DISCLAIMER: I don't own this anime okay. Wow, that was short.
Wahhhh!!!!! Chapter 6 I can't believe it. We'll start the story with Kaede's POV okay. Now let's start this fic!!!! Thanks for the review!!!! Sorry for the wrong grammar everyone. I'm just a stupid one who doesn't know how to use a grammar.
*** - Flashback
CHAPTER 6: Past love
"He's my boyfriend." She said while holding his hand.
'Boyfriend.boyfriend.boyfriend.'
This has to be a dream, yeah a bad dream. I pinched the back of my arm to wake myself up from this nightmare. Okay that hurt so this is not a dream but I still I couldn't believe what is happening. I heard something shattered inside me. I think the one that I heard is my heart.
'What do you think your brain?' my conscience told me. God I hate my conscience, he is always frank about things. I don't know why I couldn't kill him, well I tried a thousand times but he just kept on coming back. 'Well, that's how we conscience lives. Now to your problem. IT'S YOUR FAULT WHY DID THIS THING HAPPENED TO YOU!' 'Shut up and let me handle this thing,' I said to my conscience. I look at the guy coldly and sent him a secret message that only he could read. It says, "I don't like you so don't try to make friends with me, even if Suzume said so. Got it?" However, this guy doesn't really get my message. He's a do'ahou.
"Nice to meet you Rukawa-san. I hope we will become close friends." The stupid guy said while smiling and extending his hand as a sign of friendship. I glared at him and gave a look at his hand that said, "What's that?" When I looked at Suzume her, face is starting to frown and I don't like it a bit. 'You are lucky Suzume is your girl.' I said to myself. I took his hand and grip it very tightly until his hands turn red.
"Ummm.Rukawa-san?" he said. Even though I don't want to do it, I let his hand go, Drat. "We have to go Suzume." He said.
"Okay. Well, Congratulations Kaede-kun I have to go now. Jane." They went away leaving me behind scowling at Alex. I don't know why but there's something about him that makes me feel cold all over. The way he looks and treats me is just a mask to him. There is something about his eyes. maybe I'm just jealous.
'Now that's a new word to add-up in your mini dictionary.' My conscience said. 'Go back to sleep.' I'll just hit gyms later to ease the tension I feel.
NORMAL POV "Where's Rukawa?" Akagi said while putting on his white shirt.
"He's with Tobukiro-san for now." Kogure said with a smirk on his face.
"Don't tell me they are." Mitsui said starry eyed.
"A couple!" Ryota finished Mitsui's sentence also starry eyed. Sakuragi was eavesdropping at their conversation with an evil glint in his eyes.
'Great, now that fox-face has a lover Haruko is all mine. Nyahahahahahaha!'
"Well, it looks like.yeah. I saw them hugging outside." Ryota and Mitsui are about to check them out but Rukawa came in. His head is downcast and his hair is covering his eyes. He went to his locker and hit the shower. Only one word came into Akagi, Mitsui, Ryota, and Kogure's minds "Huh?"
15 minutes had passed Rukawa still had his face downcast. "Hey fox-face, I heard that you and blonde-girl are now a couple. Congratulations." Sakuragi said while patting Rukawa's back very hard.
"Wrong move." Kogure said.
Rukawa sent Sakuragi a death glare and went back on fixing his duffel bag. However, Sakuragi still bugs him off about Suzume. "You know what fox-face it's about time that you must have a girl friend and you are sure lucky because now you have the blond-girl. Nyahahahahahaha!
Rukawa clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. Mitsui noticed this and he dragged Sakuragi off to the corner. He taped his mouth with packaging tape and whispered to him. "Sakuragi, stop bugging Rukawa for now can't you see his face. He was about to hit you and I know what would you do." A large question mark popped in Sakuragi's head that made Mitsui face faulted.
"Do you think fox-face is pissed at me?" Sakuragi asked happily with an evil glint in his eye. Before Mitsui could answer, somebody knocked on the door. Ryota opened the door and saw Haruko standing there. "Sakuragi could you please help me with these. Ayako said she has an important errands to take care of so she asked me if I could take these supplies back to Shohoku and I need someone to help me take these things back there. Please?"
"Sure anything just for you." Sakuragi said with confetti and flowers in the background. Haruko and Sakuragi left the room.
"Ryota and Kogure, I know this is your plan. Why did you do it?" Akagi said with an angry vein popping out of his head and trying to keep his composure calm. "We'll explain it to you later. Onegai." Kogure said with pleading looks.
"Be sure this explanation of yours is worth it." Akagi said with a grim look that could scare the hell out of you.
They went outside together but Rukawa went separate ways with them. Giving them a chance to talk about what had happened.
"Did you see Rukawa's face the moment he came in?" Ryota said.
"Yeah, his face shows coldness just like before he knew Tobukiro-san." Mitsui said.
"So, Kogure and Ryota what the heck did you do to my sister?" Akagi said.
"Well we have to do it to keep Rukawa from hitting Sakuragi's face." Ryota said.
"And what does my sister have to do with it?" Akagi said coldly.
"We noticed that there something happened between Tobukiro and Rukawa. Something bad I should say. Even though Rukawa's face doesn't seem to show any emotions before, now his face shows sadness and anger." Kogure said while entering the coffee shop they used to go. All of them sat at that place and ordered cappuccino.
"Stupid Sakuragi doesn't know when to stop bugging Rukawa. If we didn't stop them then you what would happen." Ryota continued.
