means he'll have to go to Nagasaki. And he won't be able to play in your team anymore. Beside, it's not even a certainty that the operation is gonna succeed…"

I nod. "I know. Thank you for helping me, dad…"

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I put down the phone.

'So, he's going leave. That's perhaps the best. This is his best chance, and I want him to take it. I want him to be able to play again…'

I stand up, and walk out. Leaving for the hospital.

Fifteen minutes later I arrive there. Right on time it seems. Akane, his mother and the doctor were standing, or in Akane's case sitting, there. Waiting for a taxi to arrive and bring them to Nagasaki.

His face lits up when he sees me arriving. Running.

I look at him, and I know everybody can see the love and pain in my eyes. If they would look in my orbs that is. But I don't care.

I'm standing right before you now.

"We'll leave you two alone for a minute, so you can say good-bye."

Akane nods. "Thanx mom."

I smile at her. Sensing that somehow she knows about us…

She nods and she and the doc walk away.

Silence. We're just looking at each other.

And suddenly I can't hold it anymore. I lean forwards and capture your lips in a tender kiss.

A single tear escapes my eye when we pull back. Your hands holding mine. A small sad smile on your face.

"I'm going to miss you."

A soft whisper. I don't dare to say it out loud, afraid that it will be definitely.

"Ditto…"

I laugh softly and kiss you tenderly on your cheek.

The taxi arrives and your mother is suddenly back.

"Time to go…"

She helps you in the car, then looks at me. "Take care of yourself Hitonari."

I nod, unable to say anything.

They leave. And I'm alone again. But I know, one day, we'll see each other again. One day we will play together again…

A year and 7 months have passed by, and finally, finally I'm going to see you again.

I almost can't believe it… We're standing on one field again. Adversaries today, partners in the past… Actually, I don't care how. As long as you are able to play…

Ha, you still have that same smirk on your face. You haven't changed a bit… As long as you can play basket you're happy. And when you win, it's even better…

But I hope you don't really believe you're gonna be able to win against us… We might be your old team, and you might know us quit well, but you won't be able to beat us…

No one can beat us… And you know that, don't you… Cause it is what you always said. No-one can beat Kouzu! And it is right. No-one can… Not even you.

You can't believe how happy I am to see you back on the field. To see that confident smirk back on your face. I truly doubted if I would ever see it again…

Anyway, let's play…

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TBC

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K: So, this story comes to an end... Next chapter will be the last.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this one, and leave a review to tell me...