Slam Dunk Fan Fiction ❯ Loving Koshino ❯ Triple Purpose Trickery ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimers: I don't own Slam Dunk. I am not making money out of this, so please don't sue. No copyright infringement intended. Original part of the fiction is the property and is copyrighted to the author.

Author's Notes: I hope this part isn't too long-winding. Feedback is very much appreciated.

This fan fiction is dedicated to Leslie Cheung (Sept. 12, 1956 - Apr. 1, 2003), who will continue to be an inspiration of incomparable beauty and brightness in my life, even though he had chosen to move on.

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

Chapter Five: Triple Purpose Trickery

Koshino Hiroaki bolted upright from his restless sleep. His body, like clockwork, knew that it was a weekday, and that he had to go to work. He looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table, then cursed. He forgot to set the alarm clock at an earlier time, thinking that Sendoh might arrive really early again, like he did the past day, and catch him in his newly awakened state. He did not want a repeat of that embarrassing situation, particularly when he felt the taller man's penetrating stare on the seat of his loose--and very flimsy--pajama bottoms.

He was just about to stand and make his bed when he noticed several different things: the horrendously rumpled bed; the two sets of suits that were strewn on the carpeted floor; the bigger pair of shoes that sat at the foot of his king-sized bed; the watch and the pair of cuff links on another bedside table; the fading scent of sex in the air, and the sound of someone cooking in his kitchen. All these Koshino observed and took note of in mere seconds. He inhaled again, just to make sure if all of it weren't just a dream.

Shinichi and I spent the night together...oh. I remember now. I made Jin cancel all my appointments for today. I guess I don't need to go to work.

The 25-year-old company president and CEO released a sigh, both in relief and disappointment, when the phone on his bedside table rang. The sudden ringing jarred his newly found relief.

"Moshi moshi. Koshino Hiroaki."

"Koshino-san," spoke Jin Soichiro, sounding both professional and apologetic. "Gomen nasai. There is an emergency in our Hong Kong office. The Chinese executives requested a week-long meeting with you."

"Starting when?" Koshino asked.

"Today--"

"So soon?!" he exploded in disbelief. "But why didn't they request a meeting sooner? Fujima said last week that everything's going well... "

"I'm really sorry, Koshino-san," Jin struggled to placate his boss over the phone. "Sendoh-san will be there this m--"

Koshino failed to hear the rest of what Jin was saying as he was alarmed by the noise outside. "E-mail me all the details and the necessary files."

He hurriedly put down the receiver, not waiting for Jin's reply anymore. He rushed out of his bedroom and into the living room, to find a very irritated Maki fending off the eternally cheerful Sendoh.

"What the hell is happening here?!" he couldn't help shouting.

"Oi, Hiro-kun!" Sendoh beamed at him. "Good timing! You see--"

Maki glared at Sendoh, then turned to his lover to explain. "He just barged in here, saying that the two of you have a meeting in Hong Kong and that you'll be late for your flight if you don't go with him at this very hour, which is preposterous since, from what I know, you canceled all your engagements for today."

"I told you, this meeting was--"

Koshino shook his head wearily, and said, "It's okay, Sendoh. Please come in and make yourself comfortable."

The taller man grinned triumphantly at Maki, and settled himself onto one of Koshino's plush couches. Maki just gritted his teeth as he watched the spiky-haired man swagger into the living room. He gazed searchingly at his lover, then asked dubiously, "What is the meaning of this?"

Koshino smiled weakly at him. "I'll explain in the bedroom."

±

"So, you're leaving then."

"Hai," Koshino replied, as he efficiently packed his five-day luggage. "It can't be helped. I'm really sorry, Shinichi. I'll make it up to you next week."

"Well... okay," Maki relented, but still sounding a bit troubled. "You know that I understand the demands of your job, Hiroaki. I guess I'll just take care of the paperwork and the legalities concerning the sale of some of my properties this week."

