Chapter 17: Best-Laid Plans
Beads of sweat drip down like raindrops from Sakuragi's forehead and he could feel his stomach churning from the sight laid before him.
It was staring at him with pitiful eyes, begging for its life to be spared.
Sakuragi clenches his fists, his breathing ragged.
No.
He couldn't do it. He won't do it.
"Do you want me to take over, Sakuragi-kun?" A quiet, nervous voice spoke close to his ear.
He turned his gaze to the bespectacled boy standing beside him. Sakuragi saw his companion's ashen face; and was not surprised with what he saw.
He had seen this look to the throngs of students he had encountered in the hallway who immediately scampered to the sides in order to avoid him.
He recognized that look.
It was fear.
He was thoroughly familiar with how fear looks.
But this time, it was a different kind of fear. Glasses boy was not afraid of him; he was afraid of what the both of them will become if they finally committed this atrocious act.
They will be forced to turn into a murderer.
The redhead shook his head furiously.
No, he will not allow the hands of an innocent person like glasses boy to get stained. Megane-kun is a nice fella - even though he is an amateur when it comes to basketball, he compensates this with his academic skills. After all, he always let him copy his assignment.
He raised the knife in the air, eyes shut tightly, and refusing to even spare a look at the hapless creature sprawled on the marbled table.
He alone will shoulder this heavy burden.
'No!'
His eyes snapped open and the knife fell with a clang.
The rest of the class stopped what they were doing at their lab tables and turned their attention to the source of the noise.
The redhead banged his fists against the black countertop.
"This is wrong." He muttered to himself, brows knitting and fists clenched tightly.
"Is something the matter, Sakuragi-san?" The teacher inquired warily as he approached the table of his troublemaker of a student. Past experiences have taught him to exercise great caution when it comes to dealing with the notoriously volatile redhead and he made sure to put enough distance between the two of them, his eyes alternately looking between Sakuragi and the scalpel on the table.
The teacher was too concentrated on how he will get the sharp object away from his crazy student that he failed to hear the latter's response.
"I beg your pardon?" He asked again, turning back his attention toward his student,
"I said this is wrong!" Sakuragi roared with a fire in his eyes that made the teacher stumbled backwards.
"S-Sakuragi-kun, calm down." Trembling hands reached for his shoulder in an attempt to pacify him but he shrugged them away.
His rage boiled over. "You!" He exploded, pointing his finger at the petrified teacher. "You're supposed to guide us - your students - to the correct path!"
Sweat began to pour off from the older man's forehead. "I'm not … not sure I'm getting what you're trying to say."
"This!" Sakuragi spread his arms wide, his voice filling the room. "This is completely barbaric! I refuse to take part in this brutal killing!"
Kentaro Iishi, the redhead's lab partner, shifted uncomfortably before softly explaining that it's a science experiment.
Sakuragi looked at Ishii sharply that made the latter's face go ashen.
The redhead then turned his gaze to the tiny green creature lying on the dissection tray, its limbs spread out and currently pinned down. His eyes blazed with determination and resolve.
"Screw science!" In one swift movement, he released the pin that was restraining the frog's mobility. Not satisfied, he grabbed the jar containing one slimy creature belonging to the pair of students adjacent to him. "Free the frogs!" He announced as he unscrewed the lid and dumped its content on the cold countertop. The frog fell unceremoniously, unmoving and for a moment, Sakuragi feared that he accidentally killed it. But then, the amphibian started jumping, and one of the girls shrieked loudly when it suddenly hopped in front of her, catching her by surprise.
Instantly, the room turned into utter chaos. The croaking sounds of the frogs and shriek from some of the students - mostly girls, filled the room as the rest of the class followed his lead - either from fear to be on the receiving end of the volatile redhead's ire or maybe because they also share his sentiment and didn't want to dissect those poor amphibians.
Feeling proud of himself, Sakuragi stood in the center of the room as he endlessly chanted "Free the frogs! Free the frogs! Free the frogs!"
