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Introduction
1. a formal presentation of one person to another, in which each is told the other's name.
Thirteen Years Old
September 2, 20XX
.
.
.
Baseball.
Yukino had signed up for the baseball club's manager.
She didn't know what made her do it, but... she ended up quite liking baseball when she got to Japan.
Sure, her sister had no interest in it, and her brother just wanted her to join the boxing club, but...
She wanted to be unique.
She wanted to be where she'd have the most fun in.
And the baseball club at NamiChu was where her interests lead her to.
{First Person POV}
"I can't say I'm a professional, and I am a manager, so it's expected that you don't follow my advice," I stated to the club members, "But the only reason why I am here is to help you win, so it's best that you follow my advice no matter what till the end."
"...Eh?"
"Do you need me to clarify?"
"Nope! What you're saying is that your advice may not sound very helpful, but it actually is, right?" a boy asked.
I blinked at him, taking in his features.
Yamamoto Takeshi. One of the most athletic middle schoolers I've met so far, and considered the baseball ace.
I considered him a jock before, so I never really thought he out of all of them would understand my words. That's why...
Ah.
Eureka. Lightbulb. Whatever.
That's it.
The club members stared at him in awe. 'YAMAMOTO...~"
I sighed. "You guessed, didn't you?"
The other club members blinked. 'Eh?'
He blinked, and then laughed awkwardly. "Yup! How'd you know?~"
'YAMAMOTO, how were you able to guess that correctly?!'
"I can tell. You're that type of person."
"I see!" He laughed, and then paused, tilting his head. "Is that something I need to correct?"
I shook my head. "No, actually. Those accurate inferences will be a big help for you when you are batting. It gives you an easier idea of where the ball will be pitched. What is most useful of that skill is that, well, it'll be a great help to the team when you're outfield. You can tell where the batter's ball will land, therefore a more easier way to catch the hit."
"AH! I SEE!" all the club members shouted.
"Man, you're amazing, Yukki-chan! Already helping us out, and we haven't even gotten permission to practice yet!~" Okumura-kun chirped.
Okumura Koushi. Catching is his main forte.
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't call me that."
Yamamoto-kun blinked. "Call you what? Yukki-chan?"
I scowled. "It's 'Manager' when you see me, no matter where we're at."
"Eh? Seriously?" asked Kishimoto-kun.
Kishimoto Ryu. An athletic baseball player almost equal to Yamamoto-kun, and especially skilled at batting.
"Yes."
Kishimoto-kun grinned. "Then how about Yukki-san?"
"Manager."
Yamamoto-kun laughed. "Yukki-sama!"
"Manager."
"Manager-sama?" suggested Okumura-kun.
"Manager."
"Great Queen of Baseball!" the other club members added, laughing.
I paused at that one. "Hmmm..."
"She's actually considering it!"
The bell for class rang, and I stood up, dusting off my hands. "We'll decide on that name later..." (They deadpanned.) "For now, let's meet up at lunch to actually practice baseball. Dismissed."
"Hai!"
Everyone scattered, and Okumura-kun, Kishimoto-kun, and Yamamoto-kun came up to me. "Say, Yukki-chan, wha-"
I stared at them, and they smiled awkwardly.
"Manager, what class do you have? I have Class 1-C," Kishimoto-kun said.
"I have Class 1-A!" Yamamoto-kun chirped.
"Really? I have Class 1-C..." Okumura-kun said.
"Hey, Okumura, don't act so disappointed, I have Class 1-C too!" protested Kishimoto-kun.
"That's why!"
"Wha-? You're so cruel-!"
"I have 1-C."
. . .
"Yatta!~" the two 1-C classmates of mine chirped.
Yamamoto-kun laughed. "Well, I'll see you all in baseball practice then!"
"Mn! See ya, Yamamoto!~" sang Okumura-kun.
We all left to our respective homerooms.
"Ma~"
"Na~"
"Ger~!" they ended together in unison.
I sighed, looking up at them. "What?"
"Let's go get lunch together, ne~?" Okumura-kun said with a grin. "We'll share ours with you!"
