Archive of Our Own ^beta

Eijun wonders, if he ever returns to the real world, how his mother would react if he knelt at her feet and sobbed his eyes out, blubbering about how right she was about not staying up late to read books and play games past his bedtime.

Magical as moms were, he doubts she actually knows that one day her son would be transported inside a trashy reverse harem game after accidentally spilling his glass of milk onto the game port he was playing with.

He wonders what kind of image he made of himself, dying over something as silly as staying up late to groggily play through the very last route of the game, only to keel over from milk of all things.

There’s no use crying over it now, but the shame still makes him curl into himself, a low whimper escaping his lips.

“Young master,” his nanny calls out, mouth pursed into a thin line. “Why are you making such an unsightly view of yourself in the morning?”

Oh. Right. He was in the middle of dressing up for breakfast. Eijun peeks at the large mirror in front of him, and couldn’t resist admiring himself. Somehow, he still retains his own features even when he’s made to fill one of the numerous male lead’s shoes. Only the gold in his eyes seemed brighter, especially under the sunlight peeking through his bedroom window. His freckles were more pronounced, molting his tanned skin. His hair was soft, growing to the nape of his neck, and like the original character of the game, a single braid framed his face.

He had to say, for a ten-year-old he was quite a looker.

“If you’re quite done preening,” his nanny drawls. “Perhaps you’re ready to join your...family at the dining table.”

At any other circumstances, a nanny that speaks to the child of the house like this would get booted off the moment she so much as raises her tone. But considering who he is right now, Eijun could do little else but smile and nod.

He tugs at his ribbon tie, tightening it neatly before he leads the way to the dining room. His nanny trails behind him, crude enough to not maintain a three-step distance between them. When he arrives in the dining room, it’s to a hushed silence. Ah. The Furuya household.

In the game, it was described that the Furuyas consisted of one lone child and heir apparent named Furuya Satoru, the future male lead in the book, his grandfather and head of the family, Furuya Eiji, and his mother Furuya Aki. They were the oldest of the old families in the Empire. Their signature look is white pale skin, raven dark hair, and alluring blue eyes. Nothing like Eijun.

The atmosphere was tense as he walked across the table from where Satoru and his mother were. And it’ll continue to be if the game’s plot had anything to say about it. The writers had a penance for childhood trauma. She described Satoru as a child who grew up in a lonely household. None of his family members were particularly affectionate, at least not in the traditional way. But Satoru was very fond of his grandfather and grew up admiring him.

Then one day, out of nowhere, he brought back a child with him after a business trip down the South. One day being, well, give or take a week ago from today. In Satoru's mind, his world had just been shaken down to it's core. It was hard enough fighting for his mother and grandfather's few and rare affections, with another child his age their attention will be all the more divided.

In the game’s backstory, Eijun was originally a bright and peppy boy. It wasn't until he was adopted into the Furuya household, away from the orphanage he knew and loved, did his bitterness start growing. He never asked to be adopted to a rich family. All he ever wanted was to leave the orphanage when he was of age, get a good job, and pay the sisters in the church his due for all the care and love they gave him and his friends.

For some reason, Eiji took favor of him when he came by the church to give his prayer, and promised Eijun that he would take care of the church and all its orphans if he came to live with him in the city.

And Eijun, heart of gold as he is, readily accepted.

He hadn't realized that he was signing himself up to a life of a cold and distant family, and a brother that hated his very being down to the core.

But well. That was how the game panned out after years of pent up resentment and misunderstanding. He's played the game front to back, and he knew that in the end, everything that happened between him and Satoru would be solved if they had just talked things through. 

If Satoru hadn't been so silent. And if Eijun had stopped to think things through. They could've been something of a proper family.

So when Eijun finally climbs up his chair after a few hops, he looks at the faces of the people he'll have to call family from now on and grins. "Good morning!"

Every single one of them visibly startles, and Eiji masks this by clearing his throat. "Good...good morning, Eijun. Did you rest well?"

"I did! The bed here is so fluffy!" It was weird to talk like a ten year old again. He barely remembers how he used to talk when he's at that age, but he must be doing something right going off of Eiji's satisfied nod.

"You should get dressed quicker tomorrow," Aki comments as she takes a bite of her toast. "Furuyas do not keep others waiting."

"You're right Aki-san," Eijun says dutifully. "I wouldn't want to miss a single moment with you all!"

She blinks, surprised at his boldness, before she hunkers down to her breakfast once more. "Ah...yes."

He turns to Satoru, but whatever he was planning to say gets stuck in his throat.

Satoru is glaring at him, his usually calm eyes as cold as a roaring storm. Eijun shivers, and curls his hand around his fork and knife.

"Thank you for the meal." He says finally. He’s sure the omelet he’s having right now is delicious, properly seasoned and just on the right side of fluffy. But he doesn’t taste anything but ash as he squirms in his seat nervously, chewing slower than he’s ever chewed in his life as he tries to avoid Satoru’s gaze.

Ah well. Rome wasn’t built in a day after all!

-

Rome was not, in fact, built even in two very (very!) hardworking weeks.

In the span of those two weeks, Eijun has tried his damn best to connect with Furuya (he reverts back to his family name the moment Sato-Furuya wrinkles his nose at him one day).

He's tried reading the same book he does (and though polar bears were very fascinating reading them for the fifth time in a day feels a little too much). He's tried giving Furuya his share of sweets, only to be completely ignored. He's tried asking him to play outside, but all Furuya did was give the sun the same withered look he gave Eijun and walked away.

Okay. So maybe Eijun was being hated here.

For a few weeks now, Eijun has been trying his best to get used to his new life. The game didn't exactly go through much detail about the character's early life, but from the few interactions he remembers, there were three important events that would be triggered between him and Furuya.

The first being Furuya's tenth birthday, and the awakening of his magic powers.

As one of the four main houses that serve the kingdom, the Furuyas were notorious for having large amounts of mana, with enough destructive powers to overturn the tides of a single war. While they make for the perfect retinue, their livelihood and being depended on how well they fall under the royal family's favor.

Over the years, the heir of the Furuya family have consistently kept a good relationship with the crown prince, serving his side as either the captain of the royal guard or a prime minister. The same was expected of Furuya and Hongou Masamune.

However, as what Eijun could only describe as plot convenience, instead of forging a lifetime of mildly questionable bromance, Furuya failed miserably in forming even so much of a conversation with the crown prince. Hongou Masamune, notorious for his temper and distaste for everyone and anyone, seems to despise Furuya just for his existence.

Always being compared to Furuya's admittedly softer and more agreeable nature, coupled with his budding talent in magic and combat, Hongou Masamune wouldn't be able to go far without at least hearing his and Furuya's name side by side.

In some odd twist, in-game Eijun ends up somehow befriending Hongou, swaying the public's opinion of Furuya as the heir of the house. This further deepens Furuya's spite for his unofficial step brother, and fueling his intense rivalry in not only their lives but also in fighting over Haruno, the main character of this otome game.

Thus, there was only one way to avoid the absolute bad end of being driven away from the Furuyas and being cut down by its heir. Eijun is absolutely going to stay away from the crown prince, and be as small and unambitious as possible for Furuya to safely be the heir of the house.

He couldn't help but smile as he pats himself on the back. Mm, this is the best way after all! Subverting from the game's plot would be a little scary, but as long as Furuya's wariness of him remains unfounded, Eijun's hope of a worry free life will be a reachable dream soon enough.

"At least someone's happy." A quiet and elegant voice murmurs.

"A-Aki-san!" He stutters back, looking at the duchess with wide eyes. "S-sorry, I didn't see you there."

"What were you smiling about? Is there something fun about seeing everyone running about to prepare a party?" She hums.

"Well, uh, it's just that I've never really experienced parties like this before," he says wistfully. The duchess would probably think that he was talking about his experience in the orphanage, but really he was remembering his past life. The parties he's had were small intimate birthday parties with home baked cakes, or sharing a bucket of chicken with his friends on Christmas. Deep down, Eijun felt no grand party would ever measure to those. "It's very exciting."

It's taken him this long not to tear up when he recalls those few bits of memories, and it feels like each day his longing for his family and friends grow stronger. The Furuyas were kind, but he could feel the staff's hostility from a mile away. Not to mention how cold Furuya was with him. With no one (technically) his age to talk to, he's mostly wandered around the library and hung around the stables.

Something must have reflected in his face, and instead of walking away like he thought she would, the duchess awkwardly rests her hand on his head.

"Aki-san…?"

"...you don't look that excited to me."

"A-aha…" Eijun trails off.

"I've noticed you've been having a hard time adjusting, but I can see you've put in the effort," her lip twitches ever so slightly. "Satoru has been coming to me with all sorts of questions lately."

Questions? About what, him? Why would he?

"I suppose the only advice I could give you is to be a little more honest," she tilts her head. "Satoru, he's never had...a friend. So whatever methods you've been using, I'm sure will only be met with confusion. With him, it's best to just be outright."

"Right…" he nods to himself. "I...thank you Aki-san."

"Go on now don't bother the staff." She nudges him to the door.

"Okay, excuse me then…"

The past few days were a blur of preparations. Invitations went out the door left and right, elite chefs cooking up a storm, butlers and maids sent out to clean every nook and cranny of the mansion, and the best known tailors invited to dress Furuya's most important day.

"I really don't need a suit!" Eijun waves his hand. "I have enough clothes!"

"Nonsense. What would the guest say if they saw you wearing something off season," the duchess clicks her tongue, shoving him inside the room where a tailor was readily waiting for them. "Please take care of him too, Takashima-san."

The tailor bows respectfully. "Of course my lady."

Warily, he waves at her and stands next to Furuya. He gives him a nervous smile, only to shiver at Furuya's cold stare down. Jeez, this is exactly what he wants to avoid! Of course the birthday boy is going to feel iffy about someone else barging in on his fit!

Thankfully, Takashima-san had an assistant who tended to him, and besides having to hold a certain position for too long, his measurement went without a hitch. He nods at any fabric and style they offer, shrugging when he couldn't be bothered to think. The assistant gives him a stink eye, but he'd take that in favor of leaving here as soon as possible.

"If that's all then…" he trails off, inching towards the door.

"Hold it right there young man," Takashima-san tuts. "No outfit is complete without an accessory. Ah, you braid your hair with a ribbon, perfect. Come choose one to go with your suit."

"No, I'm alright with this one," Eijun waves her off. "I got more than enough good clothes today."

"Mm, really? It's a shame, but if-"

"You should get it."

Both he and Takashima-san flinch as they turn to Furuya. He was completely silent throughout the fitting, even when the assistant accidentally pricked him with a needle. Now? You're speaking up now?

"Aw Furuya, are you thinking of me? But it's alright really, I don't need a new ribbon."

"You might not need to, but if you show up at the party with that raggedy ribbon, people will talk. They might even assume we haven't been taking care of you." Furuya said evenly. "You. Bring us the ribbons."

"Y-yes young master."

"Ha...haha...is that right," he felt his eyebrows twitch, and forcibly pressed a hand to his forehead to cease it. "Very astute of you, Furuya."

"Hn."

Eventually the assistant returns with a wooden box filled with rolls of ribbons, colors from every spectrum of the wheel staring back at him. His eyes are immediately drawn to simple and plain colors. White, black, gray. Anything that wouldn't look too flashy. He holds it against his hair as he faces the mirror in front of him.

"Mm, I think I'll take this black one-"

"Gold," appearing out of nowhere, Furuya pushes him to the side and points to the most expensive looking ribbon in the box. "He'll take the gold ribbon."

"Wha-Furuya!" He pulls the boy to the side, practically hissing to his ear. "That's obviously the most expensive one in the box!"

"The more obvious the better," he grumbles, wrenching his arm away. "Just buy it."

"But-" Eijun cut himself off with a sigh. “I’ll take the yellow one, alright? Compromise!”

For a rare moment, Furuya’s cold and aloof poker face broke into frustration. He grabs his hand without warning, dragging him in front of the mirror. He ignores Eijun’s protest and pitiful attempt at shaking off his grip, grabbing the golden ribbon off the box.

With a clumsy hand, he unwinds the ribbon holding his braid together and ties it with the ribbon in one swift movement. Without pausing, he turns Eijun to face the mirror, shoving him forward. He eyes himself in the mirror, lopsided braid and all, and cracks a nervous smile. “Thanks…?”

“...It goes with your eyes, idiot.”

“Hm?” Eijun nudges him. “What was that? I didn’t quite catch that.”

Furuya scowls, ignoring him in favor of turning to Takashima-san. “We’re done here, right?”

“Yes young master. I’ll deliver the final product by the end of next week.”

Helplessly, he follows Furuya out of the room as Takashima-san and her assistant packs up their belongings. “Furuya-”

“We’re done. Don’t talk to me anymore.” He snaps, quickening his pace.

“But Furuya,” he whines, taking bigger steps to catch up to him. “I just want to talk to you! Just for a bit!”

“Well I don’t.” He hisses, turning sharply at the hallway.

“Ugh this brat...stop walking away from me!" With a burst of speed, he grabs Furuya by the lapels of his shirt, pulling him back forcibly. Shocked, Furuya whirls around, grabbing his arm in retaliation with a death grip.

The motion unexpectedly wobbles them both, and they tumble down the thankfully carpeted floor. Eijun hisses at the collision, cursing out loud. Furuya groans as he props himself up, looking down on him with undisguised anger. "What are you-" His rant cuts off as his eyes widen in horror.

"What? What is it-"

"Y-you're bleeding…" Furuya gasps, reaching out with shaky hands.

Ah, right. As an adopted child from a run down orphanage, the original owner of this body grew up in a frugal environment. His body was physically weak, and later in the years it would be revealed how little his mana is too, making him magically weak as well. It was another turning point between him and Furuya. Feeling looked down upon and in the face of Furuya’s overwhelming talent in the two things he was inherently never going to have, losing the female lead’s love was the last straw for him. 

Even though he was weak, the original Eijun always persisted in life to receive the same things Furuya did. It would’ve been admirable, if he hadn’t done so many underhand things. All because he felt like Furuya and the world looked down on him. In one of the bad endings, Eijun lost not only his new found family, his friends, and the female lead’s trust, he contracted a sickness and soon passed away from his weak body.

Bleeding just from a small bump on the head, this body was truly weak huh! In his previous life, Eijun’s stamina was so high, he could stay up for three nights in a row, run around with a tire tied to his waist, and shout himself hoarse across the rice fields and mountains near his house. Catching Furuya's panicked expression, he hurriedly smiles at him.

"I'm fine, don't worry. I just bruise easily. Here, let me get up-"

"No!" Furuya snaps. "Stay there! I'll call someone."

"Furuya, I swear, I'm fine." He proves this by sitting up. But he must've done so too fast, and a sudden dizzy spell hit him, and he shut his eyes in pain.

"I knew it," Furuya hisses. Not a moment later he hears the tell tale sign of someone running away, their shoes light against the carpet. It comes back not too long after with another set of footsteps, this time much heavier.

"He's here." Furuya urges. Through his swimming vision, he recognizes the woman Furuya bought as their nanny and curses inwardly.

"Oh," she simply says when they come to a stop. “This was what you made me rush all the way for young master?”

“Clearly,” he snaps. “Help him!”

“Oh, there’s no need for that,” she tuts. She grabs him by his arm and tugs him roughly, forcing him to stand up. His knees wobble, and he feels his stomach turn. He wants to fall down to the ground, where it's nice and steady, but the nanny's grip is iron tight. "Look, see? These types of boys, they can take a good beating, young master. Just a quick spit and he'll be right up. No need to waste your time on him."

Eijun grimaces as she pats his head right where the wound was, biting down the pained whine threatening to break through. Through the black spots covering his sight, he sees Furuya’s face twist into an expression normally reserved for him. Anger.

He feels the nanny’s grip on his arm and the weight of her hands leave him. In its place, a much smaller and slender arm wrapped around his waist, propping him upright. He mumbles an apology to Furuya, but whatever came out must’ve been gibberish to the boy. Furuya tightened his hold on him, slinging his limp arm over his shoulder.

“What’s your name?” He addresses the nanny coldly.

“Y-young master? It’s me! I’ve taken care of you since you were a baby!” She jokes. “I’ve replaced your diaper, fed you in my lap, I even taught you how to read!”

“Really? The nanny I knew was a gentle person who loved children and doted on me, fretting when I so much had a scratch on my knees,” Furuya drawls. “I don’t see her in front of me.”

A sudden chill made the temperature in the hallway drop. Eijun shivers as goosebumps travel all over his skin. No way, could it be? Dragging his head up, his eyes widened as a dark blue aura manifested around Furuya's whole body. What the heck? Why is this brat's magical powers awakening now? You haven't even met the female lead yet you idiot! You're supposed to awaken it in the heat of the moment, protecting her from a group of bullies!

Realizing what was happening, the maid fell to her knees and started crying, lowering her head over and over. Magic was volatile and dangerous, especially when you were young. Control and power depended heavily on your emotions, and a child expressed theirs very honestly.

Furuya's manifestation was ten times more dangerous. The longer your bloodline was, the more mana you were born with. As one of the oldest families in the country, you can imagine just how much raw mana Furuya held in his body. The chill in the hallway grew more cold, biting and clawing through their skin. The maid was shivering, both from fright and the drop in temperature. Teeth chattering, he grabs Furuya’s shoulders limply, shaking him. 

“That’s...enough...Furuya…”

Like a bucket of water was just dumped on him, Furuya flinches and withdraws his aura. The snowflakes gathering all fell to the carpet uselessly, already melting into drops of water. The maid was now a sobbing mess, hastily bowing to them both and running away, tripping over her long apron.

"Ugh…" He groans, another dizzy spell hitting him as the cold set in his body.

Furuya curses under his breath, shifting him closer. "Hold on. Don't close your eyes. I think you have-"

Whatever it is Furuya tried to warn him about fell on deaf ears as he passed out right in his arms. He refuses to acknowledge that he basically swooned like a helpless damsel, he refuses.

-

When he finally opens his eyes once more, it's to a dark room. He was laying on his back on his soft pillows, a blanket tucked over him. The curtains to his bed were drawn, and he could faintly hear hushed conversations from behind the door.

"...very weak, if he doesn't break through the fever…"

"...anything you can do…"

"...medicine...healer…"

Eijun clutches the warm blanket over him, straining his ears. Just as he struggles to shimmy to the side and reach for the curtain, it yanks away from his fingers, and Furuya steps beside his bed, his face furious.

"Aha...good evening Furuya." He greets with a sheepish smile.

"What are you doing sitting up?" He snaps, and easily pushes his body back down to the bed. Eijun lets out a huff, holding on to the cold towel resting on his forehead.

"Come on, I wanted to listen in!"

"You don't need to listen to anything," Furuya grumbles. "Close your eyes and sleep."

"Wait!" He panics when Furuya steps away.

The boy pauses halfway, still glaring at him.

"Stay?" Eijun pleads. "Just a little while. I...don't like being alone when I'm sick."

" Now you're sick?" Furuya rolls his eyes. But to his surprise, Furuya indulges him, nudging him to the side and sitting at the edge of the bed.

He stares at Furuya, a smirk tugging at his lips. Hold on, is this brat...actually worried about him?

Furuya, scowl still perfectly in place, begrudgingly yanks the towel from his head and dips it back into a cold basin, wringing it around his small hands. He drops it on Eijun's head like a hot potato, but for a few seconds there, he really sold the worried older brother act.

"Close your eyes," he demands, yanking the blanket over half of his face. Eijun sputters, drowning in the expensive fabric. "Now. Before I poke them out."

Eijun hurriedly closes them shut, wrinkling his forehead from how fast he clenched it. He hears a small huff escape Furuya's lips, but he tamps down his outburst in favor of reaching out and grabbing the tips of his shirt.

"You're wrinkling it."

"You were going to sneak away weren't you?! I told you to stay until I fall asleep." He whines. 

"I'm not going!" Furuya sighs. He forcefully yanks back his shirt, but true to his word, he remains on the bed, fuming with discontentment.

"...fine. But at least do something to let me know you're here." Eijun requests. Truthfully, he really did hate being alone when he was sick. In his past life, his mom always dotes on him on the rare occasions he got ill. She would stay in his room all day, keeping him company. She'd talk to him, played cards with him, and drag the television back to his room just so he wouldn't get bored.

When grandpa would come back from playing around with his friends, he would make fun of him for still running a fever over staying up too late or sleeping with his stomach open. But at night he would always drag Eijun to the bathhouse to warm up, washing his hair for him like he was a toddler again.

His dad was the best. He would come home from work with an ice cream in tow, and with a can of beer in hand, he'd bribe Eijun to keep their midnight snacks a secret from mom. He'd hum his old band songs as he drifted to sleep, and by the time Eijun woke up he would be good as new. Wakana always teased him that he would get sick everytime he wanted attention.

