Shortly afterwards, the students were once again packed into the buses which headed towards Seidou. It was a tiring time for the students as the afternoon slowly transitioned to evening.
Throughout the journey back home, Sawamura was in a daze. Simply silent. Emotionless. He was in a world of his own. His face had lost his usual zestful expression and what took its place was a shell of indifference caused by hurt and disappointment.
Kuramochi relentlessly made conversation trying to make Sawamura snap out of it but nothing seemed to work. Miyuki too tried to indulge in some small talk which he would usually refrain from but saw no other viable option to deal with this abnormal Sawamura.
It had no effect on Sawamura.
The only response they got that assured them that Sawamura was listening to them was his occasional nods and the sounds of his fingers tapping on the window as he stared out at the serene sight of the clouds masking the fiery sun as it dipped below the horizon. The bright reddish-orange hues faded rapidly as it descended. Soon the sun was no longer seen, what remained was the darkening clouds which expanded out from the centre and thundering noises resounded amidst the early evening.
When the bus stopped, Kuramochi had had enough. He was frankly getting quite annoyed with Sawamura at this point.
"Sawamura. Enough. Just tell us what's the matter already. Or else I'm going to give you a drop kick when we get back to the room."
His penetrating stare was aimed at Sawamura, questioning him further.
"Woah. You can do wrestling?" Sawamura gaped at Kuramochi in awe and admiration as he inspected Kuramochi's figure. It was almost like him indirectly expressing that he was back to his normal self and there is no need for futher interrogation on the matter.
But Kuramochi didn't buy it.
"Stop trying to change the subject. Or you will also have a figure-four leg lock coming your way."
Miyuki scanned Sawamura, pondering over the cause of his unexpected behaviour change.
Some times I feel like I have known him for years. But other times hefeels so mysterious. So unpredictable.
"Don't overthink. Your brain cannot handle that anyways. Just tell us already before you become even more stupid from over-exerting yourself."
Sawamura's nose dilated in anger as his eyes bulged. He slightly clenched his jaw as he glared at Miyuki.
What can a idiot like you can do anyways?The memory of someone saying something similar came to the forefront of his mind. It twisted his heart uncomfortably as he felt what could only be described as a raging mess of chaotic emotions.
"I'm not stupid."
He full-on glared at the other two.
Miyuki and Kuramochi glanced at each other, looking incredulous at this statement. The fact that this was the first time they have actually seen him angry did not deter them from throwing their honest opinions on the air.
"You are." They deadpanned together in unison with a plain look on their faces further emphasizing how obvious it is.
Sawamura felt the crushing pressure on his heart reduce immensely upon hearing that. It felt somewhat warm to be called an idiot by the two compared to the immeasurable hurt he had felt when that persondeclared him as such.
"No. I'm not." Sawamura cried.
"You are. Just accept it. And tell us why you are having these mood swings ever since we left the stadium? You are not at all yourself." Kuramochi retaliated. His eyes gently dug into Sawamura. It was clear as the day that he was concerned about him.
"It is nothing." Sawamura tried.
"Don't lie so obviously." Miyuki remarked. He certainly couldn't be fooled by such an unmistakable lie.
Sawamura took a deep breath, composing himself before he spoke.
"Well. There is an acquaintance of mine we will probably be meeting tomorrow. We had a bet and I lost it so I don't know how to face him exactly."
"Huh?" Kuramochi narrowed his eyes as he squinted. His nose wrinkled as he was stupefied.
Because he lost a bet? That whole "I-am-upset-and-disappointed-beyond-recovery" face was because of this?
Miyuki decided to answer for him. His sceptical eyes glistened at this piece of information but regardless he kept his facial expressions to a minimum. He couldn't help but wonder how many more secrets are obscured by Sawamura's outgoing and friendly demeanour.
"It doesn't seem like an acquaintance if the thought of meeting this said acquaintance bothers you this much. It seems like someone you are close to. Who is this guy? Is he a first-year like us?"
"It is not meeting him that bothers me. It is how disappointed I feel about myself for losing. But yeah, he is a first-year." His crinkled eyes looked away as his head lowered slightly. It had utterly destroyed him to have lost that bet even after toiling ridiculously hard day after day. Losing because your luck deemed it fitting to match you up against your most incompatible opponent. Not so fun.
"What's his name?" Kuramochi was piqued. Curious to see who could elicit such an expression from his roommate.
"His name is-"
""WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING THERE STANDING? IT IS PAST CURFEW"
Maezono's unexpected bellow made all three flinch. Their heads sharply turned back to face him.
"Don't shout so loudly." Miyuki called out on Maezono.
