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[Fic] Hyotei and the Happy Panda
Title: Hyotei and the Happy Panda
Disclaimer: The Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi. The Happy Panda Amusement park belongs to my brain, though I stole most of the rides from Knott’s Berry Farm.
Pairings: Silver Pair, AtoJi, OshiGaku
Rating: PG for shounen-ai fluff

Summary: Ohtori’s plan to win Shishido involves roller coasters, funnel cakes, and the rest of the Hyotei regulars. Jirou thinks it’s a good idea. You should too.

A/N: So, this is what happens when the EB burns out on Tezufuji. We mess with Hyotei. And pandas. This fic also helped me solidify my Atoji fangirl. It's a good ship, pointless as it may be. FYI, this is set at the beginning of the year just after Shishido gets dropped but before the hair incident that I still weep over. Also, I actually have no idea what Ohtori’s parents do, and I’m too lazy to translate/beg someone to translate 20.5 to find out.

Super cracked out fluffy adventure begins now!


Chapter One: In which the team enters the gates and learns an interesting fact about their buchou.
The limo didn’t so much roll as glide into the parking lot, seeming to coast just a few centimeters off the common ground. Around the entrance of the park, feet paused. Heads turned. Camera cases snapped open as patrons turned to see which movie stars could be inside the sleek vehicle. Even when the chauffer opened the door to reveal the Hyotei regulars and not the latest stars of stage and screen, most people snapped photos anyway. That was just the environment Atobe brought with him wherever he went. Indeed, in his open-chested, blue satin shirt and designer sunglasses, most people probably assumed he was a movie star.

Ohtori walked calmly to the limo. Part of him wanted to jog, but as a regular, he needed to keep a measure of composure. Behind Atobe bounced Jirou-senpai, wide-awake for once. “Oy, Ohtori-kun!” he sang, bright eyes surveying the park. “Sugeeeeeeeeei. Does your family really own this place?”
Ohtori nodded. Jirou-senpai replaced Shishido-senpai in the singles slot. Ohtori knew this meant he shouldn’t like the boy, but everyone liked Jirou-senpai. He’d been one of the first people to speak to Ohtori when he transferred in (after catching sight of his serve between naps). Also, even half-asleep Jirou-senpai could run circles around Atobe better than anyone else at Hyotei, which was always fun to watch.

Kabaji exited third, silent as usual and taking his place behind Atobe. Oshitari-senpai and Mukahi-senpai followed. Ohtori and Taki had played against them frequently as they waited for spots to open up. They were the wild card in today’s plan. However, today was Sunday, and the two of them normally didn’t break up until Wednesday, reuniting by lunchtime Thursday, so Ohtori hoped a spat between them wouldn’t disrupt his plan.

The two of them wrinkled their noses at the smiling, inflatable mascot on the gift shop roof. “The Happy Panda Amusement Park?” Mukahi-senpai sneered. “This better not be some little kids’ place, Ohtori.”

Ohtori smiled brightly. “Of course not, senpai. My father built two new coasters and a tower ride here over the last few years. And I have VIP passes for us so we won’t have to wait in line.”

“Always prepared for everything,” Taki-senpai smiled, the last to slide out of the limo. Taki-senpai seemed to slide everywhere, moving in a constant, fluid motion. Ohtori found it rather unnerving, and the low-necked, mauve tank top only added to the problem. “Cool idea, Ohtori. I haven’t been to one of these places since my family went on vacation to America, and that place was pretty lame.”

Ohtori tried his most polite, detached voice. “Thank you, Taki-senpai.”

“Ore-sama approves,” Atobe remarked, not directly to Ohtori. Still, it was the the most praise he was going to get for his gift to the newly re-formed regulars team.

“Ne, ne Atobe! Let’s go on that one first!” Jirou-senpai pointed to the newest coaster, the one that ran three 360 degree loops and two sidewinder turn while the riders’ feet dangled mid-air.

Atobe raised an eyebrow over his glasses. “We’ll see.”

