Chapter Text
The sound of the ball hitting the center of the glove was all that Sawamura could hear in the bullpen even though from the outside came the sound of laughter, shouts of euphoria, conversation, and various other things indicating that the training camp was a lively place, filled by enthusiastic souls who yearned only be able to achieve their dreams.
And those dreams generally merge into one, one that shone brightly: Nationals. Sawamura shared that dream. He had set foot in Koshien once, and longing to return to it again was as necessary as the air he breathed. However...
Koushuu’s fixed gaze made him nervous, to the point where his pupils contracted like a cat’s. He could almost feel a hundred cold needles peppering his whole body, and from the discussion they’ve had, Sawamura should accept that the freshman had a clear idea on how to be intimidating. Of course he tried to keep that from making him tense, he wanted to show he was not afraid of his kouhai and above all he wanted to prove that he was not annoying as the freshman had assured. As Okumura was catcher, he wanted to silence him with his pitches.
…But it was proving harder than he thought.
The tension between them was so evident, that others could almost see how the two were surrounded by auras full of determination; as if they shared the same thoughts about how to prove to the other that they were better. Something quite childish, indeed, because it is assumed that the catcher-pitcher link should be trust, not a competition to determine who is better. Sawamura understood, he understood better than anyone, but he wasn’t able to forgive how Okumura had spoken to him that morning when his only intention had been to reassure Asada.
“You’re an eyesore, so can you do us a favor and remove yourself, senpai?”
Sawamura’s aura increased at the memory, and made a pitch that Okumura was barely able to catch due to the ball curving upward too much.
“Hey, hey!” he heard Miyuki call, momentarily interrupting them. “You’re too tense, Sawamura. You’re getting the other pitchers nervous.”
“But Miyuki-senpai! Why do I have to practice with him!?” Sawamura protested immediately, pointing a finger towards Okumura. “He’s the worst!”
Miyuki curled his lips into a smile that clearly showed he was having fun with the situation.
“Come on, Sawamura! You know you won’t get anywhere arguing with your catcher. If you were on the mound right now, would you really be arguing over this kind of problem? A real ace puts his pride and issues aside when forming a battery. So what if you have a problem with him? The best you can do is show that you’re a pitcher that can surpass any expectations made of him.”
Sawamura shuddered. He knew Miyuki was right. He was just getting carried away by the loathing he felt towards Okumura, but having someone watching him that way even in the bullpen...there was absolutely no way he could concentrate! In addition, seeing Miyuki having fun with the situation, the suspicions that Miyuki had put them together on purpose was proving more than obvious. Ugh!
“But you don’t understand!” Sawamura replied with a tic on his forehead. “He’s provoking me! I’m sure! He..!”
“That’s enough.” Okumura's voice cut through the air of the pitcher’s words, causing everyone present to turn to him. He pulled the mask off, and directed his gaze towards Miyuki. “I think I'm done for today, Captain.”
Having said that, he stood and walked away while trying to remove the chest protector. The most perplexed by this situation was Sawamura, who gritted his teeth and fists, and stifled a cry of frustration.
This guy is the worst!
During dinner, Sawamura was so annoyed that, without thinking, he was practically swallowing his rice in large bites. Okumura was sitting a few meters away in complete silence, chewing his food slowly with a calm appearance, though Seto most likely did not share the same tranquility, as he had heard what happened earlier in the bullpen. After that, he had a talk with his friend, but he seemed not to pay attention. Was it that perhaps the situation between Okumura and Sawamura would only worsen? Because Okumura had not been promoted to the first team, it was very unlikely that they would form a battery in a real game, but still ... it was preferable to avoid hostile friction between teammates.
“Eijun-kun,” Haruichi observed nervously the way in which his friend was eating. It was obvious that what happened in the bullpen had affected him. “If you eat fast, you'll end up gagging, also it’s not good for your health.”
