Chapter Text
“Hyahaha. Just so you know Sawamura if you lose you’re becoming our slave till we graduate.”
“Hehe, I’m not losing then, Kuramochi-senpai.”
“Hey first years, go and get us drinks. I want a cola.”
“Oh oolong tea for me.”
“Then I’ll have a pocari sweat.”
Eijun turned around while Kuramochi chose his character to a familiar sight, though this time it was his room fully packed with the first string.
How did this happen again?
Ah right….
Two hours ago…
Kuramochi and Masuko had excused themselves to go to the baths a while ago, so Eijun finished unpacking what was left of his stuff by himself before leaving for dinner.
Entering the noisy and nearly packed room, Eijun debated announcing his arrival like he would’ve usually done entering a roomful of friends. He would’ve been loud, probably would be laughing too, but he wouldn't care surrounded by his friends, his team. Then again, he questioned his placement here. This was not Akagi where he was always part the circle if not the center of it. This was Seidou where he was…….who? A manager? A teammate? A friend? Or rather an-
“The hell are you standing there for? If you don’t find a seat quickly, you’ll end up on the floor ya know.” Recognizing Kuramochi’s voice, he turned his head around to find his two new roommates behind him staring questioningly. “Come on move it, I don’t know about you but we are starving here.” Said Kuramochi, pushing him aside, and passing with a nodding Masuko at toe.
“Ah wait for me,” he said as he caught up with them.
After finishing their food, Kuramochi got up clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Aaah everyone, we’re having a video game tournament in our room tonight. You all better come, or else.” He grinned evilly.
“Heeh, and normally you’d be the one inviting everyone to crash Miyuki’s room. What’s different today?” Isashiki asked with a raised eyebrow. He was answered with a sly smirk and an arm hooked around one particular first year’s neck.
“Of course because we have a special occasion today. We are welcoming our new roommate.”
There was a moment of silence before the room erupted with noise, people were now shouting in surprise and welcome. Eijun was smothered by people ruffling his hair, and slapping his back, and truthfully he didn’t know how to react to the familiar treatment.
And so he ended up having to participate in the tournament, even though it was late. It was fun, but he was seriously tired. Plus, he missed the time to take his pain killers, and his arm was starting to hurt badly. It wasn’t helping that he was forced to play Mario carts for the past hour. He was starting to get a headache too.
“…mura….sa…..wamu….SAWAMURA HEY!”
With a jolt, he looked to his right were Kuramochi sat with an annoyed look.
“Y-Yes senpai?”
“I’ve been calling you for a while now. It’s your turn to choose a character.”
“A-Aaaaah right. Right away.”
“Hey Kuramochi, Sawamura is obviously exhausted. Let someone else humor you, and give him a rest already.” It was Nori and Eijun felt like he could really cry now. ‘Nice Nori-senpai’ he thought as he gave the second year thumbs up.
“I guess it wouldn’t be fair while he’s tired…Ok then Sawamura you are released. Hey little Kominato, get your ass up here so I can beat it.”
“Hmmm, exactly whose ass are you going to beat Youichi? I couldn’t hear you quite well.” There was a dangerous feel to the smile across Ryosuke’s face as he said those words.
“NO NO, I MEANT IN THE GAME RYO-SAN, THE GAME.”
“But I heard no game just now.”
“NO, REALLY, YOU MISUNDERSTOOD- GAAAAH.”
“…Aniki…”
Eijun was long gone by the time Kuramochi almost got murdered, he went to where Nori was seated with his back to the wall.
“Thank you senpai, you really saved me just now. I owe you one.” Nori lowered the book he was reading presenting a small sympathizing smile. “No need for all that, you’re the one whose gonna be living with him from now on.” He placed a hand on Eijun’s shoulder. “My heart is with you.”
“Haha...ha, thanks.” He was about to ask about the book Nori was reading when-
“Sawamuraaaa.” Eijun looked up to where Kazuya was sitting on his bed reading one of Kuramochi’s sports magazine. He had a sly look on his face that Eijun didn’t trust. “Yes?” he answered weakly. Kazuya closed the magazine then shifted in his seat patting the space next to him. Eijun looked to where Nori was invested deeply his book before getting up and squeezing himself between Kazuya and the bedpost. “What do you want Miyuki Kazuya?” he said glaring at all the space on Kazuya’s other side and the space he made for him but decided against complaining. Because, you know, it was quite warm here.
“How about some respect for starters.” Kazuya muttered in the space between them. But before Eijun could answer he quickly added, “I just wanted to talk with you for a bit.” Eijun’s eyes widened for a second before narrowing in distrust. He didn’t know why but he dreaded what was to come. “About?”
