People who knew Kouchisei would have said he seemed kinder. He didn't want his behaviour to cause more problems. He wasn't good at playing tennis, either.
"Hey. Tell me about your problem. I don't mind waiting."
He was attempting to be nicer by listening to other people. When Kozue had left tennis practice he had seen her from the library; promptly he had packed his bags and made a beeline down to meet her. She was considerate to him. Friendly. Didn't force him into something he hated.
"And if you don't want to talk, I can find someone who will." He added as a thought, "If this is about Akuba-san, she was helping me. I don't understand why you seem so upset."