Mina san! Konnichiwa! This is my first Slam Dunk fic, so please be gentle! As I’m still quite poor in English, forgive me if I have any grammatical errors.

This fic is dedicated to Asma, who seemed to be down lately. Let’s hope that she cheers up!

“Kogure!!”

Kogure turned his head slightly towards his classroom door and found his best friend, Mitsui leaned against it, giving his best look that is enough to charm 3 quarter of the girls in his class faint. Before Kogure could even stand up from his seat, all 18 girls in his class surrounded him like a swarm of bees.

“Sempai, what’s wrong? Do you need anything? I’ll be happy to help.” A long haired girl asked.

“Urusai, Mika..Sempai doesn’t need you. Ne, sempai, do you need a partner to go to a party? I’ll be your partner.”

“Damatte (Shut up) Hina-chan.. Who wants to go out with you? Sempai is looking for me, right sempai?” Emi gave her best smile at Mitsui.

Kogure shook his head and walked closer to his friend who was totally helpless now. “Mitsui wants to see me..” he blurted out. “Didn’t he call my name just now?”

Mitsui gave a sigh. “Warui na ojosan tachi. (I’m sorry girls). I really need to talk to Kogure now.” Mitsui gave his most apologetic look and walked out of the room with Kogure.

“Wah!! Sempai actually looked at me when he said that! I’m not washing my eyes tonight!”  Hina squealed.

“Hina-chan! Sempai didn’t talk to you!”

“He did!” Hina protested.

“He did not! He talked to me!” Mika crossed put both hands on her hips and gave a challenging stare at Hina.”

“Hey, you two! We do exist, you know! We are Mitsui sempai’s number one fans!” other girl joined in the fight.

“Those girls… Are we really that invisible? Mitsui is not the only guy in school,,” the boys grouped up together and gossiped.

Akagi closed his Mathematics book and muttered. “Yare yare..”

“What’s the problem, Mitsui?”

“Mm… I need help, Kogure.” Mitsui looked at Kogure with a serious look.

Both of them were at the school’s rooftop, enjoying the spring’s breeze. Mitsui leaned against the wall, hands jabbed in his pocket and stared at Kogure.

Mitsui looked so handsome that Kogure almost stopped breathing. Kogure was devastated when he found out that he actually has interest in the shooting guard a few months back. When Mitsui first joined back the team, Kogure was only glad to have his friend back. Before long, they became best friends. The friendship did not last long however, for Kogure suddenly found himself interested in the former MVP. It made him scared. Never had he felt like that before and never could he guess in a million years that he would allow himself to fall for someone. Especially not a boy. Kogure began to adjust his feelings later, and soon, he accepted the faith that he only likes the boy who stood right in front of him. Of course, Mitsui doesn’t know and he’s not going to tell him about it either.

“Ne Kogure!! Are you listening?” Mitsui sounded irritated.

“Eh? Nani?” Kogure quickly brushed off his thoughts and focused on Mitsui. “Ah! Kyo wa Ii tenki desu ne!” (Today’s a fine weather!)  Kogure said abruptly.

“Kogure!!!! I’m discussing the weather!!!” Mitsui almost shouted. “Are you helping or not?”

“Help what?” Kogure asked, blurred.

“Arg!! I feel like strangling you. I told you I am interested with this girl in your class. You know, Shima? Nakajima Shima? I asked you if it’s ok to set up a meeting for us.” Mitsui said for the 3rd time.

“Wh… what did you say?” Kogure stammered.

“What’s wrong with you Kogure? I told you, I’m interested in Nakajima Shima and I asked you to set up meeting for us!!!” Mitsui shouted.

Kogure felt the world has just stopped rotating. His felt his heart stop beating that very moment after he heard the statement from Mitsui’s mouth. He stared at Mitsui, who was still talking happily about Shima. Kogure leaned against the wall for support as he felt his knees slowly turned into jelly, barely enough strength to support his upper part.

“Kogure!” Mitsui shouted. “What the hell is wrong with you today?”

Kogure quickly recovered and answered, “Iie..nandemonai.” (Nothing)

Mitsui draped an arm around Kogure’s shoulder and looked at him seriously. “So, are you helping me, buddy?”

