Kaoru had been excited to be fully ingrained in a battery ever since he learned about how they function. The very idea appealed to him, and he would go to sleep each night imagining himself as someone highly dependent on. His junior high battery felt more like training to prepare him and his team for their future endeavors in baseball. Frustratingly, the coach controlled a majority of the battery, including the interactions between catcher and pitcher. Kaoru just wanted to be let loose and go about it on his own, to show his coach and the rest of the team that he was capable. A small opportunity arose a month before he was set to graduate. After needling his coach about getting real experience, Kaoru and the other third-years of the battery were finally given free rein. Even if it was only for their last month before graduation, it was nice to be able to think for themselves without all the hand-holding through the process.

Seidou's battery, however, is as solid as stone. In every aspect that Kaoru thinks the ideal battery should have; Seidou has met, and exceeded his expectations. It almost feels too good to be true.

However, breaking into that battery is not as easy as Kaoru expected. Their pitchers have such complicated pitches that they only really trust Miyuki to catch for them. After Kaoru caught Furuya's pitches the first time, only for Furuya to grow frustrated, forced Kaoru to re-evaluate himself and his capabilities. The conclusion he came to was that they were simply on a whole different level. While in junior high, Kaoru was considered one of the best in his years, but that means nothing in high school, where the bar is set so incredibly high.

He can't help but admire Miyuki, even if it just makes Kaoru feel frustrated with himself to see the ease with which Miyuki handles the pitchers. Always with a smirk on his face and teasing comments on his tongue. From an outsider's perspective, the way Miyuki interacts with them may appear like he doesn't manage them well, with how quickly they express their dissatisfaction and frustrations, and the way they hold nothing back from him. Especially with the way Miyuki and Sawamura bicker, it may seem like they are constantly on bad terms. Even Kaoru had his misgivings when he first observed their interactions.

In some cases, few and far between that they are, one could even claim that Miyuki doesn't take his position seriously.

Kaoru had learned quickly that while it may look one way on the surface, once he took the time to really examine each and every interaction, he was able to see that the complaints they freely share simply show how comfortable they are around Miyuki, to easily express themselves, even if it's to moan and groan about him to his face. While Sawamura and Miyuki frequently bicker, it has not once affected their battery, and if anything, both are usually in better moods afterward. But most importantly, when it comes down to it, Kaoru can see the complete trust and respect that the pitchers have for Miyuki and that Miyuki has for them. So to an untrained eye or someone who can't be bothered to really observe them, their battery may seem dysfunctional, but to Kaoru, it's perfect.

It's awe-inspiring, and something Kaoru desperately wants to experience for himself. For the time being, however, he'll learn all he can, while he can, from Miyuki. He'll work on refining his own skills to better efficiently catch Furuya's pitches at full strength and Sawamura's tricky numbers, while slowly making himself out to be just as trustworthy. Kaoru will do whatever it takes because words can not express just how much he wants.

Going into high school, Kaoru knew there was going to be competition. Especially after the way Seidou played in the last tournament, it was to be expected. He, however, was not expecting such fierce competition right off the bat, from Okumura no less. Oftentimes, Kaoru feels like even while at a full sprint, he can still barely keep up. So when Okumura let slip that he had an opportunity to comfort Sawamura while Miyuki was busy, Kaoru had to stomp down a riling surge of jealousy that was welling up uninhibited inside him. On the exterior, he smiled and lightly inquired Okumura about his experience, though the questions caused him to fidget with a curious tinge of pink on his cheeks, Okumura never really answered any of them.

Then Kaoru was announced to be on the first string alongside Yuuki, and the unease he was beginning to feel flowed away.

Being on the first string meant Kaoru got to catch for them more frequently, to prepare him in case he was put into a game. He liked to believe he was getting better, but Furuya would never pitch to him for very long, and Sawamura often refused to practice his numbers with him. So in the end, it really didn't feel like he was making any progress.

