AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heyya! One day late update hehe. Been busy with life but finally has time to finish this chappie. Hope you enjoy this. I kinda get where I want this story to go. So yeah, can't wait to share it with ya. Actually, I've been rewatching the episodes so that it is in line with my fanfic. Woah, the amount of work I put in, I guess Im perfectionist at times. Its tough. But yeah, I get the habit of half-hearted perfection lol I'm sorry I'm babbling haha. Okay enough.

Again, sorry for any OOC so far. I really hope you enjoy my OC Erika and Megumi too.

Thank you so much for the reviews, lovelies. Nice to see that you enjoy reading.

I know I am bringing it slow but I really want to explore more about DnA characters outside the field, so I'm having fun writing them in school affairs as well as friendship and crushes. Romance definitely in future chapters, expect some angst but not that harmful haha.

Okay I talk alot. Stupid me. Thank you so much for reading my small amateur fanfic. Love you loads. Chapter 9 is here so enjoy!

Chapter 9: Number

Erika could not sleep the whole of last night.

The words spoken by the infamous catcher really stabbed deep into her heart. She never suspected him to be that low as to say that he befriended her out of mere curiosity about her tennis profile. She has always thought he meant good whenever he approaches her.

Perhaps Miyuki is charming in every approach that Erika cannot detect any hint of deceit from him. At time he is being straight out mean and Erika admits she finds him unreasonable. But she cannot deny that there are times when he shows his compassionate side like how he enjoys baseball and how he discreetly cares about his teammates.

Erika understands his character yet her heart aches for him. He has been avoiding her, ignoring her glances and smiles. She reasons his actions that he wants to focus on his team and the upcoming tournament. But after his cold confrontation with Megumi, Erika does not know what to think anymore.

Her train of thoughts is put to halt as she reaches the teacher staff room. She enters with a greeting and a bow, proceeding to Takashima's table. Her eyes widen to find her teacher having company.

"I promise to take care of the book, Sensei!" Eijun cheers, holding the book into two hands.

The spectacled woman smiles. "Be sure to return it back by tomorrow."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Ei-chan?" Erika mutters and her voice miraculously reaches the boy's ear.

"Oh, Ri-chan!" Eijun cheers loudly, throwing his arms around her. "Ohayo!"

Her cheeks bloom. "Ohayo, Ei-chan."

A smack hits the head of the pitcher as he whines and pouts at the teacher.

"Behave you two," Takashima sighs.

Eijun apologises with a giggle. Erika takes the chance to glance at the book he is holding.

"Baseball guide?" she reads aloud.

Eijun giggles louder. "Yeah, Ri-chan. I wanna get down to basics. I realised there is much more to learn about baseball. Its rules, terms and more. I have to brush up my knowledge. Ma, as the future ace, I have to know all of it and take care of the team when we're in the pinch."

A smile curves on Erika's lips, amused at the confidence glowing from her brother's eyes. "That's amazing, Ei-chan!"

"I know right!" Eijun laughs whole-heartedly, ignoring the red shades on his cheeks. "The team will appreciate me for being in the team!"

"Okay, okay. Enough of your daydream and leave. I have to talk to your sister," the teacher interrupts the twins.

"Hai, Sensei!" Sawamura bows alittle, stealing a peck on Erika's cheek before running out of the staff room, laughing down the hallway.

"Ei-chan!" Erika bristles madly, her face beet-red.

Takashima hides her laughter by pushing up her spectacles. "Your brother is always cheeky. I appreciate if you warn him not to do that in front of us again."

"I told him more than a million times, Sensei! Sorry!" Erika bows her head in embarrassment.

"It can't be helped," the teacher smiles before taking her seat on her chair. "He is in high spirit ever since getting yelled by Miyuki."

"Eh?" Erika is wide-eyed.

"Ah, he didn't tell you?" the teacher notices, then chuckles. "Guess brothers still have some pride."

Erika clenches her fists, leaning closely to Takashima. "Please tell me what happened, Sensei."

