AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heyya! Chapter 4 is up! Hope you like it so far. I think I'll be updating evert Saturday but fell sick so this is kinda late. Sorry! Please enjoy and thank you so much for the follows and favourites! It will be nice to know what you think!
Enjoy!
*** Chapter 3: Secret ***
Before heading for a bath, Sawamura enters the canteen for dinner. It is his second weekend in Seido dormitory and neither has it been easy or exciting for him. He will not lie that he thought twice of continuing this dorm life. Whenever that thought comes, he quickly shakes it off and recalls his promises to his junior baseball team.
He promised them that he will go to the nationals as their representative. He promised Erika he will do this his best. He cannot be scared and run away.
His grandfather might really come after him.
Yikes.
Needless to say, he has to persevere no matter what the circumstances will be. He cannot give up.
Collected his food from the canteen ladies, Sawamura takes a seat at the unoccupied benches. Although it is an hour before lights out, there are some seniors staying up and munching on their dinner just like him. At first, he thought that he is the only one who works the hardest here.
That very thought is abolished when he heard from Kuramochi about his third year roommate, Masuko.
No matter how late Sawamura returns to his room, Masuko will return after him. Sawamura admires his determination. In a way, his senior is telling him that he is a thousand years too early to give up.
"Itadakimasu," Sawamura chants before holding his chopsticks.
His appetite is getting better day by day, slowly adapting to the menu. Of course he can never imagine finishing three bowls of rice per meal every single day. He seriously thought the seniors were joking, but after seeing the rest doing fine with three and even more bowls, he cannot complain.
Thankfully running like a mad dog easily starves him. While he eats, he pretends not to care about the glares on him. The eerie glares starts ever since the day Sawamura confidently yodelled about being ace.
If Erika was there and heard him, she would have hit his head with her shoe in Grandpa's place.
"Eating alone again?" says the senior with his cap slanted sideways. "You should learn to make some friends here."
"Shut it! You don't look like you have friends tagging along with you too so shut it!" Sawamura grunts in response, not bothered to look at him and rigorously chucking rice into his mouth.
The senior with glasses chuckles lightly and sits next to him, placing his tray on the table. "Guess we're kinda on the same boat."
"Who is mad enough to be on the same boat as you?" Sawamura glares at him. "You either drown me or eat me alive."
Miyuki throws his head back for a good laugh. "Thank you!"
"That is not a compliment, Teme! I'm saying that because I don't trust you!"
"Okay, okay," Miyuki holds his chopsticks and grins. "So did she call you today?"
"Huh?!" Sawamura mouths a yell through puffed cheeks.
"You know who I'm talking about," Miyuki leans closely to whisper. "Erika-chan:"
Abruptly, Sawamura chokes on his rice, coughing and swallowing before taking a huge gulp of water down his throat. When he slams the glass on the table, he grips Miyuki by the collar, gritting his teeth in anger.
"You! Who said you can call her-" Sawamura is quickly silenced by Miyuki's hand.
"Don't say it out loud, stupid. No one else knows right?" Miyuki warns him. "Unless you want everyone to know, talk quietly."
Sawamura slaps away the hand and growls. "Don't call her by her first name. I forbid you."
"So protective," Miyuki giggles. "Though I just cornered her yesterday."
"Teme!" Sawamura grips Miyuki's shirt and shakes him violently. "When did that happen?! Do you want to die?! What the hell were you thinking, Miyuki bastard?!"
"Oi, oi. Give me a break! Have mercy!" Miyuki breaks his grip on him and slaps the back of Sawamura's head. "I was just joking. And for the second time I'm saying this, talk with some respect to your senior-"
"Never! I won't forgive this!" Sawamura stiffens, showing off his canine teeth.
"Are you listening to me?"
"I should have not left her on her own after she met you. I knew you were trouble. Why was I so dumb?"
"I cannot agree more on the last part," Miyuki laughs his heart out. He honestly enjoys riling the southpaw up but he cannot hold a conversation with the idiot if he continues like this.
