The Story Of Forever (Todobaku)

A New Plan

Katsuki fiddled with his watch under the table. He normally wasn't so anxious around adults. He was an adult too, technically. His nineteenth birthday was a few weeks away. Yet given the circumstances, Katsuki was well out of place. While he presented himself as a mature young man on the outside, he was no more than a scared child on the inside.

He took a bite of his steak, careful not to drip sauce on his suit. If he kept busy chewing, he wouldn't have to talk as much. Luckily, his mother's chatty nature relieved any potential awkward silences.

"This is all so lovely," Mitsuki said. "Thank you again."

"Our pleasure," Toshinori replied.

He turned to David Shield, the Yankees head coach. David sat with a polite smile as Toshinori translated Mitsuki's sentiment to English. David responded, and Katsuki sensed his sincerity without Toshinori having to translate. The inflection of his voice gave it away.

"He says he should be thanking you for making his first trip to Japan such a fun experience."

Katsuki smiled to himself. That was what he thought David said. He started learning English since his middle school years, but had been practicing every day since the day Toshinori proposed Katsuki play for the Yankees. Toshinori and David ensured they'd hire Katsuki a translator, but it didn't hurt to sharpen his skills.

Masaru inspected his plate. "How's your steak, Katsuki?"

Katsuki paused his eating to mumble a quick "It's good" before moving on to his mashed potatoes.

Dinner carried on, Katsuki's four elders doing a majority of the talking. Toshinori, the honorary translator, spoke twice as much as everyone else. Though Katsuki kept quiet, he listened attentively. Moving across the world, even to chase his baseball dreams, was a huge deal. If he was going to go through with this, he'd be an idiot to not hang onto every word.

As the night wrapped up and the check was signed (Katsuki flinched at how casually Toshinori handed over his credit card after seeing the price), David spoke to Katsuki. Katsuki picked up a few words, but Toshinori's translation was definitely needed for this one.

"If you're comfortable moving forward," he started, "the Yankees should be done drafting up your contract by the end of the week. We can meet up and go over it together, if you'd like."

Katsuki swallowed hard, but conceded with a nod. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good." He shot David a thumbs up.

The five of them migrated outside and exchanged goodbyes.

"Until next time," Toshinori said, bowing to Mitsuki and Masaru. "Take care."

"Thank you both so much," Masaru said. He shook hands with Toshinori and David. Mitsuki opted for hugs.

Toshinori then bowed his head toward the youngest party present. "Farewell, Katsuki."

Katsuki's face flushed pink. He suppressed his inner fanboy enough to meet Toshinori with a firm handshake. "Bye. Thank you."

As the goodbyes were finished, the two groups parted ways, Toshinori and his chauffeur taking David back to his hotel, and the Bakugous returning home. Like dinner, Katsuki stayed quiet during the drive. Either his parents chose not to press him on it, or they were too revved up from tonight's luxurious catering to notice.

So Katsuki skated by, but only for the car ride. He made it two steps into his front door before Masaru ruffled his hair.

"You have fun tonight?"

"Uh huh," Katsuki muttered.

Mitsuki snickered as she hung her coat on the rack. "I think anyone else in your position would have at least some enthusiasm."