Chapter 15: The fiancée
At the Shohoku basketball gym…
"Ne, Yuki-san?"
Hanayuki turned to look at Ichiro, who was sitting beside her on the bench. "Yes?"
"Anou, can I ask you a question?" asked Ichiro.
"What is it?"
"What exactly happened at the cafeteria today?"
Hanayuki was caught off guard, but managed to look indifferent at the unexpected question. She held his gaze for a moment, before looking away and turning her attention back to the players practicing on the court. "Why do you want to know?" she asked.
"Well, I'm just curious that's all."
"Since when have you become so curious about everything, Ichiro?" said Hanayuki, still not looking at him.
Flustered, Ichiro stammered, "I-I'm sorry Yuki-san. I mean, I didn't m-mean to pry into your private affairs. It's j-just that-"
"It's alright, Ichiro," Hanayuki broke him off. "I never said you were prying into my private affairs. I was just… curious… to know when you started becoming curious about everything." Glancing briefly at Ichiro, she gave him a small smile to put him at ease, before looking away again.
Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief that Hanayuki didn't get angry with him. Not wanting that to happen anytime soon, he decided not to pursue the matter any further. Despite that, he couldn't help but think about what had happened earlier that day at the school cafeteria.
-Flashback-
"Why do we have to go to the school cafeteria?" Rukawa grumbled, as he followed Hanayuki towards said destination.
"Not we, Kaede. I have to. I promised oniichan that I'll spend some time with him today. I already told you that yesterday," Hanayuki reminded him.
Rukawa grunted in reply and said nothing else.
"Really, Kaede, if you don't want to go, you don't have to," said Hanayuki.
In reply, Rukawa quickened his pace so that he was walking side by side with Hanayuki. Then, without warning, he took her hand in his, prompting Hanayuki to look at him in surprise.
"Kaede?"
Rukawa didn't say anything, nor did he turn to look at her. He just kept on walking, his hand never losing its firm yet gentle grip on Hanayuki's hand. And Hanayuki, already used to his weird but sweet ways of expressing himself, let him lead the way.
Needless to say, all eyes were upon them as they walked along the corridors towards the cafeteria. Whispers of gossip and the occasional wails of sorrow and agony could be heard all over the place, but true to their nature, neither Rukawa nor Hanayuki paid any attention to them. In fact, they gave no indication whatsoever that they've even heard the commotion they've inadvertently caused around them.
However, it was impossible, even for the usually stoic Rukawa, to ignore the outburst of a certain redhead, a self-proclaimed Tensai, and regular member of the basketball team, Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Teme kitsune! Get your hands off of Hana-chan!" he demanded, the minute he saw Hanayuki and Rukawa walk into the cafeteria.
Rukawa just looked at him expressionlessly while Hanayuki shook her head. It amused her to see Sakuragi burst out like that everytime he sees them together, despite having already come to terms with their relationship.
"I'm going to get something to drink. You guys want anything?" she asked, looking at the two of them.
"No, Hana-chan. I've already got mine," said Sakuragi, totally forgetting about his 'demand', while Rukawa nodded.
"Oniichan, why don't you sit down and eat your lunch? It's getting cold," said Hanayuki, gesturing to the food on the table in front of them. "I'll get my drink and then come back to join you and the others, ok?"
Sakuragi looked as if he was about to protest, but thought better of it and sat down. Hanayuki smiled to herself as she walked towards the vending machine, followed by Rukawa who didn't let go of her hand.
At the vending machine, Hanayuki put in enough money for a can of drink, and when the can came out, Rukawa reached down to take it. Finally letting go of Hanayuki's hand, he opened the can of drink and drank from it, before passing it to Hanayuki.
Taking the can from him, Hanayuki took a sip and proceeded to return to where Sakuragi and his gundan were sitting. On her way, she was blocked by a girl, so Hanayuki tried to walk around her, thinking that it was just a coincidence. To her surprise, the girl moved to block her way again.