"She is into tennis, right?" Miyuki says before scooping a small ball of rice into his mouth.
Sawamura loosens up immediately, surprised that Miyuki found out. "How the heck did you know? Did you stalk her?"
"No, it was a guess at first. She did not really confirm it though," Miyuki smirks. "But from the way she evaded my question, I'm sure I'm right."
"Do me a favour," Sawamura suddenly chooses to speak in calm. "She is not as tough as you think she is. So leave her alone."
Miyuki continues to munch on his food, wondering what is meant behind Sawamura's words. It is amazing though that Sawamura is showing a matured side of himself when his twin sister is concerned. At one glance right now, he looks like a reliable older brother that will do anything to protect his sister. The overprotectiveness he owns easily proves how close the twins are.
Miyuki begins to understand why the brunet takes time to fit in the dorm life with the boys. It must have been tough waking up everyday and not seeing the person he spent all his life with ever since from their mother's womb. Moreover, they are in a city so foreign and far away from home. They go to the same school but it is not the same as before.
Miyuki widens his smile. It sure feels nice to have a sibling like that.
"Hey, Sawamura."
The brunet looks at him while chewing his fish. "What?"
"If she plays in any game, invite me," Miyuki grins.
Sawamura widens his eyes before looking down. "Why should I? If she is playing anything, it is definitely not baseball. Nothing interests you more than baseball."
"You really take me as some baseball freak," Miyuki gnaws on the fish. "Well, I have this strong feeling she is amazing when she plays. So don't be greedy. Let me see her do her thing."
Sawamura finishes his second bowl of rice and places it on the tray. "Quit it, idiot. I'm here not to sell my sister to you or be a toy for you to play with. I'm here to become the ace and a powerful pitcher who will take the team to the nationals. That is my top concern right now and if you have nothing better to say, shut up."
His words leave Miyuki dumbfounded and silent. Sawamura carries his tray and leaves.
"Wait," Miyuki forces out a giggle. "Chill, bro."
"Don't call me, bro!" Sawamura flinches.
"It can't be helped that you're not gonna entertain me. But how about you invite her to our game tomorrow?" Miyuki stretches an evil smirk. "We'll be facing our strongest rival. Ichidai Third High."
Sawamura lets out a loud snort. "Why would I let her watch someone else on the mound doing the pitches? Get a clue, stupid!"
Little does Sawamura realise, the glares on him intensify and Miyuki cackles to his heart's content.
The Sawamuras are seriously fun to tease.
It is a warm Sunday morning today. After a quick jog, Erika returns to Megumi's household where Erika will stay for the next three years of high school. The Itou family are warm and friendly towards Erika. They have known her as long as Megumi knows her too. Besides her parents, Megumi also has younger brother, Mizumi who is still in kindergarten. Erika loves playing with him, a very good distraction from mugging her face into books.
Today, instead of studying, she has made plans to go shopping with Megumi. She is very excited about it that she prepared her dress yesterday. She also makes a list of places she wants to visit. What is left now is to wait for Megumi's return from Tennis practice. Erika sits at the couch in the living room, watching the vibrant cartoon in which Mizumi is singing along too.
He is so adorable. Erika giggles.
Her cellphone beeps and she looks at it. It is Eijun who just sends a picture of him and his new so called partner, tyre. It looks like he figures out a new way to do hismorning run. Erika smiles, typing a reply that says thank you for your hard work.
She is glad that he is surviving well over there. Her heart prays he will be fine on his own.
The door of the household is unlocked and opened. The little boy notices, flinching like what a pet cat would do and he runs away from the television.
"Onee-san! Onee-san is home!" Mizumi jumps with joy.
Erika giggles and heads to where he is. She finds Megumi taking off her shoes.
"Tadaima," Megumi cheers, patting Mizumi's head.
"Okairi," Erika and Mizumi greet together. "Welcome home."
"I see you are dressed, Eri! Are you that excited to go out on a date with me?!" Megumi teases before cracking into a hard laughter.
