Ryuichi, I love you.

»Effect«

"Ryuuichi, I love you."
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«Kamitani's POV

The air around me feels like it's weighing down on me. It's hot out today. The sun was beaming down on my back side as I kneeled over on one knee to tighten the laces of my shoe. I had practice today. Baseball practice. And after that, I will be heading home with my annoying little brother Taka, and friend Ryuuichi and his little brother Kota.
Recently we've been walking home together more. I wish I could say I don't mind it. But the truth is, walking with Ryuuichi has become more difficult after the words I said to him a few days back.

I confessed to loving him. And even asked him out. And to my surprise, he accepted. I wasn't expecting him to want to date me. But I am happy that he accepted. Otherwise, things might've been way more awkward between us if he had rejected me.

Though, I can't say things aren't awkward at all between us now. Like I said before, it's become difficult to walk with him. Because now, our conversations when walking together end so quickly that we end up walking most of the way in silence. There was even a point where I tried to take Ryuuichi's hand to hold it. But when I did, he pulled it away from me. I didn't think much of it, maybe he just didn't like to be touched. I probably should've asked. But when I looked at his face, he looked uncomfortable. And he didn't say anything. I wonder if, he actually does wanna date me. Or if he's only doing it to not hurt me.

This past week I couldn't stop thinking about that night I confessed. I couldn't stop thinking about Ryuuichi either. I don't want him to force himself into a relationship he doesn't want to be in. I just want him to be happy. But I know him, he has a hard time speaking about how he's really feeling. And because I was his friend, he probably didn't want to hurt my feelings. It seems my confession has just made things very awkward.

I lift my body to stand up straight. I have to get my mind off of this for some time. So I'll focus on practice. Baseball always helps me move my mind onto something else.
I pick up the small ball off the ground. It's surface covered with brown dirt stains. And I stare at it. Quietly.

"...Baseball." I say.

"Uh yeah, that's a baseball Kamitani.."I heard one of my teammates near me say. But I ignored them, and gripped the ball in my hand.

"Hey, I'm not the only one that's noticed Kamitani has been acting weird right?..."A teammate said as he had placed a hand on the shoulder of another teammate.

"Yup you're not. Everyone on the team has noticed. Every day he just stares down at a baseball for fifteen minutes before actually practicing."Responded the other.

"Poor baseball. I'd be terrified to be in it's place."

"You think something happened to him? Like a break up?"Asked one.

"Nah I doubt it. Kamitani doesn't seem like the romantic type. Or the type to even have a girlfriend. He's way to scary. And he always rejects girls confessions. I'm starting to think he's just not the relationship type. But that's just me assuming. I never really asked him myself. To scared to."Replied the other, who then looked at his teammate and patted his back."Let's get back to practice."
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"...."

"Those morons did know I could hear them right?.."