“We just have to wait for one more person,” Ohtori interjected as off-handedly as he could. The regulars turned to stare at him. This was the dangerous bit. Ohtori brightened his smile. “Shishido-san has been so helpful with my serve, I invited him to join us.”

Even Jirou-senpai looked nervous at this. The players passed looks between each other as Taki drew a little closer to Ohtori, whispering, “Ne, are you sure-”

“There he is!” Ohtori waved to the shorter boy shuffling down the sidewalk from the shuttle drop off. Shishido-san didn’t look too pleased to be there, but he was too proud to back away, dropped or not. He kept his hands in the pockets of his jeans, only acknowledging Ohtori with the barest of nods, flicking his hair away from his eyes. He had his hair drawn into a ponytail again, and Ohtori wondered not for the first time how his hair would look hanging loose and free while he played tennis, responding to his every movement...

Ohtori reminded himself that he was trying to make a good impression on the regulars, and Atobe-buchou was rumored to be able to read minds. He shook his head, still beaming as he said, “Thank you for coming, Shishido-san.”

Shishido shrugged. “Yeah, no problem.” He looked at Atobe, daring the buchou to tell him he didn’t have a right to be there.

Atobe, however, seemed more amused than anything else. “Unless there are any other surprise guests ...” he began.

“No, Atobe-buchou. The VIP entrance is just over here.” Ohtori led the pack of tennis players through the open gates, knowing his fate at Hyotei would be decided behind them.

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Jirou took a firm grip on Atobe’s wrist, enjoying the half-frightened, half-amused look on the buchou’s face. “Silver Lightning first!” he proclaimed, dragging the rest of the team towards the coaster.

“Jirou, if you walk backwards, you will run into something,” Atobe sighed.

“Mou, you’ll tell me if I’m gonna hit something.” Besides, turned around, Jirou could watch the soap opera unfolding before him. Shishido slouched at the back of the pack, working to avoid eye contact with anyone. Ohtori-kun, meanwhile, made his steps shorter and shorter until he was more or less trotting to keep pace with his senpai and away from Taki who kept sliding between them and wrapping an arm around Ohtori’s shoulders. Jirou enjoyed a good drama.

“Left, Jirou.”

“Hai. Ow--”

“Ore-sama’s left, Jirou. Please pay attention.”

Jirou bowed and stammered a string of apologies to the couple he had just collided with, then resumed bouncing next to Kabaji. Atobe didn’t sound mad, but Jirou learned it was best to invade his space in short bursts, gradually increasing in frequency until Atobe stopped noticing. If he clung too much, there was no way Atobe would sit next to him, and Jirou desperately wanted to see Atobe’s face at the peak of a fifty foot drop.

“Yuushi, that thing makes you look like a dork,” Gakuto observed as Oshitari secured his glasses in place with a multi-colored safety strap.

Oshitari rolled his eyes. “If you want me to ride with you, I have to wear it.” The tensai would never actually remove the glasses, Jirou noted.

“I didn’t say don’t wear it. I just said you look like a dork.”

“The Silver Lightning is up this path,” Ohtori intervened. Jirou wondered what sort of plan the second year was concocting. He knew it had something to do with the flow chart that had slipped out of Ohtori’s bag during morning practice the other day. Jirou agreed with what he could see of the end results, so he decided not to interfere. It looked more entertaining than the Korean dramas his mother watched.

The team approached the line, which stretched outside the ride’s corral, spilling into the sidewalk. Ohtori walked to the employee entrance, directing them up the shortcut. Atobe, however, calmly took a seat on a nearby bench -- after Kabaji dusted it off and laid a linen towel over its surface.

“Buchou?” Ohtori asked.

“Please enjoy your common entertainment,” Atobe said. “Ore-sama will observe from here. Kabaji, a beverage.” Snap.

Gakuto and Oshitari exchanged a glance. Shishido raised an eyebrow, and Ohtori looked downright panicked. Then, Gakuto started to cackle. “Don’t tell me our noble buchou is afraid of heights!”

