Chapter 8

I thought I had just dreamed about it…the show, the clinic, the bracelet. But every time I close my eyes, I see him…there…smiling. He was happy, and I was happy. And when I thought I had made it all up, I could feel his hand on mine. Ever so warm, ever so comforting. How could it only be just in the mind?

I want this. I would never want it in any other way…

Asuka let out a sigh as she pushed the topmost drawer of the filing cabinet close. What to look forward to but a quiet evening, she thought, turning to her table and taking her routine checklist on top. She almost walked past the calendar toward the stand when her eyes caught on the number 12 circled in red. She winced. Today is the 12th — her 29th birthday.

It has been three years since she celebrated her birthday alone for the first time. Two days before that, she had her cake ready to be delivered on the day itself. Her husband, Tomo, even reminded her over the phone about the invitations for the guest. She was at home gardening (her hobby), and he and son Ash were somewhere in Nagoya for a business and leisure trip. Asuka had to give up the plane seat to her son since she had an important seminar to attend at the day of their flight. Nonetheless, she was happy for her decision. Her husband would never be lonely, at the least, and her 7 year-old would have the time of his life outside home and school. Tomo is just crazy about the little critter.

The birthday preparations were all set on that 29th, the arrival of her family. She had no idea that Tomo changed their tickets for an earlier flight home as a surprise. Asuka was alone in the living room doing her last minute invitations over the phone and over black coffee when the news of a plane crash came in the television. No survivors; 17 people dead, including the pilot and co-pilot. Pictures and names were flashed on the bright screen. Asuka who was right in the middle of a conversation with her mother in Canada (she had shifted her topic on the breaking news of the crash) when the names and pictures of her husband and son came up. She was speechless in an instant. A couple of minutes after, Tokyo International Airport were already on her mobile phone.

Asuka shook her head pushing the memory aside, removed her glasses and pinched the crevice between her eyes. It was a hard pinch but the pain soothed her. Pain nowadays seemed to be a trivial thing compared to the future devoid of her husband's touch and her son's innocent gaiety. All what's left was just a specter of what used to be her life.

I think I'll just order Chinese, she said to herself. Sighing for the second time, Asuka turned off the light in her office and went to the pen. After double-checking if the animals had enough food and water for the night, she grabbed her backpack and was about to sling it over her shoulder when the shelter door flew wide open. She jerked and ended up dropping the bag on the floor.

"Happy Birthday, Asuka-san!"

Standing by the doorway of the clinic was Fujima carrying a birthday cake with several yellow candles lighted. Yuri was with him, carrying some brightly colored boxes in her arms. They stood side by side like dynamic duos – her Batman and Bat Girl – with bright smiles on their faces as they sang The Birthday Song together.

For three years, she had not heard that song being sang so wonderfully. She watched in silence as her staff members did their very best to sound good together. What surprised her most was the fact that the two were even together in the first place. Usually there is always rivalry between them. And now for the first time, here they are before her, free from any thread of annoyance and contempt from their first encounter.

Oh my, I didn't know they look this good together.

Before Yuri and Fujima finished the song, Asuka was already giving them applause, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I-I'm speechless, guys. Really, I'm so touched. Thank you so much."

"Anything for the Chief." Fujima said, giving her an abrupt salute before placing the cake on her desk.

"You mean Anything for the paycheck." Yuri muttered dryly. She got a glare from him and she smiled. "Seriously, Asuka-san, we could have done it better with accompanied guitar and a little Cha-Cha-Cha."

Asuka rushed towards them and gave them each a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Oh, you don't know how this means to me! I love you, little critters!"

"Critters?" Fujima and Yuri exchanged glances over Asuka's shoulders upon hearing each other question the same word and began to laugh.

The party immediately started after. Kenji was the host for the night and Lucille was the fourth wheel. They started off with Asuka's favorite game of Twister, Bring Me at the back yard – Yuri, Fujima and Lucille gets to rush inside the clinic and do minimal thrashing of the place to retrieve the items wanted – and a little karaoke, with Yuri single-handedly dominating the microphone and eventually, score rankings. Dinner came between the games and the main even: Lucille's performance. Yuri had seen it before, but that didn't stop her from screaming the same scream of delight before Kenji's proposal. Asuka screamed with her and can barely put the food in her mouth as she eats but it was okay. She's starved and her stomach ache, but not with love.

