Chapter Text
It's already been 3 months since their graduation from high school. Kominato Haruichi, a first year in Meiji University, also a new member of baseball club majoring in English Literature, along with Kanemaru and Toujo they were able to get into Meiji University thru scholarship. Its not actually just them tho because they should be studying there with a loudmouth pitcher but he's nowhere to be found.
After their graduation Eijun told them he's going back home to Nagano first and will be back before the new school year starts, but its been 2 months since the school starts and they haven't heard anything about the pitcher.
Haruichi tried to ask theircoach about Eijun but the only thing he said was Eijun withdraw his scholarship from their school without further explanation. And since its still busy in the season that time Haruichi can't meddle anymore.
Since they're still adjusting to the college baseball practices the matter with Eijun is set aside but not forgotten. But one friday night Haruichi received a text message from Kuramochi.
8:45PM
From : Yo-san
To : Harucchi
Haruich, are you guys available tomorrow?
8:47PM
To: Yo-san
From: Harucchi
Practice ends in the afternoon, I'm free after that. What's the matter Yo-san?
8:50PM
From: Yo-san
To: Harucchi
Tell Toujo and Kanemaru too. It's about THAT BAKAMURA. I'll send you the details where should we meet with others.
Haruichi upon receiving the last message from Kuramochi stood in his dorm room in shock. Are they finally able to get a hold of his idiot of a friend? But seeing how Kuramochi sends his messages made him think that it's quite serious. Yes they've been wondering what that idiot been up to. He's also concerned because its out of character for Eijun to not to contact them if he's not coming back to Tokyo. But Haruichi knows worrying about it will get him anywhere. He's just glad someone manage to reach Eijun. After finishing his school works he decides to call it a day and heads to sleep.
In the next day before their morning practice begins he inform Toujo and Kanemaru regarding Kuramochi's text to him.
"Eh? Really? They finally manage to get a hold of Sawamura?" Tojo said in astonishment. "Well as much as we wanted to say that we don't care about that idiot we'd be lying."Kanemaru added. The coaches arrived so they break their mini circle and jog towards the field.
Haruichi saw Yuki Tetsuya, their former Seido Captain so he approached him. He ask Yuki if he's also coming to their meeting tonight. Yuki said he'll also come because Jun told him about it. Altho Sawamura is 2 years their junior the former third years cares about him too.
The night came and most of the people from Yuuki Tetsuya’s batch to Okumura’s batch came. This matter had been a mystery to them because none of them were able to contact Sawamura Eijun, even his closes friend as Haruichi had no clue about Eijun’s disappearance.
One by one their former colleagues arrived. But the main person who called them here is not yet in sight. Kuramochi Youichi the culprit. “I’m going to kill that bastard Kuramochi if he’s not here in 10!.”Jun howls in his irritation. “Jun calm down maybe he’s just running late now.” Yuki said to calm down Jun.
Minutes later they saw Kuramochi entering the restaurant with Miyuki Kazuya and a girl tagging behind them. A girl? Who’s that girl? Questions ran in their minds as the 3 walks towards them. “hmmmm? Aren’t that girl Wakana? You know Eijun’s childhood friend from his hometown? “ Ryousuke said. Making others think and agrees on what he said. Their heads are turning to Ryousuke and then back to Kuramochi.
“Sorry we’re late! Senpai! Its because of this Miyuki here its his fault!.” Kuramochi said pointing fingers to Miyuki Kazuya. Miyuki just shrugs Kuramochi’s hand pointing to him and proceeds to sit anywhere available at the back, away from his their center of attention. Tetsu says its fine and gesture everyone to take a seat so they can start already.
All of them are now seated and have ordered food to eat so Wakana formally introduces herself to them. Wakana is not especially a stranger to them as she frequent to watch their matches back in High school. They decided to eat first before going through their main objective tonight.
“So? Is that Bakamura contacted anyone of you now?” Ryousuke ask, breaking the silence again. “ It’s not that he contact me, rather Eijun sent me a letter and a postcard.” Wakana said while shuffling through her pouch. Everyone's focus is now on Wakana as she’s reveal and shown them the post card she received from Eijun a week ago.
“A postcard? Why would he send you a postcard if he can just text you or something?” Haruichi questioning the situation.
“ What are these characters? It’s not japanese? Where is he even?” Kanemaru added.
“Who is that person next to him? They... They look like each other?” Furuya frowns and look at Wakana.
Wakana wears a surprised expression after hearing their reaction after seeing the postcard. “Eijun didn’t tell you about Eiji?” her voice sounded very surprise.
“EIJI? WHO IS THAT?! ” everyone vocal says in unison.