Sawamura didn’t respond. He was angry! Very angry! So much that he hadn’t noticed the amused gaze Miyuki sent that direction. How was it that a freshman boy could be so insolent? W-Well, it's true that he wasn’t the best example at the time, but still ... It was so frustrating. Sawamura clenched the fingers in which he held his chopsticks, and ended up dropping the portion of fish that he had been holding. He sometimes threw Okumura angry glances, who in return didn’t even move in his seat or elaborated the slightest reaction to the fury of his senpai.
Kuramochi decided to intervene before the situation got out of control.
“Hey, hey, hey! Calm your nerves Sawamura,” he wrapped his arm around the other’s neck, causing Sawamura to turn blue at the speed of light. “We’re not here to annoy the freshman, right? Why don’t you try to fix things by apologizing?”
“HUH!? Why should I be the one apologizing?” Sawamura pointed to himself completely offended. He couldn’t believe it. What was Kuramochi thinking? He had bugged him a lot during his first year in Seidou and he had never apologized for the suffering he caused him! Besides, wasn’t Okumura the one who owed an apology? He had done nothing wrong!
“Because you’re an idiot, idiot! Why do you think I’m saying this?”
Sawamura growled.
“I didn’t even do anything wrong! It is he who should apologize for disrespecting his senpai!”
“Are you sure?” Kuramochi’s gaze indicated he was skeptical. “Wasn’t it you who started this in the first place?”
“W-what are you talking about Kuramochi-senpai? I can’t remember anything that…”
“Sa-wa-mu-ra!” Miyuki's voice came all the way from the seat he occupied. “ About the problem you reported the other day with Okumura, I took care of it personally. However, I can say that this time it was you who crossed the line,” Sawamura noticed that the older boy’s face darkened severely. “Today in the bullpen, it was you who was out of control.”
Sawamura stared at him in disbelief. He could not believe that Miyuki was on Kuramochi’s side. He could not remember having done anything wrong. Yes, it is true that in the bullpen he had annoyed himself, but he didn’t think he was the only one to blame. I mean, Okumura was practically throwing daggers at him during practice. How could he not to feel pressured pitching like that? But, judging by the look that Kuramochi and Miyuki were giving him, they would not accept such excuses.
He clenched his fist.
“Huh? Where did Okumura go?”
Everyone turned to look at the seat that had been occupied by the freshman catcher, but only dinner left overs, and an empty seat remained. Seto, who sat beside, laughed nervously.
“He said he needed fresh air and left a while ago.” He stated.
Kuramochi gave Eijun nudge that almost caused him to fall.
“Go.”
Sawamura had no choice but to obey what the others said. But what was up with this situation? It was the worst! Why were they forcing only him to apologize? Shouldn’t Okumura also apologize for what happened the other day??! Why should all of this fall on his shoulders!? It wasn’t fair. He hated being stuck in this situation. He hated being despised by a first year. After all the bullying he had suffered during his own first year, he had sworn that he would be a better senpai, and would help his kouhais feel comfortable here. But no. Everything had gone wrong.
He ran through the hallways looking for a glimpse of Okumura, and finally found him next to the vending machines. Sawamura panted due to the exercise.
“Okumura!”
The blond looked up while a Calpico fell into the machine’s tray.
“Senpai?”
Sawamura closed the distance between the two and immediately began to think about what to say. Yes, he knew he should apologize (Especially if he wanted to please Kuramochi and Miyuki), but before he could say anything, Okumura stepped forward.
“Don’t worry; you don’t have to say anything, apology accepted.” Huh? How did he know? Had he heard part of the conversation with Kuramochi? Either way, Sawamura exhaled with relief, believing that things between them had calmed down, but Okumura spoke again before Sawamura could say anything. “However,” his fingers clinging to the Calpico walking next to the second year boy. “I don’t wish to get involved with you again. I will ask Miyuki-senpai to avoid pairing me up with you during training. I thought you could show you were someone who was worthy, but you waited your chances, and you’ve failed to surprise me. At your level, it is impossible for you to overcome Furuya-senpai. You know it, right?” He walked away from the scene. “If I were you, I’d give up on being the ace.”
Sawamura gritted his teeth and fists, but when he turned around no one was behind him.
What was wrong with that guy?
He was the worst!