"Since Ayako is out for her errands we asked Haruko for help and maybe she could serve as an distraction to both of them. If we didn't do it, Rukawa and Sakuragi might be banned from the game. You clearly know the rules do you Akagi." Kogure said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"Both of you owe me lunch." Akagi just plainly said.
"Thanks." Kogure said relieved.
"Hey Kogure, does captain have a large stomach." Ryota whispered to Kogure. Suddenly Kogure's face turned white. "Oh no!"
@@@12:00 Midnight that day@@@
Rukawa tossed and turned in his bed because he couldn't sleep. 'Shooting some hoops help a little bit but.
***8:00 pm at the gym***
Rukawa practiced hi running shots and his fade-away. When Sakuragi entered the gym singing the out-of-tune-song again, which made Rukawa missed his three-point shot. 'Not him again.' Rukawa thought as he rolled his eyes. "Wahhhh! Fox-face what are you doing in here!" Sakuragi shouted while he pointed his accusing finger to Rukawa.
"." Was all Rukawa could say to him. "How dare you interrupt this tensai's practice to stardom?" Sakuragi still shouted. Rukawa glared at him "Yeah sure nuts." Rukawa was pissed off at Sakuragi's presence that he went away. Before he went to the exit, he threw the ball that was in his hands, at the back of Sakuragi's head. "WHY YOU!" Sakuragi turned around and noticed that Rukawa went away.
On his way home, he saw Suzume and Alex walking hand-in-hand smiling at each other.
"Hey, what's up Rukawa-san?" Alex said.
"Practice." Rukawa replied coldly. 'The nerve of this guy talking to me. Can't he see that I don't like him.'
"Wow, so now I know why you and Suzume are close."
"Best friends."
"How many times do I have to tell you that were best friends? I heard you're next game will be the next three weeks and you're opponent is Kainan. Right?" Suzume said
"Yup."
"So that is what you're up to these past months." Alex said grinning at Suzume.
"Kaede-kun is the best opponent I ever had." Suzume replied while smiling at Rukawa. Rukawa just looked at them and put his fakest smile he ever had.
"I guess I have a new opponent in Suzume's heart." Alex said jokingly.
"Don't worry you'll always be my boyfriend." Then Suzume kissed Alex.
Kaede's POV
I wanted to break them apart and shout Suzume is mine don't you dare kiss her. I wanted to breakdown and cry. Yet, I can't do it because who I am in her life to do that. I'm just only her best friend. I cough a little to know that I'm here. Both of them blushed at that moment. "I have to go now." I said. Not looking back, I walk away. I heard Suzume said goodbye I just waved my hand still walking. I arrived home with a feeling that a part of me had died. ***
12:07 am
Kaede is drooling in his pillow. Zzzzzzz.
1:30 am
Kaede woke up because of some soft weeping sounds that he heard. "Stupid cats." Kaede took his alarm clock and went to the window. He was about to throw his alarm clock to the cats but he saw none. "Where did the stupid cat go? Wait, cats don't cry like that. Oh what the heck, I don't care anyway." Kaede went back to sleep but went he was about to close his eyes he heard the sound again. 'Argh.how could get some sleep if somebody is crying. Wait, the sound seems so near and familiar. I couldn't be mom because I could hear her snoring. The sound came from Ruriko's room.' He got up from his bed and walked silently to Ruriko's room. He opened the door silently and saw Ruriko crying in her sleep. He nudge Ruriko softly, "Onee-san, wake up." Ruriko opened her red puffy eyes. When she saw Kaede she began to cry in his chest, "I should have told a long time ago. I should have listened to my heart and not my brain. I should. I should." Kaede was clueless about the whole thing and he knew that Ruriko wouldn't want to say it about it. At that moment, he wanted to kill the man who made her onee-san cry. Kaede spoke softly against her, "Shhh, it's okay. I'm right here." His nearness comforted her "It's only a dream." He repeated and rocked her gently until she fell asleep. He stayed by her side throughout the whole night. He hugged his sister and slept beside her.
@@@Next Morning@@@
"Looks like Rukawa went back to his cold attitude again." Kogure said sadly while stretching at the court.
"Yeah, I heard it's because he learned that Tobukiro has a boyfriend now." Ryota said
"Yeah, I saw him this morning and heard that he's transferring in this school." Mitsui said while warming-up.
"What are you guy talking about?" Ayako approached them while holding a paper fan in her hand.
"Tobukiro's boyfriend." Kogure said.
"Him?" Ayako asked surprised then her faced soften when she saw Rukawa. Rukawa is practicing some shots at the other side of the court. "It's obvious Rukawa fell-in love with her." Ayako said.
"He's pouring all his anger in basketball." Ryota said while stretching.
"He better fix everything fast because our next opponent will be Kainan." Mitsui said. "Yeah." The three of them replied at the same time.
During lunch break, Alex approached Rukawa smiling. "Hey dude what's up!" Alex slapped Rukawa's shoulder. Rukawa just looked at him coldly. 'Get this thing away from me!' Rukawa shouted in his mind. "Do you wanna hang out after school?" Alex asked Rukawa still smiling. Rukawa could see that his smile is a fake and Alex hate him.
"No." Rukawa said coldly. 'Stupid guy, he thinks I didn't know he's faking this whole conversation.'
"That's too bad, Suzume would be happy if you would come with us." Alex said while pouting.
"No." then Rukawa went on his way. Rukawa heard Alex say, "ass-hole" when Rukawa went away. "Do' ahou" Rukawa replied silently. I'm such an evil one.
