Title: Crazy Love Webs
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine. Britney Spears, Usher and Simple Plan are not mine, neither are their albums and their songs.
Warning/s: Foul language is present; there is also yaoi and, very rarely for Slam Dunk, some Yuri. Obviously, Miyagi and Haruko are the only "normal" people in this fanfic.
Important A/N: This is not Mitru.
Summary:
Rukawa is Sendoh's crush. Sendoh is Koshino's crush. Fukuda has two crushes: Koshino and Jin. Jin likes his best friend, Kiyota, who has a thing for Maki, who had set his eyes on Fujima. Fujima, on the other hand, kept his feelings for Hanagata who has a crush on Haesegawa, who had always hid his feelings on Mitsui, who loves Kogure, who likes Akagi. Akagi likes Uozumi, who had come to like Uekusa, who likes Miyagi, who loves Ayako, who had suppressed her feelings for Haruko. Haruko had finally come to like Sakuragi, who had tried to stop his feelings for Rukawa. Try to figure out what will happen next in this crazy love web.
man, that was long
(OoOoOo) Changing of scene
(Flashback) self-explanatory
Chapter three: Ridiculously Silly
The best school fair on Kanagawa is on! Get ready to grab some prizes at the booths! Try the crazy, wacky rides on the school! There are crazy roller coasters passing on scary tunnels full of scary-looking dolls, octopus rides that will suddenly rise, and other outrageous rides. Try the cool concerts on the evening! They are inviting all the popular bands that they can! Surely no one can get a wink of a sleep tonight. Get ready to rock with the rock bands and jam with every known artist! Who can forget the dance troupe that the principal had forcefully formed just two days ago? No one!
Yet, with that long list of activities and fun that one can choose from, this story will not concentrate on any of these. Because, frankly, the excitement of all these activities is nothing compared to the excitement you guys will be getting!
And, so far, this excitement is already starting.
Hanamichi slumped on the corner of the dressing room. It's been one hour already since his Kaede went out of the school premises with that spiky-haired… someone! It feels so bad. Maybe that Sendoh took Rukawa somewhere and…well... did something to him…
But that can't be because there are a lot of people in the fair… And a lot of people can see them…
Yet, Sakuragi just can't stop his imagination from playing and all. His courage never faltered or anything before. Why is he feeling like that? It's as if the Ryonan ace had won over HIS Kaede already!
No. No. No.
OK, maybe that spiky-haired playboy won over HIS Kaede, but that is only for now. IF Kaede is Akira's right now, Sakuragi Hanamichi the genius is definitely going to steal his fox back!
0o0o0
Rukawa Touya hates people. It runs in their blood. His father is an agoraphobic. His younger is agoraphobic. It is not a surprise that he himself also avoids people.
He sighed.
Indeed, his younger brother is growing up, and he does not like that. Moreover, his younger brother is growing up in an environment with gangsters! He is surrounded with playboys, gangsters, trouble-makers…
OK, maybe he got over-protective and paranoid there. Well, he was a playboy… and his brother is a trouble-maker…
But…
Not in an environment with Mitsui around…
He could not allow that… Not ever…
There are certain things that the heart just can't forego that easily. Call it cheesy: thinking of all these emotional things in public…
Maybe after ten years, he can already forget, but, not in two short years…
Please, not in two short years.
He's not yet ready to face Hisashi. Not now, maybe not in a year or so. If he has one single wish for this fair, his wish would be: "Not to meet Hisashi".
Please, let his wish come true before he can kill that bastard!
Now, where's Kaede?
Damn his younger irresponsible brother. Why did Kaede have to leave his wallet? His younger brother is stupid, stupid, and so stupid. He knows his younger brother. Kaede does not place his money anywhere but his wallet.
So what is Kaede supposed to do without his freaking wallet?
What was he supposed to spend?
What?
Damn Kaede!
Damn him, damn him, damn him, damn…
"Hi."
…Him?
Touya felt as though he can't breathe, and he's going to die. No, God, please, not now. In fact, not ever…
"Are you looking for Rukawa Kaede?"
Now, he does not have any choice but to look at the person at his back. No, please, don't… What sins had he done this year that God did not grant his wish?
