Finally, I can update this story! YEAAH! My works got piled up and it's really taking my time. I also still have many things to do so I can't regularly update this story. Please understand that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter :)


Warning: SPOILER! There're some scenes from the first season of Daiya no Ace anime.


bold and italic words: memories

Italic words: thoughts


Fourth Memory – It's Sweet yet Confusing


It was truly hot and suffocating. The air around felt like it slowly burnt his skin alive. He tried to refresh himself, thinking fun things that he would do later. But it didn't work. The heat had totally invaded his mind. Making he felt more and more irritated.

"Agghhhh! I'm bored to death!" Sawamura loudly shouted out his frustration. He put down his favourite manga and flopped down to the soft cushion of his bed. He was trying to waste his time reading tons of manga. But it felt boring. He wanted to play outside, even though the blazing hot sun was magnificently striking its heat, he wanted to fill his time, running, catching, and laughing with Miyuki.

"Geez, why can't he play today? Even though, it's getting more fun!" Sawamura muttered under his breath. He was a bit irritated with the fact that Miyuki couldn't play with him today. It was childish, of course, but he couldn't help it. He was starting to like pitching the ball and even though Miyuki always teased him, Sawamura clearly enjoyed his time with Miyuki.

"Guuwaaah! It pissed me off!" He shouted again while abruptly stood up and stepped loudly out of his room. He went out from his house with irritated look on his face. His mother and his grandfather could only raise their brows bewilderedly as they kept their eyes on Sawamura until he was gone from their sight. Sawamura was quite unpredictable at weird times and that was something that even his family couldn't really get accustomed to.

With heavy steps, Sawamura mindlessly walked without purpose. He wanted to get rid of this irritated feeling. He clearly knew that Miyuki couldn't always play with him. Miyuki also had his reasons to come to Nagano and it wasn't just for spending his summer holiday. But now that he had met with Miyuki, he just wanted to spend every day playing catch ball with him.

"Damn you Miyuki..." Sawamura muttered under his breath again. "Why he have to-"

"Eijun!" A girl's voice was heard from his back. Sawamura instantly stopped his steps and turned back. "What is it, Wakana?"

"Where are you going?" Wakana asked while catching her breath.

"Nowhere, I'm just strolling." Sawamura casually replied.

"Really? Then how about you play with us?" Her face suddenly brightened. "You've been playing with your Tokyo friend for three days straight. Are you forgetting your old friends?"

"No of course!" Sawamura stringly denied. "It's just that...he's here just for ten days again. There's not much time and I want to play...catch...ball..." He muttered timidly. He averted his eyes, feeling a bit guilty.

Wakana sighed and smiled when she saw Sawamura's reaction. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But today he's not coming right?"

"Well...yeah..." Sawamura pouted in sulk. Wakana chuckled softly as she saw that. "You like that Tokyo boy that much?"

Sawamura twitched in surprise. "What?! No! Who like that cheeky smartass guy!" He denied strongly with loud voice.

"Yeah, whatever." Wakana simply let out a chuckle. "Well then, let's go. They're waiting for us at the river."

"What are we gonna do?" Sawamura asked, wondering what things they would play in this blazing hot weather.

Wakana smiled wider. "We're gonna catch some beetles at the mountain behind the school. How about it?"

"Sounds fun." Sawamura smiled happily. After all, he could spend his free time with some fun things. "If only Miyuki is here too..." He let out his thoughts in whisper unwittingly.

"What did you say?" Wakana asked as she heard a soft murmur from his lips.

Sawamura who just realized that he voiced out his thoughts, quickly shook his head fervently. "No, nothing." He pulled out a fake smile.

Wakana just stared him with a raised brow. But then she turned away and walked off first. Sawamura then sighed in relief and walked behind her.

After a while, when they just about to reach the riverside where his friends were waiting for him and Wakana, Sawamura caught a sight of Miyuki's back far ahead. Sawamura immediately ran off and left Wakana stunned bewilderedly. He tried to catch Miyuki fast so that he didn't lose him. Before he could think the reason, his body reacted first. With all of his strength, he ran and then called out Miyuki loudly. "MIYUKI! Wait up!"