Rukawa went home early after the practice because he doesn't want to see Suzume and Alex together. When arrived home he saw a bundle of letters and chocolates in the living room. "There are weird girls came here awhile ago and they are looking for you. When I said you still haven't come home, they gave me all of this and told me to give it to you. Then they went away chanting "Rukawa". Are you in some kind of a trouble?" Akane asked worriedly.
"No." Akane looked at him suspiciously. "Don't worry mom, I'll clean it up." Kaede burned all the letters and ate the chocolates. I'm crazy over chocolates.
@@@At Suzume's House@@@
Suzume is upstairs in their attic looking for her telescope. "Damn, I knew I put it in here somewhere." She opens each dusty box hoping that the telescope is in it. Suddenly a velvet box caught her eye. The box is as big as a giant dictionary in their library. There are gold metals at each edge of the box to protect it. The box still looks beautiful amidst the dirt and rust in it. At the side of the box there is a name engrave in it "NOBUHIKO". When Suzume read the name in the box, her eyes widen in surprise. "This belongs to daddy." She didn't notice tears coming out of her eyes. With trembling hands, she opened the box slowly. There are medals certificate and picture. She took one picture of him during high school. She learned that his father once studied at Shohoku high. She also learned that his father is once an ace player of the basketball team. She looked at the picture of his father during his basketball days at Shohoku, when one picture caught her attention. It was the one with her grandparents and her father posing after the interhigh championship. Both of her grand parents looked so proud and happy for him. "I wonder what made hate basketball so much."
"Suzume, could you please help me with this?" her grandmother shouted downstairs.
"Hai." She took the box and kept it in her closet before she helped her grandmother. @@@8:30 pm At Rukawa's residence@@@
Ruriko went home early that day. The first thing she did was to annoy Kaede in the balcony about the chocolates. "If you don't bug-off I'm not going to give you a single chocolate." Kaede said in a threatening way. Ruriko stopped bugging Kaede and turned teary-eyed. In anime style.
"You know what Kaede, you are my favorite brother in the world."
"I'm your only brother."
Ruriko sweat-dropped at Kaede's remark. "Well, umm. hehehehehe! Onegai, give me a chocolate. Don't torture me I'm your big sister and you love me right?"
"No" then, Ruriko wailed loudly. Kaede stuck a bar of chocolate in her mouth to shut her up. "Leh uh."(thank you) Ruriko said with a chocolate bar in her mouth. 'Today Onee-san acts as if nothing had happened. I wish I could be like her.'
Minutes had passed; Ruriko and Kaede sat in the balcony silently. Kaede is starting to sleep when Ruriko suddenly talked. "Thank you for last night." Kaede opened his left eye to look at her.
"What really happened back in Europe?" Kaede asked softly. Ruriko was silent for a moment a Kaede saw tears began to form in his onee-chan's eyes. Ruriko fought hard to keep the tears in her eyes. She doesn't want to bother Kaede so she began to tell her story.
"During my last year in medicine at Europe, I met Joey Smith." Kaede's face is full of confusion when Ruriko said Joey Smith. 'What does a girl have to do with her problem?' Kaede asked himself. Apparently, Ruriko can read Kaede's mind. "He's guy and let me finish my story okay?" Ruriko asked annoyed.
"."
"Okay, in the apartment where I'm staying, you must have a roommate to occupy the place. Since I'm so desperate at that time, I told the owner that I would take any room and I don't care whoever is my roommate. That old lady is such a sly fox, well she gave me all right but my roommate is a guy who also has the same dilemma as I had." Kaede's face was shocked that Ruriko had a guy roommate then hentai images began to form in his mind. "You are such a hentai! Nothing happened between us, Stupid." Ruriko said angrily while blushing.
"If you disrupt me again I'll never tell you the rest of it." Then Kaede went to serious type again. "Good. At first, I didn't know that place would give me a big turn-around on my life. I haven't met my roommate yet but I have only one clue and that is "Joey Smith." When I woke up, my roommate had already left. Then I went to the campus. I was annoyed at that place because most of the boys are swooning over me. Ridiculous people! That night I went home very tired, I sat down at the couch and that's where he entered the scene. I was shocked when I saw him then I screamed."
***During that day duh, Ruriko's POV*** "What are you doing in here? Wait are you Joey's boyfriend. Why are you here? What did you do to her?" I continued on ranting at him. I took my umbrella and point it at him, "Are you a thief or one of those stupid boys at campus? I'm just an innocent girl who doesn't know martial arts!" Before I knew, it was hitting him in the head with my umbrella.
"WAIT!" he screamed which made me stop but I still haven't laid my guard down. He has a large bump on his head, which he deserve to have. "What are you doing at my apartment?"
"What?" then I laughed very hard.
"What's so funny?" he is very annoyed now, I can tell it but I can't help it.
"You. This "apartment" happens to be mine because this room was given to me by an old lady who owns this place." Then realization struck me. 'He couldn't be Joey because Joey is a girl. If he is Joey, only one word can describe him Olalla! He has broad and muscular shoulder. Maybe he's working out. He got a messy auburn hair that would itch you to fix it repeatedly. One thing that really caught my attention is his blue-green eye. Wait! Back to the situation, why do I have a man as a roommate! Damn, I forgot to ask the stupid old lady!' it seems to me he can read my mind and had the same expression as I did.
"You can't be Rukawa!"
"You can't be Joey!" we both said at a same time. Then the criminal came to the scene.
