Synopsis:The story plays around between the two main characters Rukawa Kaede and Karin Maho. Their friendship started with an unforgettable encounter; grew into a love interminable. But when Rukawa left America, everything changed. What happened to Rukawa? What will happen to Maho? (Rukawa x OC x Sendoh)
Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk and all their characters.
Chapter 5Japan
The water in the sink formed a whirlpool as the old lady unclogged it. She watched it until the water banished in the sink. Now, she dried her hands using the blue apron she was wearing so she could proceed to her next chore, gardening. She was about to get the pail and shovel in the cabinet when the phone rang. She removed the brown gloves she was wearing and answered the phone.
"Hello. Can I speak to Mrs. Riyuzuki Ansai.?"
"Yes, speaking. May I ask who's on the line?"
"I'm one of the nurses here in Kanagawa District Hospital. And I'm sorry to inform you that your husband had a heart attack this morning. He was now on the ICU and the doctors take care of him."
The old lady, Mrs. Ansai, was terrified upon hearing the bad news. Tears now formed in her eyes. Her grip to the phone loosened as she felt her body trembling.
"Hello, Mrs. Ansai? Are you okay?"
The poor old lady could not speak a word. But she knew that she should be strong in situations like this.
"I… I'm fine." she said. "What's his condition right now?"
"Don't worry ma'am. His condition was stable now. But he needed an operation."
"An operation?" the old lady clarified.
"Yes, ma'am. This is the reason why I called you. It is better if a family or any relative will be here before his operation."
"When will you do the operation?"
"Three days from now. We were still waiting for the doctor from the States."
"Wouldn't it be dangerous if we still waited for three days?"
"There's nothing to worry, ma'am. A lot of doctors will take care of him."
"Fine. I'll take the earliest flight as possible. Please do take care of him."
"Yes, ma'am. I reassure you that we will do our best."
She hanged the phone immediately and looked for the directory under the side table. She flipped the pages as she scanned for a particular number. After finding that particular number, she went back to the phone and dialed it.
"I want to book for the earliest flight to Japan."
"That will be tonight at seven o'clock, ma'am."
"I'll take it. By the way, what time will be the flight tomorrow?"
"It would be nine thirty in the morning, ma'am. Do you want to change your booking?"
"No. I'm still taking the flight tonight. I want you to book my granddaughter for tomorrow's flight."
The popcorn vendor strolled over the arena, waving his hot and cheese flavored popcorns. He surveyed every seat as he tried to convince them to buy one. But the audiences were like mutes. They seriously watched the two tennis players in the court. One was a blonde and the other one looked like an Asian.
The Asian player went to the service area. She was 5'8" tall and possessed an attractive body. Her white Nike polo shirt and black Nike pedal made her more beautiful and looked so sporty. Her body was not the only thing attractable but also her face. Her face was angelic, made more beautiful by her brown hazelnut eyes.
She swung her right arm and threw the ball to the air. Her left arm which held the racket hit the ball. The opponent immediately rushed to the direction of the ball. The blonde hit it and sent it back to her. The ball now was directed to left corner but she was able to catch it. With all her strength, she hit the ball with her racket, making the ball looked like a bullet because of its speed. The ball made its way on the other side of the court and…
"Forty to LOVE (0)! Game and match. Karin Maho wins the game!"
The audience cheered for her. They kept on shouting her name.
She faced the audience and waved her hands to them. She then proceeded to their assigned locker room. Her team mates crowded her and congratulated her. She thanked all of them as she opened her bag to get her towel. As she fished for her towel, she accidentally dug up her cell phone. There were six miss calls from her grandmother.
"Why did grandma tried to call me? Does something happen?" she thought.
She immediately took shower and excused herself from the celebration of the team. She was deeply worried about her grandma. She tried to call her but her grandma's phone was out of coverage.
When she arrived home, she quickly unlocked the door. She called her grandmother but no one answer. She decided to look at her room but she was nowhere to be found. Then, she noticed something about her grandmother's room. All her stuff was missing.
"Does someone break-in to our home?" she thought.
She rushed to her room and checked her stuffs. They were still there. In the middle of the bed, she found a white folded paper. It was a letter from her grandmother.