Now, they are all looking at Wakana waiting for her answer. The topic pique Miyuki’s interest and started to go where the others are. Manoeuvring thru his colleagues he saw the post card. They’re right he’s with someone in this picture. Literally looking like him.. A twin? Miyuki thought.
“That’s Jang Ha Ri! Eijun’s twin brother. Well Eijun tells me to just call him Eiji!” Wakana said in a loud voice for everyone to hear.
“I’m actually shock right now? I know he doesn’t often tell others about his twin brother but I was hoping he mentioned it to anyone of you here before?”
No. She's wrong not even Haruichi nor Kazuya heard about Eijun having a twin brother. The postcard is going around so everyone can get a better look. Ha Ri and Eijun are identical twins meaning they resemble each others facial features a lot.
Wakana ask for their attention so she could explain the picture to them.
“ Since everyone here has no clue about Eiji, I’m just going to tell you guys this.” Wakana said in a serious tone. “ I heard most of it from Kuramochi-senpai here. I didn’t know Eijun never tells you about him going back to South Korea. Actually Eijun is the son of auntie’s sister, his father is real korean. Eijun is half Korean and Japanese. Well to shorten the story Eijun is adopted in the Sawamura family when his parents died when he’s still 10 years old. He said he had other brothers that are in Korea right now and he’s the only one adopted by a Japanese family. It was last March 5 when I received a call from Eijun, he told me he decided to come back home to his brothers. I ask him when is the flight scheduled for but he said it was that day and he’s already at the airport and will fly in an hour or so. I was really mad at him for telling me late but I guess you guys had it worse than me. I’m really sorry for his behaviour I didn’t know what went thru his mind that he cuts off all communication to him. I heard from auntie that Eijun left everything even his phone that he used here. Actually this postcard is the only thing he send me. He didn’t even write anything about how I can contact him again. Even the address of his home is not stated here. Only from Jeju Island word. Not even his real name! ”
Everyone become dead silent, having all the information sink into them. Miyuki on the other hand is thinking. Kuramochi sees Miyuki’s reaction but decides to not interfere at that time.
After all the talk about this revelation Yuki Tetsuya said they should just be glad that he’s safe and not actually missing. Since they now know where Eijun is they decided to end the matter here. Everyone agrees and one by one people tell their goodbyes to each other and leave the premises.
Miyuki Kazuya is about to stand from where he sits when Koushuu approached him. “You don’t really know? Senpai didn’t tell you?” he ask. “If I knew I wouldn’t be even here.” Kazuya answered coldly leaving Koushuu behind.
Kuramochi is going to walk Wakana to the station so he told Miyuki to go back first and they will have a talk.
Miyuki knows how much of an observant person Kuramochi is, so idling it wouldn’t really help. As he walk back to his shared apartment with Kuramochi, memories from his past with Sawamura plays in his mind.
1 year ago~
After Miyuki’s graduation in Seido, he and Eijun keep on communicating thru text as Miyuki doesn't like social media at all. As usual Eijun is being his clumsy, hyper, full of sunshine self even after Kazuya graduates from high school. Sometimes Eijun would even go out of his way to visit Kazuya and they would always end up playing catch at some deserted park near Kazuya's apartment. Or Kazuya would invite Eijun to some cafe he had found while walking around just to tease Eijun about his dislike with black coffee.
Their team mates from seido had hunch of what kind of relationship the two have with each other. Its obvious for them. They've been witnesses to those awkward glances the both of them give to one another. But if you ask Kazuya, he'll just avoid the question and tell them they're just close friends.
Friends. Eijun wouldn't describe his relationship nor his feelings with Kazuya as friends only. He left everything just to play baseball with Kazuya. Even not fulfilling the promise he made to that one important person in his life. His other half.
That's why Eijun decided to tell Kazuya how he really feel about him. "I wanted my feelings to reach him." he said to himself.
3 month’s ago (March 5)
Apparently Eijun and Kazuya met before he fly back to South Korea. Eijun made Kazuya accompany him in going to the amusement park. They had fun especially Eijun. Going through all the rides even it scares the shit out of him.
They ate every thing that caught Eijun's attention. Dragging Kazuya all around the park Eijun felt bad about it since Kazuya doesn't seem like enjoying this shennanigans of his. But he had to do it since it can be the last time he'll spend together with Kazuya.
Kazuya didn't question Eijun's intention hence he feel good also. Spending time with his favourite person, what more can he ask for? Altho of course he wouldn't tell Eijun about it.
Just about the time the sun will set, Eijun drags him again to ride the Ferris Wheel. Promising this will be the last ride. Kazuya follows behind Eijun, sensing something is off as the air around his Eijun changes into something serious.