Then, to Kaoru's complete and utter surprise, Sawamura begins to ignore Okumura, with comments containing a bit more hostility than what can be considered teasing. It was strange. After Okumura had a chance to bond with Sawamura in place of Miyuki, Kaoru assumed their relationship was on the up.

Kaoru wants to ask what happened, but he knows he wouldn't really get an answer from either of them.

Later, Asada fills him in, since apparently, he was there. And now, Asada was fretting, "Do you think I should tell Miyuki-senpai?"

Kaoru doesn't reply right away, and instead, watches the way Asada fidgets with the hem of his shirt anxiously. While it may not have been intentional, Okumura's spat now not only affects Sawamura but Asada, who seems to feel some sort of responsibility for it happening in the first place. It was bad enough that it was Sawamura, who is on the first string, as it could potentially affect how he plays in the next game. But now that it was affecting more than one person in the battery, it was probably a good idea to inform Miyuki of what was going on. That is, if he wasn't already aware. Sawamura hasn't exactly been hiding his new disdain very well, so there was a high chance Miyuki knew, but if, for whatever reason, he doesn't, then he needs to be notified.

"I think it would be wise," Kaoru finally replies. He watches Asada's hands fist the fabric, twisting the material, "Would you like me to go with you?" Asada nods vehemently, "Okay. Let's go."

oOo

Kazuya breathes in deep and releases the breath in an exaggerated sigh. The movement jostles Sawamura, but as that was the point, Kazuya doesn't feel bad. It wasn't like Sawamura was sleeping anyway, what with the near-constant grumbling and curses directed towards a currently unnamed first-year.

It didn't take long for Kazuya to notice something was wrong. Sawamura was never good at hiding his emotions, especially if it was directed at someone. Kazuya should know, he himself has been on the receiving end of Sawamura's ire more times than he can count, and yet, no matter how mad Sawamura was with him, he would still seek Kazuya out for comfort, even if Kazuya was the one at fault. Kazuya can't say he's against the angry cuddles, they incite their own form of amusement after all, but it sucks being the fall guy.

This time, Kazuya wasn't even the one that made Sawamura mad, and yet, he's still taking the brunt of his indignation.

And now, they are laid upon Sawamura's bed. Kazuya was pulled away as soon as classes ended, causing them to miss the start of afternoon practice so Sawamura could seethe. At first, Kazuya had tried to lead Sawamura to his room, where they normally go, but today, Sawamura furiously refused and dragged Kazuya to the room he shared with Kuramochi and Asada instead.

Sawamura was plastered to Kazuya's side, head pillowed on his chest, arm carelessly thrown across his torso, and knee shoved between his. Kazuya's own arm wrapped around Sawamura's waist, where Sawamura had roughly tugged the limb into position. Kazuya allowed Sawamura to maneuver his body as he saw fit; Kazuya was just here to be a body pillow after all.

The arm around Kazuya's torso tightens, "He called me annoying!" Sawamura seethes, after gaining a second wind of his anger, "Said I was a disappointment! Miyuki!" His tone shifts as he says Kazuya's name, full of irritation paired with a glare because Kazuya didn't jump to refute those claims within a span of zero-point-zero-five seconds.

"Yes, yes. So I've heard," He placates, patting Sawamura's arm with his free hand.

"Who does he think he is?! I'm his senior!" He continues anyway, pushing up onto his elbow to stare down Kazuya as if he was the culprit.

"Why are you getting mad at me?" Kazuya asks, for what feels like the fifth time, completely dumbfounded.

"Because," Sawamura slowly enunciates, in a way that suggests Kazuya was the idiot here, "you're supposed to do something!"

"Okay, and how do you expect me to do anything when you haven't even given me a name yet?"

"I have! Okumura!"

"No, no; I'm pretty sure this is the first you've mentioned his name."

"Whatever," Sawamura says with a sniff, "So, are you gonna do anything?"

Kazuya can't help the sardonic laugh that bursts out, "How? When you won't even let me go to the bathroom." Ah, the glare was back. Sawamura opens his mouth to, presumably, insult him.

