Disclaimer: The absolute undeniable fact that cannot be doubted is this: I do not own Slam Dunk. Pero pwede pa rin akong tumingin diba?
Coffeemaverick: thank you… well, I focus more on like sacrificing of time, rather than giving semi-precious necklaces for gifts and stuff… hehehe… cause I think that time has really become so important these days, and for you to give up your time for somebody else, weighs like a diamond! Hehehe… anyways, I hope you'll also enjoy this chapter…
Frost'd: thank you… hehe… oh, and more jinxkarin… it's actually a sequel, though you don't need to read the sequel, since basically what happens is Karin likes mitsui, miyagi likes ayako, mitsui and ayako end up together… that's all… hehehe… anyways, I hope you continue to read!
Kalyope Medina Burato: thank you.. hehehe… well I guess it's pretty obvious that she doesn't, though you know miyagi doesn't know her inside out anyways, so it's easier to make assumptions that way… Jin has sources… hehehehe…
Simmic: yup… well, first tries don't always turn out so good, and I mean it's not like I'm only focusing on how miyagi doesn't want this or that, but Karin, Ayako and Mitsui also lost their nerves, so I think they all had a share on it's failure… yup, Jin still practices it, though it's not included that much since well, Karin can't keep on going to Kainan everyday… besides they usually see each other after school too… not really before school… your comment about Karin using Jin arouses my mind to think… in one way we are kinda "using" other people, but just the word using kinda has a negative connotation…. Plus with the using you mentioned, it's like a two-way street that makes it acceptable, unlike the real using… hehehe… anyway, this is longer…
The Writing On The Wall
September 12, 1997. I woke up to the sound of my aunt's knocking on the door. "It's already 11:35 am! You just missed breakfast!" I didn't care about breakfast. I heard the keys on my doorknob, I heard it turn and just when I was about to close my eyes, my door opened and my aunt said in a normal voice, "Happy Birthday!" In her hands, she held a rectangular box, and I had an uneasy feeling of its hidden contents. She approached my bedside as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and my mind, and sat on my bed. "I figured you could use this." She handed the box over to me, and as I opened it, a new and good-looking, not to mention expensive-looking kimono was neatly folded. "You didn't have to do this." I knew we had bills to pay, and that she had gone to a lot of trouble to work two jobs at the same time, and I didn't want her to spend her money on something that's just what it is – a material thing. "Excuse me child, but where did your manners go? What have I taught you this past 18 years!" Subtract from that the years I spent with my original parents and it's not exactly eighteen years.
My father stopped sending money when I heard that he had remarried, and had begun another chapter in his life. He knew that my aunt had been taking good care of me, and that it was his turn to start life anew, and so I stayed with my aunt, and severed my relationship with him. I figured it was better that way.
"Well, hurry and take a bath, and then you can go the local shrine. And, I'll head to work okay?" The doorbell rang. "I'll get that. Go." She pulled me out of my bed and pushed me towards the bathroom.
I tightened the obi on my waist, and tied my hair in a bun, looking at myself on the mirror. Three knocks came upon my wooden door. My aunt let herself inside. "Someone's waiting for you downstairs." I took one last look in the mirror before I exited my room.
Jin was sitting on our couch. "Happy Birthday!" He greeted. Now that, I didn't know how he knew. "Ayako told me your birthday was today. In case you were wondering what we were talking about when you how should I say it, chanced to listen?" He was trying his best not to embarrass me. He held out his arm to me. "Let's go?"
My aunt elbowed me and I let him lead me outside to where a car was waiting. "You have a car?" He laughed, saying, "I stole it from my parents. I guess they'll have to take the train this morning." I was starting to worry. What if he's parents, "Don't worry, I have their permission. Plus my dad has one, so he can drive my mom to her office." I felt relieved. That sneaky Ayako had been the one to tell him. Was that all she had said? What else would she say anyways? What was I thinking she would say anyways? Enough of those thoughts, it's still too early in the morning for that. Scrap that, it's still in the middle of the day for such thinking.
