Chapter 28A
AT THE HOSPITAL
- ICU WARD -
Yuki is lying on the bed with tubes inserted. Everyone is waiting for the doctors to finish their assessments. The atmosphere is really gloomy now.
"It's my fault...It's my fault...I should have listened to Oka san..." Kai reprimanded himself continously.
"Kai...Nobody...Expect this to happen...Yuki...Yuki will be very sad if you continue to reprimand yourself..." Sae said while trying his best to hold his tears.
"Yuki..." Yuko said and cried in Riku's arms.
"I believe Yuki will be able to get through..." Riku said and hugged Yuko tightly.
Tomonobu is really broken now with Yuki and Minami down at the moment. He simply sat on the waiting area seat and did not say anything.
"Gomenasai...I really don't know what to say...Tomonobu...I am really sorry for my selfish request..." Shidou said.
"Gomen...Honto ni...Gomenasai..." Haruko cried out.
"Don't be...I...believe...Yuki...Is already prepared when she...made this decision...It's...nobodies fault..." Tomonobu said with tears in his eyes.
"Door open"
Dr Watanabe walked out from the ICU with her team of doctors. She then walked towards Tomonobu.
"Takahashi san..." Dr Watanabe called out.
Hearing that, Tomonobu quickly stood up and looked at Dr Watanabe. Everyone also snapped out from their dazed and gather to listen
to what the doctor has to say.
"How is my daughter?" Tomonobu asked seriously.
"I'm sorry to have to deliver this news to you...Yuki san's heart tissue is deteriorating fast suddenly...We need to arrange for a heart transplant
as soon as possible..." Dr Watanabe said seriously.
"Do we have a donor now?" Tomonobu asked anxiously.
"I'm afraid to say...Not at the moment...But we will try our best to get a suitable donor as soon as possible..." Dr Watanabe said.
"Please! Save my daughter! Please!" Tomonobu said and begged in his knees.
"Uncle!" Sae and Riku tried to stop the agitatedly Tomonobu.
"Kai! Say something!" Kuu said as he shakes Kai, hoping to get him out from his dazed.
The girls are now crying non stop while the others are trying hard to hold their pain in as they know they need to support Tomonobu and Kai
now. The doctors then left.
"Its all my fault..." Kai said and stood up and walked away from their sight.
"Kai...Where are you going?" Kuu asked.
"Kai..." Jun called out.
After settling Tomonobu and the girls down, Jun and the others became worried about Kai. So they decided to go look for Kai together.
"Uncle Shidou and Auntie Haruko...Please help look after Uncle Tomonobu..." Jun said and went to look for Kai with Sae and Riku.
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL
- Garden area -
They searched everywhere they could and finally found Kai, sitting near the garden fountain.
"Kai!" They called out and ran towards him.
"What are you doing here? Let's go back..." Jun said and tried to pull Kai up.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kai shouted and shook off Jun's hands.
"Kai! Stop your nonesense! Come with us now!" Kuu said and tried to pull him up.
"LET ME GO! DON'T BOTHER ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kai shouted.
"TAKAHASHI KAI! YOU GET BACK UP RIGHT AWAY! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE UNCLE, AUNTIE AND YUKI THERE! THEY NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!"
Sae shouted.
"Just back off! Leave me alone will you!" Kai shouted.
"Kai! Wake up will you...Stop wasting your time here!" Riku said.
"I can't face my parents or Yuki...It's my fault things turned out this way...ITS MY FAULT! HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO BRING MYSELF TO LOOK
AT THEM EVER AGAIN!" Kai shouted.
Hearing that, Sae can no longer hold his anger and punched Kai in his face.
"BAKA KAI! Wake up will you? Did anyone blame you now? We did not even point fault at you and why are you directing all the fault to yourself?
Don't use it as a excuse to make yourself feel better! You this jerk!" Sae said angrily and delivered another punch.
"Sae! Stop it!" Kuu said quickly stopped Sae with Riku before Kai gets more punches.
