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[ The video begins with a plain white background, with two stools that are noticeably empty. At first glance, it seems like a clip that had accidentally been left in by the editor, but it quickly becomes apparent why it is there. Miyuki Kazuya (starting catcher for the Yomiuri Giants and fan favorite player who has won the hearts of nearly every baseball fan in the country) can be heard off screen, and viewers were helpfully given subtitles by the editor. ]
“So, is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” Kazuya’s charming laugh rang throughout the room. “Congratulations on being the most secretive interview I’ve ever had. You’re lucky I like ‘em mysterious~” Kazuya’s alluring, lopsided grin could be seen as he finally entered the camera frame. He fiddled with a microphone that was clipped onto his red button up.
The interviewer behind the camera chuckled, and from the sound of their voice, they seemed more than a little bewitched by Kazuya.
“We’ll be starting any minute now, we’re still waiting on another.”
Kazuya slid his gaze onto the second stool, its presence suddenly making sense, even if it only created more questions. They really had kept him completely in the dark. Kazuya’s smirk only grew, as he found this all incredibly entertaining.
He has somewhat of a reputation of being a horrible interviewee, because no matter how many times the team manager scolds him, Kazuya refuses to sugarcoat his words, especially if he believes the interview to be a waste of his time and energy.
Kazuya is a baseball player (and a good one at that), not a celebrity.
“Who’s the unwilling victim?” Although, Kazuya can be rather charismatic when it suits him. People love him, hate him, or love to hate him and Kazuya couldn’t care either way.
[ There was audio interference that sounded like voices somewhere out of frame, loud but unintelligible. The camera focused in on Kazuya, whose gaze had seemingly caught on to the source of the noise, and the viewers had a perfect view of the way his eyes softened. His face remained smug and vain, but his eyes seemed to sparkle with a newfound joy that was caused by the unseen disturbance. ]
“Was this a ploy to ruin my squeaky-clean reputation? For killing my pitcher in front of a camera and many witnesses?”
[ Fans did not overlook his possessive language. ]
“This Sawamura Eijun is honored to formerly make your acquaintance!” The pitcher spoke about three levels too loud for the tiny space, and Kazuya visibly winced.
“Headphone users beware.”
“Miyuki Kazuya you bastard-“
[ The pair began to bicker amongst themselves, and the clip transitioned into the actual interview. Now with both players successfully settled into frame, the interview could finally begin. ]
“Hello internet and welcome to the episode you’ve all been asking for. We have the newly-reunited partnership that has been a hot topic among baseball fans and players alike over the past few years.”
The interviewer spoke into the microphone, and the camera captured the bashful reactions of the players in frame.
The two baseball players had very different thoughts at that moment:
Sawamura Eijun, newly hired first-draft pick for the Yomiuri Giants, is thinking about all the teams that had been interested in him, and how hard the Giants had fought to recruit him to their team. Eijun wonders if maybe Miyuki had a hand in it. He quickly shuts down that thought, because Miyuki doesn’t have feelings.
Miyuki Kazuya, two-time Japan Series champion catcher, is getting flustered over the word partnership like an immature middle schooler.
To the camera, they just looked like two humbled baseball players.
“I’m still new to the professional world!” Eijun chirped, glowing with unmasked vanity. “I have a long way to go. But I hope to make everyone proud!”
The only difference between Kazuya and Eijun is that Eijun’s kind-hearted nature disguises his arrogance (whilst Kazuya’s lack thereof emphasizes ). Sawamura Eijun is the only person who can get away with such cheesy one-liners and still look absolutely genuine. His smile alone can melt even the darkest of hearts.
Kazuya would know, he’s spent years pretending not to be affected by Eijun’s intoxicating warmth.
“This battery has brought many a team to their knees, and everyone has high expectations for next season. The Yomiuri Giants have had exponential growth since Miyuki-kun’s arrival alone, and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Sawamura will only make the Giants more formidable. It’s sure to be an interesting season.”
“We’ll be champions before you know it!” Eijun shouted, his eyes flashing with an unnameable emotion that strikes Kazuya like lightning, leaving his fingers numb and tingling, his blood sizzling beneath his skin.
It’s the same look Kazuya receives just before Eijun pitches. The look that says don’t look away, you belong to me.
Kazuya would be lying if he didn’t at least admit that the exact wording may be somewhat of an overexaggeration on his part.
It isn’t hard to pretend you’re not in love with your battery partner.
”We were champions before you showed up, you know…”
“Are you saying I’m useless?!” Eijun gawked, turning towards Kazuya with a deep frown. Even while frowning at him, those amber eyes had Kazuya’s heart skipping multiple beats.
Kazuya has had feelings for Sawamura since high school, if he’s truly honest with himself. But the love didn’t happen until years later, when Sawamura was drafted to his first pro team, and Kazuya had to watch another person form a battery with his pitcher.
The ugly, poisonous jealousy sits in the pit of his stomach and makes Kazuya make bad decisions.
Decisions like calling Eijun at three in the morning while a few too many drinks deep, and not remembering it the next morning.
Or nearly causing a scandal on the internet by provoking other players that just coincidentally happen to be close to Eijun.