Before he can, Kazuya reaches up to pull Sawamura back down, sliding his hand up Sawamura's back until it rests against his head; holding him in place, "First, calm down and relax," Sawamura immediately goes boneless where he's draped against Kazuya's chest, "Good. You're not leaving until you've fully cooled off. So the quicker that happens, the sooner I can have a talk with Okumura. Understand?" Sawamura nods in response, his hair tickling Kazuya's chin with the movement.

Kazuya suppresses a sigh, letting his hand trail down to Sawamura's lower back, then, slowly up to his shoulder blades, and repeat. He builds up a rhythmic motion of rubbing Sawamura's back in a way that –Kazuya has learned from past experiences– Sawamura finds soothing. Just like that, all forms of complaints and protests cease.

oOo

Kazuya has just convinced Sawamura to go bathe for the evening since they missed afternoon practice when he luckily bumps into Okumura on the way to their shared room.

"Okumura!" He calls out with a smile. Okumura turns a withering glare at him, "Just the person I was looking for," A lie; Kazuya hadn't been searching for him yet. If anything, he planned to grab the nearest person and have them find Okumura to pass on an ominous message for him. Kazuya didn't think Okumura would willingly follow if he approached him first. This is proven correct as Okumura turns back around in an attempt to make a hasty getaway.

"Wait a minute," Kazuya says as he jogs up to him, hooking an arm around his shoulders, "We need to have a talk," He begins steering Okumura, who drags his feet, towards their room.

oOo

Asada has stopped them several times on their hunt for Miyuki, claiming he changed his mind about talking with him. Kaoru has assured him each time that it won't be that bad, that all they had to do was make sure Miyuki's informed, then their job would be done. Asada typically agrees, only for his anxiety to rear its ugly head again, feeding him with the worst-case scenarios. Kaoru can see where he's coming from since they are still pretty new to the battery. It feels as if they aren't quite in a position to pose complaints, that if they do, they'll be reprimanded for their troubles.

Now, Kaoru highly doubts that'll happen. From what he's seen, Miyuki prioritizes communication; and that's what they're doing, communicating an issue before it can effectively blow up in all of their faces. For Kaoru, the worst thing that he thinks can happen, was that their concerns get dismissed. But again, Kaoru doubts that'll be the case.

They don't find Miyuki on the field, nor in the bullpen. Kaoru asks Ono about his whereabouts, but according to him, neither Miyuki nor Sawamura have been to practice. With that bit of information, Kaoru can't help but inwardly wince at the implications. Because if they were both missing, that could only mean it was related to this incident. It also means the chances of Miyuki being aware were high, but Asada should still give his side of the story, even if it was redundant.

Ono was kind enough to point them in the direction of Miyuki's room, as that was typically where they go when Sawamura's in a sour frame of mind.

They make the trip in silence, though Kaoru has taken to holding Asada's hand for comfort –since he appears as if he was about to pass away at any second from nerves. It also meant that they could travel at a normal pace instead of the slow tread Asada was attempting. By the time they reach Miyuki's room, Kaoru was beginning to feel a little nervous himself, but for Asada's sake, he refuses to let it show.

He raises a fist to rap at the door three times; and waits. There's a long pause without any response. Long enough that Kaoru starts to wonder if Miyuki was even in there when a muffled voice tells them to come in. He pushes the door open, and comes to a sudden halt under the gaze of not just Miyuki, but Okumura as well. Kaoru distinctly feels as if he was interrupting and was quickly debating on apologizing or getting straight to the issue, but Miyuki beats him.

"Ah, Yui. Good timing," Miyuki greets with a crooked smile, "Come in, we were just about to have a chat."

Well, that was rather ominous; especially with the way Miyuki tilted his head slightly and glanced at Okumura out of the corner of his eyes.

That answers the question about whether or not Miyuki's aware.