"Let him beat me! Don't let him stop! I caused Yuki to become like this!" Kai said and tried to provoke Sae further.
"You jerk! Why can't you understand!" Sae shouted and wanted to punch Kai again.
Just then, Jun pushed Kai into the water fountain. He then pushed Sae into the fountain too. Kuu and Riku was shocked but did not say anything.
"Stop it will ya? You think you are the only one who is hurt?" Jun cried out.
"Jun..." Kuu said.
"We are worried too...To the extend if we can...I believe any of us here is willing to share our heart if its possible...But things is not that simple!
Didn't you listen to what Yuki said just now? Didn't you see how happy she was when she knows she is able to help Acchan fulfil her dream? Did Sae
ever blame you? Did Uncle and Auntie ever blame you? Answer is NO! I believe if time were to go back...You or we will still make the same choice!
Because its something not regrettable!" Jun exclaimed.
"Yuki...Knows her condition best...Yet she chose to take the risk...Because she strongly believe in us...That we will always be there for her...She trust us...
That if things ever happened...We will definitely be there...be there to save her...Thats what she told me while waiting at the backstage just now..."
Sae said as he stood up.
"..." Kai teared.
"Kai...Look at us...Don't you trust us? You can rely on us! Don't bottle up everything by yourself...Please rely on us...Please..." Riku said and
started to cry.
The 5 guys cried their hearts out at the fountain, sharing the pain and burdens in their hearts together.
A few days has passed. Since then, Kai has been coping himself in his room. He did not attend school or visit Yuki and Acchan. He even refused
to see anyone, including Tomonobu.
At AKIBA ACADEMY CLASS 2-4 HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
"Do you think Kai would come today?" Yuko asked.
"That idiot...I thought after reasoning out with him he would definitely stand up on his feet again...I am so disappointed with him..." Kuu said angrily
and bang his fist on the table.
"He did not even go visit Yuki and Acchan since then...I should have punch him more...Punch his senses back to place..." Sae said.
"What do we do now? Today is the match...Kai is not with us...That is really demoralizing..." Jun said.
"That airhead! We can still do it without him and win it! When Acchan wakes up, I am going to tell her not to date this coward and badmouth him!
He is not serious in keeping his promise to Acchan..." Riku said angrily.
"Riku-nyan...Don't do that..." Yuko said sadly and tears started to form around her eyes.
"Ehhh! Yuko! I was just joking! Its a joke! My bad!" Riku said.
"Ding dong..."
"We'll talk later..." Sae said and went back to his seat.
They quickly settled down and prepare for their lessons. After hours of lessons, they finally ended their lessons.
- After school -
At AKIBA ACADEMY BASKETBALL COURT
The time where the basketballers have to go for their final match is finally here. All of the basketball team members and their supporters
gathered at the basketball court, preparing to board the bus to the stadium.
"Did you see our captain?"
"Will he come today?"
The morale of the members were really low now, they thought Kai would definitely come for the match.
"Beep"
"Gather!" Sae shouted when he heard the whistle.
"Everyone here?" Akimoto asked.
"Sensei...Kai...is..." Sae said.
"Ok! Everyone is present! Move the equipment up and board the bus now...Lets have a good game today!" Akimoto said and left the basketball
court to board the bus.
"What do Sensei meant by that?"
"Captain is not here yet..."
"Are we really going to leave without him?"
"Alright...Move on! Don't waste our time here..." Sae said.
"Sae...What about Kai?" Riku asked.
"Didn't you hear what Sensei said? All is present..." Sae said.
Riku looked around him and felt a chill in his spine.
"You serious? You mean...Kai is...here?" Riku asked softly as he looks around again.
"Don't be ridiculous Riku! Obviously Kai is not here...But Sensei believed that Kai would definitely come for the match..." Kuu said.
"Even Sensei said so...We got to believe in him too...Kai would definitely come...So lets go..." Jun said.
The basketball members then quickly load their belongings and left the school ground with the supporters in their respective buses.
