𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 | Miyuki Kazuya

Chapter 6: Difficult Conversations, Tricky Situations

| Haruka Inejiro |

Emerald green eyes had only ever seen a multitude of shining stars, once in an entire lifetime. He remembered how scared he was looking up at them, but never forgot how beautiful they were. At nine years old, it was the first time in his life, that he ever felt so small and intimidated. The universe above him was decorated in endless possibilities. They were all beautiful, they were all scary.

Haruka wished that he could see those stars now as he leaned his head upwards. Blond curls spattered across the brick wall above a lone bench. Eyes searched the clear, smog filled sky. Beside him, sat a certain moss eyed catcher.

The drink Takigawa had handed Haru was quickly warming between his legs. He didn't know how long they sat in silence before he calmed down completely. It had been a frightening experience, being tugged into this dark corner. At first, the sliver of space between the vending machine and the wall, was intimidating. But, when Haruka didn't see any ulterior motives within the older boy, he relaxed significantly.

"Eating disorder?" Takigawa finally questioned, breaking the silence.

In that moment, the blond felt like he was fifty years old. How many times would he break down and then be forced to explain himself? "Nope, just bad anxiety."

There was silence for a few more seconds before a question slipped out of Harukas lips, "How'd you know?"

Silence again, but then the older boy spoke up in a deep rumble, "My sister."

Haruka winced, "She has an eating disorder?"

Takigawa let out a heavy sigh. It looked like he too was feeling fifty years older.

The curly blond opened his drink and took a sip. When he shifted to look at Takigawa, the boy had a small smile on his lips. "Does anybody know about how bad your anxiety is?"

Haru shook his head, still swallowing the juice. He had forgotten how hungry he actually was. The juice churned in his stomach but it was better than nothing.

"Is that the reason you didn't come to Seidou on scholarship?" Takigawa wondered curiously.

The blond lowered his drink and took a deep breath. It wasn't like he could skip over his initial reason for wanting to quit. Eventually he would be asked this question multiple times. In antsy movements, Haruka drummed his fingers on his knee. The smaller the explanation he had to give, the better. "No... um, there was an incident and I just decided not to play anymore."

The brunette beside him let his words linger in the air. Oddly enough, Haruka found that he was comforted by the constant pauses and moments of silence. He looked in the older teens direction and found him to be closing his eyes. Emerald eyes trailed over the momentary softness that decorated his usually tense face. Maybe Takigawa was in need of a friend as well.

"Why are you not on first string?" Haruka questioned back quietly.

This time Takigawa took a deep breath, "Shoulder injury."

Haruka replayed the memory of their 4-2-9 at home plate. It didn't seem like he had injured his shoulder at all. In fact, the catcher had moved with little hesitation.

The sudden sound of Takigawas phone buzzing in his pocket, jerked Haruka out of the memory. "It's time for the team meeting," The older teen relayed as his fingers sped across the keyboard.