The teacher, not knowing what else to do, simply close his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose before exhaling a defeated sigh. "It's too early in the morning for this."
xxxxx
Loud clapping greeted Sakuragi the moment he seated himself in his usual spot in the cafeteria.
"Oh look who has graced us with his presence, the hero of all creatures slimy!"
"Shut up, pork breath." He warned Takamiya before digging into his lunch.
"I must say, I never would have pegged you for a frog rights activist, Hanamichi." Mizuki calmly stated, before ducking her head to take a spoonful of her soup.
The redhead didn't miss the teasing tone and the small, wicked smile that his friend gave him. "Awww, not you too, Mizu-chan!" He whined like a four year old whose toy was taken away from him.
"What?" She inquired in an innocent manner, but her eyes were full of mischief.
Sakuragi shook his head, returning to his food. "I don't wanna talk about it."
"You have no choice, Hanamichi," Mito piped up from beside him as he opens a soda. "Everyone was talking about it." He supplied with a grin.
"Yeah." Noma nodded in agreement. "You now earned a new title besides Dou Ahou and that is-"
"You forgot the court jester." Ohkusu interjected over a mouthful of rice.
"Ah yes. That also." Noma answers. "Sakuragi Hanamichi, Frogs Liberator and Defender of Terrestrial Amphibians." He declared with gesturing hands in a mockingly dramatic fashion.
"Hmm." Sakuragi hummed, nodding as he pressed his chopstick against his lower lip. "Liberator and defender huh? I rather like the sound of it." He stated before shoving a whole tempura in his mouth. Then, remembering something, he shot a scathing glare at Noma. "And what are you even doing here in our table? Aren't you supposed to be eating lunch with your dramarama buddies? Or have they realized their grave mistake and finally kicked you out? I wouldn't be surprised at all." He rambled with his mouth full.
"Nah." Noma shrugged as he took a bite of his apple. "We had it every TTH. Besides, they can't kick me out; I'm the star of the club." He puffed out his chest and declared haughtily.
All occupants of the table vehemently cried out their disgust and disapproval.
As the boys continue with their bickering – to which the topic now shifted to Takamiya winning the bet, Mizuki zoned out of their conversation, her mind elsewhere. Yesterday's event keeps on replaying on her head, and remembering their interaction, she can't help the warm and fuzzy feeling in her stomach. It was the first time she had seen him smile, really smile and even if it's for the briefest moment, it had left her momentarily dazed and breathless.
Unable to control herself, her eyes darted to Rukawa, sitting all alone in a table by the window. A frown formed on Mizuki's face as she watched him eat all by himself. Does he ever feel lonely? He has no friends despite being the most popular boy in school. He had his teammates, sure, but they only interact with him during basketball practice.
Something itches her and she wanted so desperately to carry her food tray and join him in that oh so lonely table. To see that smile again. Because now that she's seen him smile, she craves for it, and she wanted to be the person who could draw it out from him.
This strange yearning terrified her immensely. Because she knew that rejection is bound to happen, that it's inevitable. She's so emotionally fragile now and she don't think she can handle much more.
Mizuki averted her eyes away from him. It was difficult, but she had to. If she allowed herself to stare for too long in his deep, ocean blue eyes, she will surely drown.
xxxxx
Their enemies didn't stand a chance.
Besides having the home court advantage, Shohoku team possessed the greatest player in all of Kanagawa region – Sakuragi 'The Tensai' Hanamichi.
Well, that was according to the redhead himself. He keeps harping on about his superior basketball abilities and mastery of the game, something that the team have already heard a thousand times before.
He only managed to shut up and get on with the warm up drill when Ayako whacked him with her infamous paper fan and further threatened more bodily harm if he won't stop his jabbering.
Sakuragi then headed to the free throw line to practice his shooting form, with Yasuda and Iishii standing under the basket acting as rebounders.