"Ahem. Sorry. It is a habit from back home. Everyone in my middle school was loud about everything. But it is past curfew so let's go to our rooms before the coach or some other staff caught us. It will be bad if they did." Maezono flushed pink as he got flustered.
The trio nodded their heads as they couldn't argue with Maezono's reasoning.
With that acknowledgement Maezono proceeded to retire for the night.
"Don't tell Kuramochi when you go to your room. Tell us about this acquaintance of yours when we are all together."
Miyuki appealed – no more like demanded – as he started to walk towards his room, separated from the other two. He stopped a bit to listen only to Sawamura's agreeing to his request obediently.
"Don't be so childish Miyuki. Of course, Sawamura will tell me everything after we go to our room, right?" At the last bit, Kuramochi glimmered at Sawamura showcasing his loving eyes. The brightness almost blinded Sawamura as the last bit of the tension in his heart got released.
Sawamura melted at that as Kuramochi is usually someone who looked uptight and acts very stand-offish. But he soon realised Kuramochi's objective was not so pure.
"Both of you are acting like idiots."
With that being said, Sawamura marched mercilessly towards his room leaving the quite speechless pair behind. For once their thoughts matched as they together wondered
How low have I fallen to be called an idiot by him?
Miyuki was still disturbed about being called an idiot by Sawamura when he entered his room. The familiar sight of Akira slouching in bed welcomed him.
As the lock clicked into place, the figure in the bed tossed ferociously a few times before his classic welcoming smile showcasing his pearly white teeth greeted Miyuki.
"I'm back Akira-senpai." Miyuki replied as he slumped against the mattress, all too tired to stand after being thoroughly exhausted.
"Welcome back." Akira winked with his enchanting smile on.
"How was the game today?" Akira probed.
"It was so-so. We won easily of course." Miyuki turned to the other side facing Akira who lay on the bed opposite to his.
" Ohh. You don't seem so impressed, do you?" Akira stared intently waiting for Miyuki's response.
"The pitching didn't excite me. I'm still waiting to see you pitch tomorrow senpai." Miyuki grinned as he thrusted his face into the pillow.
"My my. It seems my kouhai are very much looking forward to me pitching, huh? I will blast away Inashiro tomorrow. Don't worry." Akira laughed.
After a few seconds the laughter vanished, a pause followed after which he said in a solemn tone mixed with a tint of melancholy.
"I have been waiting too long for the game tomorrow."
The sad undertones of that statement were not missed by Miyuki. He stirred before immediately sitting right back up.
"Senpai, is this about your injury? Is it bothering you?"
Silence.
"You can talk to me if want." Miyuki hesitantly offered. It was very much unlike him to act caring in any way but he didn't know any other way to act when it came to someone whose eyes seemed to shimmer with a sadness that was way ahead for their age.
Akira cackled feeling utterly amused with this new undiscovered side of his roommate he had got to experience. Miyuki's eyebrows knitted together in a jumble of confusion and astonishment.
Is he laughing at my offer? Or is he laughing me?
"It is not like you to say such a thing. Are you worried about me or something?" Akira murmured as he removed the tiny droplets of tears in his cheek induced by laughter.
Miyuki was stunned.
"Thanks for your offer but I'm fine. You didn't hear about the injury from anyone else till now?" Akira questioned.
" No senpai. Nobody talked about it." Miyuki confessed.
"You see, on the summer tournament finals in my first-year was hit by a pitch on my right shoulder. Initially it didn't seem like a big deal. But once I started to pitch in the next inning, I felt an unbearable pain coursing through my shoulder. My humerus was shattered by the impact. I had two choices: get the surgery and recover fast with the potential risk of losing function in my arm or recover naturally yet slowly losing a year of playing high-school baseball. You can guess which one I picked." Akira winked despite the sadness and frustration protruding out of his hardened eyes.
Miyuki had no response to the tale his senpai has decided to share with him. He simply nodded earnestly.
Akira continued, "Anyways I cannot lose tomorrow's match no matter what. Not only is it my first match in a year, it is match to get revenge from Inashiro for the loss in summer."
Miyuki's eyes widened, "Senpai, you mean?"
"Yes. We lost to Inashiro in the finals." Akira grinned. Miyuki's slacked jaw and slightly bulging eyes was of course thoroughly enjoyed by him.
Bothering other people has always been a hobby of his but it has never been such an exhilarating time to exercise his hobby than now when Seidou has just received a bunch of unique juniors who reacted in ways he couldn't fathom.
"Absolutely. I will chase you with everything I have got." Sawamura declared with a tenacity which made Akira seriously consider him to be a threat.
I guess I cannot just play around huh?He grinned wickedly looking forward to tomorrow.