Let's see… Well, he stole his younger brother's report card, he broke a total of five girls' hearts, and two boys' hearts (he's a bi, alright), he cheated on his current girl friend, he bought 15 more porno CDs that now adds to his collection (which adds up to his 100 CDs, by the way), he went to the club/rave without his father's permission, he…
OK, God has his reasons on why not to grant his wish.
"Touya…? Are you alright?"
Touya sighed. Fine.
"Where's Kaede?" Touya managed to say straightly, despised being greatly surprised at his ex's outfit.
Mitsui Hisashi smiled at Touya. "Nice outfit, huh? What do you think?"
'Fuck off, Mitsui'. But, hell, of course he won't tell that to his ex. He's angry at Hisashi, and Hisashi is just fooling around.
"So, that is what Kaede borrowed my yellow jacket for?" Hisashi grinned. "Sort of… So… Want to hook up with me again?" Touya glared at his ex. "I was asking where my brother is, do'aho!"
Hisashi sighed. Touya is still angry with him… After two long years… "I'm just kidding. What's the matter with you? You're still angry after two long years? Don't you know the proverb 'Forgive and forget'?"
Touya can feel his blood boil. He might be numb, but Hisashi is definitely more unfeeling!
"Fuck off, Mitsui! Go with that Kogure of yours, and I'll go find my brother!"
0o0o0
'Where is Mitsui?' A glass-eyed boy asked while looking for the said person. The fair is more like a circus. Of course, he was expecting a lot of people to attend the fair, but not this many…
Mitsui forgot his keys at Akagi's car a while ago.
At long last, he saw where Mitsui is. The ex-gangster is talking with someone who looks so much like Rukawa… Wait… he recognized that person Mitsui is talking to… Isn't that Rukawa Touya, a student of Tokyo University, the great dancer of the past dance troupe, Mitsui's ex-best friend and the very famous playboy of Kanagawa? They seem to be arguing.
Kogure went near them, and he can't help hearing their heated conversation.
"I was asking where my brother is, do'aho!"
"I'm just kidding. What's the matter with you? You're still angry after two long years? Don't you know the proverb 'Forgive and forget'?"
"Fuck off, Mitsui! Go with that Kogure of yours, and I'll go find my brother!"
"Touya, don't scream out loud, for the love of…"
"For the love of Kogure?"
"I don't see the point why you're angry at me!"
"I see that up to now, you're still stupid! How numb and blind can you get, you stupid do'aho? You cheated on me!"
"And you take it out by breaking other people's hearts, too?"
Kogure's eyes knitted. "Um… hello, Rukawa-san and Mitsui-kun."
Mitsui's eyes widened in surprise.
0o0o0
Kaede sighed as he leaned on the bench. There is still a lot of time, so why should he panic? Damn that dance, he should have been sleeping at his cozy house today!
Or, maybe he has to thank that dance, he has an excuse to stay out of their house… and avoid his father…
"Rukawa-kun, are you alright?"
Sendoh's voice brought him back to reality. Rukawa nodded and closed his eyes. Maybe it is time that he reconciles with his father after two long years…
"I heard from Mitsui-san that you guys are performing today. I did not know that you dance well."
Rukawa opened his eyes and averted his gaze to Sendoh. "You shouldn't believe in rumors."
Sendoh smiled. "Well, we'll see about the rumor later when you perform…"
Silence ruled again. Again, Sendoh started the conversation. "After your performance, can we meet at the anime stand? The one beside the hotdog stall?"
Rukawa raised his eyebrow. "And why will I meet with you?" Akira rubbed his chin, as though he was thinking real hard. "Why not?"
Rukawa glared at him. "Because you're my rival."
"So?"
Rukawa raised his eyebrow once more, only this time higher. Akira laughed. "Oh, come on! Basketball is not the only existing dimension in the world. Besides, you have no one to spend the day with. Maybe we can hang out…"
Rukawa glared at him and stood up, hands on his slim waist. "Look here, Sendoh Akira. I going out with you outside the school do not mean you can pull me to a date!"
Akira's smile widened. "It's not a date, Rukawa-kun. Come on… Please?"