Halfway through the routine, Yasuda unexpectedly spoke up. "Say, Sakuragi-kun…" The third year student started, eyes scanning the crowd. "I noticed that your friend didn't watch practice anymore."
"Huh?" was the redhead's confused reply. "Whatcha talking about, Yasu?" He asked as he deftly caught the ball that Iishi passed to him. He then jerked his thumb in the direction his friends were currently located. "They're all here except for that no good Noma."
The older player swallowed nervously. "Umm..I wasn't talking about, umm, them."
Sakuragi furrowed his brow in concentration as he takes aim of the ball.
"Who, then?" He inquired uninterestedly before releasing the ball.
It went through the net much to Sakuragi's pleasure.
Yasuda retrieved the ball and throw it back to the now smug looking Sakuragi. "I was talking about ,uumm,her …your.. your friend who transferred from, uhh, Chiba."
Sakuragi ignored his senpai's stuttering, still gloating on his 'astounding' free throw.
"You know..." Yasuda continues, his face getting all red and splotchy. "Short hair…Brown eyes…Your best bud Mito's cousin."
The redhead still pays him no heed. Yasuda began to shift on his feet as Iishi gave him a weird look.
"Oh, for the love of all that's holy, Yasuda!" shouted their captain, Ryota Miyagi, who suddenly appeared behind Yasuda, making the latter jumped out in surprise. "Man up and just freaking say her name already." The curly haired boy scoffed, having obviously witnessed his teammate's struggles. He then drifted away to check the other players.
Embarrassed beyond measure, Yasuda's face turned into an even darker red, but he muster all his courage and finally blurted out her name. "Mi-Mi-Mizuki-chan."
Upon hearing her name, Sakuragi stared dumbfounded at his teammate's beet red face. "Eh? Mizu-chan?" He knitted his brows in confusion as he asked, "What about her?"
"I uh-" Yasuda began shakily, clearly panicking now, "It's just that I never saw her during practice anymore… And she's..uhmm.. also not here to watch the game."
Sakuragi paused, looking puzzled by his reaction."Why are you looking for her, anyway?"
"Ah, well.." Yasuda rubbed the back of his neck, clearly agitated. "J-just curious, is- is all."
Sakuragi studies his senpai as he rapidly switches the ball from one hand to the other. "She didn't spill her drinks on you, or anything?" He sighed, shaking his head in a condescending manner. "She can be a total klutz sometimes."
"What? No!" Yasuda almost shouted.
Before the redhead could further question Yasuda's bizarre reaction, his gang of troublemaker's friends ambled over.
The dark haired boy whispered something in Sakuragi's ear to which the latter replied, "Are you sure nobody didn't see you?"
Mito simply raised an eyebrow as if to say 'you dare doubt your best friend?'
"How many?"
"Three," Answered Mito.
"What?" Sakuragi bristled at his friend's reply. "Why so few? I told you to put a dozen of them."
"Are you kidding me? They're too slippery and gross to touch. Besides, it's very difficult to smuggle them in, ya know?"
Sakuragi pursed his lips, contemplating. After a while, he gave a slight nod. "Okay. Fine. Fine." Then, a grin creeps on his face that turned into loud laughter.
Yasuda and Iishi exchanges nervous look. Judging from the wicked laugh coming from Sakuragi , he is definitely planning something mischievous. And they are willing to bet that this involves their stoic ace player, Rukawa Kaede.
"Nyahahahaha!Nyahaha-"
"Hey, Hanamichi! Do you know where Mizu-chan is?" Takamiya interrupted Sakuragi's evil cackling.
"How would I know?" Sakuragi scoffed. "And why is everyone looking for her? Do I look like a freaking lost and found section?"
Mito frowned at Sakuragi's statement. He scanned the place and quickly spotted Rukawa, who was a few meters away and doing some sort of stretching. "Who else was looking for her?" He asks, his eyes not leaving said basketball player.