Hanayuki looked at the girl, quickly taking in her appearance. She had black, wavy, shoulder-length hair, and her eyes were brown. Her skin was slightly tanned but the complexion was smooth and clear. Only slightly shorter than Hanayuki, she looked elegant with an air of grace around her.
She smiled at Hanayuki, who smiled back, albeit a little hesitatingly. There was something about the girl which made Hanayuki uncomfortable. Not only that, she could feel Rukawa tensing up behind her.
"Are you Tsukino Hanayuki from the basketball team?" the girl asked, the smile still plastered on her face.
Before Hanayuki could answer, Rukawa grabbed her hand and began to walk away, pulling Hanayuki along with him.
"Kaede, what's wrong?" Hanayuki asked, bewildered. But her question went unanswered as Rukawa just kept on walking, his grip on her hand tightening. And then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed her hand, he stopped in his tracks.
"Where are you going, Kaede-kun?" asked the girl, who, Hanayuki saw, was now standing in his way. She had obviously run to catch up to them, as her breathing was slightly laboured. But that didn't do anything to stop the smile from forming on her face.
By now, almost everyone in the cafeteria was looking at them, including Sakuragi.
Hanayuki looked at Rukawa beside her. To everyone else, Rukawa didn't look any different from before, but Hanayuki could see that despite his cool and calm demeanour, he was actually feeling a little nervous. Also, this she couldn't be too sure, but she thought she saw something akin to hatred in his eyes, which were, at the moment, directed at the girl in front of them.
"Miss, who are you?" Hanayuki asked. "Why do you keep blocking our way?"
The girl looked at Hanayuki. She was still smiling. "I'll ask you again. Are you, or are you not, Tsukino Hanayuki from the basketball team?"
Hanayuki glanced at Rukawa, before answering, "Yes I am. What do you want from me?"
"Nothing really," the girl replied. "I just wanted to tell you something. But before that," she took a step forward, moving closer to Hanayuki, "I would like to give you this."
The words were barely out of her mouth when Hanayuki felt a stinging pain on her left cheek, her head snapping to her right. Gasps could be heard from all around the cafeteria, and there was also the sound of the bench scraping against the floor when Sakuragi stood up in shock and anger.
Slowly, Hanayuki turned to look at the girl, whose smile was all but gone from her face. Hanayuki herself was shocked and angry to the core, but she forced herself to stay calm, not wanting to cause any more scenes than there already was.
"Hana-chan! Are you alright?" Sakuragi asked, his face etched with worry. Behind him were the gundan, who were all glaring at the girl.
Instead of answering his question, Hanayuki asked the girl, "Who are you? Why did you slap me?"
"Why don't you ask Kaede-kun beside you? He seems awfully quiet doesn't he? Especially since I just slapped you in the face," said the girl, her mouth curving into a sneer.
"Rukawa you bastard! Why didn't you stop her just now?" Sakuragi demanded angrily, shaking his fist at Rukawa.
Hanayuki's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you so afraid of telling me who you are that you keep avoiding the question?"
The girl shrugged carelessly. "No. I just thought I'd spare you the horrible truth, that's all. But since you keep on insisting that I tell you, I will." She turned to Rukawa. "Or would you rather you tell her, Kaede-kun?"
"What is she talking about, Rukawa? Say something you bastard!" Sakuragi shouted.
Hanayuki was beginning to get a headache from all the anger welling up within her. Barely able to restrain herself, she said though gritted teeth, "You either tell me who in the name of hell you are, or you leave me alone and never let me see your face again."
The girl clearly didn't expect Hanayuki to speak to her like that. Angry, she raised her hand to slap Hanayuki again, only to cry out in pain when Rukawa caught her hand on the wrist in a death grip.
"Ouch! You're hurting me, Kaede-kun! Let my hand go!" she cried.
Rukawa leaned forward so that he was looking right into her eyes. "If you so much as lay another finger on even a single hair of Yuki's, I will break your arm."
