It seemed as if the Nishiura baseball team was spaced-out during practice, and Abe was growing restless.
First, Oki fumbled a pitch. Abe growled.
Then Mizutani couldn't hit the ball once. Abe growled.
Even Izumi tripped and fell on his face while practicing sprinting from the bases, making Abe's nostrils flare while he growled.
Oh yeah, and… he couldn't stop growling.
Abe was about to tear his hair out when Momoe took him by the shoulders and dragged him to the dugout.
"I don't know if you're being grouchier than usual, but just cool off for a sec, okay? Breathe."
Abe growled again. Momoe laughed.
"I mean it, alright?"
Abe's expression pinched, but he nodded, deciding to take the coach's advice. After a while of standing in the dugout and watching the others practice, he heard a squeak behind him. Turning, he saw Mihashi hunched over a steaming cup of tea.
"U-um, y-you've been g-growling a lot and I, uh, that could hurt y-your throat, and you n-need to talk since you're the-the c-c-catcher, s-so I brought you s-some tea…" Mihashi held up the cup and looked down at his shoes. Abe took the cup, surprised by the gesture. Mihashi looked up in wonder, happy that his present was accepted.
"Thank you, Mihashi." Abe smiled a little, genuinely moved.
Mihashi nodded and skittered off to the field, a streak of pink coloring his cheeks.
Suddenly there was a cooing in Abe's ear, making him jump and almost spill Mihashi's gift. He whipped around angrily to find Tajima, hands on his hips and smirking. He leaned forward.
"You liiike him!"
"So what if I do?" Abe answered without thought.
Tajima leaned back and broke out into a huge grin.
"I knew it!"
He smacked Abe on the back and went to join the others on the field.
Yeah, Abe thought, watching his pitcher.
So what if I do?