Atobe’s eyes sharpened like they did when he was about to serve. Jirou loved it when his eyes did that. “Ore-sama does not expect you to appreciate the amount of care given to cultivating his appearance. Such common diversions as roller coasters would completely disrupt the effect.”

“How much time is that, exactly?” Shishido sighed, sweeping half of his bangs behind an ear. “Come on. His highness will meet up when we’re done.” He shoved his way through the regulars, ignoring Atobe’s glare. Oshitari had a hand over Gakuto’s mouth, steering him to follow.

“Atobe-buchou, if you’d rather go somewhere else...” Ohtori began, nervously glancing after Shishido.

Atobe nodded, every bit the benevolent monarch. “Ore-sama prefers to watch this event. Continue.”

“Let’s go, Ohtori, or they’ll ride without us,” Taki urged, pulling on Ohtori’s elbow.

Jirou remained with Atobe a second longer. “You won’t ride with me?”

Gray-green eyes softened for an instant. Just a fraction of a second, but Jirou was awake enough to catch it. “Perhaps later.”

The volley specialist sparked at the challenge. “Mou, I’ll pick a good one. A really, really sugoi one!” He raced after the rest of the team. “Ne, Ohtori-kun! Ride with me on this one!” No reason anyone else’s plan should work perfectly if his wasn’t going to.

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Shishido was pretty sure he was in hell.

Atobe was laughing at him, Taki was making inappropriate grabs at Ohtori every five seconds, and he was surrounded by people dressed in psychotically cheerful panda suits. God, those pandas freaked him out. Also, Jirou had snagged Ohtori as they made their way onto the roller coaster, meaning he was going to be stuck sitting way closer to Taki than any decent human being should ever have to.

“So, Shishido, didn’t expect you to show up today,” Taki said, struggling with his safety belt.

Shishido pretended he didn’t know what he was talking about. He could see Ohtori and Jirou getting into their seat four cars up, the older boy insisting they ride in the first car. “The kid invited me. I’m just trying to be a good senpai.”

“Yeah, right...”

“What do you mean by that?” Taki had already pulled the brace down over him, so Shishido couldn’t hit him. It was poor form to hit an immobilized opponent.

“Nothing,” Taki attempted to shrug, though his shoulder movement was now limited. “Suppose your training sessions will have to stop now, huh? I wouldn’t worry about him too much. He’s a natural at doubles.”

Shishido felt a growl in his throat. He knew he shouldn’t get upset by these stupid comments. There was nothing to actually be upset about but ...

“Oy, Shishido! Ya gonna stand there all day or can we get moving?”

“Geez sorry, Gakuto. I know you’re excited that you’re finally tall enough for this ride.”

Gakuto threw an arm to his forehead. “Ouch! Height jokes from Shishido! Oh no, Yuushi, they cut too deep!”

“I just wanted to tighten my shoes,” Shishido sighed, bending down and nonchalantly pulling on one of Taki’s laces. The other boy didn’t seem to notice, suspended by the brace. Shishido hopped into his seat.

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A/N: You know, it occurs to me that I take Tezuka’s megane off in just about every fic I write him in. Then, I put megane on Atobe in everyfic write him in. I have some weird habits ... Anyway, stay tuned for my Hyotei fluff and nonsene.



Chapter Two: In which Ohtori is foiled and Hiyoshi gets some much needed vengeance

“Sugoi! Let’s ride that one again!” Jirou cried, face flushed and normally wild hair now all the more haphazard. An uncharacteristically soft smile crossed Atobe’s face, though he removed it before the others got within range, reminding himself not to behave unseemly in front of them. Gakuto and Oshitari followed, the redhead still loudly proclaiming how idiotic his doubles partner looked on roller coasters. Oshitari did look a little green. Shishido strode next, glowing with satisfaction. The reason for this smirk soon followed.

“That was my damn shoe!” Taki shrieked as he hopped about four feet behind the other regulars, Ohtori helping him none too enthusiastically. Wonderful, Atobe thought. A captain’s duties were never done.

