This is the first fic I ever made, so please take it easy on me. I hope I don't disappoint you…If things go well, I may continue writing if I get more ideas. (:

Disclaimer: I do not own Ookiku Furikabutte. Nor do I own the image used as its cover.

It was like any other day. I woke up, ate breakfast, and got dressed.

On my way to school however, I met a man along the way. I don't mean to sound rude, but he was strange.

You see, he claimed he was a genie.

And like any other genie, he promised to grant me 3 wishes.

Naïve as I was, I played along.

First.

I wanted to learn how to pitch.

Fastball, Curveball, Forkball, Sinker, Screwball, Shoot. I wanted to learn them all. We couldn't afford much, so I learned on my own.

Day and night, I practiced. I wanted to be the best.

With that desire, I continued playing the game I grew to love until the end.

Second.

I studied at Mihoshi, the school owned by my grandfather, for Middle School. In there, I entered the baseball club.

I wanted to be the ace.

During games, I pitched until the end. I stayed on the mound even when I was dead tired; even if I was sick; even if I kept getting hit; even if we were already a lost cause. I never got

off.

Then I got bullied. It started with a punch. Followed by a kick. Then, a threat.

They said I was the ace because of favoritism. Those words hurt. They hurt much more than all the physical pain I ever went through.

Before I realized it, my eyes were wet. I was crying.

It was only after a while that they stopped. Completely.

I was left, ignored.

I know that they were just mad and disappointed for losing. I didn't like what they put me through though, but I couldn't hate them for that. I deserved it.

It was my fault.

I'm sorry.

But those words landed on deaf ears.

Third.

I wanted to change things.

I moved into my mother's home. I applied for Nishiura High School. It was hard to get through, but I persevered.

It was good to be away from Mihoshi, for a change of pace. I liked the team. I liked practice. I liked my friends. I liked being a true, genuine ace.

For the first time in my life, I was content.

Then I met him.

He was strict, but patient. He taught me everything I needed to know. He took my raw desire to pitch and turned it into a talent and weapon of Nishiura.

I knew I wasn't perfect.

But he was fine with that.

I cried.

But he cried with me.

I stuttered.

But he tried to understand.

I made mistakes.

But he was always there to make them right.

But most of all, he believed in me, when I could not.

He was the best catcher I ever had, and could ever ask for.

I loved him.

I wanted to tell him.

But I was scared.

How would he react? We're both guys. Won't he be disgusted?

If I told him, things would get awkward. Not just when we talk, but also at practice.

I know I should just keep my mouth shut. If I remain silent, nothing wrong would happen.

But I also know that if I didn't do anything about it, it would hurt. I'd have to go on, nurturing my unrequited love, hiding it from him.

I knew I would break down, sooner or later. Once I did, he would notice.

And then it would turn awkward too.

I'm so confused.

My wishes were granted; all three of them.

Shouldn't that be enough?

I'm too greedy.

Ever since I met him, three just didn't seem to be enough.

I'm playing my favorite sport, being a genuine ace, and I've gained real friends.

I should've been happy by now, right?

All I wanted was to be worthy of being with him.

Please.

Is it so wrong to ask for one more?

Thanks so much for taking time to read this.

Review please! Constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated. \:D/