His voice took on such a dangerous edge that even onlookers felt threatened by him. They didn't have to look into his eyes like the girl to know that he meant every word he'd said.
Totally humiliated and in pain, the girl screamed at Rukawa. "You... How dare you! How dare you treat me like this! I'm the one you should be protecting, not this bitch! You should be holding my hand, not hers! You should be with me! Me! Me! Your fiancée!"
Once again, a collective gasp could be heard from around the cafeteria as all eyes turned to look at Rukawa, whose expression didn't change. Or maybe it did, but nobody was able to catch it, save for Hanayuki who would've been able to, except that she wasn't looking at him when this piece of news penetrated her eardrums and made its way to her brain to be processed.
"What the hell! What is she talking about Rukawa? Is it true that she's your fiancée?" asked Sakuragi furiously.
Ignoring him, Rukawa went on, "The only time when you can ever become my fiancée is when the sky falls down, the earth stops rotating, and I'm six feet under, reduced to nothing but a pile of bones and dust. But right now, as the sky is still intact, the earth is still spinning, and I'm still very much alive, you're NOT my fiancée. And I am NOT your fiancé. You may be my father's son's fiancée, but bear in mind that I am not my father's son. Not the kind of son that he wants me to be anyway. I will never, NEVER be the kind of son he wants me to be. Therefore, I will never, NEVER be your fiancé."
"You... You...!" The girl raised her free hand to slap Rukawa, but failed miserably when he caught it with his other hand.
He tightened his hold on both her hands and pulled her slightly closer to him. "Now get out of my sight and never let me see you again," he said softly, before letting her go, at the same time roughly pushing her away. Then, putting his arms around Hanayuki, who hasn't moved from his side, he led her out of the cafeteria, followed by Sakuragi and the gundan.
As soon as they were gone, the cafeteria immediately came to life, with everybody starting to talk at the same time. As for the girl, she was left alone holding herself, watching them as they left, with tears of pain pouring out of her eyes and her face twisted in anger.
-End of flashback-
"Yuki-san?"
Hanayuki broke out of her reverie and looked at Ichiro. "Huh?"
"Are you alright?" he asked. "You seemed to be distracted."
Hanayuki gave him small smile. "I'm ok. Don't worry."
Not convinced, Ichiro slowly nodded his head. "Ok."
Hanayuki knew that he was not convinced, but she pretended not to notice and paid attention to the players practising on the court. She watched as Rukawa did a feint and got past one of the juniors, jumping up and slamming the ball into the basket.
-Flashback-
"Oi, Rukawa! I asked you a question! Stop right where you are and answer me, damn it!" Sakuragi shouted, as they walked along the corridor. He couldn't be bothered about the fact that he was drawing attention to themselves; he just wanted to get an answer from Rukawa, who was ignoring him.
Deciding that he couldn't stand it any longer, he reached out to grab a fistful of Rukawa's shirt and pulled, forcing Rukawa to stop.
"I'm talking to you, you bastard! Answer my question!"
Rukawa answered with his fist, which came flying towards Sakuragi so quickly that the latter couldn't dodge it. Sakuragi staggered backwards from the force of the punch, letting go of Rukawa's shirt.
"Oniichan!"
Hanayuki was about to go to her brother when Rukawa stopped her and pulled her with him towards the nearest guy's bathroom. Once there, he locked the door before checking every stall to make sure that they're the only ones in the room. Satisfied that no one else was in the bathroom with them, he turned to face Hanayuki. Hanayuki just looked back at him wordlessly.
Moving closer to her, he placed a hand on her left cheek and caressed it gently. "Does it still hurt?" he asked.
"No," she replied, the tone in her voice a little colder than usual.
Deeply saddened, Rukawa reached out and pulled her to him, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry..." he whispered over and over again, as he held her close.
Hanayuki knew that he was truly sorry for what had happened, but she couldn't help but feel a little hurt by the fact that he didn't tell her about this 'fiancée' of his. She had thought that, after the incident with Aoi-chan, they would never have to hide anything from each other. Obviously, she was wrong.