Upon entering the cabin, Kazuya decided to sit across Eijun. The cabin is slowly going up but neither of them is talking. Eijun is still looking down not meeting Kazuya’s gaze. Kazuya is not the one to dislike the quietness of the surrounding but this one is an exemption. He doesn’t like it if Eijun is being quiet like that.
Something is wrong.
He knows it and its making his heart thumping harder. It's not like they're dating. But they both had mutual understanding of where they stood with each other. They both knew baseball comes first for them. Or so he thought.
On the day of his graduation he didn't say anything to Eijun, because he knew that Eijun understands so he just smiles at him and gives him words of encouragement.
Kazuya can no longer bear the silence so he decides to open his mouth to finally ask Eijun if something is wrong but before he can say anything Eijun finally look him in the eye which startle him.
The ride is reaching the peak and the whole city will be in their view in the matter of seconds.
With the brightness of the setting sun enveloping them Eijun speak in a light manner.
"Miyuki-senpai, everything that I am about tell you comes from the bottom of my heart." slowly he said it while giving Kazuya the best smile he could muster at the moment.
"I bet you already know the reason why I chose Seido over my friends back in Nagano but I'll say it again." he pause for a bit and took a deep breathe "You are the reason. My reason. I never knew that I'm gonna enjoy playing baseball like that. I believe what I had with my friends back then were already enough. But upon meeting you everything has changed for me." Eijun didn't remove his gaze.
"I learned a lot from you. I am not who I am now if I didn't meet you and Chris-senpai."
Kazuya continue to look at Eijun as he tells him these things. He's smiling at him although his eyes are indifferent to what he's trying to show Kazuya.
"I..." he started again. " I am very thankful I chose going to Seido. I am able to play with you. I was even able to earn your acknowledgement. I am really happy. Really, really happy."
Seeing him says these things made you think that this Sawamura Eijun is different from the one you know. Eijun have always been sincere in giving out compliments and showing his disapproval to many things. But this one is real different.
Kazuya can't tease him right now which is not a problem before. Its like Kazuya being lead to listen and not retort anything back at him. " I just realise it... I didn't know it was this deep." he chuckles while turning his gaze outside. The cabin is slowly going down now and Kazuya realize their ride will end soon. Still, Eijun keeps staring outside not saying anything after he said those words. The silence looms around again and Kazuya hates it.
But just before the cabin return back down. Kazuya saw Eijun looking at him again, eyes glowing in gold accompanied with his brightest smile of the day he told him-
"I was so damn in love with you."
Eijun keep his gaze straight at Kazuya,patiently waiting for his reply.
Kazuya knows to himself this is coming. He knows it since his time together with him in seido. But hearing the words comes right from Eijun's mouth made him speechless even more.
Kazuya know what he needed to say. He's confuse because he thought that Eijun had understood their standings. Both of their career comes first. That right now he needed to reject his confession.
"Sawamura..." with a low voice he said. "I'm sorry. I cannot accept your feelings. This is not the right time."
Kazuya is also hurt because he also feel the same towards his adoring kouhai, so he decided to at least give him comforting words. But once he gazes again to Eijun, he sees that Eijun crying now. His hand that Kazuya wanted to hold for a long time is now wiping the tears that's running down his face.
Kazuya's about to reach out to him but he stop because Eijun looks at him again. Now wearing a sad smile he said:
" Miyuki-senpai, you don't need to comfort me. I kind of expected it actually. I... I just wanted to voice out my feelings for you. It's me being selfish and I don't want you feeling bad about it." he said.
The cabin doors opens up and Kazuya sees Eijun finally done with wiping his face. Eijun stand up and gestures Miyuki they needed to head out now.
Kazuya is walking behind Eijun. He wanted to catch up but he doesn’t have the courage to do it. As they're nearing the exit doors Eijun looks back at Kazuya.
"Miyuki-senpai I'm very thankful that you agreed to spend this day with me. I will never forget this date, never in my life!" Eijun said while giving Miyuki assurance that he's okay. "I will be heading out first. Goodbye Miyuki Kazuya!" with that he bowed to Kazuya and head straight to the exit.
Kazuya is left to stand there awkwardly, Eijun didn't even wait for his reply and just dash out like that.
The sun aren't fully set yet so Kazuya decides to linger a bit longer in the park. Walking in a different direction he found an empty bench. Sat down and curses everything.
[Back in the present]
Kazuya passes by the park he frequently played catch with Eijun. He sits at the bench and release a deep sigh-
“ If only I knew I wouldn’t be able to see you again, I should’ve ask you out myself. You’re so unfair Eijun.”