Chapter 5: Aoi-chan

Fukasawa University, basketball gym...

"Mitchy! Gori! Megane-kun!"

Mitsui glared at the redhead who was standing above him on the audience stand. "Sakuragi, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? It's Mitsui-sempai to you."

"Maa, maa, Mitsui. I must say, it's been a while since I last heard the nickname. It kinda brings back old memories, ne, Sakuragi?" said Kogure. He was still the peace-loving guy, ever ready to step in to bring peace and harmony to the world, in this case, the gym.

"Nyahahahaha! Megane-kun, I knew you would miss this Tensai! Who wouldn't? Nyahahahaha!" Sakuragi laughed, putting on his Tensai pose.

Akagi snorted. "Tensai? What Tensai? I only see a baka with red hair who only knows how to brag and talk nonsense."

"Gori! How could you say that to the Tensai?!"

"Tensai my foot! If you're the Tensai, then I'm Kami-sama," said Mitsui.

"Teme Mitchy!"

"Maa, maa..."

Hanagata laughed at the scene before him. "So this is how Shohoku was like last year. Very lively, if I may say so myself."

"What you call lively, I call irritating and annoying to the core," said Akagi. "Anyway, where is Fujima?"

Hanagata shook his head. "Don't know. He didn't tell me anything."

"It doesn't matter. There's the devil." Akagi pointed, and everyone turned to look.

---

Up in the audience stand...

"What is Fujima doing up here when's he supposed to be down there?" asked Ayako to no one in particular.

"And who's that cute little girl with him?" Miyagi wondered. They looked at the girl, who was about the age of 3-4, wearing a blue frilly frock, her mass of long brownish-black hair tied up with a blue ribbon in a ponytail.

"She's so cute!" Haruko gushed.

"And she's coming this way," Ichiro added. They watched as the girl wriggled away from the hands of the middle-aged woman who was with Fujima and came running in their direction.

"Aoi-chan! Come back here!" Fujima shouted after the little girl. When she didn't seem to be listening to him, he ran after her, catching up just as the little girl latched herself to the legs of a very surprised Rukawa.

"Kawaii! Rukawa-kun, she likes you!" Haruko said.

Rukawa looked down at the little girl, who was hanging on to him as if her life depended on it.

"Ah, gomen ne, Rukawa. I'll get her off you soon," Fujima apologised, before reaching out to carry the girl away. "Aoi-chan, be a good girl and let go of the oniichan, ok?"

To the surprise of everybody else and the horror of Rukawa, she started bawling her eyes out.

"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Aoi-chan! Now don't cry. You're going to dirty the oniichan's pants," Fujima tried to pacify her, but she only cried louder than ever.

Just as Rukawa was about to peel her off him, she looked up at him with those big, blue, teary eyes of hers. His hands stopped in mid-air. She...

"Niichan, I want to sit with you... please..." she pleaded with her babyish voice.

"Aoi-chan, why do you want to sit here?" Fujima questioned the girl.

"Because... um... because..." she bit her lip, hesitating.

"Go on, Aoi-chan," Fujima prompted gently.

"I like this niichan!" she said brightly.

"But don't you like otouchan anymore?" asked Fujima.

Everybody turned to look at Fujima, eyes wide and mouths agape.

Fujima sweatdropped and took a deep breath. "Aoi-chan, why don't you listen to otouchan and go sit with Midori-kaachan?"

Aoi-chan pouted, but went anyway, leaving Fujima alone with the Shohoku team.

"Anou... Fujima-san, why is she calling you otouchan? You're not... um, her... you know..." Ayako started, not knowing how to continue.

"No, Ayako-san, I'm not her father," Fujima clarified.

"Then why is she calling you that?" Miyagi asked.

"Well, her father was my cousin, see, who unfortunately had passed away a year after she was born. After his death, his wife, I mean Aoi-chan's mother, decided to go to work in America, where she had been offered a rather high-paying job. She didn't want to bring Aoi-chan along, so she left her in my family's care, since both her parents and my cousin's were already dead," Fujima explained.

"That doesn't explain how you came to be her, er, otouchan," said Ayako.

"I felt sorry for her, having lost her father at such a young age, so I decided to act as her father, for the time being, that is."

"Meaning, you will tell her the truth when the time comes?" asked Miyagi.

"Yes."

