Love Isn't As Simple As It Should Be

Honesty

Today was a first for Miyuki. Today, for the first time since he started attending Seido he was dragging his feet on his way to practice. Something that he didn't even do when he was first appointed captain of the team. His feet felt like lead and every step he took was painful. He really didn't feel like himself. Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised considering that he had experienced a string of firsts lately. Miyuki had never been this miserable before and it was disconcerting for him. All he wanted to do was to go to bed and hide underneath his covers.

When he and Satomi first broke up, he at least had the hope that they would get back together after a while, once they cleared their heads. But now, he wasn't sure. It was not as if he didn't want to get back with Satomi. Hardly. It was just now he wasn't sure if getting back together would be the best for her. Miyuki always had doubts about whether he was a good boyfriend to Satomi or not, but now he was more doubtful than ever. Finding out that Satomi was being bullied for such a long time really threw him for a loop. The fact that he didn't know about it just showed how oblivious and selfish he was.

He was always busy, he lacked tact, he had a twisted personality, he didn't know how to effectively communicate his feelings, he had rabid fangirls who always interfered with his relationship, and now he was oblivious as well?

'Hardly boyfriend material,' Miyuki thought, feeling dejected. He knew he was bad but not this bad.

"Miyuki-senpai!" a female voice interrupted his thoughts.

Miyuki looked around and saw Haruno walking towards him. He waited for her at the entrance of the field. Something told him that he knew the answer already but he asked anyway.

"What's up, Yoshikawa-san?" Miyuki asked while looking at the panting manager in mild amusement.

Haruno took a deep breath, trying to calm down and then stood up straight. "I heard some girls talking about you."

"That's nothing new," he said dryly.

"They were saying that you accused them of bullying Satomi and that you would make them pay if someone ever hurts her," Haruno said.

Miyuki gave her a small, dry chuckle. "Oh that."

Haruno narrowed her eyes at him. "So it's true?"

The catcher nodded. "Yup," he said. "Is that all?"

"So does that mean that you already talked to Satomi?"

Miyuki stiffened at her question and tightened his grip on his duffel bag. "No."

"So she doesn't know that you know about the bullying?" Haruno asked, confused.

"What? You want her to know that you snitched to me that badly?" Miyuki asked in a teasing tone.

"What?! No! I mean yes, well... I... I," Haruno stammered.

Miyuki burst out laughing. "You're always fun to tease, Yoshikawa-san."

"You have a very twisted personality, Miyuki-senpai," the redheaded manager said in a low tone, a frustrated blush spreading over her cheeks.

Miyuki chuckled again. "So I've been told."

"That's not what I meant," Haruno said, trying to get back on topic.

"I know."

"Why haven't you talked to her?" she asked again.

The catcher averted his gaze. "I have to think about it."

Haruno gave him a confused look. "Think about what?"

"About everything," he replied vaguely.

"But wouldn't it make it easier if you guys just talk instead of avoiding each other?"