It was only a week after the hallway incident that it was decided that the class would play a game of baseball. The team captains were chosen, one boy and one girl, and each stayed true to their gender, splitting the class between girls and boys. We had gathered in our dugout when I noticed someone who didn't belong there, she tied her long blue hair into a ponytail and grabbed her glove. "Natsuki, what are you doing here? You're not in our class?"
She smiled at me, "This is far more interesting, plus you look good in gym shorts."
Haruka must have noticed it too, because she walked past and bumped her shoulder against Natsuki, knocking her back a little. "Kuga, why are you here?" Yukino was right behind her, which was usually where she could be found since finding her love, and she tied Haruka's hair back in a ponytail. Haruka thanked her, then returned to her inquiry. "You're going to get in trouble for being here."
"What do you care, then?" I always loved watching Natsuki play her game with Haruka, a game that she called 'Teasing the Bear' but that Haruka called her being a smart ass. "Maybe you should take one for me, return the favor."
"I didn't ask you to do that. I was willing to accept the consequences of my actions."
"So am I." Natsuki smiled her lady killer smile, it never affected Haruka but it sure set me on fire.
We got together and determined who would play which position, Haruka played center field, Yukino, who wouldn't be long separated from her and wasn't in great shape, played right field, I played first base and Natsuki played pitcher, seeing as she had the best arm. We took the field and one of the boys took the plate. Natsuki threw three quick strikes and he was done. The next person up to the plate was Reito. He waved to me on first and set up at the plate.
I remember Natsuki's grimace, at the time I didn't know why she would but thinking back on it I think she was jealous of how close me and Reito had become. She threw her first pitch and it smoked across the plate, Reito swung at it but it moved too fast for him. Strike one. He wiped his forehead and smiled at the dugout, earning some giggles from a few of the girls who weren't on the field. He set back up and Natsuki threw her second pitch which headed straight, but curved at the last minute. Reito swung and hit it, but only with the end of the bat and sending it into the nearby bleachers. Strike two.
Natsuki was focus personified, she stared Reito down and I swear I saw the prince flinch. Natsuki threw the ball, but this time Reito was ready for it. He made contact with it and sent a line drive out to right field, where Yukino was. The ball flew swiftly at her, she positioned her glove in front of her face, closed her eyes and prepared for it to hit, but it never did. She opened her eyes to see Haruka holding the ball proudly, she had run all the way from center field to catch the ball. "Sit down, Kanzaki, you're out." Reito's eyes became slits and the rivalry between him and Haruka began.
The next boy got on base, but Natsuki struck out the following batter and we returned to the dugout to go on the offensive. Natsuki was set to hit first, Reito took the mound for the boy's team. He threw his first pitch and Natsuki didn't swing at it, shooting Reito a taunting smile that openly said 'Try again'. Reito rolled his eyes and threw another pitch, Natsuki made contact with it and made it to second base safely.
Second up was me and Reito gave me a smile before he lobbed an easy one over the plate, I hit it and made it to first, Natsuki ran to third. Some of the other boys taunted him about letting me hit the ball, but he stood strong as one of the other girls stood on the plate. He wasn't so easy on her throwing three quick strikes and sending her back to the dugout.
Haruka hit fourth and she strode to the plate with the pomp and circumstance of a major league hitter. She shouldered the bat as Reito set up to throw, I could practically see the energy flowing between them as they squared off. He threw a pitch away from the plate and Haruka got angry and she bellowed a challenge."Why don't you throw one I can hit, Kanzaki."
He caught the ball with a growl and set up, Haruka stared him down again. He pitched and she swung, but just missed it as it struck the catcher's glove. Strike One. "How did you like that one, Armitage. Too much for you?"
She stomped her foot and set up again, I could barely contain a smile at how they were acting. I looked over to third and met emerald eyes, she had been watching me for a while now. She made a show of batting her eyelashes and I chuckled, Haruka and Reito's looks both silenced me. Reito threw a heater down the middle, but Haruka swung hard and sent it flying over the fence. "Thanks, Kanzaki, you practically gave me that one."
If looks could kill, Haruka would have been dead twice over. I have never seen such fierce determination in Reito's eyes since. He quickly struck out two more batters to end the inning.
The boys were next up to bat and we took the field again, Natsuki took the mound and gave up a few runs before she struck three out. Yukino was first up to bat on our turn and she clutched the bat awkwardly with both hands. Reito threw a fast pitch down the middle and Yukino swung far too late and far too weakly to hit it. Strike One.
Haruka burst from the dugout and rushed the plate, "Yukino, you need to hold the bat like this." She wrapped her arms around a blushing Yukino and moved her hands, "That way you can get a better swing." Haruka swung the bat a couple of times in practice before she let her go, shooting a mean look at Reito before she stepped off the field.