The next morning, all the students were allowed to participate in any sort of practice of their choice till 11:00 am before the buses begin for the stadium. But the first-stringers went for a light jog or two conserving their energy, in preparation for the upcoming match.
Sawamura and Kuramochi were lost as to what to do during this time. It was then Sawamura came up with the wonderful suggestion of finding Chris in the maze that Seidou was.
"Why don't we go see Chris-senpai?" His eyes sparkled with an excited eagerness of a child meeting his long-lost parent after so long as he waited for Kuramochi's approval.
"Huh? I don't exactly know who that is but okay. Lead the way." Kuramochi answered too smitten with Sawamura to say no.
And so they went in search of Chris which ended at the bull-pen where Chris was sitting in the catching position, with glove resting in front of his lower chest.
"Chris-senpai." He yelled enthusiastically looking him with affection dripping from his eyes. His smile button was automatically switched on making it impossible for him to make his lips return to their normal configuration.
Chris lay his eyes on the now swiftly approaching Sawamura.
Sawamura did encounter an unexpected figure on his path to Chris.
He was startled by Akira's presence for he had not anticipated Akira to be playing anytime soon.But the fact that Chris was catching his pitches of course meant only one thing.
"Akira-senpai, are you pitching today? Is your shoulder alright?"
"Yes. Of course, my dear kouhai. Why do you ask?" His chuckle was the only sound heard in now almost empty bull-pen.
"Because of your injury senpai. Coach said it was healed but you were not allowed to play till now." He frowned to make sense out of this mess.
"Ohh I have been fine for two weeks now. Coach just doesn't want to overwork me right from the start with all the preliminary rounds." Akira repeated his now-favourite winking action at Sawamura for how-many-th time god only knows as Sawamura had lost count of it since forever.
"Then I'm looking forward to you pitching today senpai." Getting even more excited by the second, Sawamura was shaking in anticipation for what the day holds for him.
"Ahem. Ahem." Kuramochi coughed to get their attention feeling like the only one being left out in the discussion.
Even though Kuramochi initially had no clue who this Akira is, the number 1 in his back was sufficient for him to gauge his identity. It sufficed to say that it certainly doesn't hurt to get on the good side of the main battery of your team.
Somehow miraculously interpreting Kuramochi's cough correctly, Sawamura proceeded to introduce Kuramochi to Chris and Akira.
"Senpai, this is my roommate. Kuramochi Yoichi."
"Pleased to make you acquaintance." Kuramochi bowed sharply feeling suddenly eager to get know his seniors for a change.
"No need to bow. We are just your seniors not your elders." Chris politely smiled.
"You are the one who said that he has faith in his legs right? The future shortstop of Seidou?" Akira babbled recalling the aggressive introductions given by the trio.
Kuramochi's cheeks became red as he tried to answer the question directed towards him as polite as possible. Should he decide to reveal his true self to the seniors then a rumour that all the juniors are nothing but rowdy gangsters just might spread across the school given what Sawamura had already accomplished to add to that.
"Yes senpai. I said that. I will work hard to achieve that. Actually I'm working hard to achieve that."
As memories of Kominato giving instructions and practice menus to him coursed through his mind, a sinister shiver passed through his spine upon his mental image of Kominato.
"You two have your work cut out for you. Work hard kids." Akira chirped.
The two nodded vigorously in response.
"What is happening here?" Miyuki joined the conversation.
"Miyuki Kazuya. We are just talking with senpai." Sawamura answered for them.
"Ohh I see." Miyuki observed the others trying to make out what sort of discussion they were holding in his absence.
Conversation dwindled for a few seconds before Sawamura began to energetically bombard Chris with questions about everything he had been waiting to talk about.
"Chris-senpai, when can you catch for me?"
"No can do till you reach first-string Eijun." Chris chuckled.
"Not fair. I will reach first-string in a flash for you Chris-senpai." Sawamura beamed at him.
Miyuki did not miss how close Chris and Sawamura were standing nor how they began to talk to each other in hushed voices like they had known each other for an eternity.
It certainly does not sit well with a catcher when his pitcher is lovey-dovey with his rival catcher right in front of him.
How dare he call him Eijun? Even Mochi and I don't call him that.
"Hmm. Shouldn't we get going already then? Chris-senpai? Akira-senpai?" Miyuki interrupted their conversation.
"My my. My roommate is really impatient isn't he?" Akira jerked his sideways in disapproval as his eyes dug into Sawamura
"WHAAATT? Your roommate senpai?" Sawamura shrieked.
"Didn't he tell you?" Akira smiled like a cheshire cat. Pleased at another potential opportunity to tease Miyuki with.
"No" Kuramochi and Sawamura shouted in unison. They stared at Miyuki partially looking for an explanation and partially wondering he had decided to do so.
