(no subject)
Who: Dan Taichi, Minami Kentarou
Where: Walking around the grounds
When: March 22nd
What: Where in which Dan makes a very good tour guide.
Warning: ...None? 8D?
Dan was feeling almost giddy. It had been a long time since he'd seen his old captain, and he really was looking forward to catching up with him. Even if all the things he had to tell weren't quite that cheerful... Nevertheless, there was a smile on his face as he hurried out of the dorms.
He hoped Minami-buchou hadn't changed too much to recognize... though he doubted it. At least the picture in his icon looked familiar enough. And Dan was sure he himself would be easy to recognize; after all, he hadn't really changed that much since middle school. Well, except that he was almost Sengoku-senpai's height now. And wore glasses. And his hair was reddish purple right now. ...Okay, so maybe he had changed just a teeny bit.
Thankfully, though, his old buchou was indeed still the same Minami as always. Dan felt almost childish as he waved as soon as he saw the other, calling out, "Minami-buchou~ It's great to see you desu!" He hurried towards Minami, a smile on his face.
Minami turned as saw something odd. He'd been expecting the Dan he'd known back in middle school, the small one who wore Akutsu's banadana all the time. Not this tall, glases wearing kohai... his hair was a different colour too. Had it really been that long?
"D-dan-kun? You've... grown. Alot." Minami stared at him, more like gawked. He hadn't expected such a change, or maybe he'd just expected too much of his little kohai. At least he still acted like he used to, the wave gave him away.
"I should hope so desu~ If I hadn't, I'd find it quite unfair of Ryoma-kun to complain about being smaller than me." He smiled happily at Minami. "And, well, I will be in high school in just a few weeks..." It was kind of strange to think of that, really. He'd be in high school. To think he was now the same age his senpai had been when he'd first joined the team... they'd all seemed so old and big back then. He certainly didn't feel all that old and big, himself.
"Wow, already getting into high school?" Minami blinked, remembering his final year. It seemed so long ago now, when they were out trying to win that championship. It'd been definitely the most interesting time during his high school years. "So..." Minami felt awkward trying to bring it up, it was like he was trying to master a foreign language, "What's this about you almost being killed? You can't be serious."
"Time really does fly by, doesn't it?" Dan tilted his head to the side, smiling a bit. The smile faded away at Minami's question, but then, it was probably the best to get that out of the way first. "I'm afraid I'm very serious," he said. "...You mind if I show you the grounds while I tell you? It is kind of complicated desu..." Though he was quite sure he wouldn't be leading his senpai anywhere near the woods. Not going near the woods.
Minami frowned slightly when Dan's stopped smiling. He hadn't meant to be blunt but... he had to ask. Who would ever want to hurt Dan, the data man of Yamabuki? He turned slightly pale and motioned for Dan to lead, still in shock. An almost dead Dan. That image wasn't going to leave his mind very soon. "Lead the way."
Dan started walking ahead; towards the tennis courts, first of all. After all, that was the most important thing. "It's... a long story," he said, pondering on how to start. "As background, well... I told you I'm dating now, right?" He flashed Minami a smile that couldn't be entirely subdued by the not-so-pleasant subject. Thinking about Ryoma just was like that. "Well, the person I'm dating is... Echizen Ryoma-kun." He paused, suddenly realizing he had no data on how Minami might react to his dating another guy.
"I heard about that from Sengoku... is he less...?" Minami wasn't sure how to word it... 'arrogant'? He didn't really want to offend Dan by calling him arrogant. Ryoma he didn't mind offending, but if it meant he was also insult Dan it became... less alright. Dan seemed happy about him though, and the thought of him and the kid who introduced him properly into tennis didn't seem so bad. Even if Sengoku had warned him about the two of them breaking his brain. He still didn't understand that.
"Less annoying? Snarky? Irritating? Bitchy?" Dan grinned a bit and shrugged. "...Sometimes. But really, it's just cute... and hey, my first crush ever was Akutsu. Ryoma's a sweetheart compared with him." His grin turned into a faint smile. "Sadly... I wasn't the only one who thought so. There was a guy in his class who... really wanted Ryoma. And, well... he thought I was in the way." He shuddered at the thought of Waku. If he never met the guy again, that'd still be too soon.
"Anyone is a sweetheart when compared with Akutsu," Minami smiled, but faltered when Dan's faded, "... Are sure you're okay to talk about it?" He didn't want to push Dan, no matter how much time had past. Those kind of experiences didn't just go away.
Dan nodded slowly. "I'm sure... it's been a while, and I've talked about it with other people too. I figure it's the best way to keep the bastard from winning..." He glanced at Minami. "And another bit of background data... I'm afraid of water. Really, really afraid... to the point of phobia. I've been ever since I was three. I mean, not of glasses of water or showers or anything like that, but... any big bodies of water, or getting wet suddenly." He scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "I... can't really handle even big bathtubs... but anyway. That guy -- Waku -- wanted Ryoma for himself. Turns out he wasn't entirely right in the head... and he knew an equally twisted guy who used to date Seigaku's Fuji-san desu."
It... really wasn't easy, talking about it. But he refused to let it get the better of him. "We... were walking my dog in the woods, Fuji-san and I... when they... attacked us desu. The other man, he... hurt Fuji-san... and Waku dragged me away. There's..." He swallowed. "There's this small lake in the woods..."
Minami swallowed, he really didn't need Dan to say anymore. He wouldn't tell him to stop, he'd let him speak but... that didn't change the fact he was disturbed, "How did you... survive?" He chewed the inside of his mouth lightly. He didn't want to know, but he had to. Despite the images now burned into his head he needed to know what happened. Dan, helpless, in a lake, thrashing. It wasn't a very pretty image. He had even barely noticed they'd been heading towards the tennis courts.
"...I still don't know for sure just how I almost died," Dan said ruefully. "I mean, it's kind of obvious Waku's responsible, but... when I realized where he was taking me, I started fighting back... but when we got too close to the edge, I just... passed out. My dog, Pavlov... he went and got Ryoma and his brother. I don't know how long I was in the water, exactly... when Ryoma got there, he had to drag me out of the lake. Good thing his brother knew CPR..." He shuddered. "I... I've been told I was in coma for a few days... they weren't really sure if I would wake up, or if there'd been... brain damage." He forced himself to smile. "I'd like to think there was none, but then I could be just deluding myself desu~" He tilted his head to the side, looking at Minami. "I'd gotten injuries from my fight with Waku, too... put me off tennis for several weeks. But all in all... I survived. Physically, I'm all better now. Mentally... I'm getting there desu." His smile turned a bit more genuine, though slightly fainter, too. "And Waku's been caught and everything, so... please don't worry about me desu." He always felt so guilty when people were worried or feeling bad because of him.
"I'm glad you're better now," Minami looked him over, he didn't have any obvious signs of a fight still lingering and the thought of Dan fighting was still foreign enough that it didn't register, "And that Waku's gone. That you can play tennis. That Ryouma's brother can perform CPR." He was going to start to ramble, but he couldn't really help it. If the was anyone he'd have mother-hen syndrome over it was Dan, even if he was a lot more grown up than before.
Minami smiled slightly, "Adn you can't just tell me not to worry, I'm going to whether you like it or not."
"As am I." Dan smiled a bit. "I really was lucky... but as I said, I'm getting better." He gave Minami what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm actually getting regular therapy now, both for my phobia and for what happened... it's helping, however slowly. And Ryoma's really being the best boyfriend ever." His grin turned slightly embarrassed at that. "...And I'm really getting better at tennis, too! I even beat Sengoku-senpai, can you believe that? Fair and square desu! And I've copied a lot of new moves and collected new data, and I even have a new move of my very own, and I'm really working hard on getting better desu!"
