Disclaimer: I don't own anything pertaining to Big Windup
Claimer: I do however own the OC's in the story.
Sorry it's been awhile! I've been trying to update and head towards finishing some of my stories so I can concentrate more on only a few! And for some reason Fanfiction has been messing up and not letting me upload so, don't completely blame me please!
R&R!
It was a great shock to the Abe family when Takaya walked into the house carrying an injured Hikari on his back. She had fallen back asleep on their way there, and was laid down on her bed while Takaya went to go explain everything to his family, who was dumbfounded at such a thing happening.
"Please, can she stay here?" Tajima asked, tagging along with Abe, being stubborn in staying closer to her, along with Mihashi who sat fidgeting in his seat.
Takaya's parents looked at one another in confusion before looking back at the freckled boy who was all but in a cloud of depression. "Why would we make her leave?"
"She's part of the family already!" Mr. Abe laughed, hitting his hand on his knee.
Takaya grunted as he leaned forward, feeling a weight push on his back. He looked behind him and found Hikari huddling into his back, not looking at his parents who were trying to look at her desperately.
He smirked at her, knowing she had heard what they said. "See? I told you they consider you family."
He patted her head before putting and arm around her shoulder to usher her in front of him. His mom all but leapt from her spot, hugging Hikari in worry as she frantically looked her over and hugged her even tighter.
"You had me so worried!" She said with a shout.
Hikari felt the cold fist that was around her heart melt and spread throughout her body, giving her the affection she desperately needed. Tears ran down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her, letting her silent sobs be soothed by her hand petting her hair.
"I'm fine now," Hikari said pushing away gently and brushing the remaining water from her eyes.
"You can stay here as long as you'd like," Mrs. Abe told her with a gentle smile, setting Hikari at ease.
Hikari felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment at her weak moment, one she hardly ever showed. Tajima smiled wickedly and reached out towards her, pushing off the ground and tackling her to the floor as he shouted in glee.
"You can always stay at my house too!" He said teasingly, knowing he was embarrassing her. He smiled from ear to ear, wanting to make her smile just like him.
"Yuu!" Hikari complained, pushing against him futilely. Her shouts of complaint turned into laughter as his fingers moved along her ribs, tickling her funny bones as she squealed and squirmed from his playing. "Stop! I…can't…breathe!"
Tajima was pulled off of her quickly as Takaya pulled him up by the back of his shirt and tossed him away from her as she tried to regain her breathing. Tajima pouted playfully as he sat on the floor with his arms crossed, and groaned as Takaya plopped between him and Hikari, keeping him out of reach from the small blonde girl. He acted as a barrier between them while he leaned on his hands, watching Tajima with a raised eyebrow, daring him to try and attack her again. "You two cause nothing but trouble," He sighed, dropping his head slightly.
Hikari sat up finally and looked at him guiltily, hoping she wasn't really causing him any trouble. He glanced at her and flashed a smirk, making her relax and smile widely back at him. She turned herself on the floor, facing the same direction as them as she moved her legs to the side of her and leaned against him, feeling his shoulders move with his breaths.
"How about some food?" Mr. Abe said, clapping his hands as he smiled at his thumbs, giving him a secret thumbs up.
Hikari looked over at Shun and smiled, thinking about how he was so much like his brother. She crawled over to him, drowsiness fogging her eyes again. She reached out and poked his cheek, making him jerk back in surprise at the sudden appearance of her next to him.
"You look so much like Takaya," She commented, making his cheeks flush as he pushed her hand away from his cheek. She giggled and smiled, rubbing her eyes from sleep before sitting on her feet. "You'll become a great player like your brother."
"Nii-chan is better," Shun said with a sigh, leaning back. "He has more experience than I do. Plus he played with Haruna."
"Haruna?" Hikari asked, keeping a flash of the player who she remembered reading about. "You mean that douche?"
She heard a snort behind her of someone trying to hold back a laugh, before Tajima and Takaya burst out laughing.
"I don't think playing with Haruna matters really, unless you count making Takaya a better person and team player." She said, pointing her finger at Takaya. "Besides, as long as you love the game and keep practicing at it, I think you could get better than your brother."