But they were ignored.
Miyuki rolled his eyes.
"Can't we go already?" With that being said, he walked away not waiting for the others. Of course Sawamura and Kuramochi followed suit and yelled at him to halt immediately. When that didn't work they resorted to various threats to ensure that he will stop.
"You are getting a drop kick for sure."
"You will never get to know how my curveball looks like."
That last one seemed to work as he stopped for few seconds just enough for the pair to catch up with him.
"I need to go to the restroom." Sawamura vocalised his need to urinate.
Although it was almost time for the game and they were surely going to be late, Miyuki and Kuramochi nodded and replied, "We will wait here for you."
Nothing eventful happened during his visit to the bathroom. The event of fateful meeting with his archrival occurred just after he exited the bathroom.
As though he had been waiting for Sawamura, Narumiya was slouching against the wall impatiently tapping his left foot against the concrete floor.
When Narumiya's steel blue eyes made contact with his golden brown ones, he was spell-bound. A gigantic tsunami of nostalgia flooded his heart demolishing all the barriers he had set up around it. At the same time, the volcano that had remained dormant inside him exploded spewing ferocious flames that were aggressive enough to burn a village down and all destroying lava left a trail of destruction on its wake.
They battled each other in endless cycles of clashes where both attacked with a murderous intensity but both remained without victory for the conflicting strengths they held were perfectly unmistakably equal.
The inner turmoil faced by Sawamura ended when Narumiya's familiar voice stated.
"Just as I thought. You went to Seidou huh?" His magnetic blue eyes surveyed Sawamura head to toe focusing on his jersey which screamed "Seidou".
"I guess the losers have to make the most of what is offered to them right?" Narumiya smirked arrogantly with a tinge of affection whirling in his voice.
Sawamura's face that had been paralysed in shock transformed into a distasteful scowl which threw daggers at him.
"God. You are even more arrogant than I remember." He spat out stared at him. Examining him. Comparing him to the one he knows from two years ago. He was no longer the puny middle-schooler who had struggled with his stamina. He had grown taller almost as tall as Sawamura. Almost. His lean figure now have traces of being built.
"I would be concerned if I was not." His chuckle reverberating in the isolated hallway sounded like age-old symphonies that were not eradicated by time.
"But seriously Eijun Inashiro didn't invite you? He is quite strict don't you think?" Narumiya childishly complained.
Sawamura simply nodded.
"A promise is a promise."
"Not that Inashiro needs you anyways. Not when they have me." His smirk kept enlarging as he could tell Sawamura was getting ticked off by his words.
"Of course Inashiro doesn't need me. I am going to be the one who going to crush Inashiro, Mei. You better remember that." Sawamura said determination dancing in his eyes in an intricate pattern of swirls. His usually brown eyes turned bright golden brown with a tint of orange as show of his conviction behind his statement.
"As if I will let you do that Eijun." Narumiya glared. The aura he exuded turned lethal blue as the air around them felt suffocating and tingling all at the same time. All at once.
"Why don't we see about that, Mei? I don't have the slightest intention to lose against anyone. Let alone you." Sawamura grumbled withstanding the heavy weight of having his eyes holding those dangerous ocean blue eyes amidst this crippling pressure.
"Says the one who lost the bet." Narumiya passionately mocked him.
"You are so full of yourself. That is going to be the cause of your downfall, Mei." Sawamura warned.
"Well I get be arrogant since I'm on the first string unlike someone here." Narumiya boasted while turning his back to show the number 18 stuck on his back.
"Damn. Already? I'm so jealous." Sawamura was puzzled.
Just how the hell did he get on the first string in the middle of the spring tournament?
"Haha. I struck out their fourth batter on the first day." Narumiya smirked, waiting for surprise to adorn Sawamura's face upon hearing about his unprecedented rise to the first-string.
"Oh. I did that too." Sawamura deadpanned.
Narumiya's smirk was shattered quicker than glass.
"What? Why are you still not on the first-string then!!" Narumiya exclaimed astounded.
Why more do you need from a pitcher than striking out the team's best batter?
"In Seidou, there is a tradition where all first years have to play against the second-stringers to fight for a chance to get promoted to the first-string. Also I might have picked a fight with the fourth batter and I think the coach thinks I'm too arrogant or something because of almost winning against Rukawa."
"That you are." Narumiya piped.
"I don't want to hear that from you." Sawamura shouted.
"Who is gonna tell you then?" Narumiya taunted.
"Sawamura we have been waiting for…" Kuramochi stopped at the unexpected figure conversing with Sawamura. He wondered who it is looking at "Inashiro" written in bold letters in his jersey.
Maybe it is the guy he lost the bet to?
Miyuki answered that for him.
"Mei."