Sadness overwhelmed him once more, and he draped an arm over his eyes, covering it. Maybe it was because he was reborn into a body of a child, it seems that tears well up way too easily. He felt a shift on the bed, and he half expected Furuya to leave again.

Instead he feels a cool soothing hand replace his damp arm, covering his eyes.

"Furuya…?"

"...you're weak, you know that?"

Eijun's mouth twitches, his hands curling to a fist. Hit a man while he's down why don't you?!

"...I know." He grits out.

"Is that why you keep clinging on to me? You want my protection?"

"Hah? You? Protect me?" Eijun snorts. "I'm technically older than you dammit. If anything I'll be the one doing the protecting!"

"You had a concussion after bumping your head on the floor and a 37 degree fever from being touched by a snow."

"S-so? It's not like you can protect me from the weather either! Or a...really hard marble floor…" Eijun trails off.

He hears Furuya audibly sigh. “Whatever it is you’re aiming for...my favor, the inheritance, maybe even the family name...there’s no use trying to get close to me. Or any of us. The Furuyas only see hard work and results. You’re better off studying instead of clinging to me.”

“That’s the most I’ve ever heard you talk, and yet you say the stupidest things.” Eijun laughs.

He feels Furuya’s hand tighten threateningly and yelps. “Okay okay! I’m just saying. I’m not after the inheritance or being the heir or whatever...I just want...I just want a family.”

“...”

“I promise. I’m not here to take your place or take something away from you. I just…”

I just want to avoid my death flags and live happily ever after!

All too sudden Furuya lifts his hand off his eyes, and he blinks them open to see the curtains to his bed drawn close. “Furuya?”

"Just so you know...I'll never think of you as my brother."

"Jeez, give me some slack Furuya…" he sighs, thumping his head back on his pillow in frustration, only to grimace at the sudden stab of pain. Right. Head injury. "Ow…"

Furuya ignores him in favor of lighting the candle on his table side with a box of matches. The small light was nothing compared to the darkness encompassing the large room and the night sky, but something in him eased at it lit up. He could faintly see Furuya's outline through the curtain, his figure nothing more than a shadow.

"I'll call the doctor to give you some sleeping pills," he decides as he shakes a stick of match and steps away to the door. He hovers over the door, looking back at the bed. "...do you need me to get anything else?"

"You're coming back?" He asks, a little surprised.

"...nevermind."

"Wait!" Eijun panics, raising his voice. "Shaved apples! I want...some shaved apples."

"Shaved...apples?" Furuya echoes back with a confused tone, as if he was muttering one of the latin names in his thick encyclopedia book. 

Right...peeling apples when you were sick was probably not a norm here. When magic was a hand wave away and a potion was a cauldron stir from curing everything, eating fruits was probably the least of things in your mind. 

"Forget it, just close the-" Eijun starts.

"No," Furuya cuts off. "I'll get it."

"Huh?"

"I'll get you your shaved apples." He harrumphs, rushing out the door with a determined look on his eyes.

Eijun stares at his retreating back in a daze, until it finally clicks. Oh right, for some odd reason Furuya was obsessed with running errands in the game. It made an awfully hilarious plot point in one of the game’s route that if the heroine so much as mentions an off hand rare flower that only bloomed for an hour, or a magical beast thought to be extinct, and even the rarest of delicacies from a distant land that Furuya would readily have them by the next heartbeat.

It was pretty off putting to Eijun, reminding him of the few kids in his middle school bullied into running errands for their snotty upperclassmen. But the online forums were teeming with girls gushing about how romantic Furuya’s route were and how his love language was gifts and acts of services , whatever that means. For now at least that means he’s getting his shaved apples, come hell and high water.

For the next few days, he was confined to his bed, sweating through his fever and sleeping through his headache. Be it five minutes or a whole afternoon, Furuya would always come by every day. Sometimes he’d listen to Eijun talk about nothing and everything, grunting in answer. Sometimes he’d talk about his grandpa’s plans to invite a magic tutor to come by and help him manage his sudden manifestation of powers. Most of the time, they’d both kept to themselves, reading the books they picked from the library.

But without fail, before Furuya left his room he would always place his hand over his forehead, as if making sure his fever really came down before leaving without a word.

It wouldn’t be cocky to say he’s placed at least a few pathways in Rome...would it?

-

A few days after he finally recovered from his fever and head injury, it was finally the day of Furuya’s tenth birthday party. His early manifestation of magic was already a buzz amongst the servants, and all the guests seemed all the more eager to see him tonight. Eijun glances at the boy dressing up in his newly tailored suit worriedly. Furuya was a lot of things, but being sociable and agreeable was far from what Eijun would use to describe him.

Now that one of his plot points have dramatically changed, he can’t even accurately predict how the party will go tonight. The one thing he’s most worried about has gotta be…

“Stop staring at me,” Furuya huffs, waving away the maid buttoning up his cuffs. “Hurry up and get dressed.”

“No one’s looking at you, jeez.” Eijun mumbles, tightening the ribbon around his braid with a sharp tug. “Are you done preening already? I wanna eat something before I have to welcome the guests.”

“Why are you welcoming guests? Just stay inside,” Furuya tugs him away from the mirror and to the door. “Go, there should be some snacks already on the table.”

“Hey now, don’t tell me to skip on my duties, I’ll get an earful from Aki-san,” he crosses his arm, glaring at the birthday boy. “But I’ll take my chances on those bite sized sandwiches...want me to bring you some?"

"No, I-" Furuya pauses, a pinched look on his face. "You're wearing the gold ribbon."

"Huh?" Eijun instinctively touches it, a helpless smile on his face. "Well you did buy it for me. What? You're happy I'm not going to embarrass you? Oh sorry, embarrass the Furuya name?" He teases.

"...embarrass? You're one step away from taking all the spotlight."

"Hm?" Eijun tilts his head. "Come on, you don't think I'm still out to get you, do you?"

"Nevermind," he sighs. "I'll see you at the party."

"Duh. Don't take a nap alright? You'll get groggy and ruin your suit!"

"Yeah yeah…"

His feet take him to the kitchens almost on its own. By now he knows this mansion like the back of his hand. After the whole fiasco with his, well, former nanny, the servants around the house seemed to have mellowed down on their hostility. Some were curious about him, some even warmed up to him. These days most of the staff indulged him with his odd snack requests and late night munching.

By the time he left the kitchen four sandwiches fuller, the party was in full swing. He makes his way into the entrance, neatly stepping in line between Aki-san and Eiji-san. The earlier you were to the party, the least important and lower in ranks your family name was. Which means the more agreeable and polite they were. Most of the first few guests worked for Eiji-san, and despite looking visibly surprised to see Eijun greeting them, they politely greeted him back.

All the guest's faces blur with one another the further back of the line, but when a scrawny man and a small girl with a humble pink dress stepped in, his heart skipped a beat. There she is! There's the female lead!

The moment they bowed respectfully to Eiji-san, Eijun excitedly took the little girl's hand and shook it with a big smile. She visibly flinches, but awkwardly smiles and averts her eyes when she realizes who grabbed her hand.

"I-um," her father stumbles. “Is this…?”

“Eijun. You’re scaring the little lady.” Eiji sighs.

“Oh! Sorry,” Eijun releases her hand and sheepishly steps back. "Forgive me, miss. I got too excited seeing someone my age."

"O-oh!" She smiles, a relieved look on her face. "Me too! I-I recently moved here from...somewhere far and I haven't gotten the chance to meet anyone my age too."

"Isn't that nice Haruno? You already have your first friend," her father laughs. "Is it alright if they talk more at the banquet?"

"Of course. Eijun, say your goodbyes, you're holding up the line."

"Yup. See you inside!" He waves as Haruno walks away, looking much less pale and tense. Her father bows respectfully to them and ushers her in hastily.

"Hm," Aki-san hums. "So that's your type."

"Huh?"

"Boys these days," Eiji-san sighs. "You see anything pretty and just throw etiquette and proper manners out the window."

"Huh??"

"Close your mouth, you're embarrassing yourself. And stand up straight, we have a lot more guests to welcome."

"Alright…"

Knees weak, arms sore, and throat dry, finally the end of the line was in sight. Two large men with light armor stepped inside, a sword strapped to their side. Only one kind of people would be brazen enough to carry armed weapons to a party. In sync like they practiced, he and the Furuyas bent their knees and bowed lowly. “We welcome the light of the empire and one true future king, Masamune Hongou."

Barely giving them a glance, Masamune strides inside the mansion as if it was his own castle. He passes by Aki-san without acknowledging her, and doesn't even bother to return their courtesies. 

He knows he shouldn't. Eiji-san drilled it in his head on Masamune's short temper and the importance of laying low. But he just couldn't help it. He raises his head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the game’s most renowned love routes, the Ice Prince Masamune Hongou! 

Cold, empty eyes looked straight back at him, and before he could even blink, the sharp ends of a sword were held against his small neck. The two guards quickly took a hold of each of his arms when Hongou stopped halfway, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

“Your highness!”

“You impudent brat! How dare you look at his highness with those eyes?!”

Aki-san and Eiji-san remain silent and rooted to their spot, their heads bowed down. 

A gloved hand forces his head down, and all he could see was a pair of expensive leather shoes stepping in front of him, wrinkling the carpet.

“Name.”

“S-Sawamura...Eijun.”

“Sawamura? I don’t recognize that family name,” Hongou drawls. “Are you some sort of foreign dignitary? A prince from some unknown land?”

Eijun hisses as the blade presses to his skin, drawing blood. “N-nothing like that, your highness.”

“Then what gives you the right to look at me in the-” Hongou breaks off to a grunt, his feet stumbling to the side.

“Alright that’s enough,” a calm and even voice tuts. “I leave you for five minutes and you already have someone on a swordpoint? Honestly.”

“Get off me!” Hongou roars.

“Come on now, let him up. We’re lucky enough no one is here to see this, or else the press would be in cloud nine with tomorrow’s headlines. Why I could see it already, tyrant crown prince declares war on the Furuya household in their own homes-”

“Renji!”

“Masamune.”

The hand pressing down his head lets up, and he was roughly forced to stand up again. Honestly, what is with the people in this world? Is manhandling someone a collective hobby or something?!

Eijun straightens out his clothes, huffing.

"Did you just huff at me?!"

Eijun clenches his fist. Ahh, it's coming back to him alright. Masamune Hongou was the game’s most controversial male route. He was a prince, a talented magician, and okay, the game developer certainly did him justice with his good looks and figure alright? But dear god was he awful to play through.

If you choose even one wrong dialog option when interacting with him, you would instantly be diverted to either his platonic route, be heading straight to a bad end, or even be cut down where you stood. Fickle, short tempered, and all around one (1) hell of a personality, he was one of Eijun's least favorite routes.

"And now you're glaring at me?!" Hongou roars, held back only by Renji's steady and unmoving arm.

Is this really one of the original Eijun's best friends? Ugh. What a hassle. He narrows his eyes and looks straight back at his furious face.

“You little-”

Eijun crosses his arm petulantly. He vaguely remembers that the original owner of this body and Hongou became buddy buddy over their shared resentment for Furuya. If you remove that...well they certainly don’t have any reason to be friendly with one another, right? Even Hongou’s human embodiment of a collar is here, his ball and chain Renji Enjo, only son of this Empire’s prime minister.

“Sorry,” he says insincerely. “People always say my eyes are cat-like. I wasn’t glaring at you or staring at you...not that there’s anything to look at. Your highness.” He adds belatedly.

Renji stares at him wide-eyed, before bursting into laughter. “Y-you, what did you say your name was again?”

“Sawamura. Sawamura Eijun,” he smirks. “If there’s nothing else, please come in and enjoy the party your highness. We wouldn’t want to cause more of a scene out of nothing, do we?”

Hongou clearly had much more to say about him, his mother, and numerous wild animals, but Renji quickly whisks him away along with the two guards. As soon as he was out of sight, Eiji-san and Aki-san stood up, brushing away the creases in their clothes.

Eijun turns to them, his false bravado melting back to nervousness. As happy as he is to stand up to Hongou like he’s done so many times before to the local bullies in his hometown, he wasn’t exactly any run of the mill child with apparent self confidence issues. He was (regrettably) the crown prince of the Empire. Aki-san steps forward, and Eijun squeezes his eyes shut, waiting for a raised hand or a shrill shout. 

What he gets is instead a firm pat in the head, lasting barely a second before she walks past him and into the party room.

“Eiji-san?” He calls out quietly.

“...that was very foolish of you,” Eijun drops his head. “We could’ve had you be close to him as a back up while Satoru remains distant to the royal family. But no matter. I also dislike that high horse attitude he has.”

“So...I’m not in trouble?” He winces.

“You were a bit too sassy for my taste,” he smiles wryly. “But perhaps we’ll make a Furuya out of you yet.”

“Right…” Eijun trails off, laughing nervously. 

“Let’s head inside. We’ve wasted enough time.”

“Yes sir.”

-

Eijun manages to meld into the background well into the party. He was up on the stage when Eiji-san made his speech of welcoming everybody and introducing a sullen looking Furuya to the guests, but without him being officially adopted and granted the Furuya name, everyone was more than happy to consider him as another helper’s son. Annoyingly, he couldn’t get a chance to speak with Furuya at all. Each time he approaches him, he was dragged away to be introduced to some wealthy merchants, counts, dukes, and even girls barely as old as him, as if he was even old enough to consider marriage.

Eijun stealthily escaped to a quiet balcony, sulkingly eating his plate of fruits and sliced hams. He couldn’t talk to Furuya, he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Haruno, and everyone around his age were either pompous little shits or too freaked out to talk to him. He scarfed down the food on his plate and was licking the sauce off his finger when the balcony doors swung open with a bang.

He jumps an inch off the ground, glaring at whoever...oh...oh boy.

“I knew it,” Hongou hisses. “Look at the way you eat. You’re a common born aren’t you?”

“Fuck off!” ...is what he would love to say, but instead he forces his body to bow. “Good evening, I greet the light-”

“Stop it, you’re giving me goosebumps with that insincere greeting,” the crown prince steps in front of him, tilting his chin up with a sneer. “Who are you? Where did you come from? I command you to answer me.”

“Sawamura Eijun. I came from the dining hall,” he shrugs. “Specifically the meat and fruits section. It was a really long line. Apparently the fruits were exotic, and the boar the chef roasted was freshly hunted. It was a bit too crispy for my taste.”

“You-”

“If that’s all…” Eijun trails off, inching towards the door.

“Wait!” Hongou’s hand shot out, making to grab his wrist. At the same time, his back hit something solid, and a slender arm hugs him from behind and tugs him away from the prince’s reach. Eijun follows the hand up to an expensive looking dark blue jacket and into a stoic and familiar face.

“Furuya!”

“I was looking for you,” he rumbles. He puts Eijun behind him, pressing him against his back. “You didn’t say happy birthday to me yet.”

“You were the one letting yourself get dragged away.” He complains.

Hongou clicks his tongue. “Furuya Satoru.”

“Your highness,” he nods. “Excuse us, we need to rejoin the rest of the banquet.”

“We do?”

Furuya sighs, giving him a put upon look. “Present.”

"Present?"

"I don't see your present on the table yet."

Eijun's eyebrows tick. Once a spoiled young master always a spoiled young master huh? What would a duke's son who has everything possibly want? He glances at the pile of neatly stacked presents inside the ballroom. His own wrapped present, small enough to fit his pocket burning through his suit. He sees Hongou becoming more and more restless and sighs.

"Alright let's go. Excuse us your highness-"

"You're not officially adopted are you?" Hongou’s words are cold and precise, and Eijun feels the silence around the balcony contrasting the rowdiness behind him.

"...I don't see why-"

"You're not theirs yet are you?" A hand shot out, grabbing his jaw. Eijun stills, caught too deep in the prince’s dark eyes to struggle. "Why do you wag your tail for them so easily? What did they promise you? Land? A title? I can give you everything and more.”

“Your highness-”

“Furuya,” he interrupts firmly. “I’ll handle this.”

“...” Furuya sighs and steps aside. 

“You’re right, your highness. You can give me everything and more. You are the crown prince.”

Hongou smirks.

“But nothing you give me is yours,” Eijun pats his shoulders, smiling when the prince flinches back. “Please remember that you are where you are today because of the people. And long standing houses that support you like the Furuyas. If you let anger cloud your judgement...remind me again how many princes and princesses grace this beautiful empire of us like the stars?”

Hongou’s mouth hang open, lost for words. “You-you dare-”

“I do dare. Now excuse us, your highness.” Eijun takes Furuya by his wrist and stomps inside, dodging waiters and guests alike and not stopping his feet until they arrive at a small alcove, away from prying eyes. He lets go of Furuya’s wrist, and stares at the pale ochre wallpaper decorating the wall.

“Eijun-”

“Why,” bonk . “Why did I do that?” bonk. “What have I done?” bonk. “He’s gonna have me executed! Sent to the gallows!” bonk. “Is this even the right period for gallows?!” bonk . “It’s over. Done. Finished. I’m going to die again without ever getting laid-” 

Instead of the cold hard wall he’s been hitting his forehead against, something soft presses back his head. “Hm?” he asks deliriously.

“What are you doing?” Furuya asks.

“Hitting myself on the head.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m an idiot.”

“And this is supposed to help how ?” Furuya narrows his eyes. “Won’t you get dumber?”

“Does it matter?! I’ll probably be dead by the time that br-the prince tells on me to the king! THE KING!”

“Oh,” Furuya shrugs. “But it was satisfying to see you talk back to him. Someone needs to put him in place for once.”

Well yeah, but that’s not Eijun’s role! No, it would of course be the ever patient but no-nonsense female lead, Haruno’s role! A common born who stands up for herself and sees Hongou for who he is, not his title, and encourages him to be better! That Haruno dammit! Falling for her charm and honesty, he forgoes his old ways and looks deep inside himself, inciting one of the famous quotes in the game, “ Every last one of you...Just shut the hell up! It's me who has the blood of royals running in my veins! And it's me who will stand above all kings, even my father! So you stupid sideliners need to keep your damn traps shut! ” That! That line! And then he gets down on one knee, something no prince has ever done and asks for her hand in-!

“Eijun. You’re crying.”

“Ugh!” bonk. “Stupid reckless idiot! Gah, he just gets on my nerves so much!”

“I’m surprised you were so...good with your words,” Furuya trails off. “I...envy you really. If I could talk back to him like that…”

“Mmph. It’s just because I couldn’t land a hand on him,” Eijun shakes his fist. “If he was one of the kids in the orphanage, everyone would’ve beaten him black and blue for being so haughty, stolen his rations of potatoes, and dumped him in the ditch! But...ugh. I can’t hit him, and I can’t scream at him, so...I need to yap his ears off until he leaves us alone.”

“Us?”

“Duh. Did you see the way he looked at us? Like we were dusts under his stupid shiny boots?” Eijun cracks his knuckles, laughing maniacally. “You just wait till we’re in the academy, you’ll outshine him in magic like bam! And I’ll beat his test scores like whoosh! And and…why are you laughing!”

“No...I just,” Furuya snorts. “You were moaning about being executed just seconds ago…”

“I’m over that! I’m talking about long term goals here!” Eijun scolds him. “Listen closely Furuya! Now that you awakened your magic so early, his ego has gotta be rock bottom! That’s why he’s picking a fight with me so much! Now we just gotta take him down a peg, grind his ego to a dust! Are you listening to me?!”

“I am, I am…”

“Good! Here’s what I’m thinking…”

-

Eijun lets out a large yawn, leaning against the door to his bedroom. “Sorry for talking your ear off tonight…”

“No you’re not,” Furuya yawns back. “I’ve never seen you more excited or talked so...loud."

“Yeah, well…” Eijun sighs. “I like parties and all but...it’s more fun talking to you.”

“Even if you do most of the talking?”

“Even then.” Eijun nods, nearly stumbling forward. “You’re cuter when you shut up, and glare at me less...and…”

Furuya harrumphs and opens the door for him, pushing him in. 

“Kidding,” Eijun laughs. “Good night!”

“Wait,” Furuya sticks his foot against the door just as he closes it. “Eijun.”

“Whoa!” Eijun yelps. “What? Don’t ruin my door!”

“Present.” Furuya holds out his hand.

“Oh, that,” Eijun blinks. “Okay but promise me that you won’t laugh at it or ask me to give you a new one if you hate it alright? I tried my best with what I had.”

“Mm.”

“Here,” he presses the present hastily to Furuya’s hand. “Happy birthday.”

“This is…?”

“A ball. A rubber one,” Eijun scratches his cheek. “It’s to play baseball.”

“Baseball?” Furuya tilts his head. “I’m not familiar.”

“Yeah, I figured,” he fiddles with the edge of his door. “We can’t even play it without a field and like...seven other people but. If you ever want to play catch or something...I can teach you some cool tricks.”

“You can play this with two people?”

“Well it’s not as fun but yeah!” Eijun grins. “I can set up a net and everything and find a really sturdy stick.”

