I do not own Ookiku Furikabutte; all rights go to Asa Higuchi
Any Original Characters presented in this fanfiction belong to me
Any OC paired with a canon character will assist in moving the plot and are not to be permanent relationships (aside from friendships and platonic affections)
This story contains a lot of my personal Oofuri headcanons

I. The Call

Night was just barely beginning as Ren Mihashi found himself finally heading home. It was the dead of winter, with cold winds and even some snow falling around the pitcher as he walked. When a harsh gust blew past his face, nipping his nose a soft red, he couldn't help but wonder if this thorough training program was a good idea. Coach's winter training was really tough, but he knew that it was all for keeping up his and the team's strength until spring. Regardless, Ren was somewhat relieved that it was over for the day; he was finally able to return home to his parents and warm bed.

"I'm home…" he all but groaned as he stumbled in through the door.

"Welcome back, Ren, how was training?" his mother asked, walking up to meet him. "Did you work hard?"

"Yeah, it was good, we did a lot today." Ren said softly, clearly exhausted from that day's training. He yawned widely and his mother couldn't help but smile while she helped him remove his coat.

"Why don't you wake yourself up with a bath while I make you something to eat?" she offered, nudging him towards the stairs. "You can't go to bed with an empty stomach, you know!"

"Okay, Mom." Ren nodded, slowly making his way upstairs while his mother went to the kitchen. Ren would always come home so tired and worn out, and while she knew that it was all for keeping him in top shape for baseball, there were some days she just wished her son could have a break from it all.

Before Naoe Mihashi could reach the kitchen, the phone rang just as she was passing the living room entrance. She thought briefly that answering it wouldn't take long, but as soon as she picked up and asked who was calling, the voice that answered assured her that this would be a very long call.

"Good evening Naoe, I'm sure you know who this is." The voice said. It was that of an older man, and Naoe recognized it immediately. "Would you mind putting Reiichi on? I need to speak with him."

"Rei hasn't returned home as of yet." Naoe answered strongly. "I'm sure you can speak of the matter with me just as well."

"You know why I can't do that." The man grumbled. "You have no say, so there's no sense in even telling you."

"…It has to do with Ren, doesn't it?"

As Ren rubbed his towel on his head, he relished in the warmth of his room before his growling stomach reminded him that he needed to eat dinner. Making his way out of his room and down the stairs, he found his father standing in the hallway outside the entrance to the living room. Ren cocked his head to the side in both curiosity and confusion, usually his dad wouldn't be home for hours, why was he home now?

"Hey, Dad—"

"You've got to be kidding!" Naoe's voice shot through the air, startling Ren. His father, Reiichi Mihashi, instantaneously noticed his son's presence, and went to shoo him upstairs while his mother continued to shout. "If you think I'll just let you do as you please, you're wrong!"

"Dad, what's going on?" Ren asked quietly.

"Not now, Ren, go back upstairs." His father said, nudging him away. "We'll talk about this soon, just go to your room for now." Ren complied, and as he walked up the stairs he watched his father's expression grow dark. What was happening?

"There has been too much going on already, I won't let you drag Ren into this!"

Huh?

"Naoe, calm down."
"Rei?"
"Give me the phone."
"But, Ren…"
"It'll be alright."

The air grew silent for a moment before Ren heard footsteps leading further into the house. He could only assume that his mother had relinquished the phone and went to the kitchen, as he heard his father speak and make pauses to listen to whoever was on the phone.

"It's rare for you to call… No, I knew this wasn't over. …I'm in agreement with Naoe, there's no reason to bring Ren into this. …Tch, and here I thought things had been going well. What else have you been scheming? …No sir…" He sighed. "I know… You don't have to remind me. …Alright, I understand. … No, I'm sure Ryoko will allow us to stay with her, so don't bother. … Yes… Good bye."

Ren heard the phone clack down onto its dock, causing him to flinch and scurry to his room. He knew eavesdropping was wrong, but his curiosity has gotten the best of him. Besides… if Ren remembered correctly, Ryoko was his aunt's name; Ruri's mother. And staying with her would mean that… they were going to Gunma.

But if that was true… Why?

Boy howdy I haven't been on fanfiction in a while now!
Welp, no better way to get back on then with some new material and updates!
Dunno if anyone will bother reading, but eh, I love writing, so it's all good for me!
Reviews keep me going, I'd really appreciate your opinions!