Note: I have written this fanfiction because I was inspired by Gorky's Mitsui and I. If you like this fanfic, you'll definitely like Gorky's Mitsui and I, go and have a look!! ^_^
You may find this fanfic a bit confusing when you first read it because my English isn't very good so you might get mixed up with the past and present. To help you, the words written in normal font are the present, and the words written in italic are the past.
My Best Friend Mitsui Hisashi
Chapter 1 - The First Game
I had heard loud cheers as I went nearer to the basketball courts. I was shocked with the amount of noise because I had never been to anywhere before where there are so many people gathered in one place, except for school assemblies and meetings. I had felt afraid and nervous hearing so much noise, like in a nightmare. I can remember, at that very moment, I had decided that I didn't like the place and that I would never come to that place again.
"Come on, we're late, the game have already started!" Nina had shouted as she ran towards the entrance of the courts. Then, I had followed her into the courts.
It was at that moment when I had first saw him. He had been far away from the basket and he was jumping high into the air and the ball was just leaving his hands. Although he was far away from me, I could see something else aswell, his widened bright eyes and his assuring smile had made me felt there were still hope in this world left for me. I had felt like being rescued from a nightmare. 'This didn't come out so bad afterall', I had thought.
***Flashback***
I hear people cheer more loudly and some people shouting 'Three points! Three points!' I don't know what that mean and I don't care. All I know is that he just did something to make everyone in the court cheer for him, and I too cheer, but inside my heart because I am too afraid of cheering aloud.
I watch him as he punch into the air with his fist, then give his teamates high fives. He is looking really happy, and I can't take my eyes off him. He seems to be the centre of attention, everyone seems to be looking at him. Then he looked this way, at me, but no, can't be, he must be looking at another person, maybe his friends.
"Hey! Come sit down here!" I wake suddenly from my day dreaming. It was Nina, she is sitting on one of the seats in the front row. I can see the seat next to her is empty.
I'm stunned. 'Am I really gonna sit on the front row? But what should I do if he saw me?' 'Don't be silly, another voice in my head said, 'You're just a normal school girl, he won't even notice you. Besides, I will get a better view of him in the front row.' So I walked down the steps and sat on the seat next to Nina.
"It was Mitsui Hisashi who have just scored", Nina told me. 'So this is his name, I will remember it forever.' "He is the captain of our basketball team", the girl next to Nina said. She is one of Nina's friends, but I can't remember her name. "What do you think of him?" Nina asked suddenly. I am speechless, my heart is pumping very fast, but not because she asked me a question, it was what was in the question that is stunning me. 'Why did she ask me this? Is she gonna introduce him to me?' Then I thought, 'don't be stupid, this is how people make conversations'. I can feel my heart slow down a little.
"Um... I... er... I think he is very talented cuz he shot from that far away from the basket", I said in my usual quiet voice. 'God, does that sound right?' "Yeah, he is the best three point shooter in the whole district." The girl next to Nina said, excitedly. Then I hear a couple of other girls next to her shouting "Micchy! Micchy!!" 'So, Mitsui Hisashi already has so much fans, I won't have a chance. Huh? What am I thinking? Am I already in love with him?'
Come to think of it, my love life have been a disaster, whenever I liked a boy, I only watched him from far away, I wouldn't tell him my feelings for him because I don't even have the courage to go near him. I guess I'm just a hopless coward.
But when I look at Mitsui Hisashi, his friendly smile encourages me to think that I must tell him my feelings for him. 'I believe that I will have courage this time, but will he listen to me, I'm just a normal girl. And will I have a chance to tell him? He looks so charming, and is the team's captain, I bet a lot of girls like him too. Also, he might even have a girlfriend already. I would be a fool and feel embarassed if I tell him that I like him and he alraedy has girlfriend. Oh, what should I do?' As I thought about it more, I thought it would be better for me not to tell him because he is so poular, he must have a girlfriend.
So I decided to stay as a coward.
As I watched him play basketball, I imagined being with him in a dream world. I can only do this because it is impossible in the real world.
"Yeah!! Another three points! Micchy! Micchy!!" The girls next to Nina was shouting again and I woke up from my draem. He has scored another three points. 'I must stop dreaming now and face the fact', I thought. So I sit silently and watch the game.
Even I, knowing nothing about basketball can see that Mitsui Hisashi is a really good player. He took the ball from opponent to opponent with no effort at all. Most of the time, he did three point shots (I have figured by now that if you shoot from far away, you get three points), but occasionly, when his opponents was blocking him and he got too close to the basket, he'll just smack the ball into the basket, which I heard Nina said, is called a slam dunk.
