Reality's Blade

Chapter 14: Baseball

"Pleeaasseeeee." I begged for the hundredth time.

"I don't get why you're doing this. He'll just say no." Naoki replied sounding bored of this repetitive argument.

Naoki was a childhood friend, along with Airi the three of us had been inseparable until we came to high school, where he had taken his own path and became vice-captain of the baseball team. We weren't on bad terms and would occasionally hang out. He was tall and handsome, looking more mature and masculine than most at his age. His hair had been cut short for baseball.

"If he says no, then he says no. But you won't know unless you try!" I pleaded.

He sighed. "You won't give up will you?"

"No."

"Fine. But don't blame me when he says no." Naoki started to leave.

"Thank you!" I shouted after him.

He raised his hand in a half-hearted wave without looking back. I grinned, I knew he would agree eventually. My friends and I were going to play baseball after school, and I wanted Kazehiro to join. I couldn't force people into being friends with him, and it'd be strange if I suddenly decided I was going to be his best friend. So I was going to have him join in with my group and hope he takes a liking to at least some of them.

I was having Naoki ask him on the pretence that we needed an extra player to complete the teams, as a guy and the baseball vice-captain it wouldn't seem as weird as if I were to ask him. I knew Naoki would agree. I remembered something he had once said, at the time it didn't seem important, but the conversation I'd had with Kazehiro yesterday gave it more meaning. 'I think he's holding back, it's like he pauses before he hits the ball, even though he's perfectly lined up.' Naoki noted. He could tell Kazehiro had potential but wouldn't allow himself to use it. If Kazehiro played better with us, I was sure Naoki would try to recruit him.

"So, what did he say?" I was almost jumping on the spot.

Naoki had approached with the same neutral expression as always, giving nothing away.

"He said yes."

"No way. Did he actually?" I tried to stop the flutter in my chest in case he was messing with me, I wouldn't allow him to get my hopes up.

"Yeah. He asked who else would be there, once I mentioned you he agreed." His eyebrows drew together, seeming disgruntled that I had managed to get Kazehiro to play baseball when he couldn't.

A sudden down pour in the afternoon had meant we couldn't use the school's baseball pitch, Naoki had managed to persuade the sports staff to let us play in the sports hall. Truthfully I was relieved, it was cold in the evenings and the nightfall was descending too soon, we'd be warmer and could play longer inside.

We stood around talking as people arrived, Naoki had brought two boys along from his class. After a few minutes I saw a figure lurking by the door. They made no move to come in so I headed over.

"You wouldn't make a very good ninja." I leant against the doorway. Kazehiro ogled at me with wide eyes. Fear spiralled in my stomach, I hoped he wouldn't realise how similar my words had been to Hikage's.

"Naoki invited me." He mumbled.

"I know, we're expecting you. You're just in time." I smiled. I could tell he was incredibly nervous, we'd ended up with a larger group than anticipated thanks to the arrival of Naoki's friends. I motioned for him to come in, he tentatively followed. I tried to ignore the faces my friends were pulling, it wouldn't take much more before my face was burning bright red. The chatter quietened down as we approached.