"Megumi-chan!" Erika huffs, fighting the blush from surfacing on her cheeks.
"Sorry, sorry. I just find you really cute in that dress," Megumi compliments and carries Mizumi in her arms. "I need to take a bath and get ready. Give me about ten minutes yeah?"
"Can I follow, Onee-san?" Mizumi pleads with his cute little voice.
Megumi chuckles. "No, Mimi. It's our date."
"What's a date?"
"Itou Megumi!" Erika calls upon her full name, unwilling to be teased like this. "Stop that. Don't teach him the wrong things."
Megumi laughs loudly and brings Mizumi down at the couch. "Stay here and watch over Eri-nee-san for me."
"But I want to play tennis with Onee-san today!"
"Tomorrow is a good day too," Megumi persuades him. "I will be home the whole day. Promise."
"You always said that, Onee-san," the young boy pouts and runs to his room.
"That kid is troublesome sometimes," Megumi sighs, rubbing the back of her head.
"You shouldn't make promises that you can't keep, Megumi," her mother exits from the kitchen. "He's been waiting for you since morning."
"My bad, Mom!" Megumi chuckles and looks at Erika.
The brunette looks helpless, guilt etched in her expression. She could have played tennis with the boy but she has been refusing from the day she started living here. Mizumi does not bother her anymore as he only depends on his sister to play with him.
"Hmm, we can cancel today," Erika speaks softly, connecting her gaze with Megumi. "He wakes up and gets ready so early for you-"
"Just wait here," Megumi sighs. "I'll come back as quick as I can, okay."
"But Megumi-chan..."
The orange haired girl does not speak another word and she rushes to her room. The mother shakes her head with a smile.
"You're ready as early as him too, aren't ya?" The older woman giggles. "It's nice to see you excited for something, Erika. You deserve the time to go out today."
Erika creases her brows. "But Mizumi-chan..."
"I will bring him to the playground later. Don't worry," Megumi's mother kindly reassures her.
"Sorry for making trouble!" Erika bows in respect.
"Don't do that!" the mother pulls her to stand up straight. "Oh dear, when can I ever see you be brave like your brother?"
Erika bats her eyes repeatedly and her jaw is trembling. "I-I'm sorry."
"I'm done!" Megumi reappears in her red tee shirt and dirty jeans, her dampened hair letting down. "Let's go!"
"That's quick!" Erika gasps before Megumi pulls her by the hand.
"Mom, we will be back for dinner!"
"Take care of yourselves you two!"
Walking at the park, the two girls laugh at Megumi's stupid jokes and funny moments during her final year of middle school here in Tokyo. Erika is impressed at how quick Megumi can adapt to the change of environment. Other than her being outspoken, Megumi is friendly and warm too. Anyone will like to befriend her. Erika is blessed to have met her at her first year middle school and become each other's best friends.
Without Megumi, Erika cannot imagine how she can manage living or studying in Tokyo.
"So which place you want to go first?" Megumi asks.
Erika scrolls the screen of her phone. "Aquarium!"
"Ah," Megumi huffs. "I heard it is under renovation. It will be opened next week."
"That can't be helped," Erika drops her shoulders.
"Where else?"
"The National Library."
"No way! That's boring."
Erika laughs nervously. "Then, the city landmarks."
"It's going to noon soon. The weather will be crazy hot!"
"Do you have any ideas where to go, Megumi-chan?"
"I thought you never ask!"
"Eh?!"
"Come on!"
That orangehead girl can manipulate Erika easily. At times, Eijun does not trust her because of this. She is just like the female version of Eijun but Eijun is louder than her if compared.
The two girls run as fast as they can, passing through shops and buildings, ending up somewhere unfamiliar to Erika. When she notices a baseball stadium on her right, she gulps. She is completely amazed by the massiveness of the building..
Megumi does not let her start asking questions as she pulls her into another sprint towards the stadium. Apparently, it is free admission and they enter without hesitation. Erika is totally stunned, unsure why she is here in the first place. For Megumi to be dragging her here, she better prepares herself for a long lecture from Erika.