We arrived at the local shrine, and after washing our hands, and then walking to the offering box to drop a few coins, I rang the bell that hung in front of it, and bowed extremely twice, my hands together, clapped twice, and bowed one more time before heading outside.
"We should probably go back to your house so you could change in more casual clothing since where were going doesn't really match with your kimono." I nodded my head, and when we arrived back home, I invited him to wait inside, though he insisted on waiting in the car, and I hurried myself inside, rushed to change into more comfortable clothing, and ran outside to meet him. "You didn't have to hurry." He said, laughing when he saw I was lightly gasping for air.
It became a long drive to the city of Yokosuka. Along the way, I just stared at the perfect day. It was sunny, though there were a lot of trees, at other times we cruised along the course of the beach, and the waters were sparkling.
When we arrived at the city, the only thing he told me was that we were going to have to park here, and start walking. "So that we won't miss anything worth seeing." He explained. We started to walk down the streets, when an old lady grabbed my hand, I nearly shrieked. "Would you like to have your fortune told?" She said is a creaky voice. "No, not really." Her curly hair was unkempt, and she spoke in a weird accent. I started to walk away when she said; "It's your birthday today isn't it?" That alone made me stop. Was it real or was it a trick? Did she say it to every person who stops by and that now it just happened that her statement was real? This is so confusing.
"Let me see your hand." I didn't want her to, but she grabbed my arm and started to trace the lines on my palm. "I see… you are having problems with your studies, and money too." She looked up at me for approval. "But today will be a good day for you, something red will be given to you, and I see something wide and blue too." I had enough of what she was talking about; I tried to pry my hand off her grasp. "Wait. I see something. Your feelings are rampaging around your heart." My hand refused to move from its spot. "You are confused, you cannot see clearly within this forest of emotions. Though it seems something is missing. You have locked out something – refused to listen to it, if I dare say, a new love? Perhaps?" As she grinned, I pulled my hand away, and felt that my cheeks were heating up. Was she saying the truth or was I fooled? Which one?
We slowly went on our way. "Is it still far?" Jin shook his head. "Not that far. Did she scare you?" I looked back at my palm, how could she see through me with these lines? "A bit." I replied. "It only depends on you if you want to believe what she said or not. A black cat walked right in front of me once and I still went on my way, nothing bad happened to me, because I didn't believe in it." But still, what she said had been true. I had been thinking the same things, for two weeks now.
As we passed by a park, there was a man selling balloons, and as he saw us passing by, he quickly made his way towards us and offered me a balloon - three red balloons. "I don't have money." Besides, why would I buy that? "It's a gift." He insisted. He didn't look like a balloon seller. Though he was a bit tall, he was also very fit. If I saw him in some other clothes I would've never guessed he sold balloons for a living. I accepted the balloons, and soon, we were on our way again. The first thing she had said about something red, was it a fluke? Was it planned? And the word he used, gift. What was that all about?
"It seems it's still far off." I commented. "Are you tired of walking?" I shook my head gently. "No, I was just wondering." The day was great, only if I didn't encounter two such weird people. "It's just after passing by the shrine." I nodded my head. We were near. There was a short monk that stood outside the shrine, and as we were passing by, he started to walk towards us. There was something that shone under the ray of the sun. Is that an earring? Since when did monks have piercings? As he noticed that I was staring at him, he backed away and ran inside the temple.
"Something wrong?" Jin asked. "Nothing," I said, diverting my attention from the so-called monk to look back at him. We walked down a road that was lined with cherry blossoms, though at this time of the year, the flowers were no longer seen on the branches. Maybe we could visit this again during the viewing season.
