Chapter Text
"Yes, things are going fine in the company." Eijun rolled the fountain pen on the wooden table to-and-fro lazily. His parents were certainly not being very subtle about their motives. He knew what his parents were attempting to attain by leaving the country for a whole week for a business trip in which their attendance wasn't necessary, though of course, it would be optimal. They knew he was ready to take over the ropes, but he needed to build the trust and rapport with the people on the Board first: most of them were easily won over, but there were others who expressed doubt at his young age.
It wasn't as if he was going to assume his father's position right away, but it irked him how people dared to question his capability or think his early graduation meant he was buying his way through the education system. Sure, he did pull some strings to skip a year or two, since their system typically didn't allow for any of that to take place, but he always remained the top in his cohort nonetheless with his own ability.
Senile fools.
Eijun rested his head back against the chair. "You won't make it in time for the meeting?"
He held back a snort. His father really loved playing little games like these, didn't he. Not that he was surprised at all; in fact, he had already prepared the materials beforehand. He was rarely ever wrong, and even if he was, the data he collected on the management of the company would not be for naught; there was never too much to learn about the company. "I will handle it, don't worry." He paused for a bit, trapping the pen underneath the pad of his finger absentmindedly and stopping its momentum.
"Good night."
He ended the call promptly, and wheeled his chair forward to slide a file off the top of the pile. It wouldn't be bad to make sure he remembered every single detail, even though it was just a routine meeting. He hadn't been in them for months, and for the previous ones he had been to, he was expected to just sit in and listen to the contents of the meeting and familiarize himself with the settings.
It was dull. Monotonous. Stuck to his seat as he let his eyes skim over the men and women clad in stiff business suits and profiling them with mechanic interest.
A corner of his mouth lifted as he flipped to the next page, eyes scanning over the bar graphs.
There was bound to be some entertainment when he arrived for the meeting.
"Are you busy?"
The softly uttered question snapped Eijun out of his rumination as he circled a number on his notes, and he looked up to see Haruichi standing at the door. "No. Are you hungry? I can get the servants to prepare supper if you like."
Haruichi shook his head. "I'm fine, I had something before I came here." He pushed the door shut behind him and moved to seat himself on the armchair beside Eijun. "I heard that you're scouted?"
Eijun arched a brow. "Scouted by?"
Haruichi fidgeted a moment more, pink hair falling in front of his eyes. "The bureaucrats."
"Oh, that." Eijun made note of the page number before he shut the file and placed it back on the table. He didn't think that it'd bother Haruichi, to be honest. The boy was strong-willed and dedicated; he was someone who thrived in difficult situations, even if he didn't look like it - and he definitely wasn't the kind to be jealous. So what is he trying to do? "Kuramochi-senpai told you?"
"I dropped by his workplace briefly before I went to my brother's."
Eijun hummed, waiting for Haruichi to continue. He was one of the few that Eijun couldn't fully read, and right now, he wasn't sure what direction Haruichi was veering their conversation to.
"Are you going to take up the offer?"
"I don't know yet," Eijun answered, then asked, "Would it matter?"
"I - you are brilliant, Eijun-kun," Haruichi murmured, head finally lifting up to direct his hidden gaze at Eijun. "But I won't lose."
Eijun blinked, mildly bewildered.
Is he here to declare his rivalry?
Then he threw his head back and laughed, taken aback and quite humored. "You have nothing to worry about, Harucchi." He let his fingers brush past Haruichi's bare arm that rested close to his; a casual, fleeting touch. Haruichi's face reddened. "I know you'd do well."
Haruichi smiled, red still staining his cheeks. "I'd love to have you as a colleague. You sure are popular, aren't you?"
At Eijun's look, Haruichi gave a snort and clarified: "Don't act confused. Seidou, too, wasn't it?"
"I favor applying for the bureaucrats, though," Eijun admitted, a little amused at Haruichi's quick switch in demeanor. Though he was usually predictable, there were times of caprice, and it made his company entertaining.
"Didn't the boss take a liking to you, though?" Haruichi asked.
Did he? It was still strange how Miyuki behaved - did he remember his father exerting that much of an effort to recruit a person? It was honestly more of people throwing themselves at his feet. It made Eijun uncomfortable knowing that Miyuki was possibly after something more than a partner in his work, and Eijun couldn't figure out what it was yet.
Eijun let out a wry chuckle. "He sure tells you everything, doesn't he?"
"We aren't partners on the field for nothing, Eijun-kun." Haruichi grinned. "So?"
"Or maybe I'll just take my father's position right off the bat after graduation."
Haruichi snorted disbelievingly. "You would be wasting the contract you made with him."
Eijun shrugged. He wasn't that against taking up the position, honestly. He just didn't like being tied down with paperwork and the shaking of hands here and there; before dedicating his lifetime to such mundane affairs, he wanted to experience something else - preferably something thrilling and challenging. "I will see." Eijun fingered the silk material of the armchair.
"So you are considering Seidou?" Haruichi asked, tilting his head to the side.
Eijun stopped the movements of his finger, feeling suspicion rise up within him - he flicked a brief glance in Haruichi's direction. "I'm thinking about it."
