2) Please forgive me my poor English. m( )m
3) I'll is not mine.
THE SCENT OF THE SEA
CHAPTER 2
- So it really is you.
He says and smiles at me.
I smile back although I feel my eyes watering from emotion.
- What brings you here all of a sudden? We thought we'd never see you again.
We? I don't care about others but you said 'we'. Does it mean you also missed me?
- I wanted to visit old places. See how you are doing and...
And to see you again.
I'd like to say that but I don't dare.
At least...not yet.
- Ah, so how long will you stay here? And where?
While talking we slowly started walking towards a road.
- I've come for three weeks. My aunt is living here and I'm staying at her place. It's nearby.
- But that's great you're here! We have so many things to catch up with.
Is it only me or does he seem just as happy as I am?
I hope those aren't only empty words of politeness.
Even if they are, I still feel great.
I can still let my imagination come up with other reasons, can't I?
We stop at the crossroad.
I look at him.
During these two years he didn't change much. He's just slightly taller but still shorter than me. His hair as white as always and as short as they used to be. The same style of clothes.
It's just the same Hitonari and that makes me feel so incredible.
- I'm going to meet our pack at the Red Barns around 4 p.m. You'll come, won't you?
- Yeah, sure. And we'll play! It's been a long time since we last played together.
I really miss that too. Since I moved away I couldn't find anyone who would feat my style of playing so well.
- Okay. I get going now and I'll see you later.
- Yeah, see you later.
Even after he turns around and start walking away I keep staring at him.
God, am I happy!
I feel like exploding right here and now.
I have so much energy I could conquer the world and a few other planets as well.
I focus on his retiring back one last time.
Next, I turn around and make use of this sudden impact of energy. I ran all the way to my aunt's place.
4.15 p.m.
Holly shit!
First meeting after two years and I'm already late.
It's good I'm almost there.
I rush into the Red Barns and see them all waiting at the small basketball field in the back.
Hitonari is the first one to greet me.
I must say that he even looks like he's been anticipating my arrival.
- At last! I thought you forgot!
Now everybody looks my way.
If only I had a camera with me. Those looks on their faces!
I snigger to myself.
They are all here: Sumire, Horii, Yama, Haru, Kanemoto, Saeki, Kondo, Minefuji. And on top of that my Hitonari.
And as on a command they all pounce on me.
And start asking questions, complaining why I didn't keep in touch with them, challenging me to play a game.
I feel as if nothing changed.
I'm home again.
And finally, after two years and the longest fifteen minutes in my life, I get a chance to play with Hitonari in one team again. The two of us vs Haru and Kanemoto. The match is though but I and Hitonari are invincible!
Later the greatest old team of Kouzu (me, Hitonari, Yama, Haru and Kanemoto) decide to held a little reunion party at Hitonari's flat.
On our way there we buy pizza and beer.
In Hitonari's flat nothing changed - everything is the way I remembered it.
We make ourselves comfortable and start talking.
I get to know what they did during all this time. It turns out that next pair has formed - Haru and Horii are together. Sumire, they tell me, is dating Asakura. And the Kouzu team after many hardships is doing well again.
That one I don't believe, it's impossible - without me? No way.
We lost track of time and suddenly we realize that it's already past midnight.
Three out of five go home.
I remain at Hitonari's place. It's too late to go back now, my aunt is probably sleeping already.
I announce that I'm staying for a night and Hitonari doesn't complain.
And now we are laying next to each other on a floor of his apartment slightly drunk and talk.
Now we can talk like I've always wanted to when I faced some problems during these two years.
I tell him about Negotoura, about my life there, my school, people I've met, basketball team, my plans of going into a collage and keep on playing.
He tells me about changes in Kouzu, about new members of basketball team, about problems with his family piling up, about his plans of moving away, about his doubts concerning his basketball career.
We only talk and enjoy each other's company.
I feel at peace, I feel happy.
I realize that it's a good moment to give him a hint that my feelings for him are still alive and kicking.
I haven't given up yet, Hiiragi Hitonari.
Not until I get my answers.
With that thought I slowly move my right hand towards his left until the back of my hand touches his.
He doesn't react.
No please, not this again!
Enough!
I've got enough!
You wanted it, you've got it!
This time I'll make you loose this cool composure, you just wait!
I decide to be slightly more bold.
I gently put my hand on his and tighten my grip a little...and held my breath...
He starts stammering during his talk.
Suddenly he falls silent and slowly, awkwardly takes my hand in his...
Okay, I admit.
I didn't expect a reaction like that.
And I'm really thankful it's a middle of a night so he can't see my blushing face.
He resumes talking and after a while, when I realize this isn't any kind of joke or anything like that, I relax.
Now I'm slowly falling asleep. It's so cosy here.
This is where I want to be.
Always.
Because here is where I belong to.
I know it now.
I drift into a land of sweet dreams lulled to sleep by the soft voice and the warm presence of my beloved.
TBC
So how did you like it?
I'm sorry if I didn't keep it in the atmosphere of the first chapter but it'd be hard for me to keep the action going.
And sorry to everybody who is a fan of other I'll characters. It's Akane and Hitonari's fic and other characters won't have much to say here. ;
It's going okay so far. xD We'll see what happens in next chapter.
Reply to review:
Sessol Seeker - thank you for such incredibly nice review. - I wasn't planing on posting anything today but when I read I've changed my mind. xD