31Notes from the Author: Alright minna-san, last chapter! I just hope I wouldn't regret ending this too soon (or too late?). Arigatou for staying with me up to the last chapter! I hope I'm improving…
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters belong to Inoue Takehiko.
What a Joke! By: Miss Hachigatsu Kuroi
Chapter 11: A New Beginning
"I see…" was the only reply Kaede heard from his senpai.
'Is this karma?' Kaede thought 'Now I know why they complain about my one-line replies.' but instead of giving Mitsui a piece of his mind, Kaede just stood from where he was sitting and was ready to leave to give his senpai some time alone.
Before he could even take a step away Mitsui uttered, "I understand her."
Kaede faced his senpai, "you do?" quite shocked at what he heard, still monotonous.
"I guess… She didn't want this – no one did. She just stood up for what she believes in…"
"…" Kaede is still silent.
"What I don't understand though, is why I left your house when I saw her with Sendoh."
"You were jealous" he answered in a matter-of-fact way.
"(sigh) …Maybe I am… but why would I be? I mean, last night I was so furious and today I'm jealous? It doesn't make any sense."
"It never did."
"(sniggers) Yeah… it never really did. Why was I head-over-heels for her? At first I thought because she was the girl I wished to love…"
"Your ideal girl and the girl you'll love wouldn't always be the same person."
"(laughs) I never thought I'd hear that from you! You're acting so out of the character I've known you to be."
"Hn."
"Tell me, is your fiancée also your ideal… girl? Ooops. Hehehehe"
"How did you…"
Mitsui tried to find a way to change the topic by saying "Fate really knows how to play jokes on us humans, nee?"
Obviously, he wasn't successful, "Mitsui-senpai, anee-chan told you huh?"
"Uh…" he didn't know how to reply 'My big mouth! If Rukawa found out that Sendoh told me, …grrr…what to do? What to do?'
It seemed that Kaede can see nervousness on Mitsui's face, "Just make sure no one in school finds out" he sighed.
"Since you don't seem to be ireful… Sendoh did it. Hehehe"
Another sigh was heard, "he's really is a big mouth… that's one of the things they have in common" they referring to Akira-kun and his Kaoru nee-chan.
Mitsui grinned, "Know something? Can't wait for that band competition you mentioned last night."
Rukawa sneered.
"Hey! Did you just smile?" Mitsui asked excitedly
"No." 'Why did I even do that' he thought
"Hah! Thought I wouldn't catch you eh? Hahahaha think again Rukawa! I, for your information, have 20-20 vision!"
"Hn." Kaede started to walk away.
Mitsui followed, "Hey, don't walk out on me… I don't happen to have a camera with me, lucky you! If I did, I'll make sure to print out a copy for every 'I LOVE RUKAWA' cheerleader in Shohoku! I can make millions! Hahahaha"
Kaede just replied a monotonous "urusai"
Rukawa Residence (erm, estate) Garden area
"Where are they; is the party over already?" Mitsui questioned.
Kaede nodded, upon seeing his anee-chan singing inside with only Akira with her.
(1) Kimi ga iru kara, asu ga aru kara
Hitorikiri ja ikite yukenai kara
Konna ni chikaku ni kanjiru, sore ga, ai deshou
Because I have you, because I have tomorrow
because I can't live on all alone
I feel you so close by me, I guess that's love
"Wow, nice voice she has there" Mitsui commented as he made his way comfortably inside the house; Kaede followed suit.
(1)Namida no kazu no itami wo kimi ha shitteru kara
Sukitooru sono me no naka ni
Tashika na imi wo sagashite, egao mitsuketai
Because you know how much pain tears can bring
I want to find a smile in your transparent eyes
as I search for a definite meaning in them
Before the last line of the song was sang, the two were already inside. When it finished, Mitsui applauded Kaouru.
The latter smiled, uttered "Mitsui-san…" simultaneously, flashed a wide grin.
"Kaouru-chan, here's your chance…" Sendoh reminded.
"Oh, yeah…uhm, anou… Mitsui-san… gomen!" she bowed in apology "I didn't mean the things I've said… I take it all back…"
"Forgiven and soon to be forgotten." Mitsui answered.
"Thank you…" she grinned "but I still think it's stupid to do things you don't normally do just to impress someone…really stupid and pathetic. And that's where I apply what I've learned from you… there are always exceptions."
Friday Afternoon
"What's the rush Rukawa?" Mitsui asked
"We're late"
"Yeah, we're always late…we're both used to your sister's sermons."
"Hn." he answered
"What kind of reply is 'hn' huh?"
"…"
"Hehehe, y'know what, second time I met your sister, she was looking inside that studio (2). I always wondered what she wanted inside… now I know."
"You're too noisy senpai."