"You don't usually think over things like these over for long," Haruichi mused, tucking a loose strand of pink hair behind his ear. "You always seem to have a clear goal in mind."
Eijun gave a noncommittal hum, shifting his eyes to linger on Haruichi's face thoughtfully. "Not all things have clear answers, Harucchi."
"The boss must be pretty charming for you to second-guess your initial decision."
Eijun let that comment hang in the air, and when Haruichi's lips parted again, allowed the corner of his lips to curl into a derisive smirk. "Did Kuramochi-senpai put you up to this?"
Haruichi faltered and pressed his lips together, not giving a reply.
"In exchange for Ryousuke's address, was it?" Eijun questioned, though it was already answered with Haruichi's silence. Haruichi might be better at lying compared to Kuramochi, but that didn't mean that he couldn't pick up on Haruichi's unusual inquisitiveness.
Haruichi sighed. "Sorry, Eijun-kun. I promised."
From the looks of it, Haruichi wasn't a very willing party in the agreement; Eijun didn't blame Haruichi for his part - it was a pretty fair exchange, and asking for Eijun's opinion did not cost much from his side as well. Considering the previous instance, he reckoned that Kuramochi was lightly manipulated to this, and he was both annoyed and amused. "It's fine. I seem to be the primary target these days, aren't I?" Eijun felt his lips stretch to a grin. "Why don't you just tell senpai that I'm applying for the bureaucrats?"
Haruichi's head lifted sharply. Eijun grinned.
He knew his fingers were gripping the seams too tightly before the ball was even released. His jaw clenched irritably as he watched the baseball hit the wall with a sharp smack, and rolled with rapidly-depleting life towards him before it reached an anti-climatic stop, not even making a full three inches. He gritted his teeth as he glared at the ball laying a few meters away from him, making a rough, frustrated swipe at the trickle of sweat down his forehead.
This is pathetic.
What kind of pitching was that? His mind was absolutely boiling with irritation, and he knew it would be futile to try a new breaking ball in this condition if he continued on.
He scowled at the thought of giving up before he even made decent progress. He had to get the amount of pressure right, at the very least.
Resisting the urge to stomp his feet on the way to retrieving his ball, he bent over to grab it swiftly in his hand and froze for a split second when he spotted a smirking figure leaning against the fence from his peripheral vision. He was not expecting his presence. Not so soon, anyway. He didn't think Miyuki would actually turn up right in his face just a day after.
Frankly, he debated with himself the night before if he was being too impulsive, throwing his choice so dismissively like that. He had wondered if he'd regret his choice if Miyuki retracted his offer, and he knew he certainly would, but it'd disappoint him slightly because he'd have thought that Miyuki would've seen through it.
Either that, or he had seen through it and didn't see Eijun... worthy enough to continue his pursuit. The fact that he was here definitely struck the option off, but he briefly pondered if Miyuki could possibly be insulted - as quickly as the idea came, he shrugged it off. He didn't care about pleasing Miyuki very much, and right now he was interrupting his practice with such an annoyingly easy grin on his face that it grated his nerves.
Eijun tightened his grip on the ball he was holding onto and whirled around to face him.
"Miyuki-san," Eijun greeted with a saccharine tone, mild irritation seeping in nonetheless, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit?"
"Put that scowl of yours away, Sawamura." Miyuki didn't look affected by his sour mood at all, now only an arm's length away from Eijun, "I'm aware practice time is over."
"If you'd use that bit of awareness, Miyuki," Sawamura said, even as the annoyance was starting to be replaced by a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, "you'd realize I'm trying to get a pitch down."
Miyuki arched a brow, smirk twisting the corners of his mouth. "I can help you with that."
Eijun knew very well that Miyuki was definitely more than capable of that, but it wouldn't bring him any form of satisfaction if he didn't figure it out himself. Not that he would even consider letting Miyuki help him, even if he was seeking for guidance. "No, thank you."
Miyuki was silent for a moment, merely holding Eijun's eyes with an undecipherable stare. Eijun did not squirm or display any outward signs of discomfort, instead focusing on the suspicion and wariness that was becoming increasingly prominent. What was Miyuki doing here? Was he here as an employer, a bureaucrat, or... something else?
"I assume your lunch break is free?"
Eijun could feel the tick of his jaw. "I am practicing."
"I would love your company, though," Miyuki said cheerily. The smile was still lingering on Miyuki's lips, but Eijun could detect the undercurrent of a warning.
He turned to fling the ball towards the netted basket while letting a soft exhale escape him. Perhaps the break would help. He needed to clear his mind and get rid of his growing frustration, anyway; he'd be getting nowhere if he resumed practice today. Truthfully, a small part of him might even be grateful for Miyuki's timely interruption.
Eijun followed Miyuki out from the secluded area he was practicing in, rounding the sharp corner of the back of an abandoned equipment room. The fields and bullpen were already empty of players, and he could hear the loud and boisterous racket coming from the canteen when he strained his ears.