Oshitari sighed. “Well then you should have made sure it was tied properly. It’s a very simple precaution.”

“I did!” Taki snarled, growling at Shishido. “You did this.”

Shishido smirked. “Yeah. So?”

Taki’s jaw dropped at the unexpected admission. “Atobe--”

Atobe raised an eyebrow at Shishido who shrugged. “What? He pissed me off.” The rest of the team, minus Kabaji and Taki, snickered. Ohtori blushed.

“Shishido, kindly save the pranks for a time you are not in ore-sama’s presence. Ohtori, the next ride.”

“Hai, we could --”

“What about my shoe?”

“Taki, do not interrupt. Ohtori, the next ride.”

Taki humphed to himself as Ohtori stammered, “The Sea Dragon is just up the corner, or we could try the Blue Avalanche...”

“Funnel cakes!!!” Atobe sighed at Jirou’s usual lack of decorum as the volley specialist dove towards the concession sign. “Ne, ne, Atobe, we have to get some!”

“You do realize those things actually have a negative nutritional content,” Oshitari commented.

Jirou, however, had prepared a defense. “You can put fruit on them.” He gestured enthusiastically for the others to join him.

“If you like, Atobe-buchou, we could split up here. Since you don’t want to ride the coasters, you could stay here with Jirou-senpai. We could all meet up at the Midway in a few hours.” Ohtori’s suggestion was tentative, but Atobe sensed a core of steel behind it. He’d been watching Ohtori for the better part of a year. The boy would be a good captain one day provided he remembered his place until then.

“Ore-sama believes you should assist your senpai in locating his effects first. Then, your suggestion is acceptable.”

Ohtori nodded, though his lips tightened a fraction. “Hai, buchou.”

“You guys have fun,” Gakuto cackled. “Yuushi, I wanna ride the Spin Cycle!”
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Ohtori was not supposed to sit by Jirou-senpai. Jirou was supposed to demand to sit next to Atobe, leaving Kabaji to sit by Shishido-san. Ohtori would sit by Taki at least for the next two rides; Taki-senpai was essential to his plan.

But Atobe didn’t ride roller coasters, Jirou-senpai attached himself to Ohtori’s arm, and now Shishido-san had wandered off, leaving Ohtori stuck alone with Taki-senpai, listening to him yell at the park aides to be quicker about finding his shoe. He had no doubt in his mind that Atobe did this on purpose and was now eating funnel cake with Shishido-san while...

“Here.” Ohtori jumped backwards as the 500 yen soda was thrust in front of his face. He did, however, recognize an apology from Shishido-san when he saw one, and accepted the drink without comment. Shishido kept his eyes trained on the search in front of him, giving Ohtori the chance to inch a little closer.

“Shishido-san?”

“Hm?”

“It was pretty funny.”

That got Shishido to look at him, smirking that little half smile Ohtori had never seen him give anyone else.

“Shishido! You owe me a new pair of shoes!” Taki shouted, jogging over to Ohtori’s other side at something of a limp. “Look at these!” The left designer tennis shoe had a couple of scuff marks and bits of grass sticking out of the laces, but seemed otherwise unharmed.

“Taki, you have more shoes than most of the cheerleaders, so shut up.”

Taki’s face scrunched up like a nylon doll Ohtori’s aunt had bought him when he was four. Ohtori had given the doll to his dog to keep it from staring at him all night. “Do you have any idea what those shoes cost? You owe me!”

“Whatever. So where are we going next?” Shishido looked at Ohtori, expectantly. The second year thought fast; he’d have to jump forward a few steps in the flow chart, but it could still work.

“Pharoah’s Tomb,” he rushed. “We should ride Pharoah’s Tomb.”
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“If you’re such a tensai, how come you can’t read the stupid map?” Gakuto whined, snatching the paper away from Oshitari.

“I could read it if you’d let me look at it,” he sighed. “We were at the green triangle, we need to go to the pink octagon, so we took the north path. It’s all on the key.”