He was about to say something, but couldn't even remember half of the sentence, "You beat Sengoku? You must have gotten really good. That or Sengoku's gotten lazy," The look on Minami's face said he believed the latter. Though... Dan had said he could even get games from Echizen Ryoma. It may not have just been Sengoku. "I'd ask for a match but I can't really play singles," Minami motioned to the air beside him which was devoid of Higashikata, "It'd be a bit odd, I think."
"A bit of both, I'd like to think." Dan grinned a bit sheepishly. "Apparently being beaten by a kouhai made him decide to get back in proper shape... though I've got to admit I've had some help. Atobe-san helped me with developing my own move, in exchange for me teaching him to cook. And I know you don't, or I'd be the one asking for a match." He chuckled. "I don't play doubles, myself... I did try, back in Yamabuki, but it just didn't work out. I can have a decent game, I'm not as disastrous as Ryoma, but I really prefer being on my own." He shook his head. "My focus... is a bit too much for doubles, really. It's just good if I don't see or hear the audience; if I don't notice my partner, it becomes a problem. And since I don't play even nearly as well without my focus... well desu."
"A hit to his pride, I guess," Minami grinned as well, "Wait, Atobe... Atobe Keigo? Why did he need to be taught how to cook? Doesn't he have maids to do that for him?" Dan was breaking down most images he had made of people very slowly. "Echizen really is... quite bad. It was hard to see him play doubles. At least he never did it half-way." Minami smiled, "I've always played doubles so... I guess if I tried playing singles it'd be slightly disastrous. I'd always go for balls that were out and leave balls for another person to hit."
"I figure it was..." Dan chuckled. "And yes, Atobe Keigo. Fromerly of Hyoutei. And he would have maids in his house, but I suppose his future husband isn't planning on them having servants, so he has to adjust." He grinned a bit. "You wouldn't believe how he's changed... I mean, he's still snobbish and egotistic and a bit rude at times, but he has piercings and a tattoo and he's even dying his hair! Oh, and he's engaged. To Higa's former captain of all people desu~" He laughed at the thought of Ryoma playing doubles. "Oh, he is disastrous in doubles all right... but then, that's why tennis is so great, isn't it? Both the singles players and the doubles players get to shine in their own areas of expertise desu~"
Minami tried to whistle but failed miserably so just smiled slightly, "So he's down grading? I didn't expect that. Him of all people you'd expect to flaunt their money to the grave." Minami frowned slightly, "So it's Higa's captain? Isn't he the violent one with the sign 'any means necessary tagged across his face?" Shrugging Minami continued, "Tennis is really has got something for everybody... unless you can't hit the ball. Then you may not be so good at it. Though Seigaku's-buchou managed to almost win a match without touching the ball that often, if I remember right."
"Oh, he still enjoys his money just as much as before... but he's apparently willing to let go of some of the more obvious aspects of it. It's really kind of sweet; he was all excited and proud about the engagement ring even though it's just a twisted piece of metal, even though he could easily afford anything he liked desu. And yes, that very captain of Higa... he's still just as violent as ever, but Atobe-san seems confident he's not in danger." He chuckled. "Yes, Tezuka-san really is quite amazing... but then, so are many people here." He grinned excitedly. "Atobe-san even played a match even though he couldn't see anything! He got this really bad wound on his forehead and the blood forced him to keep his eyes shut but he actually turned it into a new technique and played even better after it! He even managed to use his Koori no Sekai against the Tezuka Zone with that!" Though of course, technically it hadn't been the Tezuka Zone... but something else. And like Ryoma would certainly remind, it wasn't even the real deal... but still, it was quite impressive.
"He's sounds a lot different, does he still do the click thing?" Minami frowned, " I hope he's right though, violent people tend to continue to be though." Minami tried not thinking of Akutsu, he really did. It didn't help his only memories of Akutsu we him either him readying to hit someone or actually hitting someone. He forced his frown away for awe, "Atobe did that? Wow. He's really improved, there seems to not even be a limit to players like them. To be able to play with your eyes closed, it's very..." Minami couldn't put his finger on it but it was very intriguing, "I might have to try finding a doubles partner, it's not like I can just wait for Higashikata to just pop out of no where."
"All the time... and the ore-sama thing, too." Dan chuckled. "It's a good thing I have a high tolerance for smug and egotistic people... though they can get really annoying sometimes." After all, he was hardly a saint; at the very least, he didn't have the patience of one. "And it really is awesome~ Annoying, too, though. How am I supposed to get any data on them when they keep getting better and better?" He pouted briefly before smiling again. "I'm sure you can... Oishi-san was asking around for a doubles partner before Kikumaru-san showed up, and I think he had several volunteers. I'm sure you'll find someone who fits your playing style desu."
"If they didn't get any better there wouldn't be any challenge then, would there?" Minami laughed, "I hope so, it'd be a bit of a waste to come here and not be able to play tennis because i don't have a partner. Oishi is a lot more recognizable, people probably still remembered him from their old matches."
Minami looked around the tennis court, "It's really big, the ones at Yamabuki were so small in comparison."
"I'm sure you'll find someone. If nothing else, Sengoku-senpai and I will find someone." Dan grinned. "You may not be as memorable, but you're certainly just as good~ And at least in training, you will show everyone your doubles prowess. This is a tennis school, after all. Of course we're going to play tennis." He did have faith that it would be all right. After all, this was Minami-buchou. Minami-buchou was great at doubles. "Hyoutei's courts are even more impressive, though," Dan pointed out. Why, no, Seigaku had not been the only school he had spied on back in Tokyo. "And think positively~ There are plenty of great singles players here, but much less great doubles players. Sure, both Seigaku's and Hyoutei's Golden Pairs are here, and Rikkai's doubles pairs and everyone, but some of them are playing singles or not playing so seriously anymore and Marui-san's still recovering besides, so you have a better chance of standing out desu!"
Minami wondered briefly if he had to accommodate his tennis style to the other player. It'd be better if he did, he couldn't just expect the other person to adhere to his and Higashikata's tennis play. It's be unfair on the both of them, "I'll see about asking people, I don't really want to make a big deal out of it though." Minami shifted from foot to foot, thinking about the large grounds, "Well, Hyoutei was funded by Atobe after all and Atobe will only want the best." He smiled lopsidedly at Dan, "Marui is the apple gum blower from Rikkai right? How'd he manage to get hurt?"
"That's him," Dan admitted. "He... hurt a lot of people, I guess... I don't know all the details, but rumour is he... sexually harrassed some people." He chewed his lower lip. "Then, he... used a bet to make out with Atobe-san, and tried to molest him... and then Kite-san found out." He sighed. "Kite-san ended up being suspended for a few weeks... Marui-san was in hospital much longer than that." He shook his head. "It... really wasn't pretty..."
"By the way people act around here," Minami mumbled, "You'd think someone had done something to the water supply." Speaking more loudly he said, "Not to be harsh but... maybe it'll teach Marui not to... do those things to people. Though Kite could have probably used... a better method than that."
Had Dan caught that, he might have agreed. As it was, he merely glanced at Minami questioningly. "One might hope it did... Not sure if Kite-san would actually care to think any further." He frowned. "I think it was around then that Atobe-san got his tattoo... and considering that it probably symbolizes Kite-san, I don't think he was all that angry desu."