It isn’t hard to pretend that he doesn’t have feelings for Eijun, but he can’t stand the thought of anyone else having him.
“Miyuki-kun?”
“Hm?” Kazuya tuned back into the conversation at the sound of his name, his gaze focusing back onto the face of the interviewer, sat behind the camera with a mess of paper on the table in front of them.
Kazuya briefly entertained the notion that this interview felt way too informal, but then he remembered he really didn’t care.
“You are often quoted calling your battery a marriage, so many fans have come to believe this to be in a romantic sense-”
Fuck.
“So why not put the title to the test with a little game we like to call, ‘The Newlywed game’.”
fuckfuckfuck .
Kazuya could hardly think over the sound of his own internal screaming.
[ The camera pans over to Eijun, whose head is tilted to the side, expressing utter confusion. The editor has added a pair of fluffy ears onto his head, making Eijun look exactly like a dog. The cute editing distracted from the look of panicked arousal flickering onto Kazuya’s face. It was only visible for a split second while the camera zoomed in on Eijun, but observant fans still noticed it and it was trending on Twitter as a meme for days afterwards, much to Kazuya’s chagrin. ]
“Didn’t you and Mochi-senpai do this?” Eijun blurted, and Kazuya wasn’t sure what was funnier: the fact that Eijun still calls Youichi senpai despite all the years since either of them had been in school or that Eijun had seen that video.
“That was the 36 Questions that make you fall in love.” Kazuya’s lip twitched upwards as Eijun’s posture turned defensive and stiff. “But we’re already married~“
“Don’t make jokes like that, Miyuki Kazuya.” Eijun chastised him, pushing Kazuya out of his personal space via hand against his forehead.
[ It was an incredibly cute gesture, even if the pair thought they were hiding the extent of their close relationship. But it was clear to everyone watching that the two of them had a bond that could only be forged by deep affection and absolute trust. ]
Many of the crew members whispered amongst themselves, pointing out the pink dusting over the normally-composed Kazuya’s cheeks. It gave him an aura that was much more likeable than his well-guarded (mysterious? cold?) default.
Eijun didn’t seem very bothered by the situation, in fact he seemed quite oblivious to the way everyone else was viewing him.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” Kazuya settled back into his seat, turned to face the camera, but he kept a hand on the back of Eijun’s stool, a need for closeness that was purely subconscious. One that went completely unnoticed by both players, even though it stuck out to everyone behind the camera.
[ The rules were quickly explained: Each round a question will be asked to one of you. You will answer the question and earn points if your own answer matches that of your partner’s. The goal is to earn as many points as possible. The editor then turned the first three rounds funnily editing a compilation of Eijun being confused and struggling to understand how to play. The video finally continued when Eijun started to get it. ]
The interviewer smiled warmly at Kazuya, before shifting their attention to a paper sat in front of them, which no doubt held the questions.
“Before we begin, remember that you are allowed to veto a question if both agree and it will be cut from the final video. Don’t feel obligated to answer a question that is too personal, okay?”
Eijun nodded enthusiastically, wiggling impatiently in his seat. Kazuya made a mental note to ignore him, which only made it more infuriating when his brain seemed to focus more on every little smile, every loose hair fluttering around his face, every laugh that made Eijun’s nose scrunch adorably.
“Alright, this first one’s for Miyuki: describe what you first thought of Eijun in one word.”
That’s easy.
Kazuya wrote loud in huge letters, using as much space as the small handheld whiteboard allowed.
Kazuya’s very first impression of Sawamura Eijun was a self-obsessed middle schooler who thought he was invincible. He stood before Azuma with no fear, and Kazuya had thought his words to be empty, just static noise.
His second impression of Sawamura was also that he was loud. Sawamura’s pitches spoke for him. His pitches held the weight that his shouting didn’t. Kazuya felt as if he learned everything he needed to know about Sawamura from those first pitches.
“Time’s up! Show us your boards.” The interviewer called from behind the camera, and Kazuya flipped his board lazily, turning his gaze to where he could see Eijun’s board and what was written on it.
In Eijun’s irritatingly lopsided handwriting, was ace.
Kazuya couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled out of him, although he wouldn’t have even if he could.
Of course Eijun would genuinely believe that.
“Quit laughing, you bastard-!”
Kazuya nearly dropped his whiteboard, his shoulders shaking as he snickered uncontrollably. It took a long time for Kazuya to finally calm down, and he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face, even while his stomach cramped from the exertion.
“If you don’t mind, Miyuki-san…” The interviewer prompted. “Tell us about when you first met. We’re all curious.”
”My first ever introduction to Sawamura Eijun was him picking a fight with one of my senpai,” Miyuki begrudgingly indulged them. It was the reason he was here, after all. “Azuma Kiyokuni, precisely. At the time, I thought he had to be an idiot. A little middle schooler from some nowhere town who thought he was a god or something.”
The look on Eijun’s face made it all worthwhile. It seemed to be half embarrassment and half wounded ego, and it was all sorts of hilarious.
“I found out later that Sawamura had overheard Azuma picking on one of our practice pitchers, and he had come to his valiant rescue. Sawamura is very admirable in that way.”
Kazuya needed to finish this story, because he was feeling a disturbing amount of fondness towards Eijun that was starting to leak out in his voice, and it was making him feel sick.