Regardless, Kaoru does as told and steps inside, slipping his shoes off at the door. Asada follows reluctantly, but he hasn't run away, which was something.

Miyuki seems rather surprised at seeing Asada, with how his gaze slides back and forth between them in question.

"Did we interrupt?" Kaoru finds himself asking as he trails further into the room.

Miyuki slips his hands in his pockets and shrugs, "Not really. Though, I feel like I know where this is going." As he says that last part, his eyes once again fall on Asada.

"How much do you know?" Kaoru asks.

He doesn't get a response right away, as Miyuki seems content to visually search Asada. His smirk has fallen, leaving his face terrifyingly blank. The silence sure as hell wasn't helping, and soon, all but Miyuki were fidgeting in place –especially Asada, who was currently Miyuki's focal point. Kaoru can't help but wonder what Miyuki was picking up from simply watching Asada. He knows Miyuki's excellent at reading batters, but does that extend to everyday life off the field? Kaoru kind of wants to ask.

"A bit," Miyuki finally answers; his eyes sweep over Kaoru then to Okumura and back, "I would like to cross-examine with the story I've heard."

Taking the hint, Kaoru gently nudges Asada forward. It takes a bit, but Asada stutters his way through the retelling from his point of view. Nonetheless, he successfully details the events that led up to the argument, the argument itself until the inevitable fallout. Asada vaguely mentions the stress he has just by going over the what if's that may or may not have prevented the fight. All during his recount, Okumura stares a hole into the floor, while Miyuki listens with rapt attention, face still carefully blank.

Miyuki steps closer and places a hand on Asada's shoulder, who jolts slightly at the unexpected contact. With a small smile, he says, "Thank you, Asada, for letting me know. Go rest up for the evening, I'll take it from here."

Asada slowly relaxes, his cheeks turning red as the second's tick by, "Yes!" he eventually squeaks out, back suddenly going rigid. Miyuki allows his hand to fall from his shoulder, and Asada quickly bows, before whirling on his feet to walk stiffly to the door. Kaoru moves to follow now that his job's done, but he's stopped after only taking several steps towards the door.

"Yui," Miyuki says; Kaoru turns his head to peer back at him in question "Stay."

Asada appears hesitant, the door half-open. He glances between the three of them one last time and finally exits. Kaoru slowly shuffles back to where Miyuki and Okumura stand, the latter who continues to glare at the floor. Miyuki doesn't say anything else as he moves to the desk chair, spins it around so it faces out towards the room, and sits down.

"Sit," He says. Kaoru only hesitates for a second, before he sinks down to his knees. Okumura has finally turned his stare from the floor to Miyuki, looking none too pleased with the order. Kaoru quickly reaches up to tug lightly at the hem of Okumura's shirt, hoping he'll get the hint to obey.

If Okumura had any previous knowledge of battery dynamics, Kaoru would have left him to deal with Miyuki's ire on his own. But as it was, this was all still new for him, and Kaoru couldn't, in good conscience, let him flounder blindly, even if they were technically rivals.

Besides, Kaoru doesn't even know why he's here, and if they're both going to be held accountable for Okumura's actions, then Kaoru has to save his own skin, and if that means helping Okumura, then so be it.

Okumura clenches his fists at his sides, clearly pained with what he's about to do, and drops to the floor with one knee propping up his elbow.

Miyuki crosses his own arms and continues to eye them silently. Eventually, he sighs and says, "I feel we're all not quite on the same page. It's partly my fault; I should have sat you guys down weeks ago now, to go over basic conduct I expect from you. It's been a while since we've had new catchers." He finishes with a short laugh.

Kaoru can feel his palms begin to sweat from where he has them fisted atop his thighs. Did Kaoru also do something wrong? Something he's unaware of? He thought he was doing so well. He hasn't caught for any of the main pitchers without permission; has been following Miyuki's instructions, and occasionally Ono's, during practice. He hasn't pushed them to keep pitching, and he stops them if they've been going for too long. Kaoru's been trying to follow everything he has learned during his junior high years, he even reviewed some of his old notes, just to make sure he doesn't mess up.