Only 5 minutes have passed and the score is now 13-06 to us. It's now the opponents' turn to attack. A tall thin boy is dribbling the ball. Mitsui went infront of him, but he quickly threw the ball over Mitsui, before Mitsui had time to react. A boy with jersey number 5, on the same team as the tall thin boy, caught the ball. He is going to shoot, as he jumped upwards, a big and strong looking boy from our school jumped at the same time as him. as the ball flew free in the air, the boy from our school smacked the ball hard downwards. 'Well done', I thought. Mitsui cought the ball just before it went outside the court, and dribbled quickly to the opponents' basket, then scored another three points. Everyone in Mitsui's team cheered, along with many of the audience, and he gave that big strong boy a high five.
As the time went by, I became more aware of the fact that I wasn't just looking at Mitsui, I was watching the whole game. I was surprised, in just less than 20 minutes ago, I didn't know anything about basketball, but now I'm so attracted to it, and I am dissapointed when I heard the whistle. 'Is this the end of the game?' I thought, 'will I be able to watch another basketball game again?' Then suddenly, Nina said, "don't worry, it's not the end of the game yet", and she smiled. I'm shocked. Was she reading my thoughts? 'Don't be stupid', I told myself, it's the expression on my face that gaved it away. "It's only half time, the second half of the game starts in 10 minutes", Nina continued. I feel a smile forming on my lips.
"Basketball is very attractive isn't it? Now you know why I want you to come to a game." 'Yes', I thought, 'Nina, you're right, I should have come earlier. I have wasted two years of my life doing nothing useful but homework, I could have had two extra years with basketball, but now it's too late.' Come to think of it, in the past two years, Nina have been trying so hard to get me to come and watch a basketball game, but strangely enough, I managed to refuse every time and I always use the same excuses aswell, which is 'I've gotta revise', I've got lotsa homework to do', or 'I'm too tired'. 'Why didn't I just give in and let Nina take me to watch a game? Do I really like this daily routine? Thinking back, my past two years of life have been really dull. I can't remember being really happy about anything. I can't even remember being as excited as I am now. I have really wasted two years and I am regreting it now.
"Hey, want a drink while we wait for the second half to start?" Nina asked me. "oh sure", I answered. Then she said, "lemonade?" and I smiled at her. She knew I always drink lemonade. I like the sweet citrus taste, it mkes me feel fresh.
The score is 49-21. If nothing changes, we might win the game. "You likes Micchy, why don't you admit it?" "No, I don't you're the one who likes him more!" Those friends of Nina's are fussing about Mitsui again, can't they keep quiet? "Hey Rei, Koko is in love with Mitsui!" "No, that's not right, she likes him more!" "Hey, why don't you tell Micchy about me, and I tell Micchy about you?" "Great idea!!" "Let's do it right after this game..." Why do girls always talk about stupid stuff like that?
At last, Nina's back. She is holding a can of lemonade in each hand. "Three minutes left", she said as she handed me a can. I nodded.
"Nina, what are you doing here?" The voice came from behind, and it sounds familiar, making me feel afraid. Nina and I turned round together to see a handsome looking boy grinning at us. It is Mark. This isn't actually his real name, he had made up this name for himself because he thought that English name is better than Japanese name. 'What does his parents think', I wondered.
"Watching the basketball game, of course." Nina replied to him. "How did you know I'm here?" "Saw you at the drinks machine", Mark smiled at her. I know he's one of the many guys in our school that likes Nina a lot, and Nina knew aswell. Mark is one of the lads who is popular around girls, I liked him too when I first came to this school, but when he keeps coming up to talk to Nina, and I got to know his personality more, I started to dislike him. he thinks he is the best looking man on Earth and that everybody in the whole school likes him, especially girls. When he speaks to you, he'll put his face too close to you so that you can smell his horrible breath, and thinks you like it. He is one of those guys who are nice on the outside but bad on the inside. I hate this type of people.
I turn back round, open the can and start to drink the lemonade, hoping the game would come on soon. "Hey, I want to watch this game too", I heard Mark said, and he squeezes onto the row behind us and sit behind Nina.
'There's only one minute left', I told myself. Then suddenly, a woman's voice in a speaker said, "The second half of the game will start in one minute time." I can't help smiling. Everyone cheered as the players come out. I smiled even harder as I saw Mitsui Hisashi. They got into position, then 3 seconds left, 2 seconds, 1 second and the game starts.
I noticed something different, there's a new player on the other team. He's quite short and thin and he's wearing a number 9 jersey. Everyone cheered when he got the ball. 'Is he a good player?' I thought. Mitsui tried to get infront of him, but he is too quick. He dashes to the left, then to the right, boucing the ball as he went. He went under the basket and manage to score two points before anyone could stop him.
