Two Hens - Chapter One

BL Warning :-)

The alarm clock buzzed. It rang for an almost half minute before Isao slowly stirred from his computer desk. He sluggishly lifted his arm to turn off his alarm. A cold morning breeze rolled through the window and Isao shivered. He walked over to the window and again the breeze rolled. He saw the branches sway on the tree that was growing next to his apartment complex. The last of the crispy brown leaves fell off the branch.

              

  “The end of fall is here, huh?” Isao said out the window before closing it.

Turning back to his desk, he saw his laptop screen. It still had the Word application Isao had fell asleep on the previous night. He saved the document, turned off the device, and snuggly put it in his bag.  As Isao began to prepare for his day, he went to look in the mirror, checking to make sure he had an at least decent appearance. He tidied his dark brown hair, threw on relatively fresh clothes, and set out about his day. [1] 

            

    Walking out to the street, Isao saw small children laughing and playing as they too began walking to school.

                

“Ya hear?! There’s gonna be a biiiig snowstorm this year!” One of the girls exclaimed.

              

  “Oh boy, really?! I can’t wait!”

The children’s enthusiastic conversation reminded Isao of his years in grade school. How he would excitedly wait for the first snowfall of the year. But now he was in college. A second year at L University. He hadn’t much excitement about snowfalls anymore. All his energy was put into college and drawing. More into drawing, as he hadn’t put much thought into what university he wanted to go to when he was in high school. He just knew that there were not many employers hiring without some kind of degree. Nowadays he did the bare minimum to pass his courses. Whatever it took to just graduate and live his life. His initial plan of going to a trade school changed due to his mother’s persistent badgering for him to continue his education at a university.  He knew she only wanted the best out of her only son, but he seemed to not share her great inspiration.

It’s not like I didn’t want to better myself

Isao thought to himself. He remembered the small argument he had with his mother nearing the end of his 3^rd year of high school. Shortly after graduation, he had moved into a small apartment near L University.

A small escape is all I needed.

                As he thought to himself, Isao started to hear someone calling him from a distance.

                “Hey! Isao! Can’t you hear me?”

Isao turned around to see his childhood friend, Sonoe running up to him. The wind made her bouncy brown hair fly in her face. [2] 

      

          “Ah, sorry, Sonoe.”

Sonoe glared at him. Isao always felt a little uneasy when Sonoe’s big blue eyes pierced at him. Sometimes he wondered if she was secretly a mind-reader.

                “I called out 3 times! You’re always spacing out.” Sonoe scolded. “Geez, what’s up with you anyways?”

                “Nothing really.” Isao gave a soft smile to ease Sonoe’s concern. He knew how she would get when she felt too concerned. Questions for hours. It’d be best if he just smiled and kept going. They continued their walk to the university.

   “Honest, I’m okay.” He gave a nervous laugh. Sonoe peered into Isao’s face.

                “Isao, are you…happy?”

                “Eh?..of course I am.” Isao thought to himself.

As always, she can see right through me, huh?

“Don’t lie to me.” Sonoe gained a troubled expression.

                “I’m not. I promise, Sonoe.”

                Sonoe looked at Isao. She sighed before a small grin appeared on her face.

“Well, you might have to wait longer than usual after school today.”

                “Why?”

                “Well the soccer team has a match coming up at the end of the week, so they’re going to need more practice time after school.” A slight smile appeared on Sonoe’s face.

                “Hmm…you seem a little happy about that. You must like being manager.” Isao said in a teasing manner. Sonoe’s cheeks turned pink at the comment.

                “What are you saying? It’s not like I enjoy being manager of a bunch of rowdy boys!”

                “Is that so? Then why did you suddenly jump at the opportunity to be the manager at the beginning of the year?” Isao looked down on Sonoe and saw that her cheeks had become a light shade of red. “Oh? So you have a crush?” Isao joked.  Sonoe stopped walking and looked straight at Isao who had also stopped.

                “I-It’s not like that!”

If you’re gonna lie, at least don’t have on such an expression.

Isao chuckled to himself and began walking again.

                “I’ll wait for you, so maybe then you can show me who that guy is” He smiled.

                “Hmph.” Sonoe quickly caught up to Isao. “…I won’t go out with him unless you approve.”

Isao gave a surprised look.

                “Why me? Shouldn’t that be your girl friends’ approval?”

                “Just so they can steal him away? I think not.” Sonoe sassed. “Besides, you’re the only one I can trust.” Her words sunk into Isao’s chest. “Let’s hurry before the gate closes!” Sonoe suddenly broke out into a light jog, dragging Isao by the wrist.

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                Isao yawned as he walked out of his last class for the day.

That professor is too annoying…

He walked down the hall to the nearby vending machine to buy a Coke and chips, a regular routine of his. He then went to the courtyard, cracked open his Coke, and drank. He tilted his head back, letting the sun warm his face.

Ahh…this feels nice.

A nice breeze rolled by and ruffled through Isao’s hair. He didn’t want to have to wait for who knows how long after school. But he didn’t want to be scolded by Sonoe if he went straight home. But he didn’t mind too much since the weather still felt pretty good for this time of the season.

