Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ Loving Koshino ❯ A Day's Truancy ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimers: I don't own Slam Dunk. I am not making money out of this, so please don't sue. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Notes: More MakiKosh here. :)

Loving Koshino
from Kokoro no Kigen (Temper of Heart) Arc
by AJ Maxwell

Chapter Four: A Day's Truancy

"Where's your car? Are you just going to leave it here?"

Koshino glanced at Maki first before replying. "I didn't bring it."

"Ah."

He knew the next question, but waited for his boyfriend to ask. When they reached Maki's black Jaguar, he stepped aside as the older man unlocked and held the door open for him, and the act made him smile. It was one of the little things that endeared Maki Shinichi to him. Holding doors open for him, massaging his shoulders, preparing scented baths for two, cooking him dinner, and sending SMS every five hours telling him to take things easy, even though Koshino knew that the other man was doing the opposite of it, were only some of the things that he truly loved about Maki. It amazed him how his Shinichi could do all those things, what with all the stress that he was subjected to. If Koshino's work ran him ragged by the end of the week, Maki's work was even more.

"How did you get to work?" was the anticipated question.

He buckled his seatbelt first, then answered. "Sendoh picked me up this morning and we had breakfast together."

"And this has been going on...?"

Koshino glanced at Maki again, gauging the expression on his face. "Roughly a month."

Maki looked a bit startled. "Everyday?"

He swallowed the growing lump in his throat as he noticed the hard set of Maki's jaw. "Yes."

"I see." Maki started the car, and pulled out of the parking lot.

He bit back the proverbial "It's not what you think" speech, preferring to hear Maki's questions. It was really because he didn't want to seem defensive about it, because there was really nothing to be defensive about. Right. Really nothing.

They sat in the car in silence, and somewhere along the way, Koshino turned on the radio, the lack of reaction from Maki making him sweat amid the expensive car's superb air conditioning system. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. "Aren't you supposed to ask some things?"

"Aren't you supposed to be telling me some things?" was the bland retort.

"It's not what you think," he blurted out, and grimaced. He plowed ahead anyway, wanting the issue to be over and done with. "We've been having breakfast every morning, because he's always pestering me about not eating breakfast--"

"And how about lunch?" Maki fought to keep his calm. "Does he drive you home, too? Everyday for a month?"

"Well...not exactly a month," Koshino said in defense, his voice sounding weak to his ears.

Maki was silent again, and Koshino worried his lower lip, feeling the strong urge to bolt out of the car and pummel Sendoh until none of those spikes on his head were left upright.

"Is this a bad time?" Maki hesitantly asked him. "Are you...developing something with him?"

"Hell no!" he exploded, but there was a voice at the back of his mind that was taunting him the opposite. "I'm not--he's not...I mean, Shinichi," he drew out the other man's name imploringly. "You do remember the things I told you about him, right? How can I be developing something with him? The guy's the thorn in my throat, for crying out loud!" he said, exasperated. "And he has a boyfriend, okay? You don't need to feel threatened because of him."

"So if he didn't have a boyfriend, I should feel threatened?" Maki commented dryly.

"Shini-chan!" he almost whined, using his nickname for his boyfriend. He whacked the nearest part of Maki that he could reach, which was his left arm that was settled on the gear shift. "You're not working with me here!"

Maki's lips quirked up a bit, amused at his boyfriend's transformation. "You're not telling me what I want to hear, Hiro," he said meaningfully.

Koshino blinked up at him, and relented. Smiling, he said, "You don't need to feel threatened by him, or by anyone, because I love you, Maki Shinichi."

Maki finally smiled, and tilted Koshino's face for a chaste kiss on the lips. "I love you, too, Koshino Hiroaki," he whispered, and kissed him again, pouring all the love that he felt into that one melding of mouths.

How could I have been so stupid to even think that anything could surpass something so perfect as this? Our responsibilities got in the way so many times before--our fathers always got in the way... We might even cool it off again in a month's time, but nothing could possibly be more perfect than having the man who knows me soul-deep, who loves me more than life itself, by my side. Koshino felt Maki pulling away, and he let out a sound of displeasure. His arms found their way around Maki's neck again, and pulled him back for another kiss.

"Hiro," Maki protested, growing more anxious by the second. The furious honking of cars behind them grew louder, and he had to do something before angry motorists pound their fists on his window.

It was then that Koshino noticed his boyfriend's lack of participation, and pulled away. "What's the matter?" he asked, a wounded note creeping into his voice.

