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Despite and barring the last year, Chris is a reasonable guy, and generally likes being helpful to his teammates at Seidou, wanting to see the team succeed. He gets along with everyone now (he’s glad no one brings up his bout of depression when he wasn’t), and tries to divide his time equally among all the pitchers to help them grow and do better in their games.
He doesn’t have a favorite, no matter what anyone else on the team would say.
(Though everyone kindly doesn’t point out the obvious extra attention he gives a certain loudmouth pitcher, especially during the time when said pitcher was so unnervingly quiet. The light returning to those eyes, even as slowly as they did, gave Chris the ultimate pass to be as biased as he wanted.)
Even after he’s graduated and moved on, Chris can’t help how he still tries to ask after his juniors and make sure they’re all doing well.
He likes knowing that Kanemaru finally got a single digit jersey, his hard work paying off to be a regular starter. He likes knowing that Ryou’s recent pleased smiles are because Haruichi played well the day before, the team doing well in their practice matches. He likes knowing that Miyuki is getting a handle on being captain, that his calls are still bold and full of life, ever defiant of losing. He even likes the random tangents that Miyuki’s relationship with Kuramochi is going well, having seen the struggle for the other catcher to finally open up.
But his favorite updates have to come from Sawamura, the boy still an overeager puppy whenever they talk on the phone. He loves hearing about his new pitches and games from his perspective, to hear how much he’s grown in such a short time, to hear someone still be in love with the sport despite all the pain it’s caused him.
Chris doesn’t know where all the courage and grit in Sawamura comes from, but he’ll never stop being in awe over it.
He gets plenty of updates, from the big moments to the small, all meaningful in their own way to Sawamura, which makes Chris care out of infectious enthusiasm. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when Sawamura tells him he’s decided on the college route before going pro, though it does take him off guard when he’s told Chris’ own college is his top pick.
“Are you sure Sawamura?”
“Yeah! I was looking at their degree programs too and they have a lot of interesting courses, so I can build my degree how I want, and—”
“Breathe Sawamura.”
Chris hears a sharp inhale, then a boisterous laugh. “Sorry! I’m just really excited! And if I do well when I get on the team, we can be a proper battery!”
And there it is, the real reason Sawamura even considered the same college as him, not that he’d ever be mad considering Chris still hopes for more than those three innings in his last year of high school. Chris can’t help flexing his hand, the constant relief he feels when there aren’t any twinges felt in his shoulder anymore is always welcome. He’ll need to keep on his toes to stay healthy and be the battery partner Sawamura deserves after all his hard work to make this happen.
He’ll still have to work hard once he’s on the team, but Chris has no doubt the coaches will see what a great asset Sawamura will be once he’s there. It’s hard not to be taken in by Sawamura’s everything, but even if they aren’t at first, he’ll no doubt endear himself to them in no time.
Chris knows from experience how easy it is to be proven wrong by the whirlwind that is Sawamura Eijun.
“I’m looking forward to it. But you better keep your grades up then, my school isn’t very lenient about that.”
“I know shishou! I’ve been studying with Kanemaru more and he’s a tough tutor, but super effective! I did my research and even a sports scholarship there has a required GPA to keep, so I’ll work really hard, you’ll see!”
And he will, Chris has no doubts about that, because when it comes to Sawamura, he finds he can believe in almost anything now.
Even though he knows what’s up with Sawamura most of the time doesn’t actually mean that he knows everything though. Chris really wishes his old batchmates would realize this so they would stop bombarding him with questions over the crazy stuff that keeps happening around the kid.
Case in point, the next time they all decide to stop by Seidou, coordinating with the newly graduated batch, to see how the team is reacting to their new first years, everyone decides Chris must know why Sawamura isn’t at practice even though he really wouldn’t.
The kid may worship the ground he walks on (unfortunately still), but he’s still a dumb teenager and has his own life to live.
“Oi! Where’s Sawamura!? Shouldn’t he be here captaining the team?” Jun is still loud, and probably grumpy from the train ride over, but no one bats an eye since he’s only voicing what everyone else wants to know. Chris just wishes he wouldn’t be so close to his ear.