I shook my head. "I'm not eating lu-"
"YUKKI-CHAN~~!"
I blinked, and stared at the door, where my sister stood, with full-on flowery effects on.
"Ah, Kyoko."
She smiled, brightening up the room even more. "Let's eat lunch together!"
In the corner of my eye, I spotted Okumura-kun and Kishimoto-kun gain respective blushes to their face.
I sighed, and smiled apologetically at her. "Sorry, Kyoko. I'm not eating lunch, I have to go to the guys' baseball practice."
She blinked, and pouted. "Eh? Really? Oh, well, I understand. I'll find someone else to eat with!" She forced a smile.
I frowned. You actually want to eat with me, Kyoko?
"M-M-Ma-Manager!"
I sighed. "What now-?"
"Please go eat with Kyoko-chan! We'll tell the club members of your situation at hand! I'm sure they'll understand!" stated Kishimoto-kun.
"Yeah!"
I frowned. "This specific practice was supposed to be used for me, so I can find out more information on how I can improve you all more as a team. I can't miss out on this practice to chat."
Okumura-kun blinked. "Ahh..."
Kyoko's eyes widened. "Amazing, Yukki-chan! You're already thinking about all that..." Kyoko smiled, and tilted her head. "Ne ne, would you mind if I just watched you guys instead?~"
"N-not at all!" Kishimoto-kun replied immediately.
"You're always invited to join us, Kyoko-chan!~" said Okumura-kun.
"Really? Alright, then! I should get my lunch then, huh?~"
"Hai!" the two replied like soldiers.
I facepalmed. "My sister is a weakness..."
"...Sister?! Sister?!"
I stared at them, as I envisioned a name tag, stating Sasagawa Yukino above my head.
"Seriously?!"
"Mn!" replied Kyoko.
I shook my head, and stood, walking into the hallways.
I appeared in the doorway of Class 1-A, and stared down the baseball club members who were lazing around.
Including Yamamoto-kun.
Kishimoto-kun blinked. "O-oi, Manager, where are you-?"
"Attention, baseball club members of Class 1-A!" I started.
People blinked at me, and Yamamoto-kun finally turned our way, instantly grinning after. "Kishimoto! Okumura! Yukki-chan!"
He instantly caught the chalkboard eraser I chucked at him.
Class 1-A got silent really quickly.
I nodded. "Good reflexes."
He laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, Manager! It just slipped out!"
I sighed. "Either way, baseball club members, we have a meeting right now, in case you forgot. If you're planning on ditching, just be aware that Kyoko's watching our practice."
And after I proceeded to leave, with Kyoko smiling brightly as always and her and her fan club behind her, I noticed a brunette look at me strangely.
I stared him down, and he simply sweatdropped, before he 'HIE'd and cowered in fear.
...Interesting.
More club members that were senpais came back to practice after finding out Kyoko was watching.
Once I had finally finished examining everyone, I turned to a boy I didn't see in the morning practice.
"Morisuke."
"H-hai, M-Manager-san!"
Morisuke Yuu. Skilled at catching and pitching.
I blinked. "Wait." I frowned. "It's just Manager."
'And here we go again...' the baseball team sweatdropped.
Morisuke flinched, and stuttered. "Um... M-M-Manager-s-san-"
"Manager."
"M-manager...s-s-san..."
"Manager."
"Manager... san..."
"Manager..."
"Um, I'm sorry, Manager-san!"
"For the last time it's Manager..." I stared at him. "...Say, Morisuke, how old are you?"
"E-eh? U-um, I'm 14, my birthday was last month..."
I blinked. "Really? Hmm, then there really is no reason to use an honorific to me, as you're older than me by an year in terms of age."
"B-but...! It's disrespectful, and-"
"I don't mind. It's a sport, so I believe dragging out the honorific is useless."
He blinked. "I see..."
"It's better to get used to calling me Manager from the beginning than have any troubles with honorifics later, right?"
He nodded."Hai, Manager!"
"Uwah~ We've got a manager that's on top of her game this year, huh, guys?" said a third year.
Nanase Ikejiri. A third year senpai who steals lots of bases.