Kazuya thought he’d grown out of these dumb schoolboy crush feelings years ago, but whenever Eijun is in his line of sight, Kazuya feels like he’s in high school again, watching Eijun grow into his place on that mound.
“The way he says whatever stupid thing pops into his head, even if it means embarrassing himself-“ Eijun huffed petulantly, his irritation making way for an embarrassed flush from Kazuya’s words.
What Kazuya thought to be shame was actually the result of Eijun’s insanely high bpm.
Eijun’s heart was pounding so loudly in his chest because while Kazuya had insulted him, it had also been the beginning of a real compliment. It’s not something Kazuya gives out very often, and Eijun had realized it too late and now he might die from cardiac arrest.
[ The score is 1-0 Miyuki after four rounds. Absolutely riveting. ]
Before the next question could be asked, Eijun asked to take a quick break so he could drink some water. Kazuya used the time Eijun was out of his sight to get his head out of the clouds.
If he couldn’t rein in the shojo manga sparkles and rose-tinted glasses, Kazuya might end up saying something he will absolutely regret.
He hasn’t gone this long keeping his feelings a secret to let something as stupid as the newlywed game sway him.
The water break was over too soon, and now Eijun was sitting next to him again, his lips shiny and hydrated.
Kazuya didn’t realize it was possible to be salivating while simultaneously feeling like his mouth is full of sand. And because Eijun seemed to have decided to torture Kazuya even more, he licked his lips, collecting the leftover condensation.
[ Unbeknownst to Kazuya, his body instinctually pushed forward into Eijun’s space, a subconscious move to kiss the younger man. Also to be noted was the subtle downward twitch of Kazuya’s eyes, as if entertaining the thought of kissing Eijun. It was incredibly obvious to everyone not within frame. The battery partners, however, are frustratingly dense. ]
“Who is the messier one?”
Kazuya huffed amusedly, carefully spelling out eijun on his whiteboard. Beside him, Eijun grumbled something incomprehensible, before scribbling on his whiteboard.
“Alright, flip the boards.” The interviewer smirked from their safe place behind the camera, and Kazuya found himself envious of their anonymity.
Kazuya flipped his board to reveal a very large EIJUN followed by a smiley face. Next to him, Sawamura slumped as he showed his me written on the board.
[ The editors added in a scoreboard, which displayed 2-1 in Miyuki’s favor. It was still anyone’s game, but it was clear that Miyuki’s lead was the cause of the insufferable smirk stretched across his face. ]
“Eijun’s dorm in school was always a disaster. I don’t know how he lived in it.”
“It wasn’t that bad!” Eijun interjected with a grumble. “Until Koushu-kun moved in, it looked like no one lived in your room!”
“Because I keep it clean~”
“It’s practically sterile!”
[ This bantering could continue for minutes at a time between questions, though the viewers only got an abridged version with the funniest parts. The crew, however, felt as if they were the background characters of the shittiest rom-com of all time. ]
Kazuya brushed a strand of hair behind his ear, smiling at the camera while he awaited the next question. It was true he was confident in his answers, because he has known Sawamura for far too long, and it all comes easily to him.
He may also be proud of the fact that he knows Sawamura better than the pitcher knows him.
“Who is the jealous one?”
Kazuya’s blood ran cold.
He knew the answer, of course he did, but if he were to answer correctly that he himself was the jealous one, it would be like a huge neon sign that screams hey Sawa-moron I’m in love with you!
Kazuya could never say that.
So with a stiff arm, Kazuya wrote neither on his board. If prompted, he would feign ignorance. The boards were flipped, revealing Eijun to have written Miyuki’s name.
“Miyuki Kazuya is easily the jealous one!”
Kazuya spluttered in shock. Eijun is right, but he shouldn’t know that. His heart clenched at the thought that Sawamura may not be as airheaded as he had originally believed. He forgets simple Japanese when he’s nervous, but this he knows?
Kazuya bit down on his tongue to fight the urge to smile.
No. He shouldn’t be happy about that.
Stupid. Stupid.
“How so?” The interviewer spoke, and Miyuki shivered at the sinister look in their eyes. He wasn’t enjoying himself anymore.
“He would interrupt my sessions with wolf-“ Eijun cut himself off from using the familiar nickname. “-Koshu and drag me off to catch with him instead!” Eijun shouted, and it seemed like the crew is resigned to having to mess with the sound in editing. Kazuya would apologize if he didn’t find it entertaining. “Or whenever he watches Mei-san pitch, he gets this really mean look on his face.”
Eijun attempts to imitate the expression, and Kazuya has never been more mortified. Not of Eijun and his poorly-communicated anecdotes, but rather because Eijun thinks he’s possessive of Mei.
He wished he could set things straight, but he knew that would make him look desperate, so Kazuya could only shrug half-heartedly.
“I heard Narumiya-san and Miyuki-san played together in middle school,” The interviewer smiled, and it matched their eyes this time. “Were you close?”
If close is defined as passionate hatred hidden behind a childhood rivalry, then sure, Kazuya would say they’re close.
“We were so obsessed with defeating each other back then, so I suppose we’re friends, but we haven’t really kept in touch.”
A lie.