Miyuki who heard his name was called, turned back instantly. "Sawamura?" He was taken aback by Sawamura's figure that was running to him with all his might.

"Miyu..ki...where...you..." Sawamura breathlessly tried to ask as he caught up with Miyuki.

"Take a breath, Sawamura. I can't hear you." Miyuki watched Sawamura perplexedly. "Moreover, what are you doing?"

Sawamura inhaled deeply before he replied. "I want to play with my friends but then I saw you and I..." Sawamura exhaled and gulped nervously. "I want you to join me and my friends."

Miyuki blinked in surprise. His eyes widened automatically as he dumfounded by Sawamura's sudden request. But seeing Sawamura exhausted just because he wanted to ask that somehow looked so endearing and cute. Miyuki couldn't help but to crack a gentle smile. "Is it fine?"

"What? You join us? Of course it's fine!" Sawamura said with smile and oblivious look. "I'm your friend and my friends are also your friends!" He grinned widely with totally happy face.

"Hahaha do you think so?" Miyuki laughed at Sawamura's typical answer and stroked Sawamura's hair gently.

"Geez, don't mess up my hair!" Sawamura struggled to remove Miyuki's hand from his hair but failed since Miyuki kept stroking his hair. Then he asked again. "So, what do you say, Miyuki?"

Miyuki stopped his act and stared Sawamura intensely. He removed his hand from Sawamura's hair before he opened his mouth. "Why do you want me to play with your friends?"

Sawamura stared dazedly. "Huh? It's because I want to play with you too."

"Eh?" Miyuki raised a brow as he flabbergasted by Sawamura's replied.

Sawamura then averted his eyes sideway as a faint red blush slowly crept on his face. "Well...you know...we only played catch ball when we met, so I want to do something else with you." Slowly, Sawamura lowered his face as he was getting embarrassed. He muttered under his breath. "And...Since it's summer holiday...we can play many things..."

Miyuki was astonished by Sawamura's honest feeling. He was left dumbstruck but he couldn't resist a smile forming on his face. "if only she isn't here right now..." He said in whisper.

"Huh? What did you say?" Sawamura asked instantly as he heard Miyuki said something but couldn't catch it fast. But Miyuki didn't say anything and only stared him with a gentle look and smile on his face.

Suddenly, Wakana called out from his back. "Eijun! What happened?"

Sawamura immediately realized that he was with Wakana and he left her to catch Miyuki. He turned back and waved his hand to Wakana. "Nothing! It's fine!" Then he turned back again to Miyuki. "So...are you coming?"

Miyuki smiled but guilt was showed on his face. "I'm sorry, Sawamura. I want to, trust me. But the family gathering isn't over yet, and I can't just left." He suddenly showed the plastic bag on his left hand. "See, I'm just out to buy things for the gathering."

Sawamura felt utterly deflated. He turned his gaze down and looked quite crestfallen. He couldn't hide his disappointment and it made Miyuki felt even guiltier. Then Miyuki patted his head gently. "Don't look like that, Sawamura."

Sawamura replied in soft downhearted voice. "I know, I'm sorry, Miyuki. I shouldn't have said that. You clearly said that you can't play this morning, yet I-"

"No it's fine, Sawamura." Miyuki quickly interjected. Then he moved his hand to Sawamura's cheek. "Hey, look at me, Sawamura."

As Miyuki said that, Sawaura slowly turned his gaze up and met with Miyuki's eyes. Miyuki sighed and smiled. "You know, I'm glad you ask me so don't give me that look. And even though I can't now, we can still play tomorrow and we'll play whatever that you want. I promise you."

Sawamura's face brightened up a bit. "Really?"

"Yeah, it's a promise." Miyuki gently smiled. Sawamura then smiled widely and pulled out his right pinkie. "We'll play catch ball, catch some beetles, eat watermelons, go to the festival and watch the fireworks!"

