Greetings.

If my MC acts like a Mary Sue in any way or if there are any mistakes (grammar, story plot holes, etc.), TELL ME IMMEDIATELY! Thank you!

"" - speech

italics - memory

[ ] - thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own Diamond no Ace.

Memory and Dream (3)

"So you're going to Seidou High..." Fifteen year old Nami set her chopsticks down in contemplative silence.

"You'll also be going, right?" Kazuya asked. "So it's not like we'll be separated for long."

"Un. I guess so." She stared at the table. "I'll feel a little lonely, but it's okay." She gave him a quick reassuring smile before eating her food again.

He saw the brief uncertainty in her eyes before she willed it to go away. "Nami, drop the act." He whispered.

Her smile immediately disappeared. "I knew the day was coming since you told me of the recruitment in the past, but I can't help but feel sad. It'll pass once we start school though, so you don't need to worry about me. Just focus on baseball and I'll be happy."

She paused before continuing. "It's just that... Please don't forget about me." Her greatest fear was him forgetting her completely after they graduate from high school. "What I mean is that I hope you remember me after high school. Since you'll be concentrating on baseball during your entire high school career, it's okay to forget about me during those days though."

"That won't be a problem." He gave his word. Relief pooled into her eyes.

Soon, excitement and joy bubbled up in her expression. "I can't wait to see you on the field for Koushien!"

He laughed out loud. "I'll make sure of that for you."

The scene of her dream abruptly changed.

Eighteen year old Nami stood in front of Kazuya with a grin. "Congratulations on your graduation, Kazuya."

"Thanks." He pat her on the head gently. "Congratulations on your graduation as well."

"In the end, you kept your word. You played at Koushien and remembered me very well."

"Of course." He grinned before muttering to himself with apparent bitterness. "If I didn't remember you, then some idiot would take you away."

"What?" She felt like she heard something very amusing from him.

He began messing with her hair. "Nothing." She grabbed his hand to stop him.

"I'm still amazed that you texted me and hung out with me during lunch pretty frequently though." She looked at him in awe. "After all, we never ended up in the same class during these past four years."

He shrugged. "It's not that amazing."

"If you say so." Her smile was heartfelt. However, she remembered with subtle sadness of the inevitable.

Discomfort and uncertainty permeated her being. "What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath before speaking. "...Kazuya, I'm moving out."

His eyes widened by a fraction from the sudden news. "Why?"

Nami fidgeted. "That was the deal we had with your father."

"..." He kept quiet.

"We'll still see each other, won't we? I mean we'll be going to same college!" She said with great enthusiasm. "You might be really busy with baseball and classes, but we could end up taking the same classes together! Unless... Unless you don't want to?" Her voice quieted down.

"We will. I'll make sure of it." He pinched her cheek as if teasing.

She also pulled at his cheek with amusement. "I'll be getting my own apartment, so you can visit whenever."

"Even at an ungodly hour?"

"Yes." She almost rolled her eyes at him.

"Fine. Just don't let anyone else in." He casually said.

"Okay! I don't think that would be a problem."

"Don't let other men into the building."

"I won't."

"Make sure to eat your meals properly."

"I know." Her smile began to thin out.

"Don't forget to-"

She quickly interrupted. "Kazuya, do you just want to live with me after we graduate from college?"

He took one solid minute before replying. "...Okay."

"That's what I thought." She grinned before pausing. "...You do realize that I'm joking, right?"

"Who said that it was a joke." He smirked.

Her cheeks flushed red as she gaped at him. "Wha..."

[What on earth is he thinking?]

"That way, I won't have worry about anything." Kazuya faced her with a reassuring smile.

"Of course." She sighed.

[What a strange man...]

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