Minami blanched, "He can do that much damage when he's not angry?" The idea of hospitalization when someone was in a good mood during a fight was as easy to comprehend to Minami as a cat balancing on a ball doing the hula sniping dolphins from afar, "Someone I shouldn't get in the way of then." Minami looked up awkwardly, "Anything I should know so I don't step on people's feet?" he had the feeling that he'd probably resemble a bull in a china shop without Dan's data. A bull in a china shop that people hardly noticed, but still.
Dan blinked, then laughed a bit. "No, I meant Atobe-san probably wasn't that angry at him... Kite-san was furious far as I know. ...Still not someone you want to cross, though." He shuddered, then got to thinking. "...I suppose it kind of depends on what you mean... and who you deal with. "
Scratching the back of his head Minami frowned, "Oh right, still a scary opposition to face. On and off the court." Minami tapped his foot lightly, thinking, "Like... I don't know. Sengoku?" Minami thought about it a bit more, "Also, Oishi... and Eiji. I want to know if they've gotten better."
"Well... as I said, I can beat him in tennis now, if that's what you mean," Dan said with a tiny grin. "Seriously though... he's been concentrating on his boxing lately, with the intention of using it to better his tennis again. And, well... he's had some... complicated things in his personal life recently." He was very hesitant to talk about this; on one hand, he didn't want to spill Sengoku's secrets, yet on the other hand, he didn't want Minami to complicate things because of not knowing. Especially if he was talking about Seigaku's Golden Pair... "Well, I don't have that much data on them right now, haven't seen them playing full-on lately, but if dating your doubles partner makes you any better..." He winked. "You'd better run."
"We... talked a bit," Minami shrugged, "I didn't get much out of him..." He didn't really want to say. He was pretty sure the data man could explain it better than Sengoku could but... it didn't seem fair to talk about Sengoku like he was a piece of gossip, "He said a few things but I don't really feel like pushing him." He breathed slowly and looked the other way from Dan while laughing slightly, "He said Oishi and Eiji were dating... didn't seem to happy about it."
"Well..." Dan worried his lower lip as he thought. "Let's just say... he got a crush on someone. Someone who wasn't female. And it really didn't help his already slightly annoying attitude..." He shook his head with a lop-sided grin. "I thought I'd have to slap him or something, he was being such an ass..." Not that he'd thought of that at the time. He'd been too busy feeling hurt. "Ah, yeah." Damn it, why was he blushing? He... has his reasons not to be..."
Minami shuffled awkwardly, well Dan definately knew. If he didn't it wasn't only his hair that'd changed, it was better to just get it open then, "He said he figured he was bi, sometime on Valentines Day. That he feel for Oishi. That he was jealous of Kikumaru. After that he... pretty much avoided the whole topic." It all came out in a stream of words, but Minami was pretty sure he'd managed to get everything across. He looked back over at Dan, "He said he'd pissed you off too."
Dan nodded, not that any of that was very new to him. "Yeah... it was really kind of awkward. He was making friends with Oishi-san, they even visited the hot springs together... not the best way to realize you have a thing for someone. Especially since Oishi-san and Kikumaru-san got together about right around when Sengoku-senpai finally realized it..." He sighed. He managed a little grin, then. "Yeah... he was really being an ass about the whole gay thing. I mean, I never even imagined he could think I was straight; I was pretty damn obvious about my crush on Akutsu-senpai, I'd think..." He chuckled. "I gave him quite a talking to... though I did let myself cool off a bit before that. Like I told him... how was it? Ah, yes, that he was 'just bloody lucky I didn't come here back when I was just damn angry or I'd have fucking broken your pretty little nose desu.'" He gave Minami a perfectly innocent little smile.
"So... that's how he figured it out huh," Poor guy, Minami thought to himself, He finally figures out what he wants and it gets snatched up by a cat. He laughed slightly, "I sort of figured back at Yamabuki that you adored Akutsu, bordering on obsession. It sort of made sense when Sengoku said you were... gay," It wasn't like the word was foreign or anything, he just couldn't attach it to the sentence without pausing for half a second, "He didn't do anything too stupid I hope?" Minami shivered at Dan's smile, he wasn't suite sure whether Dan was serious about wanting to break Sengoku's nose and if he had been... well... the kid definitely contended for 'level violence you'd never expect' award.
"Yeah... kind of awkward," Dan sighed. "I was trying to convince him to tell Oishi-san... and then Kikumaru-san snatches him up." He shook his head, then flushed a bit. "And yeah... I was kind of obvious back then," he laughed. "He didn't do anything too stupid... except was his usual idiotic self. I got pretty upset... and not only in the angry fashion. Luckily, he straightened up pretty soon." His smile turned into an absolutely evil smirk. "...He still doesn't like it if I talk about Ryoma or any more... intimate... matters."
"Obvious like neon glitter. You kept his headband," Minami stated, "Then again, it's not like he was going to use it." Minami shrugged, "Sengoku's idiocy can be a bit... tiresome," though he wouldn't admit he liked bantering with the red-head but his brain stopped functioning slightly when Dan said intimate matters, oh dear. Minami coughed into his hand and his eye quickly darted to the side. Maybe if he pretended he didn't hear, Dan wouldn't go into any detail.
"I still have it, you know," Dan said with a grin. "Though I nowadays mostly use it around my wrist... not very often, though. Ryoma doesn't especially like it, and, well, I do remember my promise even without it." Sadly for Minami, he did catch the embarrassed gesture, his smirk turning even worse. "Now, now, Minami-buchou... surely not all of us can go into high school as virgins?"
Minami smiled for a moment thinking the headband might have distracted Dan, but really... it hadn't done anything, "Ah! well," Sengoku had warned him, next time he'd listen better, that smirk that was plastered on Dan's face made him nervous, "That's..."
"Don't worry, I won't go into details." Dan laughed. "I guess it's just nice to be more experienced at something than some of my senpai, ne? Though it does get a bit tiresome when people try to guess which one of us is seme or something. Honestly, assigning roles like that is like bad yaoi or something." He pouted momentarily, then added, "Besides, it's much easier to keep sex interesting when you switch around."
Minami resisted covering his ears, even if a massive blush that reached over every part of his face was intent on making his face look like a tomato. One thing he didn't want to know, or imagine. Covering his ears wouldn't help in the least, though it might serve to hide his redding ears and maybe a little comfort. He tried to get words out, but hearing Dan even mention the word 'sex' had struck him dumb. He hated to admit it but... Sengoku was right, he didn't want to know.
Luckily for Minami, Dan took pity on him. "Gomen gomen," he said, laughing. "I just couldn't resist... Change of subject before I'm too tempted to go into further detail?"
Minami's red face didn't abate very quickly, "Anything... anything but that." Really, the words were enough... but detail. He might bury his head in the sand.
"Heh. You senpai are all the same." Dan grinned. "Though I suppose it's better than Ryoga-san... he took us out for hamburgers and then asked us about our sex life in the middle of the restaurant." He chuckled, then said, "So, anything interesting happen to you? It's been almost a year since I was last in Tokyo; I haven't heard anything from there."
"Ryouga-san is... a teacher here?" Minami didn't really feel like he wanted to be asked that in a restaurant... it's embarrassing, "I hadn't been doing much really, training with Higashikata... School... Other than than there wasn't much going on that I was aware of. The most interesting thing to happen was my brother giving me a bus ticket telling me I was going to camp. Nosy little brat." Minami loved his brother, really, but sometimes he could be pushy.
