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Lars has been on a high ever since he arrived in Japan, the buzz in his veins during every game, the giddy energy before every interview, and even back at the hotel, the restlessness that needed him to do more. It was as if there was a bee inside him, begging for freedom with its insistent buzzing.
Their record resides at 2-0, both games starting off slow and nerve-racking, but once the momentum starts, it shall never end. For Lars, it was a trip. To be in front of a full crowd, with thousands chanting his name, and replicating his celebration, the feeling that embraced him was overwhelming, to say the least. But instead of nervous vitality seeping into his body, it spurred him on, motivating him to perform the best he's ever had, in front of the crowd he had won over.
It worked.
Two official games, four hits, and two diving catch saves, that followed an endless amount of admiration, not only for the sport he made his life but the team he called family.
Although, Lars didn't hold himself in high regard, not when monsters were playing beside him. Even when he was picked to give the pregame speech, even when he was considered the "hero" of the game against Korea, and even when Shohei gave him a hug goodbye, murmuring a soft "You're incredible." into his ear, as they parted and left with a wave over his shoulder. It wasn't a blooming insecurity, just an understanding of the caliber of players Japan has.
As dressed out, somehow always one of the last to leave the stadium, Lars refused to have the night end between Shohei and him, when they were both spent from playing hard but feeling sedated, he wanted something more. So, he texted Shohei, both a good night and a promise for the same thing tomorrow.
To: Shohei
tells me im incredible when you outshine me
Almost immediately, there was a response.
From: Shohei
says the international superstar, pretty soon youre going to be more popular than me
Lars lets out a snort, knowing that with his current track record, he's on the way toward that destiny. A smile formed on his face knowing that Shohei put him on a pedestal, a certain respect between the two that allowed them to hand off praise back and forth, wholeheartedly.
To: Shohei
yeah whatever. rest up, we have to do it all again tommorw
From: Shohei
looking forward to it, i get to play with /the/ tacchan :P
Lars didn't respond, preferring not to feed into Shohei's 'little shit' attitude, but it didn't mean he was offended. If anything it was the total opposite, heart overflowing with fondness as he hiked his bag further up his shoulder and made his way out of the stadium and into the cold night. Tokyo was beautiful at twilight, the light breeze blowing around him as he made his way to the car parked to take him home. As he dropped his bag in the trunk, his phone buzzed again. His mind momentarily stalling from the sight around him, he pulled it out, silently hoping for another text from Shohei, but he was not disappointed when he saw his teammate's name instead.
From: Golden Glove Tommy
Great game today Lars! Can't be mad when you guys played like you did!
Also, that catch??? Insane bro! Japan is lucky to have you out there
To: Golden Glove Tommy
same to you man!
if anything im lucky to have Japan
Lars started to gnaw at his bottom lip, contemplating letting Tommy Edman see a vulnerable side of him.
it's crazy to be out here huh
From: Golden Glove Tommy
Dude its like an out of body experience
For you its proably like 10x as much, playing with Ohtani and all
Speaking of, yall are really close.
Now that Tommy said it, it dawned on Lars just how close they were. Four games in total - two exhibitions and two official pool games- and they were practically inseparable. More so when Shohei wasn't pitching, because then he allowed himself to be open, out of the zone that the starting pitcher often puts himself in. That's when laughs fill the dugout, and hands push and shove at him when Lars says something stupid. His eyes practically closed with how wide his smile gets. But most importantly, the high-pitched giggle that many associates with Shohei, a sound so distinctive that instantly forms solace between him and his teammates.
But what makes his relationship with Shohei so different is the proximity to which they keep each other. Quick hug after every showcase of power. Shoulders brushing in the dugout and intense cheering when the other excelled at which they did best.
To: Golden Glove Tommy
yeah... it just kind of happened. you know with him having a major play in making this possible
he's a great guy, everything he does is breathtaking
From: Golden Glove Tommy
Oh trust me, I know.
You really don't hold anything back in interviews
Tommy was right in every aspect, but how could Lars possibly refrain from voicing his appreciation and admiration for the situation around him and the man responsible for making a dream come true?
He couldn't, and frankly, if he had the chance to take back everything he said, he would rather drop dead.
To: Golden Glove Tommy
holding back is not an option
From: Golden Glove Tommy
You smile a lot Lars, shit that's what makes you, you. But I have never seen you smile so wide like when you're around him.
This entire tournament in general has you glowing, but especailly with him.
Lars' heart stopped as his brain finished registering the words on his screen. His transparency came as a shock to him but it wasn't as if he was a lovesick fool.
(Maybe a little)
To: Golden Glove Tommy
yeah.... ive seen the videos
From: Golden Glove Tommy
Don't worry about it Lars, its looks good on you.
Anyways I'm calling it a night, we have the Czech Republic after you guys.
Good luck!
To: Golden Glove Tommy
you too tommy!
There wasn't a response after that but not like Lars minded. As of the end of the month, he would be reunited with the utility player of the Cardinals, but that meant the end of what blossomed in Tokyo.
As the city passed at a comfortable speed, the lights shining into the window, the drive back to his hotel was a leisurely ride. His body was tired but his mind still reeling from the adrenaline-inducing game. Coming back from a 0-3 nothing lead in the third inning to end the game at 13-4, wasn't an easy feat, but a rewarding one in the end.
His head tipped back, neck bare to the warm air in the car, while his mind replayed the game. Pimpin' singles, stealing bases, diving catches, cheering loud, speeches said, encouragement given, touches received.
The skin underneath his eye began to tingle, right above where his eyeblack would normally resign. The feeling of calloused fingertips, touching the soft skin of his face, disguised as grabbing an eyelash. The moment went from a light conversation laced with laughs to silence accompanied by a heavy gaze fixated on something so small but to Shohei, big enough to graze his fingers to rid Lars of the offending eyelash. Lars would never admit to anybody but himself how his heart sped up, watching as Shohei reached towards him, how he instinctively moved his face forward, with no care for the intentions. Even as Shohei pulled away, the light touch left a burning brand. Lars continued on with the conversation as if the action was nothing, disguising his true feelings.
For the second time that night, his phone buzzed with an incoming notification. The tiredness has seeped into his body finally, effectively turning his brain into mush, so like a slug, he pulled his phone up to his face to read the text message.
From: Golden Glove Tommy
check this link... i say it conveys a lot
https://twitter.com/mintlibido/status/1634161858071662592?s=20
Lars opened the link, only to be face to face with Shohei's live reaction to his game-saving catch. The same catch that earned him the hero interview. His breath hitches watching the anticipation on Shohei's face, the excitement once the catch was made, and the pure astonishment that lay in its wake, with hands over his head as he looks around to their teammates to make sure it was real.
Never before had Lars seen so much emotion in a matter of seconds. It was so different than the night before, where the celebration was concise from the mound, the weight of the catch seemingly indifferent to their starting pitcher. But this catch brought out the raw emotion in Shohei. The footage explains why Shohei whispered the two words into his ear as he left, said with so much belief, that Lars couldn't even begin to argue, until way later.
There was a rumor going around that Lars was Shohei's biggest fan, but seeing the video made him believe that maybe, Shohei was his.
Lars tried to fight the intense beating of his heart, the butterflies that raked his stomach, and the newfound energy making his leg shake.
But he didn't fight the cheek-splitting grin.