"You didn't told me that I have a girl for a roommate!" I said the same thing at the same time except it was just opposite to him.
"Both of you told me that you are desperate. Therefore, I gave you this room. Besides there are no rooms left in this place and this town and I just can see you are desperate." What a stupid explanation for an old sly lady. Well, she is right there are no rooms left. The sphincter went away smiling to her. Only that can describe her and that is Freaking Bitch! ***
"That night we both agreed to stay together. He turns out to be my classmate at the campus who sat behind me. We've been friends then close friends then best friends. It took us about.hmmm. 4 months to become best friends. Everyone always called us the cute couple. Humph, Joey had been a great help to me, my admirers don't bug me anymore, although he's branded as a lucky guy for living with me, and he's always there when I need him. Were always seen together sometime were being mistook as a married couple. It would be too long if I write all of their moments. I always looked at him as a best friend but everything change in one day."
***We are walking at the beach on Sunday afternoon. I stopped and looked at the sunset. I always love the sunset. While looking at the sunset, Joey pushed me and I face faulted at the sand and sea. "Why you?" I said to him playfully while trying to get up. He was laughing very hard and he offered me his hand. "I'm sorry Ruri, but you look so serious and cute that I." but before he finished his sentence I pulled him beside so that he would get wet. However, he landed on top of me and our faces are just only one and a half inch apart. I can feel his hot breath on mine and I looked on those warm blue-green eyes of his. I just realized how warm and captivating his eyes are. His messy auburn hair is pressing on my wet forehead. The way he smiles and laughs made my knees wobbly and weak. I can feel my face getting hotter and hotter at each passing minute. Then a large wave came crashing at us.***
"Zzzzzzz" Ruriko looked at Kaede and saw that he is sleeping with a drool coming out of his mouth. A large vein popped into Ruriko's head and punch Kaede very hard that he flew in the air.
"DAMN YOU WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" Kaede said very angrily.
"I was trying to tell a story here!" a large sweat drop popped into his head.
"Well why don't you just summarized that boring part!" Kaede shouted. Well Kaede is right in that part it is sappy yet romantic. Wait! HOW DARE YOU INSULT THAT PART THAT IS MY MASTERPIECE! (Calms down)
"Okay fine." Ruriko said in an annoyed tone, "I fell in-love with him on that day. However, I didn't told him how I really felt because.because." tears began to form in Ruriko's eyes.
"Because?" Kaede isn't sure anymore if his onee-san can continue the story. He knows that she is telling this to him because she wants to lessen the pain that is building inside of her.
"I was scared to everything. I'm scared that he may hate me after I said him those words. I'm scared that if he loves me back I may not know what would I do afterwards. I mean, would we be together forever or not? Would we love each other or hate each other? Overall, I'm scared of everything." Ruriko stopped for a moment to fight the tears the threatening to spill. "After graduation we both work at the same hospital, he was transferred by the head doctor at Chicago after 6 months of working together. That was the cause of our separation. I want him to stay but I cant because this is his dream to work in America. He doesn't want to go because of me but I urge him to go."
*** "You must go and don't you dare worry about me because I will be fine." We were talking during dinner. We still lived together but different house.
"But."
"No buts. and it would only take 6 months for you to work there. However, don't you dare forget to write or call me."
"I don't want to leave my cute best friend alone here in England." I gave him a look that says, "I'm serious here." "Okay I'll go and would never forget."***
"He left two days after that. During the first week, it was very hard for me because I miss him and I couldn't go with him because I would just be a burden in his work there. He always called three times a day on the first month. On the third month, he stopped calling he just only write letters. The following month I don't have any letters or call from him. I wrote to him but he never wrote back and he's always out whenever I called him. I kept on thinking that he was busy on his work. I forgot the feeling of sadness weeks passed thanks to my co-doctors but I never forgot him. On the day of his arrival he surprised me when I got home."
*** As I entered the apartment, I saw him standing there, "Hello Ruriko." He said softly.
"Joey?"
"In the flesh." I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you so much. Why didn't you told me you were coming?" I said while looking up to him.
"I wanted to surprise you." I was about to say something when an annoying female voice interrupted me. "Honey, who is she?" the girl who had the same black hair and blue eyes as I did asked.
"I forgot to tell you she is Veronica my girl friend. Were just here for a week to visit you."***
'This story is familiar.' Kaede said to himself.
"I wanted to kill her or myself that day, but I vowed to myself that I would never ever do any stupid thing to myself for love. I couldn't kill her because it is against the rules. Therefore, she stayed at my room with me for about a week. When they left, I've never been the same again. My friends notice this so they said I should take a vacation, which I agreed so here I am. Breaking my rule for acting stupid for love." Ruriko couldn't prevent the tears anymore so she cried at Kaede's shoulder.
"You summarized the story" he joked, "but you did the right thing. Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want to lessen the pain I feel." She stopped crying and she looked at the sky where the moon lies.
Hello! Ayako: What took you so long to finish this and this is sappy. (Annoyed) Me: (large vein popping) it happens to be that I have a lot of stupid exams and application form to finish. Oh, yeah soooory my mind is blank so this story is sappy. (Fire starts to blaze.) Ayako: Yeah right, so what would happen now? Me: (suddenly calms down) Ummm.on the next chapter, it is all about Alex, Suzume, and Rukawa. You would learn the mystery behind. wait, why am I telling you this. Ayako: Hehehehehe! Shucks busted. Me: Why you! (Starts to blaze up and a large mallet appear in my hand) RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE! Mwahahahaha! Kogure: She's scary but don't forget to REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
Wahhhh!!!!! Chapter 6 I can't believe it. We'll start the story with Kaede's POV okay. Now let's start this fic!!!! Thanks for the review!!!! Sorry for the wrong grammar everyone. I'm just a stupid one who doesn't know how to use a grammar.
