MAMORITAI

iv. a little bit distant

𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍: 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆
↻                𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 four

Kenji didn't come home until past midnight and he knew that he was in trouble. Lights in his spacious garage were the only ones on in his villa. Mina hovers in just as Kenji walks away from the parking area "Ken, it's half past midnight." A scowl was written on his face as he arrived yet it slightly faltered, looking over at Mina "Can you... pour me a glass of whiskey and create a hologram in the area, will you?"

Kenji took a big shot of whiskey, the amber liquid burning its way down his throat before he settled the glass on the ground beside him. The spacious garage, usually filled with sleek vehicles and tools, had been transformed into an improvised baseball field. The faint buzz of imaginary cheers echoed in his mind, filling the air with bittersweet nostalgia.

He held his bat, feeling its familiar weight and the rough texture of the grip beneath his fingers. As he looked around, the concrete walls of the garage blurred, replaced by the sunlit fields of Los Angeles. The scent of freshly cut grass, the warmth of the California sun, and the distant hum of traffic all came rushing back, overwhelming his senses.

Kenji closed his eyes for a moment, letting the memories wash over him. He could almost hear the crack of the bat meeting the ball, the roar of the crowd, and the shouts of his teammates. Those were the days when everything felt simpler when his focus was singular and clear—baseball was his world, and he thrived in it.

Opening his eyes, the stark reality of the garage returned, its cold, sterile environment a harsh contrast to the vibrant fields he longed for. He missed L.A., missed the routine, his teammates, and the sense of belonging that came with it. The familiar ache in his chest deepened, a poignant reminder of all he had left behind.

Gripping the bat tighter, Kenji took a deep breath, trying to steady the swirl of emotions within him. Suddenly, Mina hovered closer, her mechanical arms tossing a baseball toward him. Without thinking, Kenji swung the bat, connecting with a satisfying crack. The sound of excitement buzzed from hidden speakers, mimicking the cheers of a crowd. He quickly held his shoulder, feeling the sudden pain in his joints as he let out a quiet groan.

As he relished the brief moment of triumph and pain altogether, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. Estella appeared, her eyes softening as she took in the scene. Mina, sensing her presence, began to deactivate the hologram. The vibrant fields of L.A. dissolved into a flurry of pixels, leaving the cold, concrete reality of the garage behind.

Kenji turned to face Estella, the bat still in his hands, a mix of emotions playing across his face. Estella walked over, her gaze understanding and filled with unspoken support, yet something in her eyes lingered with uncertain emotions that Kenji couldn't quite comprehend. She reached out to him, placing a quick peck on his cheek before pulling away, leaving Kenji missing the warmth of her plump lips.

"Welcome home," she whispered, her voice barely audible before turning on her heel. Her usually composed figure trembled slightly, a detail that did not escape Kenji's notice. Her normally tamed auburn hair was disheveled, and her eyes were droopy, showing faint traces of dried tears on her cheeks.

"Sweetheart, you okay?" he called out, concern lacing his voice.

Estella lifted her arm, giving him a thumbs-up without turning around. "All good," she replied, her voice sounding far less convincing than her gesture. She continued walking away, leaving Kenji standing in the middle of the garage, the remnants of the hologram field now a distant memory. The sight of her fragile state tugged at his heart, filling him with a mix of guilt and determination to bridge the growing distance between them.