So yeah…my bad for taking so long. Anyhow, enjoy.

~ebob

Chapter 10

Now even Mihashi sounded strange. He was talking slower than normal, even for Mihashi. And what was he saying? Abe had a pretty good idea of why he dropped Ruri's name. There really wasn't a better alibi then dropping a cousin's name. Especially when she could be validated by so many other people, granted all of which were on the baseball team. It made sense for Mihashi to mention his cousin. But was it really necessary?

Couldn't Mihashi have simply said that he had feelings for someone else and left it at that? Did he have to bring Ruri into the picture? Guys have unrequited love all the time. It was a more than suitable reason for not returning someone else's feelings. Hell, Abe had heard that very excuse from Matsuhara, the captain of the men's volleyball club, only a few days before Valentine's Day. It didn't matter that he was talking to one of his friends in a louder-than-necessary voice so that the girls around him would hear. Since it worked for Matsuhara, surely it would've worked for Mihashi.

Then again it would've been better if he and Mihashi could just tell people about their relationship. Then all of the lying and half-truths would be unnecessary.

When Takaya realized he was starting to get jealous of Ruri for, well Abe didn't exactly know what he decided he had had enough. The catcher rolled over onto his stomach intending to crawl towards the door. Only when he felt the incessant rupture of pain did he remember his injuries. The window was too low for the catcher to move away from without crawling, which meant that he was stuck listening to his boyfriend politely turn down another girl.

By the way the two were talking Abe thought he would definitely be stuck in the home economics classroom until lunch was over. However even the catcher could hear the loud howl that erupted from Mihashi's stomach. "S-sorry," Mihashi apologized.

"He he," the girl giggled angelically. "You really do like to eat, don't you Mihashi-kun?"

Abe heard the pair's conversation about food start to fade off. When he could no longer hear them the catcher rose to his feet. On his way back to his own classroom Abe was keenly aware of his own hunger. The prospect of his bento and a few aspirin waiting for him in his classroom hastened his trek back.

Shinooka was sitting in Abe's seat talking to Hanai when the catcher returned. When she saw Abe the team manager and the captain gave the catcher a warm smile. Shinooka stood to give Abe his seat back but he motioned her to sit back down and instead took an open seat in the desk behind the couple. "Did you find Mihashi?" Shinooka asked.

The catcher's eyes darted up in surprise before jetting from side to side to make sure no one else was listening. When he saw that nobody was paying them any attention he continued. "How did you…" He started with.

"Where else would you go? You're stuff was here and you weren't," she replied.

Despite himself Abe let out a chuckle. "Kinda." Hanai and Shinooka's glances asked what their mouths did not. "When I found him he was busy turning down a confession."

"Oh."

"From who?" Hanai asked.

Abe shrugged. "I don't know who she was. Some girl from his class, I think he called her Sadako or Samako or something."

"Sawako-chan?" Shinooka asked.

"Yeah, that's it," Abe consented uncomfortably. He would have preferred if the girl had remained unnamed.

"Wow, what did he say?" Shinooka asked.

Nonchalantly Abe replied, "He said he's going out with a girl from Mihoshi named Ruri."

"Ruri?" Hanai clarified.

"Yep."

"From Mihoshi?"

"Yep."

"You mean…?"

"Yep."

"Oh," the manager gasped. "That's a good move, especially coming from Mihashi."

Before he could catch himself Abe unleashed his tirade. "It would've been better if Mihashi had just said he liked someone else. Why did he have to say his cousin of all people?" By now the catcher's words were coming out as little more than hisses. "Couldn't he have just said he had an unrequited love? Girls buy that stuff, right?"

The look that Hanai and Shinooka shared only added to anger that was surprising Abe. "No, Abe, they don't." Hanai answered cautiously.

"Yeah they do, don't they Shinooka?"

"Nope," the manager replied. "If anything it just gives us hope that maybe if we're constantly around then when the guy gives up then he'll move on to us."

"But he…what if he said, I mean…" Abe spluttered but broke off when he saw that again Hanai and Shinooka were giving each other knowing looks. "Stop that, it's annoying."

A devilish grin Abe thought was only capable by a certain third baseman emerged on Hanai's face. "Wow Abe; just…wow."