Kaede can't help but blush and give in at Akira's puppy eyes. He just nodded and turned his back to Sendoh, intending to hide his blush.
"Yahoo! Thank you, Rukawa-kun!" Sendoh shouted in glee. His target was only to spy on Rukawa for the fair, but look how lucky he got! He can spend the day with Rukawa Kaede!
Rukawa shrugged. This will be a long fair…
0o0o0
Haruko hopped off their van. Ayako stopped talking with Ryota for a minute as she observed Haruko.
Haruko looks so cute and pretty in that cute floral dress! Her shoulder-length brown hair had been braided and flows freely with the morning breeze. Her light blue dress with a lily on it complimented her fair complexion.
"Good morning, Miyagi-san and Ayako-san!"
Ayako just can't stop herself from staring at Haruko. "Hey, Haruko, are you going to go to church today?" Miyagi teased. Haruko blushed. "Well… I'm wearing this dress because I'm singing with the choir for the opening ceremony…"
Ayako smiled at Haruko. "You look pretty today, Haruko." Haruko smiled at Ayako, too. "You look pretty with your long-sleeves too, Ayako-san."
Ever been to cloud nine? Ayako does. However, it's just a visit to heaven, because…
"Miyagi-san, Ayako-san, have you seen Hanamichi around? I wish to spend the fair with him."
Paradise fell once more.
0o0o0
There are a lot of people around. There are children, and there are parents. There are girls, and there are boys. There are slim people, and there are healthy ones. There are curly-haired people, and there are people who have straight hair. There are people who have green hair, black hair, blue hair, pink hair…
And one naturally red hair, which seems so cross and so angry that people make way for him.
As for the red-head…
He can see red, red, and only red. That damned Akira... that damn broom head…
How dare he challenge this red-headed genius? Does he know who he is clashing with? This red-headed genius has many gang connections, and he can kill that bastard broom head any minute!
Oops… He forgot that he and the Sakuragi gang had already quitted Dark Shohoku gang already…
Whatever…
But nonetheless, he can fight well, maybe even better than before! He can't just allow the broom head to get HIS fox. Over his dead body!
This certain red-head is so angry that he did not notice that there was a certain brown-haired girl approached her.
'Sendoh Akira can not get MY fox…"
"Sakuragi-kun! You've got a nice outfit there!"
'Sendoh Akira can not get MY fox…"
"Sakuragi-san?"
'Sendoh Akira can not get MY fox…"
"Are you alright? Hanamichi?"
Sakuragi finally got out of his mantra when he noticed that there was a hand waving in front of him. He turned to its owner, just to see a very pretty Haruko.
"Haruko-san! You look so pretty with your dress!"
"Oh, thank you, Hanamichi! My brother bought this for me! Do you like it?"
Hanamichi turned chibi and blushed. "Yeah… It looks so good on you…"
Haruko smiled. "Do you have anyone to spend this fair with, Hanamichi?" Hanamichi, realizing that HIS fox is still with Sendoh Akira, turned back to his angry mode.
"I'm sorry, Haruko-san, but I have to go. I'm going to kill someone yet."
Haruko opened her mouth to ask, but…
However, Hanamichi had already rushed out of the school gate before Haruko can even ask.
0o0o0
Rukawa Touya glared at Mitsui and turned his back at the two. Mitsui smiled at Kogure nervously. Kogure had mixed expressions on his face while staring at the two of them. The silence is so uncomfortable and tensed that Mitsui felt like he can't breathe. At long last, Kogure broke the silence.
"Rukawa-san, I saw your brother a while ago. He was outside the school, near the play ground, with Sendoh Akira."
Touya nodded gratefully as he turned to the direction of the gate. Well, of course, after glaring at Mitsui for the umpteenth time.
After Touya disappeared with the crowd, Kogure turned to Mitsui. "Can we talk for a while, Hisashi-kun?"
Mitsui gulped a huge amount of his saliva. Even if Kogure does not look angry and did not say anything, he knows when his best friend is angry.
Mitsui nodded.
0o0o0
Kanagawa, for the first time in history, is so silent that one can hear a pin drop. It seems like all the teenagers, noisy or silent, are all abducted by an alien. However, at the eastern part of the district, all the imaginable noises can be heard.