They laughed. "You sure got that right, Nanase!"
I bowed. "Thank you for the compliment, Nanase-senpai."
Yamamoto-kun hung his arm around my neck. "You're right, our manager is pretty great, Senpai!"
"Hoho~ Youth, with their innocence~~" teased third year Kozume-senpai.
Kozume Ryouta. A third year senpai who's an all-around player.
I deadpanned.
"Oi, Manager-chan, don't look at me that way!" he protested.
"Manager."
I shook off Yamamoto-kun's arm, and cleared my throat. "Either way, this is the starting line-up for our upcoming games. Yamamoto and Kishimoto, you two will be the first two starters when we bat. The rest of the line-up goes the same as last year's." I examined my clipboard.
"As for when we're defense, I'd like Morisuke on second base, Okumura on outfielder, Kishimoto on first base, Yamamoto as pitcher, Kozume-senpai as catcher, Tanaka-senpai on short-stop, and Nanase-senpai as third base. Everyone else, on the outfield."
"Hai, Manager!"
I nodded. "Well, I guess we're done now. Either you guys go back to your homerooms, practice or-"
They ran towards Kyoko.
I blinked, and stared at the remaining people left.
Morisuke-kun, and... Yamamoto-kun.
I blinked again. "Okay then. Dismissed..."
"Aha! Yukki-chan, your face expression is priceless!"
I chucked my clipboard at him.
He caught it again with ease.
I huffed, and began picking up the papers that fell out of it.
Yamamoto-kun and Morisuke-kun helped, Yamamoto-kun handing my clipboard back.
"S-say, M-Manager..."
I blinked. "Yes, Morisuke-kun?"
He flinched at the honorific.
I blinked again. "Ah, sorry. I often call you all casually when in practice. What is it, Morisuke?"
"Um.. a-are you perhaps... I-Italian?"
I flinched.
He blinked, and panicked. "E-e-eh?! S-sorry, Manager, I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry, I was being insensitive and-"
I sighed. "It's alright, Morisuke. Just haven't heard that word in a while..." I turned to him. "What made you guess that?"
"Er... your eyes are g-green... n-not many Japanese have green eyes, u-unless they're half..."
I nodded, and pat his head with the clipboard. "That's a good skill, Morisuke. You have good observing eyes, it's good for baseball."
"E-e-eh?! N-no, not at all-"
I smiled. "Good job inferring correctly, Morisuke."
He blinked, gaining a pink hue to his cheeks.
Yamamoto-kun handed me the last of the papers, and I attached it to the clipboard once more.
I stood, and stared at the two. "Well, I'm going to go rescue Kyoko now, so you two do whatever you want for the remainder of lunch."
"Hai..."
"Um, Y- Manager?"
I turned to Yamamoto-kun. "Yeah?"
"...Never mind. Aha, it's nothing."
I frowned, but sighed. "Tell me whenever you can, Yamamoto."
I walked over to the crowd of boys screaming "KYOKO-CHAN~~" and proceeded to stand in front of her. "Please leave my sister alone."
They blinked, and I added a devilish smirk. "Or I'll remove those positions of regulars and double your training."
"H-H-HAI GREAT QUEEN OF BASEBALL!"
I blinked, and snorted. "What's with that?"
I turned to Kyoko. "Are you alright? Were they pressuring you at all?"
She laughed. "I'm fine, Yukki-chan. They were really nice!"
I shook my head, and smiled. "I'm glad..." I frowned. "Kyoko."
"Hm?~"
"You can remove that cheerful facade of yours."
She blinked, and then forced another smile. "W-what do you mean Yukki-cha-"
"Kyoko. You overheard my conversation with Morisuke, right? How I flinched at the word 'Italian'?"
She bit her lip, and looked away.
I smiled at her. "It's alright. I know you're worried, but, it's not that big of a deal-"
"It is a big deal, Yukki!" She acquired tears, and my eyes widened. "I'm so worried! You had such a horrible childhood, Yukki, and- I hate it when you try to act like it's not a big deal!"
