Disclaimer: If one really needs the disclaimer, please look at the first chapter. Thank you.
Loosely based on the hotsprings scene in the extra episode 1 and the softball game from episode 5.
On the way home from the scavenger hunt, most of the group opted to stay at the hot springs. Only Akira and Yakumo decided to go on home. We join the group out back.
Eri's Viewpoint
The time spent on this trip was fun after all. Even if you count the time spent in that old building because of the rain. On this trip I've learned a fair amount about Harima, though I will never openly admit it. He is a very kind hearted person, and he treated Tenma with nobleness.
Looking back on the memories of the first time I really noticed him, I have to smile because it was gallant of him to share his umbrella with me that day. To this day, I have no idea how he was close by. I wonder if he followed me that day? Oh well, in the end it was sweet of him to walk with me that day.
Last night was the first time I saw his eyes, and I have to admit that he is quite hot. Yet, the main point of last night was his confession to Tenma, and even though she turned him down like I knew she would. She encouraged him to stay in school for himself. I might not have liked her saying I was available, but she is correct really. I do like him, but its not something I can admit to. Well, Tenma's waiting impatiently on me, so I'll end this for now.
Harima's Viewpoint
I loved her. Why?! I don't need to ask why really, I know she had her eyes on someone else. What really hurts is her deduction that I was going to school to be by her, but as I think about it. What she said does make sense. It is time for me to move on from her.
Here at the hot springs right now, it is a really nice place. One challenge Tenma gave me before we parted ways at the campsite last night was to not wear my shades for a few days. It does seem brighter out there, the colors are more vivid, Eri's eyes look pretty.... Woah, back up.
Maybe I should explain to give a better picture. Imidori was attempting to find a hole in the wall and Haruki was trying to stop him. Somehow I ended up also at the wall, which due to the others scuffling eventually dumped those two into the drink and I..... stared into amber pits of promised pain.
She was several meters from me though, and both Tenma and Mikoto had their backs to me, which was a good thing. The next thing I know, my towel came undone and I was unintentionally flashing the blonde again. Slowly I repositioned the wall as it had been before and slunk into the water, somehow, I knew that the blonde would enact her revenge on me.
Somehow, sometime.
Eri's Viewpoint
I can't believe what I saw again. Privately, Harima has the hottest body, but I will never tell any one about that. I would never hear the end of it from Mikoto if I told her about it. I'm simply not going to think about it.
In the end though, I had a good time there. Maybe I'll go to the hot springs more often.
General Viewpoint
A few days later, school started. More accurately, Tani-sensei started it with another teamwork exercise, "Softball". This time, it would be different however, as it was decided that someone different would pitch every three innings, or longer if they looked like they were doing really good.
Harima watched as the opposing side made shoddy work of the pitcher for his side and shook his head. He knew he'd be pitching next inning, but first he had to watch as the blonde one decimated the first three hitters. He frowned and took off his shades, he considered the eyewear he'd worn for a long time, then placed the sunglasses on the bench.
"Harima, we're defending now and you're pitching." Hanai stated, "Imadori's pitching is hopeless."
Kenji nodded and took to the field. Classmates on the other side watched as Harima left his shades behind and whispered in fear and awe as he stretched a bit before looking towards the plate.
The opposing side had decided to place the more athletic girls strategically. This meant that while Suou had been last at bat, Sawachika was first at bat. Meaning that she was facing Harima, literally.
Harima's Viewpoint
Kenji gazed toward the plate, or more precisely, the golden eyes of his adversary. "I know she wants a fastball. Well then, first pitch..." He wound up to pitch and launched a screaming missile toward the catcher. The ball was perfectly fired to fool the hitter into swinging.
Eri's Viewpoint
Eri swung at the ball and... hit air. She glared at the tall dark adversary, and prepared for the next pitch.
To those watching the main stage, it seemed that powerful energies were clashing between the pitcher and the batter. Harima's eyes could be scary, and to those watching, some were downright terrified of the aura he was exuding.
Eri was also oddly terrifying in her own way. She was used to having things handed to her, and was finding Harima's pitching to be unacceptable. She was beautiful and deserved her own way.
Whoosh-thud.
"Strike two!"
The blonde grit her teeth and signaled for the next one.
Harima obligued her and pitched.
Clink.
Eri had gone for a bunt instead and made it to first. She also would've attempted to go for second, but Harima already had the ball in his hand and was watching her like a hawk.
Harima's Viewpoint
"I cannot allow Sawachika to advance." Kenji told himself as he faced... "Tenma... My heart used to be under your spell, but I know now that it is not to be. Therefore, NO FAVORITISM!" He wound up for his fastest pitch yet. From the game in the past, he knew she would have a hard time with it.
He fired the ball at the plate. A few seconds later, Tenma swung and missed, and kept spinning.
Harima recieved the ball back and fired a pitch again. Strike two.
Tenma was still spinning like a top. Harima frowned as he wound up for his last pitch, "Why did I fall for that girl anyway? Maybe it was because of her cheerfulness...." He fired the last pitch.
Strike three, "Can I get a new glove first?" Apparently, Harima's method of pitching was wearing the glove out rather fast.
Harima nodded slowly, "Sure." He looked at the on deck area to see who was next up. A girl with rather tanned skin and blondish hair swung practice swings there. "Hmm, now whose she? I don't remember her name... Oh well, it doesn't matter." He threw the ball to the returning Nishamoto. "Welcome back." He caught the return throw and walked back to the mound, signalling he was ready.
As Mihara stepped up to the plate, Harima's tactical mind began ticking. "Ok, after the tanned blonde is Ichijou and then Takano, hmm, need to avoid Takano, may possible walk her and then strike the next one out." He wound up and pitched a sinker.
Mihara swung and fouled, strike one.
Harima had watched baseball in the past while he was an official deliquent. Now that watching paid off as he used knowledge of that sport in this very similar arena. He wound up for the next pitch and then fired a curveball.
Mihara swung and missed, strike two.
"Come Mihara, you can do it!" Came a call from the bench, at which Kenji switched into fearsome mode and wound his arm three revolutions before releasing the mother of all fastballs.
Swish went Mihara's bat.
"Oof." went the catcher as he'd been pushed back a few inches.
Strike three.
General Viewpoint
Ichijou came next only to be struck out and the inning was over.
As much as Eri got on the bases, Harima never allowed any follow up hits, and soon it was the last inning, bases loaded like the first game had been.
Harima stared down to the mound where Sawachika stood. "Alright, I'm gonna hit this ball out of here."
Sawachika on the other hand, simply glared at him and began winding up.
Harima frowned as he noticed that she was really winding up, "Hope she doesn't get carried away..."
Eri launched the pitch.
Harima swung and connected. The ball was driven... right into Eri's open glove. Because of momentum however, the force of the impact knocked Eri off balance and she dropped the ball. Allowing a run to score and thus ending the game.
E.4.N
The note from the author: Yes, I ended it abruptly I know, but there is more social and romantic stuff coming next chapter. This was the way I decided to go, replacing the animals with another softball game. I apologize if my writing didn't seem very refined this time, but still I do appreciate the reviews and feedback. So do R n R!