After three days, Shohei returned from the hospital. I asked Calum to be the substitute teacher for my class. Around 12 AM, Ippei told me that they were on the way go home. I cooked him a nice lunch and waited up.
As he stepped through the door, his eyes took in the familiar surroundings with a hint of uncertainty. I stood nearby, my heart pounding, waiting for that feeling I longed for so much.
"Welcome back, Shohei," I said softly, my voice laced with both relief and anxiety. He turned to me, his gaze meeting mine. There was a searching look in his eyes, as though he was trying to grasp onto something just beyond his reach.
"Y/N," he murmured, the sound of my name on his lips sounding strangely hollow. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I held them back.
"It's me, Shohei. You're home now."He nodded slowly.
"Home," he echoed, testing out the word as if trying to anchor himself.
"But why you're here?" I had anticipated this question. I wanted to take his hand, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. So instead, I took a deep breath and spoke to him gently.
"You told me to move in to live with you. We're...we're together" He furrowed his brow, clearly struggling to grasp the concept.
"Together?"
"Yes," I affirmed, my heart aching at the realization of just how much he'd lost.
"We're... we're a couple."
He nodded slowly, absorbing the information. It was clear that the concept was still foreign to him.
"It's weird" – the corners of his mouth turned down into a grimace — "I can't feel anything when I'm around you"
I could feel a lump forming in my throat, but I pushed through the pain. "It's okay, Sho. You've been through a lot, and your mind needs time to process everything."
I walked over to him and embraced him tightly. I pressed my cheek against his, holding him close to me and feeling his warmth radiate against me. The sensation of being so near him reminded me of each time I kissed him. My chest constricted, and a sob welled up inside me.
But he didn't response to my embrace.
His body stiffened. My heart clenched painfully, and I knew that the moment would end soon. The lump in my throat grew larger as my vision swam before me. I tried to blink away tears and regain control of my breathing, but my effort seemed futile. I released him, taking a few steps backward. His eyes followed me uncertainly, still filled with confusion. He didn't understand me yet.
"Um, I should probably get going." he finally said.
"Where would you go?" I asked, forcing myself to hold eye contact with him. "The stadium? Physical therapy? Or Ippei's house? You don't want to see me?" I asked, my voice cracking in desperation. Please let him say no. Let him stay with me.
"I'll go to the practice area" he replied, looking like the words pained him to say. I watched his features tighten and then relax. "Just stay here, I'll sleep at Ippei's house"
"What about the food? I made you your favorite crepes and noodles" I pleaded desperately. "Shohei, please stay." That was all in my head. I wasn't actually asking for anything. I needed him to stay with me. But I couldn't force it into reality.
"Don't worry about me." he shrugged. He looked tired and drained, his skin paler than usual. "I'll eat later."
"Shohei..." - "Please at least eat something" I continued pleading. I couldn't stop myself; his reluctance made me hurt even more. "I made too many"
YOU ARE READING
Angels Fly | (Shohei Ohtani x Reader)
Fanfiction"- Promise? - Promise." Shohei Ohtani, a baseball superstar worldwide, carried the weight of an injury that threatened to shatter his dreams. He now faced not only the painful physical injury, but also a disease that posed threat to his mental healt...
