April 25th,
Its even hotter than last week...
"The temperature today goes up 39° as the World issues about the GREENHOUSE effect continues.." the broadcaster announced.
"Mai, can you turn of the televison! It's just making me feel even hotter!" I was lying down in the living room staring at the ceiling, thinking of what to do this summer break.
"You need to bust yourself out of the sofa, and turn it of yourself...! Can't you just go outside and play! You are bothering me!"
"Play, huh?" I suddenly reminisce that day. Back when I was playing on that diamond field in the middle of the sun.
Everyday I am reminded...
Of the 9th inning against Nagoya high...
---
School is out for two months, I'm spending my time with Aunt Akiko and cousin Mai. The days counted fast, I bore myself out. I havent seen sunlight for weeks.
I feel irritated, "Time waits for no one, huh?" I mumbled to myself.
"Say what again Ryuuto-kun?' Mai asked.
"Time waits for no one... It means everybody gets left behind and most of the time...clueless."she gasped heavily beside me, turning on the television.
"Is that how you feel ever since Ms. Sakurabi passed away...?"
I didn't try to answer ger. She doesnt understand how I feel right now, but still, maybe she was right about me.
I let myself fall this low. It was my fault that I lost not only that game, but myself as well. I empty myself, only to feel miserable.
---
It's almost seven. Dinner hasn't been served and Mai was out of the house. As for me, I was laying down the sofa like always. Suddenly, Akiko walks in front of me and said, "Ryuuto-kun, can you buy me ingredients for our dinner tonight. Im making Teriyaki and sausages!' I stood up and took the money."
Aunt Akiko is the youngest sister in my mother's side. I owe her and Mai a lot, not just because they let me stay at their hime, but also that make me feel I belong. Many things has happened in my life, but not much experiences, but in the end, I felt grey and isolated.
Am I really satisfied with my life...?
---
Shopping District, 7:15pm
I bought the ingridients and was headed for home. In my way I saw kids enjoying the night on the park, playing baseball. I remember it was there where all it started, running outside the house waving back at my mother, playing baseball with Tohru and Denzel. Winning awards and thropies in summer leagues and tournaments.
I know its all in the past, but l've learn how to let go about simple things.
'Gyahh!' A girl bumped into me, we fall at the side walk looking at each other.
"Dont you look where your headed!?" She said angrily.
"Excuse me! Your the one who crashed into me" I retaliated.
"Well... yeah I'm sorry about that... I've been thinking a lot today, and then I decided to just run and get some fresh air!"
"Yeah, I apologize too... I'm Ryuuto Sakurabi, I..."
"Wha...! Your the famous Koshien player! What an honor, to meet a two-time all Japanese team... don't wake me up from this drean!"
"What how did you know me?" I felt embarassed all of the sudden.
"You are my hero before you retire from baseball few years ago, the freshmen who beat Koryu high at the semifinals before the eliminations of the Interhigh Koshien league" She knew me, still after all those doubts and allegations,l... she recognizes me.
I can see it in her eyes the excitement of being with me. My Heart feels this pounding, adrenaline that makes me smile. "Wow!you know a lot about me, huh?"
"You could say I am your number one fan! My name's Otome Naru...!"
Will the scar in my past be finally mended?
Day after day,she and I would meet in the field,we were playing catch all day long.then those days turned into months then years...
The day of my Entrance exam,
Yokohama University,
"Good luck Ryuuto-kun!"They were all there,Otome-chan,Mai,and Aunt Akiko.They molded me,I shed tears that day.Because today I conquered sadness,I finally made myself happy.
The rest of my years was a goodbye,I found my dad,He is now working as a Enterpeuner in TIME magazine.I repay Aunt Akiko and Mai for their good deeds,and Finally I married Otome for two years...
"I think I still got it Otome!"(while pushing her wheelchair)
I was drafted in the Japanese pro-baseball league.But it all started when my wife talked about me resuming my career.I stilk remember that day,Otome cheering me at a summer league last spring.there I saw her last smile...
She died because of Leukimia...
Therefore I recived her message along with my mother.I just need to keep moving forward...
YOU ARE READING
Koushien
Short StoryIs satisfaction a factor...? Ryuuto Sakurabi was an Interhigh baseball player that failed to bring his team to win the finals for some uncertain reasons. Soon after, he lost his will and determination, leading to the end of his career.