Koshino nodded. "I hope you won't have too much trouble with them, Shinichi." He closed his luggage with a resounding click, then hefted it off his bed. "I'm all set. I'm really sorry I can't be with you--"

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* "Hiro-kuuun!!!" came the muffled shout from the other side of the door. "I packed some of the omelet that Maki cooked for breakfast! We have to go now or the plane will leave us!"

"That baka," Maki spat out, his usually warm brown eyes narrowed into menacing slits. "He dared to touch my cooking! And why does he keep calling you 'Hiro-kun'? He thinks he's so cute or something," he grumbled.

Koshino only chuckled, trying to soothe his lover. "Shinichi, don't mind him. He's just doing his job--"

"I still can't forget that you've been spending a lot of time with him for the past month, Hiroaki," Maki reasoned. "I'm sorry, but I just don't trust that guy."

As you have every right to distrust him...and me.

The niggling thought almost drove him into confessing everything to Maki--his guilty feelings, his errant thoughts, and his traitorous wishes, but he bit down the urge, the stinging nip of his conscience. He looked up at his lover, and said encouragingly, "Don't worry too much, Shinichi. I'll be back here before you know it."

Maki took his luggage from his hand, and carefully put it down the floor. Stepping closer to Koshino, he laced his left arm around his lover's waist, then raised his right hand to gently stroke his lover's face. "I guess I'll have to take your word for that, Hiroaki. I'll be waiting."

Koshino smiled up at him, his face leaning towards his lover's palm. "It's just a week, Shinichi, and we've been apart for longer periods. I'm sure we'll survive. Besides, what could possibly happen in just a week?"

As if the person behind the door had an inkling of what was happening between the two...

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* "Hiro-kuuunn!!!!! How could you make out at a time like this! Maki, let him go! Uncle Akira will skin my ass if--"

"Okay, okay!" Maki roared, furious. "Just give us a second, you bastard! And shut up!"

"Who'd you call bastard! You stunted oaf!"

"Why you--!" Maki growled, roughly setting Koshino aside to charge at the offending invader at the other side of the door. The porcupine-head had gone too far!

Koshino wobbled from the unintended amount of force that Maki applied on him, aghast that his lover had snapped from his anger. I've always known Shinichi to be in total control of his emotions, especially his anger. I've never seen him so...so enraged since his last major dispute with his father...

"Shinichi!" he half screamed, half pleaded. He ran towards his lover and threw his arms around him. "Just please don't mind him... Please... Sshhh... Shinichi, please don't be angry anymore..."

"If he wants to punch me then let him, Hiro-kun!"

"Shut up, Sendoh!" he shouted.

The other side of the door fell silent.

Their breaths came out in heavy gasps, with Maki trying to rein in his anger, and Koshino trying to tame the emotion that he had never felt before in his lover's presence. He could not give it a name just yet, but he knew it wasn't good.

"Hiro-chan..." Maki whispered almost inaudibly. "Hiro-chan, gomen. I didn't mean to lose control like that, especially over such a trivial matter."

Koshino nodded in response. His brown eyes were wide, peering into Maki's eyes. "I know. Please don't let Sendoh get to you, Shinichi. He's naturally like that. He tries to constantly annoy people until they snap--it's like he's born for that, you know?"

Maki nodded back, then bestowed hungry, passionate kisses all over Koshino's face and neck. This made his lover moan appreciatively, especially when he nudged him against the door.

"Mmm..." Koshino moaned. "Shin...Shinichi we don't have time for this--unnh!"

His sharp gasp at Maki's fevered hand in his pants, stroking his arousal, was the signal that Maki needed. Maki quickly pulled away, and methodically straightened his lover's clothing.

Koshino was still in a daze. Wha...what the...?

It was Maki's teasing smile that pierced through the fog over his brain. "That's my going away gift for you, Hiro-chan. Come back as fast as you can, okay?"

He really wanted to throw Maki onto his still rumpled bed and have his way with him, or getting fucked hard against the door was also a good idea. For a second he contemplated on it, but--

"Hey, you guys..." Sendoh's quite uncertain voice resounded through the wooden door. "Whatever you two're doing...stop already 'coz it doesn't sound too nice from here..."