"I can't believe it. Out of all people…"

Abe waited for either one of the two to finish their sentences. Finally after a painful moment of waiting he took the bait and asked, "What?"

"I didn't think you were the jealous type."

"Me neither," Hanai concurred. "And of all people to be jealous over…"

"I can't believe it," Shinooka piled on.

Blood started to rush to Abe's cheeks. "What? I don't want that Sawako girl to have Mihashi. What's wrong with that?"

"You're not jealous of Sawako-chan," Hanai started.

"What?" Abe demanded.

"You're jealous of Ruri," Shinooka finished.

"What? No I'm not."

"Wanna bet?" Hanai asked.

Abe turned to stare directly in to Hanai's eyes paralyzing the right fielder. "Why the hell would I be jealous of Mihashi's cousin?"

"Because he used her name instead of yours," Shinooka answered for her boyfriend.

The catcher's midnight hair was perfectly contrasted by his blanching face. "I…" he started. "No…, I mean…"

The smug smile Hanai wore was starting to piss Abe off. "Just admit it Abe. Admitting it is always the first step."

"Fine…" Abe sighed. "Yeah I'm jealous, but so what? Aren't I allowed to be?"

"Of course you are," Shinooka consented. "Being jealous makes the other person feel wanted; needed. How do you think Mihashi would feel if you didn't care what he did?"

"Probably not too different than how he already feels about me," the catcher muttered.

"Bull shit," Hanai replied offhand.

"Hanai, either stop pissing me off or shut the hell up. 'k?" Abe snapped.

The right fielder's grin turned even more mischievous. "Oh? And what'll you do if I don't?"

"Man Hanai I'm not joking. I'm really pissed off right now and I don't want to deal with any bullshit right now."

Shinooka smacked her boyfriend across the back of his head. "You're gonna make Abe cry," she scolded, "stop it."

Abe gave the manager a glare. He wasn't sure if she was helping his case or subtly teasing him.

"Fine," the captain grunted. "You want some advice? Then ask yourself this," Hanai grabbed Abe's shirt and pulled him in close. "Why is Mihashi mad?"

"If I knew that –" Abe started.

"Think about it for a second. Why is Mihashi mad? Why isn't he scared or sorry?"

This did make Abe think, but he still couldn't wrap his mind around what the captain was getting at. "What do you mean?"

"When have you ever seen Mihashi mad? Remember last summer, when we played Mihoshi? Was he mad at his former teammates for what they did to him?" Hanai paused for a second to let what he was saying sink in. "Hell, have you ever seen Mihashi get mad at someone else?" Hanai hissed.

After another pregnant pause Abe had the only answer he could give. "…no…" he whispered.

"So don't you think it's something special when Mihashi gets mad? Maybe you're so special to him that he can get mad at you without thinking that you'll hate him?"

Hanai did have a point. He never had actually seen Mihashi get mad at anyone but himself. Even in their early days when Mihashi was still his awkward, fearful old self he still never got mad at anyone else. He always saw everything as his fault. Whenever the pitcher got hit it he never saw it as because of the flaws in Abe's game calling, but it was always because Mihashi didn't think he was good enough.

In that moment the light bulb clicked and the jubilation lit up the catcher's face. "Thanks a ton, Shinooka. You too Hanai. I'm so happy I could kiss you; but I think Shinooka would get mad."

"Are you kidding," Shinooka said, "that'd be pretty hot. Kiss away."

Abe eyed his teammate as seriously as he could manage. If he didn't have Mihashi then the catcher could seriously consider going through and kissing the baseball captain. But despite his circumstances Abe still had his albeit strained relationship with the pitcher. "I'll pass, I don't know where that mouth has been," Abe said consoling a scared looking Hanai, "but you should really see your face Hanai. You're cute when you're scared."

And just like that Abe's mood was buoyed up. The mood swing was dramatic enough for some of his classmates to notice and even comment to the catcher about it. Abe brushed off their comments with a grin and a shake of his head. They could never understand.

For the rest of the school day Abe could hardly hold himself back from singing. It was true that Mihashi still wasn't talking to him. The catcher had tried to stop by the pitcher's class but he was always conveniently gone to the bathroom or making a quick stop at his locker. But the stormy clouds didn't matter. Abe was singing in the rain.

