Glacier in Japan: Chapter 10 ~ [The Pig Pen]

Glacier in Japan

(Chapter 10)

After lunch, Hanamichi and Rukawa said their goodbyes to Mrs. Sakuragi and Sendoh. Sendoh accompanied them to the door. All three stepped back in surprise when Sendoh opened the door. The person on the other side was no other than Koshino Hiroaki, the Ryonan shooting guard.

“Hiro-kun!” Sendoh greeted happily. He grabbed the shorter boy’s hand and pulled him into the house. Hanamichi and Rukawa looked on in amazement as the two Ryonan boys hugged and Sendoh dropped a quick kiss on Koshino’s cheek.

The four boys exited the house and walked silently toward the corner, Sendoh’s fingers laced loosely with Koshino’s. Upon reaching the corner, Sendoh turned to his companion and whispered something into his ear. Koshino nodded, uttered a low “Nice to meet you,” in the Shohoku boys’ direction before turning right and entering a small coffee shop.

“You… and him…” stammered Hanamichi. “Yup,” answered Sendoh happily. He turned to Rukawa, smiled and said, “Is that proof enough for you? Now, I recommend that you apologize to Hana-kun later. Or else I might be forced to take revenge on my brother’s behalf.” Though said jokingly, there was a serious note beneath the message and Rukawa nodded curtly. Sendoh smiled again, waved goodbye to them both and proceeded to the coffee shop. The two boys turned left and headed to the train station.

~*~*~*~

Awkward silence prevailed during the walk back to Rukawa’s house. At the door, Rukawa turned to Hanamichi and said, “Do you want to come in?” The taller boy nodded and they both entered the house.

Rukawa offered Hanamichi a drink but the latter refused. The went into the living room and sat down. Once seated, both boys were once again silent.

“Kaede..”

“Hana-kun…”

Both started speaking at the same time. They laughed and Rukawa motioned for Hanamichi to speak first.

“Kaede, I understand if you still don’t believe…” Rukawa interrupted him.

“Iye, Hana-kun. I believe you. I think deep inside I never really believed that you would betray me for him. I don’t know why I acted that way. I was just so overcome by jealousy. Do you forgive me?” Rukawa had grabbed Hanamichi’s hand during his short speech. The raven-haired boy was now gripping Hanamichi’s hand like he never planned to let it go.

Smiling, Hanamichi replied gently, “Baka kitsune. You were forgiven long before you asked for it.” He touched his other hand to the dark-haired boy’s face.

His face breaking into a beautiful smile, Rukawa muttered, “Do’aho.” He leaned forward and captured Hanamichi’s lips in a sweet kiss. The kiss contained all his apologies, all his love and all the promises he had in his heart for his do’aho.

~*~*~*~

Glacier and Fujima entered the house, deeply absorbed in their conversation that they weren’t aware that someone else was in the house. They walked into the living room. Their jaws dropped when they found the two Shohoku boys in a rather, ahem, compromising position. They must have made some sort of sound because the two figures on the couch pulled apart and grinned sheepishly at the couple in the doorway.

There was a mad dash as both boys hastily hid certain pertinent body parts behind throw pillows. Quickly turning around and dragging Fujima with her, Glacier said loudly, “Kenji, I think we should eat out tonight, don’t you?” Rukawa and Hanamichi sweatdropped. They heard laughter as the front door closed behind the couple. Rukawa dropped the pillow and grabbed Hanamichi’s hand. “I think we better continue this in my room.” Rukawa smiled again. But this time, there was a gleam in his eyes. Hanamichi blushed as he allowed himself to be pulled out of the living room.

~Owari

Chapter 9

Main