Maho,
I tried to call you but there were no answers. That's why I wrote this letter to tell you what happened. Your grandpa had a heart attack and he needs us. This is why I am now flying to Japan. But don't worry about your grandpa. The nurse from the hospital told me that he'll be fine. It is better if you come here in Japan. Your presence might help your grandpa's condition. Please pack your things, all of them. I guess we will permanently stay in Japan. I asked my friend Susana to take care of our house.
P.S.
You're
flight will be nine thirty in the morning tomorrow. Susana will be
the one to instruct you on what to do. She will send you to the
airport and give you the ticket. Take care.
Grandma
"I hope grandpa will be alright…" she mumbled.
After reading this letter, she immediately got her two big luggage bag. She filled the first luggage bag with her clothes. They were too many so she chose her favorites. She then opened her drawer and took all the papers inside. These papers include birth certificate, baptismal certificate, school records and class cards, and different important documents. She put all these in a big plastic envelope and put it on her second luggage bag. Next, she opened the second drawer. Inside it were the photo albums. She opened one of these photo albums. There were pictures of her basketball team mates and also her comrades in tennis club. But one picture got her attention. It was the picture of herself and Kaede taken when they were only six. Now, she's already sixteen. It was almost four years since Rukawa left New York.
"I'll be leaving my friends now. But this way, I can search for Kaede. I can see him now…" she thought.
It was three o'clock when she arrived in Narita Airport. She was only five when she last set foot in this land. Everything seemed so new to her. There were lots of Japanese characters inside the airport. Luckily, her grandmother taught her to read and write Japanese characters. Most of the people inside were Japanese. They talked using their language. She was very glad when she learned that she could understand what they were saying. She used Nihonggo when she asked somebody about how to go to the train station. She found out that her Nihonggo was not bad. It looked like she's fluent with this language.
She took a cab and asked the driver to take her to the train station. She felt relief when she finally sat inside the car. She had a hard time carrying her stuff – two big luggage bags, one backpack and her tennis racket.
"Are you a foreigner?" the driver asked in English. It seemed that he was having a hard time using this language.
"Not really." she said.
"What do you mean?" the driver asked while concentrating on his driving.
"I was born here in Japan. But I grew up on the States." she said giving him a smile.
"Then are you here for a visit?" he asked.
"I think I'll be staying here permanently. My grandfather was sick so I came here to see him."
"I'm sorry. I hope he'll get well soon."
Finally, she arrived in Kanagawa District Hospital. Striving to pull her two big luggage bags, she searched for the infirmary to ask for her grandpa's room. When she found it, she was welcomed by a big fat nurse. She was filing her nail.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Mr. Ansai's room." she said.
The nurse looked at her for a while then checked the paper on her table.
"Room 623." she said.
"Arigato." She thanked her and grabbed her two big luggage bags.
"You need a help?" she asked.
Maho smiled and shook her head. She walked to the elevator with her luggage. But unfortunately, the elevator was already full.
"I guess I have to wait for a while." she mumbled.
"Yes, you're right." someone said.
She did not notice that someone was beside her.
This man was six foot tall and was a totally hunk. His eyes were blue and his lips were so kissable. One thing noticeable was his spiked hair.
As she scanned the man beside her, she noticed that he had a big hand.
"Are you playing basketball?" she asked looking into his eyes.
He smiled and nodded.
"I guess you're a tennis player." he said, his mouth pointing to her tennis racket.
"Ah, yes. But I play basketball too." she said giving a smile.
"Really? Are you into a team? If I am not mistaken, there were only two schools here in Kanagawa that have girls basketball team. From which of these two schools were you from?"
"Yes, I belong to a team before. But I am not from anyone of these two schools. I lived and studied in the States. And I just have arrived here in Japan this afternoon."
"Oh, I see. That's why you have these big luggage bags here. Are you staying for a long time?"
"I guess I'll stay here permanently." she said as she looked at the number in the elevator. The floor was in the sixteenth. It was almost a minute and it was still not moving. The number sixteen disappeared. The two look at each other in confusion. Then…
"For all those who will use our elevators, we're sorry to inform you that there was a problem with them. Please wait until we fix them. Thank you." a voice from the speaker was heard.
Maho sighed upon hearing the announcement.
"I guess I have to use the stairs. Bye!" she said to him leaving him a smile. She grabbed her stuffs and went to the stairs in the corner.
