Chapter Text
KOMINATO HARUICHI
Haruichi went home with his older brother to Kanagawa over the last few days of their winter break. It was great to hang out again with his aniki, even if he is his usual aloof self. Now that Ryousuke was already retired from the baseball team, they didn’t really get to do much baseball-related activity. Haruichi doesn’t know how to bring up baseball, especially now that their team had qualified for Koshien while his aniki didn’t get to experience it at all.
But one evening, he overheard his older brother talk with his parents about his decision as to where he would go for college. A university in Tokyo has scouted him. “Well it would seem they can see past my height and actually appreciate my skills as a player,” he hears his aniki say to his parents. Haruichi couldn’t help but feel a rush of pride for his older brother. He really is amazing.
Which is why he decided that he’ll get back to training as soon as he gets back to Seidou. He has a lot of catching up to do.
Haruichi and Ryousuke parted ways as Ryousuke goes to the regular dorms while Haruichi goes to theirs. He sped up to his room, hoping Zono-senpai was already back. Although at first Haruichi thought Maezono doesn’t like him, they got along later on as Zono is as zealous when it comes to improving his skills as a player.
It was already late in the afternoon when Haruichi arrived at their room. No one’s in the room but he saw Zono’s things are already by his bed. He must’ve been at the indoor practice area already, Haruichi thought.
Haruichi quickly unpacked his things and changed into his training clothes. I should hit the bathroom first on the way , he thought as he picked up his wooden bat and left the room.
He was about to enter the bathroom just as someone walked out, almost bumping into him.
“Oh, Harucchi, sorry,” it was Sawamura Eijun.
“It’s okay Eijun-kun, you must be in a hurry,” Haruichi answered.
“As you are. Already heading back to train? As expected from Harucchi, the man I acknowledge.”
Haruichi grabbed Eijun to the side as they were blocking the doorway. “You could say that. I just figured I could use some more practice. How about you? Already going to hunt down Miyuki-senpai?”
Eijun just laughed his usual laugh. “Nah, not this time. Furuya and I are hanging out in our room.”
“Eh? You and Furuya-kun are?” Haruichi asked, quite surprised. Although the two had grown quite close as they’re both pitchers and usually practice together at the bullpen, he didn’t think they would hang out outside of training.
“Yeah! Furuya found this anime over the break and thought it would be fun to watch together,” Eijun answered. “But of course tomorrow we’ll go back to training as usual. I can’t wait to pitch again. I have to get better if I want to get the ace number from Furuya by Summer.”
“Well I’m glad you and Furuya-kun are getting along even though you are rivals. With all the bickering that you two do, I was worried,” Haruichi said.
“Of course, Furuya and I get along now that we’re—“ Eijun paused, eyes widened for a fraction.
“You’re what?” Haruichi asked.
“Uh, now that we are friends! Haha,” Eijun continued. “We are good friends now. Because you know, as a relief pitcher and him being the ace, we have to connect better. Yes, that’s it. Haha. Anyway, it’s nice to see you again Harucchi, I gotta go back now.”
Eijun left even before Haruichi was able to say bye. What was that about? Why did Eijun-kun look like he was hiding something and he almost let it slip? Anyway, it’s just Eijun-kun being Eijun-kun, I guess.
MIYUKI KAZUYA
Miyuki was feeling restless. It was a nice cool evening, the last day of winter break. He just came back from home, and already he's itching to catch. He wouldn't really admit it, but he misses being pestered by his pitchers to catch for them.
He decided to go to the indoor practice area. He figured some of his teammates would be there since it's still a little cold to practice outside.
Sawamura or Furuya should be there, he thought as he picked up his glove. Those two are such baseball idiots. Or maybe I'll find Nori, I can catch for him too .
He got into the practice area and there are a few already who are having their batting practice. He can see Zono and Kominato Jr. tee batting against a net. But for some reason, no sign of the two first year pitchers. Nori is not here too. Huh, he is almost disappointed. He shook his head.
Maybe he'll just head over to Nabe's room and talk about game planning or something. Or he could do some batting practice too. Or maybe it's best if he'll just rest some more, after tonight he'll never get peace anymore with practice.
On his way back, he decided to drop by the vending machine to grab something to drink. Some hot tea or something. Yeah, that should work. Good thing he always has spare change on him.
He's finally decided on a drink when he hears someone call him.
"Miyuki-senpai."
He looked up. It's Furuya. Oh, finally he's found a pitcher. Or rather he was found by a pitcher. He grinned. "Oi, Furuya. Were you looking for me? Want me to catch for you?"
"No. I'm just here to get some drinks," Furuya answered and gestured for him to stand aside from the vending machine.
"Oh," Miyuki said, sounding disappointed.
Furuya just continued pressing some buttons on the vending machine.
"Are you sure you don't want me to catch for you?" Miyuki offered, trying to act like his usual cocky, annoying self. Nope, he is not disappointed or anything. Not at all.
Furuya just got his drinks and shook his head. "Thanks senpai, but Ei— Sawamura and I are hanging out in their room."
"Eh?" Miyuki was confused. Him and Sawamura?
"I hope you can catch for me tomorrow though," Furuya continued. "Well then, I'll be heading off."
And with that Miyuki was left looking all confused. What? Did he just get brushed off? Him, main catcher, captain of the team, brushed off by a pitcher to whom he has oh so willingly offered his services? He's sure he just imagined everything. There is no way Furuya would pass on the opportunity to pitch just so he and Sawamura could “hang out”?
Also, that impertinent brat. Don't think he missed how Furuya dismissed him and basically ordered him to catch for him tomorrow instead. The disrespect , he thought. Oh well, not that he was the best kouhai back then too. This must be karma working its way.