*** - Flashback
CHAPTER 6: Past love
"He's my boyfriend." She said while holding his hand.
'Boyfriend.boyfriend.boyfriend.'
This has to be a dream, yeah a bad dream. I pinched the back of my arm to wake myself up from this nightmare. Okay that hurt so this is not a dream but I still I couldn't believe what is happening. I heard something shattered inside me. I think the one that I heard is my heart.
'What do you think your brain?' my conscience told me. God I hate my conscience, he is always frank about things. I don't know why I couldn't kill him, well I tried a thousand times but he just kept on coming back. 'Well, that's how we conscience lives. Now to your problem. IT'S YOUR FAULT WHY DID THIS THING HAPPENED TO YOU!' 'Shut up and let me handle this thing,' I said to my conscience. I look at the guy coldly and sent him a secret message that only he could read. It says, "I don't like you so don't try to make friends with me, even if Suzume said so. Got it?" However, this guy doesn't really get my message. He's a do'ahou.
"Nice to meet you Rukawa-san. I hope we will become close friends." The stupid guy said while smiling and extending his hand as a sign of friendship. I glared at him and gave a look at his hand that said, "What's that?" When I looked at Suzume her, face is starting to frown and I don't like it a bit. 'You are lucky Suzume is your girl.' I said to myself. I took his hand and grip it very tightly until his hands turn red.
"Ummm.Rukawa-san?" he said. Even though I don't want to do it, I let his hand go, Drat. "We have to go Suzume." He said.
"Okay. Well, Congratulations Kaede-kun I have to go now. Jane." They went away leaving me behind scowling at Alex. I don't know why but there's something about him that makes me feel cold all over. The way he looks and treats me is just a mask to him. There is something about his eyes. maybe I'm just jealous.
'Now that's a new word to add-up in your mini dictionary.' My conscience said. 'Go back to sleep.' I'll just hit gyms later to ease the tension I feel.
NORMAL POV "Where's Rukawa?" Akagi said while putting on his white shirt.
"He's with Tobukiro-san for now." Kogure said with a smirk on his face.
"Don't tell me they are." Mitsui said starry eyed.
"A couple!" Ryota finished Mitsui's sentence also starry eyed. Sakuragi was eavesdropping at their conversation with an evil glint in his eyes.
'Great, now that fox-face has a lover Haruko is all mine. Nyahahahahahaha!'
"Well, it looks like.yeah. I saw them hugging outside." Ryota and Mitsui are about to check them out but Rukawa came in. His head is downcast and his hair is covering his eyes. He went to his locker and hit the shower. Only one word came into Akagi, Mitsui, Ryota, and Kogure's minds "Huh?"
15 minutes had passed Rukawa still had his face downcast. "Hey fox-face, I heard that you and blonde-girl are now a couple. Congratulations." Sakuragi said while patting Rukawa's back very hard.
"Wrong move." Kogure said.
Rukawa sent Sakuragi a death glare and went back on fixing his duffel bag. However, Sakuragi still bugs him off about Suzume. "You know what fox-face it's about time that you must have a girl friend and you are sure lucky because now you have the blond-girl. Nyahahahahahaha!
Rukawa clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. Mitsui noticed this and he dragged Sakuragi off to the corner. He taped his mouth with packaging tape and whispered to him. "Sakuragi, stop bugging Rukawa for now can't you see his face. He was about to hit you and I know what would you do." A large question mark popped in Sakuragi's head that made Mitsui face faulted.
"Do you think fox-face is pissed at me?" Sakuragi asked happily with an evil glint in his eye. Before Mitsui could answer, somebody knocked on the door. Ryota opened the door and saw Haruko standing there. "Sakuragi could you please help me with these. Ayako said she has an important errands to take care of so she asked me if I could take these supplies back to Shohoku and I need someone to help me take these things back there. Please?"
"Sure anything just for you." Sakuragi said with confetti and flowers in the background. Haruko and Sakuragi left the room.
"Ryota and Kogure, I know this is your plan. Why did you do it?" Akagi said with an angry vein popping out of his head and trying to keep his composure calm. "We'll explain it to you later. Onegai." Kogure said with pleading looks.
"Be sure this explanation of yours is worth it." Akagi said with a grim look that could scare the hell out of you.
They went outside together but Rukawa went separate ways with them. Giving them a chance to talk about what had happened.
"Did you see Rukawa's face the moment he came in?" Ryota said.
"Yeah, his face shows coldness just like before he knew Tobukiro-san." Mitsui said.
"So, Kogure and Ryota what the heck did you do to my sister?" Akagi said.
"Well we have to do it to keep Rukawa from hitting Sakuragi's face." Ryota said.
"And what does my sister have to do with it?" Akagi said coldly.
"We noticed that there something happened between Tobukiro and Rukawa. Something bad I should say. Even though Rukawa's face doesn't seem to show any emotions before, now his face shows sadness and anger." Kogure said while entering the coffee shop they used to go. All of them sat at that place and ordered cappuccino.
"Stupid Sakuragi doesn't know when to stop bugging Rukawa. If we didn't stop them then you what would happen." Ryota continued.
