A/N: I don't own KHR or any of its characters.


I sit on the baseball field bleachers, munching on my pocky. A group of seven girls and guys, all in elementary school still, sit on the other end. It was insanely easy to find him based on Kyo's research. Also, in comparison to tracking down criminals, this is an actual walk in the park. Kids nowadays basically actively BLAST their information on the world wide web.

He's tall - already taller than I am. He smiles easily. He's outgoing, always surrounded by friends. He keeps his hair short now. He moves with an easy confidence, okay even if the whole world were to watch him. He's boyishly handsome and while he knows it, he doesn't prize it. And there's nothing about him that I don't love.

"EEPPP! He's looking over here, he's looking over here! OMG Sakura-chan he's LOOKING OVER HERE." A girl with a high ponytail and even higher voice squeaks out.

"Shhhhh, you're being too obvious!" Another girl, Sakura I presume, embarrassedly hushes her while the group laughs at her expense.

It catches the attention of the team, who all look up from practice and wave. Sakura's face turns a bright red as she waves back, robotically.

"Why don't you confess to him?" A boy with a perfect bowl cut chimes in. I wonder which one they are talking about.

"He JUST broke up with his girlfriend." Sakura says.

"Exactly, it's the perfect time to pick up the pieces of Hoshi's heart." This throws them all into fits of laughter once again. How convenient, just who I wanted to hear about.

"Pfft, as if that womanizer is really that distraught." Ohh?

"Don't say that…" Sakura looks down dejectedly.

"S-sorry! It's just he does go from girl to girl and never for longer than 2 weeks."

"Damn Miki go easy on her!" A boy with thick-rimmed glasses yells out sarcastically.

"Well it is the truth." bowl-cut boy says.

When I was their age I was worried about surviving past my next mission and learning the inner politics of not only the mafia but of the country. And yet I might be more invested in this soap opera...

I turn my attention back to Hoshi, taking his last lap around the field. He glances over AGAIN at the girls and winks. This fucking player, HAH if Oto-san could see him now he would be loving this.

They line up on the field in different areas, throwing, running. I've never once played baseball or even watched baseball on the TV. Everything just looks like a random display of acrobatics, but from the OOHs and AAHs from the group next to me, I pick up quickly on what is impressive or not. I should read up on the rules at least.

Coach blows the whistle and half the team collapses on the ground during their 15 minute break. Hoshi, instead, runs up to the group. I turn my head away slightly and tilt my hat down, keeping my eyes and ears on them. He's grown up so much since I've last seen him in person. And to my relief, he has the life I wanted for him. He's so damn full of youth and life and potential and ugh does he look so much like Oto-san now.

"Hey!"

"A-are you excited for the game tomorrow?" Sakura asks.

He smiles "Mm! We've never been stronger as a team! You'll come watch right?"

"If you want me to." She blushes, and the group snickers. It's so cringe, but I'm on the edge of my seat.

He blushes as well, but doesn't falter "Of course! What'll I do without my dear Sakura-chan!" WOW he lays it on thick. Seriously no mercy, straight for the heartstrings. I swear her little soul floats right out of her body.

"Save some charm for the rest of us." The glasses boy says.

"The more you say that, the less I want to." Hoshi says with a wink, while also stealing a chip from the bag glasses-boy is holding. HAHA he is my brother for sure.

"Have you had a chance to study for the science test with all your practice?"

Hoshi scratches at his head and chuckles, "I can't say I have…"

Sakura is quick to seize her opportunity - "We can go over my notes after practice if you like?"

"Wahh that would be a huge help Sakura-chan. I'll come over after dinner!"

"Ughh it's so like Hoshi to just study the night before and ace it." the glasses boy whines.

"Guess I have a good teacher." Hoshi smiles at Sakura fondly. Oh he seems to really like her. I guess I haven't seen him with his other girlfriends, but I can tell it's genuine in the way his eyes linger on her. In a subtle way that says he wants to look at his other friends, but is really looking at her in the corners of his eyes. The little uptick to his smile when she gushes at him. Also, they are elementary students and I would never use 'subtle' to describe them.