Kazuya pretended to think for a bit before dropping the bomb so lightly, “oh nothing much, was just wondering if you want to try playing with us sometime.”
‘………………’
‘Eh?’
“Eh?”
“You know,” Kazuya said turning to face Eijun with his whole body eliminating any space left between them. Eijun could feel the heat emanating from the others body. “For someone who seems to know so much about baseball, I haven’t seen you touch a ball out of feeding the pitching machine and clearing the field never mind a bat or glove.”
Eijun didn’t know why, but he couldn’t meet Kazuya’s eyes anymore. His eyes dropped to their laps as he kept silent. Maybe it was the knowing tone he used, like he knew Eijun was hiding something. Possibly, something preventing him from all of the above?
He was apparently silent for too long that Kazuya kept on going without his input on the matter. “I mean- ok, you’re just a manager and not actually on the team, and we shouldn’t expect you to be playing. But the way you talk about baseball, and the way you look at us playing, that’s not the look of just a manager.” Eijun shivered as Kazuya’s breath hit the side of his neck with every word, or maybe it was the words that sent a shiver done his spine. Obviously Kazuya wanted this conversation to be private –to Eijun’s luck?- but Eijun was seriously finding it hard to focus from the mixture of pain in his arm, anxiety at Kazuya’s words, and his closeness.
But Eijun knew that he had to say something, had to change the subject or something, or he was in danger of being completely exposed in a roomful of the team.
“…..I.”
“Sawamura, get over here and let’s play some shogi.” Thankfully, Eijun was saved for the second time in a row this night thanks to the senpais. It was good that Tetsuya cut him off before he blurted something stupid that would’ve probably dug him in a greater hole than the one he started in.
Eijun couldn’t have gotten up faster.
He didn’t hear from Kazuya till the end of the night.
Nearly an hour later the room was left with its original inhabitants. But of course, all the cleaning was left to Eijun while his senpais hit the bed.
“Sawamura you have ten minutes before I’m closing these lights. The room better be clean by then.”
“Wasn’t this supposed to be my welcoming party or something? How come I’m the one cleaning up?” Kuramochi turned in his bed to face him, “am I hearing complaints?” he cracked his fingers just to make himself clear.
“…No sir.” Eijun said as he shook his head violently.
“Good.”
Looking over to his other senpai, Eijun sighed at the sight of a sleeping Masuko.
“9 minutes left. I would get moving if I was you.”
“AH, wait that’s not fair~”
Yawning, Kazuya leaned back in his chair stretching. He had been sitting here for the past hour and a half studying the team they were playing after tomorrow. He could feel the sleep overcoming him, but he still had quite a bit more he needed to look at that he couldn’t afford to skip.
Sighing, he got up and headed outside. He knew he shouldn’t have gone to Kuramochi’s room earlier. His position on the team requires a thorough understanding of the opposite team’s batters’ habits, what their specialties are, and their weaknesses, and he needs all the time in the world to do that. Sighing again, he rubbed his eyes from under his glasses, what he needed right now was some coffee in his system.
Rounding the corner to the vending machine, he stopped dead in his tracks as he saw another person standing in front of it. With a clatter the boy crouched to pick up a bottle that Kazuya recognized as a normal bottle of water. He tried to make out who it was, but with the vending machine as his only light source, and with the towel covering the other guy’s head it was impossible.
He was already debating whether he should go get his coffee or not. The idea of having to engage in a conversation with whoever this guy was, was not too bad, but he honestly had enough socializing for the day.
The boy in question raised his hand to his mouth like he was putting something in it, then opening the bottle he threw his head back drinking from it. The motion made the towel drop from his head to rest around his neck. Kazuya’s eyes widened as he recognized that mop of brown hair.
Taking a few steps forward was all that he needed to get the other’s attention. He watched as if in slow motion as Sawamura Eijun turned his head to face him. The boy took a moment to recognize him as his eyes were adjusting to the darkness.
“Miyuki Kazuya!! What are you doing here so late?”
“That’s my sentence. Shouldn’t you be sleeping? Or has Kuramochi and Masuko-senpai's snoring kept you up? ”
“W-Well, it’s not that bad……I mean, it could have been worst…right?”
Walking over to the bench on the next to the vending machine, he sat patting the space next to him. Eijun stared cautiously for a second, and Kazuya could almost see the gears turning in his head. He hummed once before making his way to the bench too.
“You’re optimistic if you think there is something worse than that.”
“Hmm, you talk like you know.”
“Yeah I crashed their room once last year. Left ten minutes after they fell asleep. Even Azuma-san is more bearable than that.”