Narumiya had texted him a few days ago, and Kazuya had left him on read, if only because Kazuya knew it would piss him off to no end.
Eijun eyed him warily, almost as if he could sense the lie in his voice. Which was impossible. At least for Eijun.
“The point goes to Sawamura-kun for at least having a good argument.”
“So we’re making up rules now?” Kazuya’s comment was met with scattered laughter from the crew, and a cat-eyed glare from Eijun. He seemed to be taking this very seriously.
“I won’t lose to a tanuki!” Eijun’s eyes sparkled as he spun to look at whatever expression was painted across Kazuya’s face. Whatever he saw only made the grin on his face glow brighter.
I love you I love you I love you. Kazuya’s brain chanted as he ruffled Eijun’s hair affectionately.
[ The interviewer struggled to keep the pair on track, as it was clear they were far more interested in each other than the fact they were on camera filming an interview. ]
“How does Miyuki like his eggs in the morning?” Clever.
The answer isn’t something Eijun would easily guess, but part of Kazuya hoped he would know. Maybe because Kazuya could fantasize about Eijun cooking him breakfast, and no doubt burning it because it’s Eijun.
Kazuya would still eat it and it would probably become his favorite food because he had given up long ago on trying to deny how whipped he is for the pitcher.
Meanwhile, Eijun was thinking way too hard about the implications of this question. He had at some point decided he absolutely needed to win this game. He couldn’t let Kazuya beat him in this stupid dating game! Eijun would prove that he knows Kazuya better than Kazuya knows himself. That’ll show him!
“Ok Sawamura, do you have your answer?” Eijun smiled sheepishly, as he scribbled out his answer onto his whiteboard. Part of him could almost sense he was right.
“It isn’t actually an answer,” Eijun flipped his board to face the camera. “But if I know Miyuki Kazuya like I know I do, then he would say something shameless like this.” Eijun’s board read “anything, as long as you make it.”
“Shameless?” Kazuya replied, feigning hurt as he clutched his whiteboard to his chest. “You wound me.” After a very drawn-out pause to build suspense, Kazuya flipped his board to reveal: whatever you’re making ;).
Eijun laughed triumphantly, pointing at Kazuya like he was accusing him of something unsavory. And Kazuya didn’t even care, he was over the moon because Eijun knew him so well.
He wondered when that had happened.
Before showing up today, Kazuya had believed that he was still somewhat of a mystery to Eijun, trying to keep himself at a safe distance.
And yet, here Eijun was, reading him like a book. Miyuki actually loved it.
“That makes us tied now, right?” Eijun cheered, acting way too excited over just one point in a platonic version of a couples’ game for the fans. Eijun wiggled happily in his seat when the interviewer confirmed that yes, they were now tied.
[ Score 3-3 (but they both feel like winners) ]
“What is your least favorite thing about Miyuki, Sawamura?”
Eijun begins aggressively writing on his board, and if Kazuya had lower self-esteem, he may have been offended at Eijun’s swiftness.
Instead it only mildly amused him.
Kazuya wrote his own answer simply, which was everything. Sawamura constantly complains about Miyuki and his ‘rotten personality’ and ‘horrible attitude’.
“I hate his stupid pretty face!” Eijun growled, flipping his board and revealing that no, he did not say that wrong, he called Kazuya pretty.
Kazuya blinked, his brain unable to comprehend what his eyes were seeing.
There was a heavy silence until Eijun seemed to realize what he’d said, and everyone in the room could watch his face turn redder than Kazuya’s button-up.
He started tripping over his words, as if there were forty different excuses trying to push their way out at once, and all of them came out in a jumbled, intelligible sentence that only highlighted how embarrassed he was.
“He has such a… twisted personality. BUT everyone lets him get away with it because he is pleasing to look at! And and- I hate how sure he is about it because he knows he’s pretty and that is SO FRUSTRATING!”
[ And the score is still 3-3, but Eijun earns 100 points in our hearts… ]
The game continued, despite how much Kazuya wished for a moment to process what Eijun had just said. He’d spoken in such a sure way it oozed sincerity and strangely, pride. Like the words Eijun spoke were an undisputed truth.
He knows he’s pretty.
Kazuya has always had confidence in his appearance. It’s not like he ever really even noticed the way he looks on any given day, it doesn’t affect his baseball so Kazuya had never wasted any energy on improving something that would only bring more confessions his way, which would interfere with baseball.
Once he grew up, even though the confessions stopped, Kazuya still didn’t put much effort into his appearance. Unless he was posting on social media, because what if Eijun sees it and thinks he looks dorky or lame and never talks to him again? Then Kazuya will be alone forever.
Something about Eijun saying it though, that he’s pretty, sends an excited shiver down Kazuya’s spine. He wants to be praised by Eijun.
[ Kazuya preened himself, an unconscious smirk playing on his face. He looked like a peacock the way he was carrying himself in the afterglow of Eijun’s compliment. Eijun didn’t seem to notice the difference, though. ]
“How many exes has Eijun had?”
Too easy.
Kazuya didn’t even try to hold back the laughter as he wrote down one.
Followed by mutiple hearts and a S + W and then more hearts.
He was expecting to be wrong, but he just couldn’t pass up this beautiful opportunity to tease Eijun.
