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It was the finally here. Graduation day. It was time to say goodbye to the third years... so that's what Sawamura did. Shirasu patted him on the back, Nori wished him luck and gave him his ‘energy’, Zono engulfed him in a hug and they both cried ugly tears, and Kuramochi… Well Kuramochi wrestled him for one last time of course. But he also told him I know you’ll take the team to Koushien again, Ace. Just keep playing our baseball. Make me proud.
The tears just fell out after that. He thought he could see moisture in his green haired roommate's eyes but he couldn't tell with his own tears impairing his vision.
It was hard but he proceeded to say the rest of his good byes. Thanking them for the lessons and telling them it was an honor playing with them. There was just a particular one that he couldn’t find. Their captain. His catcher.
Miyuki Kazuya was nowhere to be seen. Typical. He probably slipped out somewhere during all the commotion. That bastard tanuki. But Sawamura had an idea of where he’d be.
He found Miyuki near the field.
“So you were here, Miyuki Kazuya.”
Miyuki turned around to face him. He was wearing his trademark nasty smirk. But there was something in his face that almost looked…sad.
“Oh. Were you looking for me Sa~wa~mu~ra?” Miyuki teased in that tone that woukd usually annoy him.
It didn’t this time though. Because all he could think about was that, after today, he would be gone. It was over. No more annoying smirks and evil grins. No more taunts and teases from the four eyed bastard. No more. Their time together was over.
“Yes. I couldn’t find you after the ceremony. Have you been here the entire time, Miyuki-senpai?” Sawamura tried to keep his voice even. He was already an emotional wreck from having to say good bye to Kuramochi and the other third years. But he had to do this. He had to.
“Pretty much."
“You no-good four eyes.” Sawamura said but it held no real irritation. “This is your last day here and you’re hiding away from your team mates. How can we say good bye to you properly huh?”
The catcher moved closer. “Well, you found me didn’t you?” Miyuki’s eyes were soft when he looked at him. It was almost uncharacteristically warm. Sawamura didn’t know what to make of that.
“I needed to talk to you.”
Before Sawamura could even say another word, he could already feel his eyes burning, tears building and threatening to fall. He expected the catcher to tease him. To call him a big crybaby or something. But Miyuki didn’t say a word. He stood there, looking at him with those warm amber eyes, and waited until Sawamura had regained enough composure to carry on.
Taking deep breath, Sawamura straightened up and did a 90-degree bow. The first few drops of tears hitting the ground.
“THANK YOU MIYUKI KAZUYA!” He yelled. The tears were pouring down his face now but he pushed through. He needed to say these things while he still had the chance. While he still had the courage.
He straightened back up to face the catcher. He must've looked like a mess right now but he faced Miyuki with determined eyes.
“I’ve never told anyone this until now. I guess you could say that I hadn’t realized it myself until a little later. But I want you to know that you are the reason I came to this school. It wasn’t just about Seido being a national level school with a great coach and good equipment.
I’m here because I couldn’t forget what I felt when I pitched to your mitt that day. You said that the best pitches are works of art produced by a pitcher and a catcher working as one. To trust your mitt and throw my best pitches. I’ve lived with those words in mind ever since. I came here because I wanted to pitch my best pitches to you. I'm here because you showed me the meaning of being a true battery. To put your faith in someone and have them put faith in you. That's why I will always trust you because I know that you trust me to always give you my best shot no matter what the score is or who we're playing.
Chris-senpai helped me to become a good pitcher. To become someone valuable to the team. I will always be grateful to him for that. He’s my most respected mentor. And you, Miyuki Kazuya, helped me to become the ace that I always dreamed of becoming. My reliable partner. And one of the reasons I fought hard was because I always wanted you to acknowledge me.
You’re the reason I was able to have the best two years of my life. I never once regretted coming here because I got the chance to pitch to you. And I just wish we had more time. I want to play with you more. I want to pitch to you more. I just want to be with you more because you continuously drive me to be the best version of myself. And I guess, all I’m trying to say is that I’ll miss you Miyuki Kazuya. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know. I hope throughout these two years, I became someone worthy of being your partner.”
Sawamura took a deep breath again. His face was stained with tears that couldn’t seem to stop but he was happy. He got to tell Miyuki everything before he left.
Miyuki was speechless. Dumbfounded. When Sawamura came to seek him out, he was expecting a goodbye but he definitely wasn’t expecting this. Sawamura poured his heart out in front of him and he didn’t know what to do. His chest was tight, like someone was squeezing his heart, and his head was spinning. The words wouldn’t come. He didn’t think he even had the words to remotely reflect what he was feeling right now. He was never good with feelings and words in the first place so he let his actions speak instead…
Miyuki grabbed the crying boy’s arms and held him against his chest. That was all he could do. He wanted to tell Sawamura how proud he is and how much he’s enjoyed watching him grow into someone deserving of the ace number. Sawamura considered him to be the reason he was able to grow so much and it made him happy but honestly, it was all Sawamura. Even without Miyuki, the pitcher would’ve shined because that was who he is. He wanted to tell Sawamura that he also wished they had more time. He wanted to tell him so many things. He just hoped that his rapidly beating heart would be enough to replace the words that he couldn’t say. He hoped he would be able to tell him…someday.
Sawamura sobbed even harder in Miyuki’s chest.
“Sawamura… You really are an idiot. Why are you telling me this now?” He was finally able to speak but his voice was hoarse. He didn’t want to cry. It wasn’t like him at all. He liked to think he had a good grip on his feelings but with Sawamura saying all those things to him, telling him how much he meant to him, he was rapidly losing control.
“I didn’t know if you’d even want to hear it in the first place.” The other said quietly.
“Stupid.” Miyuki laughed weakly and held Sawamura tighter in his arms. “You’ve done nothing these past two years but surprise me. You know I’m not good with words and feelings. If you followed me all the way here then I guess…I’ll be waiting for you…partner.”
~fin