"Yes. He teaches English here," Dan confirmed. "He's really nice aside from the embarrassing part... but I suppose that's to be expected from big brothers. He's called Northlake-sensei nowadays, though, instead of Echizen-sensei, he had a bit of a... falling out... with his, ah, adoptive father." He grinned then at Minami's rather simple news. "...Sounds like I'll have to thank your brother desu."
"Echizen? Is he related to Echizen Ryoma?" Minami shook his head slightly, "He can be an annoying sometimes, he could have at least given me a little warning. Instead he sorts everything out himself and just hands me the bus ticket." Though, if Minami thought about it, he probably wouldn't have come here without a push from his brother. If he had though, he would have taken a plane instead of a bus. Cost aside, the bus trip was cramped and really long.
"His adopted brother," Dan confirmed, nodding. "And, hey... if he'd given you a warning, would you have come?" he asked with a tiny grin.
"I don't know," He shrugged, "I forgot about it for a long time. I thought it didn't matter if i came or not, so I didn't bother."
Dan reached out a hand and lightly knocked Minami over the head. "Silly Minami-buchou," he chastised. "Of course it matters whether you're here or not." With an impish grin, he added, "And in any case, I'd rather have you here than Kitano-kun."
Minami laughed, "He's not that bad is he?"
Dan shook his head. "First year, when he took over as a manager? Nope. Second year, when you all were gone, I was a captain, and he suddenly decided that anyone who can be a manager can also order the team around? Yes. It's partly because of him that I didn't feel too bad about leaving Yamabuki to come here after my second year. I just pity the current captain for having to deal with him desu."
"So you didn't get much of a chance at captaincy? It is nice... being captain." He rubbed his arm and smiled awkwardly, "Did you like being captain... when Kitano-kun wasn't trying to control it of course?"
"Oh, I did," Dan laughed. "I made sure to make it clear that just because we were both ex-managers didn't mean we were both current captains. I think he got it around the second time I beat him in tennis." His grin was almost predatory, now. "I did like it~ I sometimes had some trouble getting people to listen at first, but usually after I showed them I was not simply joking, they came around." He flushed slightly. "...I think it was around them that I started swearing a lot when I'm angry, and not just yelling desu."
"I was a little worried you'd changed too much," Minami tipped his head to the side and smiled, "But you still fight for what you want, though it's hard to imagine you running your mouth off like a sailor," Shrugging he said, "I didn't have to get people to listen to me, Sengoku did that... though i wonder if he was aware of that sometimes."
"...I've changed?" Dan blinked. "That's news to me." Well, aside from the obvious parts like getting taller and such. "And it's hard to believe I'm doing it, myself, sometimes," he chuckled then. "But hey, all that time hanging around Akutsu-senpai had to leave some marks, ne?" He nodded in agreement. "You were lucky to have someone like Sengoku-senpai, really... and not only because it was probably due to his luck Yamabuki broke the record for most matches won by default," he added dryly.
"Well, the hair, I thought you were going through the rebellious stage," Minami gestured at Dan's hair, "You have changed, I guess, but you're still Dan. Though, that doesn't really make sense, does it? You were really good with Akutsu, despite his... faults," Minami shrugged and smiled slightly, "Yamabuki's good luck charm worked ridiculously well, bonus points for being a really good guy."
"It was rather long before, you know," Dan chuckled. "I only had it cut short again a little while ago... And of course I'm Dan. Who else could I be?" He tilted his head to the side. "He did work quite well, didn't he? Though it took some adjusting the next year when we couldn't constantly count on fortunate coincidences to pave our way desu..."
"Long like a girl?" Ruffling his little kouhai's hair he grinned, "You could be a Danielle for all I know, and..." Minami frowned, "I don't think he ever got the concept of 'team', how did you fare without us in your second year?" Minami looked around for a moment, "Wait, are there any other important places I should see? This place is big... I could easily get lost."
Dan stuck out his tongue. "Oh, I'm sure Ryoma can bear witness to the fact that I'm very much male," he said somewhat impishly. "Second year was... adequate. It was kind of boring, though, with most of the best players in high school... which is why I came here." He thought about the last question. "Well, there's the pool and the woods, but I'm not about to show you those... then, the shrine, and of course all the places indoors like classrooms and the cafeteria and stuff desu."
"I'm sure he... can," Minami cringed, he really really didn't want to know about those two, "This place does have a lot of good players, really memorable ones," Half smiling he shrugged slightly, "I didn't expect you to really... Though, which of those involves the least walking distance?"
Dan couldn't help but feel slightly amused at Minami's cringing. "Gomen, gomen," he chuckled. "There really are great players here... all the best ones, really." He tilted his head to the side then, thinking. "I'd suppose the cafeteria is the closest," he said. "Though the classrooms aren't that far, either desu..."
"You'd be the one to know," Minami smiled and streched, "To the cafeteria then? I'm kind of hungry." He rubbed his stomach to emphasise the point, he really could go for a sandwhich...
"Sounds like a good plan desu~" Dan smiled back. "Come on, this way, then~"
He followed after Dan easilly, the kid was a natural leader, if not tour guide, "Do you know who Oshitari Yuushi is by the way? He's my roommate and well... I don't know much about him. Except he's from Hyotei."
"I do know something about him," Dan admitted. "Do you want the basic tennis data, or...?"
He shrugged, "I think personality wise, I'm going to have to live with the guy for most of my dorm life. I don't think I could avoid him forever."
"Well, the rooms are changed sometimes, but I think I see your point." Dan thought about it. "I don't know him personally... I've heard a couple of things from Atobe-san, though."
"Anything in particular I should worry about?" Minami really hoped he was nice, or at least civil, some people weren't the best to hang around with. He hoped Oshitari wasn't one of those people.
"Well..." Dan thought of what little data he'd gotten from Atobe. He wasn't that focused on personality data for people he wasn't directly connected to, but... "He's... lazy? I guess. He's generally an okay guy from what I've heard, might be sarcastic or snarky but not really cruel... but it might be hard for him to take anything seriously. Atobe-san had trouble getting him to take tennis practice seriously, of all things, and we're talking about a definite tensai here desu..."
Minami knodded slowly, "Well, I guess he's an alright guy then," he looked across to a building approaching, "Is that the cafeteria there?" He wasn't really that hungry, despite craving a sandwhich. After his little welcoming with Sengoku, but he wanted some real food. Not cake and fizzy drinks, and probably more food wasn't going to help. Then again, he could just get some water... or a drink. A drink sounded really good right now.
"I do hope you'll get along with him," Dan said with a smile. But then, who wouldn't want to get along with a person as nice as Minami-buchou~ "And that's right. Very observant of you~"
Looking about himself and his surroundings Minami nodded, "Yeah, I think I've got this sussed. Food, dorms. Which direction are the classes? From that I can pretty much make my way anywhere and not get lost."
"Classes are that way. Following the flow should be easy enough," Dan said, pointing over. "It's kind of funny, you know, being here... since everyone in your classes is somehow related to tennis."
Minami scratched the top of his head and smiled, "Sounds pretty easy, yeah." Minami shook his head slightly, "It's weird, but kind of nice. Everyone has a common interest at least." He looked around, judging small landmarks to find his way back, "I'll probably grab a sandwich and head back to the dorms, what about you?"
"Indeed." Dan smirked in an almost threatening manner. "Everyone is a valid source for data." Then turning back to a pleasant smile, he added, "Your plan sounds like it has some merit to it~ So, shall we?"
