Chapter 02: Racquet

He didn't notice the club you signed up for was the club he managed: the tennis club. And he didn't know about it until the following week after the office incident. The day when he arrived late to practice because he was discussing to a teacher about a project, and he noticed you standing in the middle of the change room, all by yourself.

It took Shiraishi a few moments to snap out of his thoughts and finally turn his attention to you. He wondered what you were doing here in the locker room, but he figured you were lost and just happened to come to the change room. But that was too much of a coincidence, so he shook that option out from his mind. Then again, Osamu did mention something about a surprise at practice today. Could this be it?

Damn that Osamu-chan[1]... Anyway, might as well as start a conversation...

"(Last Name)-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Oh! Shiraishi-san... Well... I'm in the tennis club now, but you see... your coach... He suddenly announced I was in the club today, and I didn't have time to buy a racquet yet..." You stifled out a laugh, feeling uncomfortable and a little silly. After all, you walked into the locker room with absolutely no tennis gear, earning yourself a few looks from the members, and you didn't dare ask them to lend you a racquet; you barely knew them.

You ran your fingers through your hair, looking quite frustrated and confused at the same time— maybe even a little embarrassed. "...Maybe I should just go home..."

Silence took over the room until a chuckle escaped Shiraishi's lips as he approached you. He reached into his tennis bag and handed a racquet to you, "Here. You can borrow it until you have time to buy your own. I always have a few spares in my bag in case of an accident, or in this case, if someone needs it." He turned around, changing into his tennis uniform as you held the racquet tightly in your grasp.

"U- Um... thank you..." You mumbled, your eyes staring towards the ground.

"Ah, you're welcome." Shiraishi finished slipping on his jersey, and gestured you to leave the room with him, "Now come on. Practice started a while ago."

"But weren't you late as well, Shiraishi-san?"

Shiraishi smirked down at you, as he poked you on the side of your head, making you yelp in surprise, "Props for being the captain."

You stood by the doorway, pouting at the individual beside you, "You're taking advantage of your title as captain, Shiraishi-san."

Shiraishi's response was a laugh, as he patted you on the head.

FOOT NOTES;

[1] = To be honest, I can't quite remember if they call Osamu "Osamu-chan" or not, but I remember reading it somewhere so I put it like this. Correct me if I'm wrong.