"Will you please hurry up?" Yuri almost snapped at Fujima who appears to be doing some adjusting with the camera. She stood side-by-side Asuka who looked a little bored herself but sympathetic to his efforts. He gave her an exasperating look.

"Hey, putting this prehistoric thing in automatic is not as easy—"

"Just hurry up here or it'll take the picture without you!"

"Ok, ok." He muttered aloud, pressed a button and almost ran towards the two women. They did their final-second retouches – tucking hair on ears (sweeping fingers on his short mane, in Kenji's case), adjusting collars and smoothening creases from their Twister game. Giving Yuri a sheepish smile, Fujima slipped an arm around her shoulder and turned to the camera. Asuka's old SLR hummed a monotonous tune of counting in the silence.

Ping

"Cheese!" The three chorused before the flash went off.

That was fun." Yuri said to Kenji as they walk down a slope sidewalk in downtown Kanagawa on their way to the Hajime residence; her left hand lightly brushing his. After the party, she had insisted it would it would be all right for her to go home but Fujima was adamant to accompany her. Asuka was nodding her head when Fujima gave her a short lecture on safety and the possibilities waiting outside for people who're out on the streets alone at this hour. Yuri had sighed, resigning her case; she had to say yes. Besides, why not let this heavenly-looking man walk her home? She'd love the company.

"Yes it is." Fujima said, watching her from the corner of his eye and smiling.

"And what're you smiling at?"

He looked at her upturned face. She appeared to look annoyed but her sparkling eyes behind thick glasses and a smile was playing at one corner of her mouth gave her away. She's beautiful, not the typical media beauty he sees everyday, but she's beautiful to him. Wonderful. Fujima told her just that.

"You're weird." Yuri rolled her eyes; her smile widening.

"I'm just being honest." He sounded almost pleading. He took her left hand and genially knitted his fingers with hers.

Yuri let out a gasp as the gust of cold, evening wind blew pass behind them. Yuri let out a gasp as she stiffened to a halt, the wind ruffling her hair and her clothes then it mellowed a little. Fujima took off his Shoyo varsity jacket and draped it over her shoulders. It looked big on her but she felt his clinging heat warming her arms and back; the smell of his perfume warming her fancies.

She looked at him with unconscious complacency. "You didn't have to, Kenji. I'm all right. It's just wind."

"Well, I want to." He said to her softly.

Yuri smiled gratefully at him and said nothing then hid her tinting face as she held the jacket closer. Another gust of wind blew, stronger and colder this time. Yuri shut her eyes and tightened her grip on the jacket like dear life. To her shock, she felt strong arms wrap around her. As the wind howled along the trees, the embrace tightened. She heard herself whimper against Kenji's chest then felt his breath on her neck. Yuri could picture them now: the lowly couple of Desperado County trapped by nature's furious protection from the outside world who strongly disagrees of their forbidden union.

The next thing she knew, she was looking into a pair of the most intoxicating blue eyes. They bore intently into hers as if in search for something or trying to read her mind. It was impossible to hide her heart pounding wildly on her chest against his. She felt his heart drumming wildly, too, and it feared her more than it comforted. I don't deserve him, Yuri said to herself when Kenji ran a finger across her cold, left cheek. Oh God, I don't deserve him. Yuri felt light-headed, her breath raspy and her feet colder. She closed her eyes to shun the awful thought away, and to keep Kenji from seeing painful tears suddenly arising behind her thick glasses.

Yuri wanted to cry. God knows she fought hard not too be close to him then. She had resisted everything he gave her, from the slightest look of concern to the romantic gifts and cards he's been sending her when he was away. Yuri felt foolish, realizing now that Kenji already held her captive the very moment she met him face to face to help her with her books. Now the thought of being separated from him is not something she's prepared or even willing to face.