Minami gestured in front of himself, "You lead."
Where: Walking around the grounds
When: March 22nd
What: Where in which Dan makes a very good tour guide.
Warning: ...None? 8D?
Dan was feeling almost giddy. It had been a long time since he'd seen his old captain, and he really was looking forward to catching up with him. Even if all the things he had to tell weren't quite that cheerful... Nevertheless, there was a smile on his face as he hurried out of the dorms.
He hoped Minami-buchou hadn't changed too much to recognize... though he doubted it. At least the picture in his icon looked familiar enough. And Dan was sure he himself would be easy to recognize; after all, he hadn't really changed that much since middle school. Well, except that he was almost Sengoku-senpai's height now. And wore glasses. And his hair was reddish purple right now. ...Okay, so maybe he had changed just a teeny bit.
Thankfully, though, his old buchou was indeed still the same Minami as always. Dan felt almost childish as he waved as soon as he saw the other, calling out, "Minami-buchou~ It's great to see you desu!" He hurried towards Minami, a smile on his face.
Minami turned as saw something odd. He'd been expecting the Dan he'd known back in middle school, the small one who wore Akutsu's banadana all the time. Not this tall, glases wearing kohai... his hair was a different colour too. Had it really been that long?
"D-dan-kun? You've... grown. Alot." Minami stared at him, more like gawked. He hadn't expected such a change, or maybe he'd just expected too much of his little kohai. At least he still acted like he used to, the wave gave him away.
"I should hope so desu~ If I hadn't, I'd find it quite unfair of Ryoma-kun to complain about being smaller than me." He smiled happily at Minami. "And, well, I will be in high school in just a few weeks..." It was kind of strange to think of that, really. He'd be in high school. To think he was now the same age his senpai had been when he'd first joined the team... they'd all seemed so old and big back then. He certainly didn't feel all that old and big, himself.
"Wow, already getting into high school?" Minami blinked, remembering his final year. It seemed so long ago now, when they were out trying to win that championship. It'd been definitely the most interesting time during his high school years. "So..." Minami felt awkward trying to bring it up, it was like he was trying to master a foreign language, "What's this about you almost being killed? You can't be serious."
"Time really does fly by, doesn't it?" Dan tilted his head to the side, smiling a bit. The smile faded away at Minami's question, but then, it was probably the best to get that out of the way first. "I'm afraid I'm very serious," he said. "...You mind if I show you the grounds while I tell you? It is kind of complicated desu..." Though he was quite sure he wouldn't be leading his senpai anywhere near the woods. Not going near the woods.
Minami frowned slightly when Dan's stopped smiling. He hadn't meant to be blunt but... he had to ask. Who would ever want to hurt Dan, the data man of Yamabuki? He turned slightly pale and motioned for Dan to lead, still in shock. An almost dead Dan. That image wasn't going to leave his mind very soon. "Lead the way."
Dan started walking ahead; towards the tennis courts, first of all. After all, that was the most important thing. "It's... a long story," he said, pondering on how to start. "As background, well... I told you I'm dating now, right?" He flashed Minami a smile that couldn't be entirely subdued by the not-so-pleasant subject. Thinking about Ryoma just was like that. "Well, the person I'm dating is... Echizen Ryoma-kun." He paused, suddenly realizing he had no data on how Minami might react to his dating another guy.
"I heard about that from Sengoku... is he less...?" Minami wasn't sure how to word it... 'arrogant'? He didn't really want to offend Dan by calling him arrogant. Ryoma he didn't mind offending, but if it meant he was also insult Dan it became... less alright. Dan seemed happy about him though, and the thought of him and the kid who introduced him properly into tennis didn't seem so bad. Even if Sengoku had warned him about the two of them breaking his brain. He still didn't understand that.
"Less annoying? Snarky? Irritating? Bitchy?" Dan grinned a bit and shrugged. "...Sometimes. But really, it's just cute... and hey, my first crush ever was Akutsu. Ryoma's a sweetheart compared with him." His grin turned into a faint smile. "Sadly... I wasn't the only one who thought so. There was a guy in his class who... really wanted Ryoma. And, well... he thought I was in the way." He shuddered at the thought of Waku. If he never met the guy again, that'd still be too soon.
"Anyone is a sweetheart when compared with Akutsu," Minami smiled, but faltered when Dan's faded, "... Are sure you're okay to talk about it?" He didn't want to push Dan, no matter how much time had past. Those kind of experiences didn't just go away.
Dan nodded slowly. "I'm sure... it's been a while, and I've talked about it with other people too. I figure it's the best way to keep the bastard from winning..." He glanced at Minami. "And another bit of background data... I'm afraid of water. Really, really afraid... to the point of phobia. I've been ever since I was three. I mean, not of glasses of water or showers or anything like that, but... any big bodies of water, or getting wet suddenly." He scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "I... can't really handle even big bathtubs... but anyway. That guy -- Waku -- wanted Ryoma for himself. Turns out he wasn't entirely right in the head... and he knew an equally twisted guy who used to date Seigaku's Fuji-san desu."
It... really wasn't easy, talking about it. But he refused to let it get the better of him. "We... were walking my dog in the woods, Fuji-san and I... when they... attacked us desu. The other man, he... hurt Fuji-san... and Waku dragged me away. There's..." He swallowed. "There's this small lake in the woods..."
Minami swallowed, he really didn't need Dan to say anymore. He wouldn't tell him to stop, he'd let him speak but... that didn't change the fact he was disturbed, "How did you... survive?" He chewed the inside of his mouth lightly. He didn't want to know, but he had to. Despite the images now burned into his head he needed to know what happened. Dan, helpless, in a lake, thrashing. It wasn't a very pretty image. He had even barely noticed they'd been heading towards the tennis courts.
"...I still don't know for sure just how I almost died," Dan said ruefully. "I mean, it's kind of obvious Waku's responsible, but... when I realized where he was taking me, I started fighting back... but when we got too close to the edge, I just... passed out. My dog, Pavlov... he went and got Ryoma and his brother. I don't know how long I was in the water, exactly... when Ryoma got there, he had to drag me out of the lake. Good thing his brother knew CPR..." He shuddered. "I... I've been told I was in coma for a few days... they weren't really sure if I would wake up, or if there'd been... brain damage." He forced himself to smile. "I'd like to think there was none, but then I could be just deluding myself desu~" He tilted his head to the side, looking at Minami. "I'd gotten injuries from my fight with Waku, too... put me off tennis for several weeks. But all in all... I survived. Physically, I'm all better now. Mentally... I'm getting there desu." His smile turned a bit more genuine, though slightly fainter, too. "And Waku's been caught and everything, so... please don't worry about me desu." He always felt so guilty when people were worried or feeling bad because of him.
"I'm glad you're better now," Minami looked him over, he didn't have any obvious signs of a fight still lingering and the thought of Dan fighting was still foreign enough that it didn't register, "And that Waku's gone. That you can play tennis. That Ryouma's brother can perform CPR." He was going to start to ramble, but he couldn't really help it. If the was anyone he'd have mother-hen syndrome over it was Dan, even if he was a lot more grown up than before.
Minami smiled slightly, "Adn you can't just tell me not to worry, I'm going to whether you like it or not."
"As am I." Dan smiled a bit. "I really was lucky... but as I said, I'm getting better." He gave Minami what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm actually getting regular therapy now, both for my phobia and for what happened... it's helping, however slowly. And Ryoma's really being the best boyfriend ever." His grin turned slightly embarrassed at that. "...And I'm really getting better at tennis, too! I even beat Sengoku-senpai, can you believe that? Fair and square desu! And I've copied a lot of new moves and collected new data, and I even have a new move of my very own, and I'm really working hard on getting better desu!"
