Chapter Text
Sawamura Eijun, second year student and southpaw pitcher of Seidou baseball club, is on a mission. After reading and crying over his favorite shoujo manga series, he decided that he wanted to write his own shoujo manga himself.
It didn't necessarily have to be published or anything, he'll think about that later (baseball is still his top priority). Right now, he just wanted to write for the sake of it. He wanted to create something that could possibly bring people on an emotional roller-coaster of emotions.
Excitement from when the Main Character first meets this Cool and Mysterious Guy™ as they crash into each other at some corner.
Giddy from when the Cool and Mysterious Guy ™ happens to catch the Main Character from falling and somehow they end up in an awkward position.
Happy from that library scene where the Cool and Mysterious Guy™ and the Main Character just so happen to reach for a book at the same time and their hands touched. What a lovely coincidence!
Flustered from that very famous kabedon scene at a weirdly remote area in school where nobody can see the MC get all flustered and think "Oh no! He's so close!"
Frustration from the drama brought about by the appearance of The Rival™ who relentlessly pursued the Cool and Mysterious Guy™, which of course would later on turn to relief and joy when everything falls into place and the guy finally gets the girl.
The list goes on. Eijun has just so many good (unoriginal) ideas!
But the problem is that, even with his mental strength and willpower, he cannot seem to acquire the skills needed to draw the manga by himself. He learned this when he tried to draw a particularly cute almost-kiss scene on the last page of his Math notebook. Kanemaru, who just so happened to see it on one of their recent study sessions, asked him why the hell was he drawing frogs kissing ("How dare you, Kanemaru!" Eijun cried then).
But did you think that this Sawamura Eijun, who had yips and was able to overcome it, would let this little (or not so little) handicap get in the way of his dream of writing his very own shoujo manga? Of course not! Once he has set his mind on something, nothing can stop this Sawamura Eijun!
Which is why he is now on a mission to find someone who can write it with him. He has already checked with his childhood friends, and unfortunately no one can draw. But even though Wakana volunteered saying she could make it work, the distance would be a challenge. So he decided to just look for someone around here in Seidou instead.
Eijun just spotted Kanemaru who was settling in on his desk. Ah, here's my chance, he thought as he bounded over to Kanemaru's desk.
"Kanemaru-kun, man among men, my savior. I was wondering if–"
"No," Kanemaru said flatly, not even bothering to let him finish. "Whatever it is that you're going to ask, the answer is no."
"But Kanemaaru, I was just going to ask if you could draw for me–"
"It's a no. You should try with the others."
"But I thought we had something special, Kanemaru!" Eijun wailed as he grabbed Kanemaru's arm, just as Haruno walked by.
Kanemaru blushed furiously, and shook Eijun off. "What the heck are you saying, Bakamura? Stop saying things that could be misunderstood! We have nothing special!"
Kanemaru was practically yelling the last part that the classroom fell silent for a moment, and heads turned in their direction. Eijun could even see Furuya, who was usually napping when the class hadn't started yet, looking at them curiously. Oops!
"Alright, alright. Jeez Kanemaru, calm down," Eijun finally gave in. He smiled apologetically at their classmates, who then turned back to their own businesses. "I'll try the others later."
He has approached and asked Haruno, Takatsu, Kaneda, even the first years to no avail.
Kariba, the ever sweet angel that he is, of course was very gracious with his rejection.
"I'm sorry, Sawamura-kun. I'm not really good at drawing," Kariba said, a little sad that he couldn't help Eijun with his personal project.
Eijun next went to ask Toujou, who has shown interest, is regrettably also not an artist.
"I'm sorry, Sawamura. I'm more of a music kind of guy. You should try with Haruichi," Toujou suggested.
Of course Haruichi was his last hope. He couldn't recall seeing Haruichi expressing interest in arts, but he'll never know if he didn’t ask.
He approached Haruichi in the evening as they were heading to the baths.
"Harucchi, you're my last hope," Eijun started in lieu of a greeting.
"Hello to you too, Eijun-kun," Haruichi greeted. "What is it this time?"
"You see I really wanted to write my own shoujo manga, but I need help with the drawing part."
Haruichi laughed. "I thought it was something serious. Like school-related."
"Ack! But this is serious, Harucchi! It's a new dream of mine! I really wanted to do this!"
"You know the Summer tournament is just around the corner. We don't really have time to spare, Eijun-kun."
"You think I didn't know that? You wound me, Harucchi! Of course I'll start on this project right after Koshien!"
Haruichi shook his head fondly. Eijun really comes up with the most ridiculous ideas at times. "Well, it's nice to hear that you have your priorities in order. But sad to say, I can't draw."
Eijun's face fell at that. He was so sure Haruichi could do it, he seems the type. He doesn't know how he came to that conclusion, but it's Haruichi!
Eijun sighed, it can't be helped. He didn’t want to approach the seniors, they're busy enough as it is. He'll probably just have to postpone his project later on in life. For now, he can still start on drafting his plots. Or he could actually start learning how to draw.
Eijun mentally cringed at the thought of learning a new skill, one that doesn't come naturally to him. It's bad enough that he has to give his best to pass his exams, but to give time to studying art–
"Oh, I know," Haruichi said, interrupting his train of thought. "I just remembered something."
Eijun perked up at that, Haruichi’s statement giving him a ray of hope.
"Furuya-kun is pretty good at drawing."
"Eh?" Eijun blinked, he's not sure if he heard Haruichi correctly.
Haruichi chuckled at his reaction. "Yeah, he can draw. He mostly draws animals though. I saw him drawing on his sketch pad back when we were classmates. Not that often though. But I'm pretty sure he's good."
"Huh," was all Eijun said.
So aside from beating him when it comes to being the ace first, batting (Eijun beat him in bunting though, thank you very much), popularity and looks (in Eijun’s opinion, Furuya is a pretty boy), Furuya also has another talent that he doesn’t have. Ah, I'm so jealous.
But, no matter. Eijun couldn't afford to be annoyed or envious. He already knew that Furuya Satoru is an amazing person, he wouldn't acknowledge him as his rival otherwise. And now, a potential partner in his project.
Eijun smiled happily as he found his hope in the form of Furuya Satoru. This could work!
"Thank you, Harucchi! I will ask him tomorrow!"