When the end of the day came Takaya had no clue what to do. The rest of the team would be doing a workout in the gym. But since Abe was on the injured reserved he couldn't join in. So when the team gathered in the auxiliary gym the catcher sat down with his backpack and a stack of homework.

Since he was still in school mode Abe managed to work through a few geometry problems from the work he had missed. But math was, well, math. Soon enough he felt his eyes wandering from his work. The rest of the team was doing sprints back and forth across the floor. Mihashi was there as well running with the rest of the team. Abe had made no effort to approach the pitcher. It would be a cheap shot cornering Mihashi at a time like this. And besides, Abe wasn't ready yet. He still didn't exactly know why Mihashi was so mad. Takaya didn't want to jump the gun too soon for fear that they might get worse.

The only warning Abe had was the flash of a shadow. "You didn't talk to him." Coach Momoe was standing over the catcher. Her face had the same scary intensity as it always did which made it all the more unreadable. "Even though he's been avoiding you."

Abe stared at the coach in silence for a very long moment. He was about to ask how the hell she knew that given the fact that she wasn't around during the day but decided against it. He knew all too well that prying into the coach's mind was like taking a lackadaisical morning stroll through a minefield.

"You want to know how I know that," she said breaking the silence. Then with a half smile she added, "I can read minds."

Despite his natural reflex Abe was able to keep his face from showing any emotion. "It crossed my mind. But if you're really a psychic then what number am I thinking of?"

"One."

Again Abe sat in silence. She had guessed right.

"That wasn't much of a challenge. It's his number so of course it would be the first thing you'd think of. Even Tajima could've told you that."

It was true enough. "Well then if you're not a mind reader then how did you know he's been avoiding me or that I want to talk to him?"

Coach Momoe's smile grew and grew and grew into her creepy toothy grin that always meant Abe had stepped on a landmine. "Any intelligent coach would want to know when something happens to their players. That goes doubly so for the battery."

"Is that so?" Abe said cutting down to the chase. He was happy that she was concerned for him, but this was just starting to get ridiculous. It seemed like everyone on the team was going to have a little chat with the catcher and with the way things were going so far none of them would tell him why Mihashi was so mad. At least Hanai and Shinooka had been a big help while Tajima and Hamada's chat had been awkwardly informative. But coach Momoe? A talk with her would definitely not be as productive as his most recent had been; and if a chat with the coach even for the briefest of moments strayed down the same path as the one in his bedroom the day before then Takaya would rather stay silent.

And besides, she was blocking his view of his teammates. The sooner she moved out of his way the sooner he could get back to watching Mihashi. The last few times Abe had seen his friend was at moments that the catcher would rather forget. At least during practice Mihashi would smile and laugh with the rest of his teammates.

The coach's smile grew as she leaned closer causing Abe to reflexively back further into the wall. "I've got a spy who keeps me updated," she continued, "and while hearing about you two is better than watching any soap opera if it effects business then I have to step in."

"Business?" Abe questioned. "How would our personal lives affect your business?"

"Your relationship is the most crucial for the team. And if that goes sour it can dramatically affect your performance."

"Ok…and what do you want me to do about it? You said it yourself he's been avoiding me. How can I make up with him if he won't talk to me?" Even though Abe knew he was being a bit terse with the coach he had a point. If she was going to give him hell too then she could just save it. Abe really didn't want to hear it.

"That's your problem," she answered catching the catcher unprepared. "And good luck with that."

"So, what do you want from me?" Abe asked unsure of the coach's motives.

"I just want to tell you good luck and not to give up."

Takaya didn't really know what to say to the coach. And while he tried to think of a comeback or a question or something to break the silence he was beaten to the punch by Hanai letting her know that they were done with their sprints. Coach Momoe caught Abe's eye for a moment before she turned and walked out onto the gym floor.

"What was that about?" He murmured. Ok, he could see why she would have a vested interest in the battery's relationship. But it wasn't like her to say something overtly, even if it was just to wish him luck.

Abe's eyes went back to Mihashi. He was throwing with Tajima who had on a mask and catcher's mitt. Mihashi wore the meek expression he always wore when pitching. Despite how much Abe had tried to get Mihashi to change it the pitcher always reverted back to his default. At least, almost always. The pitcher still looked timid, but Abe knew from hours upon hours of examining everything about that face that Mihashi's expression was a bit different. His eyes looked like they were brighter than usual, like they had more feeling to them. Judging by the way Mihashi was pitching he was in top form too.