He was about to say something, but couldn't even remember half of the sentence, "You beat Sengoku? You must have gotten really good. That or Sengoku's gotten lazy," The look on Minami's face said he believed the latter. Though... Dan had said he could even get games from Echizen Ryoma. It may not have just been Sengoku. "I'd ask for a match but I can't really play singles," Minami motioned to the air beside him which was devoid of Higashikata, "It'd be a bit odd, I think."
"A bit of both, I'd like to think." Dan grinned a bit sheepishly. "Apparently being beaten by a kouhai made him decide to get back in proper shape... though I've got to admit I've had some help. Atobe-san helped me with developing my own move, in exchange for me teaching him to cook. And I know you don't, or I'd be the one asking for a match." He chuckled. "I don't play doubles, myself... I did try, back in Yamabuki, but it just didn't work out. I can have a decent game, I'm not as disastrous as Ryoma, but I really prefer being on my own." He shook his head. "My focus... is a bit too much for doubles, really. It's just good if I don't see or hear the audience; if I don't notice my partner, it becomes a problem. And since I don't play even nearly as well without my focus... well desu."
"A hit to his pride, I guess," Minami grinned as well, "Wait, Atobe... Atobe Keigo? Why did he need to be taught how to cook? Doesn't he have maids to do that for him?" Dan was breaking down most images he had made of people very slowly. "Echizen really is... quite bad. It was hard to see him play doubles. At least he never did it half-way." Minami smiled, "I've always played doubles so... I guess if I tried playing singles it'd be slightly disastrous. I'd always go for balls that were out and leave balls for another person to hit."
"I figure it was..." Dan chuckled. "And yes, Atobe Keigo. Fromerly of Hyoutei. And he would have maids in his house, but I suppose his future husband isn't planning on them having servants, so he has to adjust." He grinned a bit. "You wouldn't believe how he's changed... I mean, he's still snobbish and egotistic and a bit rude at times, but he has piercings and a tattoo and he's even dying his hair! Oh, and he's engaged. To Higa's former captain of all people desu~" He laughed at the thought of Ryoma playing doubles. "Oh, he is disastrous in doubles all right... but then, that's why tennis is so great, isn't it? Both the singles players and the doubles players get to shine in their own areas of expertise desu~"
Minami tried to whistle but failed miserably so just smiled slightly, "So he's down grading? I didn't expect that. Him of all people you'd expect to flaunt their money to the grave." Minami frowned slightly, "So it's Higa's captain? Isn't he the violent one with the sign 'any means necessary tagged across his face?" Shrugging Minami continued, "Tennis is really has got something for everybody... unless you can't hit the ball. Then you may not be so good at it. Though Seigaku's-buchou managed to almost win a match without touching the ball that often, if I remember right."
"Oh, he still enjoys his money just as much as before... but he's apparently willing to let go of some of the more obvious aspects of it. It's really kind of sweet; he was all excited and proud about the engagement ring even though it's just a twisted piece of metal, even though he could easily afford anything he liked desu. And yes, that very captain of Higa... he's still just as violent as ever, but Atobe-san seems confident he's not in danger." He chuckled. "Yes, Tezuka-san really is quite amazing... but then, so are many people here." He grinned excitedly. "Atobe-san even played a match even though he couldn't see anything! He got this really bad wound on his forehead and the blood forced him to keep his eyes shut but he actually turned it into a new technique and played even better after it! He even managed to use his Koori no Sekai against the Tezuka Zone with that!" Though of course, technically it hadn't been the Tezuka Zone... but something else. And like Ryoma would certainly remind, it wasn't even the real deal... but still, it was quite impressive.
"He's sounds a lot different, does he still do the click thing?" Minami frowned, " I hope he's right though, violent people tend to continue to be though." Minami tried not thinking of Akutsu, he really did. It didn't help his only memories of Akutsu we him either him readying to hit someone or actually hitting someone. He forced his frown away for awe, "Atobe did that? Wow. He's really improved, there seems to not even be a limit to players like them. To be able to play with your eyes closed, it's very..." Minami couldn't put his finger on it but it was very intriguing, "I might have to try finding a doubles partner, it's not like I can just wait for Higashikata to just pop out of no where."
"All the time... and the ore-sama thing, too." Dan chuckled. "It's a good thing I have a high tolerance for smug and egotistic people... though they can get really annoying sometimes." After all, he was hardly a saint; at the very least, he didn't have the patience of one. "And it really is awesome~ Annoying, too, though. How am I supposed to get any data on them when they keep getting better and better?" He pouted briefly before smiling again. "I'm sure you can... Oishi-san was asking around for a doubles partner before Kikumaru-san showed up, and I think he had several volunteers. I'm sure you'll find someone who fits your playing style desu."
"If they didn't get any better there wouldn't be any challenge then, would there?" Minami laughed, "I hope so, it'd be a bit of a waste to come here and not be able to play tennis because i don't have a partner. Oishi is a lot more recognizable, people probably still remembered him from their old matches."
Minami looked around the tennis court, "It's really big, the ones at Yamabuki were so small in comparison."
"I'm sure you'll find someone. If nothing else, Sengoku-senpai and I will find someone." Dan grinned. "You may not be as memorable, but you're certainly just as good~ And at least in training, you will show everyone your doubles prowess. This is a tennis school, after all. Of course we're going to play tennis." He did have faith that it would be all right. After all, this was Minami-buchou. Minami-buchou was great at doubles. "Hyoutei's courts are even more impressive, though," Dan pointed out. Why, no, Seigaku had not been the only school he had spied on back in Tokyo. "And think positively~ There are plenty of great singles players here, but much less great doubles players. Sure, both Seigaku's and Hyoutei's Golden Pairs are here, and Rikkai's doubles pairs and everyone, but some of them are playing singles or not playing so seriously anymore and Marui-san's still recovering besides, so you have a better chance of standing out desu!"
Minami wondered briefly if he had to accommodate his tennis style to the other player. It'd be better if he did, he couldn't just expect the other person to adhere to his and Higashikata's tennis play. It's be unfair on the both of them, "I'll see about asking people, I don't really want to make a big deal out of it though." Minami shifted from foot to foot, thinking about the large grounds, "Well, Hyoutei was funded by Atobe after all and Atobe will only want the best." He smiled lopsidedly at Dan, "Marui is the apple gum blower from Rikkai right? How'd he manage to get hurt?"
"That's him," Dan admitted. "He... hurt a lot of people, I guess... I don't know all the details, but rumour is he... sexually harrassed some people." He chewed his lower lip. "Then, he... used a bet to make out with Atobe-san, and tried to molest him... and then Kite-san found out." He sighed. "Kite-san ended up being suspended for a few weeks... Marui-san was in hospital much longer than that." He shook his head. "It... really wasn't pretty..."
"By the way people act around here," Minami mumbled, "You'd think someone had done something to the water supply." Speaking more loudly he said, "Not to be harsh but... maybe it'll teach Marui not to... do those things to people. Though Kite could have probably used... a better method than that."
Had Dan caught that, he might have agreed. As it was, he merely glanced at Minami questioningly. "One might hope it did... Not sure if Kite-san would actually care to think any further." He frowned. "I think it was around then that Atobe-san got his tattoo... and considering that it probably symbolizes Kite-san, I don't think he was all that angry desu."