"K-Kenji..." she said. To Yuri, it was a distant voice and not really her own. "Kenji, I need—" she stopped when she felt something warm close to her face then soft lips suddenly pressed to hers. Yuri didn't quite move; her thoughts had already left her. She has no idea what to do or how to react on a first kiss. It felt...nice, though. Nice and tender. Kenji began to kiss her mouth ardently. His hands crept around the small of her waist.

Yuri encircled her arms around his neck (the jacket falling to the pavement) and moved closer. She kissed him back shyly, remembering her braces and that they might hurt him, but his lips were so persistent that she has to be more daring. The cold wind continued to blow in a constant, no gush way, thank Heavens. It merely caressed their warm bodies. In her mind, Yuri dared the wind to blow harder. The leaves rustled, the branches flail. She felt one of Kenji's hands going for the back of her neck. Harder.

Fujima had to behold the sight of her stillness. The color of her face had returned to its original color before they kissed: pink cheeks and red lips. It was a relief. He licked his own lips and felt it was a little swollen. Her braces hurt a bit but it added more to the pleasure, so he guessed it was all right.

"Hey," Fujima said softly. Yuri's eyes opened; she looked surprised and somehow bewildered. He smiled down at her. "Feeling better now? You were stiff and dead white. What is it? What where you about to say?" Fujima kissed her forehead.

Yuri gave him a shy smile and looked away. "It was nothing. I...I just remembered something awful and felt the urge to run away. It's not worth mentioning now. I'm fine."

"Okay." Fujima nodded and kissed her forehead.

"I think we should head home. It's late and my sister will kill me." Yuri said but Kenji could hear the reluctance in her voice. He merely nodded and felt reluctant himself. She's right, it was getting late and he found it selfish to stall her just because he loved the way she responded to his kisses. Besides, both of them have work to do at the clinic and in school tomorrow.

"Oh, yeah, I just remembered I have to do my Trig homework." Fujima said. They started walking.

She looked straight at him. "You haven't done that yet?"

"I was busy."

"Right. Hey, your jacket fell off."

Before she could pick it up, Fujima was already dusting it off then put it over her shoulders again.

"Kenji, really, I'm fine."

"I insist. It's still cold. You should have brought your jacket."

"It was too hot this afternoon."

"You should have brought one just in case. You know how it is with weather conditions."

"Don't lecture me."

"Yuri, I'm not lecturing you."

"Well, concern doesn't equal to insisting what you want and looking past reasonability either."

"We're having an argument."

"I noticed."

There was silence then they burst out laughing. They were still laughing by the time they reached the Hajime residence. Fujima declined the offer from Yuri's sister, Reiko, for a cup of tea saying he has some work to do.

"Well, take care of yourself, ok? Yuri-chan here might end up sick worrying about you."

"Hey!" Yuri glared at her sister.

Fujima grinned at the two sisters, especially at Yuri. "Well, I'll be seeing you tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Oyasumi-nasai."

"Oyasumi." Not caring at the presence of the older girl, Fujima planted a quick kiss on Yuri's lips. Before turning to leave, he saw the tinge of pink on her cheeks again and heard Reiko's bubbly laugh.

Kenji Fujima walked to the other direction towards home, whistling a happy tune.

"Fujima, someone's looking for you." Minamino said during practice break the next day with a sly smile on his face. Kenji wondered about his captain's all-knowing grin but shrugged the thought aside. He made a last quick sweep of the towel on his face before hanging it sloppily on his chair's backrest and left the team going towards the gym entryway.

Upon seeing Yuri standing by the jamb clutching his varsity jacket and a short envelope, he smiled, brightening his already flushed appearance. She grinned back at him shyly and adjusted her glasses.

"Hey, stranger!" Kenji said, gave Yuri a wink then took her free hand. "I didn't know you'll be dropping by."

She chuckled and shook her head. She looked at him in amusement. "Practice going well?"

"As always, yeah."

Yuri said no more and brushed strands of wet hair away from Fujima's eyes. They stood there merely looking at each other.

Hanagata took a long gulp of his Thirst Quencher and nearly choked when he saw the Kenji and the girl Yuri by the doorway. Were they holding hands? With one large swallow, he put aside his drink and watched them. Yuri was doing something with Kenji's hair.