“He got an excused day from the coaches, so it’s just me and Kanemaru running drills today.” Most of the guys jump at the voice, turning to see Haruichi standing behind them with the signature Kominato smile on his face. It immediately puts Chris on edge along with the others, though Ryou returns it with one of his own.
“Oh? And what could he need an excused absence for, hmm? Shouldn’t he be busy preparing you guys for the summer tournament? It’s getting pretty close now.” Miyuki looks far too invested in his old battery partner’s whereabouts for it to be a genuine concern. Poor Sawamura is going to get the third degree if he comes back before their visit ends.
Haruichi’s smile turns even icier, Miyuki not batting an eye. Kuramochi looks between the two with mild concern but ultimately joins in with his own questions. “Yeah, it’s just a few months now right? And didn’t he know we were coming today? I know I told him enough times myself since it isn’t easy getting us all together for a visit like this.”
Haruichi fidgets before he sighs, a melancholic glint entering his eyes. “He really wanted to be here to see you all, but Amahisa’s schedule changed at the last minute and he’ll only be able to see him today instead of tomorrow. He wanted me to tell you he’s sorry he’ll miss you though.”
He raises his head high, looking down his nose at them as if daring them to make a fuss over Sawamura’s decision. And usually Chris could say everyone there is mature enough to deal with it, but after all the coordination this visit took, he can understand how protective Haruichi is feeling over Sawamura. A few of the guys do look disgruntled, but it’s Tetsu, forever their reliable captain even two years after graduating, that brings them all back to what their visit is about.
Supporting their underclassman in their last year of highschool baseball.
“Oh that’s right, I did hear about the pro schedule possibly changing for some teams to account for the oncoming bad weather. I guess Chiba ended up caving to it too.” Tetsu gives a sympathetic smile to Haruichi who finally relaxes. “He must have run himself ragged deciding what to do, it’s a good thing he has great vice captains to help him.”
Haruichi’s face turns slightly pink, but he takes the compliment with more grace than his first year self would have. It almost makes Chris feel a little nostalgic for the blushing mess he used to be. “He was really torn, but Kanemaru reminded him that Amahisa will be gone for two months on the road, so he should see him while he can, especially since…”
“Since…?” Kuramochi tries to prompt Haruichi into finishing, but it’s a new voice that does.
“Since Eijun decided to go to college first instead of the pros.” Furuya always looks sleepy still, but his eyes are alert with a layer of concern and Chris can’t blame him.
Even though Chris already knows about Sawamura’s decision, he can’t imagine how hard it was to come to it, or what the others have seen during the process. With their pinched brows and side eyes, Haruichi and Furuya probably know just how hard this was for him to finally decide.
Though with how sure Sawamura was when he informed Chris, he wouldn’t be surprised if the kid always knew what he would do, but the logistics of said decision took more time to plan than he thought.
Chris can relate.
“Eijun-kun has been doing a lot of research into what degree he wants, and with baseball practice on top of it, he’ll be pretty busy when he finally starts college. On top of that, Amahisa has been rising in the ranks of his team, a lot of people are predicting he’ll become one of the main starters of his team by the next season.” Haruichi explains to them with a desperation rarely heard anymore and Chris watches the others finally let the information sink in.
Sawamura may be a lovable idiot at times, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have plenty to worry over. Sometimes they forget how much Sawamura takes on in order to be the best at whatever he chooses is worth the effort. Whether that was being captain of the team, researching the best colleges, or planning dates for his soulmate, Sawamura gives everything an equal 110%, often to his detriment.
Chris resolves to check in more with the kid, if only to make sure he gets some rest between everything running through his head.
Tuning back into the conversation, Chris sees Furuya nodding along with Haruichi, a cold stare being leveled at the alumni as he speaks. “Whatever time they’ll get together will be much smaller, so we’re making sure he takes what chances he can.” He gives a small smile suddenly, one full of fondness that Chris never would have expected to see in their first year at Seido. “Eijun’s always happier when he gets back.”
And that’s what makes all the alumni finally calm down, knowing Sawamura needs this and it makes him happy. They might all grumble that he isn’t there to see them during their visit, but Chris knows they’re all happy for Sawamura and that they all wish him well. After all, it can’t be easy to have a long distance relationship with anyone, let alone your soulmate.
None of them envy Sawamura for that at all.