"I have to drive," Maki replied apologetically. To this, Koshino blinked confusedly. "But the light's red."

"Nani?" True enough, the green light had already turned red. Maki just shrugged. He leaned towards Koshino again, and the other man leaned sideward to meet him halfway. He grinned. "So, where were we again?"

±

"I think you should pick up your jaw from the floor, Sendoh-san."

Sendoh frowned. "You know, you're not very nice," he said to Jin Soichiro, who only ignored him, nose in the air.

He quickly made his way back into his office, irritated as he'd never been in years. Once inside, he closed the door and draped himself over a couch. He replayed the scene of Koshino and Maki walking side by side, holding hands and smiling sweetly at each other. It made him feel sick. Now I'm sure Hiro-kun did see us. I could have explained to him and everything would've been fine, but who's this Maki anyway? He said boyfriend, but... At the thought, he felt like his heart launched itself to land with a sickening plop on his feet. He slammed his fist onto the back of the couch, which resounded with an airy puff. He can't be Hiro-kun's boyfriend. He just can't!

He got up after a while, his face determined. He went to his desk and picked up the phone. He pushed the button for the intercom, and said. "Hikoichi, come in here. I need to ask you some things."

±

The shining half moon looked like a golden bowl floating in the sky, and the stars that were peppered around it were like steam that floated up from the magical concoction inside it. Koshino sighed at the sight, and snuggled even deeper into Maki's embrace. The two of them made quite a picture; serene, content, and in love, all under the beautiful moonlit sky. The tree leaves rustled like music, caressed by the graceful night wind. Everything was just so peaceful, so perfect, but there was an underlying turmoil hidden by Koshino's half-lidded eyes.

He still quite couldn't believe that he was now presented with the perfect situation, the perfect opportunity, to be free and finally be completely happy. Back then, when he and Maki used to talk about their plans, half of him did not dare to hope. He thought that just having Maki in his life was all the best that could ever happen to him. He never thought that being free of the pressure, of his father that tied him down all his life, was possible, but Maki proved him wrong once again.

He's my savior; that's what he is, and he loves me...but now...Sendoh...

Sendoh confused him. He couldn't believe that spending only barely a month with the man already planted doubts in him. He couldn't believe that he was presently torn between running away with Maki and getting the freedom he'd always wanted, and staying in the company, letting himself be tied down by his father's expectations, even just to be in the same building as Sendoh.

It was crazy. Koshino had never been crazy like that before.

"Hiro-chan?" Maki whispered in his ear.

"Hmm?"

Maki planted feather-light bites on his right earlobe, and asked, "Are you happy?"

There was no other acceptable answer but, "Hai. Of course I am." Of course I am. I am...

The half lie echoed over and over in his mind.

"...are you sure?"

Koshino heard the rare uncertainty in Maki's voice, and the slight suspicion. He frowned, and shifted to face him. "Yes. Why shouldn't I?"

Maki touched his forehead against Koshino's, and then his lips against his lips.

Koshino felt Maki's lips against his curving into a tentative smile. Maki murmured, "I'm sorry. I don't know...maybe it's just me... It's funny, but... I--it's just that you feel different, Hiroaki."

"Different?"

"Hai."

"How...different?"

Maki shook his head. "I don't know."

"Maybe you're just tired, Shinichi. It's been a long day."

"Hai...maybe that's it."

Koshino pulled away and stood up from their sitting position on the grass. He offered his hand to Maki, and said, "Let's go home."

±

Sendoh felt bitter defeat as he'd never had in years. He had finished purging Hikoichi of all knowledge on Koshino's relationship with Maki Shinichi, and from what his assistant had told him, the two had been together since college. They've been together since Hiro-kun's first year in college. So that's...seven years, I guess. Exactly the same time I'd been gone... That Maki's got a real head-start on me... Hiro-kun and I may have been childhood friends, and we may have gone to the same school 'til high school...not to mention that our fathers are the best of friends in the whole of Japan, but...

He took another swig of his rum as he browsed through the notebook that Hikoichi submitted to him. It says here that for the past two years, the two of them had split up for 11 times--whoa that's a lot! He frowned at this. What's wrong with them? But why do they still keep getting back together?! He studied the entries on the table under the heading "Cause", and frowned even deeper. Out of the 11 split-ups, six had been due to the couple's fathers, while the rest had been caused by work. "Now, why is that?" he wondered aloud. He knew that his Uncle Akira, Koshino's father, had always been distant to his own son. But I never thought that he'd actually meddle with Hiro-kun's relationships....six times in two years... Hmm, maybe he doesn't approve of this Maki being with Hiro-kun...