In all honesty, Kazuya hoped Eijun had never dated anyone. All of his internet stalking over the years has come up relatively empty, and Kazuya doesn’t think he would be able to handle knowing someone else had stolen Eijun right out from under him.
But Kazuya could play up the teasing for the camera. It was his specialty, after all.
“Eijun had a childhood girlfriend during his time at Seido.” Kazuya gave his most pitying look to the camera. “He was so lovesick and he texted her constantly. She was a very lucky girl.”
“Miyuki Kazuya!” Eijun growled, and Kazuya just chuckled at his angry expression.
“Wakana and I… were never and will never be a thing!!! We are good friends! Besides I could never like a girl!” Eijun huffed, completely indifferent to what he had just admitted to.
While most of the room sat completely in shock at this incredibly personal admission, Kazuya could feel a disgusting emotion that could only be called hope making his heart lurch in his chest.
Kazuya was never one to assume others’ sexualities, especially given Japanese Baseball’s biggest heartthrob with a cult following of thirsty female fans was completely and irrevocably… gay.
And yes, that heartthrob is himself.
But Eijun… He was so difficult to read. Kazuya has never seen him show interest in anyone, except for all that shoujo manga he was always borrowing from the girls in his class.
So, maybe Kazuya had been under the impression that Eijun was straight. In all the years Kazuya had known the pitcher, he had always believed there was no chance of Eijun ever reciprocating his feelings.
He’s supposed to be pretending not to be in love with Eijun, not groveling at his feet because he just happens to like men.
Just because he likes men, doesn’t mean he likes Kazuya.
But I want him to! Kazuya’s brain supplied, and he really needs to calm down. Stop smiling and calm the fuck down.
“Sawamura, are you aware that you just came out to us on camera?” Eijun blinked in confusion, before grinning brightly.
“Was it not obvious that I’m gay?”
No. No it was not.
The room was eerily silent, clearly unable to process Eijun’s nonchalance.
“Well, I don’t have a problem with everyone knowing, considering I haven’t been trying to hide it! Yeah I like men and that’s a fact that isn’t changing anytime soon so why not just accept it?”
Then Eijun had the audacity to turn and look at Miyuki. It nearly knocked him flat on his face.
Why are you looking at me like that? Kazuya wanted to say, but he kept his lips sealed out of fear when he opened them, the feelings he had been suppressing for most of his adult life would come rushing out without warning.
“Well, I suppose this means Miyuki doesn’t get the point…” The interviewer mumured, looking far too frazzled. There was awkward tension in the air, as if nobody was sure exactly how to proceed.
Eijun, the stupid bastard, continued on as normal.
“He was right though? I have had an ex.” Eijun piped up, only realizing his mistake after he had spoken.
He then promptly ignored Kazuya’s intense stare by picking at his fingers.
This was news to Kazuya.
“It just wasn’t Wakana.” Eijun continued slowly.
Kazuya is an incredibly jealous person. It’s probably his biggest character flaw, if he’s honest.
But being aware of a problem doesn’t make it go away.
“Oh-ho? This has gotten very interesting…” Miyuki leaned towards Eijun, trying to catch his eye despite Eijun’s attempts to avoid it. “I’d love to hear about it.”
”That wasn’t the question!” Eijun squeaked, going cat-eyed under Kazuya’s scrutiny.
There’s a small chance that Eijun could be lying about the whole thing, but knowing his personality, he would never lie on camera, and especially not to give Kazuya more points in this little game. His competitive, righteous streak would never allow it.
“You’re no fun.” Kazuya relented, if only because of the camera.
He wouldn’t let Eijun off that easily, though.
[ Score 4-3, Miyuki (but it was only dumb luck). Miyuki had unintentionally guessed correct that Eijun had had one previous relationship. He didn’t seem happy about it, though. The mood lightened considerably as they barreled through a few more light-hearted questions, learning that Eijun is, shockingly, the stylish one. Or that Miyuki is the “excuse me, he asked for no pickles” one (no one was particularly surprised). Miyuki is terrified of spiders and Eijun refuses to kill any insect he finds in his house. Eijun prefers tea over coffee (milk tea is his favorite). ]
“What is the most important part of a relationship?” The interviewer was smiling down at the paper, as if they could already sense how this would go down. “And remember, you’re trying to match each other’s answers in order to get the point.”
Eijun started to write something down, but Kazuya grabbed his arm to stop him.
“Are we doing serious or funny?” Eijun just looked at him blankly, refusing to give Kazuya any of the answers he was craving. Which was a brilliant move considering he is behind. “Sawa-moron, this is serious-!”
”Miyuki-san, that is cheating.” The interviewer chastised him, and Kazuya scoffed.
“You only care about the rules when I’m the one breaking them.”
“That’s because I’m actually nice.” Eijun giggled. “Now hurry up and write something down so I can win!”
”Are we actually being serious about this?” Miyuki asked, playing with the marker between his fingers. “Because if you wrote something as stupid as communication I might actually slap you.”
There was a pause, before Eijun silently started erasing his answer.
“You did not.”
”I did not.” Eijun replied, even as he continued to erase what was written on his board. He looked like he was using all of his physical strength to keep from laughing, even as members of the crew were in tears, their laughter ringing around the room.
