Haruichi just tries to brush it off. Eijun is all sorts of touchy-feely after all, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, clapping his back playfully, even ruffling his hair like a kid on occasions. If he had to be honest, he might actually like it. Eijun's almost like a brother in this regard and Haruichi really needs a brother figure right about now. God knows he can't count on Ryosuke for that.
Eijun probably needs him as well, both in and out of the baseball field. Eijun has the fielding sense of a snail sometimes and it's usually up to Haruichi to yell out which base he's supposed to throw the ball to. It's still better than watching Jun yelling at Eijun or Kuramochi and Miyuki making fun of him. When they're not playing baseball, Haruichi can't leave Eijun alone with Furuya because the two are bound to start fighting or, more likely, Eijun is bound to start verbally harassing Furuya. Chris won't always be there to shut the hot-blooded pitcher up.
So, if Eijun's a brother to Haruichi, what is Haruichi to Eijun? He thinks it's one of those answers that take time to find. They're both still freshmen after all. At the very least they still have two years to learn all about each other. And if fortune's on their side, maybe their future baseball careers will be intertwined as well. Eijun's loud and annoying and totally tactless but that's what Haruichi loves about him, and something tells him he isn't going to get Eijun out of his life even if he tried.
"Harucchi, you also think Furuya's an idiot, don't you?"
They're fighting right on schedule. Haruichi just laughs and assumes his usual diplomatic role. He feels like a mother hen trying to keep her two chicks from pecking their eyes out. It's a tough job, but it's also one that's growing on him. Maybe he should start charging—babysitting isn't easy, you know.
To Anon (the guest reviewer from the previous chapter): Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to tell me that. It really means a lot. And I completely agree; this series isn't getting the love it deserves. I'll try to write other longer stories aside from this collection. Right now, that's about all I can do to show my support, unfortunately.