"Why didn't you tell me about her?" she asked quietly. When he didn't answer, she pushed him away a little so that she could look up at him. "Please answer me."
There was a brief moment of silence, before Rukawa spoke. "What would you have done if I had told you?"
Hanayuki couldn't believe her ears. After all they had been through, he was still doubting her feelings for him!
Have I not shown you how I truly feel, Kaede? Have I not done everything I could in my power to prove my feelings for you?
Taking a deep breath, she held back the tears which were threatening to spill from her eyes. "What did you think I was going to do, Kaede?"
Seeing that he kept quiet, Hanayuki continued, "Did you think I was going to be mad at you? Did you think I was going to leave you?"
When Rukawa still didn't say anything, Hanayuki couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Choking back a sob, she turned to leave, but Rukawa held her back, holding onto her arm.
"Please don't go," he pleaded.
Turning back to look at him, Hanayuki could see that he was on the verge of breaking down himself, and it broke her heart. Sobbing uncontrollably now, she clasped a hand over her mouth, trying to muffle the sound of her sobs. And once again, Rukawa pulled her into a hug, enveloping her completely in his arms.
"Please don't leave me," he whispered hoarsely.
"I never once thought that, Kaede. I have never, ever thought of leaving you," Hanayuki said, sobbing into his chest. "Why... why did you think I was going to leave you if I found out about her? Did you really think that I do not love you at all? What do you want me to do to prove to you just how much I love you?"
Rukawa's eyes widened and began to water. Finally, after waiting for so long, he had heard Hanayuki say for the very first time that she loves him. Completely overwhelmed, tears of happiness and regret began to roll down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I doubted you. I promise you I won't ever doubt you again. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me..." he whispered.
Ignoring the poundings on the door and Sakuragi's shouts from outside the bathroom, they stayed in each other's arms, Hanayuki crying to her heart's content and Rukawa relishing in the fact that Hanayuki loves him and has finally told him so. When Hanayuki's sobs began to cease, he released his hold on her and wiped away the tears on her face with his hands. He pressed his lips against her forehead softly, before slowly moving down to her lips, and Hanayuki closed her eyes as he began to come closer and closer...
BAM!
Surprised, both Hanayuki and Rukawa jumped apart and looked up to see Sakuragi standing at the door. Or, to be more accurate, the frame of the doorway, since the door was now lying on the bathroom floor with its lock and hinges broken.
"O-oniichan!" Hanayuki stammered, blushing furiously.
"Hana-chan! Are you alright?" Sakuragi asked, oblivious to everything but his sister and her well-being.
"Do'aho."
"Teme kitsune! What are you doing locking yourself up in the guy's bathroom with Hana-chan? Have you lost your mind?!"
"Shut up, do'aho. You are the one with the lost mind. What did you break down the door for?"
"Nani? How dare you say that!"
"Maa, maa, Hanamichi. Let's not start a fight here in the bathroom. It's not... hygienic," said Youhei, trying to pacify his red-headed friend. Busy as he was, he still had time to sneak a look at Hanayuki and winked, causing her to blush again.
Oh my... I wonder what he did that for... thought Hanayuki, as she watched Youhei try to stop her brother from launching himself at Rukawa.
Hehehehe... thought Youhei, as he tried to stop Sakuragi from launching himself at Rukawa.
Stupid kitsune! How dare he humiliate this Tensai! thought Sakuragi, as he tried to launch himself at Rukawa.
Damn the do'aho for spoiling my most important moment with Yuki... thought Rukawa, as he waited with his arms crossed for Sakuragi to launch himself at him. He glanced at Hanayuki, who seemed to be deep in thought.
It doesn't matter though, because we have all the time in the world.
Feeling Rukawa's eyes on her, Hanayuki turned to look at him. They smiled at each other, and Rukawa reached out to take her hand in his.
Because she loves me, and I love her. Always have, forever will.