At long last, a voice in the speaker shut them up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the opening ceremony and morning program will be held on the all-purpose hall, 7:30 am. Everyone is invited, teachers are encouraged, and students are requested while officers of the student body, together with the managers of the fair, are all required to attend. Performers, you are required to go to the backstage on 7:20. The time is 7:05. Thank you."
Out of the blue, a black van (MKI404) pulled in and found a parking space between a blue sports car (RKW711) and a red Isuzu Adventure (AKG004). Six teen-agers stepped out of the van.
The first to step out was a tanned brown-haired man who looks too old for his age. The next one to step out is a fair-skinned brown-haired teenager who is too short for his age. The third one that stepped out of the van has an ordinary skin tone and had his wild hair pony tailed. He is too childish for his age.
The next to step out of the van is a timid-looking, fair skinned boy who is too timid for his age (and gender?). The fifth to step out was a tall guy who has glasses. He is too green-minded for his age. The next to step out was a slightly spiky-haired six-footer guy. His eyes are too small for his age :P.
They look different, but they all have one goal: Win their loved one's heart.
Fujima sighed and stretched his arms out. It was a good thing that he's feeling well already. The fair looks so good. If he was stuck in bed today, he could have missed out on a lot of fun already.
He turned to his right, and saw that his best friend was still talking, and laughing and smiling, to Haesegawa. He almost forgot that he is still angry with his best friend…
Why?
Fujima glared at himself for asking. He knows why… but it made him so damn guilty that he was so irrational and childish.
So… What was he supposed to do here in the fair? He was supposed to spend it with his two closest friends, but he is now ready to change his mind.
He pouted. Suddenly, when he was about to turn his back and leave the fair, a hand was pressed on his shoulders that made him turn to the direction of the owner.
"Fujima-san… do you want to spend the whole day with me? That is, of course, if you aren't spending…"
Maki wasn't able to finish this sentence because Fujima smiled at him. "Yes, Maki-san. Where would we start?"
0o0o0
From afar, Hanagata looked like he was happily talking with Haesegawa. However, Haesegawa knows the truth. "You aren't happy, Toru. Are you alright? You've been looking at Kenji for quiet a while now."
Toru sighed as he let his guard down. "I have a feeling that Kenji's angry at me. Yesterday, he caught a high fever, and I brought his things to the clinic. Then, I offered him a hand home, which he turned down angrily. A while ago at the car, when I greeted him, he did not reply. And now… look at him!"
Haesegawa did as told. There, he saw their team captain/ace/coach/BEST FRIEND talking to his rival.
"He likes to talk to Maki more than he wants to talk to us! Why? What did I do something wrong?"
Haesegawa frowned. "Let's move closer to them." Hanagata and Haesegawa went near enough to the two that they can hear what they were talking about.
"Fujima-san… do you want to spend the whole day with me? That is, of course, if you aren't spending…"
Toru's and Haesegawa's eyes both widened in disbelief. However, their eyes will turn larger because…
"Yes, Maki-san. Where would we start?"
Toru's jaw dropped. "What on earth is Kenji thinking? What the…" Haesegawa stopped him. "Toru, calm down! Don't! Maybe Kenji needs to go out and meet other people other than us…"
Toru became so exasperated that he almost had the urge to punch Maki straight in the gut. However, he will not do that. Not here in the fair, where many people are watching and Haesegawa is here to witness.
Haesegawa sighed. "Cool down, Toru. I'm sure Kenji's just all moody and stuff because of too much pressure and his forty plus degree fever yesterday."
Hanagata nodded. "I hope so, Haesegawa. I hope so."
He turned to where Kenji and Maki were, and saw that they had now moved to a booth of key chains. Kenji does collect key chains, and he seems too happy now to even bother Toru and Haesegawa.
Wrong. Kenji turned to Hanagata, and glared. Then, Maki called back his attention when he saw a green crystal basketball key chain with a number four inside it.
Hanagata frowned and turned to Haesegawa. "I hope so, Haesegawa."
0o0o0
The sun is already out. Time check: 7:20 am. All performers, men and women alike, are all heading to the backstage. The bands are settings up their instruments and having last minute-rehearsals, making the backstage a very noisy place.
