DISCLAIMER: I don't own Slam Dunk or any of the characters. I do own Hoshi and the girl. Enjoy!
Requiem
Chapter 1
The world had turned dark from Koshino's viewpoint under the tent. Takenori Akagi's eyes had lost its life and he listlessly hugged his sobbing mother. His father, a man as tall as him, placed his two strong hands on his wife's shoulders. Takenori glanced at his father sadly, and then a look of vengeance flashed across his face. He stared angrily at the lowering casket. Inside the casket that was never to be seen again was his beloved sister, Haruko Akagi. Takenori's fists clenched and unclenched as he continued staring at the casket.
There was a slight vibration on the left breast of his jacket pocket and Hiroaki Koshino stepped back from the gathered crowd and turned to walk towards his car. "Yes?" He answered quietly. The breeze had picked up and he pulled on his jacket tighter.
"Hiroaki," A man's deep voice drawled out, "Do you have time to talk now?"
Hiroaki gazed at the tent that covered the guests of Haruko's funeral. Their attention was focused on one thing, "Yeah. No real hurry."
"Good, I've got a new assignment for you."
"Uh huh…" Koshino headed for the street quietly. This phone required his undivided attention and privacy.
"This concerns Haruko Akagi's death. Although the evidence suggests that it was a suicide, there's speculation that it wasn't and Haruko Akagi was murdered."
Koshino froze. Murdered. "Wait…what? Haruko was murdered?"
"Speculation Hiroaki, speculation. So we require your assistance in this case. We need you to keep an eye out at Ryonan. See if there's anything suspicious and report it as soon as possible to your brother. He's working on this case as well," the man behind the cell phone paused and Koshino heard him sigh deeply. "We need to catch this person, before anyone else gets hurt."
Nodding silently, Koshino started for his house that he and his brother shared, "I have one question though. Haruko attended Shohoku High and not Ryonan. Isn't that where we should start looking?"
"I've got that under control. I just need you to focus on Ryonan. Good luck and be careful."
"Yep, yep. I will." Koshino pocketed the cell phone as he watched the scenery he was walking by. The leaves in the trees swayed as the breeze picked them up. Children were playing at a nearby park watched by their parents. Shops on the side of the street didn't seem busy but nonetheless, shopkeepers attended to their items meticulously.
The world, it seemed, was oblivious to the underlying pain and anguish felt by Haruko's family. Koshino's heart went out to them. Although he did not know them personally, their reactions and sadness during the funeral gave a clear understanding of how great the loss of Haruko was.
He stumbled on a raised cement block and fell forward on top of a girl. The girl cried out in pain as they banged against a liquor store's door. Hastily, Koshino leapt off the girl and helped her up.
"Sorry about that," he said and picked up the box the girl had dropped.
"Don't!" The girl grabbed the box from him and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, but yeah I'm good." She smoothened her hair out and waved as she started walking away, "Buh bye!"
Koshino gave a halfhearted wave and continued on his way home. Turning right on the next corner he jogged up a slight hill to a compound of condominiums. Upon approaching the houses, he fished out his keys and opened a white door.
"Hey Hoshi? You home?" He called out for his older brother whom he was living with. Since their parents both thought that Hiroaki and Hoshi were old enough, they suggested that they live alone. Both brothers agreed.
Koshino threw his keys on the dinner table and peered into the fridge for a drink. Taking out a can of Coke, he withdrew on the couch and turned on the television.
"In other news, the police report in the case of Haruko Akagi has now ruled out her death as a suicide. Sixteen-year-old Haruko Akagi attended Shohoku High and will be greatly missed by her family and peers."
Frowning, Koshino delegated the orders from the cell phone. It was his brother's lieutenant who had phoned him earlier. Because his brother was a revered member in the Kanagawa Police department, Hiroaki Koshino was therefore tied indirectly with the police force. It wasn't the first time that he was required to obey orders. Nor would it be the last.
Minutes later, he heard the front door opening and not bothering to look up; Koshino called out, "Hoshi? Is that you?"
"Yeaah…" His older brother drawled out. Shuffling into the living room, he grinned widely at his younger brother, causing the younger one to look up in confusion.
Hiroaki Koshino raised a brow. "Is there something you wanted to talk about Hoshi? Or…" He trailed off, unsure what to make of his brother wide and knowing grin.
"No, no." Hoshi pointed at the TV. "Any news on Haruko's death or something?"
Hiroaki nodded. "It was ruled out as suicide but that's not what really happened, is it?"
Hoshi shrugged and placed his backpack on the table. "Eh. By the way, I have something to show you." He disappeared at the front door and moments later came peeking back in. "Hey Hiro. Lookie here."
Hiroaki glanced at his brother and gave him a questioning look, "What…exactly am I supposed to look at?"
"This!" Hoshi pulled an arm in and grinned wider than before.
Hiroaki's chestnut eyes slightly widened and his brows knitted in confusion. It was the girl he had bumped into earlier on.
Author's Notes: I'm so sorry for the extra long update! I was really swamped with schoolwork. I still am but I'm trying to write more, even though it's slow. Thanks for reading and please review!
Yun Fei: I can't exactly reveal the plot because then I'd be basically telling you the whole story in a paragraph. Thanks for the review.
miracleme: Hiya! I'm so glad you still reveiw my works! Thank you so much!
Artemis Obscure: Arty! I'm starting over again because I couldn't write the other Requiem anymore. I hope this one will be better than the other one. Pwease don't hurt me. cowers I'll be updating the Jin fairytale fic soon. But do update CrAzYmAd too 'kay? Thanks for reviewing!