You were still rubbing the sleep from your eyes as the plane landed with a gentle jolt at Narita Airport. The moment you looked out the window and saw the glowing lights of Tokyo beneath you, it hit you, you were in Japan for the very first time. You were here with, Yoshinobu who was excited to be back in his home country for a series against the Cubs.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and gentle as he took your luggage.
“Just tired. And kind of… in awe. I can’t believe we’re really here.”
He smiled wider. “I can’t wait to show you everything.”
The morning of his off day started early. The two of you were exhausted from the jet lag but Yoshinobu was already dressed in casual jeans and a clean shirt, sipping a hot coffee by the window of the hotel room with a view of Tokyo Tower. He had made plans for a full day before his evening practice at the Tokyo Dome.
You followed him down crowded streets that buzzed with energy, your hand tucked in his. He took you to Shibuya first—where the famous scramble crossing made your jaw drop.
“Come on,” he said with a glint in his eye. “We have to run through the middle like tourists.”
You laughed but did it anyway, weaving through the sea of people while holding onto him tightly. When you both made it across, he pulled you close for a picture, cheek to cheek.
“Proof,” he said. “You survived your first Shibuya scramble.”
Later that afternoon, you visited a shrine tucked away in a quiet corner of the city—Meiji Jingu. The contrast to Shibuya was absolutely striking. It was peaceful here, surrounded by towering trees and the scent of incense in the air. He explained the traditions to you softly, helping you write a wish on a wooden plaque.
“What did you wish for?” he asked as you tied it up.
You hesitated. “That you prove everyone that hated you last year wrong.”
He smiled and shook his head. “That’s my girl.”
By the time the two of you reached Harajuku, you were both starving. He took you to a hidden ramen shop, one that he said he used to eat at with his family when he was younger. As you sat in the cozy booth with steaming bowls in front of you, you glanced around and asked, “Do people recognize you here?”
He shrugged, taking a slurp. “Its like a 50/50, Shohei is really the one that gets all the attention but on the bright side that means less people to interrupt us.”
Your heart warmed at that. You loved seeing this side of him—the one outside the uniform, relaxed and happy in his hometown.
After lunch, you walked through Takeshita Street, eating mochi, and dodging other couples taking selfies.
That night, while he went to the Tokyo Dome for team practice, you stayed in the hotel to take a long shower and get some much needed rest—but not before Yoshinobu leaned in and kissed you gently before leaving, brushing your hair from your face.
“Tomorrow, I’ll make your wish come true” he whispered.
Your heart stuttered at the way he said it.
Game day was electrifying.
You wore the Dodgers cap he gave you and the “Yamamoto 18” jersey he had specially signed on the sleeve. The stadium roared with excitement, filled with fans from both countries. But as Yoshinobu stood on the mound ready for opening day, his eyes scanned the crowd until they found yours.
He gave a tiny nod.
You were his calm in the chaos.
He pitched with power and precision, only giving up 3 hits and 1 run in 5 innings. Every time the crowd cheered, you clapped until your hands hurt, heart bursting with pride. And when he walked off the field with a win under his belt, he looked directly at you and smiled.
That night, after celebrations and press, he returned to the room, exhausted but radiant. He flopped onto the bed beside you, face buried in the pillow.
You leaned down and kissed his forehead.
“You were amazing,” you whispered.
He rolled over slowly and reached for you, pulling you close, his arm curling around your waist. “This week’s been everything I wanted to show you,” he murmured. “The game, the food, the city…”
You kissed him, soft and slow.
“I love all of it. But I love you more.”
He smiled sleepily. “You make everywhere feel like home.”
Requested by Jewel9164 I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much for reading and requesting! Feel free to leave a request. P.S. to anyone that made it this far, I watched Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith in theaters and let's just say I walked out of that theater a changed person 😌