We chose the Arasaki course, and as we started to hike, I still didn't know where we were going. Maybe now's the right time to ask. "Where are we going?" He only stretched out his hand to mine, and started to walk, saying "Secret." To our right, there was a huge outcropping of rocks, which showed us a perfect view of the shoreline. It was late afternoon by that time, and it was starting to get dark, then I noticed that we seemed to be walking in circles. "Jin, do you know where're were going?" Jin turned to face me and smiled apologetically, the sun was starting to set. "I was hoping you'd be taken by the sunset and not notice that, well, I can't seem to admit it, but it's the truth." He's beating around the bush. "We're lost." He announced to me the obvious fact I had been thinking all along.
"I thought you were good at reading maps." He took out the map and laid it on the ground. "I was, though I let you lead the way since you liked the nature, and then we seemed to have gone out of course." I only have the map for this course." He folded it back and placed it in his backpack. "Here." He said, unzipping another pocket and taking out a ball of string. "Hold onto one end of this, and I'll hold to the other, stay here, admire the sunset while I find a way to get out."
And so I waited. I could not help but think of his safety. The sun had almost totally set, and yet he still hasn't returned. How am I supposed to enjoy the sunset when I'm worried about you? Maybe he also feels bad since it sort of spiralled down when we got lost. I should be patient, and I should wait. He said he would be back, so I have to take his word for it. He would be back. Definitely. Right? Who am I asking anyways?
Then it was then I felt a tug. Right. He told me when I feel a tug I should follow it. It means he's safe, right? He is. He should be. But – I was interrupted by another tug. I started to walk, then I jogged, then I ran a race against the last rays of the sun. I wanted to see him anyways, to see him safe. I saw a campfire in the distance. I seemed to be running towards it. I ran faster, hoping that was where he was waiting.
I saw four figures huddling around the fire. I saw Jin, and then the monk, the balloon seller, and the creepy fortuneteller. "What took you so long?" The fortune-teller complained. "We've been waiting for you." The balloon seller said, the multi-coloured balloons still in his hand. "So? You need a spell to snap you out of your confusion?" the monk said, though his voice was very familiar. "Miyagi?" He took off his hat, and there indeed he was. I looked to the fortune-teller. "Don't tell me it's you Ayako." She removed her fake teeth, and smiled. "Damn it, I did try to straighten my hair for your information, and I didn't like it." So the only one that must be left must be, "Mitsui you idiot!" I yelled, and he replied by taking a balloon from me and popped it in front of me, I screamed and ran towards Jin. "Karin you chic-KEN!" He cried as Ayako caught him off guard with another loud pop beside his ear. I supposed Mitsui would've done something, though Miyagi was sitting beside him, and histories like that are something hard to forget.
"So, Jin, is the yacht ready?" Mitsui asked, adverting the attention from him to Jin. "Yeah, it's waiting for us." We climbed down off the course, and made our way towards a yacht that was waiting for us, near the shore. Jin climbed up first, and stretched out his hand for me to hold, while Miyagi followed, and Mitsui and Ayako were next. We took a ride to Sakurajima Island, and Jin brought out the cake with 18 candles on it. I stared at the candles that were enough to cast a light at everyone's faces, made my wish, and took a deep breath, letting it all out in the direction of the candles. One blow was not enough, and I ended up doing two more.
We had our feast under the clear moon, when a shadow loomed over me and I heard another voice say, "It's her birthday not Halloween you immature teenager." It was my aunt. She was here? All of the closest people to me are here. Kiyota sat beside Miyagi and started to eat his share. "Anyways, Karin, there's a pile of clothing strewn all over the floor, and yet you complain of having nothing to wear?" I sighed; the scolding followed me all the way here. "It was true, though I'm letting it go since it is your birthday." She settled in between Mitsui and Ayako. "I trust you Ayako, but knowing this person here beside me I'm not too sure. Have you been decent Mitsui?" I sighed again, wanting to bury myself for the embarrassment.
When it got late, the same yacht took us back to the city, where I found that Jin had given Mitsui a spare key so that he could re-park the car just outside so we drove to a nearby hotel and booked 7 rooms.