"O-oi, Kyoko, w-wait keep it dow-"
"You didn't deserve your childhood, Yukki! I... I wish I had found you sooner so that you didn't have to experience your stepmother's abuse!"
. . .
I cursed in Italian, and felt all the stares of the wide-eyed baseball team in front of me.
Kyoko blinked, and her eyes widened. "S-sorry, Yukki-chan, I- I didn't mean-"
I sighed, and smiled. "It's fine, Kyoko. I'm touched to hear that you thought of me as a sister back."
Nanase-senpai's eyes were shadowed by his hair. "Manager... that was your childhood?"
I smiled awkwardly. "Y-yes?"
Morisuke-kun looked pained. "I'm really sorry for asking..."
Yamamoto-kun, Kishimoto-kun, and Okumura-kun's eyes were widened.
The rest of the team was just silent.
Kozume-senpai sighed, and smiled at me. "I'm sure we're all shocked to hear this, but we won't tell a soul."
I blinked. "Eh? I mean, I don't care if you do, so-"
"It was insensitive of us to listen in," stated Okumura-kun.
Kyoko blinked. "E-eh? N-no, I was just being too loud-"
The whole baseball team bowed. "Please take good care of us, Manager!"
. . .
I blinked, and felt tears rise up.
The third years panicked. "E-e-eh?! Manager, we-"
I laughed. "I'll make sure to guarantee victory for you all!"
They blinked, but nodded. "H-H-HAI!"
It was my first day of being NamiChu's manager for the baseball club, but I was already looking forward to working with all of them.
September 29, 20XX
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.
.
I was in the hallways in front of the third year classrooms, looking for Nanase-senpai when I unfortunately bumped into a jackass.
He smirked. "Oh, it's Yukki-chan~"
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't call me that."
Mochida Kensuke-senpai laughed. "Oo, aren't you a fiesty one?"
I glared, but sighed, giving up. "What do you want, Mochida Kensuke?"
"So cold, Yukki-chan~ Calling me without an honorific~"
"Are you talking to me to hit on me or is it something else? Either way, I'm restraining myself from beating up your ass."
"Hmm... I like you. Precise and straight to the point." He grinned. "So, I heard you're Takeshi's girlfriend, is that true?"
I blinked. "Who?"
"Don't play dumb~ Yamamoto Takeshi-"
I snorted, and then immediately covered my mouth.
He narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
I laughed. "I'm sorry, but what got you into that conclusion?"
"Because you're the only other girl he agrees to hang out with."
I tilted my head. "Well, I guess that is true, since the only other group of girls that hangs out with him is his fan club..."
"Exactly so-"
"But no, I'm not. I'm just the baseball club's manager."
He blinked, and froze. "B-b-baseball c-club? M-manager...?"
"Oi, Mochida. What do you want with my kouhai Manager-chan, hmmm?" said Kozume-senpai holding me protectively, with a murderous aura around him.
I glared. "For the last fucking time, it's just Manager."
He blinked, and let go, smiling awkwardly. "Right right, sorry, Manager..."
Mochida sweatdropped, and smiled nervously. "I'm just going to go on my way, aha..."
Kozume-senpai frowned. "Really? It seemed to me you were trying to flirt with her."
"N-not at all, ahahaha..."
I sighed, and turned to Kozume-senpai. "Kozume-senpai. You're on the bench for today's game."
He blinked. "Wait, w-what?!"
"I came here especially to tell you that. It's not because you suck. It's because I heard your girlfriend's birthday was today, but you weren't celebrating with her to play in today's game. I know you're committed to baseball, but you shouldn't choose a sport over your girlfriend."
His eyes widened. "It was her birthday today... holy shit..." He held my shoulders tightly with a grin. "Thanks a lot, Manager! I owe you one!"
I shook my head, and he bolted away to where his girlfriend was.
Mochida was still here, watching in bewilderment.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "What?"
He laughed awkwardly, and looked away. "N-nothing, ahaha..."
I turned, and then moved swiftly to kick his groin.
He paled, and cursed, crumbling to the floor. "You bitch..."
I smirked. "Next time, it'll be much, much worse, Mochida-senpai."