Kogure nodded slowly. A smile slowly escaped from Mitsui’s mouth. He patted Kogure’s shoulder and responded, “I knew I can count on you. You’re my best buddy ever.” Mistui grinned at his spectacled friend. He gave Kogure a friendly hug and left the rooftop whistling.

Kogure was left alone, staring at the blue sky, with a broken heart.

Kogure made a painful slow walk back to his class. The first thing he did when he entered his class was to stare at Nakajima Shima, the petite girl with long hair who sits two tables in front of him. ‘What is so special with this girl?’ Kogure asked himself. Nakajima Shima is well-known for her brains, beauty and of course, her super speed in changing boyfriends. She changes her boyfriends as fast as she changes her fashion sense.   He stared at her for a full minute, trying to understand why Mitsui likes the girl so much.

After watching her for like almost an eternity, Kogure finally summoned his courage and went to her table. “Nakajima san, chotto ii?” (Can I have a minute?) Kogure asked unsteadily.

Nakajima Shima looked up from her books and smiled sweetly at Kogure. “Sure, Kogure san. Have a seat.” Shima offered.

Kogure took a seat in front of her obediently like a schoolboy asking a girl for the first date. “Ano…Nakajima …”

“Call me Shima, Kogure kun,” Shima interrupted Kogure, still staring sweetly at Kogure.

Kogure swallowed a lump and focused his eyes on Shima’s huge, round eyes. “Shima… I was wondering if you are free for a drink tonight.” Kogure blurted out.

Shima looked shocked for a moment. Her mouth gasped open a little proving that she was utterly speechless. After a few uncomfortable seconds, she broke the silence. “Gomen Kogure kun, I’m not free tonight. I sort of have an appointment,” Shima lied. The truth is, she doesn’t want to go out with Kogure. As cute as the smartest boy may be, he’s definitely not her type. She needs someone more exciting, somebody who can bring her thrills and excitement. Someone like Mitsui.

Kogure was a little relieved when he heard Shima’s refusal to go for the drink. He gave her his usual smile and spoke gently, “It’s alright Shima san. I’ll just have to tell Mitsui kun that you’re not free.”

Shima automatically jolted up from her seat and grabbed Kogure’s arm. “What did you say?” she asked breathlessly.

‘Damn, me and my big mouth.’ Kogure thought. Kogure thought of lying, but that would not do any good as Shima had heard what he said. Reluctantly, he uttered the statement again. “I said I’ll tell Mitsui-kun that you’re not free.”

“You.. you mean that Mitsui san is asking me out?” Shima asked excitedly, a smile curved on her thin lips.

Kogure nodded.

“On the second thought Kogure-kun, I just remembered that I’ve cancelled my appointment tonight. Can you tell Mitsui san that I’ll go out with him? Please give him my number.” Shima quickly reverse her statement. She thought she had died and gone to heaven when he heard Kogure said that Mitsui is asking her out. She released Kogure’s arm, scribbled her phone number on a piece of paper and passed it to Kogure. “Onegai ne.. Kogure kun..” She used her sweet, innocent look to charm Kogure.

Kogure had the urge to slap Shima there and then for her behavior. A minute ago, she was very reluctant, now she was ecstatic to go out after she hearing that Mitsui is the one who will be taking her out. Kogure forced out a smile and took the small piece of paper calmly, trying to suppress his anger. He quickly exited his classroom and went to search for Mitsui.

Mitsui, is of course very happy. Kogure wanted to tell him so badly about Shima’s behavior in the class just now when he saw how excited Mitsui is. However, he chose to remain silent in the end, swallowing the truth with him for he knew that Mitsui would not really care.

“Knew I could count on you, buddy.” Mitsui grinned and gave a friendly punch on Kogure’s chest.

‘Buddy? That was all? Why couldn’t Mitsui see him in a different way? Why couldn’t Mitsui like him? Is it because he is a boy? Then, why he had to be born as a boy?” Kogure blamed himself with hundred and one things.

“So, Shima, what type of guys do you prefer?” Mitsui gave his charming smile which is enough to make all the girls in Zenny’s Café faint.

Shima, wearing a low cut spaghetti strap, low enough to expose half of her well-endowed breasts, leaned closer to Mitsui’s face and whispered, “Someone like you sempai.”

That very moment Shima gave a husky smile, he knew he got her. He caressed Shima soft cheek, teasing her with words that every girl longed to hear.