"How?" Abe asked to himself. How could it be possible that Mihashi was in top form? Didn't he feel even a little shaken up over what had happened? Why was Mihashi able to act like nothing had ever happened? It was making Abe's stomach churn.

After a few minutes of watching the pitcher, his pitcher, throw without a care in the world Abe's cool head began to boil. He gave up watching for fear he'd get really mad and do something stupid. He switched back to his backlog of geometry and other homework.

When practice ended that night Abe stayed back. He felt bad about being the first one to leave given the fact that he didn't do anything. To top it off he couldn't justify leaving with the team either. Part of that was because the majority of the team left as one big chunk with Mihashi among them, and since Abe was still a bit incensed about Mihashi's apparent lack of concern the catcher couldn't trust himself to not make things worse.

The other reason was because he needed to have a quick word with Hanai, who had had a quick meeting with the coach over practice strategy and was late going in to change. So Abe waited and ambushed the captain when he emerged from the locker room.

When the right fielder saw the catcher waiting his eyebrows furrowed in question but he didn't stop. "Why are you still here?"

"I need to talk to you real quick," Abe said as he fell in stride with the taller teen.

"No," Hanai replied, "you need to talk to Mihashi."

"It's about that." The captain turned his head a little but remained silent. Abe took his silent cue and got to the point. "I'd like to leave practice early tomorrow."

"Why?"

"I'm going to talk to Mihashi."

"He'll be at practice," Hanai pointed out. "You can talk to him after."

Abe smiled. "No, it wouldn't be right. I can't ambush him at practice."

"So do it during school."

"Can't. He'll just avoid me."

"So what's your plan?"

"Baseball is sacred and I won't bother him there. And if I can't talk to him at school, I'll just have to pay his house a visit."

This made Hanai stop. "You're really planning on ambushing him at home? Why?"

"Why else? He's gotta go home sometime."

"You sound like a stalker," Hanai muttered.

"I sound like a genius," Abe corrected.

"No, Abe, you sound like Tajima."

"You mean Nishihiro, don't you?"

"More like Mizutani."

"Um…" Abe had to think for a moment. The next on his list was Hanai, but the catcher couldn't say that. Then would probably be himself; again a no go. "Izumi? Mmm…no wait, I'll go with Suyama."

"Oh? Why not Izumi?"

"Because," Abe sighed, "I'm sure Aizawa's been rubbing off on him. I have a better chance with Suyama and Elizabeth."

By now the duo had emerged onto the snowy school grounds. The cold air nipped at the skin on Abe's face. It was a refreshing change from the overheated school hallways. But by the time he had left the school grounds Abe was wishing he had more than his light sweater and t-shirt under his coat.

"You never answered my question," Abe said after a minute of silence. "Will it be alright if I take off early from practice tomorrow?"

Hanai took two deep, audible breaths. Abe knew he was mulling over his answer so the catcher stayed silent. "Fine," said Hanai reluctantly, "go ahead."

Abe's face lit up against the cold. "Thanks a lot, Hanai."

"Just don't screw up."

"Don't worry, I won't. I think I have a plan."

"You think?"

"Well, yeah. I always have a plan."

"And what would this master plan be?" Hanai asked incredulously.

"I'll wing it," said Abe with a chuckle.

Hanai blanched. "What? Are you kidding? Abe you're just going to wing it?"

"Sounds about right."

"I never knew Mihashi had a thing for crazy guys. Then again I think it's more likely that he's just rubbing off on you."

"Oh, one more thing," Abe said cutting in. "Don't mention this to anyone. If someone asks tomorrow at practice just tell them I have an appointment."

One of Hanai's eyebrows shot up his forehead. "Who would I tell?" He asked.

"Shinooka."

"And what would be wrong with that? She's my girlfriend."

"True," Abe conceded, "but if you tell her it'll go straight to Tajima; and from there the whole world'll know about it before midnight."

"She wouldn't…"

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Fine, you're right. Not a word of this until after the fact."

I apologize for not writing fast enough…I kinda spaced out for a little while there; the real life is really really hard. ANYWAY, enough bitching…I hoped you like this chapter. Please let me know what you think.

~ebob