"Is she serious? With all that stuffs?" he thought.
He followed her and grabbed one of her luggage bags. She glanced back at him.
"I think you need a help." he said with a big smile on his face.
"No, thanks. I can manage." she said.
"I suppose it is impossible to carry two big luggage bags at the same time." he said, the big smile was still on his face.
"He's a smiley." she thought, smiling at herself.
"Well, if you insist." she said, giving one of the luggage bags.
He took the luggage bag from her. His mouth was pointing something at her back.
"What?" she asked.
"The backpack…" he answered.
"He's really a gentleman." she thought.
She removed the backpack from her and gave it to him. She assisted him in putting the backpack on him.
"This kinda heavy…" he said, weighing the bag.
"I'm sorry. Then please give it back to me."
He smiled then proceeded to the stairs. The stairs was so narrow that's why they could not go side by side.
Finally, they reached the sixth floor. She noticed that this man was not exhausted at all.
"I think he was a good basketball player." she thought.
"Thank you for helping me. I'm sorry if I troubled you." She bowed at him.
"Hey, that's nothing." He was smiling at her.
He removed the back pack and gave it to her.
"I guess I have to go." he said waving his hand.
"Matte!" she said quickly before he could go.
She opened her backpack and looked for something. She grabbed a plastic jar containing chocolate chip cookies.
"Please take this. My grandma baked this." she said as she went to him and handed him the jar.
"Thank you." he said.
She waved her hand as he walked away. Then, she went back to her luggage and wandered around to find his grandpa's room.
The doctor went out on the operating room. It was almost three hours since they started the operation. Maho and her grandmother approached him. They looked worried about Mr. Ansai.
"How's the operation, doctor?" Mrs. Ansai asked.
The doctor put his hand inside his pocket and got his handkerchief. He swiped his forehead because of the sweats forming into it. The doctor faced them and gave them a smile.
"There's nothing to worry. The operation was successful."
The two of them were relieved.
"But he should now take care of his self. He's old and his life will be in trouble if he gets another heart attack. I've learned that he was a coach of a basketball team. I think it is better if he quits. He must refrain doing stressful activities." he said.
"Ma'am, I've heard that you live in America. I suggest that you stay here with him. He needs a companion."
"That's what I'm planning…"
A nurse in her white uniform entered the room. She was carrying a stainless board with papers clipped on it. She checked Mr. Ansai's dextrose and then went forward to his wife.
"Ma'am, this is the list of the drugs he needed." she said as she handed it to her.
The nurse left leaving Maho and Mrs. Ansai alone with Mr. Ansai.
Maho was fixing his grandpa's blanket when suddenly…
"Riyuzuki… Maho…" he said as he opened her eyes.
"Grandpa! How's you're feeling?" Maho asked. Mrs. Ansai approached the bed to see his husband.
"I'm fine. When did you come here?"
Mrs. Ansai leaned forward and caressed his messy white hair.
"We went here immediately after receiving the news about your condition."
The white haired old man laughed. He then looked at her granddaughter beside her.
"You grow up so fast. I really miss my angel." he said as he held her hands.
"You already said that when you visited us last December. Hahaha…" She laughed.
The old man adjusted his body so he could sit on the bed. He's body felt fatigued after a long time lying on the bed. He felt he needed to sit to feel comfortable.
The two ladies assisted him. When he was comfortably seated, he faced Maho and asked about the tennis tournament.
"You called me last time to tell me that you're going to a competition. How's it?"
Maho grinned. She took her back pack and got the trophy inside. She held it high so her grandparents could see it.
"I'm the champion, grandpa. Of course, I am your granddaughter, right?" she said proudly.
The couple laughed as they watched their granddaughter demonstrated her play. She took her tennis racket to make it more realistic. She then noticed that her grandfather became quiet.
"Is there something wrong grandpa?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry that you cannot join the summer tennis tournament because of me. And it is also because of me, you have to move here in Japan. You have to leave your life in America. I'm sorry, my darling Maho." Mr. Ansai said sadly.
Maho put her racket back into its case and went forward to her grandpa.
"There's nothing to be sorry, grandpa. You already know that I really want to live here in Japan, right. Ever since I was so young, I never wanted to leave Japan. That's why when we were in America, I always looked forward in going back. And about the tournament…"
The couple looked at each other. They felt sorry for their granddaughter.