“Then how come we’re in PoPo’s Magic Jungle?” Gakuto snapped, shrieking as a set of sticky toddlers darted between him and Yuushi. The miniature Merry-Go-Round tune was seriously getting on his nerves.

Oshitari snagged the map back. “Because it’s the most direct route. The Spin Cycle is across PoPo’s Dream Train Tracks and to the right of --”

“Hey, Yuushi.” As usual, Gakuto’s tantrum lasted only until he was distracted. Gakuto put one hand in front of the taller boy, pointing the other at the top bleacher of the small bandstand. “Don’t we know him?”
******
Hiyoshi hated being the oldest kid in the family. It meant that once the adults got sick of entertaining his twin cousins, they dropped him off at the amusement park with the order to keep them busy until the place closed. No one needed to listen to the PoPo’s Magic Jungle theme that many times. No one. Also, PoPo’s Musical Spectacular was running four minutes late, which was three minutes and fifty-five seconds longer than his cousins’ attention spans.

“Wakashi-nii, I wanna watch the show! When’s it gonna start!” Rika shrieked in the tone only an irritated seven-year old can manage.

“This is boring. I wanna go on the roller coaster!” It really wasn’t fair to have two irritated seven-year olds capable of that tone.

“I don’t like the roller coaster! Ow! Wakashi-nii, she hit me!”

“I did not!”

Hiyoshi rubbed the bridge of his nose, unsure this day could get any worse until he heard the voice from behind him.

“Hiyoshi-kun! I’m so happy you finally found some friends you could connect with intellectually.”

Eyes wide, Hiyoshi whirled around. “Senpai? What-what are you doing here?” Now would be a really great time to ask if Mukahi-senpai had finally found some rides he was tall enough for. A really great time if Hiyoshi didn’t want to be on the tennis team anymore.

Gakuto leaned an arm on Oshitari’s shoulder. “Enjoying our day off. Yuushi, we should escort our kouhai for a while. He looks like he needs our guidance.”

Oshitari-senpai adjusted his glasses. “Gakuto, you wanted--”

“I’m fine, senpai. I’m taking my cousins around. Please, just, go about your day. Please.”

“But you look so lonely, Hiyoshi-kun,” Gakuto cooed. “And as your-- what is that?”

Confetti burst over the audience as a parade of people in animal suits tumbled out from backstage. PoPo the purple panda led the way accompanied for some unknown reason by a a teal kangaroo and a pink hippo. The three tennis players gaped in horror while the seven-year olds cheered.

“That is simply disturbing,” Oshitari mumbled.

“You call that acrobatics? I can do that in my sleep?” Gakuto laughed as the hippo did some loosely executed cartwheels.

“You can not,” snapped Mina, glaring up at Gakuto.

Gakuto laughed. “Yeah, I can.”

“Can not.” Mina stuck out her tongue. Rika turned her head, finding her sister’s argument more entertaining than the musical. Hiyoshi reminded himself to get Mina a nice birthday present this year.

“Oh yeah?” Gakuto backed a few steps up from Oshitari, steadied himself, and performed a standing backflip, then dropped to his knees, fingers splayed in two V’s. “Whadja think of that -- get off!”

Hiyoshi wasn’t sure how Rika moved so quickly. Must have been all the Enbu lessons. “Sugoi,” she whispered, one hand locked around Gakuto’s hair. “It’s so shiny.”

Gakuto attempted to disentangle himself without ripping out his hair, only to find a second girl latched to his arm. “Ne, ne! Do that again! Can you show me how?”

“Yuushi...” Gakuto’s facial expression suggested he was covered in cockroaches rather than seven-year olds.

Oshitari sighed, bending down on one knee. “Ladies, I would appreciate it if you released my friend. Perhaps I could take you for some ice cream instead?”

“Don’t talk like that to my cousins!” Hiyoshi snapped, jumping between them. He didn’t know what Oshitari-senpai was suggesting, but it didn’t sound right.

Oshitari blinked. “I was only--”

“Yuushi, I wanna leave. Now!” Gakuto tore away from Mina’s grip, grabbing Oshitari’s arm and spinning away from the grandstand. Hiyoshi blinked.