“Hm,” Furuya rubs the seams with his fingers, a small smile on his face. “I like it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” Eijun sighs in relief. “See you tomorrow then!”

“See you.”

-

“Why are the seams so visible?” Furuya murmurs, staring at the ball in his hand as he lays in bed. “And a white ball? Won’t it get dirty easily?”

He stares at it and lets out a helpless smile. Just the two of them, huh? 

He stares at the canopy of his bed, and throws the ball with a flick of his wrist.

THUMP.

The ball made the loudest sound he’s ever heard, and landed on his stomach, cutting his breath short. “Oof!”

“Young master? I heard a loud noise. Is everything alright?” A steward making the rounds for the night nervously knocks on his door.

“I’m fine. I hit my leg on the bed.”

“Are you injured? Should I call-”

“I’m fine. You’re dismissed.”

“...very well young master.”

Furuya rubs his stomach as he stares at the innocent ball rolling in his sheets. “You’re eerily similar to him huh?”

-

“Ready? Look real close at the ball okay?” Eijun shouts.

Furuya grips the bat in his hand, his shoes shifting the soil from their garden behind the mansion and nods. “Ready.”

“I’m throwing a changeup this time! The really slow one!” Eijun warns, winding up.

“Just throw it already!”

The white rubber ball flies between them, coming in fast before dropping in speed. Furuya took a large swing, completely missed, and stumbled forward. “Hngh!”

“Wahaha! You missed Furuya!” Eijun grins, easily catching the ball Furuya throws back in frustration. He adjusts the makeshift leather gloves he nabs from the stableman and winds up once more. “Ready to try again?”

Furuya clenches his hold around his bat. “Ready.”

Just as he raised his knee, a rustling sound near him caught his attention. Eijun slowly put his foot down, glancing around in confusion. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Furuya sighs. “Don’t distract me.”

“I’m serious! I heard something,” he frowns. “Didn’t we shoo everyone away already? Or...maybe a stray cat got in here?”

“What are you mumbling about? Hurry up and throw.” 

“Jeez, alright alright.” Eijun faces to the side once more, and quietly changes his grip. Let’s see him try to hit this!

Eijun pulled back his arm, raising his leg as high as he could, and threw his pitch. The ball looked like it would fly straight into Furuya’s face, and in panic he used the bat to cover himself instead of swinging. But instead at the last second, the ball broke away, hitting a nearby tree. Eijun raises his hand to cheer and gloat, only to hear a shrill shriek and a loud thump.

Right under the tree with her hands over her head was a familiar looking little girl. “Haruno?!” He runs to her side, quickly checking for injuries. “Are you okay? Where does it hurt?”

“Eijun? Who’s this?” Furuya asks as he steps beside him.

“Yoshikawa Haruno, our new neighbor,” he babbles. “She was at your birthday party last week. Haruno? Are you okay? Please say something!”

“I-I’m alright,” she sniffs, wiping the tears on her cheek, leaving dirt on it. “I fell on my...um...so it didn’t hurt as much as I thought…”

“Thank god,” Eijun sighs. “Here I’ll help you up.”

“Why are you on our tree?” Furuya questions. “ How did you get on our tree?”

“I’m really sorry! I just heard laughter and loud thumps from my house and I…” Haruno nervously glances at them both. “I climbed over from my tree to yours. Please don’t tell my father!”

“You climbed over from your tree?” Eijun whistles. “Impressive.”

“Not really.” Furuya and Haruno said at the same time. They both look at each other, one in confusion and one with disdain.

“Stop glaring at her!” Eijun scolds, slapping the back of his head. “She was just curious, weren’t you Haruno?”

“Y-yes,” her eyes fly to the white ball in his hand, a shine of innocent curiosity brimming in it. “I’ve never seen a ball fly like that before! Is your magic affinity perhaps wind my lord?”

“Naw, it’s all in the wrist!” Eijun crows. “I could teach you if you’d like!”

“Really?!”

“Eijun,” Furuya complains. “Two of us!”

“Aw come on, with three people we have more options!” he throws the ball up in the air and deftly catches it with his glove. “I’ll show you both just how fun baseball can be!”

-

“She’s been coming over a lot lately,” Aki murmurs, gently putting down her cup of tea. “That Yoshikawa girl.”

“Hm.” Eiji grunts back.

“I see Eijun has been roping them into playing baseball everyday. I hear Satoru’s been coming to the library less and less.”

“Hm.”

“Are you not...concerned?”

“...it should be good for Satoru to be with people his age,” Eiji cracks a smile as he looks out the window, a perfect view of their backyard. “I’d rather he’d be just like anyone his age than put up that mature front he’s had since...since he passed away.”

“...” Aki fiddles with her fork and nods. “Yes, I think so too father.”

“I don’t regret bringing Eijun to our family. I dare say it’s one of the best things I’ve done for this family,” he clears his throat. “It’s just...Satoru has grown quite…”

“Yes...I noticed,” Aki quietly opens her fan and covers the smile threatening to break free. “Perhaps a new addition to their group would be beneficial.”

“Hm. Someone from a good family.”

“Someone who won’t let themselves be dragged around like Yoshikawa…”

“Someone level-headed.”

They both nod at the same time. “Someone from the Kominato family.”

-

“It’s wonderful to be acquainted with you my lords,” Ryosuke bows fluidly. “My name is Ryousuke Kominato. And this shy one here is my brother, Haruichi. Please take care of us from now on.”

“Oh god,” Eijun whispers. “It’s the two black devils! What are they doing so early in the story?!”

“Hm,” Furuya crosses his arm. “I accept grandfather’s wishes, but I’m warning you. If you get in the way of me and Eijun…”

“My. So insecure,” Ryosuke smirks. “Are you afraid that I’ll steal him away? Are your brotherly bonds that fragile?”

“O-oh dear.” Haruno gasps. 

Furuya’s forehead wrinkles as he steps closer to him. Ryosuke’s smirk widens as he gently pats a small Haruichi hugging his leg. 

“I think we’ll get along just fine, don’t you think?”

Haruichi glances around the room, his long bangs covering his still chubby cheeks, and with a blush he quickly nods and hides back behind his brother’s legs.

-

Eijun’s quill taps the open book in front of him as he watches Ryousuke open the most dusty looking book he’s ever seen in the family’s library. Ever since he and his brother visited their estate, he’s been roping everyone into all sorts of study sessions. In his own words: I will not associate with anyone that cannot even name all the founding families of the empire, much less its territories.

Eijun always loved reading books, especially fictional ones. More often than not though, he'd give up on books thicker than his fingertips in favor of the newest Shonen Jump. But historical books, especially of a land he knows nothing about, Eijun would gladly spend his afternoon flipping through that any day. Especially when Ryosuke has a knack for re-telling old battles and events.

Ugh this duke? He was a womanizer through and through. But the late king took advantage of that and promised him exotic women of all kinds if they were to join the war. Thankfully the old crook was slain in the last battle.

Oh her. Yeah, the countess that ran away with her lover to the neighboring country. Romantic? Hardly Yoshikawa. Her lover was a spy, and she gave away the plans to her father's castle, drunken by his temptations to whisk her away. 

No Haruichi, they couldn’t just talk it out. Yes, I’m sure. That’s just how war works. Sad? I suppose if you looked at it that way. I think we’re better off as we are now under one ruler and one empire, incompetent as the emperor is. Treason? Why, are you going to tell? Haruichi. Haruichi don’t cry. I’m kidding, there’s a law to protect-yes I’m sorry. No I won’t joke about it again. Yes, yes...wipe your snot off.

What? See something you like? Well why else would you glare at me so much, lord Furuya? Hm? Nothing to say? Very good my lord.

“Mura...Sawamura...Sawamura!”

“W-whoa!” Eijun bristles and automatically salutes in attention. “S-sir?”

“Sir?” Ryosuke chuckles. Eijun shudders. That smile, that damn smile. As expected of the game’s most controversial male lead. Even his smile sends a jolt of fear down your spine! “I haven’t heard that one before. Were you perhaps nodding off in the middle of my lesson, Sawamura?”

“N-no of course not!” He waves his hand vigorously. “I wouldn’t dare!”

“What did I just say about the history of elemental magic then?”

Eijun coughs vigorously, hunching over his desk. He curls up to himself, and looks to the side desperately. As if on cue, Haruichi hurriedly flips through his notebook and points to a passage. Eijun gives him a grateful half wink half wince and straightens his back, face completely blank.

"Any day now, Sawamura."

"Ehem! Sir. The four most early elemental magic known is fire, water, air and earth. Over the years hybrids of each element combined, for example steam from fire and water, or ice from water and air started emerging. There are numerous kinds of magic, but they are at their core based on the four basic elementals."

"I applaud your eyesight, and my brother's charitable heart."

Haruichi stammers, before slumping over his desk.

Eijun, on the other hand, huff in satisfaction. That's a pitcher's eyesight for you!

"Alright then since you answered that so easily," Ryosuke slams a thick book between him and the others, blocking his view. Eijun audibly gulps. "Let me ask you more questions Sawamura. First, how do we test what elemental magic we're gifted at?"

"They manifest physically uh...like frostbites in an ice magician's hand, or static on an electric magician!"

"Passable. And how does one measure their magical abilities?"

"Well...everyone is born with a certain amount of limit to their mana and abilities. Even if you could cast the most intricate spell, if you were born with less mana you couldn't make up for it. But you told us there's been records in history where people managed to break that limit. Praying to the gods for example, or training in a secluded area where the nature of their magic could flourish."

"Hm," Ryosuke slowly lifts up his book and backs away. "I guess you do retain some information. Though you pick and choose whichever suits you."

"Ehe…"

"But you missed one simple way you could potentially increase your magical abilities."

"Hm?" Yoshikawa flips through her neat notebook. "I don't remember writing that down…"

"Of course, since it's a secret only those of the upper class know," Ryosuke presses his index finger to his lips and throws them a mischievous smile. "Would you like to know?"

The four of them glanced at each other and nodded, some more enthusiastic than others.

"You've all heard of Jack and the Beanstalk haven't you? I must've read it to you hundreds of times Haruichi."

"Mm! The one where he sold his cows for a handful of beans."

"Well apparently the upper class have secretly using fermented beans and eating them at every meal, inspired by that tale," Ryosuke hums. "They say it increases your stamina, mana retention, and magical limits. I hear even the crown prince eats them every day."

"The crown prince?" Furuya echoes.

Eijun tilts his head. Items that increase your magical abilities huh? It makes sense. The origin of this world is a game after all. He vaguely remembers collecting all sorts of items, but since the game was nothing more than a dating simulator, it was only used to progress romantically with the characters. Still, fermented beans? Not a mermaid's scale, or a phoenix's teardrop, or...wait. Fermented beans?

"B-big brother Ryou?" With trembling hands, he tugs the pink haired boy's sleeve. "These fermented beans...are they sticky and brown and...and slimy and...have a strong smell?"

"Oh? I'm surprised you know that much," Ryosuke sighs. "They say the imperial palace’s hallways smelled for ages after the crown prince requested the fermented beans for every meal.”

You’re kidding...the item that increases magical abilities in this world...is nattos?!

Despair clouds over him, and he slumps back to his desk with a pitiful groan.

“Well, none of this really matters if your innate magical abilities are already above average,” the older boy waves his hand. “Which is why we should conduct a test or sort soon for each of you. In a year or two, you’ll be admitted to the Royal Academy. Knowing the extent of your capabilities and a few advanced spells is to be expected of those from noble bloods.”

“Right...right!” Eijun slams his hand on the desk, barely feeling the numbness in his hand. “I wouldn’t need any stinking beans anyway! I’ve always had good stamina! WAHAHA!”

“Why does it feel like he’s trying to convince himself more than us…?” Haruichi whispers.

“He’s sweating quite a lot…” Haruno whispers back.

“Eijun, stop hitting the table, it’s an antique…”

-

“So?” Eijun clenches his fist, eyes trained on the ground. A gust of wind breezing through the large backyard of the Furuya household. “What do you think?”

Furuya, Haruichi and Haruno stood to the side, waiting with bated breath.

Ryosuke’s squinted eyes twitch as he flips through the result of his magical assessment. “This...I’ve never seen results like these…”

Is this it? Is it finally kicking in? The super-cliche-yet-awesome-trope of a reincarnated character becoming so op he breaks the very fabric of reality?! Eijun holds back his squeal, peering up to Ryosuke with a hopeful expression. Go on, don’t be shy! Pronounce him a prodigy! A genius! A once in a million mage!

“Eijun...you’re-”

-

“2020...2021...2023…” Eijun mutters under his breath, shoving the crowd of people in front of the notice board away. He gets a few shoves back and curses, but he soldiers on until he’s pressed right against the board. “2024...2027....oh come on already! 2028...203-2031? 2031! I’m in! I’m in!”

He walks back against the flow of the crowd, laughing giddily despite the looks he garners and searches for a familiar face. There, standing under the shade of the tree with a thoughtful look was a much older and much (much, damn you genetics) taller Furuya Satoru. Three girls were whispering amongst themselves near him, shoving each other and giggling, probably hyping themselves up to approach him. Eijun doesn’t blame them, honestly.

Furuya’s grown into himself in the few years they were apart. The academy’s white uniform fitted well to his tall body, and an air of mystery and aloofness surrounded him. Hmph, acting all cool in school huh? Eijun snickers and runs towards him, arms spread out. 

“Furuya!”

“Oof! E-Eijun?!” Wrapping his arm around Furuya tightly, he jumps and locks his legs around the other’s waist. Instinctively, Furuya holds him up, keeping him from slipping and falling down. The three girls gasped and quieted, retreating away with a put upon look.

“I GOT IN!” He yelled right into his ears, smiling when Furuya doesn’t even cringe at his volume. “I got into the academy! I finally get to go to school with you!”

“I’m glad. You must’ve worked hard.” Furuya murmurs.

“Mm,” Eijun pats his arm and asks to be let down. His feet met solid ground again, and he proudly shows his admission number. “I’m sorry it took so long, Furuya. But now…”

Furuya nods. “As long as you’re here...it’s all worth it.”

To say Eijun got his heart broken at the tender age of ten would be an understatement. That day when Ryosuke assessed their magical capabilities, they all received above average in their abilities and potential. All but Eijun, that is. He found out that despite having a high aptitude for wind magic, his weak body and small mana development from his rough childhood stunted whatever potential he had. And so as his three childhood friends entered the academy with flying colors, he was left behind.

Thankfully a recommendation isn’t the only way to be admitted to the academy. After spending years studying and pushing his magic to the limit, he scrapped by the annual entrance exam held for the common folk and people with no connections or family name within the skin of his teeth.

“Did you miss me?” Eijun teases. Having been admitted to the academy at an early age, Furuya lived mostly in the academy’s dorms, coming home only on breaks and annual holidays. Unlike in the original plot where an air of rivalry clouded over them, they mostly kept in touch with letters. Instead of drifting apart, distance only seemed to make their hearts grow fonder.

“Hm,” Furuya stares at him, before quietly nodding.

“Aw, I missed you too,” Eijun bumps him. “I missed everyone! How are they? You’ve been making friends right? You’re not napping away your youth, are you?”

“Eijun worries too much. I’m doing just fine,” Furuya huffs. “In fact, I-”

“Furuya? Sawamura?” A familiar voice calls out.

“Huh?” Eijun cranes his neck, trying to see past the crowd. As if on command, everyone parted in two to give way to him. “Big brother?”

“Calling me big brother so casually after all this time,” Ryosuke sighs, stopping in front of them. “Hm?"

"Big bro? What's wrong?"

Ryosuke slowly cranes his head up and clicks his tongue. "Even you're taller than me now?"

"Aww," Eijun raises his hand teasingly. "Big bro is so-"

A warning jolt of electricity prickles his skin  and Eijun quickly withdraws his hand, nervously laughing. "Handsome! That's what I was going to say aha! How could someone fit a uniform so well, as expected of big bro!"

"Careful you don't dry your mouth, sucking up to me so much," Ryosuke pats his head. "Anyway. I assume since you're not crying your eyes out that you got in?"

"Mm! I'm so glad I passed," Eijun folds his entrance number carefully, sliding it inside his pocket and giving it a few pats. "I can't wait to meet everyone again."

"We'll see if you'll feel the same tomorrow," Ryosuke gives Furuya a pointed look. "Explain how everything works in the academy. Drill it into this idiot's head. If he slips up on the first day...well. You know the consequences."

"...yes sir."

"Good," Ryosuke looks around, and it's only when Eijun follows suit does he notice the amount of eyes they have on them. "Hmph. What ever happened to common decency and respecting one's privacy?"

Eijun feels a shiver down his spine and steps closer to Furuya. "Are they admiring me for passing the exam?" He whispers.

"You're not that impressive." He whispers back.

"Is it my good looks then? I bet it is."

"Your braid isn't as charming as you think it is."

"Hey, it's an iconic look alright? Just you wait, people will start braiding their hair tomorrow."

"They're sizing you up moron," Ryosuke presses a hand over his forehead. "God it's all coming back to me. You've always been a headache and a half. I'll leave you two to celebrate, but remember what I said, alright?"

"Kay." He and Furuya said in unison.

"See you around." And with a wave he went as easy as he came.

“What do you need to take care of?” Furuya asks as they finally left the crowd.

“Mm...I need to get my uniform fitted, sign some paperworks, buy some books, and sign into my dorms."

"Hm," Furuya wrinkles his nose. "Too bothersome."

"Aw come on it'll be fun! I know, let's ask Haruichi and Haruno to come with us!"

"..." Furuya kicks the ground with a dissatisfied look.

"Please Furuya? I really want to get this done today," Eijun nudges him. "Let's get some cake after we're finished, whaddya say?"

"...only if it's cheese cake."

"Deal!" Eijun cheers.

-

Eijun gasps dramatically. "Haruichi?! Is that really you?"

A young man with silky pink hair and pretty almond shaped eyes flushes, looking side to side at the shopping district around them. "Eijun, you're being too loud!"

"But-but-I haven't seen you in so long and now you've cut your hair already!" He wails. He can't believe he missed it! Haruichi's sudden awakening as the most beautiful male leads in the game! He was always a dark horse! When people first played through the game, they easily overlooked him for his strange hair style and quiet demeanor.

And then! In a sudden upset as his brother casts him aside, wishing for him to stop being his shadow in his high school debut, he cuts off his own hair, revealing-

"Eijun you're hugging me too tight…" he whines.

"Curse my weak body!" Eijun whines. "If only I had more mana...I could've been with you these past three years!"

"Hey now," Haruichi pats his back comfortingly. "You did your best! We were all upset when your test result came out, but we knew we wouldn’t be seeing the last of you just yet!"

Eijun sniffs and hugs Haruichi close, clinging to him like a koala. The past few years were rough to say the least. Unlike playing a game where time passes between a few sentences, Eijun really had to live through grueling years of training up his body and building up enough mana to qualify for the academy.

Worst of all he couldn’t even bask in everyone's presence! He couldn't tease Furuya for his growing pains and sudden growth spurt, couldn’t comfort Haruichi when his brother started to drift apart from him, couldn't even let himself be pampered by Haruno!

And the endless...endless pain of having to eat natto every day for the past three years -

"This is it," Eijun vows, already close to barfing as he remembers his dark past. "This is where my youth begins!" The high school life he couldn’t experience in his previous life, he'll give it his all in his second!

Only one thing stands between him and that.

"You guys!" A cheerful red head waves at them from across the street. She points eagerly at the clothing store behind her. "Over here!"

"Coming!" They all call back.

Eijun stares determinedly at Haruno and nods to himself. Confused, Haruno nods back at him with a smile.

Whatever it takes, Haruno has to reach her most happy ending for him to have his own happy ending! Male leads beware, Eijun the ultimate wingman is coming!

-

"Oh!" Eijun points the moment he comes inside the store. "It's you!"

"Ah," Takashima-san nudges her glasses up as she eyes him up and down. "70, 65, 60. Sawamura Eijun."

"Whoa, you remembered who he was just by his three sizes?" Haruichi says in awe.

"Of course! Is what I'd like to say, but really I just recognize his ribbon," Takashima-san muses. "It's a color only we provide. A radiant gold."

"See?" Eijun nudges the tall bean beside him. "My charm point!"

Furuya waves him away, slowly walking to the nearest couch and throwing himself on it. "Make it fast…"

Haruichi bows apologetically to the staff, tugging Furuya into a proper sitting position. "I'm so sorry, he’s really weak with heat!"

"But sir this is spring…"

"Oh?" Takashima-san greets. "Miss Yoshikawa. Are you here to pick up your fabrics?"

"Oh! No, I'm just here to help Eijun get fitted for his uniform," she looks at her in awe. "But are the fabrics really ready?"

"Of course. It's for your debut isn't it? I made sure to order it with the fastest shipping." Takashima-san gestures for Eijun to take his place on a podium and begins pulling her measuring tape.

"Then is it alright if I take a quick look?" Haruno smiles sheepishly. "Sorry for intruding on your big day Eijun."