“Why do I know you so well…” Kazuya groaned, before tugging at Eijun’s hair with a free hand. “Don’t be serious if you don’t even mean it, Stupid-mura.”
”Communication is very important, Miyuki Kazuya!”
”Mhm…”
[ This was a useless argument. It was infuriating to watch two people argue about whether communication was important in a relationship, whilst being so absolutely infatuated with each other and refusing to communicate it. But because of how utterly insane the entire situation was, it ended up being hilarious. ]
Eventually the two of them finally answered the question, even as they spat insults at each other over the whiteboards.
[ They bickered like a married couple. And they weren’t even aware of what they looked like and it was driving everyone up the fucking wall- ]
”Okay, Miyuki please give us your answer.”
Kazuya revealed his whiteboard, which read: they make me feel wanted.
Eijun read the words, but it felt as if there was a disconnect somewhere and he was having a hard time associating it with Kazuya.
Kazuya is wanted by everyone. It is an indisputable fact that Eijun has always hated with every fibre of his being. Kazuya is always being confessed to, praised and loved on by other people and Eijun has never been able to compete.
How can there even be a competition when Eijun is just that annoying pitcher who won’t leave him alone.
Kazuya could have anyone.
Even now, the people in the room were doting over Kazuya, shocked at his surprisingly vulnerable response. He has already charmed every single person in this room, but here he is turning to smile at Eijun. It was an awkward smile, one that held so much uncertainty and honesty that Eijun’s heart could hardly take it.
“Is that good enough for you?”
Kazuya could have anyone, but for some reason he doesn’t.
Kazuya could have Eijun, but for some reason he’s not looking.
“Coming from you that sounds narcissistic.” Eijun grumbled, too prideful to react the way he wants to. By telling Kazuya just how much Eijun wants him, the way every pore, hair, cell in his body yearns for him like nothing ever has and ever will.
“Would it kill you to be nice to me for once?”
“Yes, it absolutely would.” Eijun’s whiteboard read out we’re equals when he finally flipped it.
It was surprisingly embarrassing to have his insecurities laid out in front of the internet. Kazuya made it look easy, the way he kept a cool air around him, even as the interviewer prompted him to explain his answer.
Maybe Eijun was biased, but Kazuya has always been cool. He does whatever he wants, and he’s so good at it. He doesn’t even really have to try, and Eijun would find him absolutely breathtaking. But that is a completely normal observation that isn’t at all blinded by Eijun’s feelings. Right?
”Well, not that I have much experience with serious relationships to speak of, but I suppose if I were to fall in love, it would be with someone who knows everything there is to know about me. And not for any other reason than the fact that they want to be around, want to take care of me.”
Kazuya was distracted by flashbacks of Eijun giving him a sports drink and a granola bar after they were practicing late, and Eijun refusing to leave his side after Kazuya fell sick.
Eijun waking him up on a Saturday with a cup of coffee and a sleepy smile, apologizing for falling asleep on his floor, exhausted from hell week but still wanting to study pitch-calling.
“And Eijun?”
”Well… How do I explain this?” Eijun scratched at the back of his neck, staring down at the words on the whiteboard like they will magically give him the answers. “It’s like- I know I can be… a lot. And I’m childish, and loud, and- I think when someone takes me seriously, when they don’t treat me like a dumb kid. I think that’s what makes me fall in love, I think…”
[ In the end, they both received the point. Something changed between the two after this question, they were more relaxed. There was a softness that was there, that brightened their eyes as they looked at each other. Whatever this game was, it stopped feeling like exactly that, a game. It felt serious now. Real. ]
“Who is the better kisser?”
Kazuya had to physically stall his hand from writing Eijun. He still hasn’t recovered from Eijun’s earlier confession and it’s clear Kazuya won’t anytime soon.
But above all, Kazuya had so much he wished he could say to Eijun, but the moment their eyes meet he forgets all of it and can only think about how much he cares about him.
And how much he wishes he could kiss him.
Kazuya wrote his own name forcefully, his hand trembling the slightest bit.
Maybe it’s harder than he thought to pretend not to be in love with his teammate.
Especially when said teammate turns his whiteboard where he had written Kazuya’s name, with an incredibly flustered expression on his face.
“Before anyone says anything, namely, the bastard to my right-“ Eijun snaps. “I am only speculating. It’s just that Kazuya takes good care of his skin, because it helps prevent injury. And he uses chapstick whenever his lips get dry, and it’s mint and-“
Eijun paused, growing from embarrassed to humiliated to mortified by the second.
Kazuya was faring no better. While his face seemed impassive, if smug, to the observing eye, in reality he was losing the last bit of his sanity because Eijun knew the chapstick he used was mint flavored and he actively recalled that fact in an interview.
“But for all I know Kazuya kisses like a dog or a tanuki or something gross like that so what do I know!” Eijun shouted with a huff.
[ It was clear to everyone watching that Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya had a lot to talk about. But were they themselves aware of that? It lead to the internet losing its goddamn mind over these two Japanese baseball players who seemed completely oblivious to the tension. Their social medias gained nearly 750k followers in under 24 hours after the uploading of this video. Everyone wanted to know what the fuck was going on between them. ]
“So… after a certainly, interesting game… I have tallied up the final scores.” The interviewer was smirking at them, but Kazuya couldn’t seem to care about the results.