Takashima laces her fingers together and crosses her legs. "Sawamura was having trouble working with the second string catcher, Chris. I called him to the room and listened to his complaint. Miyuki happened to pass by and heard Sawamura going overboard with his words. It sounded like a huge insult to Miyuki since he really looks up to Chris as a senior and rival. And apparently Miyuki is not someone who will keep quiet about it."

"You mean, they got into a fight?" Erika trembles in anguish. "Did Ei-chan hit him? Oh dear!"

"No, no, don't worry. It's not serious. If anything, Miyuki shoved him to the wall."

Erika covers her mouth, stunned. She quickly bows her head deep. "I'm sorry for my brother's words and actions! I will talk to him and Miyuki-senpai and Chris-senpai-"

A smack hits her head as she jolts upright in surprise, tears escaping at the corner of her eyes. Takashima looks at her endearingly and puts away the file.

"Now you're being the idiot, Sawamura," Takashima points out. "No wonder he keeps it from you. Don't you think you underestimating your brother? Was that praise you gave him meant for show?"

"No, not at all!" Erika shakes her hands frantically.

"Have confidence in your brother, Sawamura Erika. He needs to be independent and learn on his own. I'm sure he wants to be strong and capable in your eyes. So, continue to support him and let him resolve his own problems," Takashima concludes their talk on the said pitcher. "He's old enough to take care of himself."

"I understand," Erika nods, wiping away her tears. "Sorry-"

"Don't apologise," the teachers cuts her speech, and attends to the computer. "The reason I called you here is because your scholarship representative called in, asking why you're not in any club yet. It is already been a month plus."

Erika twists her mouth in discomfort. After receiving the news about the fight between Sawamura and Miyuki, she starts to understand Miyuki's alienation towards her. Her mind is too distracted to think about him, wondering if she should talk to him about this. But they are not talking anymore.

They cannot even hold a gaze on each other.

"Sawamura Erika?"

"Hai, Sensei!"

Takashima sighs. "I'm asking you why you haven't chosen a club."

"Hmm, I'm busy with chairman duties and coping with my studies."

"That's just excuses," the teacher adjusts her spectacles. "Weren't you in tennis before? Why didn't you join the tennis team?"

Erika looks down, her lips sealed tightly. Takashima glares at her, taking into account her insecurities and increasing discomfort when the question is posed. Being a teacher and also a scouter, she understands body language like it is in her fingertips. She knows better if she presses on for an answer, the girl will break down and cry.

"Please pick a club to join within this week," Takashima uses a mature strict tone on her. "It doesn't have to be tennis. Understand, Sawamura?"

A brief nod followed by a bow, Erika turns away and leaves the staff room. Takashima sighs exaggeratedly as she holds her gaze on that student until she disappears from her sight.

"It seems you're having trouble convincing your student, Sensei," the man with shady glasses comments as he passes her by.

"The boy is an open book but the girl is full of mystery," Takashima states about the Sawamura twins. "I wouldn't have pried on her past records if she is honest but it will be a great disappointment if she totally gave up tennis."

Kataoka continues walking and then sits in his office cubicle. "This is the age where they get confused in what they want to do in life. Some has a goal to achieve while some are still finding their place in this world. We as teachers can only guide them, motivate them and strengthen their potentials. So don't sweat about it, Takashima-sensei. She definitely find her path."

"Thank you, Kataoka-sensei," she smiles bashfully. "I'll count on you to take care of her brother too."

Recalling the night where the boy slapped his face with the towel, he sighs. "No worries. He'll still be running on his path without me telling him to."

Classes end, the students bowing at the teacher.

Everyone begins gathering their stuff to head home. Megumi jumps right in front of Erika who just stands up.

"Are you ready to go home now?" Megumi grins. "No more errands as Chairman?"

Erika smiles back. "Yeah."

"Good! Let's drop by the bakery on our way back."

"But aren't you heading to practice?"

"Not today. They closed the courts for cleaning so there is no practice. I will do my own later at home."

"I see," Erika grips the bag tightly. "But I want to visit the library."