"Pshaw. Do what you gotta do."

Another staff takes Haruno to a room in the back, and they return with three rolls of high quality fabric.

"Oh wow," Haruichi compliments. "Yoshikawa-san these are beautiful."

"I'm glad," Haruno sighs. "I spent so much on these-n-not that your prices are steep Takashima-san!"

"I don't mind," she chuckles. "I know just how you kids are around your debut days."

"What’s this about a debut?" Eijun tries to nonchalantly inquire, fighting back the large smile on his face. 

"Oh that's right! Eijun you need to be ready too!" Haruno realizes. "Entrance examinees have less time to prepare for their debut!"

"Ah Eijun I'll explain," Haruichi offers. "You see there's a system here in the academy. Much like your debut when you come to age, entering the royal academy and being acknowledged as a magical practitioner also requires your debut. In a week's time, every first year will have to perform their adept abilities in magic in front of the academic body."

"Wow sounds tough," Eijun shrugs, smiling sheepishly when Takashima-san glares at him for moving. "But uh, all we have to do is perform right? Like a talent show or something?"

"Well that would be the case," Haruichi sighs. "If it wasn't for the support system."

The support system, or in layman terms, the game’s way of forcing the female lead to actively pursue the male leads. The Royal Academy was built on the premise of trust and cooperation between the numerous houses in the empire and the royal family. It's home to many magically gifted individuals from all sorts of magical capabilities.

It was a haven for magical study, but also a way to keep each other in check. Enrolling your heir and heiress in the school showed your fealty and humbleness to one another. And along with keeping the balance of power in the empire came the importance of alliances between houses.

An alliance could mean new trading routes, a smooth progress in ranks, or even simply a nice office with a good view. First years who performed well in their debut and manage to draw in the attention of influential second years and third years would receive their support for the rest of the school year.

Anything from neat notes, last year's test, a sponsorship, and of course a profitable relationship with each other's families. Sometimes even marriages came from the three years of support.

"You only need one person to support you to make it through the semester. It doesn't matter how high or low they are in ranks as long as they're willing to support you."

"Huh. I guess I don't have to stress about it too much right?" Eijun cackles. "Once they see the tricks I'll pull on the debut, offers will come flooding towards me!"

"Well that's...very positive of you Eijun," Haruno picks through the red fabric. "I find it a little overwhelming honestly. Everyone gets very competitive these days. Some upperclassmen have even been taking advantage of their desperation, forcing first years to run errands for them and everything…"

"It's even more difficult when you consider that second years can also compete for the support of the third years. Most of them don't want to bother supporting first years when they can't even support themselves."

"Mm...sounds tough."

"Ah the air is a little…" Haruno trails off. "Sorry Eijun, we're supposed to be having fun but now…"

"Hey no, I'm glad you guys told me. I guess I gotta do my best and prepare for my debut or whatever," he huffs. "Furuya! You better do your best too dammit! Don't get complacent just because of your family name!"

"Don’t care…" he groans. "Already have offers…"

"Really? How many?" Eijun coaxes. "10? 15?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Duh, so I know what number to beat!"

Eijun was always against competing with Furuya. That way only lays death flags and bad endings for him after all. But he soon realized how uncomfortable it was for the two of them to tamp down their instincts. It was like something inside them craved to compete with one another.

Even if Eijun's ambitions wasn't as bold as this body's original owner, namely taking over the Furuya household and claiming his first love and all that jazz, competing in stupid things like who could run faster or eat more green peas were harmless and fun.

And Furuya was secretly glad of their casual rivalry. He was used to people trying to get close to him for his family's influence, or people intentionally avoiding him and giving him special treatment out of fear. Eijun's willingness to compete with him without any expectation or ambition was refreshing to him.

"Last I checked it was...thirty?"

"Liar! You shifted your eyes! You only do that when you lie!"

"Fine. It was thirty five. I didn't want to break your heart."

"Y-you shifted your eyes again? You did! Right Haruichi?!" Even if he hates to admit it, it sends a tingling down his spine to be with Furuya like this again, arguing over silly things. Competing on who can write the longest letters are fun and all, but they cramp up his hand like crazy.

"I don't know his eyes looked pretty straight to me…" he smirks.

"Haruichi?!"

"Now now Eijun stay still or you'll get pri-"

"Ow! Takashima-san?!"

"...ckled."

-

Haruno looked amazing in her dress. Takashima-san hasn't lost her touch after all these years. It was a conservative style for its high neckline, long sleeves, and white fabric, but if everyone here knew what was in store like Eijun did, they wouldn't be looking down on her so blatantly.

"You remembered what I said right?" he insisted. "Don’t take your eyes off your dress, don't drink anything a stranger gives you, don't linger in abandoned hallways, don't-"

"Eijun, I appreciate your concern, but you're starting to sound like my father," Haruno assures him. "I feel like I don't even have to be nervous with you fusing so much."

"I'm just really worried…" Eijun mutters angrily, giving a pointed look at the first years grouping together at the edge of the warm up room, their hostility as plain as anyone could see. " Some people here will do whatever it takes to shave off the competition."

Just a few minutes ago someone ran off with tears on their face, holding whatever remained of their ruined prop. A poor girl was cornered by three other girls who talked her down and threatened her into such a shaking mess that she had to forfeit. Students mysteriously called in sick, or left with bruises and wounds under their clothes. 

"Animals, all of them…"

"And the teachers even turn a blind eye," Haruno frowns. "Weighing personal gains over basic decency...I'm disappointed honestly. I thought such a prestigious academy wouldn't allow such blatant foul play."

"They have to allow it," a sleepy voice murmurs. Finally joining them in the realm of the awake, Furuya stretches out his legs with a groan. "There are no rules against interfering with each other. It's both fair and unfair."

"It just looks unfair to me." Haruno says.

"It's a cold cut method of teaching the first years just what kind of academy this is. The empire was built on years of bloodshed and careful political maneuvers. Think about it. Almost the majority of the students enrolled here are nobility," Haruichi points out. "Learning early on that you couldn't trust everyone around you, to take precautions, to keep allies close and enemies even closer...in peaceful times, it's the safest method of sharpening the weak."

"Yeesh, you sound just like big bro there Haruichi."

"Realy?" He excitedly asks, only to wither down a second later. "Ah...I mean...that's bad huh."

Oops. Right, the Haruichi right now still hasn't stopped looking up to Ryosuke as the most perfect role model in the world. Despite trying his best to step out of his shadow, lingering affections and admiration always follows him every step of the way. Falling for the female lead

"Haruichi," he nudges him. "It's okay to take your time. People don't change that fast. Besides, it's only natural you take after him. You're brothers after all, right? I'm sure big bro takes after you sometimes too."

Haruichi blinks rapidly, looking at him with undisguised surprise. "Eijun…"

"Hm?"

"No...I mean...that was so wise coming from you...maybe I do have stage fright? Am I hearing things?"

"Ack. And there it is! Black angel Haruichi makes an appearance!"

"...nevermind."

-

An hour of hectic preparation and waiting later, the curtains to their debut stage were finally raised. First years were seated right in front of a raised platform, a prime view for their competitors for the day. Above on the second floor and leaning against the railings were the second and third years, some eagerly awaiting the show, others simply wishing for something horrible to go wrong and delay today's classes.

Since he was performing in the last batch, Eijun got to sit back and enjoy the show he's played through for hundreds of hours in his previous life. The students who came up and down the stage were a bit of a blur to Eijun. They demonstrated the most complicated and flashy spell they could muster before leaving the stage dejectedly, receiving barely any claps.

And then a familiar redhead took the stage. Eijun immediately sat up straight, eyes glued to the centre. Everyone was blatantly disinterested by now. Which was why Haruno’s display would be even more of a showstopper. She gave a small bow to the audience before beginning to show off a simple yet beautiful showcase of her fire magic. And then a lick of fire lit the bottom of her dress. The people on the first row were the first to scream, and immediately all eyes drew to the stage.

With a smile Haruno patted down her white dress. Instead of putting out the fire, it burned through faster and faster. With part horror and part fascination, everyone was enraptured with her act. The white fabric darkened and burned to ashes, and in its place was a dark and crimson dress. Her long sleeves burned away and the hem of her dress shortened to her knees. With the remains of her white dress fluttering in the wind, she took a final bow.

Eijun was the first to give her a standing applause, whooping and cheering loudly. Haruno waves at him, beaming with pride. Soon after people began applauding, catching themselves off guard. None of the other students so far received so much as a glance, much less a clap. Eijun sat back in his seat, looking left and right at the second floor in anticipation. By now almost all the male leads in their second and third year must’ve seen Haruno’s act and been thoroughly impressed. It was a matter of time before the main event started.

After Haruno, Haruichi performed an impressive gunslinger act with his lightning magic, shooting down numerous floating balloons that popped into confetti and flowers. Furuya in an impressive display of power simply called upon a large blizzard, covering the whole venue with a pure white snow. The host looked thoroughly pissed at him, but with his teeth chattering from the cold, he simply asked for five minutes to clean up all the snow.

And then, it was finally Eijun’s turn.

There wasn’t much pomp or parade to him walking up stage. Most of the first years were either on edge at the sudden spike in competitiveness, or too exhausted from their own performance to even care. Which was why when Eijun stepped out, holding nothing but a white rubber ball and a baseball bat, what he said next would catch the most vigilant person off guard.

“I don’t need any of your support!” He declares, holding out the bat in front of him. He gives the whole auditorium a big grin. “Instead, form a baseball team with me and let’s play!”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Tough crowd!” Eijun laughs. “No worries, I knew no one would just jump in when I said that. Instead, can I get...two volunteers?”

“Me-!” Furuya pipes up, only to be tugged back by Haruichi and silenced by Haruno.

“Furuya! First years can’t help each other!” he hisses.

“Mmph.”

“Yes, sadly it’s against the rules…”

“Mmph?”

“I-I don’t know...he’s always been a little odd.”

“I trust him! Eijun must have a plan up his sleeves!”

“No one?” Eijun asks, taunting the upperclassman with a tilt of his head. “You’ve all been looking down on us all this time, laughing at our mistakes, ignoring everyone’s earnest performance, turning a blind eye on what’s going on backstage. Well honestly I’m sick of it. Why don’t you come down here and remember where you started assholes?”

Gasps and murmurs blew up, first years and upperclassmen alike throwing dark looks at him.

“What the hell is he doing…”

“Is he trying to drag everyone down with him?!”

“Someone pull him off stage!”

“Hey mc! Get this guy out of here!”

And then finally a clear laughter broke through the noise. Eijun snapped his head up and smirked. There he is.

“Aha...ahaha...oh god my stomach,” a second year in glasses was clutching himself, hanging off the shoulders of a much larger person. “Azuma-san look! He’s talking about you!”

“Miyuki you little shit!” Azuma was bright red in the face, profusely shaking his head. “A-aha, he’s just a little drunk don’t mind him, free flow champagne and all-”

"Hey first year!" Miyuki shouts. "You need two volunteers, you say?"

"Yeah four eyes! You in?"

"Four eyes he says," Miyuki cackles. "Fine! Count us in!"

"Us? What do you mean us?" Azuma stutters as Miyuki grabs him by his arm. "Miyuki! Fuck, why are you so strong?!"

A few futile struggles later, Miyuki finally managed to drag Azuma with him down to join him on the first floor. “Well? You have your two volunteers now.”

“Miyuki-”

“Senpai, are you really letting a first year mouth off to you like that?” Miyuki interjects. “Weren’t you just ranting about how haughty Nori was for refusing your support?”

“I-I wasn’t!”

“Hey fatty,” Eijun taunts. “I know physical activity sounds daunting to you, but I promise you just need to move your arms a little bit.”

“What...did you just call me?”

Eijun shrugs. “Fatty.”

“Ha...ha...this kid,” Azuma rumbles. “I was gonna go easy on you because I felt bad for how stupid you are...BUT YOU’RE REALLY ASKING FOR IT BRAT! MY STOMACH IS MY CUTE CHARM GODDAMMIT!”

“Great!” Eijun cheers. “Let’s move to the garden outside then!”

“Move!” Azuma shouts, shoving people away. “Outta my way!”

“Give me that!” He yanks the wooden bat right out of Eijun’s hand the moment they step outside. “What is this? A blunt sword?”

“Something like that,” Eijun hums. “Here’s how you play baseball…”

“Ha!” Azuma bellows as soon as he finishes. “Child's play! Three strikes you say? Fine, then with everyone here as our witness, if you can’t out me, I’ll make you serve under me for the rest of your life!”

“Uck,” he wrinkles his nose. “Fine, whatever. Now shoo, I gotta talk tactics with this guy.”

“Well then,” Miyuki starts as soon as Azuma is halfway across the field. “Nice to meet you, partner .”

“Partner?” Eijun blinks.

“Hm? That’s what we are right? You throw a ball filled with your hopes and ambitions. I catch it in full faith. You come up with some really romantic games, Sawamura.”

“What the heck? Romantic? If anything baseball is manly,” he looks at Miyuki in bewilderment. “Anyway. How’s the glove?”

“Surprisingly comfy,” Miyuki says as he pounds a fist to it. “Makes a nice sound.”

“Good good,” Eijun grins. “So like I told you, there’s this thing called pitches in baseball…”

“Hm…”

Eijun couldn’t help but sneak in some looks as he explained his pitches. Miyuki Kazuya. Also known as the secret male lead, and was highly regarded as one of the most complicated character routes. Originally to unlock him the players had to play through almost every single route, slowly gathering enough hints of his backstory and forming enough bonds with Takashima-san the seamstress and Kataoka-san a senior teacher before he would finally be unlockable.

As much as he would love to leave Haruno to explore his route, there wasn't exactly an option to load one's save. At least as far as he knows. And so to ensure that Haruno can get her happy ending, Eijun needs to present every route for her as soon as possible.

"And? How are you incorporating your magic to your pitching?"

"Why would I do that?" Eijun frowns. "Baseball should come from yourself!"

"That's cute and all first year, but Azuma isn't going to be that merciful." Miyuki points out.

"What the heck?!"

Across the garden Azuma had wrapped his hand around the bat and encased it with his earth magic. The bat was comically almost five times as large, but Azuma was swinging it with eass. With a bat that big, even if he got a bad hit in, it'll still send the ball flying.

"That's not fair!"

"What did you expect from a school specifically catered for magic?" Miyuki cackles. "So? What's your best magic?"

"...wind…"

"Hm?"

"It's wind magic dammit."

"Wind magic?" Miyuki blinks. "That's one of the easiest elements to show off! Why bother provoking everyone like this?"

Hey, it's not like he wants to do this! Well...maybe a little. He was half serious in wanting a baseball team...and half serious about the stupid support system. If he'd just gone by the original script, he would use the wind to blow open the windows and storm the auditorium with flower petals. It was a pretty cg in the game, and made more players inclined to play his route.

But if he wanted to draw out Miyuki...well. He needed to be bold and call out something he agreed with...the hypocrisy surrounding the academy.

"I just needed to, okay?" He pouts.

"Hah...fine, maybe you can boost the ball with your magic or something. Show me your best spell."

"Uh," Eijun coughs. "Don’t laugh at me, alright?"

"Why would I-"

"Promise me!"

"Jeez alright, I won't laugh at you!"

"Okay…" Eijun puts out his hand and braces himself. "Here goes nothing…!"

A ball of swirling wind appears, gently blowing away the grass underneath their feet. "Aha! First try too! How is it Miyuki Kazuya? My most...powerful...I TOLD YOU NOT TO LAUGH!"

"B-but," Miyuki wheezes. "But that sound you made...oh my god...did you far-"

"Ahhh!" Eijun shoves a hand over his mouth, shushing him desperately. "Don’t! Don't say it!"

Miyuki stares at his hand with a raised eyebrow. "Mmph?"

"What?"

Miyuki pries his hand off his mouth with a gasp. "I said can you make the ball spin weird with your wind?"

"Spin weird? Ah, you mean a break ball," Eijun nods. "I don't see why not! But uh...it might be a bit random since I can't really control it."

"All the better if we want to win against Azuma-san," Miyuki grins. "Don’t worry I'll catch anything you throw."

"Ah...yeah, I'm in your care…"

By his request a student with earth magic made him a small mound, and with a few borrowed gear from the fencing club they managed to fit Miyuki with some protective gear. Thanks to the noise he made, almost every single student had come out to see them duel it out...including a certain crown prince.

It wasn't like Eijun never played baseball in front of a crowd. Even if his middle school team was...less than ideal, their parents still came to each game to support them. It's just with so many people watching...it’s racing. His heart is beating so fast its a wonder it hasn't popped out of his chest.

He clenches his hand around his shirt and takes a deep breath. He faces Miyuki and Azuma with renewed vigor, only to narrow his eyes. "Huh?"

He sees Miyuki making a series of complicated hand gestures, as if trying to sign a pitch to him.

"Whoa did they come up with some sort of code?"

"That quick? I heard when he was explaining the game it sounded pretty complicated…"

"Apparently he's going to make the ball spin inward or something…"

"What the heck is that?!" Eijun shouts. "We didn't make any signs did we?"

Miyuki stares at him before slapping his own forehead.

"Ah."

"Nevermind…"

"I guess he's just stupid huh."

The first pitch was a simple fastball with added aid from his wind. He always throws to the middle, never running from a head to head fight. But as simple as his strategy is, so too was Azuma's. Swinging with his full strength, he barely missed the timing of the ball and it landed weakly to Miyuki’s glove. The strength of his bat blew a larger gust of wind than his own, and Eijun felt a cold sweat run his back.

“Dammit!” Azuma curses. 

“Time out!”

“W-what? Why are you coming here?” He stutters. 

“You hesitated didn’t you?” Miyuki demands.

“I…”

“What happened to all your spunk?” he sighs. “You’re underestimating me too much. I said I’ll catch everything you throw. If you don’t trust me nothing will work.”

“I do trust you!” he groans. “Kind of. Maybe. I’m just nervous alright?”

Miyuki raises his hand in front of him, not saying a word. Eijun stares at it in confusion, before slowly pressing his hand to it. “Um?”

“You’re only nervous when you don’t know what you’re facing. So familiarize yourself with my hands in these two minutes,” Miyuki rambles. “While I’m at it, my birthday is on 17th November, I’m an aquarius, I can’t see shit without my glasses, my blood type is B and my hobby is-"

"Cooking. Your hobby is cooking." Eijun mumbles under his breath.

"Coo-how did you…?"

Eijun lets his hand slip from Miyuki's and nods to himself. Right. This is baseball. A game he literally knows best in this world. In front of him is Miyuki Kazuya, someone he knows inside and out. If he learned anything from his route it was that Miyuki was dependable, and never lied about what he can and can't do. What is he so afraid of? That just because Azuma is big, he'll send his ball flying?

It's baseball, so of course his ball is going to get hit. Furuya, Haruno, Haruichi and even Ryosuke when they manage to drag him into a game all have hit his ball. The only thing Eijun needs to do right now…

"Sorry!" He shakes his head vigorously. "I got scared for a moment, but I'm over it! The next pitch is going to be everything I've got!"

"Good," Miyuki's hand drops to his head and he roughly ruffles it. "Don’t disappoint me first year."

"Ngah! Don't ruin my hair! Hurry up and go!"

"I'm going, I'm going~"

Eijun takes a deep breath and turns to the crowd, grinning despite their visible flinch and wary faces. "Everyone! I'm sorry for that embarrassing display of baseball! From now on, I'll only show the best of what baseball can be! Thank you for being here and please keep watching as me and Miyuki Kazuya bring down this fatty!"

"Oi oi how loose is your switch…"

Eijun raised his gloved hand up to the sky like a prayer and took a deep breath. One target. One foe. One hand.

He raises his legs as high as possible, whips back his shoulders, feels the ball slip from his fingers, and let's go.

He threw 11 pitches that day, each one different than the last. With his naturally breaking ball, his wind magic, and Miyuki's bold framing, Azuma couldn’t manage more than five fouls.

Adrenaline spiked through him as Azuma dropped his bat and the crowd cheered in delirium, half forgetting why they were gathered here in the first place. He couldn't stop smiling as Haruno and Haruichi ran to hug him, Furuya hovering with a conflicted smile.

"Hey," Miyuki huffs as he strips off his mask, stepping in front of him. "Nice job. You really made me work for those balls."

"You too!" Eijun laughs, giving his fist out for them to bump. "You're a natural catcher! I can't believe you caught every single one!"

"Hm." Miyuki extends his own fist, but at the last second uncurls it and places it below his hand.

"What are you…?"

"Thank you for today Sawamura," Miyuki bends over. "I hope to see you around after this, partner."

And then something warm and soft presses against his hand ever so slightly before it disappeared. Miyuki gives him a cheeky wink before he leaves, the crowd parting to give him way.

"Ah." Haruichi starts. "He…"

Haruno gasps, a blush high on her cheeks. "Eijun your hand!"

