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“I can’t believe this. This is absolutely the worst thing that can ever happen.”
“Hey, now. It’s your fault why we’re in this situation in the first place. If you hadn’t decided to run off to the toilet without telling anyone, which resulted in the bus leaving us behind, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Don’t blame Mother Nature’s calling, Miyuki Kazuya! If I needed to go pee, I will go pee.”
The laugh that escapes Miyuki’s mouth can barely be heard over the heavy bashing of rain falling down. They’re lucky that Miyuki had brought an umbrella in advance, or else the two boys would be returning to the dorms soaking wet and laughed at by their teammates.
The translucent material shields them from the water droplets chaotically pelting down at them, running down the smooth curve of the umbrella and dripping into the puddles surrounding them.
Seidou had a practice game won that afternoon, with a victorious surge of celebration when Eijun closed the last few innings perfectly without letting a single batter on the bases. Although it was only a practice game, far from the real thing, everyone was impressed by how much progress Eijun showed throughout the season, from being a loud-mouthed country bumpkin with proclamations he didn’t have the facts to back up to a shining, blazing spitfire who’s feared on the mound.
However, there is one person who hasn’t said anything to Eijun yet.
“Oi, Miyuki Kazuya! Aren’t you gonna say anything about how awesome I did today?!”
Miyuki snorts. “Oh please, like I need to inflate that ego of yours even more. You already have a big head—any bigger and you’ll topple over.”
“MIYUKI KAZU—”
“Yes, I’m fully aware that that’s my name. And it’s Miyuki-senpai, brat,” Miyuki says. His snickers burst into fits of laughter when Eijun starts spluttering incoherent curses.
“You played well, though, I’ve got to admit,” Miyuki then says, and the insults Eijun had planned to spit out disappear from the tip of his tongue.
Eijun’s lips curl into a grin. “Care to elaborate, Miyuki-senpai?” he croons, leaning closer to Miyuki.
The catcher scowls and pinches Eijun’s nose. “Shut up, Sawamoron.”
Eijun squawks indignantly, batting Miyuki’s hand away. “Owwww, hey, that HURTS!”
“That’s what you get when you disrespect your senpai,” Miyuki sneers. “So, fishing for compliments now? Don’t you already have enough praises showered over you, Sawamura?”
“I know, but you haven’t said anything!”
Miyuki sighs exasperatedly. “You already have enough, so I’m pretty sure whatever I say doesn’t matter anyway.”
“It matters to me,” Eijun grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest.
The catcher hums. “Why’s that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You are the reason why I even came to Seidou,” Eijun says. Upon the look of disbelief on Miyuki’s face, Eijun immediately regrets saying those words. He wasn’t planning on ever telling Miyuki that, or else he’d never hear the end of the captain’s perpetual teasing and jabbing.
As much as he wants to hide it, ignore these thoughts and feelings, Eijun can’t help but be drawn to Miyuki, not only the shining, talented boy on the field, but the person outside baseball, when the tough demeanor isn’t there anymore.
He’s a jerk, but also a good person. He’s always considerate and selfless. Miyuki rarely shows it because he constantly tries to hide it, but there are times when Eijun can see through the cracks of the mask he displays, see the real Miyuki Kazuya behind the pessimistic bullshit facade he always has up.
Eijun cares about him, but he doesn’t know how to show it. How to let him know that he’s not alone, because Eijun will be there for him.
“And ah, you mean a lot. To me,” he continues. “Ever since I pitched for your mitt on that summer day and struck out Azuma, it made me realize that… I want to win with a catcher like you. I want to be the kind of ace that you’ll be able to take first place as side-by-side partners, ya know?”
He takes a deep breath. Exhales. He turns to look at Miyuki straight in the eyes, and pours the rest of his feelings (and remaining dignity):
“I’m glad I met you, Miyuki Kazuya.”
Without a single word, Miyuki turns his head away from Eijun, and the pitcher’s heart drops. Was that too much? he thinks, wincing at his straightforwardness.
Eijun moves in closer to him in increasing amount of worry. “Hey, Miyuki?” he says with uncertainty. Miyuki, utterly silent, scoots even farther away from him, up to the point where his shoulder leaves the protection of the umbrella and droplets of rain soak up his jersey’s sleeve.
Eijun immediately backs away. “Shit, I am so, so sorry! I know it’s overstepping our current relationship, don’t be mad, oh my god don’t be ma—”
That’s Sawamura notices how much Miyuki’s hand is trembling as he grips onto the umbrella handle, knuckles turned bone-white. The tips of his ears are tinged red, and the tiny glimpse of his cheeks are colored crimson.
He realizes that Miyuki is blushing.
“Oh! I am, uh, sorry. About all this. Aargh, I’m so embarrassing—!”
Miyuki mumbles something incoherent underneath his breath.
Eijun leans forward, saying, “Huh? I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that, senpai.”
Miyuki’s hand suddenly grips onto the neck of Eijun’s jersey, pulls him forward, and kisses him.
When he finally lets go and leans back, Eijun’s mind completely blanks, unable to fully comprehend what had just happened. He stares, eyes wide with shock, at Miyuki.
“I said,” Miyuki starts, a beaming smile spreading, “that I’m glad I met you, too.” Reaching out, he wraps his hands around the pitcher’s face. Eijun closes his eyes, and Miyuki leans in again.
This time, none of them stop.
The door of the cafeteria slides open, and Youichi sighs in relief upon seeing his cynical captain and idiotic roommate.
“There you guys are!” he exclaims. “Where have you dumbasses been? And jeez, you guys are freaking drenched—” He halts when his eyes drift down to the linked hands. He snaps his gaze back up at the two, eyes practically bulging. “Did you— oh God, you actually—”
“Now now, Kuramochi, I don’t kiss and tell,” Miyuki says. He leans down and gives Sawamura a quick peck on the lips.
Everyone in the room rolls their eyes and groans.
Youichi gags. “GODDAMNIT, GET A ROOM!”