He just wanted to get this over with so he could break into Kuramochi’s apartment across town with a bottle of whiskey and whine.
It was somewhat of an unofficial tradition between the two of them: to get drunk and complain whenever an interview or promotional shoot goes to shit.
“You tied!”
Kazuya could only laugh. There was always the chance that they fabricated the results to make a more amusing ending, but the participation award will never not be hilarious.
Eijun, on the other hand, was appalled.
“Miyuki Kazuya,” Eijun growled. “You cheated, didn’t you?”
[ The editor added a flashback of all the moments in the video when the interviewer bent the rules for Eijun’s benefit, which was numerous. ]
”I don’t need to cheat to beat you~“
”You tanuki-“
”Thanks for taking the time to play with us today!” The interviewer, who was standing behind the camera now, bowed low to the players.
Kazuya nodded politely, and Eijun bowed in response.
“Thanks for having us!” Eijun chirped happily.
”If you’d like, you could take a moment to promote anything before we finish up?”
Kazuya chuckled, covering Eijun’s mouth with his hand, whatever loud exclamation had been on its way out reduced to muffled noise. Kazuya kept a tight grip around Eijun’s neck as he spoke with an innocent smile.
”If you’d like to come see the Giants play, we’ll be happy to have you. I’ll be there~” Eijun wiggled out of Kazuya’s grip, but remained pressed into his side as he himself added a last comment.
“And don’t worry, he’s crouched behind home plate, in case you don’t want to see him! I’ll be on the mound so please support me!”
[ The video faded out to Sawamura and Miyuki play wrestling, once again forgetting their every movement was being broadcast on the internet for anyone to see. Their fans certainly love this behind-the-curtain look at their favorite players’ lives, and the video would receive great ratings and it would be the hot topic in the Japanese baseball circuit for weeks to come. The two players were eerily silent about any of the allegations, which only fueled the interest. That doesn’t mean nothing came of the two of them, though. ]
Kazuya was halfway through a text to Kuramochi telling him to lock your door and hide your lovers followed by a disgusting amount of heart emojis as he stepped outside to wait for his car.
Truly hilarious because Kazuya had a spare key and Kuramochi was embarrassingly single.
The typing bubble was menacing as Kazuya pocketed his phone, and only then did he notice Eijun leaning against the wall, and Kazuya took a moment appreciate the cool wind making his bangs flutter away from his forehead, revealing his bright eyes underneath.
Kuramochi was going to get a kick out of that one, when Kazuya eventually told him after his third generously-filled glass.
Eijun looked up when he approached, and the smile that spread across his face had no right to be that beautiful.
“So.. That happened, huh?”
“It’s your fault for oversharing. I, on the other hand, remain an alluring mystery~” Kazuya ignored the persistent vibrating of his phone in his pocket, no doubt Kuramochi cursing his existence in twenty different ways.
“You’re not a mystery, at least not to me.”
Kazuya’s heart fluttered noisily in his chest, but he kept the same cool smile on his face.
Unbeknownst to Kazuya, that smile gave Eijun an eerily similar reaction, and Eijun laughed as a way to dispel some of the energy.
“Trust me,” Kazuya spoke through shuddering breaths. “there’s a lot about me you don’t know.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, you idiot.”
Eijun bumped his fist against Kazuya’s chest, the same way Kazuya always does to him, and Kazuya wondered if Eijun could feel the pounding of his heart.
“See you at practice-“ Eijun made to leave, towards a car that had pulled up in front of them, but Kazuya’s body moved of its own accord to grab Eijun’s arm, holding him in place.
“What do you mean by that?”
Eijun didn’t realize the weight of the movement.
“By what?” Eijun stopped, taken aback by Kazuya’s response.
For years, that fist represented all the words Kazuya couldn’t bring himself to say. Every compliment, every feeling, every way in which Kazuya loves Eijun is embedded in that tiny movement.
”By this.” Kazuya mimicked the movement, pressing his knuckles into Eijun’s chest, just over his heart. “And what you said. What did you mean?”
Eijun scoffed, his cheeks flushing under the sudden pressure of Kazuya’s stare.
“Since when do we need a reason?” Eijun balked, and Kazuya could feel the quick thumping of Eijun’s heart for a moment before he retreated. “That’s not-“
“I’ve always had a reason.” Kazuya was so matter-of-fact when he spoke, and Eijun felt an unusual urge to run and hide. He hated the way Kazuya was looking at him, it was saying things Eijun wasn’t sure he really meant.
Eijun didn’t need anymore reasons to be stuck on Miyuki Kazuya. He had more than enough.
“Stop teasing.” Eijun warned, trying to shake off Kazuya’s grip. “Let me go, my ride-“
Kazuya didn’t let Eijun finish that sentence, pulling him forward until Kazuya could kiss him.
Kazuya wrapped an arm around Eijun’s waist, nearly knocking the other boy off his feet in his eagerness. Eijun stilled, but with some coaxing, relaxed under Kazuya’s hands.
Fuck.