“Well there’s no dwelling on it now, we’ll just have to catch up with Sawamura another day.” Chris gives them all a bigger grin, doing his best to dispel any lingering tension, switching topics quickly. “So how is the team shaping up, any interesting first years?”
The two take the change in topic gratefully and run with it, soon with Kanemaru joining in and giving his own report on how practice is going. Soon the three head back and the alumni stay to heckle the players on the field when their plays are off. The third years take it in stride and laugh smugly when they get something right, while the younger players are varying levels of mad and frightened. Okumura himself growls at them, only Yui and Seto holding him back, before he shouts at them to stop giving the practice pitchers heart attacks. The alumni only laugh, though Jun looks ready to climb the fence to get in Okumura’s face, as they can see the kid only has concern for the newbie pitchers he’ll have to work with.
He’s come a long way from the emails Chris would get from Sawamura of how uncooperative Okumura would be. Though Chris suspects that was only with Sawamura, as Miyuki explained in his own emails that Okumura worked fine with the other pitchers, even getting Asada to finally come out of his shell to be a wicked and reliable closer for the team.
Either way he clearly took his position as the main catcher seriously if his protective growls were any indicator. Thankfully the heckling settles down afterwards and Okumura switches with Yui to head to the bullpen, Haruichi giving a large sigh of relief at disaster being averted from his position near the fence.
The rest of practice goes well, Kanemaru and Haruichi doing great leading the team in Sawamura’s absence, which Chris makes sure to tell them once everyone is cleaning up for dinner. They both look satisfied at the praise, Kanemaru more than Haruichi, when a loud shout brings attention to the field gates.
“Hey! You’re all still here? I’m glad I’m back early then!” And standing there backlit by the sun is Sawamura, waving his arms like crazy to get their attention. The field gets much louder, the players shouting their greetings for their captain returning and the alumni cracking jokes about tardiness from disrespectful underclassmen. The noise rackets up to eleven but Chris wouldn’t have it any other way, enjoying the playful chaos of his old team.
After many hellos and practice ending, the alumni find themselves staying a little longer to catch up with Sawamura. He looks cheerful as always but Chris can’t help noticing a more mature air around him, especially when he graciously takes interruptions from his underclassmen to help out now that he’s on campus. They all notice the younger pitchers flocking to him with questions, some more timid than others, but Sawamura gives them all attention with a patience almost unseen by them all. Though by the proud looks Miyuki and Kuramochi are exchanging, it doesn’t seem to surprise them one bit.
And Chris finds that he isn’t that shocked either, a smaller but no less proud smile on his own lips.
“Okay, that should be the last one for now. Sorry about that senpais, I did tell them all that they could ask me anything once I got back.” Sawamura gives them a sheepish grin and Chris finally takes in the nice clothes the other boy is wearing and the attempt at his hair being combed back a little. Though soon Chris notices the red rimmed eyes he’s sporting and can’t help the instant worry that floods him.
“Oi Sawamura, were you crying? Do we have to go hunt that Amahisa down!?” Jun is loud and angry, but it’s out of concern and everyone can’t help joining in once it starts.
Sawamura waves his hands frantically, already explaining himself. “No, no! It wasn’t his fault! Guys, calm down!” Everyone eventually settles down, giving the southpaw their full attention.
Though by the muttering from Jun and a few others, Chris can tell it’s still tense.
“Okay, first of all, Kousei was fantastic and we had a great time. No glares, you are literally asking me how the date went!” Sawamura glares at the few groaners into silence. Chris is pretty impressed with his disappointed captain look, it’s pretty effective. “But his agent called and he was basically ordered back to Chiba for an interview. Kousei tried to argue that it was his day off, but she fired back that the studio wouldn’t reschedule and he needed this for sponsorships. I know he wanted to just cancel it all together but I wouldn’t let him.”
The pitcher looks down sadly, and Chris spies a glint of gold around his wrist that he’s fiddling with. He makes a note to ask about it later if he’s willing to talk.
Haruichi appears next to Sawamura, a gentle hand already rubbing circles into his back. “So you had to cut the date short. I’m sorry Eijun-kun, I know how excited you were for it.”
