Vanilla-chan's note:
Ahh... I love Gackt... he's just amazingly good. Yes, I am a fan girl.. But it's not JUST because he's so delicious looking. XD I love his songs! I've been listening to a bit more Plastic Tree nowadays. I think I'm starting to like them more and more. goodies. Hehe. But, I still like Dir En Grey and L'ArcenCiel above most. They're amazing...! Kk.. Um about the fic, yes, I'm trying my best. Really, honest! So please give me some criticism, both good and bad! Arigatou!
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is copyrighted by Takhikou Inoue. The original characters in this story are mine. This is purely fan fiction. 'Nuff said.
3. Memories
"Otou-san!" I ran as fast as my little legs can carry me. With my tiny hands outstretched, I jumped into the arms of a familiar man. He smelt of sweet vanilla and a hint of cigarettes. He had smiled at me so affectionately. I would snuggle my pig-tailed head further into his chest. I would smile, and he would smile back. But I can't remember. His face... how did it look?
Rrrring
My eyes fluttered open. Such a pleasant dream. I stirred in my bed, facing my back against the wall. It was noon. Shit. It was after crushing my alarmclock when I realized it was Saturday. Good. Rousing my hungover body against its will, I stepped out. It was empty. Her room was still bare. How long has it been? Three months, a week, and two days. I scowled at the thought. Where the hell was she?
Dragging my sore limbs to the sofa, I plopped down. Taking a handful of chips from the open bag on the coffee table, I sat and ate. I know it's bad for hangovers. I'm not in the mood to cook. I can't cook anyway. I can't think. That woman is making me worried sick. Even more sick than the current hangover situation. Which I did not appreciate at all. 'I wish you get into a car accident, having fun all by yourself and uncle Kenji..hmph.' Red blinks from the phone broke my thought. Groaning as I reached out to touch the button from my current situation,(the current condition unwilled me to get up) when I finally succeeded, I was already annoyed out of my mind.
Beep Friday 9 pm
"Edogawa Nanae-san? This is Kitamura (Vanilla-chan - the one Anzai sensei stayed at XD) Hospital. I'm afraid I have bad news. Edogawa Hatsumi-san was involved in a car accident..."
..was all that I heard. I ran out. I was panicking. Looking back, I barely remember what I did. In a hurry, I had reached Takeru's and he took me to the hospital. He kept on telling me that I myself was the one who needed to be hospitalized. I remember his voice echoing throughout my head, but repeated screaming like a broken record was blocking it out. I couldn't think. The screaming was too distracting. Then I remember looking at a reflection in the car window. The one screaming with a tear stained face was me. I had snapped. During what it felt like an eternity to reach the hospital and to my mom, only one thought occupied my mind.
I'm going to be all alone.
"Where.. Where is she?" I managed to choke out. The nurse was taken aback at my abrupt manner. I didn't give a shit. I needed to know. "WHERE IS SHE!" Takeru grabbed hold of me, and apologized to the frightened nurse. He kindly asked where Edogawa Hatsumi-san was placed in, and the nurse told us the room number. When we got there, there wasn't anything else we could do. No one was allowed in. Not even me. I looked through the glass. Blood. She was covered in blood. Her face.. No, her whole body was ghastly pale. I stood there. As if my whole body would fuse with the thick glass, my hands pressed hard against it, I stood.
An hour? Two hours? How long has it been? Hikaru, who heard Takeru's urgent call, futilely attempted to make me sit. As minutes passed by, the people clothed in white dispersed one by one. When the last doctor closed the door behind him as he exited, was when my mind snapped back. "How.. How is she?" I managed to ask. "Currently she's in a coma. She lost a lot of blood. There was a lot of trauma to the brain. I'm unsure of when she'll regain consciousness. Right now, all we can do is wait. I'm sorry." Coma? That healthy woman? You must be shittin' me. Thud My legs at last gave under my weight.
Seven days. She still hasn't woken up. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep. I didn't go to school. Not the first time anyway. I stayed by her. She looked so peaceful. I like her better this way. Without her makeup, flashy clothes, and the swollen red eyes. Ever since he died eight years ago, she had cried herself to sleep. I knew, much to her dismay. Takeru and Hikaru always visited me. Granted they were drunk half the time, but it's the thought that counts. Uncle Kenji stayed with her every second too.
He wasn't in the car with her. She left first. He said she was in a hurry to get to me. But why? That he didn't know or rather, refused to tell me. "Nana.." My trance broke. I looked at the source of the voice. "Uncle Kenji.." He stood there all worn out. "That place called again. They want you to pick up the belongings that were in your mother's car. Hatsumi's okay with me. I'll call you if she wakes up, so you can go and afterwards have some rest." I didn't want to leave, but I had to. "Thanks. You take care too." I stumbled up and walked out.
Cough The house needs cleaning. I firmed my grip on the boxes. I started with her room first. Uncle Kenji kindly offered to pay for the living expenses till she woke up. I can't do that. I'll just move to a smaller place or crash at Takeru's. So many clothes. Holy Shit. Was that my top? And my jeans. And my purse. And my SHOES. Okay... calm down. She's a sick woman. For Christ's sake she can't even move. I tiptoed to reach the shelf. Oh shit. Bad move. The small boxes that were cramped together cascaded down on my head. After every cuss words that I can mutter under a minute, I started to pick them up.
In my clumsy manner, I grabbed on to the lid of a pink box. When I lifted it up, all the contents spilled out. Damnit. I started picking them up. Well, I'll be damned. Love letters? I counted them. There were fifty-three of them. I laughed. They were all unopened. Probably some weird hobby of her's, collecting letters from her admirers. I should read these. Hah. Don't mind if I do. After all, the curiosity got the better of me. But I shouldn't have, because this time, the curiosity did kill the cat.
Dear Nana,
How are you? I hope your week went well as mine. I finally went to Magicland with Kiyoko-san and her child. Remember when we went? You were scared of that silly clown. My.. How fast times have gone. Hatsumi tells me that you started highschool. You're practically a lady now! I've sent a present congratulating your graduation to your mother. I hope you like it. I remembered how much you used to love them, so I picked it out. Unfortunately I don't know what you like anymore. Times do change. I really wish to speak with you Nana. The only thing I can do is write these letters. Although it seems that you're still refusing to speak with me. Please Nana. Write me a letter. It doesn't have to be long. I just want to know how you have been doing. I love you with all my heart and nothing can ever change that. When times get tough, you know you can count on your old man.
With love,
Dad
Vanilla-chan's note continued:
GOMENASAI! The intro to the plot is now done! Sorry for itbeingso drawn out...So next chapter is when she'll be moving in. I'm trying to keep the chapters short and condensed. Just to let you know, the plot isn't just Nana living with the new family which just magically happens to have a delicious hunk of a basketball player as the son. There is a serious plot to that sub-plot. But, that plot probably won't be addressed until further into the story. So... take a wild guess! XD Oh, and thank you for the review, Addictedtonothing. It's really encouraging that there's someone out there who took their time to show that they read my story. Seriously, much love! So please, to everyone else that is reading this, R&R! Arigatou!