Imperfect Romance

Breakdown

The following day Seido played against Sensen High School and won the game advancing to the finals where they were going to face off against Inashiro Industrial High School. They knew that it was going to be a tough game since Narumiya Mei was an amazing pitcher and his team also had a great batting lineup. Despite having difficulties with hitting Narumiya's pitches the team played well and thanks to Sawamura's pitching they could change the tide of the game in their favor and only needed one more out to win the game. Unfortunately, that one out was so far out of their reach and they lost the game unable to get revenge for their loss last summer. It was shocking and painful simultaneously since they were so close to Koshien but so far away at the same time. What made it more painful was that this was the last summer of the third years since they were going to retire after today. Even if Seido goes to Koshien one day it's not going to be with the third years. That dream is now over.

Ai can't imagine how Miyuki must feel. This loss was so much more devastating than the previous two from last year and Ai still didn't know what to say. At least Miyuki was being more open with her this time around. It wasn't long before he came to her house and held her close to him. They haven't said a word since he arrived and instead he just sat on the couch with her and laid his head down on her lap silently as she lovingly stroked his hair. He was very distraught over the loss but knowing him he will accept it by tomorrow and start working on what he needs to.

"This is all my fault." Miyuki finally broke the silence without looking up at her and instead was staring off into space.

Ai knew him well and she knew that he was feeling guilty just like he told her last summer so she was not surprised by this statement and continued stroking his hair. "It's not your fault," Ai retorted. "Just like I told you before you win together as a team and you lose together as a team as well."

"This time around it's not like that though," The catcher protested. "Now that I'm thinking about it, Sawamura looked very distressed after hitting Shirakawa with the ball, but I didn't take a time out to calm him down because I was too caught up in getting that one out."

"Just like everybody else in that stadium," She reasoned. "I know it's useless to tell you that it's not your fault because I can understand how you feel, but you can't beat yourself up for one mistake that you made when there were other factors that didn't have anything to do with you and prevented the team from winning. This is not solely on you."

"I think that I have to agree with you," Miyuki admitted. "I wasn't good enough and the team wasn't good enough either." He added in a dejected empty tone.

Ai sadly smiled. "Fortunately you are able to accept the loss, look at yourself objectively, and work hard to improve yourself to become even greater than you already are." She complimented and then playfully flicked his forehead.

Miyuki chuckled and then grabbed her hand before she retracted it and held it to close to his lips to softly kiss the back of her hand. "Thanks Ai-chan."

"You don't have to thank me." She said as he let her hand go.

"I do," He insisted. "I have been here for a while now and your thighs must be numb." Miyuki joked as he lightly rubbed one of her naked thighs since she was wearing an off-the shoulder light blue dress.

Ai softly laughed. "My thighs are fine so don't you worry Kazu-chan," She reassured. "I'm just happy than you like my thighs just as much you like my boobs." She teased.

"They are perfect," He complimented. "Just like every part of you." He said as he got up and settled next to her.

Ai blushed. Even after knowing after a year he still somehow managed to make her react this way. Perhaps it was because he wasn't very open with his feelings so he always surprises her when he says sweet things such as that. "Aren't you being a little too nice?" She teased.