Sakuragi pointed a finger at Yasuda, who was trying to retreat discreetly.
Mito hadn't expected that at all. He stared at the anxiously looking senior student. He appears to be on the verge of having a nervous breakdown.
It was Ohkusu who confirm Mito's growing suspicions.
"Oooohh!" The blonde exclaimed playfully. "Looks like someone's crushing on little Mizuki."
"What?" Sakuragi spluttered in disbelief.
"It's not – I'm not – just curious, I mean I –" Yasuda rambled, his voice going frantic
Sakuragi stood in shocked silence as he tried to absorb this revelation. It all made sense now. The questioning of her whereabouts, the blushing, the stammering.
When the information finally sinks in, Sakuragi burst into laughter. He rapidly approaches Yasuda, who began to cower in fear, and clapped him hard on the back. "Well, goodluck with that, mate!" The redhead then began to lists many of Mizuki's unattractive traits. "-girl with a personality of a boy, her appetite rivals that of porkchop here," he said, pointing at Takamiya, "you'll get broke trying to feed her. When she's mad at you, she will beat you to a bloody pulp - you can ask her cousin, he's always pissing her off." He declared to which Mito vehemently denied.
Sakuragi can't wait to tell Mizuki this juicy news. Now, he had something on his sleeves, something to tease her mercilessly about. It's payback time.
His musing was abruptly interrupted by a loud whack precisely aimed at the back of his head.
"Enough gossiping like a bunch of old hens and get back to the drill. Game's about to start soon!"
Sakuragi vowed to burn that cursed paper fan of their team manager.
xxxxx
It was another victory for the Shohoku team. The player's locker room was chaotic, mostly filled with lively, happy chatters.
A certain redhead was not joining in the celebration. Sakuragi Hanamichi knew that they're going to win; he already expected their triumph, thanks to him and the 'awesomeness' he had shown in court. But if his plans went accordingly today, this will make his victory all the more sweeter.
Upon arriving in his locker, he quickly dish out the camcorder he borrowed from Ohkusu, and not even being a slight bit discreet about it, he positioned the camera facing Rukawa's locker. As the dark haired man approached his compartment, Sakuragi zoomed in and pressed the record button. He waited as Rukawa began to dial his locker combination.
'Any moment now.' He slowly drew in his breath in anticipation. 'You, Rukawa Kaede, will be the laughing stock of all of Japan. Once they see this video, once Haruko-chan sees this, she will be completely turned off by you.'
This idea all started when they are about to release the frogs into the pond located at the back of the school premises. Takamiya, being the glutton that he is, suggested that they should just cook the frogs instead. His logic being that these creatures will still be hunted and ended up as a victim of a bloody experiment. According to the portly guy, it will be less cruel for the frogs because they will think that they're simply having a nice, hot, relaxing bath. Sakuragi had to kick him out to oblivion after he said that.
And as he gazed at the frogs frolicking in the water, an idea formed into his head. Perhaps his newfound green friends wouldn't mind paying a certain ugly fox a surprise visit.
Sakuragi gripped the camcorder tightly in his hand. He better capture Rukawa's reaction when he finally discovers the frogs lurking in his locker. The redhead stifled a giggle, imagining his rival's hilarious response. He'd be willing to bet the kitsune will shriek like a scared little girl, further cementing his theory that Rukawa is most definitely gay.
Sakuragi stared intently at the camera screen as the raven haired boy swung the locker door open.
'This is it.'
The face of one Toki Kuwata, suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Sakuragi-kun! Great game today, huh?" The sandy haired boy chirped, smiling down brightly at his camera.
"What the? You're blocking my view, Toki!" Sakuragi shouted, shoving the frightened boy away.
But the opportunity was lost in those few seconds. He mentally cursed, all the hard work and scheming ended up for naught.
"I'm- I'm s-sorry, Sakuragi-kun."
Sakuragi rubbed his free hand across his face and sighed in exasperation. "Never mind."