"Well what do you know," Hanagata muttered and smiled to himself, pleased at the scene of Fujima now looking at the girl with cool eyes. Cool loving eyes, no question about that. "You pulled it off great, my friend. Really pulled it off."

"Hey, Toru," Takano propped himself beside the taller man then began wiping his face and arms with his towel. "Man, this day sucks! Can't believe that Kaminaga went pass me like a breeze. I mean, what gives? I'm his senior and he looks at me right in the face like nothing happened. Piece of crap! That churned the guts inside me, man. You guard him in the second half this time and I'll hit him hard behind. I'm going to suggest player changes to Minamino after the break. What 'ya say, Toru? Toru?" When Hanagata didn't flinch or say anything, Takano followed his eyes.

"Oh. Oh! What's this!" He said, thunder-struck, upon seeing the pair.

At the blare of Takano's loud voice, Fujima looked back inside, saw the way Shoichi looked at them in genuine amazement, and tensed. Toru was beside him but he looks less interested with what they're doing. It was a look that made Kenji's feet turn cold and feeling suddenly embarrassed with the whole situation. Toru is his best friend, but he felt that behind his look – a benefit of the doubt – his eyes knew something Kenji should have told him before witnessing this moment. Then what? Take his money and Yuri (especially Yuri) away from him?

"What's wrong?"

The squeeze from Yuri's hand made Fujima turn back to her. "Oh. Nothing." Spying the envelope on her hand, he said, "Are those the pictures at Asuka-san's birthday party?"

"Well, yes. That's why I came here to see you. Would you like to see them?"

He nodded tersely, adjusted his hand on hers to a grip almost pulled her away towards a Sakura tree at the back of the gym, away from prying eyes. Under the shade, they sat beside together then Yuri opened the envelope and handed the contents to Fujima – pictures and negatives, all of it. Moments later, they were laughing. They held their stomachs and leaned close to each other for support.

"I think we're missing a shot." Fujima said after finishing the batch. He picked the negatives and studied them under the sun's light. "Hey, where's the other one?" He pointed at negative number 34, one of the last shots they have taken that night.

Yuri peered at it and said, "That? Asuka-san took it this morning. She liked it so much that she asked if she could have it. I can make another copy if you want?"

He shook his head. He took the picture at the middle of the batch. "I prefer this one." He jerked it in the air. "I think I'll take this."

Yuri shrugged. "Okay, you just took it. Fine. Oh, I think you're break's over. One of your teammate's waiting for you over there." She inclined her head at the figure of Hanagata standing a few distance from them, his right hand raised to Kenji.

Fujima felt uneasy again. "Okay. See you later at work." They both stood up.

"Ja ne." She said and was about to walk away when appeared to remember something and handed him his jacket.

"Domo. I forgot to return it last night."

He smiled at her. "It's ok."

She waved at him and then ran off.

Hanagata saw Kenji put the picture in the pocket of his jacket and walked silently head down toward him – and past him.

"Kenji," he turned and called. Fujima stopped and shot him a look that could have frozen blood. His eyes were darker than usual, Hanagata thought, but didn't say anything. When he looked away, Fujima went back to court and to his team. Minamino was already there standing at the middle with both hands on his waist, looking impatient.

"Fujima, you're five minutes longer. Break's only for fifteen minutes." He heard his captain say.

His best friend apologized and retrieved the ball from Shoichi who, surprisingly, didn't sneer about what he saw between Kenji and Yuri. He seemed more focus on kicking Kaminaga's butt. Minamino was snapping his fingers in the air at Toru, yelling.

"What're you standing there for? Take your position and guard Kaminaga!"

Toru let out a sigh and saw Takano smile. A grim sight. He jogged towards them. Whatever he wanted to say back then disappeared. He recalled Kenji's hardened look.

It was a warning for him to shut up.

For what it's worth:
Thank you for your patience

DISCLAIMER:
Slam Dunk is not mine, but by Inoue Takehiko
and all those other companies.

I'm tired writing this down, but if I don't want to get sued…