In the place where Miyuki ki...kis...that...an intricate symbol of the Miyuki family was forming. It wasn't fully shaded in since the bond was still one sided but…

"What the fuck." Eijun says. He looks at Haruichi's nervous smile, Haruno’s excited one, and Furuya's furious face and blinks. "What the fuck?"

-

Eijun couldn’t stop staring at his hand in a daze, absentmindedly walking back to his dorm. As much as he tried to piece together the memories of what happened this morning, it fell apart the moment he remembered the...the...the thing .

What? Seriously, what?!

Why would Miyuki Kazuya, infamous for refusing to support anyone, coming from a humble family of craftsmen that has always been neutral, support him?! 

"I don't get it…" Eijun chews his lips. "I mean yeah I changed the plot a bit but...this is way too much of a deviant!"

Wait, no, calm down Eijun, the bond doesn't form unless both parties consent to it. As long as he doesn't put his mark on Miyuki…

Eijun nods to himself. Right. Let's just say today was a fluke, an impulsive decision from the heat stroke!

With a sigh of relief he opens the door to his dorm room for the first time. "Excuse me, my name is Sawamura Eijun, your new roommate…" 

"Boo." A figure in the dark says, his face covered in white powder, lips red with rogue, and a red menacing flame lighting the dark pitch room.

"Ah," Eijun says, then stumbles inside. When he sees the man frown he immediately puts on a scared face, falling on his ass. "I mean AHHHH! A G-G-GHOST!"

"Ah to hell with this," the light to the room flickers on and reveals a green haired student in his pajamas. "I knew it wouldn't be the same without Masuko-senpai."

Masuko? Green hair...spiked up...one look away from a street punk...ah!

"Kuramochi!" Eijun shouts as he points at him in an aha moment.

"Hah? You've got some nerve calling me without any suffix," he scowls. "Get up, let me smack some sense into you."

"N-now now Kuramochi-senpai," he laughs nervously, scrambling to get up. "I was just so scared I forgot you know? Your makeup is impeccable!"

"Yeah yeah I know it's shit," Kuramochi grumbles. "Masuko-senpai is on probation so I had to do this alone...just don't feel right."

"Probation?"

"He's failing Kataoka-san's history of magic course, and he's been down on his game on fencing," Kuramochi waves his hand. "Says he needs to seclude himself or something. So lucky for you we have more space for a few weeks."

Kuramochi points to a corner of the room where piles of unopened boxes were shoved to. "We have bunk beds, and we usually rotate on who gets to sleep on top. Masako-senpai is willing to be bribed with enough pudding if you lose though."

"Noted." Eijun groans, feeling his muscle ache with each step. "Is the communal bath close by?"

"There’s a bathroom here if you just need to piss and wash up," Kuramochi checks his watch. "But I guess I can wash up a little early. Come on, I'll take you."

Eijun nods. "I'll get my things!"

It feels a little surreal walking beside Kuramochi to the baths. The original owner of this body usually avoided his roommates, so Eijun didn't know much about their relationship. Their circle of friends were so different that they never did get along. He was too busy snuggling up to the crown prince’s good side, while Kuramochi and Masuko were firmly against the royal family.

Kuramochi Youichi, a.k.a another one of the game’s male lead. Athletic, brash, blunt, and valued honesty above all. Eijun absolutely bawled at his back story. He was an orphan just like him, struggling to survive while pilfering food with his friends. Kuramochi was fast for his age, nimble and strong. Most of the time, he was the one they urged to steal bread and beef jerky.

On an unfortunate day, while the imperial soldiers were on campaign around the region, they caught Kuramochi red handed stealing apples and oranges. They pressed him to name the others who had been stealing more and more food around the market, but Kuramochi refused to speak.

But then the guards found his friends anyway and dragged them in front of the crowd. And then with the looming threat of public flogging, they all cried wolf. That Kuramochi had been forcing them to steal food for him or else he would beat them. With three voices against one, and his notorious reputation for fighting around the neighborhood, no one defended him.

As he was about to be flogged, the captain's guard happened to pass by. He saw the resignation in Kuramochi's eyes and the guilty ones in his friend's, and instead took him under his wing. Kuramochi was hauled up his horse with his crimes paid in full with a bag of coins, and he never looked back.

"Why are you sniffling?"

"I'm not!" Eijun denies, scrubbing down his back even faster.

"Slow down you idiot, you'll make your skin red," Kuramochi hisses as he looks over to him. "Come on, let's get inside the tub."

"Kay."

Eijun slumps over the corner of the tub as soon as he gets in, sighing in contentment as the warm water soaked him. 

"Temp alright?" Kuramochi asks as he fiddles with the burner.

"Mm, perfect." Eijun groans. 

"It's only been your first day, why are you so lethargic?" Kuramochi sighs as he sits next to him. "You're groaning like an old...man…"

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Kuramochi grabs his left hand, eyes wide and mouth agape. "This crest...Miyuki?!"

"Ah." Right. Miyuki Kazuya is his closest friend his age, of course he would recognize it.

"How did you-" Kuramochi shakes his head. "No, more like why would he …"

"Right?!" Eijun whirls around and grabs him by his shoulders, shaking him in panic. All tje relaxation he built up bubbling into anxiousness once more. "Why would he? It's weird right?! Isn't he the type to distrust everyone and keep them at a distance? Forget even supporting anyone, isn't his only friend you?!"

Kuramochi opens his mouth to reply, ony to scrunch up his face to a suspicious expression. "Why do you know all that?"

Eijun stifffens. "Um."

"Sawamura…" Kuramochi slings an arm around his head, tightening it in warning. "I'm a patient guy, but if you don't start talking right now, I swear I'll report you for stalking and harassment! Is that crest an illusion? Did you tattoo it or something?!"

"No! I know all that because…" Eijun coughs, slapping Kuramochi's arm pleadingly. "I'm just really good at reading people! I met him today and he didn't seem like the type to have a lot of friends-and you recognized his crest immediately so you must be good friends! Haha…"

Kuramochi stares at him distrustfully before reluctantly letting him go. "You met him today?"

"Yes...at the first year's debut."

"Oh that was today huh," Kuramochi scratches his head. "I completely forgot. So Miyuki that bastard gave you the mark?"

"Without even asking me! And in front of everyone! He called me his partner . We barely even know each other! We've only talked for about ten minutes! Max!" Eijun rants.

"Must be an eventful ten minutes," Kuramochi shrugs. "If he really did mark you...guess you're pretty special kid. Miyuki never does something on a whim or without calculation, as much as he pretends otherwise."

"But this isn't how it was supposed to go…" Eijun groans. "He's supposed to notice Haruno and...ugh. This is such a mess."

"Just reject the bond the next time you see him," Kuramochi grumbles as he steps out of the bath. "What the heck is that idiot thinking, supporting some unknown first year out of the blue…"

"That's what I wanna know…" Eijun mumbles as he submerges himself in the bathtub, making small bubbles on the surface before dipping his head below with a sigh.

-

Eijun stares at the faded mark on his left hand with a blank look, breaking off to a sigh and the occasional frustrated groan every so often.

"Eijun," Haruichi nudges him. "We're still in class."

"Is that really important right now Haruichi?!" He whispers back. "Space, time, reality as we know it could crumble at any moment!"

Eijun had been theory crafting for nearly two weeks after their debut, filling up his notebook with gibberish. In his seventeen years in this new world he's been reincarnated into, he's made decisions and acted in complete opposites to what the original owner of this body was meant to do. A good relationship with Furuya, not associating himself with the crown prince, taking careful steps to establish a platonic relationship with Haruno instead of a romantic one.

This was all to avoid his own bad end and death flags. Removing himself from the equation, but making sure he retains a positive relationship with everyone. The plot points would most certainly differ, but Eijun had assumed events that would have to take place would naturally take place.

Despite being a so-called male lead himself, Eijun's role could be amounted to that of canon fodder if his route wasn't chosen. He had the least character development, the most pitfalls, and was low on the popularity poll overall. Naively he thought even if he made a few chaos here and there the plot would snap back to the script eventually.

He even set aside his pocket money for years just in case he was driven out of the Furuya household unexpectedly. Now that Miyuki Kazuya has done this to him...does that mean the script isn't set in stone? That choices do matter...and this world isn't confined in the game’s format?

Eijun feels his brain smoking and he lets out a drawn-out groan. "Haruichi-"

"Sawamura Eijun." A stern voice boomed.

He snapped his head up in attention, sweating when every single person in the class looked at him with varying degrees of pity. Oh boy.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind," Chris drawls out. "Why don't you come down here and share with the class?"

"S-sorry Chris-senpai." Eijun apologizes.

Chris audibly sighs, turning back to the black board. "Detention after class."

"Yes senpai…"

Haruichi smiles sharply at him. "Don’t say I didn't warn you."

Furuya pointedly let out a snore, his hand still clutching their text book for magic rituals firmly in front of him.

-

"What’s going on, Sawamura?" Chris asks as he takes his seat. "You've always had your head up in the clouds, but today you're awfully so. You didn’t even raise your hand on roll call."

Eijun grunts as he drops a stack of library books on the table, reluctantly sitting down across the young teaching assistant. "I just have a lot on my mind, senpai."

"Indulge me in some of those thoughts."

Eijun fiddles with his quill. "Senpai...do you believe in fate?"

"Fate…" Chris hums. "If I had to say...I guess I believe it."

"You do?" huh, he didn't seem like the type. "Then what about soulmates?"

"Well...I suppose if I believe in fate I have to believe that too," Chris smiles humorously. "Is this what's been on your mind?"

"It's just...there’s this friend of mine…"

"Uh huh."

"He believes in fate too...or something along those lines. But he's been making choices that draws him away from that fate. And he doesn't like where his new fate is leading him."

"Why doesn't he like it?"

“Probably...because he doesn’t know what’s going to happen,” Eijun glances at him and sighs. “He’s also scared he might hurt the people he cares about.”

“Then…” Chris tilts his head. "Wouldn't he be alright given enough time?"

"Hm?"

"I mean...this friend of yours must have had a reason to avoid his fate so to say. And now he's thrown into a loop because he doesn't know what's in store for him. But isn't that exactly what he wanted in the first place? To avoid the certainty for uncertainty?"

"No! He...he was selfish and made choices that ruined everything," Eijun grimaces. "Ruined his friend's life."

"Did he ask?"

Eijun blinks.

"Did he ask his friend if he ruined their lives? Did they tell him that?"

"Not...necessarily…"

"Has their lives even been ruined? Or is your friend simply making assumptions?"

"W-well...he just has an eye for these things!"

"Ha," Chris smiles, briefly touching his bad shoulder. "Your friend reminds me a lot of someone I know. Someone who likes to blame the world and himself if it meant keeping his loved one safe."

"..." he bows his head over. Only one person could make Chris-senpai smile like that.

"I'll tell you what I told him years ago. That the only thing we can control in life is ourselves. We're not actors on a stage, confined to a script. Nor are we the director of the play," Chris hums. "We simply live our lives the best way we know how."

"I...see…"

"As for fate and soulmates...personally even if it was written in the stars that I was meant to do this, or meant to love one person," Chris shrugs. "If I decide I don't want to do it, then I won't do it. I can acknowledge its existence...and choose not to follow it."

"Because you're not just a character," Eijun murmurs softly. "Not here, not now. The choices I make matter because there is no one behind a controller. I ceased to be a player the moment I reincarnated. These changes are just...natural progressions of my decisions...and everyone else's."

"I assume by your incoherent mumbling that I answered your question."

"You did," he smiles sheepishly. "Kind of. I think I-I mean my friend...just needed to hear that the world won't end over his stupidity."

"You tell him that," the teaching assistant ends their conversation as he cracks open a thick and dusty book. "While you're at it you should also tell your friend to pay attention to class, or else he might fail spectacularly on midterms. The world won't end, but his time here surely will."

"Y-yes senpai." He croaks out.

Just as Eijun cracks open the first of many books he’ll have to get through for the afternoon detention, he peers up at Chris’ thoughtful face, now with reading glasses perched up his nose. “Senpai.”

“Hm?”

“Since I might not get to say this after today…” Eijun smiles to himself. “You’re as cool as I thought you would be.”

“What nonsense are you talking about now?” Chris sighs.

“One more thing! Just one more thing,” Eijun begs as he leans forward to whisper to him. “You’re by far the most handsome male lead, Chris-senpai! I promise! Have more confidence in yourself!”

A blush creeps through the older student’s cheeks despite his thinly kept straight face. “Sawamura.”

“Yeah?”

“Please, let me keep my sanity after this detention.”

Eijun pouts. “Are you sure? You don’t wanna know how much people love your dark arc? Apparently empty soulless eyes are pretty popular amongst girls. I personally like you better right now though-”

“ Sawamura .”

“A-alright Chris-senpai, I’m reading! I’m reading. Shutting up...now!”

-

"Miyuki Kazuya!"

"Oh?" The man in glasses gently closes the newspaper in his hand, the gray paper a stark contrast to the colorful indoor garden around them. "Have you finally decided to stop avoiding me?"

"That's right!" Eijun huffs. "Recently a very wise person has given me his wisdom, and my eyes are now open to the truth!"

"That's nice. Why don’t you sit down first, I get antsy just looking at you."

"I'm fine! I like standing up!"

"You can have some of my cake." Miyuki offers.

Eijun plops himself down on the seat. "Anyway. As I was saying! The truth. Wisdom. Wise person!"

"So?" Miyuki asks as he places a slice of tiramisu in front of him.

"So! I won't say you're crazy anymore, or possessed, or blame myself for anything," Eijun huffs. "I no longer see you as just a character!"

"Thank...you?"

"You're welcome!" Eijun says as he chews through a crisp pastry. "Now then, let's talk about why you marked me!"

"Simple," Miyuki smiles as he props up his head on his hand. "I like you."

"Right right you li-" he coughs, sending crumbs flying across the table. "You like me?!"

"What did you think I was going to say?"

"I-I don’t know...maybe you wanted to support Furuya but couldn't get to him so you chose me," he thumped his chest to calm himself. "I thought you were smart but...maybe you're just dumber than I thought?"

"Hey now," Miyuki pouts. "I thought you were going to see me for who I am."

"Right right," Eijun waves his hand. "My bad. Continue."

"I like you," Miyuki repeats without so much of a pause. "There’s something about you I can't quite pin down. I want to see more of you. Make you...blossom."

"You're one sentence away from sounding like a creepy porn director," he mumbles under his breath. "What if I don't need your help? I don’t want your help."

"Why not?"

"Say...there’s someone out there that might need you more."

"I'm sure I'll find a way to support them too if I like them," Miyuki leans forward. "But right now I only have eyes for you."

"O-oh," he fidgets in his seat. "Then...you really want to support me?"

"I never do things I don't want, Sawamura."

"You can back out at any time! Even if it's five minutes from now, and you like someone more than me. Someone with red hair. And wears skirts. And who's name probably starts with H. Ends with O-"

"I get it already," Miyuki cuts in. "Now are you going to stop arguing with me over my own choices?"

Eijun takes a deep breath and nods. 

"Good," Miyuki smiles. "Now then, let's go over the perks and obligations that come with our relationship."

"Urgh…"

-

"He likes you?" Kuramochi asks as he rolls over to face him. "That's it?"

"I told him he was being stupid," Eijun hisses. "But then he went all I only have eyes for you . I'm getting goosebumps just saying that!"

"Weird bastard," Kuramochi grunts, propping himself up to reach for the popcorn. "Maybe he likes all these weird snacks you keep inventing."

"Maybe?" Eijun follows suit, grabbing a fistful and shoving it in his mouth. "I hust thenk he's stoopid."

"You know when I said one of your perks was that you can come over to my room anytime this wasn't what I had in mind!" Miyuki snaps, throwing a balled up paper at them.

"Ooh nice throw!"

"What did you have in mind?" Kuramochi challenges. "Hm?"

Miyuki's cheeks pinked. "I can't believe of all the people in this academy, you're his roommate."

"Why? You scared of us being alone?" Kuramochi grins, slinging an arm over him. "Just the two of us at night, sleeping on bunk beds, maybe one of these days I'll climb down and-"

A sliver of vine ran up Kuramochi's arm, wrapping itself around him and slapping a large leaf over his mouth. "Mmmph!"

Miyuki smirks. "What was that Mochi?"

"God you're both so childish," Eijun bats a vine trying to slither down his shirt away. "Can't believe I actually had a crush on all of you at one point."

"A crush?" Miyuki perks up. "What do you mean a cr-"

"Excuse me," Miyuki's door room opens with a bang. A flushed looking Furuya strides in, carrying an arm full of cans. "I have the drinks."

"F-Furuya slow down!" Haruichi pants, following him inside and neatly closing the door behind him. "How are you so fast?!"

"Here Eijun." Furuya deftly throws an orange juice for him.

"Thanks!" He easily takes it mid-air, pressing the cool beverage to the side of his cheek. "Mm, have I mentioned how much I love your ice magic Furuya?"

"You did when I filled your room with snow in the middle of December," Furuya smiles. "But then it all melted and your room got drenched."

"Oh yeah," Eijun laughs. "I was so sad I couldn't go outside since I got sick that week. I woke up to a pile of snow around me. I thought the maids pulled a fast one on me."

Furuya narrows his eyes. "Don’t tell me you still haven't driven them away while I was gone."

"Eh, leave them be. They got bored soon enough."

"Still…"

"Ah Youichi-san your coffee," Haruichi places a can in front of him with a warm smile. "Thankfully I managed to get the last cappuccino."

"A-ah, yeah, thanks Haruichi," he mumbles. "I'll pay you back…"

"No rush. Miyuki-senpai here's your green tea."

"Thanks Kominato."

Eijun peeks at an anxious looking Kuramochi and tuts quietly. Here's another peculiar and recent development. Since he's made an effort to get along with Kuramochi these days, he invites Haruichi, Furuya, and Haruno to his room a lot. 

Though these days Haruno spends more time with her girl friends, insisting that they were still her best friend but she needed a woman's presence, Haruichi and Furuya were more often than not in his room or Miyuki's.

One day when he and Furuya were off to get some snacks and left Haruichi to set up their card game, Kuramochi unexpectedly returned early to their room. Upon seeing the back of Haruichi's head, he got excited thinking that the upperclassman he admired for so long and practically begged to be supported by was in his room.

He started rambling about how much he respected Ryosuke-san and how much of an inspiration he was, both in fencing and magic duels, and how he hoped he could join the military ranks with him in the future.

Of course, Haruichi already being on edge about his individuality, slipped into his black hearted self, waited until Kuramochi was finished, turned around and gave him the coldest smile he could muster while saying, "I'll be sure to pass that on to my brother."

Awkward couldn’t even begin to describe the two of them right now.

"I thought I told you to bribe him with salted caramel candy senpai!" He hisses.

"I did! But he gave me the most half hearted smile and told me he wasn't a kid anymore," Kuramochi hisses back. "I thought you said he loved those!"

"He does!" Eijun panics. At least he's pretty sure he does. Salted candy raised his affection levels the most! Argh, he knows he's made up his mind about seeing them beyond just characters, but at least let him use some of his hard earned knowledge!

"Haruichi! You love salted caramel candies right?!"

"Hm?" Haruichi smiles. "Yeah they're my favorite!"

Kuramochi lets out a defeated whimper.

Behind him, Furuya seems to have noticed the few vines wiggling around him and had taken it upon himself to step on each one, freezing them and killing them instantly. "Miyuki-senpai, you shouldn't leave weeds around your room."

"A-aha...you're right Furuya," Miyuki laughs nervously. "I'll be sure to not...do that…"

"I give up," Kuramochi sighs. "Maybe he's just set on hating me forever."

"Maybe," Eijun stretches out, yawning all the while. Dejection was clouding over him. Maybe all his memories of playing this game were useless after all. Boo! "Too bad you two can't just fight it out. My friends used to get down over the smallest things and make up right after, bloody nose and all."

"Fight?" Kuramochi perks up. His frown turned into a full grown grin, and he pecked a wet kiss on his forehead. "Sawamura you genius!"

"Ack! Don't slobber over me!"

"Ahh?! Mochi that's foul play!"

Kuramochi ignores them both, dashing out of the room in a hurry, slamming the door behind him.

The moment his coat tails disappeared, Haruichi let out a sigh and curled into himself. "Urgh...I hate acting like this…"

"No please, do continue, " Miyuki cackles. "I've never seen Kuramochi so distraught before."

Eijun rolls his eyes, closing Miyuki's book with a flick of his fingers and a gust of wind. "Sadistic bastard."

"Aw, you always have the best pet names for me."

"Why do you keep it up if you hate it?" Furuya asks quietly.

"I just...feel like I'm invisible to people like Youichi-san," Haruichi stammers. "I've been mistaken for my brother so many times...and each time they always gush about how amazing he is. That's why teasing Youichi-san over this feels...good. But I don't like playing with his guilt either…"

"Kuramochi-senpai isn't just doing this because he feels guilty. He's really been trying to get to know you," Eijun wiggles his eyebrows. "He even asked if you were single."