Kazuya pulled away from Eijun, even though he had just begun to kiss him back.
“Can I kiss you?”
“You’re asking now?!” Eijun sighed, taking in Kazuya’s distraught expression. He seemed worried, and something about that made Eijun’s stomach flutter. That’s so cute.
”I was supposed to ask but you were- It was… I didn’t want you to leave.” Kazuya was stumbling over his words, and that is so unlike him that it had Eijun grinning from ear to ear.
It was Eijun that made Kazuya like this.
Eijun leaned forward, nuzzling his head in Kazuya’s chest, as he hugged him. And it felt nice, for a few seconds, until Eijun realized how embarrassing that was.
And now he would rather die than loosen his grip and allow Kazuya to see the way his entire face was on fire with embarrassment.
”Um, Sawa-moron…” Kazuya poked at Eijun’s cheek with a finger, and received only a muffled grunt in response. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
”Shut up, you tanuki.”
”If you don’t respond I will assume it’s a no…”
”It’s… not a no.” Eijun finally loosened his vice grip on Kazuya, but he kept his gaze lowered, refusing to look Kazuya in the face.
Which was probably for the best, considering the fact that Kazuya couldn’t wipe the satisfied, dopey smile off his face, a consequence of kissing Sawamura Eijun.
He really wanted to do it again.
“Please just give me a yes before I say something stupid.”
Eijun finally looked up, his face covered in a healthy, beautiful pink blush that made him look ethereal as he smiled.
“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
Kazuya’s pupils dilated, the smile on his face twitching upwards even more. He squished Eijun’s face between his hands, until his lips were puckered like a fish.
”Ditto.” Kazuya leaned down to kiss Eijun again, his heart rate a constant hammering in his ears.
Eijun tasted nice, and Kazuya wanted more. He wanted to taste every inch of him, to familiarize himself with the Eijun that he’d never given himself permission to look at.
Eijun’s hair tickled the tips of Kazuya’s fingers as he tilted Eijun’s head, finding a far more pleasant angle in the process. The way their lips fit together, the feeling of Eijun holding him close, all of it had Kazuya feeling drunk, his movements growing sloppier but more passionate by the second. Kazuya wanted-
Eijun was panting against Kazuya’s lips, as if he was begging for more.
Kazuya licked at Eijun’s lower lip, and was more than shocked to find he tasted like mint. The same mint that could be found in Kazuya’s pocket, the same brand of chapstick Kazuya has used consistently for years.
Without pulling away, Kazuya whispered against Eijun’s lips, “Mint, huh?”
”Prettyboy bastard.” Eijun growled, and bit down on Kazuya’s lip. And fuck if that wasn’t the hottest thing he’s ever done.
“So you think I’m pretty?” Kazuya pulled away from Eijun, unable to control the smile breaking across his face. So much for cool and collected.
”I wasn’t complimenting you!” Eijun snapped, his nose crinkling with frustration and Kazuya swooned even as Eijun verbally berated him.
“Sorry~”
”Well…” Eijun mumbled, as if just speaking flustered him. “take me out on a date and I’ll forgive you.”
Kazuya’s face was sore from smiling, and his heart felt like it was one palpitation away from stopping entirely, but as long as Eijun didn’t see him as some loser, he figured it would be fine.
“Are you free right now?”
Kuramochi would forgive him. Eventually.
“Hello everyone and welcome to the newest installment of the Newlywed game. You see, we made a video a year ago that has become our most talked-about video of all time, and we felt it was only right to give the internet the updates they require, so we invited Miyuki and Sawamura back to embarrass themselves just a little bit more!”
[ The video transitioned to Miyuki and Sawamura, sat side by side, smiling at the camera, albeit awkwardly. Miyuki’s hair was longer, and it was tied back in a small bun. Sawamura had grown considerably due to the strict training required of a professional baseball team’s star pitcher. He was also glowing with something akin to pride as he looked between Miyuki and the camera. ]
“Thanks for having us! Hopefully we can play the game correctly this time!”
“Eijun will probably still mess it up somehow.” Kazuya sneered, relishing in the way Eijun grumbled cutely.
“Will not! I’ll kick your ass, Miyuki Kazuya!”
[ Miyuki looked at Sawamura with a disgusting amount of fondness despite the fact they were bickering like… a married couple. ]
“Welcome to two baseball idiots play the Newlywed game…” Kazuya raised Eijun’s hand, which had been interlaced with his own beneath the frame, and kissed Eijun’s knuckle gingerly. “Only we’re actually dating this time.”
“You…” Eijun spluttered, his cheeks a bright shade of pink. “You’re so embarrassing, Miyuki Kazuya!”
“Yeah, but you love me anyway~”
“Isn’t that, like, the whole point?” Eijun replied with an indignant huff.
“No, you’re just a lovesick fool.”
“Shut up, you tanuki!”
Kazuya dodged the arm that had been swiping at him, catching it and pulling on it to knock Eijun off balance just enough so Kazuya could plant a wet kiss on the side of his face.
Eijun growled at him, but one look into his eyes and Kazuya knew he wasn’t actually upset.
The interviewer, who happened to be the same one as before, cleared their throat in order to garner the attention of the two men.
“Let’s begin, yeah?”