"But what are you recording anywa – oh!"
Sakuragi notices the abrupt stop in Toki's speech, and he frowned when he saw the latter's muddled expression.
He followed his gaze and Sakuragi nearly dropped the camcorder from his hand.
The sight in front of them was utterly revolting and gross that Sakuragi had shuddered in obvious disgust.
What the heck?
The stinking fox was currently shirtless.
What the heck!
He needed to find a Lysol ASAP to douse his eyes with.
xxxxx
Apparently, there's no more need for Lysol as Haruko's smiling face was enough for Sakuragi to completely eradicate the ghastly image of Rukawa's naked chest.
They were walking side by side, headed to the metro station. It was already planned days before that the two of them are going to the town center to look for a gift for Ohkusu's birthday tomorrow. It wasn't a date but Sakuragi couldn't help wishing that it was one. For now, he's going to cherish every second of the time spent with her.
It usually took him five minutes to reach the school from the station, but Sakuragi wasn't in a hurry at the moment. After a long, leisure walk, they finally arrived at the station, much to the redhead's displeasure.
Oh well, there is still the metro ride and then the trip to the mall. He just needs to feign difficulty in searching for the perfect gift to Blondie. Maybe he can ask her to have dinner with him afterwards. He felt giddy at the thought.
There are no more available seats inside the train car, but it wasn't overly crammed. Not that he notice because everything seems to fade away when he was with Haruko. He can only see her.
Sakuragi hoisted his duffel bag onto his shoulder while his other hand reached for the grab bar overhead as the train began to move, his full attention fixed upon Haruko. He listened attentively as she describes today's game, the smile never leaving his lips. The topic then shifted to Ohkusu's party and she then made a suggestion of baking some cupcakes.
"But I have to warn you, I'm still a newbie in this whole baking stuff." Haruko informed him with a shrug,
"Nonsense, Haruko-chan. I'll eat anything that you prepared. Nyahahaha!" He gave a loud laugh, unmindful of the other passengers' stares.
A plump woman wearing heavy makeup, whose seat was in front of the pair, gave the oblivious redhead a disapproving scowl before returning to the book before her.
"But you don't need to bother yourself with that, Haruko-chan. We're going to buy him a gift already." He reminded her. But the truth is he just didn't want to share her cupcakes with anyone. Especially with that greedy pig, Takamiya.
"What do you think we should get him? I don't really know Ohkusu that well."
He scratched his chin as if contemplating his answer. "Maybe we can check the manga section in Kibukinoya."
Haruko let out a giggle. "It's Kinokuniya, Sakuragi."
"Ah, of course! I was just trying to be funny. Hehe." He joked, trying to make light of his embarrassment. "Um, what's your favorite manga, by the way?"
"I don't really read manga. But I do watch Sailormoon."
"Ooohh. I will punish you in the name of the moon!" Sakuragi said, mimicking the heroine's high pitched voice.
This earned another giggle from the assistant team manageress.
"Oh, wait! I almost forgot!" The redhead abruptly announced. "Speaking of Mizu-chan," he turned to unzipped the duffel bag slung over his shoulder, "she asked me to return this pen that she borrowed from you."
"Now, where is it?" He mumbled to himself as he began rummaging on his bag.
His brows knitted in befuddlement when his fingers came in contact with something slippery.
Something's not right here.
He opened the bag wide and peered inside.
"Ribbit".
Sakuragi blinked at the creature inside his bag.
It blinked back at him.
"What the heck?"
"What is it?" Haruko asked, her voice tinged with concern. "What's wrong, Sakuragi-kun?" She cranes her neck to take a look at his bag, but Sakuragi abruptly pulled it away from her prying eyes. The sudden action only led to the contents of his bag spilling out. Notebooks and pens came flying out, along with several green frogs he instructed the gang to put inside the kitsune's locker.
Sakuragi watched in horror as one of the frogs landed on top of one of the passenger's head.
