A/N: Tehee! Yohei and the others finally had the chance to enter Hanamichi's secret haven but the truth devastated them all… for inside the room Hanamichi poured out his feelings. They finally met Hana…Hanamichi's second personality. Yohei was thunderstruck upon learning that he had not been a good best friend to Hanamichi. Akagi was confounded…Kaede became sad… what could've Hanamichi written that made them feel like this? Well, find out! Please review after you read….thanks!
"" are for dialogs and '' are for thoughts and texts in italics are for flashbacks and memories. Texts in italics-bold are for Michi while Text in bold are for Hana
"What is this place?" Ryota croaked, unable to control the sudden emotions that came flooding inside him. "Hanamichi is…" Oukusu muttered. "This is what he's been hiding from us all these years." Yohei sobbed. "Kami-sama!" Haruko cried upon seeing the contents of the room. They slowly went inside, as if they're treading upon fragile grounds.
There was a worn out teddy bear at the corner of the room. Two pens lay on the floor beside a recorder. Every inch of the wall was full of written conversation. The first lines were in black while the next ones were in red. A big drawing of a basketball jersey with the no.10 was plastered on the wall but it was mercilessly ripped. The floor was vandalized too but the writings are arranged in the form of a poem.
"What on earth happened to this place?" Kogure choked out as he tried to suppress a cry. "This once belonged to Hanamichi's parents when they were still together. Hanamichi told me that his father joined him in his room after his mother left them." Yohei told them while tracing the texts written in blood.
Kaede wandered inside the room and picked up the recorder. "Don't touch that!" Noma yelled at him but Kaede ignored him. He pushed the rewind button. Everybody's eyes were on him. When the tape finished rewinding, he pushed the play button. They waited until they heard a voice of an adult.
"Hana-kun, daddy will be staying in your room from now on ok?" "Why?" a little boy asked. "Because daddy wants to be with his baby. And besides, daddy will only get lonely if he sleeps in that room alone…not without you mama." "Why did she leave?" "I don't know Tucker. Maybe she misses France so much" " she missed France so much? Why can't we come with her?" "Because Mama wants to go home alone…and besides, it's hard to travel with a little boy your age." "Daddy, did mama love us?" "Yes she did…why ask such a thing Hana-kun?" "Because if she loves us, she won't leave. But she left…she-she left daddy…" sobs can be heard from the little boy. "Oh don't cry Hana-kun. Daddy's still here. Daddy won't leave you like mama did. Daddy will stay with your forever." "Pr-promise?" "I promise…cross my heart." "I won't leave you too daddy." "I know Hana-kun. I know. Now daddy wants you to sleep ok?" "But I-I can't. I'm scared of the Bogey Man!" "Hahaha! Don't worry Tucker. Daddy will protect you from the Bogey Man." "O-ok." "Go to sleep now." "Daddy?" "Hmmm?" "I love you!" "Haha! I love you too, Hana-kun. Daddy will always love you…" the tape stopped.
Haruko slumped down and sobbed even harder. The cry the Kogure was suppressing escaped. Even Mitsui, Akagi and Ryota have tears flowing down their faces. Only Rukawa remained stoic. "Michikawa lived his life for the sake of his son. I saw him suffered from Hana's departure but he remained strong for Hanamichi's sake." Fuchikawa-san suddenly spoke. "But why did she leave?" Ayako dared to ask. Fuchikawa-san sighed.
"The Sakuragi's are one of the richest families in Miyagi. But Michikawa dishonored the family by getting Hana pregnant when he was already betrothed to another woman. I guess they did love each other. But when Michikawa's father found out, they eloped and that lead to the disownment of Michikawa as the heir of the Sakuragi family. They got married and lived here. Things were going smoothly at first but Hana got frustrated with their lifestyle. Love alone cannot withstand against poverty. She was unable to bear the hardships they are facing especially when Hanamichi was born so she left. She hadn't been in contact ever since." Fuchikawa-san explained.
"Oh my god…" Ayako muttered. "Since then the two of them depended on each other. It was alright then but everything changed when Michikawa died from a heart attack. The playful and brash Hana-kun we knew was gone and he locked himself in this room more often." The old woman added. Kogure went towards the left side of the wall and stared at the writings.
"Look at this one. It seemed like he's talking to another person." Kogure murmured. "What are you talking about Kogure?" Akagi asked while wiping his tears. "Look at it this way. Those written in red inked are replies to the ones written in black. Look, there are names here." Kogure beckoned them to move closer. He pointed at the black inked texts. "The one who wrote in black ink is named Hana." Kogure explained. His hand traveled to the texts in red. "And the one who wrote in red ink is named Michi." He added. "Put the two names together and you've got Hanamichi." Takamiya murmured. "Oh shit!" Yohei gasped. "What?" Mitsui looked at him. "These texts represent the two sides of Hanamichi. I think he developed a dual personality to cope with his depression." Yohei told them. "You're saying that he's sick?" Ayako asked him in disbelief. "Well, it could happen. He's not talking to us with his problems so he's probably letting it out through his second personality." Kogure supported Yohei's assumptions. They started reading…
Hey, stop crying.: Who are you?