"Since Ayako is out for her errands we asked Haruko for help and maybe she could serve as an distraction to both of them. If we didn't do it, Rukawa and Sakuragi might be banned from the game. You clearly know the rules do you Akagi." Kogure said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"Both of you owe me lunch." Akagi just plainly said.
"Thanks." Kogure said relieved.
"Hey Kogure, does captain have a large stomach." Ryota whispered to Kogure. Suddenly Kogure's face turned white. "Oh no!"
@@@12:00 Midnight that day@@@
Rukawa tossed and turned in his bed because he couldn't sleep. 'Shooting some hoops help a little bit but.
***8:00 pm at the gym***
Rukawa practiced hi running shots and his fade-away. When Sakuragi entered the gym singing the out-of-tune-song again, which made Rukawa missed his three-point shot. 'Not him again.' Rukawa thought as he rolled his eyes. "Wahhhh! Fox-face what are you doing in here!" Sakuragi shouted while he pointed his accusing finger to Rukawa.
"." Was all Rukawa could say to him. "How dare you interrupt this tensai's practice to stardom?" Sakuragi still shouted. Rukawa glared at him "Yeah sure nuts." Rukawa was pissed off at Sakuragi's presence that he went away. Before he went to the exit, he threw the ball that was in his hands, at the back of Sakuragi's head. "WHY YOU!" Sakuragi turned around and noticed that Rukawa went away.
On his way home, he saw Suzume and Alex walking hand-in-hand smiling at each other.
"Hey, what's up Rukawa-san?" Alex said.
"Practice." Rukawa replied coldly. 'The nerve of this guy talking to me. Can't he see that I don't like him.'
"Wow, so now I know why you and Suzume are close."
"Best friends."
"How many times do I have to tell you that were best friends? I heard you're next game will be the next three weeks and you're opponent is Kainan. Right?" Suzume said
"Yup."
"So that is what you're up to these past months." Alex said grinning at Suzume.
"Kaede-kun is the best opponent I ever had." Suzume replied while smiling at Rukawa. Rukawa just looked at them and put his fakest smile he ever had.
"I guess I have a new opponent in Suzume's heart." Alex said jokingly.
"Don't worry you'll always be my boyfriend." Then Suzume kissed Alex.
Kaede's POV
I wanted to break them apart and shout Suzume is mine don't you dare kiss her. I wanted to breakdown and cry. Yet, I can't do it because who I am in her life to do that. I'm just only her best friend. I cough a little to know that I'm here. Both of them blushed at that moment. "I have to go now." I said. Not looking back, I walk away. I heard Suzume said goodbye I just waved my hand still walking. I arrived home with a feeling that a part of me had died. ***
12:07 am
Kaede is drooling in his pillow. Zzzzzzz.
1:30 am
Kaede woke up because of some soft weeping sounds that he heard. "Stupid cats." Kaede took his alarm clock and went to the window. He was about to throw his alarm clock to the cats but he saw none. "Where did the stupid cat go? Wait, cats don't cry like that. Oh what the heck, I don't care anyway." Kaede went back to sleep but went he was about to close his eyes he heard the sound again. 'Argh.how could get some sleep if somebody is crying. Wait, the sound seems so near and familiar. I couldn't be mom because I could hear her snoring. The sound came from Ruriko's room.' He got up from his bed and walked silently to Ruriko's room. He opened the door silently and saw Ruriko crying in her sleep. He nudge Ruriko softly, "Onee-san, wake up." Ruriko opened her red puffy eyes. When she saw Kaede she began to cry in his chest, "I should have told a long time ago. I should have listened to my heart and not my brain. I should. I should." Kaede was clueless about the whole thing and he knew that Ruriko wouldn't want to say it about it. At that moment, he wanted to kill the man who made her onee-san cry. Kaede spoke softly against her, "Shhh, it's okay. I'm right here." His nearness comforted her "It's only a dream." He repeated and rocked her gently until she fell asleep. He stayed by her side throughout the whole night. He hugged his sister and slept beside her.
@@@Next Morning@@@
"Looks like Rukawa went back to his cold attitude again." Kogure said sadly while stretching at the court.
"Yeah, I heard it's because he learned that Tobukiro has a boyfriend now." Ryota said
"Yeah, I saw him this morning and heard that he's transferring in this school." Mitsui said while warming-up.
"What are you guy talking about?" Ayako approached them while holding a paper fan in her hand.
"Tobukiro's boyfriend." Kogure said.
"Him?" Ayako asked surprised then her faced soften when she saw Rukawa. Rukawa is practicing some shots at the other side of the court. "It's obvious Rukawa fell-in love with her." Ayako said.
"He's pouring all his anger in basketball." Ryota said while stretching.
"He better fix everything fast because our next opponent will be Kainan." Mitsui said. "Yeah." The three of them replied at the same time.
During lunch break, Alex approached Rukawa smiling. "Hey dude what's up!" Alex slapped Rukawa's shoulder. Rukawa just looked at him coldly. 'Get this thing away from me!' Rukawa shouted in his mind. "Do you wanna hang out after school?" Alex asked Rukawa still smiling. Rukawa could see that his smile is a fake and Alex hate him.
"No." Rukawa said coldly. 'Stupid guy, he thinks I didn't know he's faking this whole conversation.'
"That's too bad, Suzume would be happy if you would come with us." Alex said while pouting.
"No." then Rukawa went on his way. Rukawa heard Alex say, "ass-hole" when Rukawa went away. "Do' ahou" Rukawa replied silently. I'm such an evil one.