"Oh shit," was the last words the redhead had uttered before a piercing scream filled the train car.
xxxxx
Everything was really going well. His team won the game; he's spending the rest of his afternoon with Haruko, they were having a great time.
But now, this happened.
Sakuragi blamed himself but mostly Rukawa for their current predicament.
He glanced down at Haruko sitting beside him, her shoulder hunched and head bowed. He clenched his fists when he heard her sniffing, his heart breaking at the sound.
'Kami, I made her cry!'
He had explained a hundred times to the woman that it was an accident, that someone had made a prank on him by putting the frogs in his duffel bag. Still, the woman kept on shouting - spits flying everywhere, getting all hysterical and demands that the police be called in.
They were cited for loud and boisterous conduct on train, disrupting the train service, and inflicting harm to other passengers.
Sakuragi insisted that Haruko is innocent, but the woman won't hear any of it. She demanded that they should be punished, and said something about kids these days turning into bunch of delinquents.
He had to summon all his self-control not to strangle her.
Haruko's parents arrived, both wearing concerned expressions. They can't believe that their soft spoken daughter was causing ruckus in the train which caused the woman to scoffed and remarked about letting their daughter associate herself with fools and troublemakers.
Sakuragi's face twisted into a scowl.
Haruko's parents turned to look at him and he saw recognition dawned in their eyes.
"You're Hanamichi Sakuragi, one of my son's teammate, am I correct?" Haruko's dad asked, his eyes piercing. Sakuragi observed that he reminded him of Captain Gori, not in the looks department, of course, but in his stern and steely demeanor. (Sometimes – no scratch that – he always wondered if Gori is perhaps adopted.)
"Yes sir." Sakuragi replied with a bow and try to make himself appear respectable. He is talking to his future in laws after all.
Before his father in law could further asks any questions, the door opened and a dark haired, slender woman in her late thirties peered inside. "Hi, is my son in here?"
Sakuragi mentally cursed. He didn't have to look at his mother to know that she was drunk; her slurred voice was enough indication.
"Come in, Mrs. Sakuragi," said the officer in charge.
All eyes were on Sakuragi's mom as she entered the room. It didn't escape their notice that she was currently intoxicated.
"Now, now, Hana-kun, what did you do this time, eh?" She asked her son.
Sakuragi remained silent; he was too upset to answer her.
It was the officer who answered her query. "Your son and his friend were brought up for misdemeanor charges. They caused train disruption by bringing frogs and releasing them inside the carriage, causing the passengers to panic."
Mrs. Sakuragi's eyes widened before breaking into a fit of drunken giggles.
"Stop that, Ma!" Sakuragi rubbed his face in frustration.
"Sorry." She said, not looking the least bit sorry at all. Her eyes then found Haruko. "And who is this lovely lady?"
When she found out that the girl's name was Haruko, Mrs. Sakuragi raised her brows and turned to give her son a meaningful look.
'Please don't say anything.' He pleaded with his eyes, but this only made his mom smile wickedly.
But before he got to hear whatever comments his mother was about to say, the woman who made the complaint spoke scathingly. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Sakuragi doesn't know what the statement means, but based on his mom's livid demeanor and narrowed eyes, the woman must have said something insulting.
Thankfully, his mother ignored the woman's jibe. Maybe she was not that drunk.
After a series of negotiations, charges were dropped largely through Haruko's father's effort and effective diplomatic skills.
As they exited the building, Sakuragi knew that whatever chances he might have with Haruko was all ruined now.
Looking for anything to vent his anger on, his thoughts turned to Rukawa.
This was entirely his fault. He's the one who put the frogs inside his bag, he was sure of it. The ugly fox was trying to get back at him.
But he will make sure that he will get the last laugh.
He will get his revenge one way or another.
A/N: A warning in advance, the next chapters are going to be a bit angsty. So if you don't like stories filled with teenage angst, you better steer clear of this fic. Til next time!