Crossing his legs on the bench Eijun faced Kazuya.
“Who’s Azuma-san?”
“Azuma Kiyokuni, an alumni, he was also my roommate last year. He went pro after graduating.”
“Wow, he must have been an amazing player.”
“Well, he could work on his arrogant side a bit, he gave Nori hell last year, talking about how he was replaceable, and how he should go home if he can’t throw properly, and crap like that.”
“What the hell?”
Kazuya was almost shocked at how Eijun’s face turned grim.
“Isn’t he the worst then? No matter how good you are at baseball, you don’t play alone.”
Eijun’s lowered eyes were as if he was recalling something, maybe that’s why Kazuya was lost for words. A moment later they locked with his own eyes, there was something that looked guilty in them, though Kazuya can’t be sure. He cleared his throat facing forward again.
“…Yeah, you’re totally right. I was shocked silent by you saying something smart for once.” Eijun immediately took the bait grabbing Kazuya by the front of his shirt, shaking him back and forth while spluttering some incoherent words. “I wish you were there last year, maybe if you told him those word something would have changed.”
The shaking stopped, maybe even Eijun could sense the seriousness in his tone.
“You know, the only reason why the number on nori’s back is so high is because of his low self-esteem. He is a good pitcher, and he gives variety to our pitchers line up. But he doesn’t believe that.”
Leaning back Kazuya hit his head lightly on the wall behind him.
“Nori collapsed once last year…”
‘I have to work harder I am the captain and the ace.’
“He had overworked himself…”
‘More…More. I was the one who made them play baseball with me.’
“Apparently, after me and Kuramochi got into first string, the other first years were pressured to show similar performance.”
‘I must…get…better.’
“Nori had it worse than the rest, because he hanged with us the most…If I knew, I would’ve done something, but I-”
“Found out too late?”
“………..Right.”
Closing his eyes he almost shivered at the vivid memory of those days. Opening them again, he watched out of the corner of his eyes as Eijun faced front lowering his legs to the ground. He hunched forward pulling the towel from around his neck to rest on his lap. A single drop of water started trailing down his neck, it lingered a bit now and then, but kept going down until it nearly reached the collar of Eijun’s shirt. Unconsciously Kazuya reached out to wipe it before it wet the shirt. What he didn’t see coming was Eijun shrieking while pulling away from him, his arm shot to the back of his neck as he turned around face red as a tomato.
“W-W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
“Shhhh, lower you voice everyone is sleeping.”
A look of guilt spread across his face for a second before scowling once more.
“What are you doing?” He whispered
“Well there was a drop of water and I-”
He went silent when realization dawned on him, his eyebrows knotted as he looked at Eijun straight in the eyes. The boy flinched a bit.
“Why is your hair wet? Don’t tell me you just took a shower.”
Eijun backed away looking at anything but Kazuya, “well…yeah?”
“’Yeah?’ my ass!” Kazuya suddenly stood up, his tone was so angry Eijun had to back to the end of the bench out of fear. “The showers are cold this dead in the night, what the hell were you thinking?”
He walked over to Eijun turning him so that they were chest to back and furiously started drying his hair with the towel that was laying in his lap.
“Ow ow ow, it hurts, Miyuki, I said it hurts.”
“Deal with it. What if you caught a cold? Or what? Do you really believe that idiots don’t catch colds?”
“H-Hey I’m not…an idiot. And would you please stop tha-…I’m going bald here.”
Kazuya’s motion suddenly went gentle. “Why didn’t you use the showers earlier, you could’ve gone when Kuramochi and Masuko-senpai went. Why wait till now?” He walked to the front of Eijun sitting down, he lifted Eijun’s lowered face by the chin, “Sawamura, you can talk to me if there is a problem you know. Not just about this.” but Eijun still refused to meet his eyes.
Kazuya’s voice suddenly went soft that he surprised even himself, “What’s forcing you to do this to yourself?” Eijun’s eyes widened meeting Kazuya’s, he knew that there was a double meaning behind Kazuya’s words, he was bringing back the conversation from earlier that night. It was like the older boy in front of him knew something, or more likely guessed something. He knew something was wrong with Eijun at least an emotional something.
But- but Eijun couldn’t tell him. He knew he wouldn’t be able to endure the disappointment and the betrayal in Kazuya’s eyes. Because after all, what was between them was different and they both knew it, and Eijun wouldn’t be able to blame Kazuya because he if the roles were reversed….well let’s just say Eijun wouldn’t have taken that too gracefully.
He lowered eyes again.
