Chapter Eleven: It's Time To Step In

Once everything concerning that day had calmed, it seemed everything was back to normal. That included, of course, Shunsuke worrying about his unrequited feelings for the captain of the tennis club. He'd noticed that Yukihiko hadn't gone after any more unsuspecting boys, which was really quite a shock. What's stopping him? I'm sure there's someone else he'd like to call his Honey... Because of this, he decided to keep a close eye on him. He knew he couldn't get caught because Yukihiko considered him to be a friend, so all he had to do was hang out with him.

So, that's what Shunsuke did. He stayed by Yukihiko's side for a week, even sitting and watching tennis practise when he would've been making deliveries around the campus grounds. He noticed his game was a bit off, and it was noted by the Ozawa twins.

"Naruse-buchou's serve doesn't use as much power these days," Wataru said to his brother.

Kakeru nodded solemnly in agreement. "No, it doesn't. Is something holding him back?"

"I can't think of what would. Well, except for that." They'd heard from Yukihiko about what had happened to Keita. While they did consider him to be a friend, they still weren't very close to him, so that was why Tracey hadn't told them.

"Oh yes. Maybe that's what's bothering him these days."

"No, it can't be. He's been like this for a while now."

"You're right! It's from when that guy told him to stop calling him his Honey."

"Maybe we should have a word with him, Kakeru."

"Yes, we should have a word with him, Wataru."

Yukihiko saw the twins talking to each other. "Oi, practise isn't over yet, boys! Keep going!"

With a vow to ask Tracey what was wrong with Yukihiko, the twins turned back to Yukihiko, ready for practise to continue.

Shunsuke was also wondering what had caused Yukihiko's game to go off.

"Where is he, Wataru?"

"He'll be with Keita, Kakeru."

"So, we just need to find Keita?"

"Yes, and then we'll find Tracey."

Kakeru spotted the Watcher sitting alone, which was a surprise since he was always with Keita and Kazuki. "Found him!" He took his brother by the wrist and dragged him over there. "Hey, you!"

Tracey looked up as he heard Kakeru's voice. He saw the twins approaching him. "I know you, you're Kakeru and Wataru, right?"

"Yes, but we're not here to talk about that."

Wataru looked as angry as his brother. "What did you say to Naruse-buchou?"

Tracey blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Ever since he stopped calling you his Honey, his game has been off! He's been thinking about something else instead! What did you do to him?" Kakeru demanded.

"I only said to him that there is someone who does desire to be called his Honey, but I couldn't tell him who it was. I think he's just deep in thought about that."

"Deep in thought?" The twins asked in unison.

"Why would he have to think so hard about that?" Wataru added.

"Because this person really loves Yukihiko, and it could be that he has some feelings for him too. But, he needs to figure out who it is to avoid hurting that person."

"Why don't you just tell him? It's bothering him enough to make him sloppy, and he's a tennis champion!" Kakeru yelled.

"Hey! Stop yelling at Tracey!" Keita called as he and Kazuki came running over, Keita being mindful not to trip as it could hurt his arm even worse.

"It's Keita!" the twins exclaimed.

Keita arrived at the scene. "Why are you yelling at Tracey? What has he done to upset you?"

"He said something to Naruse-buchou!" Kakeru replied.

"And it's bothering him so much it's throwing him off his game!" Wataru added.

Kazuki nodded as he understood what the twins were talking about. "He's still thinking about his true Honey, isn't he?"

"Too much. He's distracted and his playing is terrible and it's all Tracey's fault!"

"Don't blame Tracey for anything. He just did what would be best."

"How would it be best?"

"I noticed how upset it made that person when he still hadn't been called Yukihiko's Honey, and he was the only one who held feelings for him. I wanted to help him realise that someone does love him," Tracey explained.

"Like I said, you should've just told him instead," Kakeru sighed. "Who is it?"

"Telling you would result in you telling Yukihiko, which would not result in a positive way for him, nor that person."

"We know who it is, but we don't want to interfere," Keita stated. He turned to Kazuki. "Though, it looks like things are getting out of hand. We might need to do something after all."

Kazuki nodded. "Agreed. We still won't tell him, but we can help steer him in the right direction."

"And in no time, he will be back up to speed once he's finally realised who it is," Tracey added. He turned to the twins. "We'll handle this. In the meantime, try to encourage him a bit."

"Encourage him?" the twins spoke in unison again.

"Sure! You're doubles champs, right? If you pick up your game, Naruse-san will want to play more intensely. He's got a competitive drive to him."

The twins exchanged looks. "That's true..."

"Then, that is what we'll do!" Wataru exclaimed.

"Let's find him and challenge him to a match!" Kakeru suggested.

"Didn't practise just end? We do want you to help encourage his game to improve again, but not wear him out. We'll go and talk to him and that person now, and later, you can challenge him," Kazuki stated.

"Okay!" The twins ran off, discussing their strategy.

Keita sat beside Tracey. "Are you alright?"

Tracey nodded. "I'm fine. I can tell they're just worried about Yukihiko."

"I'm glad. You know, they used to give me a hard time. But, eventually they'd cut it out, and even decided to call me one of their friends. We don't hang out often, but we do get along."

"We're sorry we're late," Kazuki added as he sat down beside Keita. "The rest of the club members were late in arriving, so we finished later."

"That's quite alright. So, how will we help Yukihiko realise his true Honey is Shunsuke?" Tracey pondered.

"We can't just use the cliche ways of matchmaking, it has to be direct yet not. Telling Yukihiko exactly who it is, that's out of the question. But, we can give hints."

"Like what?" Keita queried.

"That someone is by your side a lot, he considers you to be a good friend. That will help narrow it down."

"He's cheerful, energetic and has a contagious smile."

"Exactly!"

Tracey thought hard about another hint that could be dropped. "He's very helpful, he'll go out of his way to assist someone."

"That's true concerning his deliveries."

"Okay, so we know what hints to drop, but what else?"

"We might need to give Shunsuke that nudge too," Keita suggested. "We might have to tell him that he should confess his feelings to Naruse-san."

Kazuki nodded. "That sounds necessary too."

"Alright, then! Let's get this plan underway!"

"Yeah!" Kazuki and Tracey cheered in agreement.

Keita/Tracey: HAMU-HAMU HEAVEN!

Chibified hamsters Tracey and Keita were still looking for what Tracey could use as his perfect sketch, and they found Kouji and Takuto who were still in their chibified-hamster forms. "Hello, Shinomiya-san, Iwai-san," Keita greeted.

"Hi, Takuto-hamu, Kouji-hamu," Tracey greeted.

"Itou-hamu, Tracey-hamu, how are you doing today-hamu?" Kouji asked.

"We're well-hamu," Keita replied.

"I see you're still on that search-hamu," Takuto noted.

Tracey nodded. "I still can't find what I'm looking for-hamu."

Takuto nodded. "If you don't mind, I know what you can sketch-hamu."

"Really-hamu?"

"Yes-hamu. But, I can't tell you just yet-hamu. You will have to find out soon-hamu."

"Oh-hamu..."

"But, I'm sure it won't take too long-hamu."

Tracey tapped that same blackboard with that same baton, question marks around him as he puzzled over what Takuto had in store. Keita was on the other side of the board, also appearing confused.

Kouji and Takuto popped up. "The decision has been made to help Naruse-hamu and Taki-hamu," Takuto stated.

"Will the plan work in the end-hamu?" Kouji added.

"Next time in Newest Student At BL Gakuen: Commence Operation True Honey."

"Keep an open mind as you continue this story-hamu."