Ayako nodded her head. "Ok. So today, you brought her here because..."

"She said she wanted to watch me play basketball, so I brought her here with Midori-kaachan, who used to be my nanny. She's the one who has been taking care of Aoi-chan for the past two years or so."

"I see."

"Oh look, here she comes again," said Haruko.

This time, Aoi-chan wrapped herself around Fujima's leg. "Otouchan, I really want to sit with that niichan. Please..."

Fujima knelt down and brought the girl close to him. "But I don't think he's going to like it, Aoi-chan."

"But why?" she asked. The tears were quickly forming in her eyes.

Before Fujima could say anything else, Aoi-chan was lifted from his arms by, surprise surprise, Rukawa, who then settled her on his lap, just like she wanted.

"Wai!!! Arigatou, niichan!" Aoi-chan squealed happily.

"I'm so sorry, Rukawa," Fujima apologised again. "But thanks."

Rukawa just nodded his head.

Miyagi, who was sitting beside Sakuragi, noticed that he was unusually quiet. "Oi, Hanamichi, are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh, of course I'm alright, Ryochin. I'm the Tensai. Nyahahahaha!" He laughed his trademark Tensai laugh, but somehow, it lacked the enthusiasm which usually came with it. It didn't escape from Ayako's keen sense of notice.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes, Ayako-san. I'm sure." To avoid being questioned any further, Sakuragi turned to the little girl now sitting on Rukawa's lap, who was sitting beside him, by the way. "Aoi-chan, that's your name isn't it, chibi onna?"

"Hai!" Her hands reached up to play with Sakuragi's hair. "Niichan, your hair is pink in colour."

"No, Aoi-chan, it's red, not pink."

"Why is it pink?"

"It's red, Aoi-chan, not pink. Anyway, it's red because only Tensais have red hair."

"Tentai?"

"No, it's Tensai."

"Tenhai?"

"Tensai, Aoi-chan. Ten-sai."

"Tenbai!"

"Never mind, Aoi-chan. Just remember, I'm Tensai-niichan. Got it?"

"Hai! Tendai-niichan!"

"No, it's Tensai-niichan!"

"Tennai-niichan!"

"No! It's-"

"Do'aho, it's too long for her to remember," Rukawa cut him off.

"Shut up kitsune!" He was about to launch into a tirade of curses when he stopped short and turned to Aoi-chan. "Aoi-chan, do you want to know what this niichan's name is?"

"I know!"

"Eh? You do?"

"Hai!" She pointed at Rukawa, "He's kitsune-niichan, and you're do'aho-niichan."

Everybody within earshot doubled over with laughter, while Ayako whacked the two boys on their heads. "Now look what you've done. You have corrupted the mind of an innocent girl. She's only..." She looked at Fujima.

"3 years old."

"She's only 3 years old!" she continued, whacking them again.

"Ne, neechan, why are you so fierce?" Aoi-chan asked, as innocent as Ayako had labelled her.

Ayako stopped in the middle of a whack and blinked at her. "Eh?"

"That's because she's the Gori lady," Sakuragi whispered into Aoi-chan's ear.

"Gori lady!" Aoi-chan giggled.

Ayako sat down, blushing furiously, while in her mind, she was plotting on how to make Sakuragi die a slow and painful death.

"Alright, that's enough," Fujima interrupted. "Aoi-chan, this one over here is Hana-niichan, while the one whose lap you're sitting on is Kae-niichan. Can you remember that?"

"Hai. Hana-niichan and Kae-niichan," Aoi-chan repeated effortlessly.

"Good. The others... they'll tell you later what their names are. Now, listen. Otouchan has to go and play basketball now. I want you to be a good girl and sit here quietly, alright? No running around, and no throwing tantrums. Got that?"

"Hai!"

Fujima smiled and ruffled her hair. "Good. I'll come and pick you up later, ok?" After thanking Rukawa again, he waved at Aoi-chan and ran off, appearing on the court a while later.

The game started soon after, and as predicted, it was a very exciting game, what with some of the best players in Kanagawa gathered together to play against Tokyo University's basketball team, known as one of the best in the country. Now and then, Aoi-chan would cheer for her otouchan, while Shohoku cheered for their own seniors as well as the Fukasawa University team.

One and a half hours later, the game ended with Tokyo University winning by 4 points.

