Izuku Midoriya hadn't expected an apple to come falling from the sky when he had laid down at the beginning of lunch, but there it was, descending toward his face. He flinched and held out his hand, just hoping he wouldn't go home with another bruise. He was clumsy enough as it was. As if for the first time gravity and luck worked in his favor, the apple landed nicely in his palm, and he wrapped his hand around it.

Sitting up quickly, Midoriya sat up and looked at the apple.

"Hey!" a voice called from behind him, and Midoriya turned to see Ejiro Kirishima walking towards him. Kirishima was in a different class than him, but he had seen him around. He was nice enough, outgoing, and talked to almost anyone. "Sorry about that, man. Kaminari tossed that way too high to grab. Outfielders, you know?"

Midoriya smiled at him and shook his head. "No problem." With a swift flick of his wrist, Midoriya sent the apple spinning back to Kirishima across the basketball court.

Kirishima paused and looked from the apple to Midoriya and back. "Whoa. That was a nice throw. Do you play baseball?"

Midoriya realized what he had done and blushed slightly. "Uh, a bit in middle school, but I wasn't really that good."

"That's not the feeling I just got from that throw. Say, what are you doing after school today? We have this practice game, and we are down a man. It would be great if you could step in. And since you have a bit of experience, I think you'd be the perfect fit." Kirishima had made his way across the court, and suddenly Midoriya was feeling the pressure.

Midoriya scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, well, I don't know. I'm free, but I don't really play—"

"It doesn't matter," Kirishima interrupted. "We need someone or we will have to cancel the game. You can at the very least throw the ball… The team will do the rest."

The look in Kirishima's eye was pleading, and Midoriya nodded. "Can't say no to that. I don't have any equipment with me though. I suppose I could borrow some from the gym. They might be lending their stuff out. Not sure I have enough time to go home and grab the stuff I do have… Oh, God, I don't have a bat at all…" he muttered, spiraling into overthinking.

Kirishima clapped Midoriya on the back. "Chill out. I have stuff you can borrow. Just meet me after class."

Midoriya nodded. "Yeah okay. See you then."

His legs were shaking when Midoriya stepped on to the baseball field. Kirishima had given him a pair of cleats, a glove, and he was able to use an old baseball uniform from a player who graduated the previous year. Number 9. The jersey was a bit bit for him, but it felt comfortable. Kirishima's old cleats were a different story.

A few of the team members had already arrived. An equally nervous guy with curly purple hair was fidgeting in the dugout next to a tall blue-haired guy with glasses. Tenya Iida. Iida was in his class, and though the two weren't best friends or anything, they were friendly.

"Mineta, if you keep moving around like that, you'll drain all your energy before the game."

The purple-haired boy, Mineta, who was shorter than Midoriya, climbed up the side of the dugout fence. "I'm just trying to get a peek at the girl's practice."

With a swift pull, Iida wrenched him off the fence. "I've already ran you out from the bushes, and I've switched our main dugout to keep your prying eyes from disgracing UA."

"I just love when they run around," Mineta groaned.

After accidentally overhearing the conversation, it was no surprise that the 00 number on his back had two dots in the middle of the zeroes. Midoriya made a face as Iida sighed.

Kirishima cleared his throat. "Hey guys. This is our ninth player, Izuku Midoriya."

Iida turned around and pushed up his glasses. "Midoriya, I didn't know you played baseball. I apologize for not seeing you right away. It turns out my job today is babysitting."

Mineta held out a hand. "I'm Minoru Mineta, but everyone here calls me 'sticky hands.'"

Midoriya reached a hand out to shake, but Kirishima knocked it aside. "I wouldn't if I were you," he said and put his bag down. "Where is the rest of the team, Cap? I thought they would at least be here before us."

Iida waved his arms around robotically. "I told them that even though today is a practice game they had to show up on time!"

Kirishima put his hat on and looked around, red tufts of hair poking out from beneath the visor. "They are probably slacking off since Coach isn't here today."

Midoriya's interest piqued at the mention of their coach. There had been some talk of a former great pro being the team's coach starting this year, but Midoriya had forgotten the name. In all truth, he'd paid little attention to talk of the baseball team. UA was known for their athletics, so there was talk of pros coaching all over the place.

