Challenging Hopeless Romantic - Miyusawa

Chapter 2 - I'm Falling for You

Kanemaru stood beside Kuramochi on the field, nudging his shoulder a bit, "Any idea what that's all about?"

Kuramochi sighed loudly, "It's a dare. I suggest trying to avoid them for the next two weeks."

"Noted..."

They continued to stare at the two boys in the bullpen. Sawamura stood across Miyuki, the annoying grin from earlier still glued to his face. Miyuki wore a completely defeated expression. However, a defeated expression wasn't the only thing the catcher was wearing. Whether there by mistake or on purpose, the bold #1 on his back was drawing a lot of attention from the rest of the team. Yet so far, no one had dared to ask any questions.

"MIYUKI KAZUYA! Are you gonna catch for me or not!?" Sawamura's distinct voice filled the awkward air.

"You have to be kidding me..." Kazuya shook his head. "I'm not wearing this."

"Oh yes you are!" Sawamura huffed, hands on his hips.

"How'd you even get into my room?" Miyuki refolded the jersey.

"I knocked," he said, clearly pleased by his ingenious plan. "Wolf boy let me in!"

"Of course he did." Kazuya rolled his eyes. Is this his idea of romantic? He thought. I'm already a bit surprised that he knew sharing clothes was a thing to begin with. Maybe he's not as hopeless as I thought...

Sawamura flashed another wide grin, "Come on! Put it on already!"

"Can't be patient for a second can you?" he mumbled. "I'll change before practice starts. I'm not about to strip in the middle of the field."

I thought it'd be a bit entertaining if I agreed... but this is just straight up embarrassing. Miyuki thought as he knelt down, and got ready to catch. "What do you want to practice today? Any of the numbers?"

"Just fastballs today cap!" Sawamura caught the ball Miyuki had thrown to him. "I hope you're good at catching Miyuki Kazuya!"

"What are you talkin-"

The pitcher read something off his left palm, "Cause I'm starting to fall for you!"

Kazuya stared at the younger boy, unsure how to process the words he'd just heard. But a few seconds later he was on the floor in uncontrollable laughter, which only drew more attention towards the battery.

"Sawamura that's the dumbest thing you've said all week!" he wheezed, his voice trailing off. "Oh my god I can't breath."

Eijun's face went red, watching as Kazuya kept gasping loudly.

"I'm getting second hand embarrassment..." Kawakami covered his face with his glove.

"Miyuki-senpai, why is Sawamura-senpai wearing your jersey?" Okumura asked.

"I thought you were the one who gave it to him? Why didn't you ask him then?" Kazuya said, finally recovering.

The first year kept his neutral expression, "He told me you asked him to take it, so I didn't think much about it."

Miyuki shook his head, "It's for a dare. So if he's acting weird just ignore him."

"Doesn't he normally act that way?"

"I HEARD THAT WOLF BOY!"

"Sawamura are we practicing or can I leave?" Miyuki called.

"YES!" He huffed, finally getting ready to warm up.

He's annoying about 80% of the time, but catching for him is entertaining at least. Kazuya scratched his head with his pencil. I want to practice number 11 with him later. It seemed a bit off in my glove yesterday. He shifted in his seat, his eyes shifted to the clock at the front of the classroom, and he sighed. Guess I should actually try to enlighten him a bit. He's put all this effort after all.

Sunday had been yet another interesting day for Kazuya. The younger boy had held off on the pick up lines (which everyone was grateful for). However, he had once again snuck into the upperclassman's room, this time to steal Miyuki's Seido baseball cap.

I'm surprised he didn't borrow anything today... It's almost suspicious. Miyuki thought as he scribbled in the notebook on his desk. Hmmm... what kind of things can I do...

Before his thoughts had time to develop further, the lunch bell rang, and Kazuya let out a sigh of relief. But that relaxed feeling didn't last.

"Hahaha! Cap did you miss me!?"

Kazuya tensed up, making a mental effort to not look into the hallway. He prayed Sawamura would give up and leave if he didn't pay attention. Sadly, the boy has no sense of self-control, and he let himself into the classroom. A hyper Eijun navigated between the desks to get to his destination, and Miyuki noticed the boy's hand gripping a white plastic bag. A few confused glances were shot his way, his eyes however, stayed locked on Miyuki.

Giving in, Kazuya lifted his head towards the pitcher and leaned back in his seat, "Not seeing your face for a few more hours would be nice, but I don't have much of a choice at this point."

Sawamura scowled, his lips formed into the pout that never failed to brighten Kazuya's day, "Don't make me regret being nice to you."

He tossed the grocery bag carelessly on Miyuki's desk, his usual smile covered his face.

"Well! Open it already!" Sawamura exclaimed as he pushed the bag closer to his senpai. Miyuki complied and reached into the bag with his dominant hand, opening it wider to get a better look.

It seemed Eijun had gone out of his way after morning practice to run to the local convenience store to pick up a few things just for Kazuya. The older boy lowered his head into his hand as he tried his hardest not to laugh. A can of coffee, an apple, and a small box of chocolates, were pathetically stacked.

I guess he forgot I don't like chocolate... Kazuya thought.

"And look at this!" Sawamura took the box out and held it up in Miyuki's face. "Read it!"

Miyuki squinted as he tried to read the label, "Dark... dark chocolate?"

Eijun gave him a pleased look, "Kuramochi told me it wasn't sweet! So try it!"

"I'll have it later, I want to eat lunch first. You have to eat too don't you? Shouldn't you be in your own classroom?" Kazuya said playfully as he reached into his desk to grab his lunch.

"See!" Eijun complained as he turned to where Kuramochi had been silently watching. "He's not smooth, he's an aerodynamic jerk!"

"Sawamura I think the word you're looking for is arrogant..." Miyuki interjected, which made the boy hiss in his direction.

Eventually, the two third years managed to kick the pitcher out, and Miyuki flopped onto his chair.

"He's going to end up winning the competition by default if you don't do anything you know?" Kuramochi leaned against the side of Kazuya's desk.

"I know I know I'll think of something soon." There was no way he'd let Sawamura win. Being competitive was part of him, Miyuki was an athlete after all.

Kazuya scanned over the room, letting his thoughts wonder. He wanted to return today's favor. It was quite a thoughtful gift after all.

Kuramochi gave a concerned stare as a malicious grin appeared on the catcher's face.

He had the perfect idea.