Minami blanched, "He can do that much damage when he's not angry?" The idea of hospitalization when someone was in a good mood during a fight was as easy to comprehend to Minami as a cat balancing on a ball doing the hula sniping dolphins from afar, "Someone I shouldn't get in the way of then." Minami looked up awkwardly, "Anything I should know so I don't step on people's feet?" he had the feeling that he'd probably resemble a bull in a china shop without Dan's data. A bull in a china shop that people hardly noticed, but still.
Dan blinked, then laughed a bit. "No, I meant Atobe-san probably wasn't that angry at him... Kite-san was furious far as I know. ...Still not someone you want to cross, though." He shuddered, then got to thinking. "...I suppose it kind of depends on what you mean... and who you deal with. "
Scratching the back of his head Minami frowned, "Oh right, still a scary opposition to face. On and off the court." Minami tapped his foot lightly, thinking, "Like... I don't know. Sengoku?" Minami thought about it a bit more, "Also, Oishi... and Eiji. I want to know if they've gotten better."
"Well... as I said, I can beat him in tennis now, if that's what you mean," Dan said with a tiny grin. "Seriously though... he's been concentrating on his boxing lately, with the intention of using it to better his tennis again. And, well... he's had some... complicated things in his personal life recently." He was very hesitant to talk about this; on one hand, he didn't want to spill Sengoku's secrets, yet on the other hand, he didn't want Minami to complicate things because of not knowing. Especially if he was talking about Seigaku's Golden Pair... "Well, I don't have that much data on them right now, haven't seen them playing full-on lately, but if dating your doubles partner makes you any better..." He winked. "You'd better run."
"We... talked a bit," Minami shrugged, "I didn't get much out of him..." He didn't really want to say. He was pretty sure the data man could explain it better than Sengoku could but... it didn't seem fair to talk about Sengoku like he was a piece of gossip, "He said a few things but I don't really feel like pushing him." He breathed slowly and looked the other way from Dan while laughing slightly, "He said Oishi and Eiji were dating... didn't seem to happy about it."
"Well..." Dan worried his lower lip as he thought. "Let's just say... he got a crush on someone. Someone who wasn't female. And it really didn't help his already slightly annoying attitude..." He shook his head with a lop-sided grin. "I thought I'd have to slap him or something, he was being such an ass..." Not that he'd thought of that at the time. He'd been too busy feeling hurt. "Ah, yeah." Damn it, why was he blushing? He... has his reasons not to be..."
Minami shuffled awkwardly, well Dan definately knew. If he didn't it wasn't only his hair that'd changed, it was better to just get it open then, "He said he figured he was bi, sometime on Valentines Day. That he feel for Oishi. That he was jealous of Kikumaru. After that he... pretty much avoided the whole topic." It all came out in a stream of words, but Minami was pretty sure he'd managed to get everything across. He looked back over at Dan, "He said he'd pissed you off too."
Dan nodded, not that any of that was very new to him. "Yeah... it was really kind of awkward. He was making friends with Oishi-san, they even visited the hot springs together... not the best way to realize you have a thing for someone. Especially since Oishi-san and Kikumaru-san got together about right around when Sengoku-senpai finally realized it..." He sighed. He managed a little grin, then. "Yeah... he was really being an ass about the whole gay thing. I mean, I never even imagined he could think I was straight; I was pretty damn obvious about my crush on Akutsu-senpai, I'd think..." He chuckled. "I gave him quite a talking to... though I did let myself cool off a bit before that. Like I told him... how was it? Ah, yes, that he was 'just bloody lucky I didn't come here back when I was just damn angry or I'd have fucking broken your pretty little nose desu.'" He gave Minami a perfectly innocent little smile.
"So... that's how he figured it out huh," Poor guy, Minami thought to himself, He finally figures out what he wants and it gets snatched up by a cat. He laughed slightly, "I sort of figured back at Yamabuki that you adored Akutsu, bordering on obsession. It sort of made sense when Sengoku said you were... gay," It wasn't like the word was foreign or anything, he just couldn't attach it to the sentence without pausing for half a second, "He didn't do anything too stupid I hope?" Minami shivered at Dan's smile, he wasn't suite sure whether Dan was serious about wanting to break Sengoku's nose and if he had been... well... the kid definitely contended for 'level violence you'd never expect' award.
"Yeah... kind of awkward," Dan sighed. "I was trying to convince him to tell Oishi-san... and then Kikumaru-san snatches him up." He shook his head, then flushed a bit. "And yeah... I was kind of obvious back then," he laughed. "He didn't do anything too stupid... except was his usual idiotic self. I got pretty upset... and not only in the angry fashion. Luckily, he straightened up pretty soon." His smile turned into an absolutely evil smirk. "...He still doesn't like it if I talk about Ryoma or any more... intimate... matters."
"Obvious like neon glitter. You kept his headband," Minami stated, "Then again, it's not like he was going to use it." Minami shrugged, "Sengoku's idiocy can be a bit... tiresome," though he wouldn't admit he liked bantering with the red-head but his brain stopped functioning slightly when Dan said intimate matters, oh dear. Minami coughed into his hand and his eye quickly darted to the side. Maybe if he pretended he didn't hear, Dan wouldn't go into any detail.
"I still have it, you know," Dan said with a grin. "Though I nowadays mostly use it around my wrist... not very often, though. Ryoma doesn't especially like it, and, well, I do remember my promise even without it." Sadly for Minami, he did catch the embarrassed gesture, his smirk turning even worse. "Now, now, Minami-buchou... surely not all of us can go into high school as virgins?"
Minami smiled for a moment thinking the headband might have distracted Dan, but really... it hadn't done anything, "Ah! well," Sengoku had warned him, next time he'd listen better, that smirk that was plastered on Dan's face made him nervous, "That's..."
"Don't worry, I won't go into details." Dan laughed. "I guess it's just nice to be more experienced at something than some of my senpai, ne? Though it does get a bit tiresome when people try to guess which one of us is seme or something. Honestly, assigning roles like that is like bad yaoi or something." He pouted momentarily, then added, "Besides, it's much easier to keep sex interesting when you switch around."
Minami resisted covering his ears, even if a massive blush that reached over every part of his face was intent on making his face look like a tomato. One thing he didn't want to know, or imagine. Covering his ears wouldn't help in the least, though it might serve to hide his redding ears and maybe a little comfort. He tried to get words out, but hearing Dan even mention the word 'sex' had struck him dumb. He hated to admit it but... Sengoku was right, he didn't want to know.
Luckily for Minami, Dan took pity on him. "Gomen gomen," he said, laughing. "I just couldn't resist... Change of subject before I'm too tempted to go into further detail?"
Minami's red face didn't abate very quickly, "Anything... anything but that." Really, the words were enough... but detail. He might bury his head in the sand.
"Heh. You senpai are all the same." Dan grinned. "Though I suppose it's better than Ryoga-san... he took us out for hamburgers and then asked us about our sex life in the middle of the restaurant." He chuckled, then said, "So, anything interesting happen to you? It's been almost a year since I was last in Tokyo; I haven't heard anything from there."
"Ryouga-san is... a teacher here?" Minami didn't really feel like he wanted to be asked that in a restaurant... it's embarrassing, "I hadn't been doing much really, training with Higashikata... School... Other than than there wasn't much going on that I was aware of. The most interesting thing to happen was my brother giving me a bus ticket telling me I was going to camp. Nosy little brat." Minami loved his brother, really, but sometimes he could be pushy.