“ You know, your cheek is so soft that it is almost a sin not to touch it. Your body is petite yet proportionate. ” Mitsui murmured smoothly as though as he had been practicing those statements for every day of his life. 

Shima was obviously pleased with the comments. “Really?” she flirted.

“Yeah.”

“By the way, Mitsui san, Kogure… He’s your friend?”

Mitsui leaned back on the seat and nodded. “Why? What’s wrong with Kogure?” Mitsui asked.

“Nothing. You know, when he approached me at first, asking me if I was free tonight, I was rather ….surprised.”

Mitsui eyed Shima, puzzled. “And why are you surprise?”

“Because he’s such a bookworm, I never thought he would ask me out. Heck, I never thought he could ask any girl out.” Shima laughed heartily.

Mitsui’s temper rose slightly. He didn’t know why Shima’s light statement about Kogure could cause his temper to shoot up immediately. Although what Shima said was true, because he never seen or heard Kogure talked about girls before, he’s still uncomfortable with what Shima had said. He brushed off the thoughts and defended Kogure. “He’s just busy, Shima. He’s the vice captain of the basketball team and he has to cope with his studies and other activities as well.”

Shima wasn’t too please with Mitsui defending Kogure. “But, he never even talks to girls except for the basketball manager and that Akagi girl. And all he does in his life is just basketball and books.” Shima hit back.

Mitsui felt his temper raised another notch higher when he heard Shima’s answer. “Let’s not talk about Kogure, Shima.” Mitsui decided to put Kogure out of the topic before he really blew up. He didn’t know why he’s behaving like this. Even when Shima mentioned Haruko as that Akagi girl, he did not seem to mind. But when she touched on Kogure’s life, he got pissed off again.

“Why can’t I talk about him?” Shima said stubbornly. She’s used with her own ways and she definitely did not like Mitsui’s behavior when they talked about Kogure.

“Just leave it, will you Shima?”

“No.. Why are you so angry when we talked about Kogure? He’s not like your brother or anything. Besides…”

“Shima, I SAID…. Leave the topic.” Mitsui interrupted angrily.

Shima, still not admitting her defeat, pounced back with much more harsh words. “Why must I leave it? I’m stating the truth, he’s like a nerd and he’s a dorky looking guy!” Shima threw back at Mitsui.

That was all Mitsui could take. He stood up, slammed his hands on the table which was loud enough to be heard by their neighbors. “THAT’S ENOUGH!” Mitsui almost shouted.

Mitsui saw Shima jumped. Her pretty, innocent angel face turned dark with fury. Without a word, she grabbed her handbag, stood up and strode out of Zenny’s.

Mitsui slumped back onto the seat and muttered, “Jesus.. why am I behaving like this?”

Kogure stared at Mitsui’s picture, brushing his fingers onto the picture. He traced his fingers onto his perfectly shaped body, admiring the former MVP. He took the picture secretly when Mitsui and the rest of the team were not looking. He has 3 pictures altogether, 2 shots were taken in the basketball court while the other one is Mitsui in his school uniform.  Every single piece was taken without Mitsui’s knowledge and he damn well know he was infringing his privacy, hell; he could be sued for it. But he didn’t care. Sighing for the tenth time of the night, he placed the pictures between his Math book and switch off the lights.

“So, how did it go yesterday?” Kogure munched his sandwich as he asked the question casually. Kogure has been dying to call Mitsui yesterday night, but every time he pick up the phone and tried to punch the numbers, he hesitated.

“Ok…” Mitsui replied without looking at Kogure. Having only 3 hours of sleep last night, he wasn’t in a mood to answer the brown haired boy’s question. He tossed and turned the previous night, trying to sort out the feelings he had for Kogure. He couldn’t understand the protectiveness he had over Kogure. He couldn’t decipher why he was mad with Shima because of one harmless question. And he hadn’t figured out what he’s going to do about it. When his eyes finally no longer obeyed him, he fell asleep, still trying to find out the answer.

“Mistui? You ok? What happen last night?” Kogure look worried. He noticed something was not right when he saw Mitsui that morning. Usually, he would whacked him hard on his shoulder as a morning greeting and say, “How’s life today, buddy?”. However, there is none of those today. He kept quiet during the whole conversation. He seemed…….distant.