The third years stared wide-eyed at me, and I left.
October 17, 20XX
.
.
.
"Ne ne, Yukki-chan..." Kyoko started while we were eating dinner.
I blinked. "Hm?"
"Do... do you see Onii-chan often these days?"
I blinked. "No, actually. And he's not home right now either..."
She frowned. "Do you think... Do you think he's out there fighting again?"
I blinked, and smiled. "I don't think so, Kyoko. We should believe in Nii-san, after all, he did promise you he'd never fight again, right?"
"He did but... I worry. He comes home late these days too..."
I tilted my head. "Do you think maybe he found a girlfriend or something?"
She blinked, and we stared at each other.
. . .
I snorted, and Kyoko giggled.
"Think about it, Onii-chan, having a girlfriend!" Kyoko started.
I laughed. "Yeah, I agree! I can't envision that at all!" I smiled at Kyoko. "Kyoko, I'm sure if we just wait and see, he'll tell us eventually."
She nodded. "Mm! You're right!"
I stared at the wrapped dinner seated on the countertop. I smiled. "He'll definitely tell us eventually."
October 18, 20XX
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.
.
He approached me while I was in the third year halls again, talking to Nanase-senpai.
He narrowed his eyes. "You."
I blinked. "Hibari-senpai?"
Nanase-senpai blinked. 'What would Hibari want with Manager?'
"That herbivore bothers me every single day. Do something about it."
I blinked. "Sorry, who are you talking about?"
He glowered. "That boxing herbivore."
My eyes widened. "Nii-san does?"
He rolled his eyes, annoyed. "Stupid herbivore wants me to fight him every day."
I blinked, and snorted. "Sounds like Nii-san definitely..." I stared at him. "And what do you do back, Hibari-senpai?"
"I bite him to death."
I nodded. "I see I see... I'll see what I can do, Hibari-senpai. Oh, and good morning."
"Hn." He walked away, his Disciplinary Officer blazer trailing behind me like a cape.
"So. You had an older brother, Manager?" Nanase-senpai asked.
I nodded, thinking about it. "I think I have about three, actually."
He blinked. "Eh? Three? Wait, I didn't know Kyoko-chan had three older brothers and a sister!"
I smiled. "Actually, Kyoko has one blood-related older brother, and one adopted sister."
He frowned. "Your words confuse me."
I laughed. "I meant that Kozume-senpai and Nanase-senpai are my two other brothers, and I have Nii-san. That makes it three, does it not?"
He blinked, and his eyes sparkled. "Yukki-chan~"
My eyes hardened, but before I said anything he laughed. "Just kidding. It's 'Manager,' right?"
I blinked, and I smiled. "Hai, Nii-san."
I started to walk away, feeling warmth on my cheeks. That was so embarrassing...
"Oi oi! Did 'ja hear that?! She called me Nii-san! Ahahahaha! She called me Nii-san!"
Shut up... Gah, why'd I say that?!
Omake:
"She called me 'Nii-san'! Take that, Ryouta!" Third year Nanase said to Kozume.
"Ehhhh?! She did? You liar, she would never-!"
Nanase takes out his phone and presses play.
"Hai, Nii-san."
"W-w-wha-? H-how could you, Yukki-chan?!"
Yukino too flustered to correct him.
'Damn third years... I shouldn't have said anything...'
So, how was that?
I enjoyed writing this one, I'll admit.
Though it took awhile, it's finally done!
Anyway, I've been meaning to do something sportsy, since I started to watch sports animes, and I thought, Oo, why not have her as baseball club manager?
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading the OCs as much as I loved writing them.
Their scenes are just too fun!
So, as for the pairing for this story, for now, it's undecided.
And this chapter had to be introductions before canon actually started, which will probs be the next chapter.
I again apologize for the delay this chapter gave, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!
As for the OCs' relationship with Yukki, it will purely be platonic.
I know I know, but I hope to keep it that way.
And as for Hibari's relationship with Yukki, that will be platonic as well.
So, see ya till next update!
I'm trying to update quicker, despite school, but,
Ally. XD
