Chapter Text
Kazuya and Youichi were whipped. Though neither of then would admit it (nor did they even realize that they were). With their graduation just in the horizon and with their futures in their respective universities in tact, they had headed out to hunt for apartments, refusing to stay at their respective dormitories. It wasn't that they were tired of rooming with others, it was just that they were preparing for their future roommates.
Kazuya knew Eijun wasn't planning on returning home after high school, she was going to pursue a professional career in baseball. And it was safe to assume that she'd be staying in Tokyo, since she had already made a name for herself here. So, Kazuya took it upon himself to find them a temporary home (he had this all panned out in his head: after college and when they had their careers, they were getting a manshon, which had more leg room and better facilities than the standard apato).
Aotsuki had already planned to attend college in Tokyo ever since and while they were taking things slow (well, slower than Kazuya and Eijun), Youichi was expecting that living together through college was the next step. For one thing, he wouldn't even dream of letting his girlfriend stay at an apartment by herself and they could get a better place if they split the rent (for the first year, he'd have to save up though but that was fine because this was for Aotsuki).
It took them about a month until they found the right place though surprisingly, Youichi was pickier than Kazuya about it. Though their apartments were relatively far from each other since they went on to different universities, their units were similar: 2LDKs. Two rooms, a living room, dining room and a kitchen though the unit Youichi took had a separate bathroom and toilet, both units also had wooden flooring as opposed to the tatami mats.
They'd signed the one-year contract and lease, paid three-month's worth of rent in advance and the day after graduation, they were moving in. Kazuya with the help of Eijun and Satoru while Youichi had Ryousuke and Haruichi's help (since Ryousuke lived close by and was familiar with the area).
As they were moving boxes, Eijun made a quick comment about the unit, "wow, I didn't think you'd get a big place."
"It's not really that big, you're just used to the size of the rooms in Seido," Kazuya answered as he unboxed a microwave, courtesy of the coach and Rei (to jump start their lives as part of the society). "But it's big enough for two people."
"Oh, I see," Eijun nodded, looking at the interior of the room as if mesmerized.
Some feeling of anxiety was dancing on his chest as he watched her, his mind wondering what she thought of the place--their place. It was bare at the moment but they'd be able to fill it up, make it feel like home and the spare room would be used for their baseball equipment or study room (though Kazuya knew the latter wouldn't be of much use).
"So...what do you guys think?" He asked, trying not to sound to obvious that he wanted to know Eijun's opinion.
Satoru looked at him knowingly because he was perceptive the way and Kazuya glared at him, knowing that if he didn't, the pitcher would blow his smooth cover.
"It's fine, Miyuki-senpai," Satoru answered quietly.
"And Eijun?" The former captain said, hoping that he didn't sound to desperate.
"How much is this place?"
"Well, you don't have to worry about that since the school pays for the rent."
"But how much is it? Wakana's moving to Tokyo next year and we have to save money for an apartment--"
"What?" Kazuya interrupted, his world slowly cracking while Satoru stood there, face devoid of emotion but mentally snickering at his upperclassman's misfortunes.
"Wakana's planning to attend university here and since it would be too expensive and dangerous for her to live on her own, we decided to share an apartment. Our families already agreed to it."
"Senpai, I'll go get the rest of the boxes now," Satoru announced a little bit cheerfully and left the couple, Eijun oblivious to what was happening while Kazuya's future plans were crumbling.
"Ah, I see..." Kazuya replied weakly, voice slightly cracking and mind-blank.
"I'll go help Furuya, he might get a heatstroke or something." Casually, she jogged out to help her rival as Kazuya sank to the floor.
Youichi scowled as he dropped a box of his clothes and took out his cell phone to find an e-mail from Kazuya.
"What does he want?"
Wakana and Eijun are living together next year.
The phone fell from his hands.
"Youichi?" Ryousuke called, confused at the sudden stiffness of the younger teen.
"I think he found out about Ei-chan and Wakana's plans for next year," Haruichi whispered to his brother, who then snickered.
Omake
Just before they were leaving, Kazuya pulled Satoru aside and gave the now third year a wide, pleasant grin.
"Senpai?"
"You have to convince her to move in with me."
"What?"
"Convince Eijun to live with me by next year, not with Wakana. She's going to live with Kuramochi."
"But, senpai--"
"No buts!" He said with a strong pat on the pitcher's back, forcing the other to flinch, "and make sure no one makes a move on her, even you! Or else a very painful death awaits you, understand?"
Satoru gulped, he really didn't need this right now but he nodded anyway. He could keep one half of the bargain but he wasn't so sure about convincing Eijun. He would need Haruichi for this.
"Listen, otouto-kun, you have to make Sawamura live with Miyuki at all costs. I don't know what you'd have to do to her-- short of killing her-- but just convince her to live with that idiot boyfriend of hers, okay?"
Haruichi stared at the former vice-captain, internally gulping at the intensity of his eyes and the tight hold he had on his shoulders. His last year of high school was going to be a long one.