Megumi chuckles, taking her hand in hers. "No problem! Let's go!"

The hands become disconnected, as Erika pulls away quickly. "I'm sorry, Megumi-chan. Can I please go there on my own?"

The orange haired girl looks at her, sensing sadness in Erika's behaviour. Megumi has been trying to cheer her up ever since they left home in the morning. It seems that nothing works, not even Megumi's offer to go home together. She has been busy practicing but this time she is willing to take a break for Erika.

The brunette is not buying it. She rather do things alone.

"Okay," Megumi answers her, as Erika looks up to see the smile still etched on Megumi's face. "How long do you need?"

"Eh?"

"Say it."

"Hmm, about an hour or two."

"Cool then. I'll wait for you."

Megumi carries her own bag and twists her racket as she makes her way out of the classroom. Erika can only stare at her friend.

"I'll go hit a few hundreds at the wall. So when you're done, let me know."

"But Megumi-" Erika finally moves, chasing her to the door.

"If you leave without me, you have to finish my vegetables!"

Erika watches Megumi's back, dropping her shoulders in defeat. "Megumi-chan."

"Kyahahaha! Maezono's an idiot!" Kuramochi laughs as he walks amongst the group of his classmates. "I can't believe he fell for that rumour about a ghost haunting the second floor toilet! What an idiot!"

His eyes soon capture the speck of orange that he is very familiar with. He informs his classmates that he joins them later. He slides through the gaps in between the students of the crowd, exploiting his agile body and speed. Not long enough, he reappears next to the girl who he has been eyeing from just now.

"Yo, Itou-san," Kuramochi smiles widely.

Megumi darts a cold look at him, before looking away and walking faster. Curious, Kuramochi speeds up his walk and tries to grab her attention again. As they turn about a corner, Megumi finally spins around and glares angrily.

"What is it that you want from me?!" Megumi yells.

Kuramochi is staggered in his spot. "Why are you angry, Itou-san? Did something happen?"

"Did something happen, you say? You boys love to make me mad!"

"I really think I don't know what's going on," Kuramochi sweats, raising his hands over his chest.

"What do you mean, you don't know?! You're just talking to me because you want to get closer to Erika, right?! Let me tell you clearly, you will never get her! Not you! Not that pervert glasses friend of yours! I won't let that happen! Hear me, you two idiots!"

The orange ponytailed girl bursts in anger before turning away to leave. Her hand is quickly gripped by the green haired senior, pulling her to have her back against the wall. Megumi gasps as Kuramochi towers her, planting his yellow gaze.

"Don't lump me together with that brat, Itou-san," Kuramochi groans, venom dripping in his voice. "We just happen to be classmates, that's all. So don't think I'm anything like him."

Megumi has her eyes shaking in fear. She is too shocked to even speak as she looks away, brows furrowing in irk. The senior eventually takes a step back, tousling the hair on the back of his head.

"Sorry," Kuramochi speaks regretfully, barely looking back at her. "I was rough on you. I understand if you don't want to talk to me anymore. Thanks, by the way, that you want to talk to me in the first place."

Megumi looks back at him, feeling her heart ache when she heard him. She cocks a brow. "What are you saying? You're going to avoid me like that pervert megane avoids Erika?"

"Eh? Miyuki avoiding Erika?" Kuramochi blinks hard. "Why?"

"How do I know?!"

Kuramochi suddenly burst in laughter. "Hyahaha! Don't tell me Miyuki is sulking! That boy actually sulking!"

A red shade crosses Megumi's cheeks, amazed by the senior's sense of humour, even at this kind of tensed situation. A small smile curls up at the edge of her lips, now that she is looking at the situation in Kuramochi's angle, it is actually amusing that Miyuki could be sulking.

"Boy, this should be a good time to bully him," Kuramochi rubs his chin and looks at Megumi. "Oh, sorry! I went overboard again. You don't worry, alright. I make sure Miyuki learnt his lesson for treating Erika like that. I'll team up with Jun-senpai and Yuki-senpai and make his day worse. Just you wait."