Her eyes soon capture the scoreboard where she is facing straight on. The schools that are competing at the moment are Seido High and Ichidai Third High. The girls arrive at the start of their fourth inning and it is a tie.
Erika holds her breath. How come Eijun never mention about his school having a game today?
As soon as they find good seats, Megumi and Erika are seated and staring down at the field.
"I heard from my captain that Seido baseball team has a game today," Megumi says after catching her breath. "Since you didn't mention it, I supposed you don't know."
Erika shakes her head. "He didn't mention anything of this. He won't keep secrets from me."
Megumi leans back and chuckles lightly. "Maybe that idiot is not here."
Erika follows her line of sight towards the bleachers where the rest of Seido baseball members are standing and cheering for their team players. Erika tries her best to find Eijun among them. Somehow she can tell he is not there.
He cannot be there. He never meant to stand at the bleachers.
His place is at the mound.
"He never changes at all. How selfish can he be, seriously?" Megumi snorts. "Not coming to cheer for his seniors just because he is not playing? What an idiot."
"Okay enough! Let's leave," Erika grunts and stands up. "We can go somewhere else."
"No!" Megumi pulls her down. "Don't be a spoiled brat, Eri! It's only fourth inning. Seido can lose, ya know. Are you going to be like that idiot and not support your school?"
The brunette grips her skirt and twists it stressfully. "I'm not going to watch a game without Eijun in it. It's just not fair."
Megumi shakes her head in dismay. "You two need to learn how to open up. You cannot survive in Tokyo if you only think about yourselves."
"Megumi-chan," Erika mutters in defeat.
"You don't have to cheer for them. Let's watch, not because you're supporting them but like a quick study how strong the baseball team is. I'm sure you are curious what is so exciting about this team that make Eijum come all the way here, right?"
Megumi persuades her kindly, hoping Erika will buy it. Of course, it will be great if Eijun is playing though. Erika will be willing to watch the game. All Megumi wants is to inspire Erika in some way that she will be interested in sports again, especially tennis. Megumi still has no idea as to why Erika quitted but it will not stop her from finding out.
With any opportunity given, Megumi will make Erika play again.
"I guess staying for two innings will be alright," Erika finally agreed and smiles at Megumi.
Megumi nods with a kind grin. "That's more like it, bunny!"
"Don't call me that, baka Megumi," Erika pouts, earning a loud laugh from Megumi.
"Ahh, it is Seido's turn on defense," Megumi notices as the white geared boys with blue caps spread across the field.
Erika grips her knees, leaning forward to figure the faces of the members. None of them looks familiar to her. They are definitely made up of seniors, both second and third years. Standing at the mound is one tall pitcher, definitely taller than Eijun. While they wait for the first batsman, Erika gives Megumi a quick refresh of how the game works.
The first batter from Ichidai appears and their fellow teammates shout his name loudly with sheer support. Erika and Megumi view the game from the front second seat, 45 degrees from the home base. When the first batsman is ready, the pitcher does his windup and throws his first pitch.
A foul hit to the left field, followed by howls from the crowd.
"Ball, out and low pitch," Erika mutters. "The catcher is being careful."
"Eh, isn't it more like avoiding a fight?" Megumi wonders.
"But for the batsman to hit the first pitch, no matter what ball it was, the catcher has the right to be careful. Causing a foul at first pitch sometimes can affect his second swing."
"Hmm the catcher sounds irritating to me," Megumi smirks. "Wait, isn't he that senior that Eijun admires?"
"Eh?" Erika gasps, as she stares at the catcher. "You're right. It is him!"
"He's playing and Eijun's not here watching him? Geez, I never understand boys," Megumi snorts.
Erika giggles. "You will understand them one day, especially when you meet your special someone."
"Don't give me that crap," Megumi looks away, blushing. "Focus on the game, will ya?"
"Okay!"
"A hit!"