As if that brought everyone together, a group of boys made their way to the dugout. They were all laughing and shoving each other, and in the chaos, Midoriya saw Mineta attempt to sneak out of the dugout, only to be stopped by a blonde guy who didn't seem to stand out much aside from the massive bulge in his baseball pants. He quickly looked away to a smaller guy who was flamboyantly twirling off to the side, the number of his jersey was bedazzled, the fake jewels shimmering in the light.

The two made eye contact, and the small man walked over. "Bonjour, newcomer. Who are you?"

Iida interrupted, "Everyone, gather around! I can see the opposing team on the horizon, so we need to focus. We have a substitute as our ninth player, so we must play all out! This being a practice match is no excuse!"

Kirishima clapped Midoriya on the back. "This is Izuku Midoriya. he's helping us out, so go easy on him."

Midoriya blushed and waved to the group, turning in on himself. Luckily, everyone greeted him with smiles.

Iida banged against a clipboard and projected again, "Here is the starting lineup. Aoyama, you are pitching."

"Oui," replied the sparkling guy, Aoyama.

"Sato, catching. Kaminari, second base." A large mass of muscle nodded in response, and next to him was a guy with a really bad bleach job, and a patch of black hair that he clearly missed—Midoriya recognized him as the guy with Kirishima earlier that day.

Mineta was pulling at Kaminari's hair, clearly fried now. "You know this spot you missed kinda looks like a lightning bolt."

Kaminari swatted his hand away. "I just ran out of bleach; I'll fix it soon."

Iida cleared his throat and continued, "Kirishima is at third base. Ojiro will be taking short."

Kirishima punched his fist to his glove. "Nothing gets past me."

The guy with the alarmingly big package, Ojiro, grabbed his glove as well.

"Koda, you are in right field, and Mineta you will take center."

Koda was a towering figure, but his presence was so timid, Midoriya almost didn't notice him.

"CENTER!?" Mineta cried. "I hate outfield. Why am I in the game? I didn't sign up to be in the game. Look at those guys over there. They are huge! I can't take them on…"

Iida sighed and adjusted his glasses. "Would you rather be in the infield?"

"Hell no!"

Iida looked to Midoriya. "My position is first base, so that leaves left field to you. You don't have to be amazing. Just do your best." His smile was genuine, though Midoriya felt his stomach drop.

It had been a while since he'd played baseball, and high school just seemed like such a different level. "I'll do what I can." His voice was shaky when he said it.

"The batting lineup is on the fence, now let's go warm up!" The group followed Iida out onto the field.

A drip of sweat slid down Midoriya's forehead, and for the second time that afternoon, he had to wipe his face with his uniform top. It was only the second inning, but Aoyama was already giving up some hits. He had kept up his spirits though, and Midoriya had to keep himself from laughing, as each time Aoyama pitched, he let out a high-pitched squeak.

Midoryia had been running back and forth, not quite knowing what to do, but knowing he at least should be following the ball. When he watched the pros, he always noticed how the outfield backed up the infield.

The infield wasn't doing poorly by any means, but balls were getting through. Midoriya had only touched the ball once so far when it tipped off Ojiro's glove, and he counted that one as a fluke. The outfield, however, left much to be desired.

Koda had spent most of the first two innings fending off a squirrel friend who had made its way onto the field, and not even the one foul ball to right made the creature scatter. The team now counted him as a "warm body" only as he dealt with the assault.

Mineta was the most surprising, though. It was clear that he hated every second of being on the field, even being brought to tears at one point, but he was actually amazing at the game. He hadn't let a single ball hit the grass. "Sticky hands" was quite accurate. His arm was nothing to scoff about. He was entirely comfortable in that position. As Midoriya looked at him, he could see the sweat and tears intermingling on his face, but he was focused, thinking almost.

The ding of a baseball hitting the sweet spot of a bat brought both of them back into the game. The ball soared right over Ojiro's head and in between Midoriya and Mineta.

"I hate this game! Why is it always up to me!?" Mineta cried, running to it in a flash and diving at the last second to catch it. He popped up in an instant and sent a hard throw to Kaminari at second for a double out to end the inning.