Another whistle from the coach and he's pulled back to the field.

"Coach needs me! Get ready to celebrate tomorrow!" He gives them a peace sign and jogs back.

"He's so confident."

"Hahahaha sounds like Hosh in a nutshell."

They all pack up to leave, though Sakura's eyes linger longingly on Hoshi.

"Sakura c'mon! You live next door to him, you'll see him soon lovebird~"

She blushes "That - I wasn't - nevermind!" she huffs, frazzled.

Ugh, they're all ADORABLE right? Even though Hoshi is only four years younger than I am, he feels decades apart. He's grown up at a normal pace and the difference feels vast.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I did this so he could live like this. So he could live at all. And all I want is for him to keep that happiness he has now, until the end of time.

I don't plan to ever meet him. Why introduce him to the dangers of the mafia? Why add confusion to his life where there is none? Why risk his happiness? No… No, I'm more than content to watch him from here. Watch him take center field and I on the bleachers. My heart is more than full seeing what he has.


"WELCOME!" The doorbell chimes as a new patron walks into our family restaurant.

"Hatsu-chan?" Though she appears here and there around school, I know very little about her besides her generally cheary, warm presence. She's always smiling, always greeting everyone kindly. At the very least, she seems to get along with Tsuna-kun - and any friend of Tsuna's is a friend of mine!

"Oh! Yamamoto-kun, your family owns this restaurant?"

"Hai!" I turn to my dad. "This is my friend from school."

"Then everything is on the house!"

"Oh! No no, that's okay." She waves her hands about.

"We insist!"

She smiles sheepishly. "Well if you insist. I'll be a repeat customer, I promise."

"Hahahaha you're always welcome back Hatsu-chan."

She takes a seat at the stool. "I'll get whatever you recommend - enough for 2! Oh and dessert if you have any!"

"Coming right up!" My dad yells from the kitchen.

"You were walking by yourself this late at night?" I ask her, worried.

"I live nearby. No need to be worried about me, I'm pretty tough." She grins widely, but she should be careful.

"I'll walk you back."

"Yamamoto-kun, that's so sweet of you, but you really don't need to worry."

"Well I'd still like to."

"Haha you're more stubborn than I thought. I'll be fine."

"Hai, hai, just indulge me then."

She snorts, incredulous, and elbows me hard in the side "Baka. Anyone who tries to get in my way should be scared of ME."

My eyes widen - wow she is stronger than she looks. And was she always like this?

I laugh, rubbing the side she jabbed "With that strength, I wouldn't doubt it. You'd make an excellent batter if you could channel that strength to a swing." She perks up.

"Ohhh you think so? I actually want to learn more about baseball!"

"I can teach you everything you need to know." I smile at her, excited to share my passion with as many people willing to accept it.

"Really? I mean I don't have any experience, and I don't even know the rules, but I was thinking about joining the club and -"

"We'd love to have you. Just throw as fast as you can, run as fast as you can, and swing as fast as you can."

"I'll be the BEST at that! Your little protege, your mini-moto."

"Hahahaha, I like that! I'll see you tomorrow then, batting cages before school and the field after school."

"Hai, hai coach!" She salutes me. Cute.


"I'm just around this corner."

"I can walk you -" I snatch the bag of food from his grasp.

"My family will be more worried seeing you walk up with me." He rubs the back of his head good naturedly. 'Family'. I wonder what Kyo would think if he heard that. Well actually, he'd probably just threaten to bite me to death!

"Fine, but hurry in." He was raised with such good manners, though ironically I feel it would be safer that I walk HIM home.

I roll my eyes, but with a playful smile. "YOU be careful on your way home." I elbow jab at him again, but to my surprise he easily evades. He pats me on the head with a chuckle, "Hai, hai mini-moto."