Koshino sighed inwardly, and glared balefully at Maki. "You sadistic bastard. You're going to pay dearly for that, Maki Shinichi."

His lover only grinned. "I'm looking forward to that, Koshino Hiroaki."

±

Sendoh leaned against the door as he waited for Koshino to come out. He couldn't bear the thought of his Hiro-kun alone in a room--in a bedroom, no less!--with Maki, so he just busied himself with eating his share of the packed breakfast that he prepared a few minutes earlier.

Hmm...these are quite good! Didn't think that guy could cook... ...What's taking Hiro-kun so long? And what are those thumps that I hear?

He pressed his ear against the wooden door, trying to catch any sound from inside. He heard moans, and then it was as if the door smacked his cheek as something thumped against it from the other side.

Ow! This is not good. What is going on in there...?

He heard a sharp gasp, then Maki's cheerful voice saying, "That's my going away gift for you, Hiro-chan. Come back as fast as you can, okay?"

Sendoh's veins filled with rage and jealousy as an army of negative thoughts swarmed inside his brain. What did he do to Hiro-kun?! Is he molesting him or something?!

"Hey, you guys..." he called out again, worried, yet determined. "Whatever you two're doing...stop already 'coz it doesn't sound too nice from here..."

"You sadistic bastard. You're going to pay dearly for that, Maki Shinichi."

"I'm looking forward to that, Koshino Hiroaki."

Sendoh hated the pompous, overconfident tone of Maki's voice. It was not in his nature to hate people, especially people whom he was not well-acquainted to. If it were under normal circumstances, he would have been very tolerating of Maki Shinichi, to say the least. But the man was Koshino's boyfriend--Which, of course, wouldn't be for long. I'm making sure of that. After this trip, Hiro-kun will be mine.

He quickly stepped away from the door as he heard footsteps, then something being picked up, then more footsteps.

The door opened, revealing a slightly frowning Koshino. "Let's go, Sendoh."

Hm. Whatever Maki did to him, it couldn't be good. "I thought we'd never leave."

±

Koshino shifted his reading glasses on the bridge of his nose, and sighed inwardly.

He could not concentrate on the documents that Jin had sent him through Sendoh. The picture of Maki enraged as he was that morning always invaded his thoughts. And what he felt then...

For a while there I was...I was scared of him. I was thoroughly afraid. I guess I'm not used to seeing him like that. His anger, though... He shuddered as he remembered the look in his Shinichi's eyes. It was as if he was ready to seriously rip Sendoh apart. I couldn't...I mean, I've never seen him like that, to think that I've always regarded him as always in control of everything.

"More coffee, Hiro-kun?"

He shifted his reading glasses to rest just above his forehead to rub his eyes. "Hai, please."

Sendoh carefully set down another Styrofoam cup filled with scalding hot coffee onto his pull-out table. "You should really take it easy, Hiro-kun. The meeting hasn't even started but you're already stressed out. It's a beautiful morning, you know, so ease up!"

Koshino automatically shook his head, and put back his spectacles. "I'm well-acquainted with my top managers, as well as a few of my middle managers in my Hong Kong office. I have a considerable knowledge of their skills and capabilities. They wouldn't request an emergency meeting with me--and a weeklong meeting at that--if it's not a life or death situation. I have no time to 'take it easy', as you put it, Sendoh. We don't have the privilege to do that right now, with the problem at hand..." He blinked, unaware of Sendoh's uneasy laughter in the background.

It was only then that he realized the fact. If it's such an emergency, it would've been more to everyone's advantage if Sendoh was left behind. He's not needed in this meeting, since he doesn't know a thing about the company's branches outside Japan... If I'm alone, then there's less distraction. And if he's left behind, Otousan or Uncle Hiroaki could teach him while I'm gone...

It was then that Koshino turned to regard Sendoh with a piercing stare.

The other man just kept grinning, the corners of his mouth looking a bit strained.

"Who sent you?"

"Uncle Akira told me to go with you," Sendoh replied smoothly, grin still in place. "He said that he and 'tou-chan will take over while we're gone. He said that even though this is still out of my league, I should have first-hand experience, and that you're the best man to learn from."