“Rika-chan. Mina-chan. Let’s go.”

“Good, this show is stupid. Where are we going?” Mina huffed.

“I’m going to buy you any one of the plushies you want. Come on.”
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The EllipsesBandit...’s inside jokes:
1. Sing the PoPo’s Magic Jungle theme to the tune of Smoochy’s Magic Jungle from Death to Smoochy. If you haven’t seen the film, the jokes aren’t that funny, but then again if you haven’t seen the film, you probably haven’t lived.
2. I firmly believe that Oshitari’s seiyuu has the ability to make anything sound dirty. Anything.



Chapter Three: In which Atobe expands his tastes, and Shishido puts physics to use
Jirou was aware that his tastes in food were somewhat unorthodox from someone of his social and financial standing. However, he didn’t see what Atobe was making such a big fuss over.

“Jirou, what is that made of?”

Jirou frowned at the plate in front of him; honestly, he’d never considered what ingredients actually went into creating a funnel cake. “Well, you know, batter.”

“What manner of batter?”

“Funnel cake batter,” Jirou sighed. “Just try some. It won’t kill you.”

Atobe didn’t look so sure about that. Admittedly, the amount of grease could probably contribute to clogged arteries, but that sort of damage took years of abuse. Atobe’s eyes, however, remained suspiciously narrowed. “And what exactly is on top of it?”

“Fruit.” Jirou happily downed another piece slathered in purplish gelatin.

“That’s not a fruit, Jirou. That is ... I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s tripleberry. Three fruits.”

Atobe frowned. “Which three?”

Jirou studied a piece. “Well there’s a raspberry. And blueberry. And ... another berry.”

“Ore-sama will not eat a miscellaneous berry.”

Jirou rolled his eyes. “Fine, more for me. Ne, Kabaji, want some?”

Kabaji nodded, extracting a modest piece from the plate. Well, modest for someone of his size. Atobe carefully watched him chew, apparently checking for any signs of eye rolling or foaming at the mouth. Even though Kabaji seemed perfectly content, Atobe still remained apprehensive. Jirou yawned, deciding to switch tactics.

“Jirou, that is obviously draining your energy. Ore-sama demands you stop eating it.”

“Mou, Atobe, the sugar will keep me awake,” Jirou protested, pouting.

Atobe’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been speaking with that Rikkai boy again.”

An eye roll. “Marui-kun never returns my emails. Just try some.” Jirou moved with lightning fast reflexes, shoving a forkful between Atobe’s lips. After the initial shock wore off, his face contorted in concentration, as if it took every ounce of strength to fight down his noble digestive system and just swallow. He managed though, eyes still blinking in surprise.

“That is absolutely vile,” he stated blankly.

Jirou laughed, eyes losing their drowsiness. “You need to try it with whipped cream to get the full effect.” He gleefully offered another piece.

Atobe muttered a few more complaints to himself, then took the fork.
******
Contrary to popular opinion at Hyotei, Shishido was not a complete idiot in the ways of romance. He did understand what Choutarou had been trying to do all day; he just wished there were an easy to explain why it wasn’t going to work. A few weeks ago, maybe. Hell, definitely. But not now. Not anymore. Still, that was no reason to allow Taki to violate the poor kid.

He also understood why Ohtori wanted to ride the Pharoah’s Tomb, unlike some wannabe tennis starlets who refused to let go of the second year’s arm.

“Isn’t this some kids’ ride?” Taki asked.

“It’s one of the first rides built in this park,” Ohtori explained, “All the animatronics have been refurbished, of course, and the ride treks through almost fifty meters of waterways. It’s a classic. You really can’t leave the park without riding it once.” He stopped for a second, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks as he realized he sounded a little like a park brochure. His eyes met Shishido’s, and the blush deepened as he added, “And the last drop is pretty cool.”

Taki still seemed unconvinced, “I’m not going to get wet, am I?”