"E-Eijun!" Haruichi blushes. "Don’t tease me like that!"

"He likes you." Furuya says as a matter of factly.

"I can see your intentions clear as day Furuya…"

"No no, he’s got a point." Miyuki points out.

"Y-you too Miyuki-senpai…"

A few minutes later, Kuramochi returned, short of breath but with a proud look in his eyes.

"Youichi-san?"

"Sorry Haruichi," he pulls out something white from his pockets. "This is the best way to settle this."

Something hit Haruichi's chest limply, and he instinctively caught it before it fell. A white glove flutters and lands limply to his hand.

"Ah!" Eijun's eyes shined. "Is that-?!"

"Kominato Haruichi, I challenge you to a duel to regain my honor."

"I…" Haruichi trails off, looking more lost than ever. "A duel of what Youichi-san?"

Kuramochi stills. "Uh...I didn't think that far ahead…"

"Fencing?" Miyuki suggests.

Everyone in the room except for Furuya glared at him. "Not fencing!"

"Okay okay, jeez."

"Magic?" Furuya suggests.

"Horse riding?"

"Bow and arrow?"

Eijun clicks his tongue, standing up to place both his hands on their shoulders. “Gentleman, please. Your solution is right in front of you!”

“No, not this again!” Miyuki groans.

“I propose,” Eijun grins. “An all out baseball game!”

-

“Miyuki?” Chris peers up from his reading glasses, looking worn and tired from the pile of paperwork in front of him. “This is a surprise, you never come by my office.”

“Thought I’d pull you out of the hell pit your students buried you in,” Miyuki offers, sitting on the edge of the desk. “But you don’t seem as tired as I expected you to be.”

“Hah, well something equally unexpected lightened my mood,” Chris pulls out a test paper and slides it to him. “I’m grading the first year’s test today.”

Miyuki scans the paper and raises an eyebrow. “That’s...a lot of mistakes. And what’s with this lopsided magic circle? Looks like someone tried to draw an orange but sneezed halfway.”

“Yes it is, but it’s enough to pass.” Chris taps the box where the name should go.

Miyuki blinks and lets out a delayed laugh. “Of course it’s Sawamura.”

“I didn’t think he'd managed but he worked very hard on this test,” Chris hums. “I should treat him to something nice.”

“Speaking of Sawamura," Miyuki slips by a crumpled flyer on the desk. "He's actually why I'm here."

"Hm? Recruiting baseball players?" Chris scans through it, chuckling at the crude drawing and hastily written specifics. "He finally snapped huh?"

"He's been itching like a puppy ever since his debut," Miyuki sighs in a put upon way. "Keeps begging me to catch for him every single day. Now Kuramochi and small Kominato have an issue and he thinks baseball can solve it."

"I see. And you're helping him with this quest?"

“Something like that,” he sighs. “I managed to get Maezono on board and a few of the other third years. We just need a few people for the other team, and I thought you’d like to play too.”

“I...I’m not sure,” Chris says quietly. “My shoulder still isn’t 100% Miyuki.”

“How about I’ll put you on reserve just in case?” Miyuki offers. “I think Sawamura would be elated just to see you there.”

Chris gives him a look .

"What?"

"I've never seen you this enthused for someone else's sake," Chris leans back with a thoughtful look. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd publicly support someone either."

"Hm...what can I say? He's just that interesting," Miyuki smiles. "You know how I grew up. Dad was always trying to climb up the ranks, kissing up to nobles left and right. Scheming, lying, and half-truths have always been part of me. But that day...Sawamura showed me a view of something I haven't seen in years."

"And what view is that?"

"Honesty. Innocence," Miyuki chuckles. "I never thought saying that you like something and that you want it would be so hard, but Sawamura makes it seem so easy. Breathing around him feels...light."

Chris stares at him before smiling wryly. "You always did like the same things I did."

"Chris?"

"I was considering supporting him as well at one point," Chris says. "I think with a little support he could go places."

"You Chris? Support Sawamura?"

"I was a bit dissuaded when I saw your crest, but seeing how happy you are now...maybe I should reconsider.”

“C-Chris?” Miyuki asks nervously. “You’re not serious are you?”

“It’s not against the rules, and I’ve given you the courtesy of telling you beforehand,” Chris teases. “It’s been a while since we had a healthy competition don't you think? You used to be so smug when you bested more people in fencing than me, or scored higher on a test."

Miyuki feels his face flush as he looks to the side in embarrassment. "That was years ago…"

"I hope you don't mind me playing along again after all this time," Chris shrugs with an easy smile. "These days I feel the weight on my shoulders have been pretty light."

"Agh, it's not like I can stop you," Miyuki drops his feet down on the plush carpet, patting non existent dust on his pants. "Do whatever you want. I'll do whatever I want too, Sawamura evidently so."

"Thank you, Miyuki."

"See you at the game, Chris."

"See you."

-

The first thought that came to Eijun's head was, wow, so this is what a kabedon feels like.

The second thought that came to Eijun's head was, oh god, Masamune Hongou still holds a grudge towards him.

And the third, most useless thought was, huh his breath doesn't smell that bad for someone who eats natto everyday.

"The hell is this?" Hongou grabs one of the flyers from his pile, scanning over it with a scowl. "Did a five year old make this?"

"Buzz off!" Eijun snaps, yanking the flyer back. "You think it was easy making this many flyers? Printers don't exist yet you pri-uh...my...prince."

"Printers?" Hongou’s frown deepens. “What’s that?”

“Uh...printers are like…” Eijun stutters. “They...they take this one document right, and like...print copies of them in minutes!”

“Oh,” Hongou rolls his eyes. “You’re talking about scribes.”

“Scribes?”

“People you pay to handwrite everything for you,” Hongou waves his hand. “Up to fifty of them would be employed when spring comes around and parties are held almost every week. You had one I’m sure.”

“Sure do!” Not. Eijun darts his eyes left and right, trying to catch someone’s attention, but alas he’s managed to wander off to the most deserted part of an academy holding nearly thousands of students. “Well this has been real fun your highness, you mocked my drawing and handwriting, we shared a nice commonality of knowing what a scribe is. I should really get going-"

"Wait!" Hongou yells, grabbing his wrist.

He flinches at the sudden pressure and wails. "Please don't kill me, please don't kill me! I'm sorry for calling you names all those years ago! I didn't mean to! ...well I did, but-"

"God, the air you have in your lungs," Hogou hisses. "Shut up before someone finds us."

"Why? Why should I? So you can freeze my dead body and stuff it in pieces of ice cubes?!"

"I'm not trying to kill you!" Hongou roars, scratching his head in frustration. "I just want to talk!"

"People don't act like this when they want to talk!”

“Then how?!”

Eijun blinks.

Hongou’s shoulders slump over, and he lets go of his hand in favor of crossing his own arms. “I...I don’t know how to talk to you. Tell me.”

No way...is the crown prince...being bashful right now? 

He stares at Hongou in bewilderment, but he must’ve stared for too long, judging by the ever growing furrow between his brows.

"If...you want to talk to me…" Eijun hastily says. "Just invite me for tea, or whatever it is you nobles do. A-and don't corner me in the halls! Just call out to me."

" I have to invite you and call out to you?"

“What? You’re too proud for that?”

“No...it’s just…” Hongou mumbles under his breath. “Usually other people handle all of that for me.”

“...ah.” That’s right. This was Hongou’s true personality. Despite being born to a station that demanded him to be social and amicable, Hongou was anything but that. He lived a sheltered but convenient life, but it also came with expectations he could never meet. Things like making friends and something as simple as talking to one another were always veiled with political undertones, and most of the time his advisor would take care of everything for him. Most of the friends he made were for strategic means, and hardly anyone would take the time to understand him beyond what his title could give them.

“I’ll do it too,” he relents. “I’ll invite you for tea, and call out to you when I see you. So stop looking like a wet puppy goddammit…”

“You will?” Hongou perks up, before catching himself and receding back to his poker face. “I mean, of course you will. As you should.”

“Yeah yeah,” Eijun chuckles. “While you have me, why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”

“Ah. I just wanted to...apologize.”

“What for?”

“For what I said to you when we were ten. It was uncalled for. And I was-” Hongou frowned and hugged himself in reservation. “Envious. That’s all.”

“Envious of…” he didn’t even need to finish the sentence to know who he meant.

“That’s all I wanted to say,” Hongou dismissed him. “I’ll leave you to it."

"Don’t tell me," Eijun says just as Hongou walks away. "You haven't lost sleep thinking about this have you?"

Hongou stiffens and stops in place, his shoulders hunched over.

Oh god, he could just see two dog ears drooping in embarrassment.

"No!" He barks out. "It's just common courtesy to apologize! It's not like I cared or anything!"

"Pft-" Eijun stifles his laugh, nodding over and over. "No, of course not. I should be grateful you apologized at all."

"Exactly!"

"It's also common courtesy to accept such a sincere apology, right?"

Hongou nods smugly. "So you do understand."

"It is, of course, also common courtesy to offer reparations with the apology, say...be a pitcher at next week's game?"

"Yes. Wait what?"

Eijun snaps his fingers. "Ah! You said yes! No take backs!"

“You can’t just make the crown prince play a baseball match!”

“Why not?” 

“Because...because!” Hongou yells, speechless.

Playfully, he steps closer and closer to Hongou until his back hits a nearby pillar. Seeing someone so high and mighty be so flustered somehow comforted Eijun once more. It seems he needs to keep reminding himself that everyone around him aren't confined to a set script and chosen sentences.

He extends his arm out and cages the much taller man. In hindsight, anyone passing by would think he was crazy and report him to the guards, or maybe even burst into laughter at his attempt at a kabedon, but hey, there's a madness to his methods. Or...ugh, however the saying goes.

"I got a good view of your arms just then," Eijun points at his own arm proudly. Weak constitution and magical world be damned, Eijun's body will always be that of an athlete. "It's at least as strong as mine! You'll throw a 160 in no time."

"I…" All sorts of expression passed through Hongou’s face.

"You know Furuya reached 162 last year?" Eijuj goaded. "I didn't get a chance to see it yet but I will on next week's game-"

Almost instantly Hongou’s face twisted into an ugly disdain. It would be borderline hilarious if not for the sudden rumble the crown prince let out. "Furuya Satoru?"

"Mhm!"

"When exactly is the game?" He demands.

"Seven in the morning, when the sun is barely hot."

Hongou’s disdain grows more apparent and the word morning but he grits his teeth and mumbles, "I'll be there."

Eijun cheers, throwing his hands up and releasing Hongou from the confinement of his arms. "Baseball!"

Hongou stares at him before echoing him with a shake of his head, a determined glint in his eyes. " Baseball ."

-

"No." Ryosuke says before Eijun even so much as breathed the air inside the student council's room.

His cute smile melted into a pout, and his meticulously prepared polite speech turned to a put upon whine. "Aniki, you don't even know what I was about to say!"

“You’re about to say something stupid like ask to borrow the student council’s back yard and makeshift it into your stupid baseball field, aren’t you?” Ryosuke challenges.

Eijun opens and closes his mouth, before exclaiming with a blush, “Don’t call my baseball field stupid!”

“I’ll call whatever is in this academy whatever I like,” Ryosuke retorts, shoving a thick file into a nearby shelf with exaggerated force. “And if I say your field is stupid, it’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid! This...this is a facility upgrade!” Eijun shoves the poster under Ryosuke’s nose, shaking it obnoxiously. “Isn’t this the most prestigious academy in the empire? You would let an empty lot waste away instead of providing the people with what they want!"

"The people ?"

Eijun nods gravely. "And you wouldn't want to disappoint the people ."

Ryosuke lets out a put upon sigh. "Tell me you at least filed in the paperwork and collected people's signatures?"

Eijun's eyes shined. "Aniki! I knew I could count on you!"

"Don’t misunderstand. I just need somewhere to stamp the word denied to other than your forehead."

"Aniki!"

"You should at least let us see the paperwork," a soft voice says out of nowhere. "I think it sounds quite fun."

"What?!" Eijun yelps, hastily looking to his left and right. "Who's there?!"

A finger tapped his shoulders, and Eijun whirled around to see a student with white hair and a second year tie.

"When did you appear senpai?!"

"I've been here since the moment you came in," he frowns. "Didn't you see me walking around?"

"Forget it Shirasu. This guy's too much of a self absorbed idiot to notice anything that doesn't start with a base and ends with a ball."

Shirasu snorts. "Kinky."

Quietly, the upperclassman took one of his flyers, cracking a smile here and there before nodding to himself. "Looks fun."

"Right?!" Eijun grins.

"Shirasu!"

"Come on Ryosuke," Shirasu goads. "Look how cute he drew Kuramochi. You can't tell me you're not interested."

"I'm not," he grunts. "Every single one of them, idiots. My little brother, my sweet underclassmen, and the one goading them to play his silly little sport."

"Big bro, you can’t tell me you’re completely blameless in all of this!” Eijun shakes his head. “It’s kinda your fault we ended up having to play baseball in the first place!"

The corners of Ryosuke’s mouth twitched in warning, and Eijun hastily piled on more words.

"You've always hated sticky and clingy people. Even when we were little, you would disappear without warning just to teach us that you wouldn't always be around," Eijun sighs. "But even if you hated it, you always acted in a way where we can't help but like you!"

Shirasu let's out a small oh , inching towards his own desk and picking up his dial phone. "Hey Nori? You're gonna want to come back, something fun is happening. I swear this is more fun than lunch. Yes, bring everyone. Even the captain."

"You're blaming me now?" Ryosuke snorts. 

Eijun points at him with narrowed eyes. "You're too charming for your own good! I'm pretty sure everyone has a crush on you at some point, no matter how fleeting!"

Shirasu pipes up, "I can attest to that."

"You act in a way that sends people to a twist! I remember when we were ten you showered Haruno with flowers and presents for a whole month, and when she tried to confess, you immediately turned cold!"

Ryosuke waves his hand carelessly, giving him an exasperated glance. "I was trying to break her rose tinted glass in the most efficient way. It was a kindness, knowing the kind of wolves lurking in this academy."

But Eijun wasn't done. He settled himself down on the couch, happily accepting Shirasu's offer for a cup of tea. "I'm not done! I remember you deliberately trying to provoke Furuya by calling me your little brother, patting my head and holding my hand just to see him blow up his aura!"

"A test to see how far I can push him before he snaps. You know how important his image is as the duke's grandson, people crueler than me will do much more to provoke him here," Ryosuke answers with ease. "I was also evaluating how attached he was to you. The duchess raised concerns over your...relationship."

"You didn’t have to do it like that and you know it!" He shudders over the onslaught of memories coming back to him. "Furuya wouldn't stop freezing the water in our cups for weeks, and his aura kept making the maids faint on the spot!"

"As far as I can tell, nothing I did had lasting effects," Ryosuke raises a single eyebrow. "In fact, I remember you seeing right through me. You knew I didn't mean anything I said or did sincerely."

"Well yeah…" of course he saw right through it. Aside from Ryosuke himself, no one knew him better than Eijun. His motives, his drives, his ambitions, his peculiar ways of forcing the people he cares about to grow, he's read and played through it all.

Most of the time the people closest to Ryosuke become increasingly attached to him, and after a set amount of time, Ryosuke would decide one sidedly to cut them off or distance himself. Call it a curse, or a gift, Ryosuke knew a person's heart better than anyone. Having him befriend Furuya and him was a calculated and strategic decision.

He knew of the duke's and duchess' concerns a few years ago when he started noticing that the letters between him and Furuya had marks of being opened before it came to his hand.

He had laughed off their concerns for so many years. The thought of Furuya liking him in that way was so out of script that he thought they were momentarily mad. And yet the duke and duchess insisted if it were ever the case that Eijun should be firm in his feelings and convey it to Furuya in the most clear way possible. They even offered measures for him to be formally adopted to another family in the even they wanted to marry.

Eijun had laughed himself hoarse that night, vehemently denying the possibility. Furuya Satoru was a male lead in a reverse harem otome game, the only person he would fall for is Haruno, the female lead! Done and dusted.

But now that he's accepted this reality as...well, a reality, he was forced to confront Furuya's feelings in its entirety. 

"You and Furuya were the ones I could never get a grasp of," Ryosuke smirks. "You're both so simple minded, and perhaps that's what made my interference so redundant."

Eijun rolls his eyes. "You act like you're doing everything according to some know it all plan, but the truth is, deep down in your so-called dark heart everything you do is because you care about us. But the moment we show the slightest reciprocation that we care about you too, you pull away, saying we would be too codependent on you!"

"Are you done?" He snaps. 

"No, I'm not!" Eijun says vehemently. "Can't you see that you're hurting Haruichi and Kuramochi-senpai? Sure, me, Haruno, and Furuya can brush something that's happened years ago, and sure you can say we learned something from it, but Haruichi and Kuramochi-senpai can't."

"Shirasu?" Someone whispers behind him. "What’s going on?"

"A first year is calling out Ryosuke on his attachment issues."

"Oh...well that's nice and all, but why?"

"Apparently Ryosuke’s little brother and his underclassmen from fencing are having a baseball match over a misunderstanding."

"Huh? Did Ryo-san cause the misunderstanding?"

"Not sure…"

Eijun whirls around, nodding vigorously. "He did! Kind of. Maybe. Aniki broke Kuramochi-senpai's heart when he started avoiding him and left the club without even telling him. Now he's a shell of himself, walking around with empty eyes. Every time he sees something pink he flinches and chases after it!"

"I see," a new voice rumbles out of nowhere, deeper and thoughtful. "I remember Kuramochi. He's a good kid."

"Tetsuya-senpai!"

"Hey Nori. Couldn't help but tagged along since Shirasu said something fun was happening. I thought we were having a shogi showdown again."

"That's...fun only to you captain…"

"And then? What else happened, first year?"

"And then-" Eijun blinks at the sudden crowd watching over him. "And then! When Kuramochi-senpai saw someone with pink hair in our dorm room, he immediately thought it was Ryo-san! He started rambling about how much he respected him and gushing about how much he looked up to him."

Tetsuya nodded, completely engrossed. "And then?"

Eijun flattened his bangs down, mimicking Haruichi's hair. "When he turned around, who else but Harucchi would be there?! After being told by his older brother to stop following his path, Haruichi was in turmoil, cutting his hair in an effort to change his image and was in the middle of trying to find himself."

"Hm hm."

"And right at the worst moment, someone mistook him for his brother, and not only that, started spewing about how amazing he was right to his face! As if the pressure wasn't over bearing enough!"

"Uwah, that's seriously the worst." Nori shudders.

"Did small Kominato get mad?" Shirasu asks.

"No, he immediately smiled and politely explained that he was the younger, not the older. Kuramochi-senpai thought everything was alright and apologized, but it clearly bothered Haruichi. He's been real cold and snappy with him. Dark Haruichi! The birth of a small devil!"

"And? How does all this tie in to baseball?"

"Kuramochi-senpai was getting sick of feeling guilty all the time, so he threw the gauntlet at Haruichi! Neither wanted to compete in fencing," Eijun throws a pointed look at Ryosuke, who threw back his head with a scowl.

"For obvious reasons. So I suggested baseball! Since we need a lot of people I drafted everyone for the game, and now all we need is a field, a proper one. Who else would we go to but Ryo-san, a member of the student council and agent of chaos!"

"He really does talk in a way that makes you think it all makes sense."

"He'd make a good salesman. Trustworthy face and all."

As Nori and Shirasu mumbles to themselves, they're interrupted with the sound of soft sobbing. They raised their head and stared at their captain in disbelief.

"Seriously?"

"What a touching tale," Tatsuya nods to himself, gently dabbing his cheeks with his handkerchief. "Two individuals in turmoil, settling their conflicting emotions through an honest match. And here I thought chivalry is dead!"

"Captain you can't seriously be thinking  about endorsing the match?!" Ryosuke exclaims. "Think of our budget! Think of the man labor! The approvals we have to get!"

Nori shakes his head. "Right. That's more work. For us ."

Shirasu grimaces.

"Nonsense, for the sake of repairing their sense of brotherhood, no effort is too great!"

"Isashiki-senpai is out on vacation remember?" Ryosuke goads. "He won't be here to file in the paperwork. You would have to do it, cap."

"..." Tatsuya looks away quietly. "How about an honorable game of shogi instead-"

"Captain!" Eijun says, aghast. "I thought you were on my side!"

"But…" Tatsuya frowns. "Paperwork."

"See?" Ryosuke says smugly. 

"But-!" He cuts himself off with a groan. "I can't believe this. The one thing I have to do and I can’t even...hah. Even the crown prince was going to play…"

Everybody in the room paused. "The crown prince?!"

Eijun blinks rapidly. "Yeah? Tall guy, stoic face, really expressive eyebrows?"