Megumi becomes interested. "What are you going to do?"

"Hmm, do you really want to know? I thought you don't want to talk to me anymore," Kuramochi chuckles teasing her.

"Don't be stingy, Chameleon! Pranks are meant to be shared!" Megumi pouts. "You can count me in."

"No, no," Kuramochi flinches. "You cannot imagine what kind of stuff we get by."

"Are you underestimating me?!"

Kuramochi laughs before rubbing his finger at his cheek. "Well, if you can give me your number, I'll let you in."

The brown eyes of Megumi narrows, a smirk stretched. "You are really slick."

Kuramochi coughs to hide his blush. If only she knows, she is the only girl whom he has the courage to ask for it. Kuramochi admires her honest reactions, also her confidence and courage to talk to her seniors even though they are of opposite sex. He can understand why Erika always sticks to her. He cannot deny he behaves like Erika whenever he is with girls.

Quirky, nervous, silent. He is afraid of talking to girls.

Megumi is different. It feels like she is his teammate whenever he talks with her.

She has this ability to make him comfortable around her.

"I have my ways," Kuramochi stretches a large grin. "So are you in?"

"If you give my number to anyone without my permission, I will shoot you with my fastest ball, Chameleon."

Megumi chuckles while Kuramochi softens his gaze at her, soaking in her pretty face.

"Nice challenge if you can keep up with my speed, Itou-san."

"Megumi."

Kuramochi blinks.

"You can call me Megumi. And also write that as the name of contact, okay, Chameleon," she giggles as she fishes out her phone.

The senior faces away for a moment, catching his breath and fanning away the heat on his cheeks. He think he is falling sick. Like a high fever coming.

Damn.

"Achoo! Achoo!"

"You're alright, Miyuki-senpai?"

"Yeah! Let's take- Achoo! Let's take five!"

Furuya sighs as his catcher moves away from his spot and grabs his handkerchief to continue sneezing. It is not only that Miyuki is sneezing non-stop, he is awfully silent. Even Furuya feels awkward whenever he is the one who starts the conversation between them. He tries asking Miyuki if he is sick and better heads to the infirmary. The senior declines saying that someone is probably gossiping about him.

"Ano, senpai," Furuya approaches him. "Maybe you should go back and rest."

"I'm fine."

Again, with the short cold response, Furuya is slowly getting agitated. "I don't want you complaining to me if you miss my fastballs and get hit."

A dark laughter propagates from Miyuki as he pierces a glare from the corner of his eyes. "Don't talk big, monster rookie. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. You hit me, I hit you twice as hard."

Furuya cocks a brow. "You're contradicting yourself. You should really see a doctor."

"Stop nagging," Miyuki keeps away his handkerchief, hitting his mitt on Furuya's chest. "Let's restart. Follow my signals."

Miyuki returns to his position and so does Furuya. They exchanges pitches and throws, thankfully Miyuki's sneezing receded. They practice for an hour until exhaustion kicks in, Miyuki being always vigilant about Furuya's stamina. As soon as he senses the drop in speed and the shirt drenched in sweat, Miyuki calls for a break.

"Why must I be the one who goes and buys the drinks, Miyuki-senpai?" the junior groans, fishing his bag for his wallet.

Miyuki drops himself at the bench, massaging his knuckles and wrist. "Because you're my freaking junior. Learn to treat your seniors special, monster rookie."

Furuya simply stares at the laughing megane. He really tests Furuya's patience all the time. Before heading to the vending machine, Furuya checks his phone. Miyuki notices him texting and even though there is no expression on his face, his dark eyes are glimmering like stars.

Hmph, definitely texting a girl.

Miyuki holds his breath. Could it be Erika?

Wait, he has her number?

Inevitably Miyuki bites his nail, suppressing the burning anger within his chest. He knows they are classmates, perhaps closer than just classmates. They share duties together before and stay back to study together. Obviously Furuya is a step ahead of Miyuki. Despite his efforts of approaching the girl, Miyuki finds himself still afar from getting anywhere special in her heart.

