Yoooooo~ Another story...
Disclaimer: I'd murder to be Asa Higuchi.
It was the deafening cheering of the crowd that got his heart racing. It confused him though. The cheer wasn't for him, it was for the cleanup hitter that stood on second base. Maybe it was the pressure of following up with some sort of amazing hit.
Yeah, it was definitely the pressure.
Taking his place in the batter's box and taking his stance, he looked in the direction of the pitcher. Yet he could only look past him and watch Tajima.
Then, there was the sound of the ball landing in the catcher's mitt.
"Strike one!"
Hanai flinched. Had he spaced out that badly? His face burned with embarrassment and frustration at his own stupidity. Pay attention Hanai!
Strike. Ball. Ball.
Hanai felt so blind right then. His focus was all over the place, as if he was in a daze. His eyes desperately darted across the field, trying to find something to calm him. The count was two and two, it was the bottom of the ninth, two outs, the score was tied, and there was a runner in scoring position.
The pressure was almost unbearable.
Then finally, it happened. From across the infield, Tajima's eyes stared right into Hanai's. He stood patiently on the base with no attempt to steal.
And with that one look, Tajima told Hanai that he believed in him.
That was enough for Hanai. Tightening the grip on his bat, he gave the tiniest nod he could muster. The pitcher went through his windup and threw the ball that had landed Hanai's second strike. And as if it were in slow motion and the world was muted, Hanai watched the ball like a hawk with no distractions.
Step. Swing.
And the all-too familiar sound of the ball connecting with the bat echoed through the field. Hanai didn't watch it. He just ran.
The final score was 8-6. They won with Hanai's two-run homer.
After the game and a semi-party in the clubhouse, the fifth-hole batter cornered Tajima.
"Oh, hey! Congrats on the home run man! I knew you could do it!" the shorter male grinned, flashing a thumbs up. Hanai laughed and a small blush crept up his face. He could never get used to Tajima complementing him.
"Haha, thanks..." he said, scratching his cheek, "Listen, I kinda wanted to... um..."
Tajima raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
"I wanted to... thank you... I think."
"Well, you're welcome!" Tajima said, oblivious to Hanai's stuttering.
"And... one more thing..."
"Hm? What's up?"
"I told myself... that when I hit my first home run... I'd... askyouout." he finished, jumbling his words as he muttered them quickly under his breath.
What was worse was that Tajima just gaped at him. Color rose to his face rapidly, making him blush even more than he already was.
But Tajima shook his head and chuckled.
"I was wondering when you'd ask."
Um, yeah... I feel like they were a little bit OOC?... But I don't know, it might just be me~ XD
Ugh, this was so short... but it was just something from the top of my head. So w/e. B)