花火『はなび』(FIREWORKS)

Chapter 1: A Fated Encounter

The sound of the bat hitting the ball echoed throughout the field.

It was the father unexpected that they would hit the ball

The ball flew into the outfields and it was heading far into the wall

The score is 9-8 with the Shikigami Prefecture Team leading, it was the 9th inning and everyone is exhausted

2 outs, 3 fouls and 2 bases filled.
One wrong defense and they would surely lose the match.

The ball was heading for a homerun and they were sure of it.

--------SUDDENLY--------

A thud was heard coming from the direction of the ball, the area was covered with dust as the fans await the outcome.

The dust cleared up and everyone us shocked to see that the rookie is laying by the area where the ball could've landed.

The rookie raised his mitt and out of it was the ball.

"Out!! Game set!!" Said the umpire

Everyone was in shock of the rookie's wonderful save, and so a loud cheer was next heard in the crowds!!

The team was filled with joy as they are finally advancing to the finals.

"Let's have a quick chit-chat with the matches MVP"

"Kuro Asuzawa" said the Shikigami Prefecture newspaper committee

The team finally won the match and advanced to the finals after alot of loses.

The coach approched the rookie, tapped his shoulder and said: "You've earned yourself that MVP title from that game saving catch Kuro!!"

Kuro was awed by the compliment

"Thanks coach, but it was Saito-san's pitch that brought us here" he said denyingly.

-------SHIORI'S POV--------

Shiori saw the rookie's wonderful save and was amazed by it.

"Nice Save!!" Said shiori

She tried remembering his name but nothing came up on her mind.

"Maybe he's a new player" she thought to herself.

"He looked so cool and he also got the looks" she once again thought to herself

Shiori ended up sitting there for a few minutes just thinking about that moment.

"Shiori? Hello??" Hikari waved her hands in front of Shiori's face.

"Earth to Shiori! Are you there?? Don't get too flustered i know he's handsome and all but don't get too flustered" Hikari said playfully

Shiori finally snaps out of it and gets a hold of herself while her friends laugh at her while she's flustered. She looks at her friends.

"Y-yes?" She asked confused and embarrassed.

"The game is already over, why are you still sitting there?" Said Hikari

"She was looking at the rookie" Akane teasingly said

"N-no I'm not" Shiori denied

Akane and Hikari bursts out laughing as they look at Shiori who was visibly flustered and was blushing.

"What??" Shiori asked seeing her friends laughing at her.

"Whatever, wanna meet them down there?" Hikari asked teasingly.

"No thanks" Shiori said reluctantly.

"You sure you don't wanna see ASUZAWA-KUN??" asked akane.

"Who's that??" Hikari asked confused

"The new player of the team" said akane.

Shiori thought that he has a very nice name, pleasing to the ears. "Kuro" which means
Black, dark or darkness (kurayami), it goes with his vibes.

"So that's his name huh?" She thought.

"Anyways, let's go grab some drinks. Last one there pays for all drinks" Hikari said as to challenge them all.

"Hey! Wait up!!" Shiori said.

--------Kuro's POV--------

After the game, the team heads to the locker room. Kuro sat down in exhaustion and was relieved by even the shortest rest.

While Kuro is resting, Saito and Ryujin are looking for him. Tired of looking around, they headed back to the locker room. To their surprise, Kuro was right there sitting.

Saito approched Kuro and said "Hey there game winner!!"

Ryujin also offered them to get some drinks. He also took the pay for it.

Kuro takes up on that offer and gives him a thanks.

They walk down towards the Vending Machine

Meanwhile, Shiori finally catches up to her friends and was confused to as why they stopped.

And then Hikari said "Look who's here Shiori".

Shiori hears it and was curious on who they were talking about.

While catching her breath, Shiori looks up

An unexpected gaze meets hers...

Kuro's Gaze Meets Shiori's Gaze

Shiori's heart skipped a beat, her heart is fluttering and the world in her sight looks as if has stopped.

Kuro looked at Shiori and asked her friends if Shiori is alright and what happened with her.

Akane stated that she doesn't know, But she knows how flustered Shiori is right now.

Shiori runs away embarrased.

Kuro on the other hand wanted to chase after her but quickly realized that she'd probably just run away from him again...