Shirasu stares at him in open confusion and tentative awe. "How did you manage that ?"

Eijun looks down thoughtfully at himself, before raising his head and saying, "I asked?"

"You asked ?"

Tatsuya hums under his breath. “The crown prince is willingly participating in something held by other nobles? This is quite the rare occasion.”

“That’s true, depending on who he plays with, against with, and who wins, it could say everything about the empire’s upcoming political climate-”

“Argh stop making everything sound complicated!” Eijun groans. “Politics? Nobles? Titles? None of that matters in a baseball field!”

“No, well, Sawamura, this changes everything,” Nori chews his lip. “If even the crown prince is taking interest in this...we have to consider thoroughly supporting this.”

“Captain-”

Tatsuya raised his hand at Ryosuke’s outburst, shaking his head. “I’ll take the proposal for now and deliberate with everyone. Ryosuke why don't you walk Sawamura out, and come back when you've cooled down."

Ryosuke grits his teeth and leaves the room without a word. Eijun follows him after hastily passing on the paperwork and bowing to everyone, calling out for him to slow down.

There was an awkward silence between him and Ryosuke as they trudged the long hall back to the main building. He half expected Ryosuke to argue with him or snark him all the way, but they arrived at the large door separating the student council and the student body without a hitch.

"Ryo-san," he starts. "I'm sorry if I went too far just now, but I meant everything I said. Please come to the game next week no matter what."

Ryosuke’s frown deepens and he crosses his arm uncomfortably. "You've always been such a know it all, you know that?"

"W-well I had a good reason to be," a trickle of sweat ran down his back. Drunk with the knowledge of the whole game, Eijun had more or less...well, been a little cocky in his young age. He would baffle Ryosuke with the most obscure knowledge, predict future events, driving him up the wall with his past life's memories. "But I realized  how lost I truly am and how much I still need to learn."

Now years later, Eijun has realized the errors of his ways. He was never meant to direct everyone around him like puppets in a play. Happy endings, wrong decisions, everyone here had every right to make their own decisions. All Eijun could do was help them along the way and root for them.

"Ryo-san, please. I...I know how you feel," he smiles at Ryosuke’s look of disbelief. "I swear I do. You want the best for everyone around you, and you think you have all the answers. You know them best after all. But this isn't the way. Okay? Giving them the cold shoulders, talking down to them...might push them to be better, but at the expense of yourself."

"So what should I do then? Hold their hands? Wait until something bad happens to them and laugh, saying I told you so?!" Ryosuke snaps. "You don't understand Sawamura. The world isn't so gentle that it'll allow us to learn from our mistakes. The weight of our family name is enough to break our backs. A mistake could mean our downfall."

Eijun slowly nodded. Chapter six of Ryosuke and Haruichi's backstory revealed it all. The two brothers were born to a much too gentle mother and father. Their mother was a high born who fell in love with a common man, and forced her parents' hand to bless their marriage. That is...by conceiving Ryosuke.

Ashamed, her parents finally allowed them both to marry secretly. The church was paid off to conduct a small ceremony, and no party was held to celebrate their union. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, was the perfect sentence to describe their life. They couldn't simply write her off the family registry, so her sons kept their mother's last name.

Their father was shoved into a position befitting their marriage. They lived a good and comfortable life...but with one's noble lineage came unavoidable rumors and scorn. In high society, their mother was painted as a loose woman, a disgrace to her family name. Their father? An ambitious and power hungry man who purposely seduced a noble woman.

Born to such a chaotic scene with no support from either of their families, the Kominatos climbed up the ladder of power with their own two hands, restoring their good name through sheer hard work and grit. Ryosuke who was old enough to remember most of what happened had to grow up being wary and suspicious of most people.

Depending on other people was unthinkable for him. And yet he wanted nothing but the best for his younger brother. Ryosuke’s unique brand of tough love was the best way he could convey how much he cared for people around him. The moment Haruichi grew attached to him, so much so that he admired him, Ryosuke would turn cold. Kuramochi too got this treatment.

In his eyes, he was a weakness no one would hesitate to use. And his own attachments were a burden.

"Ryo-san, I'm not saying that you're wrong," Eijun finally says. "In fact, I'm sure you only had the best intentions in mind. But all I'm saying is that just because you're right doesn't mean you can't be wrong at the same time."

Ryosuke clicks his tongue. "If you're right you're right, if you're wrong you're wrong."

"Right," Eijun says gently with a tilt to his head. "...but Ryo-san, even the most good intentions can have bad outcomes."

"..." Ryosuke shakes his head in dismissal. "Forget it. Just go."

"Okay...bye senpai."

"Ah." Ryosuke says just as he touches the door handle.

"Yes?!" Eijun turns around, eagerness all over his face.

The third year put out his hand expectantly. "Mm."

Without thinking, Eijun sets his left hand onto Ryosuke’s awaiting one.

"Good boy."

Eijun chokes. Damn his old habits!

"I guess I didn't waste my time training you all this time," Ryosuke hums. "This crest...of course. Miyuki is backing you huh?"

"Y-yeah, you know him?"

"Know him? He's next in line for student council president," Ryosuke presses his thumb against the faded mark, sending a tingling feeling down his spine. "Good for you, you caught a pretty big fish."

"Well...I caught it but I haven't decided if I want to keep it."

"Really? Anyone else would be jumping in joy. Or...do you have your eyes set on a particular person?"

"No? Isn't it kind of troublesome?" Eijun sighs. "Miyuki-senpai is already pestering me to accompany him in tea parties and sparring practice when I haven't even accepted yet. He's a pervert, a cunning bastard, and such a handful! The only good thing about him is how nice his room is…"

"Parties and sparring? Sounds to me like he pampers you," Ryosuke smirks. "Most people in your position would be cleaning their sponsor's room instead of lounging on it. Miyuki has never shown interest in any first year, let alone give one his full support. Now he has you, and it seems he's doing everything he can to keep you."

"...what, he just has a lot of pride that's all," Eijun mutters with a blush. "We just have a give and take relationship."

"Is that so? Well I hope for everyone's sake he doesn't just indulge you in everything," Ryosuke nudges with his chin. "Look up."

"Huh?"

"Look up. Higher. Even higher."

Eijun stares at the (admittedly) pretty ceiling in confusion as he cranes his neck up. "Why am I doing this aniki?"

"Stay still."

Cold slender fingers wrap itself around his neck, and for a moment Eijun's breath hitches. "What are you-"

Ryosuke’s thumb press ever so slightly against his throat, before it slides down to his Adam's apple. Eijun swallows, and Ryosuke follows the movement closely. "You say whatever you want, you act in any way you wish, and now the son of the most sought after craftsman, the only son of the duke, and the crown prince of the empire are at your side. You're dangerous, Sawamura."

"A-aha...don't tell me you're going to strangle me in broad daylight senpai," Eijun chokes out. "T-think of how heavy my dead body is going to be-hurk!"

"You think I'm not strong enough to haul you like a sack of potatoes brat?"

"Aaah! You are! You are…" he whimpers.

Ryosuke sighs, loosening his hold. "You're harmless now, but what happens when you want something more than a baseball match? When years down the line you have them all wrapped around your fingers…"

"Ryo-san?"

Ryosuke stood on his tip toes, forcing Eijun's neck to lower itself. And then without warning, pressed his lips against his throat. He let out a gasp, instinctively holding on to Ryosuke’s shoulders. "S-senpai?!"

A hint of teeth brushes his skin, and Eijun is left standing there with his mouth wide open as Ryosuke casually steps back and dabs his mouth. "A leash. A leash is what you need. One that holds you back and isn't afraid to knock some sense into you."

"W-wha…" Eijun grabs at his neck in bewilderment. "You marked me?!"

"It's the Kominato crest isn't it?"

"But...why?!" Eijun shouts. "I thought you hated me!"

"Hate, love, right, wrong," Ryosuke hums. "If it's all the same, then I need to keep you close Sawamura. Close enough for me to watch over you. Next week in the baseball match, I want to see the moment you realize you're in the wrong."

Ryosuke taps his mark with a finger lightly. "When it fails-"

" If ."

" If it fails, then I hope you'll concede and accept my mark, and admit that I'm in the right. I'll take my time... educating you thoroughly after that."

"And? If I prove that baseball brings people together? That Haruichi and Kuramochi-senpai don't need your constant meddling? That the three of you are better off together instead of stupidly rifting apart?!" Eijun demands.

"Then I'll back down and…" Ryosuke shrugs. "I'll grant you one wish."

"Three."

"One."

"Three!"

" One ."

"What kind of genie only grants one wish?!"

"The kind that's going to punch your throat if you don't shut up."

"..." Eijun clamps his hands over his throat, glaring at Ryosuke petulantly.

" What ?" Ryosuke smirks.

"...hmph." damn these pretty otome boys, if evil why hot goddammit?!

-

"...ruya...ya...FURUYA!"

"Mmn...huh?" The sleepy first year rubs his eyes as he slowly wakes, yawning quietly. "Eijun?"

"The one and only," he props his hands up to his hips, leaning down to stare at him. "Why are you napping already? Did you pass out the brochure like I told you?”

“Mm, I was done in five minutes.”

“Ohh that’s a pretty boy for you,” Eijun laughs, pinching Furuya’s cheek teasingly. “Thanks Furuya!"

"Hmph," Furuya huffs as he pulls away. "Did you get the student council's permission?"

"No," Eijun laughs nervously, tugging at his collar. "I did get a souvenir though."

Furuya's eyes that were drooping with sleepiness instantly snapped wide open. He scrambles to sit up against the tree behind him, tugging Eijun down to look at him more closely. "This-!"

"Aha...yeah funny story?" Eijun grimaces. "Ryo-san suddenly decided to mark me because I kinda pissed him off."

Furuya growls under his breath. "He's always tried getting between us…!"

"N-now now calm down," Eijun pats his head, frowning when Furuya pulls away again. "What?"

"I hate that they get to mark you."

Eijun's mouth opens and closes. He should make a joke, change the subject, keel over and pass out, something , but Ryosuke’s taunt rings in his head, and he sits down beside Furuya instead. "You hate it."

Furuya nods, the crease between his brows deepening. "Hate it."

"Why?"

Furuya blinks owlishly. "Huh?"

"Why do you hate it?"

"Eijun...you finally asked," Furuya says in awe. "You're not plugging your ears! Or walking away from me! Or-"

"Ahh, I get it I get it, I'm really bad at confrontation," he winces. "I know I've always ignored you whenever you say... that , but...I won't anymore from now on."

"Really?" He asks, wide eyed.

"Really."

Furuya breaks into a small smile before he lays back down the soft green grass, patting the spot next to him eagerly. He chuckles at the cute gesture despite the nerves inside him gnawing through his heart, laying beside the first year with a huff.

"I really like the smell of grass."

Furuya shuffles to his side to look at him. "I remember. You used to drag me away from lessons just to run to the garden and catch the freshly cut grass."

"Heh, Aki-san used to yell at me a lot for that. The maids kept glaring at me for making your white shirt stained green when they put out the laundry too." He chuckles. 

What was probably a miserable memory for the original owner of this body was a precious childhood memory for Eijun. The days where Furuya finally melted down his ice wall, when Aki-san accidentally showed him affection, when Eiji-san patted his head awkwardly, those were the days that Eijun truly felt like he was a part of this new world.

"I never liked going outside," Furuya murmurs. "The sun is hot, the wind ruins my hair, the air feels damp, and walking was tiring."

"Mhm?" He sees a blade of grass stuck on Furuya's hair, and with a flick of his fingers, a small gust blows it away. 

"But you like it," Furuya smiles. "So I like it too."

"You like everything I like?"

"Mm."

"Then...if I told you I liked whipped cream?"

Furuya pulls a face but nods along. "I'll order a cake with tons of whip cream for you so we can share."

Eijun snickers. "If I say I liked you bald?"

"I'll shave." He says firmly.

"Don’t!" He laughs. "You pretty boy, people would witch hunt me if you did that. Mm...what if I said I liked girls?"

"...magic spell."

"Really? Something like that exists?"

Furuya pouts. "You're that excited about it?"

"Just curious!" Eijun waves him off. "I like boys more, but I think I like girls too."

Furuya nods, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Mm…" Eijun parts Furuya's bangs to the side, revealing his clear grey eyes. "Furuya."

"If I said I like us better as friends and step brothers...what would you do?"

Furuya stiffens, his lips thinning into a frown. "I...I'd hate it."

"But you said you'd like what I'd like."

"...I like you more than that," Furuya protests. "I can't like you less than I already do."

"Hmm, aren't you a selfish young master." He teases.

"Eijun is selfish too." 

"I am," he agrees readily. "So selfish. More selfish than anyone you'll meet. In fact I've just been holding back all these times. I'm only going to be more selfish."

"So am I," Furuya rebukes. "I'm the son of a duke. Everything I wanted I always got. I've been patient all these times too. From now on, if this is how it's going to be, then I'm going to be more selfish with you too."

"Yeah?" He says over the sound of blood rushing to his head.

"Eijun I like you," Furuya leans in, rolling on top of him. "I like you. I like you."

"Mm," Eijun flushes. "I-I get it."

"I like you. A lot." Furuya insists. "Can I kiss-"

"Ah!" Eijun presses a hand against Furuya's lips in panic. "I didn't say I liked you too!"

"Don’t care," Furuya pouts. "Wanna be selfish."

"W-well…" Eijun stutters. "I don't want my first kiss right now!"

"When?"

"Um…" his brows scrunched up in thought. "Maybe...when we graduate?"

"Too long."

"..." Eijun sweats under Furuya's intense gaze. "T-then...maybe if you throw a 160 on next week's baseball match."

Furuya's lips twitched and he pressed against Eijun's hand with a sigh. "Selfish."

"We'll do it like the old days," Eijun eggs on. "We'll bet on it."

"A kiss for a 160."

"Mhm. And if it's anywhere below that…" Eijun tilts his head. "...you don't get to be my first kiss."

He throws his head back in laughter at the sheer horror in Furuya's face, giggling even as the first year shakes him by his shoulders and demands they practice pitching right now, right now Eijun !

-

"You had to choose the hottest day of the year didn't you?"

"Oh come on you big baby," Eijun snorts. "Shouldn't you be thriving right now? Plant magic and all."

"I'm but a small, thirsty flower," Miyuki whines, draping himself over Eijun. He grunts at the sudden weight, pushing away his face. "Sawamuraaa, give me some nice breeze!"

"Get off! I need to keep my energy reserve at max if I want to play my best today!"

"That's right Miyuki, let the poor boy go," a quiet voice tuts. "Here Eijun, drink this. It's a potion for increasing your stamina."

"Heheh, thanks Chris-senpai!" Eijuj grins as he nabs the vial from his hands. It wasn't until the nice citrus flavored liquid was halfway down his throat did he whirl around in shock, potion sloshing in his bulging cheeks comically. "Mmhmph?!"

"Good morning," Chris greets him, visibly stifling a smile. "Swallow."

Eijun obeys, gulping down the potion with a wince. "Guh!"

"What a mess," Chris sighs, using his thumb to wipe away the corner of his lips. "You're that upset about seeing me?"

"Upset?!" Eijun gasps. More like elated.

"No?"

"No! Of course not! I'm happy!" Eijun grabs Chris' hand, peering up to him with starry eyes. "I knew ever since I saw you in class that you had the perfect body and temperament to be a catcher!"

"Hey you never said that to me!" Miyuki whines.

"Shush four eyes!" Eijun hisses. He looks back to Chris hopefully. "Senpai, are you playing with us?"

"Well...I'm not sure, do you think I'll be any good?" Chris says sheepishly.

"You'll be perfect senpai! Play on my team! I'll amaze you with all my cool pitches!"

"Then I'll take you up on that." Chris smiles.

Eijun smiles back at him shyly. "Chris-senpai-"

"Ah?" Miyuki blinks. "Is that…?"

Walking with an absurd amount of entourage and his left hand man Renji, Hongou had the staff from the crown prince’s palace wheel in all sorts of equipment for today's game. Eijun had stayed up for hours talking with the designer, craftsmen, and wood carpenter to make the most accurate baseball equipment possible in a fantasy world.

Eijun couldn’t help but run and meet him halfway, his face flushed from excitement. "Your highness! You actually did it! You made it in time!"

"Hmph! Who you think I am?! All the guild in the empire are under my command, making a bunch of equipment for this many people is child's play!"

"...is what he'd like to say, but really he spent a lot of his personal money on this." Renji pipes in with a harmless smile.

"Renji!" Hongou growls.

"I've overstepped my boundaries." Renji readily says.

"You-!"

"Thank you, your highness," Eijun cuts in, taking Hongou’s hand and shaking it vigorously. "I'm so happy to hear you love baseball so much that you'd empty your pockets for us!"

"E-empty?! This is hardly-"

"Can I see the bats?!" Eijun shouts, walking past him to coo at the polished and sturdy wooden bats. "Woah! Even my middle school gear isn't this good!"

“Ugh, I knew it,” Miyuki mutters behind him. “He actually commissioned my father.”

“You can tell just from the naked eye?” Chris asks, surprised.

“I can tell it’s his shoddy work from a mile away.” Miyuki sighs.

“He actually personally offered himself to the job,” Renji says with a knowing smile. “He heard that we were trying to find good craftsmen for the royal academy. He must’ve thought of you, Miyuki-san.”

“Oh please.” Miyuki mutters dismissively. Both he and Chris share a knowing smile. Bonding over Miyuki’s awkward relationship with his father was a staple conversation point in their weekly afternoon tea.

Not long after all the players for today’s baseball match finally gathered in the freshly prepared field. Eijun, now fully geared in a fitted baseball uniform and his old leather glove smacked people’s legs with a firm, “Stand straight! Stand straight!”

Miyuki easily dodged his jabs, leaning back to admire his behind with a low whistle. “I’m starting to see the appeal of baseball.”

Kuramochi growls from the row across him, grabbing Miyuki by the ear and dragging him forcibly back. “Come back here you little shit!”

“Aaah! Mercy Mochi, mercy!”

Miyuki ends up pinned by both Kuramochi and Tatsuya side by side. Eijun almost feels bad for him, keyword: almost .

“Do I have to play for this team?” Miyuki whines.

“You’re the only one who understands the game as much as me,” EIjun shrugs. “Furuya and Haruichi are on my team, so of course you need to show them the ropes.”

Besides, if Miyuki’s out of the picture, then his catcher is…

“Hm?” Chris tilts his head to him as he adjusts his cap around, giving him a tranquil smile.

“Heheh, you look really good on the uniform senpai.” Eijun praises.

“Ehem,” Tatsuya fakes coughs. “If you could please brief us on today’s game, Sawamura?”

“O-oh, osh!” Eijun snaps to attention.

Today’s game is a standard 9 inning match. On one team was the first years, namely him, Furuya, Haruichi, and a bunch of boys Haruno managed to rope in, like a douche named Kanemaru, a nice refreshing person named Toujou, a fierce looking person named Takatsu, his friend Oka, a confused looking Kariba, and last but certainly not least, Chris-senpai.

On the other team was a myriad of second years and third years, namely Miyuki Kazuya, the student council president Tatsuya, the silent killer Shirasu, a nervous looking Nori, a laser focused Kuramochi, Miyuki’s friend Maezono, Eijun’s newly emerged roommate Masuko, a spitz like person who’s apparently the vice president of the student council Jun and the most out of place out of them all, the crown prince, Masamune Hongou.

Along with them was a small crowd of people taking their place on the nearby benches, eager to see a game unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.

And of course, ready with cold beverages, ice, and a scoring board was Haruno and her upperclassmen, Fujiwara, Yui, and Sachiko.

“Should I start the game?” Haruno huffs, a whistle at the ready.

“Everyone ready?” Eijun asks. Everyone nods, and they all bow at the same time.

“LET’S PLAY!”

While the other team runs back to their own dugout to prepare, Eijun sneaks behind a quietly geared up Haruichi.

“You okay?” He asks quietly.

“I’m...I’m alright,” Haruichi straps his gloves on, glazing at the bleachers with a complicated look. “Did you know Nii-san was coming, Eijun?”

“I invited him,” Eijun sighs, tugging down his turtle neck with a pout. “At least he actually showed up.”

“Why would he be here? I thought he’d hate seeing me and Kuramochi-senpai do this.” Haruichi winces. “He probably thinks we’re making a fool out of ourselves.”

“Probably,” Eijun doesn’t deny. “But I know he’ll never say that by the end of this.”

“What do you mean?”

“In all my lifetimes, I’ve never seen someone that can laugh at a person who’s fighting tooth and nail for something they believe in,” Eijun smiles bitterly. “And if they do, well then their opinions will never matter to me and you.”

“...you know Eijun, sometimes you talk like someone’s who’s thirty years old.” Haruichi chuckles.

“A-ahaha! Come on Haruichi, I’m just that wise!” Eijun laughs nervously. “A wisdom worth two...lifetimes.”