Takaya wanted to feel mad that she was saying his brother could do better than him, he knew she was saying it to relieve his brother of sibling shadows. It was already hard enough for him to convince his brother that he was good already.
Hikari was brought back to the table as the food was set out, and everyone began eating for the day. "Momo-kan is going to be brutal tomorrow," Hikari pointed out, remembering what time they had come to the hospital. "You guys ditched practice didn't you?"
"Ah," Tajima said, dropping his chopsticks on his plate. A dark cloud grew over the three heads of the team players as they imagined how brutal their coach was going to be since they ditched.
Mihashi began having an anxiety attack as he opened and closed his chick mouth; his eyes were wide and sweat was dripping down his face. "We're….dead…."
"I don't think she'll go that far," Hikari said with a yawn. "She'll probably just increase your practices."
Takaya sighed as he sat back on his hands again, thinking of practicing longer. It would help Mihashi with his pitches. He thought to himself, glancing at the nervous player who was in a slump still. I wonder if Hikari is going to practice tomorrow.
He glanced over at her in wonder, and let out a small laugh as he saw her putting food into her mouth, even though her head was nodding and her eyes were shut. He stood up and stepped towards her, reaching his hand out to grab her hand gently and pull her up to stand next to him.
"You need to go to bed," He told her, tugging her towards her room.
She stumbled on the floor as she was falling asleep, and fell into him. She latched onto his arm, pulling it to her chest as she laid her cheek on his shoulder. His cheeks flushed as he tensed his arm in surprise before looking up at a chuckle and seeing everyone watching the two of them with knowing looks.
"Oh, poor dear," His mom said mischievously, waving her hand at the two of them. "Just carry her to bed."
"Wha?" He said, before realizing what his mom was up to.
He gulped before pulling his arm out of her hold, making her furrow her brows and grumble. He looked up and saw his mom waving her hand at him to go ahead, making him sigh and put and arm around her shoulders. He slid his other arm under her knee's, before lifting her up into the air. Her head fell gently into the nape of his neck as her arms went around his neck to keep her up.
"Happy?" He muttered, feeling the heat creep up his neck and to his ears in embarrassment. He heard his mom giggle happily as she watched them. He walked down the hallway towards her room, pushing the door open with his foot so he didn't lose his group on her. "Here," He told her softly, laying her down on the bed.
Hikari grumbled again and clung onto his neck tightly. She pulled him down with her, making him leaned over her with his hands on either side of her body while he sat on the side of the bed.
"Come on, let go," He muttered, feeling his cheeks flare even warmer. He tried pulling her wrists from his neck, but she held him tightly. He turned his face towards her, hoping she'd hear him. "Hey, you have to let go."
"What are you doing back here?" Tajima asked, peering into the room in curiosity. He stopped as he spotted Takaya centimeters from her face with his arms on either side of her and her arms around him. "Sorry for interrupting," He chuckled, turning on his heel.
"Wait!" Takaya shouted, not wanting a misunderstanding. "it's not what you think."
"Come on! Don't try to hide it!" Tajima laughed, glancing over his shoulder at his friend. "The whole team can see you like her,"
Abe froze, looking at Tajima as if he was losing his mind. "What are you talking about?"
"You don't realize it?" Tajima laughed, teasing him before stopping and looking at Abe who was still looking at him in confusion. "You honestly don't see it? You stick to her as if she belongs to you. Don't you remember telling her 'I need you'?"
Abe opened his mouth ready to refute what he was pointing out before realizing he did say that to her. His face reddened as he pulled her wrists from his neck, this time freeing himself from her hold. He put a hand over his face, hiding the blush from Tajima as he turned his head.
"Well, good luck!" Tajima said, smiling at him like a little kid who just outwitted an adult.
"I'm so stupid," He grumbled, angry at himself for not realizing it.
He pushed off the bed and walked back to the gathering area, composing himself before facing the others again.
"Is…is she asleep?" Mihashi asked, fidgeting in his spot and glancing from Takaya to the floor repetitively.
"Yeah," He nodded, rubbing his neck. "You should get some sleep too. Hikari's right, we'll be doing a lot of practice tomorrow."
"Why not just stay here?" His mom suggested, looking at the two boys with smiles. "I'll just call your parents and tell them."