Everyone cheered, but I saw the dissapointment on Mitsui and the other's faces. I know that Mitsui is feeling bad that he couldn't stop that boy in the number 9 jersy earlier. Don't worry, I told him in my heart, I know you'll win this game.
The game continues, a boy in our team dribbles the ball quickly to the half way line. Then he quickly bounce the ball to another player, with long hair in a ponytail, then he bounce the ball to Mitsui, who is already standing in position to shoot a three point shot. Swish. Everyone cheered when the ball went in. 'That's it', I thought, 'keep your spirits up.'
The boy with the number 9 jersey is dribbling the ball again. He is dribbling slowly at first, then picks up speed rather quickly. He is now running in every direction, nobody can predict where he is going next. He went pass two boys in our team easily. Mitsui tries to stop him, but he went pass Mitsui aswell. When he got near to the basket, the big and strong looking boy got infront of him. The boy on the other team is going to shoot, he jumps and the strong boy jump up aswell. But no, the boy on the other team isn't shooting. Did he do that to trick him? He got round the strong boy, who is still jumping, and got a little closer to the basket and then everyone cheered. He has scored another two points.
It's our turn to dribble again. The long-haired boy was bouncing the ball to Mitsui before the half way line. Then suddenly, with lightening speed, the boy on the other team with the number 9 jersey, caught the ball just before it reaches Mitsui, and quickly dribbles the ball back to the basket and scored two points.
'Oh no', I thought, 'their score is catching up.'
Ten minutes have passed, and the score is now 53-52, only one point away. The other team might win the game if they don't do anything sooner.
Nina suddenly spoke as if heard my thoughts. "If they carry on like this, it may be the first time we ever lost before the quatre finals." "Qautre finals?" 'I didn't know this was a tournament.' "Yeah", Nina tells me, "If we win this game, we'll get into the quatre finals, if we don't, then this will be the last game we play in this basketball season." "Does this mean that this is a very important game?" I asked. "Yes", Nina answered.
"Go Micchy! Go Micchy!! Go! Go! Go!!" The girls next to Nina shouted. "Heh, if I was one of the players out their, I'll have as much supporters", Mark said suddenly, "no, to be exact, I'll even have more supporters than that Mitsui. Look at him, he can't even catch a ball, don't let him ruin our name in basketball!"
Mark has been talking about Mitsui an awful lot since the second half started. Maybe he's just jealous, hearing so many fans shouting Mitsui's name.
Suddenly, a whistle went off and the game stops. 'I know they'll do this sooner or later". Nina said. "What's the matter?" I asked. "They have thought of a plan." "Plan?" "Yeah, they have thought of a plan to defeat their opponent."
'A way of defeating the opponent? What can they do in this short amount of time?' I asked myself as I watched Mitsui and the others got together and started talking. They all look really tired, breathing hard and sweating everywhere. It would be a shame if they don't win this game, they've put in so much effort. Mitsui and the others nodded as they listened carefully to the coach's instructions. I look over to where the opponents are. They are smiling and look relaxed, but they don't seem to be talking. Aren't they worried at all, do they really believe they can win so easily?
The sound of whistle came suddenly. 'Is it 3 minutes already?' They all got into positions and the game re-starts. I wonder what sort of plan they have thought up.
The long-haired boy from our team dribbles the ball and throw it overhead just before that number 9 went infront of him. The big-and-strong boy caught the ball, bounce it a little then send the ball off towards Mitsui, who was already standing in position, and then he scored a perfect three points. Brilliant. Nobody was marking him because they all thought that number 9 would get the ball, but he didn't because he was too short to catch the ball from the air. "He may be a good sprinter, but he don't seem to be good at jumping", Nina said, and I agree with her.
It's our turn to defend now, number 9 is dribbling the ball. Three people from our team went up to him and he is blocked. He throw the ball to another player on his team, and he dribbles it towards the basket. Mitsui came in front of him and he looks scared. He throw the ball towards the basket, but misses. The big-and-strong boy caught the ball and bounces it to Mitsui. Mitsui then throw it towards another player and he scores two points. 'That's it', I shouted in my heart, 'keep going.' That 3 minutes really did change the fate of this game.
***Present***
The game had been much the same as that in the rest of the time. In the end, we won. The score was 82-67. I can remember it clearly because it was the first time I watched a basket ball game and the team which I was supporting won. That was the first time in my life that I had been really happy about something and I can remember that happiness even now.
What I still couldn't believe was what Nina did next, but if she hadn't have done it, my life would never have become as wonderful as it is now. Thank you Nina, I owe you so much.
