KAY SO.

I donno. I'm really energetic but like super tired too...

You're contradicting yourself madam writer.

yes. Yes I know.

Okie. Lemme just say it here even though none of you care.

This guy... who is adorable as fuck, sorta kinda became my boyfriend and he just told me he likes me a lot and I feel really warm.

Gah! I'm 19 acting like a 13 who just found her first crush. SOS XD

Enjoy the chappie, send me a review,

MY GUEST REVIEWERS

You guys send me Essays and I love reading them!

I cant reply and that makes me sad but you guys are awesome.

Anime4us

Chapter 14

Mei pushed the door to the café open with a smile on his face.

"I've come to relieve you of your duty Kominato." Mei called, his voice holding a sort of elegance that was soon squashed by the level of depression that surrounded the counter. "Oi, Oi… This is a café, you can't be acting all depressed…" The blonde southpaw stated while glancing between both Haruichi and Eijun.

"I'm sorry Eijun… I'll… I donno when I can come into work again… Just to be on the safe side… I want to take a couple of holiday days…" The pinklet murmured, his somber mood only darkening.

Mei was more disturbed by how dark Sawamura's aura was. The once always energetic café owner had a menacing aura that practically screamed the intent to kill. His fringe hid his golden eyes from view, scaring Mei even further.

"I know I'm not the brightest, but for you guys to just…." The ex-southpaw led off.

Mei was caught off guard, along with Haruichi as Sawamura looked up, tears pooling in the eyes that Miyuki gushed so much about.

"I thought best friends were supposed to trust each other… Not keep secrets from one another…" Sawamura trailed off. "You can have your days off."

Sawamura wiped at his face, desperately trying to hide the hurt that was marring his usual elegant, greeting smile.

"I need a couple minutes. Be safe on your way home."

Mei could just tell from the way the pinklet was barely holding himself up that he wanted to reach towards his supposed best friend, wanted to somehow console him, but how could one do that when he had so much going wrong at the same time?

0_0_0_0

Miyuki couldn't sit still. Every time he sat down in his desk chair and attempted to read a file to help for his case, his leg would start bouncing, or his fingers would drum at the bottom of the keyboard.

"Goddammit!" He hissed as he leant back into his chair, no progression coming for the four hours that he'd tried to attempt work.

"I see you're being productive."

The ex-catcher nearly jumped out of his skin when someone spoke from his door.

"There's no way you could have prevented it, stop working yourself up Miyuki."

Miyuki looked towards the door, not all too pleased to see one of the upper classmen he used to play baseball with many years back.

"You're not angry at all?"

"Are you kidding?" Ryosuke asked as he pulled the door behind him. "Someone called my little brother a faggot, along with the boy that he's affiliated with, who, in retrospect, should have hit the bastard a little harder. Amnesia would have been a good card to be holding at this point."

Miyuki smirked despite himself. Ryosuke always had a roundabout way of looking at things, no matter how impossible the outcome seemed.

"If Yoichi hadn't hit him, I would have." Ryosuke said after a short bout of silence.

"The two of you are making my life a living hell."

"Guilty as charged. What are you planning on doing about the Tabloid?" The pinklet asked as he took a seat in front of Miyuki's desk.

"It's a breach of their personal rights… It's weak, but it's something… I'm willing to bet my life's savings that neither Yoichi nor Kominato offered their consent in publishing the article."

"What about the case against Watari?" Ryosuke asked while raising a brow.

"Working progress…" Miyuki stated as he lifted his glasses to rub the space between his eyes.

"The assault charge is killing just about any fighting chance we have… isn't it?"

"No… It's just making it really hard to solidify an argument." Miyuki murmured as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Wanna hear my take, maybe I can shed some light onto the situation, tell you something that Yoichi and Haruichi haven't mentioned?" Ryosuke offered.

"Your phone." Miyuki stated, the sudden thought occurring him.

The ex-catcher knew how preemptive the second baseman could be when faced with a problem.

"Yes, it is one of the reasons I wanted to pass by..." Ryosuke said thoughtfully as he reached towards his pocket.

Miyuki's eyes widened as the second baseman set the cellphone on his desk, play button anticipating his touch.

"Are you serious?" The ex-catcher asked, hope rising from within him.

"Only the last bit."

"I couldn't give two shits if it's three seconds as long as it has something good." Miyuki stated. "And you waited this long to show this to me?"

"I'm a busy man Miyuki."

"Too busy to solve your brother's case?"

"I wanted to make sure it would do more good than harm." Ryosuke stated before leaning back into his chair.

Miyuki leant over and hit the play button on Ryosuke's phone.

"That boy has tainted you! He's ruined your career!"

There was a pause in the recording, as if to let the mere thought that this conversation actually happened sink into the listener's head.

"He's blackmailing you, isn't he? It's some joke, there's no way you'd get into bed with a faggot. Right? I'm right? Right?!"

The ex-catcher's jaw set at the fairly sensitive topic.

"I.. Uh.. I.."

Miyuki identified Haruichi's voice almost instantly.

"I'm coming over. Watari and I have some matters to discuss."

Ryosuke's dark tone filled the recording next.

"Y-Yea.. ok."

There was a slight choppiness to the recording before Kuramochi's voice could be heard loud and clear.

"What? Because I'm happy?! Am I not allowed to be happy Watari!?"

"Find a woman to be happy with!"

There was shuffling and a cry to be heard.

"Yoichi!"

Miyuki picked up on Ryosuke calling out to the yelling shortstop, the voices getting louder and louder as his device got closer.

"You've lost your mind! Thank god Ryosuke showed up! Look at this savagery! This is what happens when you don't follow the social norm!"

"Shut up, or I'll let him go."

"Let me go! I'll kill him. You don't know what he said."

