Rewritten version of chapter two. Chapter three is coming up.
Of Snakes and Shrooms 02
Hiyoshi sighed as he stood watching the current Hyoutei regulars have practice matches. He was still thinking about what had happened a few days before. He'd been clearly rejected, but he didn't know if he should try again or give up altogether. What he really needed was some advice on the subject. He bit his lip as he thought about who to ask. He scratched off all of his former senpai. All of them would most likely be too nosy and Oshitari would probably go all sappy and romantic. He made a face at the thought. Maybe he could ask Ohtori.
There was the sound of a small laugh behind him and he turned and looked up to see Ohtori behind him.
Ohtori smiled at him. "Well someone's certainly in deep thought." He brought a hand to Hiyoshi's shoulder. "What are you thinking about so hard?"
No, he was not going to talk to Ohtori about this. He didn't care if the other was his best friend. "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Ohtori leaned into his personal bubble of space. "You don't don't seem like you're fine."
He leaned away.. "I'm just thinking. That's all."
"Wakashi..." Ohtori only said his given name when he wanted something. The taller boy leaned closer not seeming to care that the rest of the tennis club might be watching and taking advantage of the fact that Sakaki was nowhere to be seen. "It's not nothing. Nothing doesn't make you zone out in the middle of tennis practice."
Hiyoshi took a few steps back. Ohtori was giving him a look that said 'I'm your best friend. I know you better than anyone.'
He frowned. "Fine..." He sighed. A few days ago I might have done something that I now regret."
Ohtori leaned back. "Hm... You mean a few days ago when you ditched me to go watch tennis matches?" He tilted his head. "Seigaku's tennis matches?"
Hiyoshi blinked. "How?"
Ohtori smiled. "I might have followed you for a bit. So tell me. What's so great about Seigaku's matches? And, what this thing you did that you might regret?"
Hiyoshi sighed. He might as well go ahead and tell him. "I like someone. I confessed my feelings for him and he didn't exactly take it well." He explained. He trusted Ohtori not to telly anyone. "I was rejected."
Ohtori was silent for a moment. "Well... that really sucks..." He scratched the back of his head.
Hiyoshi nodded. "He... called me a stalker..." He frowned.
"Were you stalking him?"
Hiyoshi sent a small glare in Ohtori's direction. "Of course not. I only watched his matches. That all. Afterward, I only followed him so I could talk to him." He stuck his hands into his pockets.
"Ah... I see..." Ohtori took a moment to watch the practice matches. "So who is it?"
"...Do I have to tell you that?"
Ohtori nodded. "I might be able to help you." The taller boy gave him a puppy-eyed look.
"That's so not fair." He closed his eyes. Ohtori was supposed to be the good one.
Ohtori smiled. "Of course it is. So..." He tilted his head to the side. "Are you going to tell me?"
Hiyoshi sighed. "Fine...It's Kaidoh Kaoru."
"Really!"
"Yes really..." Hiyoshi's face went a slight shade of pink.
Ohtori thought for a moment. "I think you two would make a nice couple." He let out a small laugh. "You're both stubborn anyway."
"Weren't you listening to what I said earlier?" Hiyoshi frowned. He thought Ohtori disliked talking about thing like this. "He rejected me."
"And you're just going to stop and not even try again?" Ohtori crossed his arms. "Give him some time."
"Time?"
"Mmhm." Choutarou nodded. "Maybe you just caught him on a bad day or something..."
Hiyoshi thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Thank you Ohtori. I hope you're right."
The taller boy smiled. "Good luck."