“It’s fine, really!” But his smile is strained and tears gather in his eyes once again. “It’s hard, but it’s what we have to do for now. I just…it’s hard to say goodbye, and he’s such a sap about it so we both always end up crying.”
Sawamura gives a fond shake of his head before he wipes his eyes and straightens up. He looks calm and collected, and it strikes Chris again that this isn’t the same boy that entered Seidou two years ago with only arrogance to his name and what they thought of as pipe dreams shining in his eyes. This boy, this young man in front of him, is built on all the cracks of his mistakes and the grit and hopes that reforged them in the fire of his own desperation.
Chris remembers broken glass eyes and empty laughs and couldn’t say if he would redo everything to end up where he is still.
Somehow he knows Sawamura would, and without question.
He doesn’t know if he’s more awed or terrified by that knowledge.
“Plus we were celebrating our anniversary so he was even more sappy than usual.”
“I thought your anniversary wasn’t until a few weeks from now?” Haruichi tilts his head, not in suspicion, but genuine confusion. Furuya matches him, though still with his ever present sleepy edge.
“It is, but Kousei will still be on the road by then and he said he wanted to see my reaction to his gift so we celebrated a little early. Though he did say he still has a surprise for the actual day and to ‘look out for the mail that day’, so I still have that to look forward to.” Sawamura’s smile goes a bit syrupy sweet, like it always does when he talks about Amahisa. Chris always feels like he should look away but doesn’t because Sawamura deserves to be happy and it’s sweet how much the two of them are in love.
Chris still hasn’t met his soulmate, but if he gets even a fraction of what Sawamura and Amahisa have, he’d think that would be more than enough.
“So what did he get you then!?” And of course that’s what Jun asks, the only other big romantic of their group, but no one can hide their curiosity, Miyuki even giving an expectant eye with no pretense. Chris is pretty proud how far he’s come to even show that much around them.
Sawamura blushes, and shyly but proudly holds out his arm and Chris gets a better look at the flash of gold he saw earlier. It’s a thin but sturdy looking golden chain that connects in the middle to a simple golden baseball charm around the size of a dime. The bracelet is understated, but quite pretty, and when Sawamura turns the baseball over, they can make out the words ‘From the very first pitch’ engraved on the back.
Kanemaru grabs Sawamura’s arm to get a closer look, and then there’s plenty of shouting, ranging from awed cooing to disgusted shouts. Chris can proudly say he’s more in the former category because that? That’s so unbelievably and tooth rotting sweet, and exactly the kind of romantic gesture that Amahisa would do just because he means it and that Sawamura would appreciate him doing it.
Chris also can’t help but notice that the bracelet fits nice and snug on Sawamura’s wrist, with minimal sliding so it wouldn’t get in the way of any pitching if he wore it during practice or a game.
It’s so thoughtful and sweet that Chris thanks any gods out there for Sawamura getting a soulmate just as ridiculous as he is because who else could take all the massive affection of Sawamura Eijun and meet it back tenfold and without hesitation? It makes something warm settle in his ribs, knowing the boy he once saw shatter would never break that badly with all of Amahisa’s affection to cradle him should he ever fall again.
After everyone's teasing it’s Furuya that brings them all back to earth, the others quieting down and Chris back from his musings. Gently taking Sawamura’s wrist from Kanemaru, he looks at the bracelet with soft eyes before he asks, “So how much did you cry when he gave it to you?”
And without skipping a beat, and a loud laugh in answer, Sawamura replies, “For a good five minutes straight!”
The other third years shake their heads fondly at their captain, the alumni joining in with more ribbing, and Chris feels content to watch all his favorite people.
Maybe it wasn’t fated, but Chris likes to think the friendships he forged on this team are, or that it was fate to at least have had the chance to make them. With Sawamura’s head thrown back in laughter and the others joining in, he knows they are.
Despite how much Chris already approves, and never saying he needed to meet him, Sawamura decides it’s the most important thing for him to officially meet Amahisa the next time they’re all in the same place.
So that’s why three months later, on a random Thursday night, Chris finds himself waiting for Sawamura and Amahisa in a diner about twenty minutes from Seidou. It’s summer break for everyone in school and Amahisa had apparently managed to wrangle two days off to come visit. Sawamura would usually be practicing and preparing for their next game, but the coach had ordered a day of rest for the whole team and the kid jumped at the chance it presented.