I feel his eyes on me as I turn the corner. Ever the gentleman, always on watch.

Yamamoto might not be the brightest bulb, but he has instincts and an easy nature that allows him to follow them without restraint. Even though I only broke character a handful of times, he's already accepted that I'm different from the persona I put on. Already accepted a piece of the real me. It's not saying much when I say I think we'll get along, considering Yamomoto can get along with literally anyone, even Gokudera. BUT I do believe it and if I'm going to learn baseball from anyone, it feels right that it's him.

As I approach Kyoya's estate - a black limo sits out front. Sigh. At lease park IN the estate. Just subtlety. I turn the corner quickly, opting to hop over the back wall rather than have to confront the armed men.

I shuffle close to the shadows of the wall, approaching the sound of a fight. He must be training still. I hop onto the wall. Peering down below, I spot Dino and Kyo engaged in combat. Romario waits patiently off to the side. Kyo halts suddenly, the only one to sense me instantly.

His eyes quickly jolt to me and I hop down from the shadows in response.

"I'm home~"

Kyo relaxes his fighting stance completely, moving toward me to take the food. "Welcome home."

Dino wipes the sweat off his forehead. He's exceptionally kind for a mafioso - a trait he's kept all his life. He blinks at me, startled. Blinks again. "H-HATSU-CHAN?!" Kyo narrows his eyes at Dino.

"Yo Clumsy." He flushes red at my nickname for him. It's a nickname not JUST from our childhood memories, but also the missions we'd partnered on. Not many, though I'd crossed paths with the Cavallone on mutually beneficial missions three times in the past. Enough to get a clear sense of his strengths and weaknesses.

"Hatsu-chan please, I've long outgrown that name. And what are you doing here?! What do you mean HOME?"

"I'll let it go once you've gone a year without smacking yourself with your own weapon." He flushes again, knowing he has yet to do that successfully. "And I live here now."

"... at KYOYA'S house? Are you sure that's a good idea?" He looks wildly between us. "Kyoya HATES crowding and he has very violent tendencies." He warns me;

Kyo ignores him, placing himself directly between Dino and I. "How do you know her?"

Dino just stands there, shell-shocked. "Yeah Clumsy, how do you know me? Answer the man goddamnit!" I back Kyo up, not being helpful in the slightest.

Kyo's eyes narrow, glare intensifying in on Dino as the silence stretches on.

Dino's shock quickly dissolves into a smile. "Hmmm? Is Kyoya actually worried about little Hatsu-chan -" Kyo swings his tonfa at Dino without holding back. "Hahaha" Dino hops backward, evading Kyoya's barrage of swings.

"Answer." Meanwhile I start unpacking the food - omg it looks so delicious~

"We had a marriage match meeting when we were kids."

Kyo throws his tonfa at Dino's face, actually managing to nick it in the process. Kyo's fuse is particularly short today.

"She beat me up pretty bad at the time."

"Correction: you beat YOURSELF up." I interject.

"You did force me to climb the tallest tree."

"It's not my fault that not even one foot up the tree you managed to not only fall, but slip over the only rock in the clearing, then roll down the entire hillside."

"I called out to you for help!"

"Yes and I felt it would be better character building for you if you learned how to help yourself!"

"Needless to say, my family didn't love the match after that." Dino returns his attention back to Kyo.

"And you're still single to this day." I jab unnecessarily.

Kyo stares at us wordlessly.

"Anyway, you ready to eat Kyo? Clumsy are you joining us for dinner?"

"No." Kyo finally chimes in.

"They gave me a lot, there's plenty for all of us."

"No." Kyo repeats.

"Yes." I don't really care, but I suddenly need to disagree with him.

"No."

"Yes."

"I - Um, Romario and I actually have plans, so you two should enjoy your food."

"Hn."

Romario nods.

They make their exit as Kyo continues to glare at the door.

"Who's a little hangry huh? Let's put some food in ya."

"Hn."


A/N: Finally backkkk lol.