b So this is kind of a side story to u What Money Doesn't Buy /u , from Hiyoshi's point of view. A series of drabbles that form a partial side story line (does that make sense?) First person point of view. /b

-----

u Chapter One /u

I hadn't thought about anything but tennis in awhile. It was a breath of fresh air to talk about something else.

Martial arts.

Girls aren't supposed to know how to fight. Girls aren't' supposed to b like /b it. But she did.

Odd.

Maybe it was this simple hobby which linked us that made me silently take her side when she fought with Atobe-Buchou.

Maybe.

u Chapter Two /u

She was new- she simply hadn't known. He treated her like she had no excuse. The bastard.

So she was my senpai. Was I supposed to care? I didn't either way.

The looks on their faces almost made me laugh. Almost.

Hiyoshi Wakashi had made a friend? Impossible!

Ingrates.

u Chapter Three /u

Cute? Is that what she called me? I blushed all the same. Does that mean I want her to keep saying these things?

I accepted her invitation all the same as well.

"So then it's a date!" She says.

The color of my face rivals that of my hair.

-----

It's perfectly logical- who else would I turn to for help?

But she can't. She seems sad. I consider doing something nice for her. She's a girl. Girls like . . . What do girls like? Scratch that idea.

She leaves with Atobe-Buchou.

Why does my stomach hurt?

u Chapter Four /u

She was gone for awhile. Five days seemed like a long time. But she's back to her old self and we go to her school. But first . . .

Why is Atobe in her mansion? What does he mean when he says "Ore-sama lives here"?

She drags me out of the house and I'm still confused. I ask her about it.

She's in denial. I can practically taste it. I let her know I care . . . Subtly of course.

She smile and calls me sweet. Her facial expression proves contagious.

-----

She captivates me for four hours. It feels like four minutes.

It's awkward on the way to the metro.

"Um, I don't like you in that way." Am I lying? I'm not sure.

She calls me her older brother and falls asleep on me as we ride the metro.

Why does my head feel ten pounds lighter?

u Chapter Six /u

It's the last week of school. She leaves Hyotei soon. I remind her of the graduation ball.

She asks me out to it. I scare myself when I tell her I want to go. The senior-only safety net was too close of a call. I suggest Oshitari to her.

At least she'll be away from Atobe-Buchou.

u Chapter Seven /u

He loves her. I keep telling myself 'I knew it' as she repeatedly kicks the bag. Her reaction to his confession pleases me, but I'll never let her know that.

I tell her I love her. God I'm stupid.

She says the words back.

But we aren't in love with one another. I repeat that to myself all the way to the coffee shop.

She comes home with me. When she leaves, my parents exchange smiles and Watake laughs.

"Wakashi's got a girlfriend . . ."

I resist the urge to flying side kick him into oblivion.