An Old Love
Written by: delusional_lady
Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk.
A/N: :)
Chapter 3: A Series of Conversations
The next morning, Koshino woke up, feeling excited. He was going to see Sendoh again today. Not that he was excited about the prospect of seeing the handsome lad. He was more enthusiastic in the woods his tour guide was describing. Again, he left Hikoichi in the castle.
"Hey, are you ready for the woods?" Sendoh asked when Koshino found him waiting in the restaurant they had eaten in yesterday. "It's not tha dangerous." Koshino remarked, rolling his eyes. The spiky-haired lad shrugged his shoulders. "We'll see.. But we have to get the guns first. Don't want some crazed animal clawing our eyes out, do we?" Koshino paled a shade lighter. "W-What?"
"Just kidding!" Sendoh remarked, trying to avoid Koshino's fist.
"How come you know these woods so well?" Koshino asked as he followed Sendoh. They have been trekking around for at least an hour already. "I grew up playing here." He answered. There was a hint of sadness in the taller lad's voice but it was covered up with a chuckle. "Do you mind if I ask you something?" Sendoh asked. "You just did." Koshino answered, grinning.
"Well.. What brings you to this place? Don't you belong to the city or something?"
"How would you know I came from the city?"
"No one owns a cool car like yours around here. And the appliances you mentioned last time. It sounded like you ordered a lot. The people around here live a simple life. Electricity is okay but the villagers can't handle te new stuff very well."
"What about you? Do you like modernization?"
"Me? Hmm... I don't really use modern stuff.. But I guess it's okay. I mean, a little improvement won't do any harm.. By the way, you haven't answered my question. What brings you here? Are you here to see your girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend? I think I came here to get rid of her! Seriously, I came here to relax. This is the only property I haven't visited yet so I made up my mind to stay for a while."
"Oh, so you're not looking for anything... or anyone?"
"No. I'm just here to relax. There isn't any reason for me to go here actually."
"Oh..."
"But I love it here! It's wonderful, so unlike the city. I might come back again the next time!"
"Next time? So you're leaving?"
"Hai. Not soon anyway."
They walked around, silent with their thoughts. Koshino felt like he made Sendoh sad. But why would Sendoh get sad? They were friends and being apart from someone as great as him..
"Say, Sendoh! Would you like to have a glimpse of the city?" Koshino asked. Sendoh shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not really interested, seeing as you emphasized that it's better here that there. What do you do for a living anyway?"
"I'm a writer."
"You write romance novels?"
"Sometimes... Mystery is usually the essence of my work but romance gets in the way sometimes."
"Gets in the way? You make it sound like love is so bad."
"If you ever get the chance to meet my ex-girlfriend, you'll understand why I feel this way."
"I pray I won't ever, then."
Silence. And then the two men laughed.
"So what about it? Do you wanna come with me to the city? You did say you weren't opposed to modern technology. Maybe you'll even like it there."
"I don't think so, Koshino. I would much rather stay here. Besides, I can't ever leave this place."
"Why not?
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Just because."
They continued walking again. Suddenly, Sendoh stopped, making Koshino bump him. "There's a shrine here. Would you like to see that?" He asked. Koshino nodded his head. The shrine sounded like a good idea. "But why is a shrine built in the middle of the forest?" He asked, curious. Sendoh smiled sadly. "This place didn't used to be a forest. In fact, this whole place used to be part of a kingdom. Over the years, it transformed into a forest."
The shrine looked really old. Sendoh was about to enter it when Koshino grabbed his arm. "Wait! Don't you think it's a little too dangerous to enter the shrine? I mean, it's very very old right? The place could collapse any moment!" Sendoh smiled. "Oh, Koshino! You do care!!!" He exclaimed, reaching out to hug the lad.
"Oof! Sendoh!! Baka!! Let go of me!!" Koshino yelled, his face as red as a tomato. "Hehe. Fine, I won't enter the shrine. Hey, I'm getting hungry. Let's return to town and grab something to eat!" Sendoh suggested.
Time seemed to fly so fast when you're enjoying yourself. It was already evening and Sendoh advised Koshino to stay at the inn. "It's dangerous to drive around. You might get yourself in an accident." Koshino's ears perked up as he remembered the incident the day before. Sendoh was right. He'd better stay in town. The writer fished for his mobile phone and called Hikoichi up.
"Hai. I'll tell Ayako. Have fun Koshino-sempai and be careful." Hikoichi said.
"Everything's been arranged." Sendoh said as he played with the keys. "Let's go. Our room is #320." Koshino blushed. "Why is there only one room?" He asked. The spiky-haired lad grinned as he opened the door, only to show the two beds. "It's much cheaper. What were you thinking of Koshino?" He whispered.
Koshino shivered.