Midoriya was a second behind him, but his back up was unnecessary as it seemed Mineta never missed. "Good job, Mineta. Do you normally play this position?"

Mineta was hunched over, breathing heavily. "No. Sero plays this position… but he's doing something else today… fucking asshole… I hate all this work..."

Midoriya turned towards the dugout. "Then why do you play? You seem like you've practiced."

A goofy smile appeared on Mineta's face as he jogged to the dugout. "Because girls love boys in sports."

Batting didn't go much smoother than their fielding, but they were at least better at that. Kirishima and Iida both got hits and scored. Mineta made it on base as a fluke, but as Kaminari told him when he was batting, Mineta's specialty was baserunning. So, even though Mineta was screaming across the infield, no one could throw him out.

When they headed out to the field again for the last inning of the game—it could only be three innings due to time restraints—they were down a run.

The batters of the other team easily had Aoyama's number, and they were pulling most of their hits to the left. Midoryia was running more than he had all game to try and get any foul ball he could. Between that and Aoyama's now erratic pitching, bases were loaded in no time.

Just when Midoriya felt like he was going to get a break, one guy got a perfect line drive and sent it down the third base line. Midoriya gave it his all, not wanting to let the team down, and sprinted for the ball, chasing it down to the fence. Without a clue, he listened to the shouts of his teammates and aimed for home plate.

He took a big windup and flung the ball to Sato at the plate, pushing the ball with every ounce of his strength. The ball shot from his hand like a canon and bulleted to the plate. Sato grabbed it with ease and tagged the guy out. A strike of pain ripped through Midoriya's arm, and he cried out.

Mineta had been sprinting for the backup, and he nearly collapsed when he got near. His purple curls were totally soaked with sweat and the streaks from his tears had cleared lines down his dirt stained cheeks. "Holy balls, Midoriya. Are you okay?"

Midoriya held his arm to his chest and breathed through the pain. "Yeah, I think I'm all right. That was weird."

"Weird but amazing. I can't even throw like that," Mineta said, and Midoriya got the feeling Mineta was holding out on them—or at least holding himself back from his true potential.

On Aoyama's next pitch, their number four batter hit a home run, and the game ended when he crossed the plate.

All the guys looked exhausted as they lined up, and Midoriya noticed that some of the fake jewels on Aoyama's jersey had fallen off. Overall, he looked like a wilted flower. Iida shook their captain's hands, and Midoriya carefully held out his hurting arm.

"Thanks for the game," he said.

Most of the team had packed up, and when Midoriya pulled off his jersey, Kirishima walked up to him. "Sorry, Kirishima. I'll wash this and give it back to you tomorrow."

Kirishima smiled and crossed his arms. "Actually you should keep it. You did amazing out there. And you should totally try out for the baseball team. I bet Coach would let you even though the time is passed."

Midoriya ran a hand through his messy green locks. "Uh, maybe. It was nice of you to let me play."

Kirishima clapped him on the back. "Think about it and I'll talk to Coach tomorrow at practice." Before Midoriya could refuse, he stalked off.

All the guys seemed to be in their own worlds, and Kaminari mentioned something about heading to a convenience store to get some bleach with Mineta. Despite the twinge in his shoulder, he had had fun, and the prospect of joining the team left him a bit excited. After a minute, he was alone, and with the sun setting, Midoriya packed up his bag quickly.

"Izuku Midoriya," someone said from the left.

Midoriya nearly jumped out of his skin and looked up to see a younger guy in a black hoodie and joggers. His shoulder length black hair was pulled up into a man bun, and his five o' clock shadow was nearing the beginnings of a beard. Tired dark circles hung beneath his eyes.

"That sidearm of yours is going to break your shoulder, given the power behind your throw. But if you are serious about baseball, I'll correct it for you." The man spoke seriously, crossing his arms. "I won't let you on my team with a throw like that, but you have potential. So tell me, do you have what it takes to improve?"

Midoriya took a moment to consider the situation. Did he really want to play baseball? He knew of someone on the baseball team from childhood, though he hadn't been here today—what he really willing to step back into the ring with a guy like that?

He glanced down at the number 9 jersey in his bag and felt an overwhelming sense of joy. Without another thought, he nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"Come to practice tomorrow, and don't be late."