KURAMOCHI YOUICHI
It's good to be back, Kuramochi thought as he entered the dormitories. It has been good to be home even for a short while, being together with his grandfather and catching up with some old friends. But even after the hellish winter training they had, he can no longer wait to play more baseball.
It was already early in the evening, the sun had completely set. He wonders if his idiot roommate is already back from Nagano. If he is, he could bully, er, ask him to play video games with him. He didn’t really have time to play video games at home.
Kuramochi was feeling a bit excited to play as he entered their room. “Bakamura,” he calls out as he closes the room and removes his shoes. He expects Sawamura to call back, annoyed at being called Bakamura. But instead, he heard some laughter.
He turned to look in the direction of Sawamura’s bed. He blinked, unsure if he’s seeing things correctly. On Sawamura’s bed was the southpaw himself sipping on a drink, and beside him is…
“Furuya?”
The two pitchers looked up from what they’re watching and turned to him.
“Kuramochi-senpai, you’re back,” it was Sawamura who first acknowledged him.
“Senpai,” Furuya chimed in.
Kuramochi walked to his bunk and set down his bag and then looked at the two again. He still doesn’t get it so he asks, “What are you guys doing?”
“Oh we’re just watching anime,” Sawamura answered. Furuya nodded.
Kuramochi frowned. He didn’t know these two are actually close enough to watch anime together. And what exactly are they watching? It’s common knowledge that Sawamura likes shoujo, but he can’t imagine Furuya also liking the genre. What could they possibly watch together?
“What anime?” Kuramochi asked, curious.
“Shirokuma Cafe,” it was Furuya who answered. “Do you want to watch it with us, senpai?”
“Don’t bother, Furuya,” Sawamura interjected. “Kuramochi-senpai wouldn’t like this. He’s more into those action, violent types. He’s a former delinquent after all.” He said it as if it were fact to which Furuya nodded.
“Oi, don’t go make assumptions, Bakamura,” Kuramochi protested. “Furuya, don’t believe whatever this guy says.”
Furuya just frowned, looked at Sawamura, and then back at him. “But I agree with him, senpai. I see you wrestle with him often.”
“I, uh—“ Kuramochi didn’t know how to respond because it was definitely true. “Tch, well, that’s because he is annoying. Someone has to keep him in line. Just don’t believe the other things he says.”
“Okay,” was all Furuya said and then turned his attention back to Sawamura. “We’ll continue watching now.”
And just like that he was already dismissed and the two continued to watch from Sawamura’s iPad.
Kuramochi proceeded with unpacking his things and then changed into more comfortable clothes for practice and headed for the door, but not before he heard another set of giggles from the two pitchers. What is going on?
—
Earlier…
SAWAMURA EIJUN
Sawamura Eijun, resident Southpaw pitcher of Seidou, is dating his rival, Furuya Satoru (if that’s not obvious yet). It’s a little surprising, even Eijun himself was quite surprised when his rival confessed to him after a particularly hellish day of training. Even Furuya— no, Satoru, himself was surprised he actually blurted out his feelings. But that’s a story for another day. Right now, he is excited to finally hang out with his boyfriend of ten days.
“Satoru,” he said to his phone. “Kuramochi-senpai isn’t here yet. We should hang out here in our room.”
“Hello, Eijun,” came Satoru’s voice. “Sure, let me just settle down and I’ll be right there with you.”
“Well hurry up, I miss your face.”
He can hear a quiet chuckle, very Satoru-like. “I missed you too.”
Eijun can’t help but smile even wider at that. “Alright, let me just run to the bathroom quickly. You better be right at our door when I get back.”
FURUYA SATORU
Furuya Satoru, ace of Seidou baseball team, is dating his rival, Sawamura Eijun. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the past ten days have been the happiest he’s been (Okay, maybe it’s slightly an exaggeration. But of course Eijun makes him very happy). Sure, he and Eijun still bicker and fight over small things, but that’s just part of their relationship. Eijun can be pretty sweet in his own way, plus he is very touchy feely which is one of the many things Satoru likes about him. But that’s also another story for another day. Because right now, he is waiting for his new boyfriend so they can watch Shirokuma Cafe together.
He is standing by the door of Room No. 5, Eijun’s room. He tried knocking but no one replied, as expected because Eijun told him he’s going to the bathroom. But he tried anyway just in case.
“Satoru!”
He turned to see an excited Eijun, running towards him. He instinctively opened his arms and engulfed the other with a hug. “Oof!” he hears his boyfriend say in his chest.
“Eijun,” Satoru breathed into Eijun’s hair. For some reason, Eijun just makes him feel warm and happy. But of course the reason is he likes Eijun, and Eijun likes him back.
Eijun broke free from the embrace and looked at him, eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed. He feels so warm and fuzzy at the sight of him.
“Oh,” Eijun started, looking sheepish. “I almost slipped when I talked to Harucchi earlier.”
Satoru, yet again, smiled. “It’s okay. Just don’t make us both lose the bet.”
Eijun’s eyes glinted with mischief, and a hint of pride as he laughed. “I can’t believe your competitiveness extends to such silly bets.”
“You already told me that. Now let’s go inside before anybody sees us. Or do you want to lose already?”
“Ah! Of course I’m not going to lose!”
And with that Satoru was dragged inside Room No. 5.
“Oh, I should go get us something to drink,” Satoru said as they removed their shoes by the door.
“That can wait, you can always go later. Right now I need my Satoru cuddles.”
Of course, Satoru is but a man and couldn’t resist. It was already early into the evening when Eijun finally let go of him. And only when he warned Kuramochi-senpai might come in anytime too.