“Still talking?” Furuya complains from under the shade of the dugout. “The sun is getting hotter.”

“You’re one to talk! Are you a dainty lady afraid of sun burns?! Get out of there!”

“Hngh…”

“Is this seriously our team?” Kanemaru complains. “This is basically a one sided massacre.”

“Hm? I thought you said you were going to play half heartedly?” Toujou teases.

“I am! It’s just...people are watching ya’ kno…”

“Ah... Haruno’s watching you mean.”

“Ugh!”

“Why are you even here if you’re not going to play to win?” Takatsu spits.

“Why are you here?!”

“...” 

Eijun feels a pair of eyes on him and looks around him in confusion. He shrugs after a while, smiling sheepishly as Sachiko-senpai hands him a flavored mineral water.

“Takatsu?”

“What’s it to you Kanemaru?” Oka buts in. “Unlike some people, we’re here for the right intentions.”

“I-!” Kanemaru slumps against Toujou with a sigh. “Am I hated again?”

“...have they ever stopped?”

“Toujou!”

“Now now,” Chris speaks up, motioning them over. “Half hearted or not, we should talk strategy don’t you think?”

Eijun perks up, rushing to his side. “Senpai, what do you have in mind?”

Chris leans in as they form a circle. “Since we’re batting first…”

-

“Dude, lay off the staring, you’re blind as shit right now anyway.”

Miyuki scowls, nudging Kuramochi away. “Like you’re not looking at Ryo-san with puppy eyes.”

“I am not!”

“Am too!”

“Ehem!” Tatsuya warns. But it was too late.

“THE HELL ARE YOU ARGUING ABOUT YOU BRATS?!” Jun shouts beside him. Tatsuya winces and discreetly plugs a finger in his ear. “YOU’RE MAKING PEOPLE STARE AT US GODDAMMIT!”

“Jun-san, you’re making them stare harder…” Maezono tries.

“HAH?”

“N-NEVERMIND SIR!”

Shirasu quietly polishes his bat, admiring the woodwork and weight of it. Nori was familiarizing himself with the ball, trying odd grips and smiling at the weird courses it flew.

“YOU ALL HAVE A LOT OF NERVE DRAGGING ME AWAY FROM A VACATION JUST TO STAND UNDER THE SUN LIKE A DRIED SARDINE!”

“Hah! Is that why you have a weird half tan Jun-san?” Miyuki cackles.

“WHAT WEIRD TAN?!” Jun growls. “I’ll have you know the girls in the south go crazy-”

“ Enough from the peanut gallery ,” Hongou booms, gripping the wooden bat in his hand so hard it showed hairline cracks. “ Stop yapping and start strategizing .”

“...yes your highness.” they replied quietly with varying degrees of sincerity.

-

First inning, team A at bat, team B to pitch.

Toujou is the first at bat, with Miyuki behind the home plate and Hongou up on the mound.

“Eh? The crown prince already on the first inning?” Haruno comments. “That’s a surprise, I thought he’d hold off for a surprise change in the last half.”

“Naw, it’s good that he comes out now,” Eijun grins. “We’ll take him down a peg right off the gate!”

Furuya nods beside him, his aura already going wild.

“Really? Well if you say so…”

As Hongou winds up to pitch and Toujou tightens his hold on his bat, an air of anticipation veils over the field.

Eijun grips his jersey and takes a deep breath.

Hongou’s fingers leave the ball, and within a blink, Eijun misses it. What he certainly doesn’t miss is the sound of a large boom and a force strong enough to make everyone in the dugout stumble on their own foot. Haruno lets out a squeak, holding on to her chair in surprise.

“Wha-”

“What the fuck was that?!”

“An earthquake?!”

“Sheesh, you weren’t kidding when you said I’d have to root myself,” Miyuki laughs, showing the still smoking ball in his glove. He glances at Toujou and gives him a bright smile before pulling his mask back down. “That’s a strike, right? Two more pitches, hang in there first year!”

Toujou gulps, visibly stepping back in the batting box.

Hongou flexes his arm, throwing a haughty look at his dugout.

Eijun chuckles nervously. Is anyone else hearing boss music in the distance?

-

Second half of the first inning, A team to pitch, B team to bat. Current scores: 0-0

First at bat, a smug looking tanuki, mildly squinting through the charm casted on his eyes to forgo glasses.

“Ready?” Chris whispers to him behind his glove.

“Yes, but...do we really have to go this far to catch him off guard?”

Chris smiles, quirking his brow inquisitively. “Do you dislike it?”

“N-no! In fact I like it,” Eijun quickly answers. “I like it a lot, but...are you sure?”

“I suggested it didn’t I?”

“I guess, if you’re sure .”

“I’m sure, Sawamura.”

Eijun turns to his side, facing the other team’s dugout. He shifts his jersey around, sucking in hot air when Chris takes it upon himself to pry his turtle neck down just enough to reveal a skin off his shoulder. He tries his best to stay still, but Chris’ soft lips against his skin makes him gasp and shiver.

“Is...it done?”

“Yup,” Chris wipes the corner of his mouth and smiles, straightening his turtle neck and jersey back on. "You ready?"

"Yeah!" Eijun turns around, only to see Miyuki's face completely devoid of the easy going vibe he had. Inside their own dugout, Furuya’s aura was exploding, the hinges of their benches flying off. "Ah."

Chris throws a look behind his shoulders as he tugs Eijun's braid back to his shoulder. "The crown prince broke another wooden bat."

“Miyuki Kazuya looks close to breaking his own…”

“Kuramochi looks like he’s ready to jump me.” Chris laughs.

“Do you think we revved them up enough?”

“Yes. You remember what I said?”

“That Miyuki Kazuya is going to swing at all tries?”

“Exactly. Just trust where I put the mitt.”

“Got it!”

Out of his scope of hearing, Chris takes his place behind the home plate. He smiles through Miyuki’s accusatory gaze, hiding behind his catcher mask.

“Really? Right in front of the student body?”

“A little birdie told me you did the same thing just weeks ago, or did it whistle up the wrong tree?”

“Hah,” Miyuki sighs. “You’re trying to rile everyone up, but it’s not going to work.”

“No? Then why are you swinging at this clearly off ball?”

“Wha-” Miyuki’s arm swings as if he was possessed, missing the ball entirely. 

Chris squeezes the ball through his glove, his eyes going wild at the satisfying sound it made on impact. “Let’s have a nice and thorough game, Miyuki.”

“Ugh…”

-

Second half of the second inning, A team to pitch, B team to bat. Current scores: 0-0. Runner on first, Kuramochi Youichi.

First baseman, Kominato Haruichi.

The pink haired baseman avoids Kuramochi’s eyes as he stretches along the plate, already eyeing the second and third plate with hungry eyes.

“Don’t overthink it,” Kuramochi says idly. “Just play the game.”

“...thank you for the advice senpai.”

Kuramochi rolls his eyes, straightening his body to a running pose. “Look I get that you’re pissed at me, but the whole point of this is to vent it healthily, okay? I don’t appreciate the passive aggressiveness.”

Haruichi shoots him a look as Tatsuya makes perfect contact with the ball. “I thought that’s what you liked best from Nii-san.”

“Wha-” Kuramochi says, flabbergasted, but before he could get a chance to retort the ball flies over the middle fielder, and he takes off with a scowl.

Haruichi looks up just in time to see Ryosuke staring straight at him, and he tucks his head down in embarrassment, adjusting the cap over his head.

-

First half of the third inning, A team to bat, B team to pitch. Current scores: 0-1 after a successful run from Kuramochi.

First up to bat, Toujou Hideaki.

Two strikes, two fouls, one ball.

"He's really holding on huh?" Eijun sniffs. "I'm getting a little touched!"

"That guy's always too earnest for his own good," Kanemaru scowls, fanning himself with his cap. "Just swing and let it strike for god's sake, it's not like we're going to win."

"Kanemaru! Why are you bringing us down like this?!" Eijun demands, shaking him by his shoulders. "Don’t you feel something burning inside you from baseball?!"

"Agh you're too loud!" Kanemaru hisses. "The only thing burning here is my skin dammit."

"Ignore him Sawamura," Takatsu mutters. "Idiots like him never get motivated on their own."

"Say that to my face Takatsu!"

"I am, you dumbass."

"Quiet down already. You're making my head throb." Chris sighs.

"Senpai! Quick, Haruno give me your best fruit drink!"

"They're all the same…"

"That one! That one has more lemons!"

Just as their bickering started up again, a loud booming sound not unlike the ball Hongou first threw made them all jump. They look to the side to see a sweating Kariba throw back a ball to Furuya, his sweat soaking through his gear. "Furuya, don't you think we warmed up enough?"

"No," he frowns. "We have to win. I need to keep warming up."

"Jeez, even Furuya is more fired up than someone who dragged us into all this." Kanemaru jabs.

Haruichi flinches, looking up from where he sat with a guilty look.

Eijun scratches his head. Haruichi has been acting strange and quiet ever since the game started. He barely reacted to Kuramochi's steals, and most of his at bats were a no contact strike. He thought baseball would make him more confident in himself. And a harmless sport would take the edge off a duel with Kuramochi but…

"Haruno," he asks. "Do you have my batting average?"

"Eh? I do, but…" Haruno coughs. "Do you really want to…?"

"Please."

"It's...um," Haruno purses her lips as she flips through her notes. "...0.230."

"Sheesh." Kanemaru hisses through his teeth.

"What’s Furuya's?"

"0.620."

"What’s my fastest pitch?"

"155…"

"And Furuya's?"

"158…"

"Would you say I'm a worse player than Furuya?"

"What?!" Haruno blinks. "Of course not Eijun! Numbers aren't everything!"

Eijun turns to Haruichi. "That's right, numbers aren't everything in baseball. Technique, strategy, mind games, even luck. Anything can compensate for your lack of abilities."

"Look buddy, we tried the mind games and weird strategies, but if you think lady luck is going to be on our side and let us win against those jacked third years-mmfth?!"

"You talk too much." Takatsu growls as he shoves a towel in his mouth.

"But Haruichi...I don't care if I'm bad at baseball. I don't care if I'm the worst pitcher in the world," Eijun taps his chest with a grin. "I'll still be playing it till the day I die."

"But...why?" Haruichi stammers. "If you're not good at it...if someone next to you is clearly better...why even bother to try? If everything you do will always be shadowed by that person's accomplishments...I...I don't see the point."

"Not doing what I love hurts more than the embarrassment of failing," Eijun points at the opposite dugout. "Today, I'll fight tooth and nail to win. Even if some of you aren't taking this seriously. Even if I get laughed at, or pointed at from the benches."

"I'm here to prove how amazing baseball is, and nothing is going to stop me."

"What about you Haruichi?" He takes a deep breath. "What does the great Harucchi want to prove today?"

"I…"

-

First half of the fifth inning, A team to bat, B team to pitch. Current scores: 0-3 after a successful hit from Shirasu and Maezono.

Bottom of the count, Eijun up to bat.

"Nervous?" Miyuki teases. "You're gripping the bat real low."

"Shut up before I swing the bat at you, Miyuki Kazuya!"

Across the field, Hongou looks raring to go, his arm twisting in an intimidating motion. To say Eijun was getting desperate was an understatement. Despite having a team with more experience in baseball, team B easily ignited their game sense within five innings.

Hongou’s already learned to pitch close to the outer line of the box. Miyuki Kazuya basically frames all balls perfectly by the millimeter. Tatsuya is basically a batting god. Spitz apparently is a fielding genius. Shirasu is just scary. Nori somehow learned a sinker within hours. And Maezono senpai clings to you just enough to get a walk or a foul.

"Not using cheap distractions this tIme?"

"Why? Does it work?"

Miyuki glares at his shoulders and harrumphs. "No."

"So it does." Eijun smirks.

Hm. What would make Hongou stagger just enough to get him to the first plate? A kissy face? Taunts? Flipping his bat?

Ah. He's got it.

He flexes his arm, running his other hand on it, nodding at Hongou and ending it with an exaggerated wink.

Hongou stares at him blankly, before immediately winding up to pitch.

"Fuck!" Eijun curses out loud as he swings and severely misses.

"You looked like you were having a seizure."

"Shut up! It was a charming wink! Teachers and elders love my wink!"

The second pitch was no better than the first, and Eijun misses it by an inch. "Goddammit…"

If only he could get the timing right! He always swings with 100% capacity, he just needs to-!

"NOW EIJUN! SWING!"

"Ah?!" Without thinking, Eijun swung with all his might. The ball tumbled weirdly, barely missing Kuramochi's mitt.

"RUN!" His dugout screams.

"RUNNING!" Eijun screams back, working his legs in full strength. He slides onto the second base on his stomach, face first like a pancake with a grunt.

"SAFE!" The referee calls.

Eijun jumps to his feet, ready to let out a dose of OSH OSH OSH only to see everyone in his dugout scream out of their minds.

"SO YOU CAN BAT YOU BLIND PITCHER!"

"YOU RAN AT THE SPEED OF WIND SAWAMURA!"

"KOMINATO YOU BETTER GET HIS ASS BACK HOME DAMMIT."

Haruichi adjusts his helmet and nods severely, stepping up to bat.

"Whoa what's gotten into them?" Eijun laughs. 

Kuramochi clicks his tongue beside him. "Idiot. Have you looked at yourself in the past four innings?"

"Huh?" Eijun glances down at himself. Dirt and grime basically turned his white jersey completely brown. Cuts and lacerations covered his hand and knees from the hard falls and slides he's been recklessly doing. "Oh this? This is nothing."

"How is this nothing?" Kuramochi sighs, grabbing him by his jaw and tilting his head to him. "Your nose is bleeding dumbass."

"Huh?" Eijun sniffs as Kuramochi dabs his handkerchief below his nose. "Whoa! Blood!"

"No shit," Kuramochi presses it to his own hand with a growl. "Do it yourself you big baby."

"Hehe, thanks senpai!"

Kuramochi grunts as he looks back to Haruichi, now seemingly a completely different person. There's a fire in his motions as he fouls every single bad pitch and lets every ball through. "...I just don't understand him."

"Hm?" He dabs the handkerchief carefully around his nose, wincing at the still flowing blood.

"Is it that bad being mistaken for Ryo-san? I mean the kid probably loves him the most out of all of us."

"Uwah how dense," Eijun trails off. "Senpai."

"Hm."

"Anyone would hate being unseen."

Kuramochi blinks, lips parted in surprise before a satisfying sound of a bat meeting a ball echoes around the field.

"OH!" 

"RUN SAWAMURA!"

Eijun was already off, blasting through the second base and skidding to the third base. He wheezes as he does, clinging against Masuko to catch his breath. "Haah...haah...oh jeez…"

"Hmph!" Masuko huffs, propping him up.

"Heh, thanks senpai."

Eijun looks onto the field again and cracks a wild smile. Perfect.

Haruichi managed to get on first base, and now last to bat is the monster they've been revving up from the start.

"FURUYA!" He yells. "Get me home alright?!"

Furuya nods, immediately focusing back to Hongou.

The game’s only just begun.

-

"...hey."

"Yes senpai?"

Kuramochi scratches his head in a put upon way. "I really am sorry, you know?"

"I know," Haruichi murmurs as he tugs off his glove. "But you're sorry because I'm mad and threw a tantrum."

"...yeah."

"To be honest I stopped being upset with you a long time ago," Haruichi admits. "And I know it's silly to hate being mistaken for your own brother but…"

"But?"

"I think a part of me just wants to see your face as I run and leave you in the dust!" Haruichi giggles.

"H-huh?" Kuramochi says just as Furuya hits a grounder to his side.

"Bye senpai!" Haruichi waves as he dashes away.

Kuramochi stares at him, an unexpected blush forming on his cheeks. What the hell...how does someone that pink and cute looks so damn...manly?

"AGH KURAMOCHI GRAB THE FUCKING BALL YOU BRAT, FURUYA’S RUSHING PAST YOU!"

"OH SHIT-!"

-

"He hit it...he hit it that easily…" Hongou mutters as he'a dragged away from the mound.

"Whoa good job Furuya!" Eijun pats his shoulders. "You broke him! You broke the crown prince!"

"Mm. Now switch with me," Furuya demands. "I'm pitching."

"O-okay," he laughs nervously. "Haruno, player change."

"Yes!"

"Eijun!" Furuya demands as he walks backwards. "Remember our promise!"

"I get it, I get it jeez!"

"Promise?"

"Uh," Eijun avoids Haruno’s curious eyes with an exaggerated laugh. "Nothing! Just something silly we bet on that's all."

"What did you bet on?"

"Um, whether he can hit 160 on his pitches today."

"Oh! Well he has to right? How else is he going to overwhelm the batters?"

"Can't he just throw a weird ball here and there?!"

"No way, Furuya’s fastball is his best weapon right now!" Haruno tuts. "If he doesn't hit 160 then we're not going to keep our scores!"

"Agh…" Eijun curls to himself as everyone in the dugout shouts their support. The thought of having to k-kiss Furuya after this is so daunting Eijun wants to scream, but instead he yells out with everyone, "HIT THAT 160 FURUYA!"

Furuya's aura flares the moment he says that and he nods severely. 

-

Game set. Final scores: 3-5. Team B wins.

"And...bow!"

"THANK YOU FOR THE GAME!"

Eijun sighs as everyone starts cleaning up after themselves. So they lost huh. They lost...but…

"Dammit! If only I hit that last pitch!" Kanemaru curses.

"No, if only I caught that last fly ball…"

"I should've bunted more, but I got too scared of Hongou man…"

But it feels like he won anyway.

"Haruichi."

"Nii-san!" Haruichi snaps to attention. "You watched-"

"You could've made a double play on the sixth inning, hit a grounder on Nori's off sinker on the seventh, stolen more bases, and used less bunts."

"Huh?"

"...but that's how I would've played," Ryosuke hums. "I would've played to win."

Haruichi stares at him before breaking into a laugh. "Nii-san you never change."

"Kuramochi."

"R-Ryo-san!"

"I'm sure you don't realize it , dense as you two are," Ryosuke points between the two of them. "But you two make perfect partners on the field."

Haruichi and Kuramochi stare at each other in confusion.

Ryosuke sighs, patting both their shoulders. "I feel a little left out honestly. You looked like you were having so much fun."

"Ryo-san does that mean…!"

"Nii-san do you wanna play…!"

Kuramochi and Haruichi stopped, before breaking into laughter. No, what they should really be saying is…

"Nii-san."

"Ryo-san."

"Let's play together!"

-

"Eijun."

"Oh hey Furuya," he smiles. "Good job today."

"...we lost." He grumbled.

"Yeah well," he shrugs. "What can you do."

"Even though I hit a 160…"

"That's what you're upset about!"

He sighs at Furuya's defeated form, swishing his water around in guilt. He did give his all today, it's just the other team is so overwhelmingly good at batting.

"You can still...ya kno…" he mutters. "Just...on the cheeks or something."

Furuya blinks. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Really really?"

"I said yeah dammit. "

"Eijun?! Really?!"

"Ah shut up!" He snaps, grabbing Furuya by his jersey. It was less of a kiss and more like a punch of his lips to his soft cheeks but...it’s a kiss okay?!

Furuya sits there in a daze, holding on to his cheek with a goofy smile. "I'm never washing my face ever again."

"Ew!"

"Ah?! Sawamura did you just kiss him?"

"None of your business Miyuki Kazuya!"

"Eijun you kissed someone…?"

"E-eh Chris-senpai why do you look so disappointed? Y-your eyes! Those are your dark era eyes!"

"..."

"Eh? Your highness? W-whoa does anyone feel cold? Like worryingly so? Like a blizzard is coming out of nowhere in summer?"

"Sawamura."

"Whoa Ryo-san!"

"I guess I lost the bet."

"That's right! Wahaha! I guess I do have a win today!"

"I look forward to granting your wish."

"Oh…! Then I wish for-"

"Nope."

"Ah?"

"I know you're going to wish for something stupid. Wish for something else."

"Eh…"

"What should dogs wish from their master?"

"Wha...SO I'M STILL YOUR DOG?!"

"Eijun…"

"Y-yeah Haruno?"

She giggles. "You're very loved huh?"

"Ah…" Eijun smiles. "...yes. I am."

"I'm glad," Haruno winks. "I'm glad it's you."

Wait...what?

"Haruno! Come get the snacks for everyone!" Yui calls out.

"Coming senpai!"

"Haruno, you're sweating! Here, have some water."

"Thanks Sachiko-senpai!"

"Haruno let me tie your hair back for you…"

"It tickles Fujiwara-senpai!"

"Wha…"

A crowd of blooming sakuras covered the four girls, and somehow that part of the field is pink tinted with sparkles.

No way...did Haruno also-!

Eijun looks to his side to see seven grown men, all bickering amongst themselves and back to Haruno’s garden of flowers with dread.

Ah? Ah…? Hey game system, god of this world or whatever...there’s a load button right? There's an auto save all these time right?

Right?!