He wasn't surprised when Miyuki walked past it without a single glance to its direction; it would be distracting with a roomful of eyes set on them, furtive whispers aside. Of course, it wasn't as if Miyuki's face was well-known at all, but a stranger wearing suit and tie, looking so prim and proper settling in a rowdy cafeteria with the heir of Sawamura Corporation would definitely garner some attention.
As they walked out of the compound, Miyuki slanted his eyes at Eijun. "I'm assuming you aren't picky?"
"I'm not." Eijun wasn't brought up to have the right to pick at his food, even if they did have the money. His parents taught him better than that; not only for the ease of socializing in public events, but the particular upbringing also stemmed from the basic respect and appreciation for food and farmers themselves.
Miyuki continued his silent, regal gait, face schooled to a stoic mask.
"I said I would think about the offer," Eijun spoke up, a little tentative as he tried to figure out Miyuki's agenda for his visit. "You didn't have to come."
"Maybe I'm just interested in you," Miyuki drawled, and though he did not turn to face Eijun, the younger boy could see a corner of his mouth lifting to an amused smirk.
Eijun wasn't fooled by what Miyuki said. He'd surely have met far more interesting individuals than himself with his professions. Eijun held back any retorts and let the silence drift atop of them once more. Miyuki did not rectify the situation, only opting to gesture Eijun into a rather empty cafe down the street, allowing the waitress to lead them to a secluded table before passing them with a menu.
Once their orders were made, the waitress left with a respectful bow.
"Ever been here?"
Eijun was slightly taken off-guard - he didn't exactly expect that to be the first question thrown at him. "No. I prefer to have my meals in the cafeteria."
"I can see you socializing well with your schoolmates," Miyuki remarked lightly as the waitress returned, setting two cups of tea before she left their table promptly.
Eijun took a cube of sugar from the glass jar beside him and dropped one into his tea. As he stirred the sugar cube in and watched it dissolve in the hot liquid, he waited for Miyuki to continue the conversation. He was sure Miyuki wasn't here to talk about his socializing skills or the places he had his meals.
"Are you not going to order a full meal?"
Eijun set his cup down on the saucer, tongue darting out absentmindedly to lick traces of the sweet liquid off his lips. "I'm not very hungry."
"Stressed?" Miyuki leaned forward, resting both arms on the table. His folded fingers on the table were mere inches away from Eijun's, and the younger boy felt a strange shudder pass through his body at that observation. It was a picture of interest: brown eyes dark and seemingly intrigued, lips drawn back to reveal a grin full of teeth.
Eijun could feel a flush creeping up his neck, but did not let that hinder the tranquility of his speech. "Somewhat."
"Not your academics, I assume?" Miyuki probed, a strange glint in his eyes as he leaned the side of his face against his knuckles; the simple act was strangely alluring and graceful, and Eijun looked away first, fingers wrapping around the handle of his cup.
"It's more to do with..." Eijun raised his eyes boldly to meet Miyuki's. "Decisions."
He lifted the cup to his lips.
"Work for me." Miyuki's voice was a low whisper, cutting to the chase.
Eijun hid his eyes behind the rim under the guise of taking another sip. "No. I told you I needed time to think it over, and it still stands."
"That wasn't a question." When Eijun set his cup back down, the grin had slid away from Miyuki's face, but the piercing gaze remained. Eijun could feel a cold trickle down his spine; it wasn't out of fear, it was more of...
thrill.
"I find you interesting enough, Sawamura, so I'm going to make my offer again." Eijun found his breath hitched in his throat, attention not shifting away from Miyuki. The air that was surrounding him now was commandeering, and even if Eijun wanted to look away, he probably couldn't. "Hopefully you'll be smart enough to accept it."
Eijun's fingers stayed tight around the porcelain, afraid they'd tremble when they've nothing to hold onto.
"I'll offer you an opportunity to sit in for one meeting, get a grasp of what the environment is like." Miyuki's mouth had turned upwards, eyes glinting sharply behind the lenses of his glasses. "Maybe you'll find something else in there." There was a tone of promise, as if there was something more than Seidou just being a simple law firm.
Eijun's abdomen twisted, cold and icy. A chance to work with people like Miyuki - not that people with his level of intelligence or charisma could be found anywhere - but individuals that at least were working towards this? A rush of adrenaline wrecked through his veins, and his hand jerked when he pulled it back to fold his arms against his chest.
He was quite aware that Miyuki was giving him an ultimatum; there was bound to be more than what he was offering, the way he was so generously giving. Not that it really mattered.
He was pretty much decided, frankly. He rarely, if ever, allowed himself to delve headfirst into things, but there were always exceptions. Miyuki's face stayed phlegmatic, but the knowing flicker in Miyuki's eyes showed Eijun enough: he arched a brow, waiting for Eijun to voice his decision aloud.
"That'd be unnecessary. I'd take up the offer."
"Good boy," Miyuki praised. "I wouldn't want to resort to less... appealing alternatives."
Eijun's face darkened at the thinly-veiled threat: what could he blackmail him with? This man is absurd. Miyuki chuckled, lifting his cup of tea up. "In place of wine, I suppose." He tilted the rim slightly in Eijun's direction. "To our partnership."