Abe could tell Mihashi was choking back sobs. The way he hung his head-hunched over the soon to be cold curry–and the way his shoulders shook were obvious signs. Abe knew Mihashi had somehow found a way to put a negative spin on his accomplishments despite their team's win, and the fact that Mihashi had been the one to pull them through. Abe ground his teeth, frustrated by the pessimistic attitude Mihashi had towards… everything! Jerkily he slammed his palms on the table, making Mihashi squeak and reel back in surprise. The other two jumped a bit, shooting Abe bewildered looks.

"Okay, look Mihashi! What will it take to show you that I –" the catcher smoothly caught himself.

"-the team needs you!? That we depend on you and value you as a team member?!" Mihashi seemed to shrink in response.

"I-I-I… but… it's A-Abe-kun…" was all Mihashi managed to get out.

"It's not just me. Without your control there's no way we would've even come close to winning! You got us through! You're our Ace, Mihashi!" The blond trembled.

"B-but... they got h-hits on some of my pi-pitches… a-and, you told me to get off the mound… but I didn't listen… I was s-selfish…" Mihashi hiccupped. Abe rubbed his temple-sometimes talking to Mihashi was frustrating.

"Well, that's to be expected. But you played your best didn't you? You tried your hardest, right?" Mihashi gave a slight nod.

"Then that's all that matters. I'd rather have you as my pitcher than all of the Harunas in the world." At that Mihashi looked up, perplexed.

"But-but Haruna's amazing!" Mihashi said, eyes glowing with praise. A look of utter contempt spread throughout Abe's face.

"But he'll never be… you." Was all he replied with. The tenderness and sincerity of Abe's statement caught them all off guard. Mihashi sat bug-eyed, tears threatening to fall into his curry. There was an awkward moment of silence until Hanai chimed in.

"It's true, you know." He said. Tajima grinned.

"We're really lucky to have you on our team, dude." Mihashi rubbed his face, feeling his cheeks burn up. If these guys even said it... maybe it was true...?

"Th-thanks guys." He smiled awkwardly.

Once they had finished their curry and the tournament recap, the group turned to go, thanking Mihashi for the delicious lunch. Hanai was about to say something about hanging out sometime, when he thought better of it. Maybe it was the "get out of here" glare from Abe or maybe it was…–-no, it was definitely the looks Abe was giving them. Hanai could tell when he wasn't wanted, and quickly thought up a seemingly legitimate excuse to leave.

"My mom wanted me to help her clean the house today – and she's pretty particular about it. I'd better go. Great job Mihashi, see you later!" Tajima, however, was less subtle.

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Besides," he grinned crookedly."I've got a lot of homework to do." At that Abe felt himself bristle, whether it was because of the teasing or because Tajima was a complete idiot, he wasn't sure.

"Final exams are in less than a week! Have you been studying at all?!" He shouted, sending the nearby birds in a frenzy.

"Relax, dude… I've got plenty of time!" Tajima replied coolly. With an, "I'm-going-to-kill-you-if-I-catch-you" look, Abe chased the cleanup hitter around the yard. Tajima, fully aware of the wrath he would receive if caught, ran for his life. Hanai decided to step in, grabbing Abe around the waist, and yelling,

"RUN, DUDE! I GOT HIM!" Tajima grinned and waved, sprinting off towards his house and leaving the catcher trapped and infuriated. When Tajima was barely a speck in the distance, Hanai let Abe go. Abe brushed himself off, clenching and unclenching his fists in an attempt to simmer down.

"Sorry Abe, but I can't let you go around breaking Tajima's limbs-his hand is already in bad shape, and we still need him to play." the team captain apologized.

"Yeah, I know…" Abe grumbled.

"He'd better ACE the exam though…!" Hanai took this moment to excuse himself.

"I'll be going now. Bye you two!" He waved. Mihashi waved back; his cheeks were rosy, the happiness of his friends coming to visit him settling in.

But now… he realized. ...I'm all alone with Abe!

The pitcher instantly stiffened, afraid that any motion might cause the catcher to remember he was there and yell at him like he usually did. While Abe did have the urge to do just that, he refrained, knowing how frail the pitcher was.

"Mihashi…" he began, watching as the smaller boy gasped at the mention of his name, and tried to scamper away. Abe caught him by the scruff of his shirt.

"Don't run away when I'm trying to talk to you!"

"S-sorry Abe! I thought you were going to-to yell at m-me…" At this Abe was taken aback.

"I never yell at-!" Abe clasped a hand over his mouth, realizing that he did usually treat his younger teammate in this manner.

No wonder he's always so afraid of me… he thought. Abe let go of Mihashi, exhaling as he watched his pitcher shake.

"Mihashi…" He tried to start over. Speaking as gently as possible, he took on a similar tone one would use towards a wounded animal or upset child.

"…I'm sorry."

Why is Abe apologizing?

Mihashi gazed upward a little, seeing Abe's cheeks flush ever so slightly.

"I know I yell at you a lot, and I-… what I'm trying to say… is that I really…" Now it was Abe that was stuttering. Hands firmly at his sides, he took a deep breath.

"I really like you, Mihashi."