Kazuya almost sighed, he knew he wasn’t good at whatever this was. A better option would be Kuramochi. Or better yet, Chris-senpai, he spends a lot of time with Eijun, and seems to know what Kazuya doesn’t about the boy –which he would never admit kinda annoyed him- but right now, he was the one right here right now.
“…If…”
He quickly snapped out of it when he heard what was almost a whisper from Eijun.
“If?”
Eijun lifted his head once more looking to the side.
“If I was hiding something big from you, would you hate me for it?”
Hiding something big?
“Does that mean it holds some kind of significance to me?”
“Not really, but I feel like if you ever knew about it, you will surly hate me for keeping it from you.”
“Well, if you say it like that, and if I was really set off by you keeping it from me, then…”
Eijun braced himself expecting the worst.
“I’ll probably be mad in the beginning, and it might take a while for me to forgive it but…I don’t think I will ever hate you for anything.
Eijun finally met his eyes dead on, though Kazuya panicked as they were teary.
“Hey, are you cryin-”
“THEN.” Eijun shouted, and Kazuya almost answered on reflex. “Yes?”
“Do you mind waiting until I’m ready to tell you?”
Eijun had such determination in his eyes, Kazuya couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Sure, no matter how much time it takes.” He said, ruffling his hair a bit.
The grin that spread across Eijun’s face was priceless, -though teary and snotty- it did things to Kazuya’s insides that made him want to wipe it off that stupid stupid beautiful face of his.
Wait what?
“Hey, Sawamura.”
“Hmm?”
“Since I’m being so nice and patient for you I want you to promise me something.”
Eijun tilted his head to the side, unsure but still smiling, “I guess it depends on what it is.” Kazuya started edging closer, his face and tone 100 percent serious that it startled Eijun for a second. “I want you to promise me to always come to me when you need something. No more sneaking at night for a cold bath, if something is preventing you from bating with the rest of us then come to me and I’ll make sure to help you find some time alone. And anything else, no matter how small or how big just come to me for help, you don’t need to tell me a reason, I’ll help you always ok?”
Eijun’s eyes were as wide as saucers by the end of Kazuya’s speech, he had no idea where all that came from, but he couldn’t be anything but grateful.
“ok.” He whispered back.
“Do you promise?” And Eijun was suddenly aware that his senpai was mere inches from his face, and he could feel his warm breath fanning across his lips.
“I promise.” He whispered again afraid of braking whatever moment was going on between them.
Then he watched as Kazuya’s eyes turned half lidded under his glasses, and a second later not knowing which one of them –or was it both of them- inched forward to finally seal their lips together. And- it was as if fireworks where going off in the background in Eijun’s head, like a small celebration that was one part exciting one part nervousness –because he had no idea what the hell he was doing- and one part healing.
It was really just an innocent press of lips, both of them have never done this before, but they were willing to learn if it was with each other.
Sadly, before Eijun could reach up and wrap his arms around Kazuya’s neck like he wants to do, the other was pulling away from him though not going too far away. They shared a silent and a bit awkward of a stare off before a grin stretched over Kazuya’s mouth as he got up. “Come on, it’s late, and we should’ve been in bed hours ago.” He offered a hand to a still frozen Eijun who automatically reached for the offered hand.
Kazuya waited a minute for Eijun to say something but to no avail. He tilted his head to get a good look at the other’s face only to find a beautiful shade of red covering his entire face. Kazuya’s eyes glinted as he stored away that image in his head ‘I did that’ he thought before finally breaking the moment.
“If I knew kissing you was the way to finally shut you up I would’ve done it a long time ago.”
It worked as Eijun snapped out of it. it took him a moment to process what was said to him, before he forcefully wrenched his hand from Kazuya’s, scowling up at the slightly taller male, his face redder than a moment ago, and even if it was from anger this time, Kazuya still thought it was a color that suited him.
Kazuya readied himself for an ear piercing shouting.
Priiiing~ Priiiing~
Cracking an eye open, Kuramochi cursed everything in the world as he stopped his alarm. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and combed his hair back with his fingers. He could still hear Masuko’s snoring, but he had to dangle half of his body down to look at the sleeping Eijun on the bunk under him. He yawned the moment his feet his the floor of the room, he should have thought this more thoroughly when he decided to wake up earlier to practice his batting.
But just as he was about to leave his room with his bat, a small flickering light caught his attention, it was Eijun’s phone. His eyes went to the sleeping boy he looked like he was in deep sleep and was not going to wake up anytime soon.
‘What he doesn’t know is not gonna hurt him.’
Silently, Kuramochi reached for the phone. He swiped his finger across the screen to unlock it, then taped the new message notification. His eyes snapped wide as read the name of the sender.
….he read it again…..and again….
Aotsuki Wakana.