"Kae-chan! What took you so long!" Kaouru stated irritatedly.
"Gomen, gomen… I held him back." Mitsui grinned
"Kae-chan…" greeted a sweet feminine voice (3)
"Who's the pretty girl?" Mitsui asked
"That, Mitsui-senpai, is Kaede-kun's fiancée" Sendoh answered.
"Whoa, you're right… she is gorgeous."
"(snickers) I think Mit-chan would be more interested in Madison." Kaouru said, a petite Western girl at her side.
"Yeah… I do have fetish for blue-eyed girls" stated upon setting eyes at the said girl.
"She's Nao-chan's friend. They're both in Japan for vacation… Mit-chan, she doesn't understand Japanese very much."
Madison smiled warmly at Mitsui "Watashi was Madison. Hajimemashite!" she greeted with a very bad accent.
"Please, you don't have to force yourself to speak in Japanese… I'm Hisashi by the way." (Just imagine that only the italicized sentence is spoken in English)
"Alright, alright! Time for practice!" Kaouru broke up the rising romantic setting.
Night of the Contest
"Ok guys…we're next! Let's show them what Rhapsody is made of!" Sendoh said with confidence.
"Next is a band of five high school students – make some noise for Rhapsody!" the host introduced.
The members prepared themselves… Among the audience, Shohoku and Ryonan students were cheering for them. Mitsui's friends showed their support, as well as the ever faithful Rukawa Brigade. Nao-chan isn't going to miss her fiancé's performance and Madison, though having a hard time with Nihonggo, flashed excitement for the event.
The grandfather of the Rukawa siblings wasn't there though. He was put into a complete bed rest for he wasn't feeling well that night. Kaouru knew that his days are numbered already, but she is determined to win this contest for him.
'Sofu… thank you for letting me do this… I'm going to win it for you!' was on her mind as they performed.
Kohaku no Yurikago (4)
Amber Cradle
Tsuki no shita de Sanagi ni natte kuchizuketa garasu no ai no umi
Nami no youna Anata no rizumu idakarete Utau kotoba
Under the moon, I became a chrysalis, kissed upon a glass sea of love
Your rhythm is like a wave, embraced by the words of its song
-live-Watashi wo kanjite My past Minamo ni kieru yo
Shinjirareru Mono wa subete anato to mitsuketakara
-live- to feel me, my past, disappears on the water's surface
Everything I believed in, I found with you, so...
You're wings on my heart Kono negai haruka na yume no Shijima ni tokete
Nani mo nai Tada anata to tadayou kuni he Aoitori douka Michibiite
Chiisana Sora ga naita
You're wings on my heart, this wish, a distant dream that melts in a desolate isle
Nothing else, just with you in a drifting country, bluebird please lead me...
Toward the small sky that weeps
Toumei no ame kawaita te wo atatameta kowagaranaideii?
chigireta kumo todokanai koe kokoniite fureteitaino
The transparent rain, the warmth of a drying hands, is nothing to be afraid of right?
Scattering clouds, a voice left unheard, painfully screams, "I'm right here!"
-lips- Anata wo kanjite My spell mitasareteyukuyo
Owari no asa hai ni natte watashi ga kietatoshitemo
-lips- to feel you, my spell, comes to it's fruition
In the final morning, like ash, I will disappear, but even so..
You're wings on my heart kono omoi Harukana yume no namimani yureteru
Kawaranai tada anata wo Aiseru kuni he Aoitori douka Michibiite
Chiisana niji ga naita
You're wings on my heart, this feeling, a distant dream that sways between the waves
Unchanging, just you to a loving country, bluebird please lead me...
Toward the small rainbow that weeps
Ameiro no shizuku abite kanashimi no ito hodoketeku
Bathing in amber-colored drops, the sorrowful knot has unravelled
You're wings on my heart Kono negai haruka na yume no Shijima ni tokete
Nani mo nai Tada anata to tadayou kuni he Aoitori douka Michibiite
Chiisana Sora ga naita
You're wings on my heart, this wish, a distant dream that melts in a desolate isle
Nothing else, just with you in a drifting country, bluebird please lead me...
Toward the small sky that weeps
OWARI…
(1) Chorus of Sore ga, ai Deshou (I Guess, That's Love) sung by Shimokawa Mikuni; FMP Fumoffu Opening Song. Just to be safe, it's not mine ok? hehehe
(2) In one of the earlier chapters, Mitsui referred to this studio as "I-forgot-what-kind store"
(3) Tomoyo Daidouji's (CCS) kind of feminine voice
(4) Kohaku no Yurikago (Amber Cradle) sung by Yonekura Chihiro; Groove Adventure Rave Ending Song. Again, I don't own it :D
Thanks so much for reading What a Joke!
BIG HUG FROM MISS HACHIGATSU KUROI