Rukawa went home early after the practice because he doesn't want to see Suzume and Alex together. When arrived home he saw a bundle of letters and chocolates in the living room. "There are weird girls came here awhile ago and they are looking for you. When I said you still haven't come home, they gave me all of this and told me to give it to you. Then they went away chanting "Rukawa". Are you in some kind of a trouble?" Akane asked worriedly.
"No." Akane looked at him suspiciously. "Don't worry mom, I'll clean it up." Kaede burned all the letters and ate the chocolates. I'm crazy over chocolates.
@@@At Suzume's House@@@
Suzume is upstairs in their attic looking for her telescope. "Damn, I knew I put it in here somewhere." She opens each dusty box hoping that the telescope is in it. Suddenly a velvet box caught her eye. The box is as big as a giant dictionary in their library. There are gold metals at each edge of the box to protect it. The box still looks beautiful amidst the dirt and rust in it. At the side of the box there is a name engrave in it "NOBUHIKO". When Suzume read the name in the box, her eyes widen in surprise. "This belongs to daddy." She didn't notice tears coming out of her eyes. With trembling hands, she opened the box slowly. There are medals certificate and picture. She took one picture of him during high school. She learned that his father once studied at Shohoku high. She also learned that his father is once an ace player of the basketball team. She looked at the picture of his father during his basketball days at Shohoku, when one picture caught her attention. It was the one with her grandparents and her father posing after the interhigh championship. Both of her grand parents looked so proud and happy for him. "I wonder what made hate basketball so much."
"Suzume, could you please help me with this?" her grandmother shouted downstairs.
"Hai." She took the box and kept it in her closet before she helped her grandmother. @@@8:30 pm At Rukawa's residence@@@
Ruriko went home early that day. The first thing she did was to annoy Kaede in the balcony about the chocolates. "If you don't bug-off I'm not going to give you a single chocolate." Kaede said in a threatening way. Ruriko stopped bugging Kaede and turned teary-eyed. In anime style.
"You know what Kaede, you are my favorite brother in the world."
"I'm your only brother."
Ruriko sweat-dropped at Kaede's remark. "Well, umm. hehehehehe! Onegai, give me a chocolate. Don't torture me I'm your big sister and you love me right?"
"No" then, Ruriko wailed loudly. Kaede stuck a bar of chocolate in her mouth to shut her up. "Leh uh."(thank you) Ruriko said with a chocolate bar in her mouth. 'Today Onee-san acts as if nothing had happened. I wish I could be like her.'
Minutes had passed; Ruriko and Kaede sat in the balcony silently. Kaede is starting to sleep when Ruriko suddenly talked. "Thank you for last night." Kaede opened his left eye to look at her.
"What really happened back in Europe?" Kaede asked softly. Ruriko was silent for a moment a Kaede saw tears began to form in his onee-chan's eyes. Ruriko fought hard to keep the tears in her eyes. She doesn't want to bother Kaede so she began to tell her story.
"During my last year in medicine at Europe, I met Joey Smith." Kaede's face is full of confusion when Ruriko said Joey Smith. 'What does a girl have to do with her problem?' Kaede asked himself. Apparently, Ruriko can read Kaede's mind. "He's guy and let me finish my story okay?" Ruriko asked annoyed.
"."
"Okay, in the apartment where I'm staying, you must have a roommate to occupy the place. Since I'm so desperate at that time, I told the owner that I would take any room and I don't care whoever is my roommate. That old lady is such a sly fox, well she gave me all right but my roommate is a guy who also has the same dilemma as I had." Kaede's face was shocked that Ruriko had a guy roommate then hentai images began to form in his mind. "You are such a hentai! Nothing happened between us, Stupid." Ruriko said angrily while blushing.
"If you disrupt me again I'll never tell you the rest of it." Then Kaede went to serious type again. "Good. At first, I didn't know that place would give me a big turn-around on my life. I haven't met my roommate yet but I have only one clue and that is "Joey Smith." When I woke up, my roommate had already left. Then I went to the campus. I was annoyed at that place because most of the boys are swooning over me. Ridiculous people! That night I went home very tired, I sat down at the couch and that's where he entered the scene. I was shocked when I saw him then I screamed."
***During that day duh, Ruriko's POV*** "What are you doing in here? Wait are you Joey's boyfriend. Why are you here? What did you do to her?" I continued on ranting at him. I took my umbrella and point it at him, "Are you a thief or one of those stupid boys at campus? I'm just an innocent girl who doesn't know martial arts!" Before I knew, it was hitting him in the head with my umbrella.
"WAIT!" he screamed which made me stop but I still haven't laid my guard down. He has a large bump on his head, which he deserve to have. "What are you doing at my apartment?"
"What?" then I laughed very hard.
"What's so funny?" he is very annoyed now, I can tell it but I can't help it.
"You. This "apartment" happens to be mine because this room was given to me by an old lady who owns this place." Then realization struck me. 'He couldn't be Joey because Joey is a girl. If he is Joey, only one word can describe him Olalla! He has broad and muscular shoulder. Maybe he's working out. He got a messy auburn hair that would itch you to fix it repeatedly. One thing that really caught my attention is his blue-green eye. Wait! Back to the situation, why do I have a man as a roommate! Damn, I forgot to ask the stupid old lady!' it seems to me he can read my mind and had the same expression as I did.
"You can't be Rukawa!"
"You can't be Joey!" we both said at a same time. Then the criminal came to the scene.
"You didn't told me that I have a girl for a roommate!" I said the same thing at the same time except it was just opposite to him.