The thought of his favorite uncle (even if said uncle is his only uncle) gravely disapproving of his rival lifted Sendoh's spirits a little. This gave him hope. Well, if Uncle Akira disapproves so much, there must be something wrong about Maki, which means that, if there's something wrong with the other half of the relationship, it won't be successful in the end, which means I still have a chance!

He recalled what had happened during the day. He remembered how Rukawa barged into his life again, and how he almost permanently ruined his chances with his Hiro-kun. I've waited for a long time...I've been waiting since we were teenagers for Hiro-kun to give me a chance. The past few weeks had been heaven. Hiro-kun had been responding positively to my advances...I just know that he'll give me a chance! Now, to take care of this problem with Maki...

±

He had missed the hands that traveled with reverence across his milky skin. He had missed the tickling warmth that the breath on his neck gave him. He had missed touching, and feeling the shivers that the flesh beneath his hands gave.

He had missed those strong hands stroking him to completion, and that thick, burning hardness that never failed to send shocks of infinite pleasure inside him. He had missed that deep voice that came with his gasps and cries. He had missed being with his Shinichi that way. It would have been perfect; everything in his life right then was perfect, except for one thing...

"Are you ready for my good news, Hiroaki?"

"I've been ready for it ever since I called you back."

"Well, even if you are ready for it, as you said, I'm sure you'll still be shocked."

"Then tell me what it is so we can find out!"

"Okay...I'm sure you've heard about my father's death in the newspapers."

"...Shinichi, I know that you hate your father, but do you really have to smile like that?"

"Hiro-chan...I've been acting properly in front of everyone and it's difficult. You're the only one who understands...just like I'm the only one who'll understand when you feel relieved and happy when your father dies."

"I just...I understand but...oh never mind. I suppose that the good news stems from the death of your father..?"

"Yes, it does. He left me everything, Hiro-chan, all eighty percent of the company. And he didn't devise some backhanded way for me to still be tied to the company. Maybe he never really knew that I hated running his company, that I hated everything that he told me to do. Maybe he thought that I wouldn't be able to break out of the duties that he imposed on me, that I would be too weak to do so..."

"So, you mean--?"

"I've just sent word in the media that I'm selling my shares. That, plus my money in the bank and all my other investments...do you know what that means?"

"You can live like an emperor without having to lift a finger."

"Exactly."

"..."

"Hiro-chan...? I hope you've already figured out where you stand in this."

"Shinichi...I..."

"What?"

"I just...I just couldn't--"

"Well, believe it, love. Once everything's settled, we can go to the Netherlands and get married there whenever you want."

"I just...Shinichi..."

"Hiro-chan? ...Hiroaki? What are those tears for?"

"Shinichi, thank you..."

"No, no. I should be the one to say that. You're the reason why this is all possible, Hiroaki. If it weren't for you, I would never have had the strength and the courage to do this. You're my freedom, Koshino Hiroaki. You're my life. Now, stop crying, will you? The other patrons are looking at us..."

"Well you shouldn't have told me this during dinner, you know."

"But you asked!"

"Why you--!"

A strangled moan escaped Koshino's lips.

...except for one person

"I'm sorry...did that hurt?"

He shook his head. "It's been a long time since--"

"I know. I missed you, Hiro-chan."

Koshino mentally shook off his lover's words. He didn't deserve them, and for the first time, he didn't really want them. I need to forget him... He wrapped his legs around Maki's hips and thrust himself upwards in answer.

Maki groaned, more impassioned by the sudden aggressiveness that came from his lover.

Damn you, Sendoh Akira! I should be drowning in bliss right now, but no! I keep thinking that if I go with Shinichi, I'll never see you again, that I'll never be with you, even if...even if...

Koshino growled up at him. "Harder!" Even if you're a complete cheating bastard! Even if I hate you! Even if I hate you so much!

Maki complied with his lover's command, though at the back of his mind, he wondered for a second why Koshino looked more angry and...sad, than at the brink of an orgasm.

±

The night sky was lightening; only a few hours remained before Koshino had to go to work and face the man that kept him awake all night.

Beside him, Maki slept peacefully.

You're too good for me, Shinichi. You deserve better.

Koshino sighed, and tried to will himself to sleep.

He didn't want to, really. He still felt like punching Sendoh for catching him with Rukawa the past morning, but...

He also couldn't stop himself from wishing that it was Sendoh who was with him all night.

Finished March 28, 2003