Title: Underclassmen.

Summary: The new additions to Nishiura's baseball team idolize Tajima far too much for Hanai's liking.

Character(s): Tajima Yūichirō, Hanai Azusa, OC.

Pairing(s): Tajinai.


Nishiura had gained quite a few more players during their third year. This, of course, was great. Hanai was thrilled that they continued to grow and improve with the addition of the new members. It was great for the strength of the team overall, and he was glad for that. But there was one thing he didn't like about all the new players, and that one thing was...

"Wow, Yūichirō-senpai, that hit was amazing!"

Hanai grimaced in annoyance. That. A few of their underclassmen worshiped Tajima far too much for his liking. And not only that, they were already calling the clean-up hitter by his first name. It had taken months for Hanai to be able to do that, and here they were, doing it in practically their third week as members of the team! It drove him absolutely insane!

Logically, he knew it shouldn't have made him so mad, but for some reason, every time one of the Freshman or Sophomores touched, complimented, talked to, or even looked at Tajima, Hanai felt like punching them in the face. And one underclassman in particular nearly made him blow a gasket, and that was a Freshman named Matsubara Akiyama.

Matsubara was one of those people who everyone seemed to like the instant they saw him. He was kind, gentle, shy, and tried to get along with everyone. And to add to that, he was one hell of a runner, too. Plus, his looks weren't half bad; he had a small, willowy build, with blue eyes, dark brown hair, and long, thick lashes. Hanai had heard half the girls at school fangirling over him during lunch.

Which, of course, only made him hate the guy more.

Right then, from his spot at first, he could see the boy talking with Tajima on second, which made him grit his teeth in irritation. This wasn't a good thing, considering they were in the middle of a game, and he was on base. He should've been totally focused on the game, but with Matsubara standing so close to Tajima, Hanai felt the intense urge to run over and drag the batter away from the clean-up hitter.

Of course, reasonably he had nothing to worry about: Their relationship was solidified, and everyone on the team was aware of and respected it. But still, the Freshman's obvious attempts at flirting with Tajima had long since begun to piss Hanai off. It was bringing out his possessive side more than ever.

"Lead, lead, lead, lead..."

Hanai snapped out of his angered daze and realized that he was supposed to be focusing on the game. Watching as Tajima inched off second, his own feet tingled in anticipation. As the rival team's pitcher's ball was thrown at the batter—Izumi—Tajima's feet left second, and he made a mad dash for third.

He himself made a run for second, easily taking it as the opposite team went to tag out Tajima. Luckily, the clean-up was too quick for them, and his foot landed on third a second before the ball landed in the mitt. He looked over at Hanai and flashed one of his typical wide grins, which made Hanai roll his eyes, but smile like an idiot nonetheless.

Maybe he could deal with the underclassmen... But only as long as Tajima kept smiling at him like that, and only him.