"Rena san..." Yuko said.
"What's wrong?" Rena asked.
"Its really weird...Without Acchan and Yuki...." Yuko said sadly.
"Yuko chan...I know what you mean...But we have to help them cheer for Kai and Sae...Lets do our best for Acchan and Yuki..." Rena said.
"But...We have not seen Kai for days! If only Acchan is around...Only she can knock some sense into him..." Yuko said.
"Yuko chan..." Rena said sadly as she have no idea how to cheer her up.
Yuko looked at Rena. She knew she had indirectly made Rena worried for her with all the things she just said.
"Whatever! I am going to put all my energy to cheer for Riku-nyan!" Yuko exclaimed.
"Yuko chan...I believe Riku will definitely fight harder when you cheer for him..." Rena said and is really glad that Yuko spirits is lifted up once again.
"Ahhh! We are reaching soon!" Yuko said and pointed at the stadium.
All the buses arrived at the stadium and the students slowly get down the buses batch by batch. They then entered to the stadium and got themselves
seated at their respective places.
AKIBAHARA SPORTS STADIUM
- Akiba control room -
Loud cheers can be heard, these are cheers for the Majisuka Academy. They knew the Majisuka team players have entered the court already.
"Are you ready?" Akimoto asked.
"Hai!"
"Good! Everyone! Get out there now...I have nothing more to say now...Just give it your best shot!" Akimoto said.
"Osu!"
The Akiba basketball players then left the control room and walked into the court. They were greeted with loud cheers upon entering the court.
"RIKU-NYAN! GAMABATTE! YOU ARE A DEAD MAN IF YOU COME BACK TO ME LOSING!" Yuko shouted and Riku simply winked at her.
"Jun kun! Gambatte!" Rena tried to shout as loud as she can.
Jun lifted up his arm and clenched his fist towards Rena. Then he join his team mates for warming up and shooting practice. The supporters are all
quiet now as they are reserving their energy to cheer their lungs out for their school teams.
"Is this seat taken?" Tomonobu asked.
"Uncle?" Rena asked in surprised.
"Of course I'm here to support my son..." Tomonobu said and sat down.
"Kai is here!" Yuko said and looked at Rena.
"Beep"
The referee blew the whistle, signally that the match will start in 5 minutes time. Hearing that, both teams stopped them shooting practice
and gathered around their coach.
- Majisuka Academy side -
"Looks like their Ace is not here today...Just stick to the game play and we will definitely win this!" Togasaki said as he looked at Akiba's players."
Takeru is feeling really guilty, he wonders if its because of him that Kai did not come for the finals today.
"SATO! SATO!" Togasaki called out.
"Hai!" Takeru said after his team mates elbowed him to signal to him that the coach is calling him.
"I am counting to you in winning this as usual...Don't let me down!" Togasaki said.
"Hai! You can count on me Sensei!" Takeru shouted.
- Akiba Academy side -
"We will go with the usual start up...Thats all..." Akimoto said.
"Sensei wait...What usual start up...Kai...Kai is not even here..." Riku said.
Just then, loud cheers can be heard. Sae and the others turned to look. Kai is now running towards them.
"Seriously...You this idiot...Made me worried for nothing..." Kuu said softly with a smile.
"Sensei...Gomenasai...I'm late..." Kai said and bowed to Akimoto.
"Are you? The match has not start yet...Are you ready to go for the shot?" Akimoto asked.
"Hai...Please allow me to play for the team!" Kai replied.
"Good! I leave the time now to let you discuss your game plan with your start up..." Akimoto said and then sat down on the bench.
"Hai!" Kai said and ran towards his buddies.
"You this idiot...I thought you really going to give up on us!" Sae said.
"I have no choice! Your punches caused my face to swell badly...I have to nurse myself back...If Sensei or my parents knew about it...
You think we can still play?" Kai explained.
"So thats the reason! Why did you refuse to see us then? Or ask for my help?" Jun asked.
"Are you crazy? I don't even let my Tou san see me...If I let you see me...You want me to become a dead meat?" Kai said.
