the past and the present

9. changes

3RD PERSON

Sawamura and his team won all the matches during the week and made it to nationals with the game ending 11/9.

It was a very close match and Sawamura was beyond satisfied thinking that this was how it would've gone if he trained himself harder.

It was the Friday when they won the match to go to nationals, he went home after celebrating with his friends and as he went in he saw an unknown person's pair of heels. He sighed knowing what is to come. He stepped in greeting his parents and Rei who was his guest.

'Ive been sitting at this table too much these days.' He thought spacing out while looking at Rei. She thought something was on her face but didn't realize the boy was not really thinking about her exactly.

"Hi, im Rei Takashima. I'm a scout from Seido High." Rei said fixing her glasses "And I'm here to give your son a baseball scholarship at our school."

"Seido? Isn't that in Tokyo?" Eijun's mom asked

"Yes ma'am."

"I dont know... it was alright to send him to Tokyo for one day but after the incident where he got lost I'm not sure. I don't think he can manage that." She looked over at me with a worried look. 

'Ah, Wakana's Dad really did snitch on me.' Eijun thought.

"C'mon, honey this is a big chance for Sawamura. You Know Seido's been to national a bunch of times." His Dad argues trying to change his wife's mind.

"I know Eijun's a bright boy but I'm still concerned."

'This never happened last time. Is it because of my sudden change in personality making my mom more worried This change wasn't even intentional. I should really try getting used to expecting the unexpected. First my teacher, now this.' Eijun thought sighing.

"Mom, I know you mean good but this is my future, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be worried about me but, please think about how it would make me feel if I missed an opportunity to do something I loved."

His mom looked aside still not entirely sure about the situation but understood where Eijun was coming from. Rei smiled.

"Don't worry ma'am, I'll take care of your son. Well, that's if he decides to join us at Seido and if you and your husband agree."

Then there was silence.

"Sooo..." Eijun said grabbing his parents and Rei's attention. "When can I visit?" He asked. Rei smirked looking at him with curiosity raising her eyebrows.

"You can come tomorrow if you want?" She answered looking at his parents. Sawamura's parents looked at each other then back to Rei and nodded.

"Tomorrow it is." Eijun said smiling.

"Remember, it's just a visit okay? I haven't decided yet." His mom said pouting a bit.

"Yes Mom! Thank you Mom!" Eijun kissed his mom's cheek.

- 🃁 - 

Rei-chan picked up Sawamura and they drove to Seido. He was here a few months ago and nothing changed.

"Kawakami give me another one!" Sawamura looked over to the side seeing Kawakami pitch another ball to Azuma and him hitting the ball scoring another homerun. "Your gonna make my skills rust like that! Get off the mound! Someone put him in a box and send him home!"

"He's gonna play pro with a body like that?" Eijun said turning to Rei "Look at his belly. He looks like an old man. Is he in his forties or something? There's no way he's in high school."

He didn't say it loud like last time but it was loud enough for Azuma to hear.

"Who is making fun of my cute belly?"

"Cute belly? Oh you mean your big belly? Cause I don't see anything cute on you." Eijun said smirking.

Miyuki giggled in his little corner seeing the pitcher cause a ruckus.

"Didn't somebody tell you that baseball is a team sport? Hell, you must be dumb enough not to know that. Did this prestigious school not teach you commonsense." Sawamura stopped talking seeing Azuma's face getting red.

'Shit I went too far.' He thought trying to hold back a laugh.

Rei was a little stunned but she held a stoic face going over to the batter. "He's from the countryside, so he's completely clueless about the real world. He's a pitcher. Do you mind showing him what batting is about?" she asked.

"Sure I don't mind at all." Azuma calmed down "Still, I won't let him off the mound until he begs for mercy."

"Let's see who's gonna be the one begging for mercy here Mr Bigs." Eijun added

"This sounds like fun." They turned around hearing Miyuki's voice. "Rei-chan can I catch his pitch?"

"Miyuki! You're a first year don't get too cocky!" said Azuma. Miyuki chuckled.

"Well, it's kinda true that you've been getting on your high horse lately, so I think it'll do you good to play with us kids and go back to the basics. Right, Mr Bigs?" Miyuki said chuckling at the nickname Sawamura gave Azuma.

"Kazuya be careful what you say!" "He's gonna jump you!" The others said. Rei gave Sawamura a uniform to wear while Miyuki change into his catcher uniform.

"Does it fit well?" Rei asked Sawamura.

"Yea. Thanks."

"Hey get over here! Let's start warming up!" Miyuki shouted.

"Okay." He threw the ball to Sawamura and he caught it.

"You never told me what you were doing here last time?" Miyuki asked

"And why do you want to know? It's not that interesting." Sawamura answered.

"Well then. I can see how you lead your team to nationals without a coach. You're quite knowledgeable." Sawamura widened his eyes shocked at the new scenario.

"How did you know that?"

"I went with Rei-chan to see one of your matches and heard from her when you won the match to bring your team to nationals. I would've never guessed the suspicious boy with the blue hoodie on would have been this talented."

"I guess, but it wasn't all me. My teammates-"

"Hey, kid. Are you joking are what? If you're gonna keep talking over there it's better you apologize and stop trying to run away. Cause once you get on the mound, there's no place for you to run." said Azuma.

"Hey, I'm not tryna run away. In fact, no hard feelings if I hit you!"

Miyuki started laughing "Sawamura, you're hilarious! You know that?"

 
"Miyuki you wanna get hurt?!" Azuma yelled.

Sawamura walked up the mound seeing Azuma already up on the plate.

- 🂡 🂱 🃁 🃑 -

[ 1100 words ]