Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ Hello, Goodbye ❯ Insurance #4 ( Chapter 5 )

Title: Hello, Goodbye

Author: ivybluesummers (ivybluesummers@yahoo.com)

Chapter Five: Insurance #4

Warnings: Shounen-ai (I think).

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is not mine.

The room was lit by a study lamplight and I felt my head reel and for the third time took another aspirin to relieve the pain. I shuddered in discomfort, and then stared at a green poster that hung from the ceiling. I almost fell from my seat, but I managed to balance myself and walked towards the bed, stretching myself, telling myself that I shouldn't sleep because I have still some paper works to do. The doctor told me he needs me in the operation later. That poor child... I should do something to not let his fear of hospitals overwhelm him.

It has been a year and a half since I graduated from the university, leaving all my underclassmen friends, including Akira Sendoh. When I looked for a job, it only took me three weeks. The diploma really paid off after all. I stared at the green poster, long enough to take my eyes off of it when I blink. I am nurse now, and somehow through all the deprivation and wretchedness I suffered throughout my adolescence, everything... I was content. Maybe I'll find someone. Some other time.

I sighed in relief. I can't go to occasions anymore, especially Shohoku's victory parties, because works are getting piled up day by day. Everyday I gamble myself in the depths of hospital walls, operation tables, emergency rooms and machines, and it didn't help much even if I try to take some break. I cannot think of anything besides my work. I really love my work.

Last week, Akagi invited me to the alumni's Shohoku basketball club reunion party, with all of the members of the club, including the recent players themselves, are there to toast our victories, bring back together the memories and relish the treasure of the past. I declined. I actually intended to come, but there was a patient from the emergency ward I need to attend to. My teammates grimaced when they didn't find me, and for the whole night talked about me right in front of the other members of the alumni. This is what Akagi told me. Of course I was flattered, but it was embarrassing to be talked about in front of people I hardly know, to talk about my femininity and my tranquility amidst the ganster-like life of Shohoku. This repute is already known throughout the Kanagawa high schools, that Shohoku have members that are either as cold as ice - Kaede, as boastful as the vain villains you see in movies - Hanamichi, as riot-lover as punks - Mitsui and Ryota. Diversity, though is a good thing. I've heard that the new set of players now include the silent type whose motto is "let's just see", a very cheerful yet skilled basketball player, and another player whose character is much like Hanamichi's. I also heard that Ayako, finally, gave in with Ryota, and when my teammates asked them if they would get married, they said, "soon". I hope they invite me.

Akira, on the other hand, who will be graduating this year, will pursue to his hope. He's going to America, but he told me he will visit the hospital every now and then, with of course Koshino by his side. I wouldn't be surprised.

Jin... I have no news with Soichiro, and the last that I've hears is that after graduating from Kainan, he went to Hiroshima to study there. It's been almost six years since I last saw his juvenile face, since I last smelled his musk, since I last felt his youthfulness. I frowned, then sighed in relief. Some other time.

I felt the door thump roughly, and I scolded myself as I went downstairs to entertain another guest in my house. My parents are in America and they're not planning yet to go home to visit me. Who could the visitors be? They couldn't be my friends; they have work.

Another rough knock, and I felt a little annoyed. I can hear a girl and a boy whispering "maybe he's not home?", and I smiled for a bit. "Yes?" I shouted, and the two outside were silenced.

I opened the door. "Yes?" I took off my glasses.

"Um... excuse me, I'm Lyrem Efyrts of the Bernadelli Insurance Agency." The girl said. "This is my partner Kenji Fujima."

I looked at them, smiling. My thoughts weren't that focused on what the girl and the boy was saying, and I can hardly hear and decipher what they were trying to say. Fujima... Fujima... I've heard that name before, I think. "Mr. Kogure?" I snapped.

"Yes? Is there anything I can do for you guys?"

"Well, you haven't paid the last two months insurance premium, so we've come to collect it personally."

"Oh," I said, scratching my head, "I'm sorry. I have a hectic work. Come in, I'll just take my check."

They went in. They rested themselves on the sofas of the living room. "Feel at home." I said, dragging my feet upstairs and went to look for check. Fujima. The name is too familiar to remember.

When I gave them the check, they thanked and bid goodbye. My thoughts were just scattered, and the whisper of Fujima in my brain keeps on whispering like it's going to haunt me. "Um... Wait."

The two stopped from walking, and the girl smiled at me after looking at the check. She thought I wrote the wrong figure. The man, though was looking at me intently, sensing that he knew me but doesn't want to bring up the conversation of reckoning who we were. I smiled at him, his brown tresses set on a very elegant style, the gel making it more radiant. His features can be compared with Soichiro, but this man has enough uniqueness that cannot be compared from my failures. He was in a black suit, as contrary to the girl who wore a casual dress. I smiled again, and he smiled, too.

"Kenji Fujima..."

"Yes." He said, in good spirits, showing a smile that even his partner melted from the stare. I put on my glasses.

"Have we met before?", I said smilingly and kindly, gazing at him as he welcomed my stare with utmost sincerity, as I yet again plunge myself into another saga that may either mean love's profusion and productivity, or love's way of saying another hello to the lexis of goodbye in my scarred heart.

NOTES:

1. Again, there are allusions. Find them if you want.

2. The ending is fast-paced, sorry.

3. The titles of the chapters are derived from the soundtracks of Trigun, another anime. The songs (or titles) used in the fic practically describes what the fic is trying to say. If you want to listen to them, you can download it in vashstampede.com - it is not mine though, I'm just posting an ad.

4. The fic's title is derived from an episode of Dark Angel, a sci-fi TV show. I dunno, but my interpretation about that line is that a person is saying hello to goodbye, which would mean you're going to face another anticipated sending-off. You cannot interpret it as two separate words that means separate meaning of hello and separate meaning of goodbye (that won't be sound because if you try to interpret it that way, since there is a comma, and that comma signifies... well, I dunno, maybe a pause on the idea. If I keep on going I might commit a fallacy! Hhhaaaa!!!).

5. The Insurance company name is from Trigun. The name of the insurance girl is Meryl Stryfe spelled backwards. The title of the last chapter is a pun on one of the dialogues (or soundtrack, if you would consider it) in the OST. There are only three insurance dialogues, and I thought I could make a fourth one.

6. Thanks to all the resources I gathered to make this fic. Thanks to me.

7. I need the f****** reviews!