"Hey, that's too much." Miyuki laughed in amazement.

"No buts. I want to do many things with you until you go back to Tokyo." Sawamura firmly stated. "So, here. Promise me." He gestured his right pinkie to Miyuki's face, pointing him to do pinky swear. Miyuki chuckled again before he pulled out his right pinkie and did pinky swear with Sawamura.

"Don't you dare to forget, Miyuki!" Sawamura said with his piercing look and wide grin on his face. Miyuki simply sighed with a resigned smile on his face.


The practice game with Kokudokan baseball team was turning into an intense game. With the guidance of a player named Zaizen, they suddenly fought back harshly with Sawamura's pitching. And when the game entered the third inning, Zaizen came out from the dugout and became the batter.

Sawamura who wanted to show his growth as a pitcher to Chris-senpai focused his mind only to out the opposing side player with all his might. He kept throwing the ball with the form that he had learnt and it successfully throwing off the opponent batting's timing.

With a firm mind on pitching with all his strength, Sawamura exhaled a long breath and put up his knee, getting ready to pitch the ball. This is my last inning of this game. I've only been pitching for three innings, but was I able to show Chris-senpai that I'm improved even a little? Was I able to get even a little bit closer to the crown, the ace number, that's still miles away?

Then Sawamura threw the ball as best as his could. The time felt as if it was stopped when the ball was loudly and clearly fell straight to the mitt. Chris, Zaizen, Seido's first string players, and even the crowd was taken aback and fell into silent. It was a perfect pitch and it couldn't any other than a perfect strike.

Chris smiled widely, feeling satisfied with Sawamura's pitch. He contentedly said, "Nice ball."

Sawamura who heard that, instantly broke out a wide smile. He fisted his hands in joy and loudly shouted. "I just got a compliment from Chris-senpai! I've done it!" He screamed out in tears and joys while every person inside and outside the field was still taken aback by his play. Sawamura successfully defended the score with only six walks, no runs and no hits.

It was a great play, but since Kataoka coach had decided to just use Sawamura until three innings, he immediately pulled out Sawamura and Chris from the game. The game then continued with other players from the second strings played substituting Sawamura and Chris.


*** Time Skip ***

The twilight had entirely engulfed the sky, dyeing it with a soft glowing reddish yellow light. The game had ended with Seido won the game. And now, Kataoka coach had resolutely decided the persons he would take for the two empty spots in the first string. He ordered the players to gather in the training hall and after a few minutes, they had all gathered around inside the training hall.

The tense filled the air and the silence almost felt suffocating. Every player couldn't help but to have a stern look on their face. There's just only one person who was lost and bewildered inside the painful tension around him.

Sawamura looked around bewilderedly. Hmm? Why are we here?

Then suddenly, Kataoka coach broke the silent. "I will now announce the players that moving up to the first string."

Right, first string... Sawamura blinked in surprise as he realized what he had forgotten. Eh? Now?

"Based on past scrimmages, I have chosen these people personally. The two people I call will need to carry the weight of our school name. Those who aren't called, I'd like you to support thee first string this month until summer starts."

Sawamura widened his eyes in surprise. Only two?

Kataoka coach continued. "The new first string players are first years, Kominato Haruichi and another first year, Sawamura Eijun. That is all."

Eh? Wait a minute... Sawamura was totally dumbstruck and he felt his mind was stunned. But then he slowly realizing that he was chosen and felt it somehow weird. He didn't hear one name that he hoped to hear. He turned his gaze to Chris. What about Chris-senpai? It can't be...

Kataoka spoke up again. "Totalling twenty first string players, we'll play through the summer. You may now leave to get rest for practice tomorrow. Third years who weren't chosen, please stay."

After Kataoka coach finished his announcement, all players except third years who weren't the first string players left the training hall. Sawamura who was still couldn't accept the fact that Chris wasn't the chosen one still stood with head down and trembling shoulders. Miyuki saw that and decided to approach Sawamura.

