Chapter 9

Months went by after that. Leon tried talking to Kazuichi, but he always said the same thing. That he wasn't feeling good. Then, he would go straight to his dorm. Leon spent his free time with Mondo and chihiro, trying not to orry. He convinced himself that Kazuichi was just deperessed over Chiaki. to him, it made sense. One day, while they were outside, Leon caught sight of kazuichi. he was covered in dirt, a sure sign he had been at the junkyard. His arms were filled with large pieces of metal. He tried to ask him what the metal was for, but Kazuichi told him it was a project he was working on. chihiro frowned when he saw the disappointment on Leon's face.

"Leon, is everything alright?"

"Yeah dude, you've been sulking for months now. I'm sure he's fine. Maybe he's building something to cope, you know?" Leon looked over as Mondo spoke up.

"Yeah...Yeah, you're right...Maybe I'll try and stop by his dorm later. Check up on him." Chihiro smiled gently.

"That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure he'd love a visit from you!" Chihiro laughed as Mondo messed up his hair. Months ago, Chihiro had confessed a secret to class 78. She revealed that she was male. He had been afraid to tell anyone at first, but eventually, he felt like he could trust the others. Mondo was shocked at first. he embarassingly admitted he had had a crush on Chirhiro. But the biker gang leader still promised to be friends with chihiro, as did Leon and everyone else. It cheered Chihiro up immensely, and he was happier than he had ever been. Leon smiled, pulling Chihiro into a playful chokehold. Chihiro laughed when Leon was grabbed by Mondo, giving the red head a noogie.

"Lighten up already dude! This isn't you. The whole depression thing doesn't fit you at all...So man up, cheer up, and go see your boyfriend already! We want the real Leon Kuwata back!"

"Ok, ok! I get the point!" He pulled away, fixing his hair back the way he liked it. He flashed his best friends a grin.

"Thanks guys. Don't know what'd I'd do without you! Later!" He ran off.

Leon rang the doorbell to Kazuichi's dorm. He refused to leave until the mechanic opened up. As such, he kept ringing it, until the door opened.

"Sorry...Guess I got caught up in my work..." The mechanic rubbed his neck. Leon tilted his head, planting a fist on his hip.

"Obviously...I'm not leaving until I know what you're working on. And not until I do THIS." He grabbed the mechanic's face in his hands, then pulled him into a kiss. Kazuichi was shocked, but relaxed within moments. he returned the kiss, then led the red-head inside, shutting the door behind him.

"You're stubborn..Alright, then, you win. Say hello to my newest project!" he gestured to the metal on the floor. there were blueprints nearby, and the metal had been constructed into the start of some machine. Leon quickly snatched up the blueprints, only for his eyes to bulged when he saw them.

"Is this...an automatic pitcher? But..why?" he turned to the pink-haired male in cnfusion. Kazuichi did his best to grin.

"It was assigned to me! I agreed to build it because it reminded me of you! I don't know the details, just that it's meant for you. It can pitch up to 1,000 baseballs! Or, it WILL be able to when it's complete that is! Who knows, maybe it's a gift for you! I was trying not to let you find out, so you'd be surprised. That's why I've been avoiding you. I've been working for months on the blueprints. I just started building today and look how much I've already got done! I wanna finish it by graduation. And I even made sure this one can't break! It's bigger than the one for the team, and it's got mechanisms inside that'll fire the ball back if you hit inside!" Leon sweatdropped nervously.

"Wow...thanks...! You shouldn't have...!" Kazuichi easily noted the way the upper corner of his grin twitch upwards, and the position of his eyebrows. His eyes widened as something clicked in his mind. he pointedan accusing finger at the baseball star.

"You were always doing it ON PURPOSE! Were'nt you?! No one else could hit a baseball like that!" Leon gulped. he reach for the back of his head, raking his fingers through his hair as he gave a guilty grin.

"Uh...Well...Okay, yes...yeah, it was on purpose...I thought if the machine was broken, then I wouldn't be able to practice. But then you came and fixed it. you didn't seem like everyone else, and I wanted to get to know you, so I started up a conversation. after that, I saw the chance to hit two birds with one stone. Get out of practice, and hang out with you. i thought you were punk, so i figured you were cool! And I was right! It was so worth it!" Kazuichi groaned. he adjusted the cap on his head.

"Everything makes sense now...Well all I can say now is...Good luck getting out of practice now! HAHAHAHAHA!" The mechanic doubled over laughing. Leon rolled his eyes upward, scowling heavily as he raked his hair.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it...Geez...so who commssioned this, anyway? Was it coach?" Kazuichi scratching his cheek, glancing at the floor uneasily.

"Uh...no, not exactly...Heh heh...heh..." The mechanic chuckled nervously.

"I uh...was told not to say who they are...Guess it's a secret...But I'm sure you'll find out after I deliver it! Oh I almost forgot! Ibuki said to tell you she's ready to get back to the lessons. you better hurry over there. I'll see you soon, don't worry!" Leon walked over to the door. The secrecy bugged him. Maybe it was one of his team amtes? Yeah, it had to be! who else would request a new automatic pitcher for him? He gave Kazuichi a grin.

"Alright, I'm on my way. Catch ya later! Once I finish my lessons, you'll have to hear me play, ok? Ibuki said I'm getting better!"

"Alright, deal! Sounds like a plan!" Kazuichi gave him a thumbs up and a wink as the red-head left.