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Miyuki was used to getting bullied. Ever since he started at Seido, it had been something almost every day, sometimes just words but sometimes more. It was not like it was new though, bullies existed in middle school as well and they didn't leave him alone there either. The fact that he was a brilliant catcher seemed to bug just about everyone. It didn't make things better that he had joined first-string only a few weeks after school start, because of Chris’s injury and therefor inability to play. It pissed of most of his team members, especially the seniors who were yet to join first-string.
Miyuki walked outside the school building with the cold autumn-wind blowing in his face. Training had been rough that day and the sun was about to set. When he rounded the corner of the gym he walked into a group of second-string members and tensed. He mentally cursed himself for choosing that road, even though he knew deep down that it was not like he could have known that they'd be just here.
"Hey there Miyuki! First-string practice was good today, eh?" One of them said. His voice sounded like a mix of mockery and annoyance.
Miyuki didn't even have to force the smile that crossed his face, it was so well practiced that it almost showed up by itself whenever a senior talked to him.
"Yeah, it was great! Probably too hard for you guys though," he said as he tried to walk past them. But as expected, they wouldn't just let him go. He knew that his personality was shitty and that he often said the wrong things. Spitting back at the upperclassmen sure didn't help his case but just as his practiced smile, it was just easier to pretend that everything was great. He should just teach himself how to stay quiet instead.
"Oi, are you calling us weak you little shit?" The words were basically spit at his face and he could feel the guys bad breath prickle his nose.
"You should brush your teeth more often, your breath st-" He started, but he didn't get the chance to finish the sentence since he was grabbed by two of the seniors behind him. Yet again he regretted that he didn't have better control over his stupid mouth.
"You’re practically begging to get your ass kicked, don't you?"
"Not really." His smile was beginning to fade. It was not as easy to keep it up when you were about to be manhandled. At that, the senior that had done the talking grabbed his glasses and dropped them on the ground. He wasted no time in waiting for a reaction and crushed them with his foot right after it made contact with the ground. Miyuki's vision was somewhat blurry but the sound made it clear to what the new state of his glasses were.
"See how many pitches you can catch when you can't even see the ball," the guy proudly laughed with his friends joining him. Miyuki didn't look up. Partly because it would only be blurry anyway, and partly because he was tired. He was just tired and wanted to go to sleep and forget this day. But the upperclassmen weren't done. No, today they seemed very frustrated about the fact that a tenth grader could join first-string when they were yet to do so He was vaguely aware of the moving arm in front of him before he felt the pain striking through his cheek. The power in the blow was great, but what else would you expect from a fit baseball player. Miyuki kept quiet despite the pain. He didn't plan on showing any weakness and the urge to say something stupid had left him the moment they'd touched him. A few more hits to his face and one final blow to his stomach was given to him before he fell down on all four. He fell into a coughing fit from the blow to his belly. The brunet squeezed his eyes shut, not that they would see, his hair covered his face anyway but it felt better that way. The blurry vision always strained his brain and keeping them shut also kept them from shaking. He heard the sound of spitting and mockery as they finally walked away. He sighed and slowly opened his eyes. He searched the ground for his glasses and found them after a little fumbling. He tried them in his hands and they were definitely fully broken. Not that it would be a big problem, he had a spare pair at his room, but frustrating nonetheless. He stood up and once again began walking back to the dorms.
It was really late by now and also fully dark. Good, he though since no one would be able to see his face unless they got up close.
"Miyuki! Hey, whatcha doing out here this late?" The sound startled him a bit. I could ask you the same, who is out this time unless they were forced to? The guy walked closer but Miyuki kept his eyes on the ground.
"Why aren't you wearing your glasses... Miyuki?" Ah, so it's Kuramochi. His voice is hard not to recognize. He must have seen his broken glasses since his tone turned confused when he said his name.
"They eh... they broke... " He said with a strained voice as he flipped the glasses in his hands. Kuramochi was one of the people he actually got along with somewhat good, even though he could be a little hot-headed sometimes.
"Oi, what happened?" He continued as he walked up and turned Miyuki towards him. Miyuki glanced up at him for a second. He vaguely noticed how Kuramochi's eyes widened as he saw the bruises that must have formed on his face. When that second had past he looked away. He felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to return to his room.
"Did they hit you? The seniors?" He said low. Miyuki sighed. Must you ask the obvious question?
"Yeah... But whatever... I have a spare pair in my room so it's fine..." Like that would satisfy him. But he really didn't feel like talking about it.
"No, it's not fine! Why would they do that?" Why, you say... more like, why not? They hate me. I am the only tenth grader on first-string and it pisses the upperclassmen of, especially the second-string members. But he didn’t voice his thoughts.
"They're frustrated and have to take out their anger on someone I guess..." He walked past Kuramochi in order to end the conversation but it seemed like he wasn't done yet.
"You have to tell someone! The principal? Coach?" His voice was raised which annoyed Miyuki slightly. You want everybody to hear you, idiot? He spoke again without turning around.
"What good would that do? They would just hate me more. Just leave it be and don't tell anyone, will ya?"
"How are you planning on going to practice tomorrow with those bruises?" His voice was low again but Miyuki could still hear him despite the distance. This time, he turned his head slightly towards Kuramochi and smiled.
"I guess I just have to cover it up." It's not like I haven't done it before.