And now Chris is waiting and he can’t help feeling a little nervous to meet Amahisa. He’s always been an impressive player, even when he struggled to keep his rhythm, especially now that he’s playing professionally. Amahisa still isn’t a regular but every showing he’s had this season has been impressive, and he’d know that even without Sawamura’s colorful commentary.
He’s not Narumiya good, but Amahisa seems to have finally hit his own stride, and plays as if it doesn’t matter. He’s a different pitcher than Narumiya, and he plays it to his strengths.
(Chris privately thinks the only pitcher that could possibly ever match Narumiya is still in school, and that the world isn’t ready for when he finally goes pro. He’ll make sure to have the best seat in the stadium for that matchup.)
Chiba chose well to put their bets on him and were very lucky to win his lottery.
A bright jingle brings Chris out of his musings, turning his head to watch Sawamura drag a bemused Amahisa towards his booth. They’re both smiling and relaxed as they sit in the booth across from him with Amahisa letting Sawamura slide in first, allowing Chris to get a good look at the pitcher.
While Amahisa hasn’t gotten much taller, he looks a bit more filled out than last year. His hair is growing out a bit, the strands still pretty short, but nowhere near the close shaved look he sported in his third year. Chris has seen him on tv in interviews but there’s only so much you can get from a screen. He looks content to sit next to his soulmate, a fond twinkle in his eyes, who’s babbling about the sandwiches the diner is famous for.
He throws a casual arm around Sawamura before he fully faces Chris, a lazy smile across his lips but no less sincere. Chris can tell he’s genuinely happy to be here in this moment.
“So you’re the famous Chris-senpai, huh? Cool we can finally meet, I know Eijun’s been planning this for a while.” He flashes his teeth in a wide smile, but it’s not biting. Amahisa seems like the kind of guy that just smiles with his whole face, similar to Sawamura in that way.
“You bet I have! I’m just so happy that Tanaka-san managed to make your schedule work. Remind me to get her something for her birthday coming up.”
Amahisa gives a nod in agreement, pulling his phone out to make a note of it. “There, it’ll remind me a week before so we should have time to figure out what to get her. She may nag me but she can be a miracle worker.”
“You’re just mad she won’t let you visit more.”
“Well yeah, but I get why.” Amahisa squeezes Sawamura closer to him, dropping a quick kiss to his hair. “I just miss you.”
And Sawamura flushes pink, but looks pleased, snuggling more into Amahisa’s arm as he loosely links their hands. And wow, Chris may actually get cavities watching them, so he clears his throat to get their attention again. “So Amahisa, tell me about yourself. Sawamura mentioned you’re a big music fan?”
That might have been a mistake, but the long lecture Chris gets on indie music and the decline of the current music industry is honestly kind of fascinating and something Amahisa is clearly passionate about. He’s good about bringing Sawamura and Chris into the conversation though, asking him about his own music tastes and how that factors in, making the conversation pretty engaging. It’s a lot for a more introverted person like Chris, but watching Sawamura and Amahisa go back and forth tells Chris a lot more about their relationship than any interrogation ever could.
Amahisa is a passionate guy and has no problems sharing that with others, especially those close to him. And Sawamura feeds off of that energy easily, giving his own two cents and connecting his own interest of reading to the conversation, something they’ve clearly done many times if the ease at which they do is any indicator. But they never let Chris feel left out, even if it would be so easy to do so with how in their own world the two appear.
It gets easier when they turn to baseball, something they all share, and Chris can see the dedication Amahisa brings to the sport, the chip on his shoulder to give it his all since he took a break. And he notices how Sawamura says it was a break, not letting Amahisa dwell on what it actually was since he came back.
(Chris briefly wonders how they would have met if Amahisa had truly given up on baseball, if they never had that fateful match.
He likes to think they would have met regardless, maybe in a shop where the music and manga sections are next to each other, and their eyes meet. Or maybe still at a game where Amahisa comes to watch and can’t help giving his admiration for a pitcher with unbelievable pitches. Or maybe they would meet on the train, Sawamura lost and Amahisa decides to help him.