-End of flashback-
Hanayuki smiled to herself as she recalled the incident in the bathroom. Before they had left for their own classrooms, Rukawa had promised to explain everything later at her house. Sakuragi hadn't been too satisfied with that, but Youhei managed to convince him that it was Hanayuki to whom Rukawa owed an explanation, not him, so he let it go.
"Die you miserable kitsune! Die!"
However, it was obvious to Hanayuki that her brother was still unhappy with Rukawa, given the way that he was acting around the latter.
Oh well, I'll just have to explain things to oniichan after Kaede explains everything to me.
She glanced at the watch on her wrist.
A couple more hours, and everything will be clear as day.
---
Later, in Hanayuki's room at home...
Both Rukawa and Hanayuki sat on her bed with their legs crossed, as Rukawa began to explain what had happened.
"On the night that we won the national championships, I went home and found my father waiting for me, along with 3 other people. He told me they were the Sugiyamas from Kyoto."
"Did you know them before this?" Hanayuki asked.
"No, I didn't. That was the first time I've seen them. Sugiyama Kioshi was one of my father's many business partners. He and his wife, Sugiyama Kaori are here to send their daughter, Sugiyama Kiori to study in Kanagawa," said Rukawa, introducing the Sugiyamas one by one.
"Ah sou... But why didn't they just send their daughter to school in Kyoto where they're from? Why send her here?"
"I didn't bother asking. I was going to go up to my room when my father said that he and Mr Sugiyama had decided to become in-laws, and that Sugiyama Kiori and I would become engaged."
Hanayuki kept quiet for a moment, before asking, "What did you say when he told you that?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Ok... what did you do then?"
"I stared at him like he's grown a pair of horns on his head."
"Uh-huh... so you didn't say anything nor did you do anything."
"No. After staring at him, I stared at the Sugiyamas."
"Right."
"And then, I told them that they would have to kill me first before I'd agree to be engaged to their daughter."
"And...?"
"The Sugiyamas were shocked and looked at my father, whose face turned as red as the do'aho's hair."
"You know, I'm surprised that you are taking this so lightly when really, it's quite a serious matter."
Rukawa shrugged. "To me, it isn't."
Hanayuki sighed. "So your father went mad with rage. What happened then?"
"Because of the Sugiyamas, he restrained himself from shouting at me, and just told me that it wasn't my decision to make. I told him that both of us knew better, and he just ordered me to go up to my room. I had wanted to do that earlier on anyway, so I did."
"He probably apologised to the Sugiyamas and assured them that everything was going to go as planned without any problems when you were gone."
"Probably."
"Did you know then that Sugiyama Kiori would be going to Shohoku?"
"No. I only found out when she appeared in front of us at the cafeteria."
"Hmm..." Pouting a little, Hanayuki said, "Well, you could've told me about her you know. Then maybe, we could've avoided that scene in the cafeteria."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think she would be coming to Shohoku, and would actually cause trouble for you," said Rukawa.
He shifted his legs so that he was sitting closer to Hanayuki. Then, he lifted one hand to touch the spot on her face where Sugiyama Kiori had slapped her. "If she ever touches you again, I swear I'm going to kill her."
Hanayuki reached up to take his hand and held it in both her hands. "Well don't, because I don't want you to become a killer and end up in jail," she said. Looking down, she started tracing her fingers along the lines on his palm.
"I won't," said Rukawa softly, placing his other hand on Hanayuki's cheek, prompting her to look at him. "I will never leave you. Ever."
Hanayuki smiled at his words. "I know."
Rukawa smiled back, and leaned forward, wanting to pick up from where they left off in the guy's bathroom.
Ring, ring!
Hanayuki's phone started ringing, and Rukawa groaned inwardly. Smiling apologetically at him, Hanayuki reached for the device and pressed a button on it before putting it to her ear. "Moshi moshi."