I guess I can just draw as a pastime.

                He walked through the courtyard and found his resting spot. A rather large tree with thick branches. It was in the best location for Isao. It was behind one of the resource buildings on campus, and didn’t make for too long of a walk to the gym. In the warmer months, Isao used it to escape the sun’s rays when he needed cool down time. Now that it was cooler and the leaves had fell, meant there was no shade. But it still held for a good resting area. He sat down and leaned against the tree’s trunk. Isao enjoyed his tranquil times here. He loved being able to write, study, and draw away from the loud clamors of other students. Isao unzipped his bag and pulled out his laptop and drawing tablet and began his long wait for Sonoe.

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                He hadn’t known how long he had sat under that tree. Isao had indulged himself in his drawing. [3] 

                “Done!”

                Isao praised himself. He ended up drawing a soccer field with his idea of a team in the middle of a game. He checked the time on his laptop. 6:56 pm. Isao shivered as the earlier relaxing breeze turned cold.

Is practice over yet?

                He checked his phone to see if Sonoe had texted him.

“Will be done by 7”.

Isao yawned again as he was about to put his things away in his bag. Just then he had felt something knock into his thigh.

                “A soccer ball?”

Must belong to a player.

He stood up and grabbed the ball. He looked up to see a young man running towards him.

                “My bad! It’s mine!”

Isao saw that the young man wore an L University Soccer team jacket. His light brown hair was pinned away from his face.

When he caught up to Isao he bent over and rested his hands on his knees, panting. When he caught his breath, he stood up, practically towering over Isao. The young man peered at Isao’s face with a questionable expression.

                “What[4] ?” Isao asked, slightly annoyed.

                “Ah, you must be Sonoe’s friend!”

Isao scratched his head in confusion.

                “How do you-“, Isao was cut off before he could ask his question

                “You are, aren’t you?! She talked about how some guy was picking her up!” The young man reached out his hand.

                “I’m Rio.”[5] 

Isao hesitantly shook his hand.

Sweaty!

“Isao.”

“Isao! That’s right!”

He’s smiling as if he’s solved a great mystery

Isao held out the soccer ball.

                “This is yours, right?”

                “Ah, thanks!” Rio took the soccer ball and peered at Isao’s face for a while, making him feel uncomfortable.

                He’s an awkward one.

                “…What is it?” Isao said in a slightly annoyed manner.

                “Nothing really." Rio scratched his head. "I just didn’t expect for you to be Sonoe’s type.”

What?!

Rio continued. “No it’s just that, she’s always ogling the soccer team. I figured she’d date a guy a bit more…” Rio examined Isao up and down. “Built? Ya know?!”

This guy! Thinking he can say whatever he wants!

Rio chuckled. “I guess it can’t be helped.”

His smile says that he doesn’t even realize he’s insulting me.

Isao held his composure.

                “We aren’t dating.”

Rio made a surprised look.

                “Really?! Well I guess that makes much more sense.” He breathed out heavily.

“Much more sense”?! And why do you sound so relieved?..

“ISAO!” A familiar voice yelled. They both looked in the direction of the voice and saw Sonoe running toward them.

                “Hey, manager!” Rio cheerfully called to her. “I was just meeting Isao, here.”

                “Hey, don’t weird him out of anything!” Sonoe slightly scolded.

He already did.

                “Heh?! Impossible!” Rio retorted. Him and Sonoe continued to tease each other, leaving Isao to his thoughts.

They seem close. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Sonoe mention a “Rio” before though...surely I’d remember such a strange guy.

                “Well, we’ll be taking our leave” Sonoe waved goodbye.. [6] 

                “Bye-bye!” Rio replied. “Ah, nice meeting you Isao.”

                Isao turned around. Rio still wore a bright smile, waving to them.

                “Yeah. Later.”

Isao and Sonoe walked toward the gate, starting their usual journey back home.

 I can't shake the feeling that I'm forgetting something...

-------END------[7] 

Author's Note

Revise of chapter 1

Reviews

[Lox]

I have several questions up my mind, but maybe I'll hold onto them later in to this chapter. This chapter is nicely done, it seems stable. I'm no pro but hey this story's getting interesting as you read. Its not that type of dynamite exciting, its kind of nocturnal exciting. By the way, please don't tell me this is the BL story you were talking about. Anyways, nicely done.

[Youma]

Thank you so much for your review! And yes this is the BL story.

[Lox]

By BL story, what do you mean? Yaoi?

[Youma]

More shounen-ai for now. I haven't decided if it will turn yaoi yet. (I feel like it most likely will down the line though.)

[Lox]

I wonder how this'll turn out to be BL, I mean I have this hunch Sonoe likes Isao somehow but I guess its too early for conclusions. Keep it up! (I'll keep reading whatever happens in the story!) Any piece of writing is an art regardless of gender! As long at it keeps grinding the gears of its readers. Keep it up! Good luck

[Leo Small]

Amazing i can sense the yaoi coming and maybe even true love keep up the good work

[Moka]

I really loved it. I cannot wait for the next chapter!!