She could have regarded him as a senior all along, a catcher that her brother looks up to.

Maybe that is why she is fine about him not approaching her anymore.

He does not see any benefit coming from an apology for what he said at Megumi.

Imagine him being the one persistent to build a bond with her, taking advantage of his relationship with her brother yet he is the one who breaks it, abandoning it like it never happens.

He wishes that he didn't start what he did with Erika.

All he gains now is envy and hurt. And there is no one he can blame but himself.

Cold wind blows in and he sneezes, cussing briefly. He then realises he is left alone. Furuya leaves him without a word. He could have at least ask Miyuki what drink he wants. Miyuki smirks, already expecting the usual cheap Pocari sweat drink. Furuya really has to learn how to appreciate him more.

His eyes soon capture the bulge on the front pocket of Furuya's bag. If he is not mistaken, that is where the dark haired lad keeps his phone.

A idea struck him and he looks around, wondering if Furuya will be back any soon.

His hand has already moved to retrieve it anyways.

He unflips the phone and lucky, the boy does not have a lock on it. He quickly opens the inbox of his messages. When his eyes capture the kanji of Erika's name, his heart squeezes in. He cannot be bothered reading the messages exchanged between them. His thumb automatically moves to the call button.

The ringing of Erika's sounds.

What is he doing? He has not even thought it through but he is desperate in the shortest of time before Furuya returns.

He want to hear her voice. Just once.

His heart yearns for it.

The line gets through.

"Hello?"

Miyuki clenches the phone on his ear, as his skin wrinkle and his legs tremble in excitement, as though the only way to relief himself is to run or jump as high as he can.

He finally gets to hear her voice in his ear again.

Damn what is he doing with his junior phone?

"Hello? Is anyone there? Hello?"

I'm here, Erika-chan. Thank you for picking up my call, Miyuki says in his heart. He has no strength to voice it out.

"Furuya-kun? Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

Miyuki holds his breath, still having the conscience that he can still be heard.

"Furuya-kun? Furuya-kun?"

His hand clutches his knee tightly. My name. Call my name like you always do.

"Furuya-kun, I'm at the library. So I have to put this down. Can you hear me?"

Miyuki is already picturing her in his head, watching her sit with her books, bowing lowly to whisper to her phone. Funny how she can continue talking without him responding.

Well, the monster rookie is a boy of few words,

"Furuya-kun?"

Miyuki. Say Miyuki-senpai.

"I'll end the call now, Furuya-kun."

No. Don't go.

"Take care with practice, Furuya-kun."

He can go to hell.

"Don't worry."

That idiot will burn in hell.

"Miyuki-senpai."

The catcher rises to his feet in a heartbeat, eyes widened hearing his name.

"He scolds you so you can do your best. Cheer up okay. Bye, Furuya-kun:"

The line goes dead. Its beeping tone is in sync with his heartbeat.

She said his name.

She talks good about him, even after what he did to her.

What an angel.

He has to see her.

Right now, he is too happy his heart is racing and his knees grow weak.

"Damn this is lame of me," Miyuki falls into a squat. "I think I'm going to die."

"Yeah."

Miyuki snaps his head up, smiling nervously at the tall lad with one drink in each hand. "Oh, you're back."

Furuya throws a drink at him as he catches it in time, as always. The boy snatches back his phone, confirming his suspicion that Miyuki called Erika through it. A heated glare is casted on the senior who still has the guts to smile and attend to his drink.

"Miyuki-senpai."

"Yeah?"

"Let's restart practice. I'm full of energy now."

A weak chuckle escapes the senior before sipping his drink. "W-well, I don't mind."

"Expect the ball to fly everywhere."

Miyuki twitches in shock. The senior watches the lad make rounds of his arm while heading to his position, a cloud of fiery vengeance hovering him.

"Stupid rookie," Miyuki grins harder. "At least come up with your own punch line."

Awww Miyuki baka.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you for reading! Im going to write some angst next chappie so be prepared mwahahaha!

Let me know what do you expect to read in future chappies! Love to hear from you! See ya!