***Flashback***
After the end of the game, Nina took me out of the courts. "Hey Nina! Wait for me!" I can here Mark shout behind us. "Nina, aren't we going home?" I asked as we went passed the main entrance. "Not yet, I gotta introduce you to someone first", Nina answered. I was excited but scared at the same time. 'Someone? Could it be... No, no, no, it can't. Wonderful things only happen in fairytales.' I told myself not to think of Mitsui anymore.
"This is the changing room! Why are you taking me here, Nina?" "You'll see", is all she answered. She opens the door and said, "hey, good game everyone!" Everyone smiled when they heard Nina's voice. "Hey, thanks Nina, I told you we would win", the big-and-strong boy said, giving a thumb up sign. I can't believe I'm really meeting the basketball team! "This is my friend, Rei, and this is the vice captain of the basketball team, Ray." nina introduce us. "Nice to meet you, Rei", he said and I said, "nice to meet you too." 'Wow! He looks bigger than in the courts', I thought.
"Nina, you're here!" An unfamiliar voice sounded behind us. I turned around slowly and surprised. I can't believe my eyes, it's the person I want to see so eagerly! It's... it's Mitsui Hisashi! And he's staring at me with his wonderful eyes and warm smile. My heart beat is jumping so loud and so fast all of a sudden, that I feel I'm going to faint. What a wonderful sight! I want this moment to last forever. But why doesn't my heart stop beating so fast? Am I afraid? Afriad of what? Afraid of knowing him?
"At last, I caught up with you, Nina!" It was Mark's voice. I stopped looking at Mitsui and stare on the floor. "Let's go and have a drink together, Nina", Mark said. He took Nina's arm and tries to pull her to come with him. "Hey, wait a minute, I haven't introduced yet!" Nina said. 'Introduce? Is she gonna introduce Mitsui to me?! So wonderful things do happen changing rooms, no I mean in real life!' 'Don't be stupid, another voice in my heart said,' he is the captain of the basketball team, so it is normal to introduce him to you.'
"Rei, this is Mitsui Hisashi, the team's captain, or Micchy as the fans call him." "Hey Nina!" Mitsui doesn't like to be called Micchy. I will remember that. "Can we go now, Nina?" Mark was definately jealous of Mitsui. "Hold on! And this is my friend, Rei." Mitsui took out his right hand. 'A handshake? I can't believe it, I'm touching him!' 'Hey, it's only a handshake. You can't do anything in a handshake, and anyway, this is what you do when you first meet someone, so don't think about other things', I told myself.
I take out my right hand and shook his. His large hand wraps round my little ones, like protecting it. His hand is warm, probably from playing the tiring game. He smiled warmly at me and I forced a smile back. We let go our hands.
"We can go now, Mark", Nina said. "Great!" Mark said excitedly. 'Is she really going with Mark? But I thought she didn't like him. Wait a minute! Does this mean I'm alone with Mitsui? This can't happen!' My heart pumps even harder. 'I.. I.. am I afraid? Or too happy?'
"Rei, I'll phone you tonight!" Nina shouted as she and Mark went off towards the door. 'What shall I say to him?' I asked myself. 'I'm no good at making conversations! What should I do if he finds out I'm no good at talking?' My hands are trembling now.
Mitsui put his right hand on his head and laughed a silly laugh.
Suddenly, a loud noise came from outside, it's getting nearer and nearer. "Here it goes again", I heard that long-haired boy said. The sound is getting louder now. Sound of shouting and screaming, sounds of mad grils. "Micchy! Micchy! What a wonderful player you are! You look so cool when you do a three point shot! Aaaaeeeeee!!!"
'Urgh! What defening noise!' I was going to put my hands to cover my ears when they all charge in. They all rush towards us. 'What's going on?' Suddenly, I fell on the floor. Pain. I can feel pain from my stomach where she pushed me, and it's spreading all over the body. I felt a few scratches and bruises on the palm of my hand and on my knees.
"Hey, you OK?" the big-and-strong boy asked me. "Yes, thanks", I lied. "Don't mind 'em, they're always like that whenever we win a game". I smiled at him.
I look over to Mitsui. A group of screaming girls crowding him, but I can clearly see his face because he is taller. He made a worried look and I smile and shook my head. 'Is he gonna come over and help me up?' 'No he's not, who do you think you are? You're nothing compared to those fans of his. You've only just met him, besides, it wouldn't be polite to push away those girls and help you.'
I stood up slowly by myself and walks over to the door. I turn round to look at him and thought, 'thanks Mitsui, thanks for giving me that sensation of feeling in love, which I had just then. Thanks for giving me my first taste of true happiness and excitment.'
I smile and then walk away.
***End of Chapter 1***
Written by Kay
Comments: At last I've finished it! Hard to write about all the basketball movements so I've just kept it short and simple. Next chapter will be more about Rei and basketball, coming soon!! ^_^