"Yes. He teaches English here," Dan confirmed. "He's really nice aside from the embarrassing part... but I suppose that's to be expected from big brothers. He's called Northlake-sensei nowadays, though, instead of Echizen-sensei, he had a bit of a... falling out... with his, ah, adoptive father." He grinned then at Minami's rather simple news. "...Sounds like I'll have to thank your brother desu."
"Echizen? Is he related to Echizen Ryoma?" Minami shook his head slightly, "He can be an annoying sometimes, he could have at least given me a little warning. Instead he sorts everything out himself and just hands me the bus ticket." Though, if Minami thought about it, he probably wouldn't have come here without a push from his brother. If he had though, he would have taken a plane instead of a bus. Cost aside, the bus trip was cramped and really long.
"His adopted brother," Dan confirmed, nodding. "And, hey... if he'd given you a warning, would you have come?" he asked with a tiny grin.
"I don't know," He shrugged, "I forgot about it for a long time. I thought it didn't matter if i came or not, so I didn't bother."
Dan reached out a hand and lightly knocked Minami over the head. "Silly Minami-buchou," he chastised. "Of course it matters whether you're here or not." With an impish grin, he added, "And in any case, I'd rather have you here than Kitano-kun."
Minami laughed, "He's not that bad is he?"
Dan shook his head. "First year, when he took over as a manager? Nope. Second year, when you all were gone, I was a captain, and he suddenly decided that anyone who can be a manager can also order the team around? Yes. It's partly because of him that I didn't feel too bad about leaving Yamabuki to come here after my second year. I just pity the current captain for having to deal with him desu."
"So you didn't get much of a chance at captaincy? It is nice... being captain." He rubbed his arm and smiled awkwardly, "Did you like being captain... when Kitano-kun wasn't trying to control it of course?"
"Oh, I did," Dan laughed. "I made sure to make it clear that just because we were both ex-managers didn't mean we were both current captains. I think he got it around the second time I beat him in tennis." His grin was almost predatory, now. "I did like it~ I sometimes had some trouble getting people to listen at first, but usually after I showed them I was not simply joking, they came around." He flushed slightly. "...I think it was around them that I started swearing a lot when I'm angry, and not just yelling desu."
"I was a little worried you'd changed too much," Minami tipped his head to the side and smiled, "But you still fight for what you want, though it's hard to imagine you running your mouth off like a sailor," Shrugging he said, "I didn't have to get people to listen to me, Sengoku did that... though i wonder if he was aware of that sometimes."
"...I've changed?" Dan blinked. "That's news to me." Well, aside from the obvious parts like getting taller and such. "And it's hard to believe I'm doing it, myself, sometimes," he chuckled then. "But hey, all that time hanging around Akutsu-senpai had to leave some marks, ne?" He nodded in agreement. "You were lucky to have someone like Sengoku-senpai, really... and not only because it was probably due to his luck Yamabuki broke the record for most matches won by default," he added dryly.
"Well, the hair, I thought you were going through the rebellious stage," Minami gestured at Dan's hair, "You have changed, I guess, but you're still Dan. Though, that doesn't really make sense, does it? You were really good with Akutsu, despite his... faults," Minami shrugged and smiled slightly, "Yamabuki's good luck charm worked ridiculously well, bonus points for being a really good guy."
"It was rather long before, you know," Dan chuckled. "I only had it cut short again a little while ago... And of course I'm Dan. Who else could I be?" He tilted his head to the side. "He did work quite well, didn't he? Though it took some adjusting the next year when we couldn't constantly count on fortunate coincidences to pave our way desu..."
"Long like a girl?" Ruffling his little kouhai's hair he grinned, "You could be a Danielle for all I know, and..." Minami frowned, "I don't think he ever got the concept of 'team', how did you fare without us in your second year?" Minami looked around for a moment, "Wait, are there any other important places I should see? This place is big... I could easily get lost."
Dan stuck out his tongue. "Oh, I'm sure Ryoma can bear witness to the fact that I'm very much male," he said somewhat impishly. "Second year was... adequate. It was kind of boring, though, with most of the best players in high school... which is why I came here." He thought about the last question. "Well, there's the pool and the woods, but I'm not about to show you those... then, the shrine, and of course all the places indoors like classrooms and the cafeteria and stuff desu."
"I'm sure he... can," Minami cringed, he really really didn't want to know about those two, "This place does have a lot of good players, really memorable ones," Half smiling he shrugged slightly, "I didn't expect you to really... Though, which of those involves the least walking distance?"
Dan couldn't help but feel slightly amused at Minami's cringing. "Gomen, gomen," he chuckled. "There really are great players here... all the best ones, really." He tilted his head to the side then, thinking. "I'd suppose the cafeteria is the closest," he said. "Though the classrooms aren't that far, either desu..."
"You'd be the one to know," Minami smiled and streched, "To the cafeteria then? I'm kind of hungry." He rubbed his stomach to emphasise the point, he really could go for a sandwhich...
"Sounds like a good plan desu~" Dan smiled back. "Come on, this way, then~"
He followed after Dan easilly, the kid was a natural leader, if not tour guide, "Do you know who Oshitari Yuushi is by the way? He's my roommate and well... I don't know much about him. Except he's from Hyotei."
"I do know something about him," Dan admitted. "Do you want the basic tennis data, or...?"
He shrugged, "I think personality wise, I'm going to have to live with the guy for most of my dorm life. I don't think I could avoid him forever."
"Well, the rooms are changed sometimes, but I think I see your point." Dan thought about it. "I don't know him personally... I've heard a couple of things from Atobe-san, though."
"Anything in particular I should worry about?" Minami really hoped he was nice, or at least civil, some people weren't the best to hang around with. He hoped Oshitari wasn't one of those people.
"Well..." Dan thought of what little data he'd gotten from Atobe. He wasn't that focused on personality data for people he wasn't directly connected to, but... "He's... lazy? I guess. He's generally an okay guy from what I've heard, might be sarcastic or snarky but not really cruel... but it might be hard for him to take anything seriously. Atobe-san had trouble getting him to take tennis practice seriously, of all things, and we're talking about a definite tensai here desu..."
Minami knodded slowly, "Well, I guess he's an alright guy then," he looked across to a building approaching, "Is that the cafeteria there?" He wasn't really that hungry, despite craving a sandwhich. After his little welcoming with Sengoku, but he wanted some real food. Not cake and fizzy drinks, and probably more food wasn't going to help. Then again, he could just get some water... or a drink. A drink sounded really good right now.
"I do hope you'll get along with him," Dan said with a smile. But then, who wouldn't want to get along with a person as nice as Minami-buchou~ "And that's right. Very observant of you~"
Looking about himself and his surroundings Minami nodded, "Yeah, I think I've got this sussed. Food, dorms. Which direction are the classes? From that I can pretty much make my way anywhere and not get lost."
"Classes are that way. Following the flow should be easy enough," Dan said, pointing over. "It's kind of funny, you know, being here... since everyone in your classes is somehow related to tennis."
Minami scratched the top of his head and smiled, "Sounds pretty easy, yeah." Minami shook his head slightly, "It's weird, but kind of nice. Everyone has a common interest at least." He looked around, judging small landmarks to find his way back, "I'll probably grab a sandwich and head back to the dorms, what about you?"
"Indeed." Dan smirked in an almost threatening manner. "Everyone is a valid source for data." Then turning back to a pleasant smile, he added, "Your plan sounds like it has some merit to it~ So, shall we?"
Minami gestured in front of himself, "You lead."