Koshino's jaw dropped at Sendoh's words. "Hontou? Otousan said that about me?"

The blue-eyed man just kept on smiling. Actually, it was me who told Uncle Akira that... And I had to grovel to let me go with Hiro-kun...not exactly grovel, but close. I almost thought that the puppy dog look wouldn't work on Uncle Akira anymore, but I'm sure glad that I haven't lost my touch.

"Sou ka," he breathed. My father said that? ...Wow. He's never complimented me...

±

Koshino Akira sipped his tea and browsed through that morning's paper. Business was good, even amidst all the failing businesses and bad debts raining throughout Japan. He had to admit, his son was good. There was no denying it.

But he would not admit it out loud, especially in front of his son. No, he just would not.

"Koshino-sama?" It was Jameson.

"Hai?"

"Sendoh-sama is here to see you."

He nodded. His best friend's morning visits were always nice. "Lead him in, and tell one of the maids to bring more food."

"Certainly, Koshino-sama."

He folded the newspaper neatly and set it aside. He wondered what his best friend had for him this time.

"Oi, Aki."

"Oi, Aki," he greeted back.

"Heh." The other old man seated himself beside him, and placed the new issues of Time, Newsweek, Asiaweek, and Wall Street Journal Asia beside his teacup. "Bet you didn't know about that."

He blinked weathered brown eyes at his best friend, who was grinning at him cheerfully. He frowned. "What's this?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?"

He scowled even further. "You're not playing games with me, are you, Sendoh Hiroaki?"

The older Sendoh sighed exasperatedly at his best friend. "Must you be doubtful of me, Akira? Come on. I'm your best friend Hiro-kun."

He snorted. "Hiro-kun. Bah. You're old!"

The other one snorted back. "You, too!"

He shook his head, and adjusted his spectacles. He took hold of the magazines, and his eyebrows raised.

Each one of them had his son's face on the front cover.

He blinked a couple of times, trying to get rid of the sudden blurring of his vision.

The older Sendoh gazed solemnly at his best friend, whose eyes were brimming with tears. "Akira, don't be ashamed of those tears, ne? I'm very proud of him, too. It seems you've raised him well, even without the aid of Mayu-chan."

At the mention of his deceased wife's name, he quickly took off his spectacles and grabbed the nearest linen table napkin within reach. He covered his eyes with it, and bowed his head.

"But you know," his best friend continued, "I don't think he knows, Akira. He might have graduated at the top of his class in Kyoto University. He might have earned stellar distinctions in Oxford. He might be one of the top 30 businessmen on the whole of earth, but I don't think he ever really aimed for those exact recognitions--"

"I know where you're going, Hiroaki," his tone was composed.

Sendoh Hiroaki frowned at his best friend. "Then what are you going to do about it? Twenty-five years, Akira. You're not getting any younger, and I have yet to hear you tell your son that you're proud of him, or that you appreciate his efforts, at least."

Koshino Akira quickly dabbed the moisture from his eyes, pretending to be preoccupied. "It wouldn't matter to him, whatever I say. He hates me, Hiroaki."

"And whose fault is that?" his best friend chided gently. "You never had any difficulty expressing how proud you are about my son's ventures, but you can't even say a word to your own son, to think that he's actually your blood relative."

The older Koshino set aside the linen napkin, and placed his hands on his lap, his gaze pinned on them. "That's because your son is not my son. It's easier. As for my son...we've grown apart ever since Mayu died. I know it was very stupid of me, but I couldn't stop blaming him for Mayu's death. He...I couldn't bear to look at him, Hiroaki. I wasn't ready to raise a child, but Mayu wanted one so badly. I..."

The older Sendoh harshly released his breath. "But it's been 20 years! I've been having this discussion with you for the longest time--haven't you gotten over that?!"

"But it's hard!" The older Koshino nearly shouted at his friend, his eyes never leaving his hands. "Every time I try, I couldn't breathe. I freeze until I feel like I'm dying, Hiroaki! And then I end up pushing him farther away!"