"Yui."

Miyuki's voice startles Kaoru out of his thoughts. His head snaps up and unintentionally makes eye contact with Miyuki, "You're not in trouble. As I said, I just want to make sure we're all on the same page." Kaoru releases a breath he hadn't known he was holding and forces each muscle to relax.

"First, I have a bone to pick with Okumura," Miyuki looks towards Okumura, who appears on the brink of making a comment, mouth opening and closing a few times before he settles on remaining silent. Smart move; he must be learning.

"Listen, Okumura," Miyuki begins with a sigh, "I get where you were coming from. I am very aware of what Sawamura can be like. However!" He holds up a finger to forestall whatever reply Okumura has to that, "I think your reaction just goes to show how little you understand Sawamura."

Kaoru watches Okumura out of the corner of his eye, observes the way his brows furrow, even more, into a glare; sees his jaw clench to refrain from responding.

"This bit applies to both of you," Miyuki gestures between them, "but, if you have problems with any of my pitchers, you come to me, and I'll handle it. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Kaoru and Okumura say at the same time but in completely different tones.

"The fact that your argument not only could have screwed with Sawamura's mental state, but now Asada. I get you were trying to defend him, but that wasn't your place to do so. And that, I am not okay with.

Pitchers are crucial for defense. A game will not start until the pitcher throws the ball. Without a good pitcher, your defense will be all the weaker. So if you go around, picking fights with my pitchers, it can affect how they play, and by extension, affect the team." Miyuki pauses, turning a sudden, hard look towards Okumura, "I have dedicated a lot of time and energy to build them up, so I can't say I appreciate you coming in to threaten that."

Miyuki's demeanor shifts as he seems to hesitate on what he's going to say next, "Now, I don't like having to point this out, but I feel like I should," he slowly begins, rubbing the back of his neck as his gaze focuses somewhere over their heads, "I may not have the authority to kick you off the team, but I can have you removed from the battery entirely. And you'll have to go the rest of your high school career in a position other than catcher."

Okumura suddenly straightens in alarm, "You can't do that!"

Kaoru, too, was inwardly panicking. In junior high, no one other than the coach held that much power. The fact that Miyuki was given complete free reign, to the point he can have people removed from the battery, goes to show how much trust Kataoka has in him.

"I can. If I feel someone will be a detriment and harm the battery dynamic, I'll have them removed," Miyuki says with an easy shrug, "It goes both ways, though. If I'm ever toxic to the battery, I can be kicked out. I never plan on that being an issue, but if, the off chance, that happens, I'll want to be removed. I have told this to the pitchers, Ono, and Kariba. Even Coach Kataoka. I made that explicitly clear ever since I became the head of the battery, that regardless of who it is if they damage the harmony; they have to go."

Miyuki falls silent to allow that information to sink in, "Now!" He starts with more cheer this time, "Since you're still new, and it could have been worse, I'll let it slide," Kaoru sighs in relief even though he wasn't the one about to get axed, "Oh, and Okumura, if Sawamura agrees, I will give you permission to catch for him. It'll be the best way to get to understand him better." He concludes with a wink, that seems to infuriate Okumura instead, "What do you say?"

"I will," Okumura grits out. Whether the ire was directed towards catching Sawamura's pitches, or if he was simply annoyed with Miyuki, Kaoru wasn't positive. But he has a sneaking suspicion it's mainly directed at Miyuki as they seem to butt heads often, or Okumura does; Miyuki just laughs.

"Great! Meet us at the indoor gym tomorrow evening after practice."

"Can I come watch?" Kaoru finds himself asking. It wasn't an opportunity he wants to miss.

"Sure," Miyuki easily responds, crooked smile back in place, "We can show off a few of his more wayward numbers while we're at it."

While Seidou's battery wasn't quite what Kaoru imagined it would be like, it was still something he wouldn't trade for the world.