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Yuzuru idly walks the hallways of Tohoku high school after the home baseball game. He was lucky enough to be able to stay and watch the game today, seeing as it fell on his rare rest day. No prior commitment either. Simply a day where he could be a student for a while. And what better way to spend it than watching baseball?
Unfortunately, the home team lost to the visiting Hanamaki Higashi. Even so, he still had fun watching the game.
Admittingly, they were a good team. There were lots of good players and good moments, but the one who caught his eye was their tallest player. Their number one, ironically.
Ohtani Shohei.
Yuzuru felt there was something familiar in the way he played the game. Something that was akin to himself, in a way. It could’ve been that look in his eyes or the thoughtfulness in each movement. Maybe it was the vigor in his game. But it felt familiar, that much he was certain of.
Yuzuru sighs. He was honestly kind of tired. His friends had already gone home, so he was left to wander the halls alone until his mom came to pick him up.
He looks down at his phone to check his messages when he hears loud, stomping footsteps headed his way. Just as he looks up he’s pushed back by a large figure. He drops his phone, losing his footing.
Yuzuru reaches forward and latches onto the person who slammed into him to keep himself from falling. Just as quickly the other wrapped his arms around his figure, pulling him close so as to steady him.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
Yuzuru looks up from where he’s pressed against this figure and notices that it's Ohtani, looking down at him with big, round eyes. His lips are pursed in a bashful expression.
It’s actually kind of cute. Like a puppy. He even tilts his head. Something like recognition flashes in his eyes.
Yuzuru lightly pushes him away, looking around for his phone. He spots it and picks it up, checking for any damage.
“I’m sorry, is it okay?” Ohtani asks, embarrassed. A hand rubs the back of his neck.
Yuzuru waves him off.
“It’s okay. It’s a tough one. I drop it all the time,” he quips.
The latter simply ducks his head. He opens his mouth to say something but stops himself. He looks away for a second. He nervously adjusts his purple cap before meeting his eyes.
“You’re Hanyu, aren’t you?” Ohtani asks hesitantly.
Yuzuru's eyebrows raise in surprise.
‘A fan?’
“You know who I am?” Yuzuru looks up, expectantly.
The other nervously shifts from side to side, nodding.
"Lots of people know you...My mom likes watching you on TV. She’s a big fan. I watch with her sometimes.” He ducks his head further, looking away. A blush appears. “You’re a great skater.”
He looks back at him, wiping a hand on his uniform pants and holding it out.
“I’m Ohtani Shohei. It’s nice to meet you.”
Yuzuru grins, amused. He finds it funny that this giant baseball player is so nervous talking to him. He takes Ohtani’s big hand, giving it a shake.
“Hanyu Yuzuru, though you already know that.” A friendly smile.
Ohtani offers his own timid smile.
“You were really good out there. I had fun watching you,” Yuzuru says, trying to ease the latter.
“Really?” Ohtani perks up, sounding excited before clearing his throat. Yuzuru holds back a laugh. “Uh, thanks. I’m gonna become a pro after high school. I want to go to the majors.”
“Woah.” Yuzuru’s eyes widden. “Big goals, huh? Think you can do it?” He asks curiously.
“Of course. As long as I continue to work hard, I can achieve it,” Ohtani says with all certainty. Yuzuru can’t help but be impressed by his strong resolution.
“Then I hope to see you in the news when that happens,” Yuzuru says with a smile.
Ohtani smiles back, seemingly less nervous. He reaches into his bag over his shoulder, pulling out his phone.
“Do you mind if we take a picture together? My mom would kill me if she knew I met you without taking a picture.”
Yuzuru giggles, pleased. ‘Ohtani is pretty cute.’
“Of course. Anything for a fan,” He lightly teases.
Ohtani chuckles. He moves closer to Yuzuru and leans down. Yuzuru is slightly startled when Ohtani wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close. Their faces are right next to each other and he feels his tummy flutter.
Ohtani holds out his arm and snaps a quick photo. When they separate, he finds that he kind of misses the embrace. ‘Weird.’
Ohtani looks down at the picture, beaming. Yuzuru leans over to look, too.
“Oh? We look cute!” Yuzuru chirps.
‘That’s a really nice picture actually... we look good together,’ Yuzuru thinks in passing.
He looks up at Ohtani, grinning.
“It’s a cute picture.”
Ohtani gives a bashful smile. “Mostly because of you.”
Yuzuru pauses, flustered. He’s unsure of what to say, that fluttery feeling returning.
‘That means I’m flattered, right?’
“I’m sorry, was that weird? I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Ohtani says worriedly. Now he looks like a nervous puppy.
Yuzuru rushes to amend. “No no, it’s okay. I’m just not used to people calling me cute like that.” A lie.
Ohtani tilts his head. “Really? I would’ve thought you heard that all the time.”
Yuzuru laughs, delighted. “I’m flattered you think that.”
Ohtani laughs along, too. He looks down at his phone to check the time, eyes widening. He bows to Yuzuru after pocketing his phone.
“I'm sorry, I have to go now. Hopefully, the team hasn’t left without me. I was actually rushing because I was running late. Though I couldn't help but want to take a picture with you,” Ohtani beams warmly. “Thank you. I hope we meet again.”
He re-adjusts the bag over his shoulder. He turns to leave but stops abruptly, remembering something.
“Oh, and good luck with your next competition! I’ll cheer you on.” He raises his fist in a ‘ganbare’ gesture.
He bows one last time before jogging away to the area his bus must be parked at.
Yuzuru feels warm, if a little shy. He thoroughly enjoyed that fan interaction.
He feels his phone ding. He looks at his phone, seeing it’s his mother letting him know she’s there. Yuzuru pockets his phone, still smiling to himself.
‘Ohtani Shohei, huh? I’ll remember that name’
—---
[Bonus]
Shohei feels his heart beat fast without any signs of slowing down. His calmer front is gone, replaced with a giddy smile as he heads for the team bus. He cheers inwardly. He can’t believe he just met THEE Hanyu Yuzuru.
‘He was so sweet! He’s even more adorable in person... He’s really nice, too! As expected. And I got to take a picture with him! Mom is going to freak out.’
On the ride home, despite some minor scolding for his tardiness, he has an ever-present grin visible on his face. And if his friends notice he looks happier than usual, they assume its because they won the game.