It had been three days since what Haruichi has now termed "the incident", and for some reason, anytime the second baseman found himself alone with Miyuki, the nickname would come up.

"Good work, Haru-chan."

"Keep it up, Haru-chan"

"Haru-chan, watch out for his cutter."

He'd been so flustered at that last one, he froze, Eijun's cutter ball flying right past him as he tried to remember to breathe. He blinked, the smack of the ball into Miyuki's glove bringing him back to his senses. He stepped out of the batter's box and lowered his wooden bat. Eijun cheered, excited to get one past his friend, Kuramochi laughed and said it was just luck. But even as he focused on the fielders in front of him he was still highly aware of the rustle of clothes and guards, could feel as his upperclassmen stood and moved closer.

"Nice pitch, Sawamura!" The ball was thrown back and then more quietly "You okay, Haru-chan?" The pink haired teen flushed and shook his head. Practice was already over, he and several others had only wanted to stick around and practice their batting, so he didn't feel too bad when he removed his helmet and turned away.

"I'm not feeling well. I'm gonna head back in." He didn't wait for a response, afraid he'd hear that nickname again, or worse, afraid he might not. He dropped his stuff off in the dugout for someone else to use and jogged back to the dorms.

After a quick shower and downing his three rice bowls, Haruichi got to his room just in time to see his brother knocking on it. "Aniki?" It was rare for his older brother to seek him out and it made him a little nervous.

"Haruichi."

They stood in silence for a minute before Ryousuke turned and walked away. Haruichi followed, knowing he was supposed to.

"Yo-chan says you've been weird lately."

"Eh? I don't think so..." Ah, it was Yo-chan now, was it? He gave a knowing smile that would go unseen as he walked behind his brother. They stopped at a vending machine and Ryousuke tossed him a water before crossing his arms and leaning against it.

"He told me about that bet. And since then you've been off, more quiet, zoning out some during practice, avoiding your captain..." Haruichi frowned as his brother gave him the grin he had himself moments ago.

"I'm just tired."

"Uh huh."

"Really."

"Well, whatever it is..." Ryousuke paused, his smirk growing. "Yo-chan is more observant than you might think. Even if certain catchers aren't."

"You're not making any sense." Haruichi could feel his face burning, betraying his words.

There was a sigh as Ryousuke pushed himself from the machine. "Good luck, little brother." A short wave and the former second baseman was on his way back to the dorms. Haruichi stayed put, his heart pounding and a tightness in his stomach that threatened to send the rice he ate back up.

'It's not like that.' He told himself over and over as he went back to his own room. 'It's just embarrassing.' He repeated as he brushed off Maezono's concern. 'It's stupid. I'll be fine tomorrow.' He reaffirms before going to sleep.

He wakes in the middle of the night, shorts wet and the lingering sound of "Haru-chan" in his ears.