"Nevertheless...I'm sure glad to have you back...Now I can play without restrictions!" Riku said.
"Of course...I am going to revenge for Atsuko and for myself...He caused our 'No.1 fan' who never missed any of our matches missed
it now..." Kai said and looked sternly at Takeru.
"Yeah!" The others said, agreeing to what Kai said.
"Beep"
The referee blew the whistle and both teams quickly shout their cheers. Standing on the same court, the startup players are all ready to
start the face off. Sae and Takeru will be jumper for their team. With everyone in position, the referee start off with the ball tossed in the air.
"I am getting this!" Sae said and grabbed the ball. Before he land on the ground, he passed it to Kai.
"The first point is ours!" Kai said and dribbled the ball towards the scoring basket.
"Defend!" Takeru shouted and ran after Kai with his team mates.
They managed to stopped Kai but did not realized they have fallen to Kai's trap. Kai quickly passed the ball to Jun who is at the 3-pointer zone and
made his shot.
"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle and made the signal of 3 points scored.
"YAY!" The Akiba supporters cheered loudly.
"Defend!" Kai shouted and they quickly got back to their defending position.
"Lets reorganized ourself and score this point!" Takeru said and signaled his team mate to pass his the ball.
Takeru dribbled the ball slowly to the half court and scanned around the position of his team mates and the opponents. He suddenly dashed
towards Kai and make a round about turn and got passed Kai. However, Kai already had plans in his mind and Takeru's ball is snatched by
Sae when he made the turn.
"KUU!" Sae shouted and made a fast pass to Kuu who is already running far away from them.
"Make it 5!" Kuu said and made his shot.
"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle and made the signal of 2 points scored.
"Again! Again! Go Go! Akiba Go!" The Akiba supporters cheered loudly.
Now the Majisuka is under pressure they never felt before. The players on the court looked at Takeru, hoping that he would issue new
instructions to guide and lead them through. However, they did not know that Takeru was also shocked by the Akiba's counter attacks on them.
Takeru is surprised that they seems to know what they are going to do.
"Takeru! Is everything ok?" Tomohisa asked.
"Yea...Lets secure this point!" Takeru said.
"Right!" Tomohisa said and started to run.
However, the Akiba now is too strong for them to handle now. The score now 32 : 17, with the Akiba's leading with 15 points. Togasaki can
no longer sit there and not do anything, he decided to asked for a time out.
"Beep"
"Time out!"The referee said while he points at Majisuka who requested the time out.
The teams quickly ran towards their coach, not wanting to waste the precious time.
- Majisuka Academy side -
"Listen carefully! We are going all out now..." Togasaki said.
"Sensei...But its not even half time yet...If we do that, our stamina will be drained out fast..." Tomohisa said.
"I want to take this bet...We will have the players changed more frequently...So I want everyone of you to go all out when you are in there...
Understand?" Togasaki asked.
"Hai!"
"Sato...What's wrong with you...Whats with you play today...This is not like you! Where the aggressiveness you always displays?" Togasaki asked.
"Gomenasai Sensei..." Takeru said.
"Don't let us down anymore...Don't forget...You are the captain of this team! You are suppose to lead!" Togasaki said.
"Hai!" Takeru said.
- Akiba Academy side -
"Ok everyone listen! I believe they will definitely go all out now...We will player change accordingly...Any objections?" Akimoto asked.
"Sensei...Please allow us to play till the end!" Kai requested.
"Hai Sensei! Please allow us to play till the end!" Sae and the others pleaded.
"Are you sure? That will really drains out all your stamina if you continue to play throughout..." Akimoto said concernedly.
Seeing Kai and the others determination, the other team mates also pleaded for them.
"Sensei! Onegai!"
Akimoto is really touched by the unity of his team. Kai and his friends were really grateful to their team mates despite how selfish
they were.
"Yoshhaa...But if I find anyone of you slacking off...Be prepared to come sit on the bench! Is that understood?" Akimoto asked.