The older Sendoh breathed deeply, then let out a heavy sigh. "I heard you allowed Akira to go with Hiro?" he asked, changing the subject.

The older Koshino nodded. "Yes. He pestered me so much about it--"

"Haven't you noticed yet, Aki?" His tone was light, willing to brush aside their previous argument. Besides, he thought to himself, I'm sure that Akira will be giving this matter a lot of thought more than ever. Considering the present situation, I'm sure he's afraid of losing his own son to Maki Shinichi, if our suspicion proves accurate.

The older Koshino raised an eyebrow, his earlier anguish leaving his features, only lingering behind the faded color of his eyes. "What should I notice, Aki?"

The older Sendoh looked at his best friend dubiously. "You mean, you really haven't noticed yet?"

"Noticed what?"

A scowl settled over the older Sendoh's features. Was his best friend trying to be funny? "My son more than adores your son, Akira."

"Oh. That."

"So...you knew?"

The older Koshino huffed irately, but there was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Baka. Why would I let your son go with Hiroaki if I didn't know?"

"Ah..."

±

The two young executives arrived at KS International in Hong Kong just in time for lunch. They were advised by the receptionist to wait at the lobby, while the top managers went down to acquaint themselves during lunch.

"Stop fidgeting, Sendoh," Koshino admonished his Vice President. "They're really nice people, and very good at their work."

Sendoh scratched the back of his neck. He looked quite uncomfortable. It was the first time that he would be meeting other prominent members of their human resource, and it seemed to him that his Hiro-kun was also friends with these people. Well, so long as they keep their hands away from his Hiro-kun, he was happy. "Okay."

Not several minutes passed when three men, obviously well-bred and the higher-ups of the company, came out of the elevator and made their way toward them. Koshino brightened at the sight of them--which did not escape Sendoh--but held himself as composed as ever.

"NYAHAHAHA! Oi Kosh! Good to see you!"

Koshino was suddenly caught in a very tight bear-hug, and found himself being twirled around in the air like a shoujo manga heroine. This did not make Sendoh happy.

"Hanamichi, put me down!" Koshino growled at the red-haired man.

"You better let Koshino go, Hanamichi," Fujima admonished one of his junior vice presidents, his blue eyes holding a hint of mirth. "People are starting to stare."

"They are staring only because they are completely awed by the presence of the Tensai! NYAHAHAHA!"

"Oi. Spare us, Hanamichi," a man with cropped dark hair drawled sardonically. "I'm starving."

"Mitchy, Mitchy..." The redhead shook his head at Mitsui Hisashi. "You're a bottomless pit, you know that?"

Said bottomless pit snorted. "The pot calling the kettle black."

"Could somebody put me down already?" Koshino said unsmilingly.

"Oh. Heheh." Sakuragi grinned at the man in his arms, then put him on his feet. "Sorry 'bout that, Kosh."

It seemed to Sendoh that it was only then that he was noticed by everyone when Mitsui raised an appraising eyebrow at him. He felt a bit miffed by the gesture, especially by the mocking air that the man possessed, but he stifled the urge to stare the man down. He didn't want to cause trouble for his Hiro-kun.

Fujima acknowledged him by nodding towards his direction. "You must be Koshino's VP, I presume?"

Koshino winced at his momentary lack of manners. "Oh, I apologize. Everyone, this is Sendoh Akira, assistant CEO and vice president of KS International, main office. Sendoh," he gestured to the man with blue eyes and light brown hair, "This is Fujima Kenji, president of KS International, Hong Kong office. The man on his right is Mitsui Hisashi, senior vice president, while the man on his left is Sakuragi Hanamichi, junior vice president."

"--and world-renowned Tensai. That's me." Sakuragi declared with a raucous grin.

Koshino looked at him with a blank expression. "I'm going to let that pass, Hanamichi."

The group exchanged their pleasantries, then went out for lunch.

