Miyuki glared at the two latecomers. "What took you two so long?"

"I had to drag this idiot," Kuramochi growled, jabbing his thumb in his roommate's direction. "He was out running."

Rolling his eyes at the pitchers idiocy, as only he would be out this late in this cold of weather practicing. "Whatever. Can we get this started now?"

"How come we didn't let Harucchi in on this?"

Kuramochi frowned. "He's too nice, and can't lie. He'd spill what we were planning if someone asked him for a pencil."

Eijun crossed his arms and huffed, still unhappy that his friend wasn't involved. "Alright look," Miyuki said, trying to keep their 'meeting' on track. "This new coach has got to go. He doesn't give a shit about the players, and will make them ruin their careers because it'll give us a better shot at Koshien. We need coach Kataoka back."

"But how are we going to get rid of him?" Eijun asked.

"It was the school who hired him," Kuramochi offered. "So we either get the school to see that coach Kataoka shouldn't have been replaced, or we find some way to drive out this coach and force him to quit."

"Only one problem. He doesn't give a shit about us not liking him, and if we all stopped practicing then he'd remove us from the regulars and just get others to take our spots. There's no way we can get every member to stop practicing, some of them are jerks who can't wait to take our spots – even if they don't deserve them."

"So then what do you suggest?"

"I don't know. This was your idea in the first place."

"Do we even actually have an idea, or can I go back to running?"

Kuramochi groaned and fell back onto the floor. "I don't have a clue how to get this guy out. Well…legally."

"Yeah, and I'd rather not get suspended or expelled for it," Miyuki said with a sigh. "Well, we'll think about it later I suppose. I'll ask around to see what the others think and we can hopefully get something together over winter break." Turning to the pitcher who was getting ready to leave, he said, "Don't you dare go back out and run. You need to rest and not catch a cold."

Kuramochi sat up as his cellphone rang. "Hello?"

'Youi-chan.'

"Ryou-san! I thought you were busy studying for your finals this semester."

'I am, but Haruichi called me almost half an hour ago. He seemed upset and I hung up on him. Will you give him the phone?'

"You just hung up before he could say anything?" Kuramochi asked as he got up, waving to the two arguing in the background. "Harsh Ryou-san."

'I know, I'm just tired from all the studying. I figured I should at least check and make sure it wasn't important.'

Kuramochi could hear the exhaustion in his former partner's voice. "Well, no promises he'll answer, but I'll try." Knocking on Haruichi's door softly in case anyone was already asleep, he poked his head in. There was a small lump under the covers of Haruichi's bed, causing Kuramochi to silently close the door and head back towards his own. "Sorry Ryou-san, he's asleep."

'This early?'

"Must have been tired. Practice was harsh today."

There was a sigh on the other end. 'Well, if it was important he would have called me again.'

"I guess. You still headed home for the break?"

'Yeah. It'll be nice to not worry about school for a while. I'm also dropping off Haruichi's birthday and graduation present with my parents since I doubt I'll be able to make either.'

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled with whatever you get him, but you know he'd be happier to get them from you."

'I suppose, and even if I can't make it I'll at least call. Look after him for me Youi-chan. He tends to get stupid ideas in his head and lose focus. You'll have to keep him in line.'

"I'll keep an eye on him, don't worry. Good luck studying for those tests."

'Thanks Youi-chan. Bye.'

"Bye Ryou-san." Hanging up, he flopped onto his bed. It had been a long practice and he was exhausted. 'I'll think about getting coach Kataoka back tomorrow.' Yawning, he closed his eyes and let sleep take him.

Haruichi set his bathing supplied back in their usual spot and curled up under his blankets again. 'So aniki has time to talk with Kuramochi-senpai but not even two seconds for me?'

Swallowing the lump in his throat, the second year shook his head. So it was true. His older brother hated him. Thought he was useless and didn't want to see him, let alone talk to him. 'Maybe I'll stay here for the break.' He shook his head. Some of the others would stay for break, and he didn't want to see them either.

Home would be better, because he only had to avoid his brother, and he could see his parents. Staring at the stuffed rabbit his older brother had gotten for him when they were little, Haruichi felt anger at the unjustified hate and threw it against the wall where it slid between the crack and down under the bed.

Pulling the covers over his head, he squeezed his eyes shut and let angry tears make trails down his cheeks. Maybe he'd ask his parents about transferring somewhere else. He was sure they'd be happy to have him closer to home.

Feeling his heart break slightly, Haruichi silently cried himself to sleep. He'd think about what to do tomorrow. Winter break couldn't come fast enough.

Alright, so notes. I am not caught up with the manga or anime, because I enjoy deluding myself that the original team is still the same. As such, I don't know a lot about this new coach besides what I've seen on Tumblr. So now we know what actually happened, rather than just what Haruichi heard.

For those who thought I was that mean to Haruichi, shame on you. I'm not that mean...mostly. At least not for this story. But of course, this is me, and it can't end this easily. SO! I hope you're all prepared for the roller coaster that this will be. ;)

Let me know what you thought!