---

"Ok, Aoi-chan, say goodbye to your Hana-niichan and Kae-niichan and the other oniichans and oneechans," Fujima instructed. They were all standing outside the gate of Fukasawa University, where Fujima's car was already waiting.

"Sayonara, Hana-niichan, Kae-niichan, niichans and neechans!" Aoi-chan waved her chubby little hands as she sat on top of Fujima's shoulders.

"Sayonara, Aoi-chan!"

"Sayonara!"

"Otouchan, quick quick! Let's go home," Aoi-chan urged, pulling at Fujima's hair.

"What's the big hurry, Aoi-chan?" asked Ayako, curious.

Before the girl could answer, Fujima cut in. "Alright, Aoi-chan, in the car you go." He put Aoi-chan down and opened the car door, putting her inside and closing the door before turning around to face them again. He gave them a tight smile. "I guess we'd better go. See you guys around, and Rukawa, thank you for taking care of Aoi-chan just now. I really appreciate it."

Rukawa shrugged, and Fujima got into the car, driving off immediately. The Shohoku team then made their way to the train station.

"She's very cute, isn't she? In fact, she looks just like Fujima-san," Ichiro commented.

"Yeah. I mean, what with her blue eyes and all, although her hair is a darker shade of brown, almost black actually. If I didn't know better, I would've thought that he really is her father," said Miyagi. "Anyway, let's all go back. Remember, practice tomorrow at the same time. Be there, or be prepared to face my wrath. The Inter-High Preliminaries is starting soon. This year, I want our team to be the number one team in Kanagawa, you hear me?"

"Aa!" everybody chorused, before dispersing, each going on their way.

"Hanamichi, are you going home?" Miyagi asked the redhead.

"Yeah. Ja!" Without a backward glance, he left the place, going in the opposite direction of where they came from.

I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it for myself. Man, they look so much alike. Too bad Hana-chan isn't here to see it for herself.

Too lost in his own thoughts, he didn't realise that he was being followed, until a familiar voice snapped him out of it.

"Do'aho."

Sakuragi turned around and found himself face-to-face with Rukawa. He narrowed his eyes. "What do you want, kitsune?

"We need to talk."

"I have nothing to talk to you about, kitsune. Now leave me alone. In case you didn't notice, I was in the middle of thinking about something." He turned to leave.

"I didn't know that you think," Rukawa deadpanned.

Sakuragi turned to face Rukawa again. "Teme! Are you looking for a fight, Rukawa?!"

"I said, we need to talk."

"And I said I have nothing to talk to you about!" Sakuragi said furiously. Again, he turned to leave, but stopped when he heard what Rukawa said next.

"It's about the girl."

Slowly, Sakuragi turned around and looked at Rukawa. "Aoi-chan?"

---

Half an hour later, the two boys were seated in a corner of a nearby coffee shop.

"You know what, kitsune, you think too much. Thank Kami-sama I'm not like you. My brain wouldn't have lasted a minute from all that thinking you're doing," said Sakuragi.

"I never knew you had a brain, do'aho."

"You'd better not push it, kitsune. And, you'd better stop calling me that too," Sakuragi growled threateningly.

"You call me kitsune," Rukawa pointed out nonchalantly.

"What the- che! Whatever," Sakuragi grunted. "Anyway, it's not what you think, I'm sure of it. Therefore, the matter ends here. Do you understand me, Ru-ka-wa?"

Rukawa refrained from rolling his eyes. "Whatever, Sa-ku-ra-gi."

"Good. That's settled then," said Sakuragi. He paused, before continuing, "There's nothing to worry about. There's nothing to even think about in the first place."

For once, I hope that you're right, do'aho.

Rukawa nodded.

---

Later that night...

Fujima looked at the clock on the wall. It showed the time as 11.30 pm.

Better go get some sleep already. Turning off the stereo, he walked out of the music room and up the stairs to the first floor, where his room was situated. Upon reaching his room however, he stopped and turned around, stopping in front of another room, which was next to his. He opened the door a creak, making sure that he wouldn't wake the people sleeping inside.

"Otouchan?"

Fujima watched in surprise as Aoi-chan sat up in bed and looked at him. "Otouchan, I can't sleep."

As quietly as possible, Fujima tiptoed into the room, which was illuminated by only a night light, and knelt down beside the bed. "Do you want a glass of hot milk then, Aoi-chan?" he asked softly.