“Uh?? Yeah, I’m fine. I slept kinda late yesterday.” Mitsui gave a yawn as he replied.

Kogure felt a pang of jealousy when Mitsui said that he slept late. That could only mean that Mitsui had fun with Shima.

“So, was Shima good?” Kogure couldn’t help but to ask.

 “What are you talking about?”

“Uhm… you know, her performance…” Kogure flushed as he whispered.

Mitsui was lost for the moment. It took him a minute to register what Kogure actually meant by her performance. His temper rose a little, but calmed down as soon as he thought that it was really normal for a best friend to ask about his date with a girl.

“We didn’t do anything, Kogure. Who the hell do you think I am? Some sort of monster who cannot date a girl normally?” Mitsui tried to lighten up the growing tense situation, laughing as he said.

Kogure give a breath of relief and smiled back. “How would I know, Mitsui Hisashi sama? You are so popular in school that every girl wants to go out with you. I’m not surprise if you come and tell me that she jumps onto you first.” Kogure teased.

Mitsui grinned for the first time since morning. “Ne, Kogure, can you lend me your Math textbook? I’ve forgotten to bring mine.”

“Mitsui!!! Remember what happen when I loan you my biology book last time? You lost it!” Kogure sighed.

“I didn’t! It’s still in my room!” Mitsui defended.

“Great. It’s faster for me to copy the whole textbook again than looking for it in your room, you know. Your room is messier than my dad’s store room.

“I promise I’ll find your book even if I need turn my room into whole war 2. But now, I really need the Math book, or Nakano sensei will make sure that I’ll be staying back for detention class himself.”

Kogure was humming quietly while the rest of the class was chatting busily. The girls flocked together and gossiped on the latest boy band in town while the boys themselves discussed the latest soccer matches’ results.

“Kogure san!! Can you lend me your Math book?” Himiko stood in front of Kogure’s desk with a math exercise book on her hand.

“Gomen, Himiko chan, my book is with Mitsui…” Kogure said apologetically.

“It’s all right, I’ll get it from Akagi san.” She replied cheerfully and turned to leave. As she did so, her book fell onto the floor.

“Ah!!! My book!” Himiko cried.

Kogure automatically bend down and helped Himiko to pick up her book.

“Thank you, Kogure ..My small notes!” Himiko halted her thanks and frown as few pieces of small notes slipped through the thin exercise book and fell onto the floor.

Kogure, eyes widened as he saw the notes fell from the book, stood up suddenly and gave a shout. “Shimatta!”

‘The pictures! He had forgotten that he put them in between the Math book!’

“Kogure san, dou shimasuka? (what’s wrong?)”

“Iie, nandemonai desu.(Nothing ..) Kogure quickly covered his panic ness and slumped down onto his chair again. His heart pounded faster, making him almost impossible to breath. He clamped both palms on his cheek, praying that Mitsui will never flip through those pictures.

Mitsui was flipping through Kogure’s Math book, yawning as Nakano sensei trying his very best to explain the problem on the board. He smiled when he saw Kogure’s neat writing on the book. Almost unconsciously, he traced his fingers along those words, smiling as he did so. He retracted his fingers almost immediately after realizing what he had done. Ashamed of himself, he quickly closed the book.

‘Damn, what the hell am I doing? I’ve been thinking of Kogure since last night. What’s wrong with me? I’m not turning into a gay, am I?’ Mitsui asked himself. ‘No, it couldn’t be. Definitely not!’ Mitsui denied. He reopens the book before Nakano sensei caught him for not paying attention.

Something got his attention when he was trying to get to page 107. He noticed that a few photos slipped from the Math book onto his table.

‘What the hell?’ Mitsui thought. Without even thinking, he took the pictures and look at it. What he was looking right in front of him gave shivers to his entire body. He stared at his own photo, mouth slightly gaped open.

‘Kogure…. How did he have these photos?’ Mitsui asked himself. He flipped the photo backwards and froze when he saw the only word written on the back.

‘Aishiteru’

Controlling his anger, Mitsui placed the photos in his bag carefully, not wanting Nakano sensei or others to suspect.

‘Kogure Kiminobu, you damn well owe me some explanations.’ Mitsui thought grimly.

Yatta!! I’m done with the first part. I hope I didn’t write it badly. Anyway, please review! Arigatou! Thank you for reading!