"Sawamura." Miyuki called as he stood beside Sawamura. But before Miyuki could utter any other words, Kuramochi abruptly kicked Sawamura. Miyuki got a bit surprise and sighed as he turned his gaze to Kuramochi.

Kuramochi who was staring down at Sawamura, said with a stern voice, "Don't stand there looking lost." Then he walked off first. "Let's go, Sawamura."

Sawamura who fell on his knee, still lowered his head and stayed silent. Miyuki who was still stood beside him, sighed resignedly. "Come on, we have to go now, Sawamura."

After Miyuki said that, Sawamura instantly stood up and strode out fast. Miyuki got a bit stunned at his sudden act but then quickly followed him out of the training hall.

However, Sawamura didn't left entirely. He stopped his steps and stood behind the hall's door. Miyuki realized that Sawamura still couldn't accept the fact and he was still struggling inwardly. Miyuki was about to say a word before he saw Kuramochi, Masuko, Yuki, and Isashiki approached them. Miyuki glanced over to them. I bet they know what Sawamura will do and come here.

Miyuki sighed softly and then leaned over to the wall of the next building in front of the hall. He only watched Sawamura who was until now still lowered his head in refusal.

On the other hand, Sawamura was indeed struggling and screamed inwardly. He couldn't accept it. He couldn't accept the fact that he was chosen instead of Chris.

Why? Why was I chosen? I only pitched well today because Chris-senpai was there. He's the one who's amazing! He drew out my potential! Sawamura gritted his teeth as he felt more and more vexed with the reality.

When he was about to enter the hall, he was stopped by Yuki's voice. "What are you gonna do, Sawamura? Resign?"

Sawamura instantly turned his face and saw the Captain, Miyuki, Kuramochi, Masuko, and Isashiki kept their eyes on him. Sawamura then knew that it was foolish to do anything about this reality. He couldn't do anything. He just had to accept it, even if it's extremely hard for him. He lowered his head again.

Yuki continued as he saw that Sawamura had totally given up. "No matter what anyone says, you were acknowledged by our head coach. That you have what it takes. You were chosen. What are you gonna tell those who weren't?"

Sawamura gritted his teeth, feeling more and more frustrated with himself. Yuki continued again. "Sawamura, there's just only one thing that we can do. We have to get stronger, so that we can fight for those who can't."

Sawamura flinched as he heard the words. The whirling emotions inside of him suddenly burst out and he couldn't keep it bottled inside again. Those emotions were streaming out in shape of tears. It was falling hard down and Sawamura could only let it happened.

Miyuki who had his gaze on Sawamura before, suddenly couldn't see Sawamura's crying face. He understood a bit the vexed feeling that Sawamura felt. He too, hoped that Chris was chosen. But unfortunately, the answer was different and he also felt a bit hard to accept the reality upon them.

"Sawamura..." Miyuki abruptly said. "Now...you don't have any time to look back. And it's just not just you...Me too, Sawamura."

Sawamura glanced over as he heard Miyuki's words. Miyuki felt Sawamura's gaze on him and he turned his eyes to meet with Sawamura's teary eyes. He answered Sawamura's gaze with his firm and resolute one. Then he said, "I'm going to fight till the very end, the fight Chris-senpai couldn't. This...goes for both of us. So get stronger, Sawamura."

Miyuki flashed a smile just for a second before he walked off. Sawamura widened his eyes in surprise but he quickly nodded and let all of his whirling emotions out before he could stand up and fight for Chris whom he was indebted to.


***At Miyuki's classroom on lunch break time...***

"Miyuki! What are you looking at so seriously?" Kuramochi suddenly asked as he approached Miyuki's desk and stood in front of it. "Huh? The score book record of that Kokudokan game? Is reading that your favourite pastime?" Kuramochi saw the score book and tried to poke fun at Miyuki.

Miyuki simply smiled while still keeping his eyes on the score book. "Well, it's part of my job."