My name is Hana. : Hana? But that's my name. I'm Hanamichi.
I'm you. You're me. We're one and the same. From now on, you're name inside this room is Michi. : What? I don't understand you. Where did you come from?
Just think of me as a twin brother but I only exist in this room. I can't get out. : Why? Are you stuck or something?
Well kinda…if I go out, then you'll be stuck. : I don't get it. You're confusing me. Are you a ghost?
No I'm not a ghost. I'm just someone who wants to help you. : Really? Do you know why I'm crying?
Yes, I know. Daddy died…: it's my entire fault. If I haven't beaten up those guys, I could've brought daddy to the hospital in time.
It's not your fault…it's nobody's fault. It's his time to go.: But he promised he'll stay. He promised me…
He promised US…remember that. : Ok, us. He lied. He broke his promise…
Well, you don't expect him to live forever, right: Um…well…
Everybody dies Michi. You will, in the future. : But he promised…
Promises are made to be broken, Michi. Daddy's too tired to go on. Let him rest. : But what about me? I mean…us?
We'll get by…we still have each other…and Fuchi-baa-chan and Koji-nii-chan.: are you sure?
I'm sure…don't worry. Everything will be fine.: I'm scared…
Don't be. It'll help me not to get scared too, you know. : O-ok…I won't get scared so that you won't get scared too.
Ok…we have an understanding. Just remember…I'm always here. : Dad said that too. He told us that he will always be here, but he's not.
Well I'm different. I'll stay as long as you want me to. My existence solely depends on you Michi. : ok Hana. From now on, you'll stay will me…forever!
"So that when it started, when Michi-jii-san died." Takamiya sighed. "So Hanamichi patronized this Hana ever since. Why didn't you guys notice it from the start?" Mitsui asked Yohei. "Hanamichi's good in hiding what he really feels. He lived by the motto of his father that if you have a problem at home, you leave it at home." Yohei explained. Kogure traced another set of conversation. "Hey, look at this one." Kogure nudged at them. They read the new set of conversation.
I got dumped again…for the fiftieth time in my life. : Oh don't worry…the world is full of women to love. Don't let you're world come crumbling down just because of one girl.
She dumped me for some basketball hunk…what's up with basketball anyway? : I don't know…
It seems like everyone who's in it are so cool…damn it! : don't curse Hanamichi. Your world doesn't stop there.
O-ok…thanks Hana…. You know, you're a whole lot better than the gundan. : Really? Why? Did they celebrate your 50th rejection?
H-hai. I don't understand why they treat me like that. : Well, some friendships are like that. Well, at least you're the life of the group.
b-but it hurts sometimes…they just don't realize that I get hurt. : Well, I think you better talk to them, Michi. It's not proper for you to let this continue.
B-but I'm scared to confront them…they might desert me. : take your time Michi…
"Well, we're not that only ones hurting him." Mitsui snapped at Yohei. The gundan looked devastated. "You have done your share of the damage. You can't put the blame entirely on us." Akagi added. "Stop it ok! We know…we already know. So stop rubbing it in on us!" Yohei shot back. "Hush! There's a continuation." Ayako told them. Their attention returned to the wall.
Well Michi, you seem a happy today. : Well, it's because I met someone.
Oh really? Who's she: Her name's Akagi Haruko…Hana, she's so cute!
Yeah right…like you don't remember those other "cute girls" who broke your heart Michi. : Well not this one! She's so friendly, and nice!
Be careful Michi…I wonder why you always choose these "cute girls" than those young sophisticated women who are down-right crazy about you. : Aw come on Hana! They're way above me…
Fine…but I'd prefer Sadotsu than this Haruko…at least she can stand on her own : don't worry Hana…Michi is sure about this now!
"So he wrote this after he met Haruko." Ayako murmured while eyeing the occasionally sobbing girl. Haruko looked up and more tears spilled from her eyes. "Now look at this…" Ryota pointed at the continuation.
You're right Hana…she did broke my heart. : What? So soon? How?
She's likes this fellow, Rukawa…that bastard! I'm gonna kill him! : Now, now Michi calm yourself. By the looks of it, she's not worth three to four decades in maximum security.
b-but it hurts…s-she's the 51st to dump me. : Well, what did she say?
Ano…she didn't say anything. She's just mad at me right now for beating that bastard. : You beat him! Michi, you promised to minimize the violence.
But I can't help it! : Fine…just don't do it again, ok?
Promise…: good.
"That's when I really bled to death because of his head butt." Kaede murmured. He eyed Haruko in disgust. "Go on…" Mitsui urged them.
I sucked at basketball! : What did you say? Why? Did you try doing it?
Well, I got challenged by this gorilla who turned out to be Haruko's brother…I was the laughing stock of the school. : I think you better let me out sometime so I could give them a piece of our mind.
