oh yeah!! Princess Nine doesn't belong to me.
They had lost. Ryo blankly stared at her hands, her eyes not quite seeing anything. It was over for the year. All over. Her left hand clenched into a tight fist. Her lightning ball hadn't been good enough. Her trump card had finally failed her. Kisaragi would go on towards their own goal of Koshien. Getting closer and closer with each base that Hiroki touched, but Kisaragi girls would have to only train for next year. There was nothing left for them this year.
Idly she recalled hearing somewhere that success was sweestest for those who hadn't succeeded. How true that was. She couldn't think of a situation where that rang more true than the position she was in right now. Her heart felt dead, even though only a few moments earlier she had been filled with the determination and confidence to see Hiroki loose, to prove that she was greater and only moments before that her heart was bursting with mindboggling love for the boy.
Now though, It felt as if the entire thing hadn't really happened to her. She was merely a face in the crowd watching everything that had happened. That was until Izumi of all people gathered Ryo into a hug of comfort. With that move, seeing a sad peaceful smile upon the features of her rival, Ryo's heart suddenly constricted. Everything hit her full force, her knees barely could keep the slight girl standing from the all the emotions blasting against her in great waves. Bitterness, anger, frustration, but above all determination. Perhaps Hiroki had hit her lightning ball.. perhaps they were not destined to play Koshien this year. But.. there were still two more years left. Right? And next time, no silly emotions would get the better of Ryo's lightning ball. Hope.. As Izumi led her off the field, a small smile played against Ryo's lips. Next year. She promised herself.
Next year Hiroki. Next year.. Watch out. I. will. beat. you.
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"Ganmo-chan?" Ryo spun around and grinned when she saw who it was. Not that she didn't know, who else used that nickname?
"Takasugi-kun!" The boy smiled back at her, and got off his bike before sitting next to her on the grass.
"I had a feeling you were going to be here.." he said quietly, gesturing to the baseball field where they had first met and competed against eachother. Ryo had come here after the game that day, it gave her a chance to clear her thoughts, reflect and make plans for kicking her love's derriere next year in the tournaments. Her lightning ball had to be perfected next year... if only her father was still around to teach her.. Ryo shook her head slightly, no thinking of that now. She devoted her attention to Hiroki.
"How did you know where I was?" She asked curiously. .
"The power of love." He responded grinning in confidence, she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow before he sighed.
"Okay okay, so I went to your house and your mother said you were out here.." He admited sheepishly. Ryo looked back down at the field, her eyes unconciously focusing directly on the pitchers mound. It seemed just like yesterday, coming to play replacement for the ace pitcher for the guys. All the victories that she was a part of on this field. The celebrations where her team mates would drive to her mother's bar and down the sake. She owed so much to that team, her father had died when she was too young to truly teach her how to pitch correctly. It had all been the guys after they saw her throw the ball on the fateful day. This had been the field where she had beaten Takasugi-kun. "Ganmo-chan..." the boy sitting next to her started. Ryo tilted her head to look at him, he seemed a bit nervous.
"Hmm?" He sighed and looked up at the night sky.
"Will you come to the rest of my games for this season?" He asked. Ryo blushed.
"Of course! Not only to support the boy I love, but to gather data on a team that we will beat next year." she said her voice light, but determined. A light pink graced her cheeks. Hiroki laughed and nodded.
"We'll see Ganmo-chan.. we'll see." She grinned at him before turning back to look at the field. The sun had finally set, a chilly wind swept across the pair, causing involentary shivers to run down Ryo's back.
"Ganmo-chan.." Hiroki started again, " Izumi told me you saw what happened yesterday.." Ryo sighed and nodded.
"It's alright Takasugi-kun-"
"Hiroki.. Ganmo-chan.. I'd hope we'd be close enough for you to call me Hiroki... ahh.. or maybe a nickname! Something about my good looks or endless charm..." he trailed off. Ryo glared at him in mock annoyance. Honestly the boy was so arrogant! She had to deal with this as her heart's desire? Oi vey. He smiled as he pulled out the hankerchief she had embroidered.
"and she obviously returned my good luck charm to me..that's how I got the homerun today of course.." Ryo smiled slightly, touching the medal she had slipped back around her neck after the game.
"Well.." He started, standing up and offering his hand down to the girl who immediately accepted the help up, "it's getting late.. I'll walk you home Ganmo-chan."
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Koharo fiddled with the straps of her bag as she sat in the taxi that was currently taking her back home to see her father. After that final hit in the game, she had given her team mates all a quick hug before dashing off to pack. The anxious girl did consider her friends, and spared enough time to leave a short note on her bed explaining concisely what had happened to her father, and that she had gone to check on them. The girl smiled as she considered each girl's reaction to the note. Yoko would complain about her gall to leave at such a time, Mao, Kanako, and Hikaru would hope that her father was okay. Nene would compare Koharo's story to a manga that the manager had read, Yuki would only grace the others with a sad smile (that before Fifi had been lost would have halted the time continuium), Seira would question why one needed parents anyways, Izumi would probably say nothing and start practicing. As for Ryo, Ryo probably understood the most, having lost her father at an early age.
Koharo hadn't noticed that this quiet reflection had sped up time so soon the taxi was pulled infront of her familier house, the salt in the breeze was apparent and welcome to the homesick girl. Her stomach played a few flipflops, due to nervousness to her father's condition, and excitement in seeing her family again. Perhaps taking a short detour to make sure her boys were still keeping up with their practicing, even with the loss of a coach. Apprehension filled her soul, coating her mouth and making it hard to breathe as she stared at her house long after the taxi driver had been paid and had driven away. Was her father alright? An image of the message he had faxed to her flashed in her mind and she smiled before grabbing her bag and stepping onto her property. A faint barking made it to her ears and her heart soared. It was good to be home.
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