I was just about to go to bed when I heard a knock on my door. "It's me." Jin made himself known. I opened the door. "What is it?" He handed me a photo album. "I asked Kiyota to follow us and take pictures for remembrance. I figured they were priceless anyways, except for the film." I accepted it, and then I bowed to him. "I'm sorry for making you go through all this trouble, it must've cost you a lot."
I kept my head bowed low, and when he took another step towards me, I felt his hand on my chin, straightening my posture. "Let me count the receipts first okay?" I blanched, while he laughed at me. "Don't worry, you're having too many things to worry about you forgot about the concept of joke already," he said, letting go. I stood up straight.
"Hey Jin, you still owe me 1000 yen for my expenses you know!" Kiyota emerged from the corridor, a calculator in one hand. "I thought you volunteered for it Kiyota?" Jin replied. "You sneaky bastard, fine." He went back inside his room.
"Well, I guess, it's good night then." He started to walk away, and I tightened my grip on the album. I ran inside my room, placed the album on my bedside table, and ran outside once again towards Jin's retreating figure. "Jin!" I stopped abruptly as he turned to face me. My palms clenched and unclenched. I could feel his arms surround me. I started to cry as I buried my head in his chest. His other hand enclosed around the back of my head, pulling me closer. "Why are you crying?" He asked. "Nothing, I just - forgot to thank you again." When I regained my composure, he held my face with both hands, and wiped away the remaining tears with his fingers.
I heard another door open, my aunt came out, and when she saw us, she spared another comment. "Kids nowadays," She muttered well above her normal voice, and I stepped away from Jin and as I caught her going back to her room, I felt myself blinking, as it had not been a frown but a smile that graced her lips.
Jin sighed. "What's up?" He placed both of his hands in his pockets. "You wouldn't believe it." I stood closer. "Come on, just say it." He scratched the back of his head. "I didn't get to practice my shots, for today." My eyes widened in surprise. "If only I brought a basketball." A ball rolled out from the corridor. Then I heard the scurrying of feet. Which of the four did it? Kiyota? Could be, he does always seem to pop out from nowhere. Mitsui? Probably. Ayako's influence on Mitsui could lead both of them to snoop around like this. Miyagi? Doubtful, but could be.
"Good night Ayako-san!" Jin picked up the ball. "Oh and by the way, thanks for lending me a basketball Mitsui-san." I ran towards him, and missed the two that disappeared from the elevator that just closed. "Let's go?" Jin asked, twisting the basketball in one finger, and then he caught it again, and held my hand.
We drove back to the park where the children once ran. Luckily, there was a basketball court nearby. I took my spot underneath the backboard, while Jin took his, just out of the three-point line. I kept on catching the basketball and bouncing it back to him, he would always catch it, and position himself for another successful three-pointer.
I saw my first sunrise of being a year older with him. There was nothing more beautiful than the light that broke through the darkest of hour. It reminded me that there are some things – some people in life that breaks through my darkest hour as well. I turned to face Jin and I found him asleep, his arms wrapped around the basketball like a blanket. I sat beside him and rested my head on his shoulder, he moved a bit, releasing one hand from the basketball to wrap around me, resting his cheek on my head. Maybe I'll take a little nap - just… a… little… nap.
Um… that's all… I hope it's okay… well, jin isn't that selfish to just have her spend her birthday with him solely, hehehe… anyways… that's all…. I know it's like wow, jin's forgotten, but I'm trying to portray with the last parts that one part of Jin belongs to basketball, the other you know who it belongs to already… like I'm trying to find a balance… though it's hard since they both live in different places… this chapter goes on well with Shimokawa Mikuni's Sore ga Ai deshou, I think the title fits this story perfectly…. I have a metaphysics essay this week, so I don't know if I'll be able to update soon… though I'm pretty sure I can on weekends though…