Kuramochi shrugged off and sat on the chair in front of Miyuki's desk. "Honestly, you know, I didn't expect Sawamura to get so good in such a short time. Though I'm sure it's all thanks to Chris-senpai. But well, I'm more worried that he won't recover from the damage. He was still crying all night last night."

Miyuki instantly glanced to Kuramochi. His attention was caught by the mention of Sawamura's state. He couldn't help but to feel worry for the pitcher. "How about this morning?"

"Huh? This morning?" Kuramochi raised a brow. He got a bit surprised by Miyuki's sudden question and also with Miyuki's unexpected care for others. "I think he's already fine?"

"Is that so?" Miyuki then turned his eyes back to the score book.

Kuramochi felt Miyuki's sudden care was weird. He asked carefully with a smirk on his face. "Why are you asking that?"

Miyuki simply replied. "Sawamura is the type who throws well when he feels well. I just don't want it affect his play."

"Hmm, is that all?" Kuramochi stared Miyuki with raised brows. "Well, you're right about that. It's also what makes me worried."

Miyuki smirked hearing Kuramochi's remark. "And he'll recover, of course. Since I'm the catcher." Miyuki said with a smug face. Kuramochi couldn't help but to feel annoyed by Miyuki's face. "You're so cocky, you know! That's what I can't stand about you."

Miyuki passed it with a laugh. "Well, thanks."

"It wasn't a compliment!" Kuramochi burst out in anger and walked out from the class. Miyuki just kept laughing until he couldn't see Kuramochi's back again. Then he continued reading the score book. He tried to fully concentrate himself but the thoughts of Sawamura kept surfacing in his mind. He couldn't erase the bad feeling he felt about Sawamura. His mind filled with worry and uneasiness. And the source of those feeling was none other than Sawamura. He sighed and looked the sky from the window beside him. Let's hope he won't do any worrisome things.


The sun was already high when the practice had started. Its piercing bright glow was pretty much weighing down the players on the field. Besides one person who kept running in full strength and spirit. His enthusiasm was a bit affecting the other players. But that also bothered some people who were worried about him.

"Sawamura looks just fine." Miyuki said as he saw Sawamura's lively dash. "Looks like you were worried for nothing. He's even motivated than ever."

"Damn." Kuramochi muttered under his breath. He looked a bit irritated seeing Sawamura's lively attitude, but he felt a bit relieved inwardly.

"It'd be a problem if he wasn't." A voice suddenly heard. Miyuki and Kuramochi instantly turned their face and saw Chris approaching them with eyes on Sawamura. He continued. "Always having a positive attitude, that's his strongest quality."

"That's true, only if that isn't too overboard." Miyuki sighed softly and turned his gaze to Sawamura again.

"You're right. He's going a bit overboard. There're many things that he still needs to learn." Chris turned his face to Miyuki and Kuramochi. With a smile, he said, "We have to keep him on a leash, or he'll push himself until he breaks."

Miyuki blinked as he got a bit surprised. But then he pulled up a smirk. "Absolutely, after all, he's too stupid to know how to hold back."

"Yeah, he's an idiot who can't hold back." Chris nodded in agreement. "Kuramochi, please don't take your eyes on him. He's your roommate and I believe you can keep Sawamura from doing things overboard."

Kuramochi smugly laughed. "It's fine, Chris-senpai. That idiot isn't going to be freed from my clutches."

Chris smiled in reply. Then he glanced to Miyuki. But before Chris said anything, Miyuki quickly opened his mouth. "I know, Chris-senpai. I'll keep my eyes on him too." Miyuki said with a smirk on his face. Then he looked at Sawamura again. You won't be doing anything stupid while I'm keeping my eyes on you, Sawamura. Miyuki's smirk grew wider as he thought inwardly.


***The day after...***

I have to push myself. I don't have a choice. I have to do it. Sawamura thought inwardly as he kept walking through the rain to the field outside. He was going to practice and running even though the rain fell hard. Kuramochi had tried to stop him but Sawamura was just too stubborn. He knew that training outside in this kind of bad weather wouldn't do him any good, but he couldn't let himself rest.