Mrs. Abe was more than happy to talk to the two other mothers who she earned numbers from at the games, making new friends that she could gossip with. By the smile on her face, they were guessing their mothers were agreeing to the sleepover.
"Takaya, just set them up in your room. Okay?" She said, covering the bottom of the phone with her hand.
"K." He said, nodding his head to his room, letting the other two follow him. "Why are you so nervous?" He asked, seeing Mihashi twitch and fidget.
"Well…I've…I've never stayed…over…at anyone's…house before…" Mihashi muttered out nervously, his eyes moving from Takaya to the floor back and forth.
Takaya didn't really know what to say to that, so he hummed and continued to lay out the futons for them. Tajima chuckled and put his arm around Mihashi, bringing him towards him in a friendly hug.
"Well then, it's good we're your first!" Tajima laughed, before stopping and forming an 'O' with his mouth. "I didn't mean it in any perverted way." He argued, looking at Mihashi with pleading eyes.
Mihashi gave him a shy smile, making Tajima sigh and droop forward. Takaya shook his head and smirked, glad to see that Mihashi got along with someone else. They all climbed into the beds set out, staying up and talking for a little while before falling asleep.
Tajima was sprawled out on his futon with his stomach showing and the covers completely kicked off of him. He groaned as he wiped the drool off the side of his mouth and sat up sleepily, petting down his hair that was standing up in weird angles.
"Hungry," He mumbled to himself, feeling his watering mouth crave food.
He turned his head to look at Takaya and ask if it was time to eat or not. He opened his mouth before clamping it shut and blinking repeatedly, trying to clear his sight. He looked closer and stopped, seeing that what he saw was not a dream.
"Wha!" He said, jumping up onto his feet and startling everyone awake. He was pointing at the bed as Takaya rubbed his eyes and glared at Tajima for waking him up.
"Hm?"
Takaya looked down and sucked in a breath, seeing what Tajima was freaking out about. Hikari was curled up to him again with her head in his neck and her body pressed to his side. She sat up slightly from Tajima's shout and rubbed her own eyes.
"Yuu, what are you shouting about?" She grumbled irritated. She cracked her eyes open and glared at him, wondering why he was shouting so early in the morning already.
"What are you doing in his bed?" He accused, pointing a finger at her as his eyes were wide. Takaya sat up and instantly opened his mouth to give a simple explanation. "Why didn't you join in mine?"
Takaya almost fell out of his bed as Tajima pouted and looked at Hikari with betrayed eyes. He couldn't believe Tajima was freaking out for a completely wrong reason. Hikari was looking at him as if he were stupid and couldn't make sense of his train of thought.
"Yuu, you worry me." She said, sliding out of the bed and padding over to Tajima, before flicking him in the head. "I'm going to find you a girlfriend as soon as possible."
Tajima seemed to all but rip his face in half with his wide smile, before glomping Hikari and hanging onto her. "Yeah!"
"Yuu! You're heavy!" She complained, trying to walk out of his grasp, it ended up dragging him with her out of the room. "Let go!" She groaned, her breathing hard with how much weight he was putting on her. "if you don't let go, I'm not getting you one."
Tajima let go quickly, making Hikari fall forward onto the floor face first. Tajima sat on the floor with his legs underneath him as he looked at Hikari with a smile. She groaned as she rubbed her nose and sat up looking at the guys who were watching her.
"Oh! Morning Mihashi!" She said with a wave, making said guy smile shyly and give a small shake of his hand. "What time is practice by the way?" Hikari asked, looking at the clock that read 9 o'clock.
"I think it starts at noon." Takaya said, scratching his head with a yawn.
"Ok, I'm going to change real fast." She said, standing up and walking towards the door.
"You're going?" Mihashi asked, and clamped his mouth shut when she looked back at him.
"mm!" She nodded with a smile, making him relax. "I don't want to be cooped up."
She walked out of the room, leaving them to get ready and to wake up correctly.
"She just doesn't want to be alone." Tajima pointed out as they were changing their clothes.
Takaya stopped and looked at him, surprised Tajima could be serious about it. "Do you like her?" He asked, wonder taking over his thoughts.