She looked at her grandparents and smiled at them.
"I don't care about the tournament. As long as I'm with you and as long as grandpa is alright, I'm already contented and happy."
Two nurses were standing in the infirmary. They were chatting nonstop and suddenly stopped when they saw two tall men and one woman approaching. The taller guy was really huge. His body was heavy built. He looked scary because of his face and dark color. The guy beside him was different from him. He was also tall but not as tall as him. He was fair skinned and his face was saintly. He wore eyeglasses so it was hard to see his eyes. Along with them was a girl who had a pair of beautiful eye lashes and pouty lips. Her black hair was long and curly.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. Were looking for the room of Mr. Ansai." said the taller guy.
The two nurses looked scared with him. They immediately scanned the paper in their table and told them the room number.
When they were waiting for the elevator…
"Do you think Coach Ansai will continue handling the team?" the guy with eye glasses asked.
"I hope he will." the girl said.
The elevator opened and a beautiful young lady came into view. The three of them dropped their jaw. They froze like ice when she exited the elevator.
"Are you coming in?" the elevator guy asked.
The three of them entered. The girl looked at the taller guy and rubbed her elbow to his side.
"It looks like the captain was enraptured by her beauty." she teased.
The taller guy blushed.
"She's beautiful. But I am not planning to have a relationship with a younger girl. She looks like she's just the same age with my little sister."
His two companions laughed after hearing his words. They were still laughing even they reached the sixth floor.
When they were on the right room, the taller guy presented himself to knock at the door. An old lady opened the door and greeted them with a smile.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. We were from the Shohoku Basketball team. I am Takenori Akagi, the new captain of the team. This is Kogure, the vice-captain, and this Ayako, the team manager."
"Thank you for coming. Come in." she said as she showed them the way.
Mr. Ansai was sitting on the bed when they entered. He was delight upon seeing his players.
"Coach Ansai, we brought you some fruits. I hope it can help in your health." Ayako said as she handed it to Mrs. Ansai.
"The whole team was really worried about you. We were sorry for making you stressed." Akagi said as he bowed his head.
The old man laughed.
"This is no one's fault. By the way, how's your summer training?" he asked.
"We already started yesterday. And the team was really training hard. But I think we still need to recruit better players this coming school year." Akagi explained.
"Hmmm. I see. I'm leaving the responsibility to you for a while." Coach Ansai said.
"Will you still handle the team after your recovery, coach?" Kogure asked.
Ayako and Akagi gave Kogure a bad gaze because of what he said. He then realized that he should not have said that.
"I'm sorry, sensei. Please forget what I've told you." he said as he scratched his head.
"It's okay, Kogure. I know you're concerned with the team. But I'm sorry to inform you that I'll be leaving the team." he said.
The three was shocked with the news. They knew that Coach Ansai was a big loss to the team. Without him, what will happen to the team?
Coach Ansai saw their anxiousness.
"Don't worry, guys. I found a better coach to replace me." he said.
"Who?", the three said in chorus.
The door suddenly opened. She was carrying a bag of medicine she just bought from the nearby pharmacy.
"I see you have visitors, grandpa. I guess I have to leave." she said as she scratched her head.
"She will be your new coach." he said as he pointed his fingers to her.
The three looked at her. She was the girl in the elevator earlier. She looked strong and healthy. But they were not sure if this girl was capable of handling the team. First, she was a 'she'. And second, she was so young.
Maho froze. She thought that her ears were malfunctioning.
"Me? What!? New coach?" she asked in confusion, pointing her finger to herself.
Coach Ansai, as usual, laughed because of her funny reaction. But he knew that he was doing the right decision. Maho was a good basketball player ever since she was a child. He already saw that potential when she was two years old that's why he trained her. Even she was in America and away from him, she still continued to play basketball. When she was twelve, she joined the girls basketball team in her school. And after a year, she became the captain of their team. Indeed, she was a basketball genius.
"You'll be the new coach of the Shohoku basketball team. So meet the members of the team."
End of Chapter 5
The story was getting more exciting and hotter. I like this kind of scenes – conversations where you'll find out something and introducing the characters. I hope you like it too. Suggestions and comments are accepted. Please R&R!