No…h-he only agreed, though reluctantly, to let me join the team. I'm doing this for Haruko. : Haruko again! For heaven's sake Michi! You've been crushed, stepped on and trashed by this bitch and you still like her!
Hey! Don't call her that! She's nice offering her help to make me a full-grown basketball man! : Michi, I don't want to tell you this again…she'll just break your heart…they all did. Why risk hurting again?
But I want to play basketball! Fine…it won't be solely for her but for me too. I want to prove to them that I can be more than a punk. : do you really want this?
Yes! I'm happy where I am now, Hana. Please be happy for me…please. : Ok…I'll let you lead us on. Just don't forget that if anything bad happens, I'll always be here, ok?
Thanks Hana! You're the best! : I know….I'm the tensai.
Tensai…I like that name…: good…just don't abuse it ok?
Hana…: Yes?
Thanks…: it's ok…that's my job, right?
"He seemed so enthusiastic back then." Kogure murmured. "Then we started ganging up on him." Ayako muttered. "We're not ganging up on him." Akagi said defensively. "Oh yes we did Akagi…all of us did. The only person who has the right to say that he didn't is Anzai-sensei. He looked after us all the time…especially Hanamichi." Kogure retorted. "Kogure…" Mitsui murmured. "It came to me one afternoon…we've been cruel to the boy…all of us, even you, Haruko. I saw you hitting him in the head Ayako, calling him names and you too, Mitsui, Ryota and especially you, Rukawa. We all did something to contribute to why Hanamichi turned out this way." Kogure continued. In his anger he punched the wall. "Argh! How could I've been so blind! I should've stopped you guys!" Kogure cried while continue hitting the wall. Mitsui rushed to stop the bespectacled boy. "Cut that out Kogure! You have no fault!" Mitsui tried to comfort him but it only fired Kogure up.
"Yes I have! I've seen everything Hanamichi had gone through…I've seen every bit of frustration, struggle and hardship and most of them came from us but I didn't do anything for it to stop! I could've put an end to it but I didn't! I just let it happen again and again!" Kogure yelled.
"At least he doesn't hate you that much…" Somebody spoke up. They all turned to see where that came from. It was Kaede who spoke. "What?" Oukusu asked. Kaede walked towards the adjacent wall filled with a new batch of writings. "It's in here…he hates my gut." Kaede murmured. 'Why? What did I do for you to hate me so much?' he added in his head. They all shifted to Kaede's side and started reading.
Why so sad, Michi: I failed….
Failed what: I failed the team…I've been kicked out of the game for the sixth time now.
Michi, don't be sad…at least you tried. : I'm the laughing stock again…they think of me as a joke.
Seriously Michi…you need to let me out so that they would realize that they've been doing you wrong: I have a new nickname now…
Huh? What: I said I have a new nickname now…they call me do'aho.
Those bastards! I swear Michi, if I ever got the chance to get out…I'll…argh: don't be mad Hana…I deserved it…
Deserved it? No one in this world deserves to be insulted like that Michi! Who do they think they are: Rukawa became the star once again…he always does.
Michi…: I mean, first he stole Haruko from me, now they're comparing me to him like an old, battered wooden sandals to a brand-new rubber shoes. I just couldn't take it…. It hurts so much!
Don't take it like that Michi. Think of it as a motivation to be better…sure he's good but you've got your own skills to brag. I bet he couldn't get as much rebounds as you can. : True! I was almost named at the King of Rebounds today…I really need to break the record to I could have something to slap on their faces.
Michi…vengeance is not good. : Well, they started it…especially Rukawa! That stupid Kitsune.
Talk to me again when you're not in the killing mood ok: …Michi…matte!
…: che! Didn't know you're the touchy one
"You're right. He hates your gut." Ryota agreed with him. Ayako slapped his head. "Do you think that's funny?" she roared at him. "Look at this." Akagi nudged them.
We lost….: Michi…I've been telling you ever since we got home…it is not your fault.
But I passed the ball to the wrong guy…we lost…: you didn't see him clearly. You thought he was Akagi-sempai. They can't blame you for that.
I've let them down…Gori, Megane-kun, Ryonchin, Mitsui, Anzai-sensei, Haruko and especially Rukawa…: stop it now Michi. IT-IS-NOT-YOUR-FAULT!
But it was…you're just making me feel good. I can't face them now…especially Rukawa. : What's up with this Rukawa anyway? Why are you so soft on him now?
He-he collapse a few minutes before the game ended…he gave it his all…and I wasted it. : stop it Michi…please stop it…
I'm a good for nothing punk who knows nothing about basketball…: Michi…
Gomen nasai minna-san. Gomen nasai Haruko….gomen nasai, Rukawa. : Michi…
…: are you still there Michi?
… :
…
"This is about the game last week." Takamiya murmured. Everybody stared at Rukawa. "There…he doesn't hate you that much. He valued you're sacrifice." Ayako gave Rukawa a pat on the back. "I didn't know…" Kaede murmured. Silence filled the room…
A/N: there! Hanamichi had a dual personality! Hahahahahahahahahahha! Please review!
