Chapter Text
Mana's brow was arched as he wrote in his notebook. He was hoping to finish this assignment before he headed home, but the occasional shouts and movement ahead made for a distracting environment.
Of course, there was also the pants Közi was wearing
Mana wasn't entirely sure why the baseball player always insisted on having Mana come to watch his team practice. Mana was hardly dressed for the occasion, a dress with a poofy skirt stockings, and brand new heels.
Yet here he was, sitting in the stands, notebook in his lap, occasionally looking up to the watch the team practice.
Although a few parents were also seated in the stands, Mana sat a bit aways so he wouldn't be bothered.
Setting his pencil down on his notebook, he decided to watch for a bit, as it was Közi's turn.
The uniform itself wasnt that interesting. Just a simple white base with black details and numbering.
As Közi held the bat up, Mana pursed his lips. His eyes followed along the faint outline of his biceps.
With a swing of the bat, Közi hit the ball and took off running. With his back now towards him, Mana shamelessly let his gaze fall lower.
Those damn pants.
Mana sucked in a breath, watching Közi as he turned the first corner. Mana's eyes were glued to Közi's legs, watching him round the last two bases and then sliding to the last one just in time.
The pants were just tight enough that Mana could see the outline of Közi's thighs and hips.
As Közi stood up, his eyes wandered to the stands until they met Mana's.
A dorky smile appeared on his face as he realized Mana had actually came this time.
Mana sat up when Közi noticed him, the sudden movement causing his pencil to start to roll.
Eyes darting downward, Mana reached for it.
Too late.
He was forced to watch as it rolled off his notebook, falling in a gap underneath the stands.
With a frustrated noise, Mana turned back to where Közi had been. He had to search the field until he saw Közi speaking to his teammates.
Shutting his notebook, Mana was left with no choice but to watch the practice.
-
“Mana-chan, wait up!”
Mana had been leaning against a wall, notebook tucked against his side as he had waited.
“I wasn't going anywhere.” He pointed out.
“You said you had homework to do, I thought you weren't going to come today?” Közi asked, taking his hat off and shaking his messy dark hair.
Mana held up the notebook. “I started it. Didn't you see me drop my pencil?”
Közi blinked as he stepped to the side. “No. You lost it? Wasn't that one your favorite?”
Mana simply shrugged, looking unbothered. “It fell under the stands.”
“That's a shame. Did you see me get that homerun?” He asked, face lighting up.
“It's just a practice match.” Mana said quietly. “Let's hope you can get one during a real game.”
Közi reached forward and shoved him lightly. “Don't be mean, Mana-chan.”
Mana narrowed his eyes, scrunching up his face at the specks of dirt that had transferred from the contact with Közi's hand. “Közi.” He said sternly
Közi pulled his hand away. “What's with you, grumpy because you don't have a date for valentines?”
Mana brushed the dirt off his dress, then looking down to fix his skirt “You don't either, idiot.”
A sly grin appeared on Közi's lips, and Mana blinked. “Or do you?” Mana asked.
“I have something in the works.” Közi hummed cheerfully. “Some type of master plan.”
Mana didn't say anything, so Közi continued on.
“You're more of a romantic though, so I wanted to ask for some advice.” Közi said, placing his hat back on top of his head.
“Please, I hardly have any experience in that field.” He scoffed, grabbing the edge of his skirt and frowning.
“You don't have to have the experience, you're a romantic at heart Mana. Come on, will you help a guy out?”
Közi had a stupid pout on his face. Mana couldn't decide if he wanted to slap him or pull him by the collar of his shirt and kiss him until that stupid look was gone.
Instead, Mana opted for neither. “What are you planning? Did you already ask her out?”
“I'll ask once the plan is more finalized. I was thinking about cooking or baking something. Maybe some sort of picnic in the park?” Közi thought out loud. “Does that sound romantic? Tell me Mana!”
“That sounds fine.” Mana said simply.
“Fine won't be good enough to get me a second date! I want this to go well!”
There was that stupid pout again.
Would that really be so bad if Közi didnt get a second date with her?
Tucking a piece of his hair behind his ear, Mana stared straight ahead. “You know I won't be much help when it comes to cooking. I'm too clumsy in there. I'd hate to burn your date's surprise.”
Then again maybe that wasn't such a bad idea.
Mana forced himself to focus in what Közi was saying rather than the thoughts starting to spiral in his head.
“I wouldn't make you bake, Mana, you could just….” Közi scratched the back of his neck. “You could supervise me! Give me decorating tips? I can make food that tastes good, but I want it to look cute too!”
“Like some type of art director?” Mana tilted his head to the side. An art director for his friend's date. His crushes date, with someone else.
“Sure, what do you say, Mana?” Közi asked, stepping closer to him and looking down at him.
Mana couldn't help but look up and admire his pretty lashes.
Underneath that nonchalant facade Mana put on, he wanted to yell and beg Közi not to go through with this.
“I'll help.”
Közi's face lit up.
“Not so fast.” Mana clicked his tongue in annoyance. “What do I get out of this?”
Közi pressed his lips together in thought. “I'll buy us Ramen for dinner after.” He offered.
Mana gave an approving nod. “Good enough. He decided. “When?”
Valentines day was this Friday.
“How about Thursday night?” Közi suggested, hand wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
“We walk home together anyway, I'll just come with you on Thursday. Speaking of, we should head home. I still need to finish that assignment.” Mana sighed, staring at the ground in frustration.
“Ah, just a moment, Mana. I need to use the restroom first.” Közi said quickly.
Mana frowned, crossing his arms. “Seriously?”
“I won't make it home. I'll be quick!” He gave him a wink before running off.
Of course the nearest one was back out by the field.
Mana sighed, staring down at his hands as he was left alone for a few minutes.
Why was he doing this?
Why did that idiot have to be so adorable?
The minutes seemed to drag on and the sun was beginning to set already.
Mana was going to be up all night doing homework at this point. Maybe he shouldn't have stayed to watch Közi's practice.
But the pants.
Mana scoffed, setting his hands in his hips as he paced back and fourth, waiting for him to return. What was he even thinking?
He almost considered just walking home when he spotted that white uniform running towards him at a distance. Közi was waving his hand around as he sprinted. There was an excited grin on his face, too.
Mana squinted his eyes, trying to make out what he was holding.
Közi returned, sweaty and out of breath. He leaned over, hands on his knees as he panted heavily. “Mana-chan, you'll never guess what I found!” He exclaimed.
Mana just looked at him expectantly. “Did you get distracted? Is that why you took so long? You know I have that big assignment due tomorrow.”
Közi rolled his eyes before holding up what had caused the delay.
Mana blinked, the faintest bit of disbelief falling over his face.
His pencil.
“It must have been filthy.” Mana muttered.
“Don't worry, I went and washed it off in the bathroom for you. Come on, let's get home.” Közi giggled, placing the pencil in Mana's hand.
Mana stared at it for a moment before following him. “You're an idiot.” He muttered. “It's just a pencil.”
“It's your pencil, Mana-chan!” He exclaimed.
Part of Mana was relieved that he had found it. He did tend to get attached to even the smallest of things.
As they walked home, Közi jumped up and down in excitement, circling around Mana as he went on about how excited he was for his Valentine's date.
Mana hardly understood where the sudden burst of energy had come from, considering the other had just gotten out of practice and had just ran.
Forcing himself to just nod along, Mana decided he would have to put his little crush aside and help Közi plan his date