Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Summary - The trio had to start somewhere: Makoto, Kousuke, and Chiaki's beginning. Hopefully will include all flashbacks from Makoto's last leap. And more.

"Wow, Kousuke! How are you so great at this?"

Makoto grinned as the baseball flew way over her head. She could have sworn she felt a breeze ruffle her short hair. That was weird. There had been no wind today. It couldn't have been the baseball. Could it?

"I'm nothing special," Kousuke said, shrugging his shoulders. He leaned casually on the bat as he watched the baseball grow smaller and smaller. Hmph. Makoto frowned. They both knew how well he played baseball. He was just being modest. Well, fine.

Makoto smirked. "Well, you may be good. But I'm better!" She pointed a proud thumb at her chest. Sure, he could bat pretty well. But Makoto's skills were far superior, by a landslide practically.

"Hey, Makoto." Kousuke frowned slightly. "Who's going to get the ball?"

"You hit it!" Makoto pointed an accusing baseball glove at Kousuke. "You get it."

Kousuke's eyes widened and he put his hands in front of his chest in defense. "You're the one with the glove. Weren't you supposed to catch it?"

"No!" Makoto lied. "I'm just the pitcher! We don't have a catcher. You hit it, you get it. That's the rule."

Kousuke pursed his lips a little, but went after the ball anyway. As he walked past her, Makoto could hear him muttering something about stupid made up rules. Makoto rolled her eyes and smiled smugly as he started jogging toward the ball.

Makoto had been really surprised when Kousuke helped her with homework the other day. She hadn't really spoken to him since they were little kids. But it was great talking to him again! She had seen him around, sometimes. He seemed to always have his head stuck in a book, so it surprised Makoto a little that he liked to play baseball so much.

Kousuke didn't really seem to have that many friends. He had seemed like a quiet kind of guy, like somebody who liked to be alone. But, now Kousuke was hanging out with her, so maybe she was wrong? But why would he want to spend time with her?

Makoto noticed that Kousuke was huffing a bit as he jogged back. He had really hit that baseball far.

"My turn!"

Makoto snatched the bat from Kousuke's hands and tossed him the glove. She ran to the make-shift home plate and got ready to swing.

Makoto smiled knowingly. Just wait. She was going to show him.

Author's Note: Review if the mood strikes. Not very long, and I don't have very much faith in the length of the other chapters. Thanks for reading!