However, the dance group is still incomplete.
"What the… Where is Rukawa, Sakuragi and Mitsui!" Tokiya asked Miyagi. Miyagi shrugged. "Don't ask me. So far, the only one I saw this morning is Mitsui."
Aki shrugged. "So, Ryota, where is he?"
Ryota shrugged in reply, too. "I don't know. But I do hope that their personal affairs will not affect our performance." Touya and Tokiya smiled. "We do hope too, Miyagi."
Then, there was a furious Hanamichi that appeared. "Did anyone see the fox?" He asked. Touya and Tokiya tried to control their laughter (with hidden meanings), but they can't.
Hanamichi could have put up with that. It's normal, after all: Tokiya and Touya laughing at him. But no. He is in such a bad mood he can KILL anybody.
"You two shut up!" He roared at them. All the performers in the backstage stared at them. It is not unknown to them that the dance troupe is composed of all the worst trouble makers of Shohoku.
Touya and Tokiya stopped their laughter, but they are still smiling. "Gee, calm down, Sakuragi. Are you hotheaded because of the high temperature of the room or is it because…" They both smiled the knowing smile.
All hell broke loose if only a seemingly light-hearted Rukawa did not enter the backstage. He seems in a light mood, and Sakuragi can sense it well.
"And you, fox, where did you come from?"
Rukawa shrugged. The redhead does not care even a bit, for all he knew. "It's none of your business, do'aho."
Sakuragi's fists are ready to fight, had Mitsui not entered. "Damn it, all of you stop being childish for once!"
Sakuragi glared at Mitsui. "Do not enter the conversations and businesses of other people, mouse!"
Indeed, the back stage is heating up.
0o0o0
Rukawa Touya sighed as he finally saw his brother outside the back stage. It seems like Kaede was refreshing himself. The latter inhaled a lot of air, and then exhaled through his mouth.
"There you are, stupid Kaede."
Kaede turned his head to the direction of the voice. He knows who the owner of the voice is. However, its owner considers it impolite if you do not turn to him while he is talking to you.
"What?" Rukawa's raspy voice explained everything.
"I came here for your wallet, Kaede. However, I see that something happened. Mind to tell me what it is?"
Kaede looked at his brother, as if deciding whether to trust him or not. Then, he sighed. "No."
Touya's eye brows knitted together. He never saw his brother like this before. "Kaede, tell me what's going on."
Kaede stared at his brother again. 'Nothing is really going on… except that two MALES are hitting on me… One flirting/stalking and the other fight…' He wanted to say that to his older brother, but he decided against it.
"Nothing, Touya. Thanks for the wallet."
At that moment, Miyagi opened the door. "Hello there, two Rukawas. There is a meeting of performers going on inside…"
Rukawa Touya nodded. "See you later, Kaede."
Kaede nodded to his older brother.
0o0o0
'There is something going on with Kaede's life that shouldn't be happening.' Touya thought as he closed his eyes. He is already getting a headache. Well, who wouldn't? High temperature, lots of people, screaming… Not too mention being over-protective of a brother who is keeping something really big…
As he opened his eyes, he saw someone who he does not want to see, too. "Hi there, Rukawa-san."
Touya stopped dead in his tracks. He recognized this person. In fact, he can recognize this person even if you put him in the middle of a big crowd.
He bowed respectfully to recognize him. "Good morning, Kogure." Kogure smiled. "Can we talk, Rukawa-san?"
Touya looked at the boy in front of him suspiciously. Kogure just smiled at him. "I believe we have to talk, Rukawa-san. We can go over the café… its way more refreshing and relaxing to stay there."
Touya wanted to stay away from his past. However, it seems like he can not escape from this one already. Maybe he has to face the past once more… Even if it left a deep scar inside him.
Kogure led the way.
0o0o0
The principal cleared his throat. All the performers are all busy in preparing their equipments, costumes (some are even cramming to practice) that they are ignoring the principal in front of them.
"Everybody, STOP."
Indeed, if the God says so, everyone will do. Unfortunately for the Shohoku high school students, the 'God' of the school would be no one but the principal.