The thoughts that he had to fight for Chris too made him so focused in improving himself. Sawamura always felt that everything that he did wasn't still good enough and that made him lost control of himself. He was drowned in his stubbornness. I have to do everything I can right now. It's the only way to express my gratitude for Chris-senpai.

He kept walking with his head down. But then a voice automatically made he faced up. "Hey, Sawamura."

Sawamura looked up and saw Miyuki leaning on the wall of the training hall. With a smirk on his face, he said, "What are you doing outside in this kind of weather? Don't you see it's raining?"

Sawamura flinched at Miyuki's remark. He frowned in a huff. "And you? What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, I'm just here to see if there's any idiot who want to training outside in this rain." Miyuki pulled out a wide grin.

Sawamura narrowed his eyes and grumbled. "Is that so? You seem have too much time for your own good." He said sarcastically. Sawamura then walked again, but just as he walked past Miyuki, his hand was grabbed by Miyuki.

"Unfortunately because of one person, I don't have any time for myself." Miyuki flashed out a playful smirk. Sawamura widened his eyes as he realized the close distance between him and Miyuki. His heart started to race all of sudden.

"H-huh?! I don't understand what you're trying to say." Sawamura stuttered in panic. He cursed himself for stuttering but his racing heart wouldn't help him at all. He felt too embarrassed and nervous all of suddenly.

"Really? I'm saying about one idiot here, you know." Miyuki said as he neared his face to Sawamura.

Clo-close! It's too close! Sawamura screamed inwardly. His eyes were comically wide and his face was reddening fast. "I-I'm not an idiot!" He stuttered, again. "And yo-you don't have to check on me! I'm fine with only this rain!"

Sawamura's outburst didn't surprise Miyuki at all. He knew that Sawamura was stubborn and he wouldn't that easily complied with others. Without batting an eye, he said with a serious tone. "Do you really think I will let you do that?"

Sawamura's eyes went even wider. Miyuki's serious look made him remembered the time when Miyuki got angry at him. Sawamura's pulse got quickened and he strangely felt nervous. "Wha-what are you gonna do then? Lock me up in my room?" Sawamura boldly asked though he still stuttered between words.

Miyuki couldn't help but to crack a smile. "That's not a bad idea, but unfortunately I have to refuse it." Miyuki pulled up a feline like smirk. "Come with me for a bit, Sawamura."

Strangely, Sawamura shuddered as he saw Miyuki's smirk. Uh oh, I bet it's not something good!

"Don't you run away, Sawamura." Miyuki saw Sawamura's panic look and immediately pulled Sawamura's hand, dragging Sawamura to come inside the training hall. But, as stubborn as he was, Sawamura withstood and tried to pull back his hand from Miyuki's clutch. "What do you want? I want to go run right now!" Sawamura refused strongly as he grew a bit irritated with Miyuki's strange and sudden care, though his face was still painted in blush.

"Just follow me." Miyuki pulled Sawamura again.

"Follow you where?" Sawamura asked, slowly let his resistance faltered. "Don't tell me you guys mad about me taking Chris-senpai's spot on the team and you're all going to jump me?"

Miyuki averted his eyes half-lidded. "Yep, you're spot on." Then Miyuki pulled Sawamura who got bewildered and shouted out his panic cry loudly, while snickering at Sawamura's funny antics. He brought Sawamura inside the training hall and then let go off his hand that pulling Sawamura as he saw Chris. "I brought him over, Chris-senpai. Like you predicted, he was trying to run in the rain."

"I'm not surprised." Chris curled up his lips. Behind him, Furuya was staring them with his usual blank face.

Sawamura's eyes widened at the sight of his tutor. "Chris-senpai, go-good morning!"

"Wow, you didn't treat me with the same respect." Miyuki immediately retorted.

Sawamura glanced sharply at Miyuki but then quickly turned his gaze back to Chris. "I wasn't expecting you to personally teach me a lesson! So this is what being in a strictly hierarchical society is like!"