"I heard him."

"Wait… How long have you been here?"

"Two minutes."

"Then you didn't hear-"

"Yoichi. I was on the phone with Haruichi."

"Did you hear… All of that?"

Miyuki could almost feel the pain from those six words his best friend uttered.

"But, I'm fine. It didn't bug me all that much…Don't worry."

"I'm so sorry… I didn't know you were home."

"This is-"

"Shut up."

Miyuki heard Ryosuke cut the sports agent off.

"I'll press charges!"

"Be my guest. On another note, you're fired, I don't need an agent who can't keep up with the ages Watari. Now get the fuck out of my house. Now."

Miyuki leant back into his chair, heaving a fairly heavy sigh.

"I can't believe you actually managed to record that."

"Most people have the unfortunate displeasure of underestimating me." Ryosuke stated before taking his phone back. "I'll email this to you." The second baseman stated as his fingers danced across the screen.

"Please… I need to dissect it when I have more time."

0_0_0_0

Mei kept glancing towards the ex-pitcher that was working at the cash. Haruichi had left long ago and Sawamura was back to smiling like nothing was bothering him. The southpaw knew better though. He'd seen it. When Sawamura thought no one was looking, the smile would drop and a heart shattering frown would take its place.

"Oi! Mei!"

Mei snapped out of his reverie, offering Sawamura an apologetic smile as he focused.

"You look a little out of it, everything ok?"

"Hm? Yea. I was wondering, there's gonna be this little fundraiser at the park I usually play at. It's for kids. There'll be bouncy castles and such. Would you mind if I brought Clara along tonight?"

I have a feeling you're gonna wanna talk to Kazuya, and having Clara outta the house while you do so will probably be one of the better ideas I've had…

"Huh? Are you sure?.. Won't you be really busy?" The ex-pitcher asked while raising a brow.

"Nah." Mei said with a goofy grin. "Plus, walking around with Clara holding my hand appeals to the press." The blonde southpaw stated.

"Are you using my daughter for good press?" Sawamura asked while raising a brow.

"Me? Why I never…" Mei lead off, his expression clearly exaggerated.

Sawamura chuckled lightly before nodding. Mei smiled at gaining a laugh from the ex-pitcher.

"Yea, I'm sure she'd love that." Sawamura stated.

"I'll pick her up from school after practice." Mei stated with a nod.

"Pick whom up? I see your interest doesn't stop at one girl."

Mei's whole face was engulfed with shock as Sawamura turned towards the counter, hiding a giggle behind his hand. Ericka stood behind the counter, disapproving look set on Mei before she turned away.

"No, no. It's not what you think." Mei stated, lifting his hands in front of himself as he tried to deny the assumption made.

"Good morning Ericka." Sawamura stated.

"Morning Eijun. I see you've got the player working again today." Ericka stated while raising a brow of her own.

"Yup, it's hard finding good help nowadays." The ex-pitcher stated dramatically.

"Eijun!" Mei hissed.

"I'm kidding." Sawamura joked. "He's taking Clara to an event tonight."

Ericka smiled before turning towards the professional baseball player.

"Oh! You're babysitting." She stated matter of factly.

"I don't really think of it as babysitting…" Mei stated before shrugging.

"She's so out of your league Narumiya." Ericka stated with a taunting smirk.

"I'm gonna 'accidently' drop something really toxic into your drink." Mei threatened.

"No you won't." Sawamura called as he punched in Ericka's order, it never changed.

"Eijun has my back." Ericka said while sticking her tongue out.

"You're as bad as Kazuya."

"I donno. Miyuki's pretty hot. That's a roundabout way of telling me I'm attractive, isn't it?" Ericka asked while smirking.

"Scratch that, worse than Kazuya." Mei murmured as he set the drink on the counter.

"Aw, so kind." Ericka taunted.

"So." Mei stated before clearing his throat. "Did you maybe… wanna..." He lead off, his cheeks darkening somewhat.

"Spit it out Mei, you can do it." Ericka stated.

"Never mind." Mei said stubbornly.

"Aw, no way!" Ericka whined.

"You lose out." Mei stated before turning away.

"You know you wanna ask."

"I did."

"You still wanna."

"Nope."

"Fine." Ericka drawled, turning away from the counter.

"Come to XXX park tonight." Mei called as the girl reached for the door.

"Who said you could order me around blondie?" Ericka called.

"I'll see you tonight." Mei called as the door fell closed behind her, smile dancing across his lips.

"Look at you all grown up. I'm so proud." Sawamura stated as he wiped fake tears from his eyes.

"Fuck off." Mei stated with a small smirk.

"Take care of her or you might just find something toxic in your next Americano." Sawamura stated with a nod.

"What are you, her father?" Mei chastised.

"I am to one of the girls you're taking out, need I remind you? Don't make Clara a third wheel on your date…" Sawamura murmured before shaking his head.

"No worries, she'll be too busy playing on the toys to even notice." Mei stated before flashing a grin.

"She knows Ericka at least." Sawamura stated with a small smile, feeling more at ease.

"You guys know everyone at this point." Mei stated while rolling his eyes.

"If the business is good, the business is good." Sawamura said, nodding happily.

"Alrighty then." Mei answered while raising a brow.

"I honestly hope you enjoy your date. Don't keep Clara out too late. Should I give you some money for her dinner?"

Mei rolled his nose up at Sawamura's words.

"How cheap do you think I am?"

"Do you actually want me to answer that?..."

"You wound me Eijun."

"Get back to work." The ex-pitcher stated with a huff.

"Everyone's seated and eating…" Mei trailed off.

Sawamura smiled innocently before handing Mei a cloth and spray bottle with chemicals inside.

"Have fun. Make sure to check the bathrooms."