There was a brief moment of silence, before Hanayuki spoke again. "Oh, Aki, it's you. What-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence, as Rukawa had grabbed the phone from her the moment he found out who the caller was. He spoke into the phone with such contempt that Hanayuki was glad Sendoh was on the other side of the line and not next to Rukawa.
"We're busy at the moment, so call back tomorrow if you want. In fact, it would be best if you don't call back at all. Goodbye." With that, he pressed a button to effectively end the call, turned off the phone and tossed it aside, much to Hanayuki's chagrin.
"Kaede! What did you do that for? It could be important."
"Knowing him, it's probably as important as getting the right gel for his hair," Rukawa deadpanned.
"And what did you mean by, 'We're busy at the moment'? What were we busy about?"
"You'll see..." said Rukawa, a smirk suddenly appearing on his face.
Hanayuki blushed, and put her hands flat against his chest when he pulled her to him and held her tightly in his arms. "Kaede..." she started, but was cut off when Rukawa placed a finger on her lips to silent her.
"Shhh..." he shushed, determined to succeed after two failures. It's now or never, he thought, as he bent his head down towards Hanayuki, their lips about to touch...
Knock, knock.
"Hana-chan?"
Hanayuki gasped in alarm, and with a sudden burst of energy, pushed Rukawa away, sending him tumbling off the bed onto the floor.
"H-hai?" Hanayuki answered, trying to look as normal as possible as her mother opened the door and walked into the room.
"Hana-chan, I've made your favourite dessert. Come downstairs and eat some," said Mrs Anzai.
"Hai. I will, okaasan. Arigatou," Hanayuki replied.
Just then, Mrs Anzai caught sight of Rukawa sprawled on the floor. "Ara? Rukawa-kun, what are you doing?"
"N-nothing, okaasan. He just slipped and fell that's all. Clumsy boy," Hanayuki hurried to explain.
"Ah, sou ka? Well, I'll see you downstairs alright?"
"Yes, okaasan."
Smiling warmly at Rukawa, Mrs Anzai left the room and closed the door behind her. As soon as she was gone, Hanayuki got up from the bed and knelt down beside Rukawa.
"I'm sorry! Are you alright? Did you hit your head or something?" she asked anxiously.
Rukawa sat up and shook his head, though his arm was aching a little from hitting the floor first. He narrowed his eyes when he saw that Hanayuki was biting her lip.
"What's so funny?"
Hanayuki burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! The way you fell off the bed just now, your legs practically went over your head. Hahahaha!"
"It's not funny. My arm hurts," said Rukawa, rubbing his arm to make his point.
Hanayuki stopped laughing. "Your arms hurt?"
Rukawa nodded. Hn. I knew you'd be concerned for me.
"Come, let me have a look at it," said Hanayuki.
Rukawa stretched out his arm, only to draw it back quickly when Hanayuki pinched him.
"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing the sore spot.
"Hmph. That'll teach you not to do inappropriate things to me," said Hanayuki, sticking out her tongue at him before getting to her feet. "Come on. Okaasan and otousan are waiting for us."
Grunting, Rukawa got up from the floor, ignoring Hanayuki's extended hand.
Hanayuki stared at him for a moment, before breaking into a smile.
"What are you smiling at?" he asked, looking at her suspiciously.
"Nothing. Just wanted to give you this." Hanayuki stood on her tiptoe and kissed Rukawa lightly on the cheek, taking him by surprise." Come on. Let's go downstairs."
She turned around without waiting for his response, but she knew that he was smiling, all the way down the stairs to the kitchen.
And so was she.
---
Author's notes: I am getting really frustrated with this QuickEdit thingy. It's crazy I tell you. One day, it allows you to type in 3 dashes in a row. Another day, it doesn't. One day, it allows you to use this symbol. Another day, it doesn't. It's driving me mad... but fortunately, it didn't stop me from writing. Chapter 15 is finally here. My goodness, how long have I taken to write this chapter? Very long, if I might say so myself. Sorry for the delay. Please, do read and review. Thank you.