The back stage suddenly fell silent. Childish dance performers stopped performing, band members stopped practicing, and choir members stopped distributing leaflet. In short, everybody stopped what they are doing. The principal then cleared his throat.
"You should do your best today. Your grade depends on this. I shall be among the audiences to hear their reactions and see how you perform. If anyone makes a mistake, aside from failing, you'll be reprimanded from your clubs. Is that understood?"
The people outside were surprised by the loud shouts coming from the back stage. "YES SIR!"
0o0o0
Everybody sat at the seats that the school provided for the visitors and students alike. The all-purpose hall is a big hall. It can accommodate thousands of people. Maybe the principal is planning this fair since last year, a lot of people commented.
A lot of scenarios can be seen in the hall. There are parents waiting for their children's performances. There are teenagers pouting because they can't find a nice position where they can watch the heart throbs. And, of course, there are a lot of flirting.
Maki smiled at the brown-haired beside him. Fujima noticed this. He looked at Maki. "What is it, Maki-san?"
Maki spoke. "After this performance, would you like to eat some burgers?" Fujima laughed lightheartedly. "Not really, Maki-san. Maybe just a burger."
Hanagata frowned. This is it. This is what Kenji does when he's pissed off: he pretends that you're not there. Haesegawa, who is ever-affectionate and ever-understanding, did not seem to notice this time. All he wanted to do was watch Mitsui dance.
In the mean time, Ryonan players with Ayako, Kogure and Akagi were two rows behind the Shoyo and Kainandai players. Sendoh is literally dancing and singing with joy. "Hiro! Oh my god, you won't believe this!" He shouted in a sing-song way. He was clapping while smiling like an idiot.
Koshino pretended to be irritated like hell by his best friend, but actually, it hurt like hell. He wanted to cry. He knows why his best friend is so happy, and it hurt like hell.
"Shut UP, Akira. People are looking at our way."
Akira did not stop, though. He only lowered down his sing-song voice. "Rukawa-kun agreed to stay with me the whole day. That is, of course, while he isn't performing. I'm so HAPPY!"
"I said hush, Akira!"
Akagi gaped at him, while Kogure's eyes widened. Ayako looked like she did not care, though. While Uozumi lectured about not having advances on public, Fukuda sighed.
He was pretty much confused on where to look. Should he look at his right, Koshino, or directly front, Jin? He wanted to be with the both of them, but Jin is fussing over Kiyota's long hair while Koshino's attention is on Sendoh.
How thick can Kiyota and Sendoh get? Can't they see that Jin and Koshino like them? Maybe because both are not vocal about their feelings. Well, is he? No, definitely not.
He had come as close as having MU with Jin, but, he lost it. Why? He didn't do anything. He let it past. Since then, their relationship was never the same again…
About Koshino, he never went closer than being a teammate. To Koshino, he was a mere teammate. That's all…
And so, in this fair, hearts continue to be broken and to be lost. Some might get mended. Rare people will find satisfaction. But, well, no one cares… because it's the fair… Everybody's supposed to enjoy it.
0o0o0
Touya got up from the chair in the café. Two minutes had passed since Kogure went outside to view the performance. Maybe he should go there too.
Of course, he wanted to see his brother dance. It's been a long time since Kaede turned his back to dancing. But, there are certain reasons why he does not want to go there.
First off, he'll see Mitsui and Kogure. After a mistake that he committed and carrying it up to the present, affecting everyone's normal lives, he is already ashamed to show his face.
Second, he has red, moist eyes. Why would he go in a public place with these eyes?
Third, a lot of people will recognize him. After the scandal he made, someone might recognize him. Kaede's life might be affected…
Touya never felt so helpless, so stupid and so confused. True, he had the brains. How could he enter Tokyo University without it? But, his decisions can never be more stupid…
He sighed as he recalled his conversation with Kogure a while ago…
(Flashback)
"What would you want to talk about, Kogure?"
"I already know that I was the cause of your break-up with Mitsui, therefore also the cause of the scandal two years before. Mitsui explained to me a while ago."
"…"
"I'd like to explain my side, Rukawa-san."
"I'm listening."
"Mitsui and I are not together. We are just friends, even up to now. In fact, I never imagined of the possibility that we are together."