Tajima looked at him. "Hikari?" He laughed, shaking off Takaya's jealousy and worry. "I used to have a crush on her when I was a kid, but she's like my sister now."
Takaya's shoulders seemed to relax as he smiled to himself, glad that he didn't have any rival. He looked up and saw Tajima watching him in question, trying to understand why he was asking him. He seemed to come to a conclusion as he shrugged his shoulders and clapped his hands.
"You don't have to worry. I just know how to read her. She hides how she feels a lot, but she'll give small clues as to how she's feeling." He explained to them.
Mihashi nodded, coming to his own conclusion that he wanted to help her and see these clues for himself.
"You'll be able to see them soon," Tajima told Takaya with a smile, putting his thumb up to reassure him.
A knock sounded at their door before Hikari peeked in with a smile. "Mrs. Abe said breakfast is ready."
"Food!" Tajima exclaimed, racing out of the door passed Hikari.
"Are…" Mihashi stumbled out, making Hikari look at him with a smile. "Are you feeling okay?"
Hikari stared at him hard, making him sweat as he fumbled for where to look. "So cute!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his head and hugging him. "I'm alright! Your just so nice!"
Mihashi was red as a tomato by the time she let him go, but his ego was much better and a small smile appeared on his face as he stumbled out. Hikari smiled innocently at him, happy she could make him feel less nervous around her.
"You'll make his ego inflate and blow." Takaya said with a pat to her head.
Hikari looked up at him with a smile. "I think his ego needs a little inflating." She bumped her shoulder into him. "Don't be jealous," She teased, giggling a bit to show she was joking around.
His cheeks pinkened, making her stop laughing and look at him in surprise. She pushed up on her toes as she moved around to face him.
"Are you jealous?" She smirked, putting her face in front of his. He put his hand to his face, trying to look away from her.
"I just don't want you taking my pitcher." He said, pushing her shoulder gently so she wasn't right in front of him.
Hikari puffed her cheeks out as she pouted at him, not expecting that answer from him. She sighed as she let her heels touch the floor again and she stood up straight. "Fine," She pouted, before pushing up on her toes again and kissing his cheek. "But you're still my favorite."
She turned on her heel and began eating breakfast with everyone else. By the time they finished breakfast and cleaned up, there was just enough time to walk to Mihashi's and Tajima's house's before they headed towards the practice field.
"Hikari!" Hamada said with a big wave as they reached the field.
"What are you doing here?" Hikari said with a laugh.
Hamada peered down at her with serious eyes, making her stare up in confusion. She reached up and poked him in the cheek, wondering why he wasn't moving. He grabbed her wrist suddenly, making her stop and look at him in shock. Everyone was staring at Hamada in shock and confusion also, wondering what he was doing.
"Hama-chan?" She said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
His cheeks reddened in embarrassment as he let her go and held his hands up in the air. "Sorry! I just couldn't help but notice them…" He scratched the back of his head as he looked away from her.
"Them?" She asked, before looking down and realizing he was talking about the bandages still around her legs and arms. "Ah! It's alright! I'm completely fine now!"
"You shouldn't strain yourself today." Shiga-sensei told her with a smile. "It's best if you just rest for now."
"You can help me with the papers today." Chiyo said with a smile, seeing the pout slowly appearing on Hikari's face.
"Good to see everyone's here!" Momoe said with a smile before turning into a dark monster that was glaring down at all of them menacingly. "Now start running."
Everyone nearly wet themselves looking at her, more than happily running in the opposite direction of her.
"How are you feeling?" Momoe asked Hikari worriedly.
"I'm fine, really! You all don't have to worry about me." She said with a guilty laugh.
Momo-kan sighed as she looked down at the bandages that everyone seemed to be focusing on here. "Sorry, I should have listened to Tajima."
Hikari looked at her coach in surprise, not expecting the sudden apology. "You couldn't have done anything." Hikari sighed, sitting back with her legs outstretched in front of her and her hands holding down her skirt. "He is technically my guardian. No one could have told him he couldn't take me."
Momo looked at her with sad eyes before clapping her hands and smiling. "Well! It's good to have you back!"
"I'm glad you're okay." Chiyo said handing her half the papers.