±

To Sendoh's dismay, there was just no time for him to flirt and really talk to Koshino about the situation with Rukawa. When the other man was in the office, he was all business and very serious that it really made him hesitate in talking about subjects not related to work. And when they were both in their suite at the Ritz Carlton, he couldn't bring himself to talk or flirt with Koshino because they were both tired. Seeing his Hiro-kun looking more beat up than he was, he just didn't have the heart to disturb him. It was already their third day in Hong Kong, but he still wasn't able to squeeze a word in about that errant--and totally unwanted--kiss. Not only that, but he noticed some strange undercurrent between the senior vice president, Mitsui Hisashi, and Koshino. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought that the two had a past.

Which is not possible, because there wasn't any mention of a Mitsui Hisashi in between Hiro-kun and Maki's break-ups.

But it still made him wonder.

±

That night, Koshino unlocked the door to their suite and trudged on ahead without turning on the lights. He was quite tired, but he had to admit that it was fun to work with his friends again. Though Hanamichi was a bit unbearable at times, he didn't really mind as much as he let on. In fact, he enjoyed Hanamichi's attitude towards their work. He wouldn't admit that to anyone, of course, but deep inside he wished that he could be a bit like Hanamichi somehow. Just a little bit.

Then there was Mitsui Hisashi.

Koshino sighed as he draped himself over his couch. He closed his eyes, picturing the older man in his mind. That affair was short-lived, and he will always have a special place in his heart for Hisashi, but from the vibes that he'd been getting for the past few days, it seemed to him that the other man still hadn't moved on from the whole thing. I think he and I should talk about it some more. I can't just leave him going on like this...

The unexpected glare of lights against his closed eyelids made him snap his eyes wide open.

"Oh, sorry. Did I startle you, Hiro-kun?" It was Sendoh.

Then there was Sendoh Akira, first class pain in the neck, of course. He sighed. "It's okay," he murmured. Well, he's stopped being a pain in the neck during our stay here. He's actually been quite helpful during the meetings, and very amiable towards the rest of the guys. Maybe I should make him into something like my international ambassador or representative...

"...Hiro-kun? Can we talk?" came Sendoh's hesitant voice, coming from the sofa on his right. "I really need to talk to you about something."

Koshino inwardly rolled his eyes heavenward. I knew it was just too good to last so long. I've been trying to put off *that thing*, but I guess this is as good a time as any. "Okay. What about?"

"About Rukawa..."

Both men winced at the name. Before Koshino could protest, Sendoh already went ahead. "It's been over for more than a year now."

Koshino stared at Sendoh for a couple of seconds, then snorted. "It didn't seem like it that day."

There was disbelief in his words, but there was a hint of grudging hesitation in that disbelief. Sendoh sensed this, and plowed on. "I had no idea he was back in Japan. We already parted ways more than a year ago, and there hadn't been anything official between us for three years already. We agreed to stay friends, at least. I thought that was it, until he came to the office--"

"Did your definition of being friends include playing ping pong with each other's tonsils?" Koshino asked dryly. Well...come to think of it, I didn't really see what Sendoh was doing. But just from the gasping sounds the kiss seemed really...uh, passionate.

Sendoh's face flushed at Koshino's description. How could Hiro-kun say such things! It didn't look that way to him, did it?! "I didn't kiss him!"

"Well, what happened back there?" Koshino nearly hissed. "You two certainly weren't just having tea and talking about old times, like friends do."

"Hiro-kun..."

Koshino was scowling at him. "What?"

"He kissed me, not the other way around."

"..." Koshino lowered his gaze.

"Please believe me, Hiro-kun. I'd never thought of hurting you that way."

"Don't be so full of yourself, Sendoh," Koshino muttered, his gaze lowered still. "What gave you the idea that I was hurt by that--by that--"

"That is what gave me the idea, Hiro-kun."

Koshino promptly kept quiet, wishing that he could just shrink and escape the embarrassing situation that he just wedged himself into. If I only kept my mouth shut...

Sendoh sighed, and leaned back into the sofa. "The past few weeks, I...I was happy with you. I've never been happier, alone or with anyone else. I thought...I thought you were happy with me, too."

"I was."

Sendoh's heart leaped at the admission. He could feel it, could almost see himself with his Hiro-kun--

"But it's too late now. Shinichi and I...we're getting married."

Finished 15 January 2004