Oneshots: REBORN!

afterschool blues | Takeshi

A hit.

Another one meets the swinging bat. Takeshi, with all his might, hit the baseball again with the wooden bat on his hands – gripped tightly as his hazel eyes mindlessly followed the machine to launch off his target. 

Another hit.

–and the pace of the machine spitting out the ball in such a speed didn't lessen. It was still the same.

burnout.

His strong swings made a sound that he was used to. The ringing sound of the ball making contact with the bat rang all over the court that echoed the narrow hallways of the school buildings. The one that you were currently on.

(Name) was pulling a tray full of books and is on her way to the library. This is her task as a library commitee, being an assistant library since she volunteered to be one. She's used with the cheery sounds of young male teens laughing on the court, the yells, the cries of disappointments – but silence was the one that she loved the most. Although the merry voices of teens filled warmth in her heart, she would still prefer silence. 

As her eyes watched the passing window and with the orange-y, reddish sun now setting down, her attention was caught with the sounds that echoed on the whole school. It was from the court.

–It was already late, too late, in fact. The school doesn't permit its students to stay too late on its premises, but its already time for students who have club activities to go home. You were an exemption, of course, since you're a library staff who can work later than the students with club activities. (Name) stopped her feet and stood still with her (eye color) orbs looking at the court in confusion. There really is someone in there. A tall guy, in a baseball uniform. Although it was too far from where you are, you could clearly see the familiar build that was swinging the bat loudly.

Yamamoto Takeshi.

A close friend of yours and have been a classmate of yours since elementary. You've known him as a very cheerful guy; easy to get along with, nice to talk and hang out with, is very popular because of his looks, personality, and position in the baseball club, and a good friend of yours. He loved baseball much more than anyone you know. He is a baseball freak – friend of his call him that, in fact.

Your features brighten from the familiar sight of him, with your librarian tasks are now almost finished, you decided to rush, carefully, to the library and left the tray that you were pulling next to the counter since the actual librarian will sort out the new books in the next day. With you locking the door and have your schoolbag hanging on your shoulder, you made your way to Takeshi.

"Hey!" a wide grin on your lips, waving your hand as you approached him, "Yamamoto-kun!"

Your voice caught his attention. His mindless stare disappeared and colors went back as his eyes landed on yours. He was feeling shit, but your presence gave warmth on his chest now that he've gathered his thoughts. With that, he smiled at you before getting hit by the rushing baseball to his stomach that made him kneel on his knees. The sight made you panicky and rushed to him, he caught the next ball with his bare hand as his other hand tried to ease the pain on his stomach, and you pressing the off button of the machine and rushed to the poor guy.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" you apologized frantically, everything's getting all over the place ever since the incident happened, you took out a hand to him to help the poor guy stand up, "Let's go to the infirmary so we can get you checked!"

Takeshi chuckled as he accepted your offer, gathering the strength in his legs to stand up and held your hand until he can stand up completely, the contact made your cheeks reddened and looked away from his gaze, "hehe, thanks, (Name)." He started, scratching his cheeks, "It's fine, this stuff happens sometimes."

"b-but it might get worst." you added as your eyes bashfully avoided his gaze. He was thankful of the thought, but dismissed it since this happens from time to time, "don't worry much, (Name)."

His response made you look at him in worry before looking down, "alright then, if you insist.."

Silence embraced the two of you as your eyes casted down. You could see the bat that laid down on the ground, rolling mindlessy. The baseballs that laid everywhere. The brown, leather mitten that was thrown carelessly on near Takeshi's feet. Your hand that was still held with his big, calloused hands.

Realizing this, you looked up at him with red dust on your cheeks, flustered and muttered apologies to the tall boy. He didn't heed any mind on it, but by the time you tried to take out your hand from his grasp – he tightly gripped on it, pleading you to stay.

and so you did.

"Takeshi?"

"We.." he started, before trailing off that seemed to collect his thoughts first before continuing, avoiding to let out things mindlessly, "Actually, I've been considering to quit baseball."

Unbelievable. That was something you couldn't believe that went out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry, what–?" there was a tone of question and demand of knowing whatever was the reason, and your gaze let him know that you were all ears for him if he needed. His grasp tighten on your hand as his thumb massaged the back of your hand, cracking a smile, "I love baseball, (Name)."

"but I found something that is much worth to do." he continued, his eyes gazing to yours, "..and I can only choose one so I have no choice but to do it."

"do what?" you inquired with those big, (eye color) orbs that curiously looked at him laced with worry, "hey, it's nothing dangerous, right?"

Takeshi's eyes widen for a moment before a sorrowful look appeared on his face, "I–," he began as he stuttered, hesitating to tell you the truth, "I'm sorry. I can't tell you everything right now, (Name)."

I don't want you in danger because of me.

Mistrust – you were unreliable enough.

"Oh–," you trailed off as your smile dropped down, "–I see." Your hand lifelessly hanged from his hand that was tightly gripped, "I'm sorry for getting in your way."

"No, no, wait, don't misunderstand, (Name)." he was panicked slightly, "It's not because I don't trust you, I just need more time to tell you." liar.

"O-Oh, um, alright.." you muttered, "I thought you don't like me enough to trust me.." That went wrong. That actually went wrong, why like, wasn't it supposed to be "unreliable" or at least, "dislike"?

While frantically panicking in your mind, you suddenly felt his hand on your cheek. The sudden contact made you flinch before he closed the distance between the two of you as he seal his lips to yours, feeling his breath on your skin.

It was a sudden exchange–

–that you didn't mind.

"I'm sorry, (Name)." he apologized, looking away from your gaze, "it's just that, you looked cute and–"

His words colored your cheeks red more than before, "I–, I mean, it's just that I like you, a lot." he continued, "so don't go saying that I don't, okay?"

Flustered, all you can manage to do was to nod. "Good girl." he chuckled as he patted your head, "I'm making myself strong to protect everyone I love."

Your eyes only looked at him, pleading him to continue, "and you're one of them. I want to be there to protect you always, (Name)."

"Even if I can't play baseball anymore, I won't regret it." he cracked a smile – a genuine one, "now that you know that I like you a lot, will you be my girlfriend?"

✿

eyy new updatee

ive been wanting to write for a while and got some ideas!! belated merry christmas and happy new year to everyone!! happy holidays!!

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