"I feel like I belong here." Hikari said with a smile, looking through the information papers and sorting them out to what was most important.
"These are about the next team we're playing against." Chiyo explained, hoping to help a bit.
Hikari looked up at the players who just finished their laps and were already huffing for air. They groaned as Momo sent them out to practice their throws. She looked back down at the papers and blinked, re-reading the name again.
"Tadao?" She whispered to herself, looking over his information. "Chiyo, do you have a picture of this guy?" She asked, showing who she was talking about.
"Yeah, here." Chiyo said, passing over a sheet of all the players. "Have you seen him before?"
"I know him," Hikari laughed, looking at the picture. It was definitely the little boy she had played with as a child. His shaggy light brown hair was longer now, and his face was more mature, but his green eyes were still the same as when he was younger. "I can give you information on him that isn't on these sheets."
"That sounds interesting." Momo said, eavesdropping in on their conversation. "Alright, everyone gather around."
The team hustled in as they sat in a circle, with Hikari and Chiyo joining in. Shiga-sensei had everyone hold hands again, going through the same relaxation exercise as they always did. Hikari was between Takaya and Chiyo, feeling the smooth hands of Chiyo that were slightly warm. She moved her fingers over Takaya's hand, feeling how different it was compared to Chiyo's; his was rough and calloused, hot and slightly dirty from practice, and compared to Chiyo's that was about the same size as hers, Takaya's was enveloping hers completely.
"Good, now everyone should be relaxed." Shiga-sensei said, releasing his hands, letting everyone else do the same.
Hikari let Chiyo's hand go, but as she tried to slip her hand out of Takaya's, his fingers tightened around hers. She put their hands to the ground, but didn't make a move to let go, making her look at him in confusion.
"Alright! Seems we have the upper hand for the next game!" Momo exclaimed happily. "Our co-manager here," She said, waving a hand at Hikari, "has her ex-boyfriend on the opposing team!"
Hikari choked as she looked at Momo-kan as if she had lost her mind. Takaya's hand tightened around her's, causing her to look up at him and see he was looking straight at their coach and not at her.
"What?" Tajima exclaimed, looking at her with wide eyes.
"No!" She shouted, throwing her hands up into the air. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! NO! He's not my ex-boyfriend, was never my boyfriend! Yuu! It's Tadao that she's talking about!"
Tajima closed his mouth and his eyes relaxed as a smile broke his face and he burst out laughing. "Momo-kan thought Tadao was your boyfriend? Ha! That's hilarious!"
"See? Even Yuu thinks that's insane!" Hikari groaned, pushing her arms out towards Tajima who was rolling around he was laughing so hard. "Moh! Honestly, Tadao is two years younger than me. He's more like a little annoying cousin."
"How is he on the opposing team then?" Hanai asked confused.
"Tadao is one of those prodigy kids who skip grades," Tajima smiled innocently. "He's younger, but in the same grade. But you know Hikari, he'd be overjoyed if he heard what Momo-kan said."
"Wha?" Hikari sighed.
"He's always had this HUGE crush on you. He saw you as this angel who saved him." Tajima laughed, making Hikari sighed.
Hikari dropped her head, hoping that Tadao didn't have that crush on her like before. She put a hand up to her head as she put her other hand back down on Takaya's, linking her pinkie with his own. "I hope he's moved on," She groaned. "He may be brains, but don't take him lightly, he probably already knows about every single one of you already."
The others stared at her; that information obviously put them on edge, because everyone was fidgeting and looking at her in shock. She pushed her hand farther into Takaya's feeling his fingers slide over her own.
"I'm not going to lie, this is going to be a tough game. But I also believe that all of you can beat them." She said confidently. "I've seen how you can play. I've seen you practice. You can beat them."
Everyone smiled at one another, feeling better that Hikari believed they could win this game. It didn't take away all their nervousness, but it gave them a boost knowing there were people who believed they could do it.
She looked at Takaya who finally looked back at her. She gave him a smile and a squeeze of her fingers, making him smile back at her, sending her heart into a flutter. Her cheeks pinkened at his smile, making her feel suddenly self conscious.
Why do I feel like this? She thought to herself, confused at the strange feeling.