"Both of you told me that you are desperate. Therefore, I gave you this room. Besides there are no rooms left in this place and this town and I just can see you are desperate." What a stupid explanation for an old sly lady. Well, she is right there are no rooms left. The sphincter went away smiling to her. Only that can describe her and that is Freaking Bitch! ***
"That night we both agreed to stay together. He turns out to be my classmate at the campus who sat behind me. We've been friends then close friends then best friends. It took us about.hmmm. 4 months to become best friends. Everyone always called us the cute couple. Humph, Joey had been a great help to me, my admirers don't bug me anymore, although he's branded as a lucky guy for living with me, and he's always there when I need him. Were always seen together sometime were being mistook as a married couple. It would be too long if I write all of their moments. I always looked at him as a best friend but everything change in one day."
***We are walking at the beach on Sunday afternoon. I stopped and looked at the sunset. I always love the sunset. While looking at the sunset, Joey pushed me and I face faulted at the sand and sea. "Why you?" I said to him playfully while trying to get up. He was laughing very hard and he offered me his hand. "I'm sorry Ruri, but you look so serious and cute that I." but before he finished his sentence I pulled him beside so that he would get wet. However, he landed on top of me and our faces are just only one and a half inch apart. I can feel his hot breath on mine and I looked on those warm blue-green eyes of his. I just realized how warm and captivating his eyes are. His messy auburn hair is pressing on my wet forehead. The way he smiles and laughs made my knees wobbly and weak. I can feel my face getting hotter and hotter at each passing minute. Then a large wave came crashing at us.***
"Zzzzzzz" Ruriko looked at Kaede and saw that he is sleeping with a drool coming out of his mouth. A large vein popped into Ruriko's head and punch Kaede very hard that he flew in the air.
"DAMN YOU WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" Kaede said very angrily.
"I was trying to tell a story here!" a large sweat drop popped into his head.
"Well why don't you just summarized that boring part!" Kaede shouted. Well Kaede is right in that part it is sappy yet romantic. Wait! HOW DARE YOU INSULT THAT PART THAT IS MY MASTERPIECE! (Calms down)
"Okay fine." Ruriko said in an annoyed tone, "I fell in-love with him on that day. However, I didn't told him how I really felt because.because." tears began to form in Ruriko's eyes.
"Because?" Kaede isn't sure anymore if his onee-san can continue the story. He knows that she is telling this to him because she wants to lessen the pain that is building inside of her.
"I was scared to everything. I'm scared that he may hate me after I said him those words. I'm scared that if he loves me back I may not know what would I do afterwards. I mean, would we be together forever or not? Would we love each other or hate each other? Overall, I'm scared of everything." Ruriko stopped for a moment to fight the tears the threatening to spill. "After graduation we both work at the same hospital, he was transferred by the head doctor at Chicago after 6 months of working together. That was the cause of our separation. I want him to stay but I cant because this is his dream to work in America. He doesn't want to go because of me but I urge him to go."
*** "You must go and don't you dare worry about me because I will be fine." We were talking during dinner. We still lived together but different house.
"But."
"No buts. and it would only take 6 months for you to work there. However, don't you dare forget to write or call me."
"I don't want to leave my cute best friend alone here in England." I gave him a look that says, "I'm serious here." "Okay I'll go and would never forget."***
"He left two days after that. During the first week, it was very hard for me because I miss him and I couldn't go with him because I would just be a burden in his work there. He always called three times a day on the first month. On the third month, he stopped calling he just only write letters. The following month I don't have any letters or call from him. I wrote to him but he never wrote back and he's always out whenever I called him. I kept on thinking that he was busy on his work. I forgot the feeling of sadness weeks passed thanks to my co-doctors but I never forgot him. On the day of his arrival he surprised me when I got home."
*** As I entered the apartment, I saw him standing there, "Hello Ruriko." He said softly.
"Joey?"
"In the flesh." I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you so much. Why didn't you told me you were coming?" I said while looking up to him.
"I wanted to surprise you." I was about to say something when an annoying female voice interrupted me. "Honey, who is she?" the girl who had the same black hair and blue eyes as I did asked.
"I forgot to tell you she is Veronica my girl friend. Were just here for a week to visit you."***
'This story is familiar.' Kaede said to himself.
"I wanted to kill her or myself that day, but I vowed to myself that I would never ever do any stupid thing to myself for love. I couldn't kill her because it is against the rules. Therefore, she stayed at my room with me for about a week. When they left, I've never been the same again. My friends notice this so they said I should take a vacation, which I agreed so here I am. Breaking my rule for acting stupid for love." Ruriko couldn't prevent the tears anymore so she cried at Kaede's shoulder.
"You summarized the story" he joked, "but you did the right thing. Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want to lessen the pain I feel." She stopped crying and she looked at the sky where the moon lies.
Hello! Ayako: What took you so long to finish this and this is sappy. (Annoyed) Me: (large vein popping) it happens to be that I have a lot of stupid exams and application form to finish. Oh, yeah soooory my mind is blank so this story is sappy. (Fire starts to blaze.) Ayako: Yeah right, so what would happen now? Me: (suddenly calms down) Ummm.on the next chapter, it is all about Alex, Suzume, and Rukawa. You would learn the mystery behind. wait, why am I telling you this. Ayako: Hehehehehe! Shucks busted. Me: Why you! (Starts to blaze up and a large mallet appear in my hand) RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE! Mwahahahaha! Kogure: She's scary but don't forget to REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!