Jesus. Shishido pushed past Taki, making sure to ram into his shoulder. “Just get in the boat, pansy.”

“Shut up, shrimp.” Taki jumped to get back between Shishido and Ohtori.

“Taki-senpai, if you like you could wait out here. The ride’s only about four minutes and--”

“I’m in, I’m in,” Taki said hurriedly as the three of them crossed the yellow safety line to step into the circular raft. Nice try,, Shishido thought. But Ohtori probably knew that wouldn’t work.

Taki slid along the wet bench to sit next to Ohtori, leaning one arm over the edge. Shishido had a pleasant, momentary thought of him snagging his arm on something large and sharp as the ride progressed, pulling him out of the boat and maybe dislocating something. He contemplated sitting between the two of them out of spite, but Ohtori would no doubt take that wrong. He shouldn’t encourage him more than he already had. He walked around the pole in the center of the raft that held the safety ring to sit opposite them both, trying to ignore the hurt look on Ohtori’s face. A bubbly couple followed the tennis players in, forcing him to sit closer to Taki. They seemed more or less oblivious to his glare.

And then the lot of them were floating into spotlit caverns that probably would have made a real Ancient Egyptian clock the designers upside the head with a 3 ton brick.

As soon as the raft passed the gateway, the riders were struck blind. Shishido couldn’t see a thing, and heard no sound except the lapping of the water and the face-sucking the couple next to him had begun as soon as the light disappeared. It made Shishido both violently annoyed and quietly jealous. After a few seconds, he heard Ohtori whisper, “Taki-senpai, you really should keep your hands inside the boat for your safety.”

Shishido growled, shifting his weight a little to increase the boat’s turning. If they spun a little more to the right...a little closer to the wall...

“I’m fine, Ohtori. Ow!” Shishido felt Taki recoil into him as the other boy yanked his arm back into the boat and thus away from Ohtori.

Huh. So physics did have applications other than tennis.

The raft turned a corner, spotlights now revealing the first of the animatronics: Egyptian slaves carving hieroglyphs in the wall. Their motionless eyes stared at Shishido, almost accusing. He turned away. He was being a good senpai this trip, damn it...

...even though the spotlights illuminated Choutarou’s features in a soft, almost mysterious way. The colored lights tinged his hair scarlet and the shadows cast across his eyes would make him look right at home as a spy in a film noir movie. He looked dangerous and beautiful.

Shishido shook his head, closing his eyes. Why had he even shown up? Oh yeah, Atobe. Couldn’t let Atobe see him looking weak or beaten, even if he was. God, he was pathetic.

The ride took a rough turn, making Shishido open his eyes long enough to see he was in a room filled with machine-generated fog and cat statues. Oddly enough, the rhinestone cat eyes weren’t half as disturbing as the panda people outside. Overhead, a booming voice warned them to beware the curse of something or other that would destroy all who passed this way. The ride dipped down.

Reflexively, Shishido’s hand gripped the safety ring in the center of the raft, not realizing the Choutarou’s much longer arms had done the same thing, reaching across the ring, thus causing Shishido’s hands to land directly on top of them. He pulled back quickly as the raft rocked. Damned if Ohtori hadn’t done that on purpose. He wasn’t going to make this easy.

A gargled sound effect probably designed to be a mummy’s moan echoed through the caverns as the ride neared what was probably its final descent. Good. Get him out of this mildewy ride and somewhere he could properly see Choutarou so he could properly avoid him.

Choutarou, at the moment, was wriggling awkwardly towards the couple next to him. “Shishido-san, Taki-senpai, we’re going to want to spin right.”

Shishido frowned. “Right?”

“Right! Lean right!”

It was only then Shishido realized he was facing backwards as the raft tipped over rise.

Crap.
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The Ellipses Bandit…’s continuing inside jokes
1. I once consumed a “tripleberry” waffle. I have yet to identify the mystery fruit, but I do plan on naming my band Miscellaneous Berry.
2. The EllipsesBandit… is always on the back of damn river raft rides. Sorry for making you feel my pain, Shishi.