Reito pitched the ball and Yukino got closer, but still missed it. Strike two. Haruka bellowed, "Come on, Yukino, you can do it." He threw a pitch and Yukino made contact with it, but only enough to send it back to Reito who threw it to first base before Yukino could even run. The feud deepened.
After two more innings our gym time was coming to a close. Haruka and Reito squared off again, but Reito managed to strike her out this time. She was walking back to the dugout when I noticed someone waking from the main building. Natsuki noticed his approach and straightened her shoulders. "It's about time they noticed."
"Natsuki Kuga, you're not supposed to be here. This isn't your class." Natsuki froze as he approached her and grabbed her by the arm. "You're going to the office."
"Wait." I stopped him before he could drag her away, "Let her go, she didn't do anything wrong."
"She ditched her class this period."
"Yet she attended class this period." The boy looked confused. "In the rule book sent out by your very own student government it is against the rules for any student to be out of class while it is in session. Natsuki may not have been where she was supposed to be, but she was in a class so, according to your own rules, she has done nothing wrong. Let her go." The boy stammered and tried to protest but I stood my ground and he finally relented. He walked away angrily, Natsuki looked at me with affection. "My dad's a lawyer, he taught me all of that legal stuff."
She scratched the back of her head, "Thanks, I guess. Did you forget that I'm trying to get kicked out?"
"What if I want you to stay?"
She leaned in close and whispered into my ear, "Then I may just have to stay." She walked away and left me stunned.
-IPR-
Later that day I sat in my last class, absentmindedly thinking of Natsuki when I was approached by one of the upperclassmen. "Ms. Viola, can I have a word with you, please?" I noticed Reito look back at me with concern as I walked out with the boy, who I recognized as the Student Council President. "Shizuru, can I call you Shizuru?"
"Of course, Mr. Kurosawa."
"So, you remember me." He smiled awkwardly, as I've found most people do when talking to me. "I heard you talked Yun down, you know that Ms. Kuga was in the wrong."
"No, I don't know that. As I said, according to your own rules she wasn't in the wrong."
He handed me a piece of paper, "Well we've changed that particular rule." I read along the page and the particular loophole I had used had been patched up. "If it happens again, Ms. Kuga will serve her punishment."
"Of course. If that will be all, Mr. Kurosawa, I would like to return to class."
"Of course, take care Shizuru."
He offered his hand which I shook, "You too, Mr. Kurosawa."
I returned to my seat, and sat through the rest of the class. When the bell rang Reito stood at my desk, "Was that about Natsuki at the game?" I nodded as I packed my books up. "Why did you stand up for her?"
"Because I like her." It was a simple answer with deep connotations. Reito didn't understand, but he didn't question me further.
-IPR-
We stood at the curb, the others were waiting on their rides but I was waiting for Natsuki. I didn't have to wait long as she walked away from the building, but instead of going straight to her bike she approached and stopped just short of me. "Hi."
"Hi." This simple greeting was all we ever needed.
"I heard the Student Council President talked to you, did you get into trouble?"
"No, he told me that he changed the school rules to close up that loophole I used to defend you, then he left. If anything he seemed to admire that I stood up to him."
"That's good, I can't go pulling an Armitage and let someone else take the heat." She said it with a smirk at Haruka who visibly angered. Natsuki's eyes, which at first were trained on me, scanned the road and found a familiar black car.
She started to walk away and I followed, "Why do you leave in a hurry when that black car shows up?"
"My mother." That was the only answer she gave. As we approached her bike she spun around and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, bella."
She pulled her helmet on and started her bike. I watched her until she was out of my sight, the black car following close behind. "Anytime, Natsuki. Anytime."
When I made my way back to the group, Reito's ride was just pulling up. He pulled me into a hug, "Goodbye Shizuru, I'll see you tomorrow." His eyes showed affection, and I cared for him, even if it wasn't in the way he was looking for. He looked back at me as he walked to the car, I waved.
My mom pulled up and I got in the car. "How was school, sweetie?"
"It was interesting. I used some of dad's lawyer talk to help this girl out of trouble."
"Really? That's cute." My mom laughed a little, I always loved her laugh. It reminded me of flowers blooming after a long winter. "Who was this girl? One of the ones who waits with you?"
"No, she rides a motorcycle and has these beautiful green eyes. I think I like her, mom."
I think she knew, even then, how deeply I cared for Natsuki. She was always supportive of us, even when my father threw a fit when he found out my mother helped calm him down. "She sounds nice, I'd like to meet her." I spent the rest of the ride home holding my cheek.
-IPR-
"So are you a lawyer now?"
Shizuru nods, "Yes, I have my own practice here in town. It's not huge but it keeps me in a house."
"So when did you know you were attracted to Natsuki?"
"I first realized my attraction to her at a school dance, when she shocked the school and won my heart at the same time."
I am sad to say that Natsuki must die. (Raises glass) Hail the victorious dead.