"HAI!"
"Arigato..." Kai said to his team mates.
"Captain...Win this for us!"
"Don't let us down!"
"Take our spirit and run!"
"You can count on us!" Kai said.
"Beep"
The time is up and the 2 teams then hurried into the court. Akiba has the right to get start off first.
"Let's get this party started..." Kai said.
"Osu!"
Riku passed the ball to Kai and he slowly dribbled to the half court. This time, everyone of them is being shadowed by their opponent.
However, that does not stop them. Sae and Kuu keep circle around to confuse their opponents, making space for the others to break into
the zone. Seeing an opening, Kai quickly dash towards the basket and managed to draw 3 defenders to him.
"JUN!" Kai shouted and made a swift passed to Jun.
"Leave it to me!" Jun ran forward to get the pass and made his shot.
"Beep!"
"3 POINTS!" The referee said.
"YAY!" The Akiba supporters cheered loudly.
"JUN!" Rena shouted and jumped up to hug Yuko.
"Chill! Chill!" Yuko said.
"Ah gomen! But did you see that?" Rena asked excitedly.
"I know! Your man scored! I see it very clearly!" Yuko said.
"Jun!" Rena shouted and waved to Jun. Jun heard Rena's cheers for him and smiled at her.
This time, Yuko is fuming and exploded.
"Riku-nyan! If you never score any points today! I don't want to see you anymore!" Yuko shouted. Hearing that, Riku is shocked.
The supporters looked at Yuko, they are shocked by her sudden demands.
"Yuko chan! Are you serious?" Rena asked.
"Hmph~ OF COURSE! Its not real! I just want to scare my Riku-nyan~" Yuko replied softly.
"Kai..." Riku called out and looked at Kai.
"Ok...I get it...Lets get into position first..." Kai said.
"Ok..." Riku said and ran back to his position.
"Beep"
Majisuka start off the ball and made mulitple passes as soon as they got the ball in their hands. They wanted to prevent Akiba
from getting near them. However, their plot was not working and Kuu managed to intercept their passes and got the ball.
"KUU! RIKU!" Kai shouted as he points at the scoring basket.
Kuu quickly made a high long passed and everyone were now focused on the ball when running towards it. When the ball is about to
hit against the basket, Riku made a high jump and slammed the ball into the basket. Riku just dunk the ball into the basket and scored!
"Those idiots..." Akimoto said while covering his smile with his hand.
The whole stadium is now filled with thunderous cheers upon seeing Riku's slam dunk. The supporters spirits were lifted to the highest now.
However, Yuko was too surprise to make any comment and just froze there.
"Yuko chan! Yuko chan! Riku just slam dunked!" Rena said excitedly.
"Moh...I didn't ask you to score this way...When will you stop making me fall for you deeply..." Yuko said shyly as she looks at Riku. Riku
made a victory sign at Yuko and smiled.
The Majisuka basketball team is now in a chaos. They were shocked by Riku's performance and their team's morale is dropping with all
their counter attacks being foiled again and again. Even Togasaki is dumbfounded and does not know what to do. With that, Kai and his
buddies continue to lead on and scored time and time again non stop.
"BEEP!"
"71 : 36! Akiba Academy wins!" The referee shouted.
The Akiba basketball players and the supporters cheered loudly, celebrating their win. At this moment, Kai just stood there, enjoying the
loud cheers and the happy faces displayed by the people around.
"KAI!" Sae shouted and ran with the others to hug him.
"Minna...We did it..." Kai said and displayed a wide smile at them.
However, before Sae and the others were able to get to him. Kai started to wobble and bleed from his nose. He then slowly fall to his knees.
"KAI!" Tomonobu shouted upon seeing Kai fall and quickly ran down to the court with Yuko and Rena following behind him.
Screams and shouts were heard throughout the stadium as everyone is shocked. Kai tried his best to remain conscious. However, when he sees
his Otou san and friends gathering around him, Kai slowly fallen into unconsciousness.