"What are you talking about?" Chris raised a brow, while Miyuki simply sighed at Sawamura's weird comment. He walked to the bench at their side and sat. Then, Chris continued. "I called you here because I wanted to tell you what you need to do before summer. Furuya, Sawamura, listen. Every play in baseball starts at the pitcher. That's why it's such an important role. Pick-offs with the infield, late base covering, or any other little mistake could cost the game. Basically, as the ones who have the ball longer than anyone else, you have to be more familiar with baseball than anyone on the team."

E-eh? M-more familiar...than anyone...On this team? Sawamura and Furuya coincidentally thought the same things and got extremely panicked. Cold sweats were seen on their face as they got paler by seconds.

Miyuki watched them and chuckled at the sight of Sawamura and Furuya's panic face. "Relax, you two." His words successfully woke them up from their bewildered state. Sawamura and Furuya simultaneously turned their attention to Miyuki.

"That's why we're here. You can't practice team plays by yourself, right?" Miyuki smirked smugly as he brought in Maezono and Haruichi. Sawamura and Furuya was flabbergasted. They didn't realize that their senpais would be that thoughtful.

"Sawamura, I told you, didn't I?" Chris suddenly said. "Practice isn't about aimlessly working hard. You have to learn to rest...or maybe you want to end up like me?" Chris said the last sentence with sharp glare on his eyes.

Sawamura flinched in surprise. And then Chris continued again. "It's not bad to have responsibility of a first string player. But, you don't need to shoulder everything by yourself." Then he flashed up a smile. "So do a light workout today, okay?"

Feeling as if his distress was taken off, tears were magnificently formed on Sawamura's round eyes. Sawamura gritted his teeth, trying to hold back the overflowing emotions inside. Chris could only sigh between his smiles. "Geez, you're quite a handful."

Sawamura's shoulder kept trembling as his tears flowed ceaselessly. He tried to form some words for Chris but he couldn't as if all was stuck in his throat. What he felt was beyond grateful for what Chris had taught him and he didn't know what the right words to describe it.

Miyuki, who was watching the whole tearful scene in front of him, couldn't help himself smiling. He was pleased seeing Sawamura looked like somewhat a bit grown up. Well, he's still far from good. He still has tons of things to learn. His lips curled up into a smirk.

Then suddenly Kuramochi and Masuko entered the hall and said that they would help Sawamura practiced. The training hall became livelier with many people helping Sawamura and Furuya practiced their pitching form. It was a great lively night before the fierce summer training camp started.


***After the practice finished***

"Thank you very much, Chris-senpai!" Sawamura shouted out his grateful feeling loudly with a big grin on his face. Chris glanced and nodded with his lips curled up a bit before he walked out with Maezono and the others. Sawamura kept his glittering gaze on Chris before he was tackled suddenly by Kuramochi from behind.

"Oi, Sawamura! Don't you dare forget repaying our kindness, understand?!" Kuramochi smirked devilishly as he tightened his deathly grip around Sawamura's neck.

"Uugghh, I understand, Kuramochi-senpai!" Sawamura tried his best to remove the deathly grip that kept suffocating his breath. "But this...ugh...it's getting bad! I gi-gi-give up!"

"What's this, Sawamura?! Hahaha you got tired with this practice?! You're still not good." Kuramochi exploded in laughter as he ruffled Sawamura's hair harshly. Sawamura could only grit his teeth in frustration since he couldn't budge the arm around his neck at all.

"Oi oi, don't make him lose conscious or you'll have to carry him, you know." Miyuki suddenly said with a teasing tone and smirk on his face. Sawamura instantly looked at Miyuki with a blank face and wide eyes. Miyuki saw that and raised his brows. "Hm? What's with your face, Sawamura?"

Sawamura only stared with his mouth closed. Then he suddenly tapped Kuramochi's hand around his neck. "Sorry, Kuramochi-senpai, can you please let go of me for a while?"

Kuramochi got a bit surprised with Sawamura's serious and polite tone and he slowly released the headlock. After that, Sawamura, with his head lowered down, suddenly said something in a rather small voice. "...hank yo..."