In any scenario he can think of, Chris honestly believes these two would meet, and they’d still have this. It would be built on different foundations, but the end result would still be the same, these two sharing this booth, this space, entangled and sappy with how much they adore each other.
Chris thinks he wouldn’t mind watching any of those iterations if it meant his friend would always be this happy and empty eyes no longer could be remembered with a smile that bright.)
They’re good for each other, complimenting the other well. Amahisa is good to and for Sawamura, hyping him up but not in an unrealistic manner. He talks about Sawamura’s skill objectively and factually, with an honesty most rival pitchers would rather die than say. Chris knows they both have baseball as their priority, not letting their relationship stop them from their goals, but the way Sawamura and Amahisa interact shows their relationship will always be the priority to work towards. It’s sweet, and Chris is fully convinced he doesn’t have to worry about Amahisa personally being a problem. Life itself is its own curveball, but he doubts that will ever stop them from trying, and that’s all he needs to know.
In a lull, Sawamura excuses himself to the restroom and then it’s just the two of them.
“I won’t hurt him, at least not on purpose. I can promise you that.” It’s why the three of them are here, even if Sawamura never said why he wanted Chris to meet his soulmate, they all knew the reason why.
Sawamura is happy and in love with his soulmate but he also thinks the world of Chris’ opinion.
So here they are meeting.
It’s really unnecessary, but Chris understands Samawura in a way very few actually do, and if meeting his friend’s boyfriend will make him happy, then that’s what Chris will do.
“I know. I knew from the moment you sat down and let him sit at the window with no fuss, because𑁋”
“Because he likes to people watch if his mind wanders.” It’s said with a shy smile, Amahisa fiddling with his napkin, but not nervously. Chris has noticed plenty of pitchers need to do something with their hands, maybe because they know a baseball belongs there even if they can’t pitch at that moment.
“Yeah, he does.” Chris lets the silence settle, because even if he knows Amahisa wouldn’t hurt Sawamura, he’s still his upperclassman, from then and in the future when Sawamura gets into his college, and he still needs to make him squirm a little.
(It’s upperclassman/big brother privileges. Aotsuki even assured him he is plenty deserving of the honor, even if he doesn’t feel like it most days with how Chris treated him in the beginning. But if Sawamura can move past it, then maybe one day Chris fully can too.)
“Sawamura loves you. He says it all the time but watching you two today really hammers it home. You love him.” Chris gives Amahisa a softer smile, the one filled with hopes and dreams gifted back by the boy with a heart full of belief. “But you’ll also protect his heart. That’s enough for me. You already know he has friends and a team ready to fight for him, but I want you to know I know you’ll protect what matters. And that’s more than enough for me.”
Amahisa looks choked up, a smile that reveals he understands exactly what Chris is saying. That for someone like Sawamura, loving him is easy, but protecting the part of him that’s scarred and battered, that’s what’s worth it. And Chris watches a million emotions pass in Amahisa’s eyes, but there is so much love and adoration to battle the sadness and pain that it’ll be okay.
Even with all their long distance and the aches and pains that brings, they’ll figure it out, they may already have figured it out with how understanding they are for their respective dreams. And they’ll have each other, every step of the way, and Chris thinks that’s probably the biggest blessing they could each receive.
A soulmate who just gets it, who will understand, who will always be there, no matter the distance or obstacle. That kind of bond is rare, even among soulmates, and Chris knows no one deserves that more than Sawamura. It settles whatever doubts were there, if any were, because Chris has never thought that anyone who could put that kind of smile on Sawamura’s face could ever be anything less than perfect for him.
Watching Sawamura come back to the table with a pep in his step and seeing Amahisa stand to let him back into the window seat, Chris knows Sawamura’s going to be just fine, that he can trust Amahisa with him. Not that Sawamura needs his permission, or anyone to fight his battles, but they both know why they’re here in this diner, with its struggling air conditioning and noisy patrons on a random Thursday night during one of the hottest days in the summer.
For the boy that gave them everything, just by saying they always had the strength themselves to reach for it.
“Hey, we should get dessert! They have really good pie here!”
“As long as you share with me!”
“Of course we’re sharing, you always pick the best flavors!”
Chris smiles.
He really can’t wait to be in a battery with Sawamura again and see what he does next.