"Yeah, right."
"Seriously, Rukawa-san. The scene you saw under the rain… We weren't kissing or making out or anything. It was an accident. Mitsui slipped and I was caught under. Please understand, Rukawa-san."
"Stop making me believe that you are innocent, Kogure."
"I am not making you believe that I am innocent, Rukawa-san, because I AM innocent. I only found out about this later. In fact, I never thought that the blind items in the school paper were about you and Mitsui."
"…"
"Please, Rukawa-san. I am sorry if I hurt you in any way. But I never knew anything about this since today."
"Do you mean ever since Mitsui told you that he loves you?"
"Rukawa-san…"
"You don't need to hide it, Kogure. It's obvious. He loves you, but you like someone else. His name is Akagi Takenori. Am I right?"
"R…rukawa-san…"
"As I see it, I had committed a very grave mistake. Kogure, look deep inside you. I know that you also love him. You just don't realize it because all you see is Akagi's greatness. Reflect on it."
"…I… I don't know what to say…"
"He's all yours, Kogure. I can see it in his eyes. He does not love me anymore… It hurts, I admit, but to set him free is better. I affected a lot of lives because of my mistake… And I think two years is enough."
"Rukawa-san…"
(End of Flashback)
His eyes are still moist. He didn't realize he was crying while they were talking. It was a good thing he always brings his trusty sunglasses with him.
0o0o0
"OK, guys, this is it." Mitsui said in a low voice. It was quite a surprise to see him this serious, but seeing all the other troublemakers of Shohoku high school serious… It was quite creepy.
"We all worked hard for this. We practiced all day and all night… We lost precious sleep… Today, this very moment, is the judging time. I know that all of us are still tired, but we need to get this one. Are we going to give our best today?"
"HAI!"
0o0o0
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we shall start the opening ceremonies. Please take your respective seats so we can now start."
The all-purpose hall suddenly became silent. The emcee then started the program. The first performance was by the choir. Haruko wasn't the leader of the choir, yet, her voice stood out. It was very angelic…
After the performance, Ayako and Akagi clapped energetically. Uozumi noticed this. "They're very good." He commented. Akagi turned to Uozumi. "Did you see that brown-haired with the yellow sundress? She is my sister."
Uozumi 'ooh-ed'.
Ayako was still clapping. "She's really pretty, ne?"
Both the captains nodded.
After that performance, the principal had a speech. At first, everybody listened. However, as minutes passed, everybody got bored. So… look at the scenarios.
At the third row…
Fujima yawned. He is so sleepy already that he can sleep in the middle of the speech. He know that it is impolite… but…
Soon he fell asleep. His head looked for a place to lean on… which, coincidentally, was Maki's shoulders.
Hanagata was on the verge of marching towards their place and waking Fujima up. He doesn't know if he's jealous… But he is definitely angry. Why?
First off, Fujima is angry at him. Second, Fujima is flirting and being advanced upon by the captain of the other side.
Haesegawa was sleepy, too. His head landed on Toru's shoulders. If it were ordinary circumstances, he would forget his anger and stroke Haesegawa's face, but it wasn't…
Meanwhile, three seats away from them… Kiyota and Jin are both sleeping. It's a pretty nice scene to capture in a picture, but no one has the energy get their cameras and capture the moment…
No one but Fukuda… His heart captured the scene… and it hurt like hell…
0o0o0
After a few minutes, The principal was done. Everybody clapped. Not because of his speech, but because he is done. Finally. A band performed after the principal, waking everybody up. After the band was the closing performance…
What everybody was waiting for…
The dance!
0o0o0
A/N: Whatever…
We all know that I update after millenniums, so it isn't worth saying over and over again.
I changed something in the 'Wildly Idiotic' chapter… It was a slight mistake… See if you'll notice it…
Finals are coming, and yet, I spent my time updating. I know I should be doing school stuff. Finals are coming and there are two projects due this week… but the teachers know their students: we'll just cram them ()
Thank you to all those who reviewed. I really appreciated it. I wish that you will review again… Just to bug me to update… Coz it works.
Anyway, Please review. The next update might take the whole summer. Who knows, maybe I'll type the summer away…