The batter dashes towards the first base. The ball is caught by the shortstop who immediately fires it to the first baseman, earning their first out of this inning.
"Damn, he's quick!" Megumi applauds loudly. "Did you see that, Eri?! He is like flying in the air when he caught it! Amazing!"
"Green hair… I think I know who he is," Erika hums. "Kuramochi is his name. He is Ei-chan's roommate and second year senior."
"Wicked!" Megumi hollers a loud cheer. "Their defense are awesome, right, Eri?!"
Erika nods but her attention is centred on the pitcher instead. She involuntarily studies the boy's posture, windup, throws and speed. He has talent and experience, probably a third year student. Something about him is just missing.
The game continues in a heated atmosphere. Even with a first out, the pitcher is struggling with the cleanup batters that are coming next. Before he realises it, the first and second bases are loaded, one by a hit and the other by four balls. Erika is not sure what kind of pitches he does but they are definitely breaking balls. The catcher is calling plenty of breaking balls lately.
Erika wonders why Miyuki is doing that. Isn't that putting more stress on the pitcher?
His pitches will lose accuracy and speed. Getting a strikeout will be tough if this continues.
The fourth batsman enters, his physique deserved to be feared. He is large enough to hit a homerun. If he does so, that will be an addition of three runs in their favour. Seido will lose momentum.
Megumi starts biting her fingernail. "God, this is intense!"
"He should stop calling for breaking balls," Erika insists to voice out. "The pitcher doesn't seem to keep up with the catcher's play."
"If it means that they can win with breaking balls, why not?" Megumi argues back. "Breaking balls aren't easy to hit right?"
Erika shakes her head. "If the breaking balls are perfect that is. But looking at the pitcher's form, a perfect breaking ball is impossible. His pitches are weak."
Megumi hangs one arm behind Erika's neck and chuckles. "You are so good at these things! Eijun is proud of you for knowing so much about baseball! Have you thought of becoming a manager or something like that?"
"No. I won't do that," Erika shakes her head profusely. "I didn't even consider that when we were in middle school because I didn't want to burden him. Nothing will change even for now."
The smile on Megumi shrinks alittle. "Guess you're right."
Another attempt fails again. Megumi curses in her head.
The first pitch is thrown and the batter hits, causing a roar of cheers from the crowd. Unfortunately, it is another foul. Erika creases her brows, knowing it is a breaking ball again, high and away. The catcher is really getting on her nerves. She likes to put trust on him that he can support the pitcher like how he supported Eijun back then. For now it seems he is being selfish and mean, drawing out all the energy from the pitcher, giving every breaking ball he has.
Two bases are loaded and they are up against the strong hitter. What is Miyuki thinking?
"Such a meanie," Erika mutters, as she glares down on the face of the catcher hidden by the helmet.
Now the pitcher winds up again, and throws his second pitch.
Erika stiffens. It is a fastball. The speed is faster than before.
"Steal!" the fielders shout.
In a heartbeat, the catcher jolts into a stand and shoots the ball at the third base, outing the runner followed by the ball passed to the second base, obtaining the third out for the inning. The Seido supporters rise and cheer their loudest while the Seido players run back to the dugout for change of gears. The fielders laugh and pat the pitcher, supporting him.
"That was incredible!" Megumi manages to speak after watching the shocking play. "Did you expect that, Eri?!"
Erika is dumbfounded. She is staring at the catcher's back while her mind figures out his play.
So he has been asking for breaking balls to loosen up the pitcher's shoulders. After what feels like twenty breaking balls, the pitcher can throw a bullet speed fastball that surprises not only his opponents but the crowd. The runners cannot even react in time and miss their chance to steal.
Not to mention also, the catcher's throw was insane.
"Weird senior," Erika says softly, unheard by Megumi.
Miraculously, it is heard by Miyuki for some reason.
A few steps before the dugout, he turns back and stares at Erika's direction for a moment.
Under shaded visor, a white smirk lengthens on his face.
Erika widens her eyes. "No way... Can he see me here?!"
Thank you for reading!