"Huh? What? I don't hear you, Sawamura.." Miyuki furrowed his brows with puzzled looks.

Sawamura abruptly looked up and revealed his blushing face. "I only say it once so keep your ears open!" Sawamura loudly said as he was trying to cover his embarrassment. "I just want to say...THANK YOU!"

"Eh?" Miyuki stared at Sawamura dumfounded.

Sawamura then looked away, avoiding Miyuki's stare with red blush on his face. "Y-you had stopped me there when I was about to training outside." Sawamura couldn't supress the stutter as he felt more and more embarrassed, not to mention his heart was already thumping so hard and loud. "A-and you said that y-yo-you're worried about me, so..."

Miyuki flashed a feline like smirk as he heard the last sentence. "Oh, who said I'm worried about you?"

"What-?!" Sawamura widened his eyes as he saw Miyuki's usual teasing smirk. "But you said you-!" Sawamura then glared at Miyuki as he realized that Miyuki completely teased and made fun of him. Ugh, damn! Why you always have to make fun of me!

"Hahaha don't look at me passionately like that, Sawamura. I'm getting embarrassed too." Miyuki smirked again widely.

"Don't be so full of yourself!" Sawamura shouted angrily and stamped his foot in frustration. He walked away from Miyuki with a blushing face and sharp glare. Miyuki simply chuckled, feeling amused by Sawamura's reaction.

On the other hand, Kuramochi who saw the whole bickering scene, furrowed his brows sceptically. He couldn't erase the strange feeling he felt when he saw Miyuki and Sawamura bickered...or whatever that was. Being in the same class with Miyuki, Kuramochi knew that Miyuki wasn't a very sociable person. He didn't have many friends and even with baseball teammates, Miyuki also didn't have a very close relationship. Seeing Miyuki teased Sawamura and laughed actually weren't so strange. But having a keen eye made Kuramochi felt that there was something more than just a mere teasing act from Miyuki.

"You seem like you're having fun." Kuramochi suddenly said.

"Huh? Am I?" Miyuki instantly turned his face to Kuramochi. He looked a bit flustered as he heard the sudden statement.

Kuramochi stared keenly. "Well, you look like you're enjoying your time teasing Sawamura and..." He pulled up a smirk. "You look like you're interested in him."

Miyuki widened his eyes bewilderedly. "Huh?! What the hell are you saying?" Miyuki became completely flustered. A light blush could be seen on his face and Kuramochi saw that perfectly.

Kuramochi curled up his lips even more. "You heard me, Miyuki." Then Kuramochi started to walk outside. With his back on Miyuki, he loudly shouted. "It's your problem but don't let it affect your play or the team. And you can relax because I won't say anything!"

"Wha-?! Oi, Kuramochi! Wait!" Getting more flustered, Miyuki could only call out loudly. He wanted to deny and straightened up whatever misunderstanding that Kuramochi had over him. But the loud thumping of his heart stirred up his mind and completely made Miyuki's mind blank out. With Kuramochi went outside, Miyuki was left alone inside the hall. Realizing that, Miyuki tried to ease up his puzzled mind by letting out a long sigh. Then he walked out and locked the door. Miyuki immediately returned the key and walked to his room. As he strode to his room, his mind kept rewinding Sawamura's blushing face and Kuramochi's weird statement.

Why do I keep thinking about Sawamura?! Am I really...? Miyuki abruptly touched his forehead, denying his own thought. No, that's impossible. Kuramochi just talk nonsense. I'm just interested because Sawamura is amusing to tease. And controlling those prideful and cheeky pitchers is the most interesting thing I can do as a catcher. Miyuki then faced up as he gained confidence and reassurance. That's right! It's just that simple kind of interest!

Ba-thump! The loud thumping of his heart kept resounding and it didn't seem to ease up even for a bit. Damn! This isn't helping at all! Miyuki ruffled his hair in frustration. This isn't...what it's like, is it? I'm not...I'm still fine, right...?


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