The little girl shook her head. "No. I want to sleep with otouchan."

"Well, alright then." Fujima reached out to carry her, but she shook her head again.

"I want to sleep with okaachan," she said.

"Well, ok. Then go to sleep." He stood up, and was going to walk to the door, but was stopped by Aoi-chan.

"I want to sleep with otouchan."

Fujima looked at Aoi-chan, a little exasperated. He knelt down again. "Who do you want to sleep with, Aoi-chan? Think properly."

A few blinks later, Aoi-chan made up her mind. "I want to sleep with otouchan and okaachan."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Aoi-chan. You have to choose," said Fujima, shaking his head.

"But I want to sleep with otouchan and okaachan," Aoi-chan whined, a little louder this time.

"Shhh! Not so loud, Aoi-chan. You'll wake your okaachan." He glanced at the sleeping figure beside Aoi-chan. "She's very tired, Aoi-chan. If you don't go to sleep, she'll be very sad. Now be a good girl and go to sleep, ok?"

"I want to sleep with otouchan and okaachan," Aoi-chan insisted stubbornly.

Before Fujima could say anything further, he was cut off by a sleepy voice coming from the bed itself.

"Kenji, just climb into bed and go to sleep, will you?"

Fujima gaped at the now half-asleep female lying on the bed. "Are you serious? I mean, you can't possib-"

"Please, Kenji. It's not as if we're sleeping together. I mean, we are, but," she stopped to yawn, before continuing, "Aoi-chan will be sleeping in between. I don't see anything wrong with that," she said.

"You know, I suggest that you go wash your face and think about what you've just said," Fujima said.

"Tell me," she yawned again, "Kenji. Are you planning to do anything to me when I'm asleep?"

"What the-? Of... of course not!" Fujima sputtered out.

"Then? What are you so afraid of? You scared that I would jump on you in the middle of the night?"

"No!"

"Then cut the crap and come to bed. You said so yourself that I'm very tired, no thanks to you, that is. I want to sleep, and I won't be able to if Aoi-chan doesn't. Please..." She gave a long tired yawn, as if to emphasise her point.

Fujima was rendered speechless for a moment, and, young as Aoi-chan may be, she can recognise an opportunity when she sees one. Turning on her babyish charm in full blast, she tugged at Fujima's hand, pleading incessantly, "Please, otouchan... please... please..."

Fujima sighed heavily. What am I getting myself into? "Alright."

He climbed onto the bed and settled down beside Aoi-chan, covering them both with the blanket.

"Otouchan, I want to hear a song."

Fujima groaned inwardly. "Aoi-chan, go to sleep now. If not, otouchan will not sleep with you."

He instantly regretted what he had just said, because Aoi-chan started crying her lungs out, just like that.

"Kenji, just sing her a song."

"But..."

"Please sing, or I won't be able to sleep."

Meanwhile, Aoi-chan continued crying.

"Alright, alright!" Fujima said, giving in to the two members of the female species in the room with him.

Aoi-chan stopped crying immediately, as if a plug had been pulled. Fujima could only sweatdrop.

He took a deep breath, and began to sing. "If you will not go to bed, please shoot otouchan in his head." (A/n: Note that these two phrases are sung with the tune of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.)

He held his breath, as Aoi-chan stared at him with those big blue eyes of hers.

"Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Kenji, sing her favourite song. You know that one don't you?"

Fujima sighed again. "Fine..." He cleared his throat, and began to sing once more.

Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Why do stars fall down from the sky every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.

On the day that you were born the angels got together,
And decided to create a dream come true.
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold,
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the boys in town follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be close to you.

Fujima stopped singing when he saw Aoi-chan's eyes shut tight. He lifted his head a little to look at the other sleeping figure, whose hand was placed over Aoi-chan's small body. A small smile graced his lips, as he placed his hand on hers.

Oyasumi nasai... minna...

---

Author's notes: Thank you to Jen for reviewing. Your question will be answered in the upcoming chapters. But, I believe some of you out there, especially Jen, may have already realised where this story is going. Anyway, the song 'Close To You' is originally sung by The Carpenters. And the twisted version of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', I got the idea from the TV sitcom 'Yes Dear'. What else? I guess that's all. Thanks for reading!