diamond no ace//shortie.

//2//

i stood at the train station with Takashima Rei with all my teammates and my family standing in front of  me. i never thought this moment would ever come and i can't believe that it's really happening.

i've always wanted to go to seido, but this feeling...

it's not at all what i thought it would be.

i feel....sad. afraid. anxious.

seeing everyone in front of me supporting me like this is more than i could ever ask for and i thought i would be happier than ever to go, but i never really thought about leaving them for it. it has just now dawned on me as i stand parallel to the ones i care about most.

"kasumi-chan, please have a safe trip and remember us!" one of my teammates called out to me.

i looked at him and emotions overwhelmed me as tears gently start to stream down my face. the feeling of the liquid racing down my cheeks was a feeling i knew too well, but this time it was different. it was painful.

"i-i promise i will uphold the Horikoshi middle school's baseball team's name as i go on to make the nationals." i said, tears coming faster and stronger per second. 

"THAT'S OUR KASUMI!" everyone cheered. 

the train was coming in the distance, signalling the arrival of the departure. 

my mom and dad came up to me and enveloped me in a hug, almost like a huddle. 

"i know you're scared, but please trust at least somebody other than your brother with your secret. i know how anxious and afraid you are, but it'll really help in the long run." my mom said to me. 

"we are always here for you, sweetie. don't ever forget that and be strong for us!" my dad added in. 

if it was even possible, more tears came and joined in on the marathon. it was as if they all were racing in a 5k and they were sprinting the whole time. 

"i'll entrust somebody with my secret for you, mom. i promise. listen! i'm only crying right now because this is way different than what i had expected it to be. i'll be back up and running in no time before you know it and i'll blend in with the boys better than before! i'll be strong just like them, okay dad?" i said, hoping my words were more sure than i was. 

"okay, little one. now go and make us proud!" my dad said and my parents released me as the train came to a stop. 

the doors opened and i could just see the new future awaiting me. i turned around and waved for the last time at all my beloved teammates and family before boarding the train. 

rei stepped in behind me and the doors had closed. i pushed my face up against the glass, staining the window with tear streaks. i watched as my loved ones slowly moved away from me.  

i love you all, and i will make it to nationals for all of you. 

i was now sitting on the train beside rei. 

i think i should tell her of all people. she seems trustworthy and she's one of the authorities, so if i'm not allowed, then i'll just be kicked out right away. plus, she's a girl herself. she can't possibly be as sexist as any boy.

ok kasumi, you can do this.

"hey takashima-san?" 

"yes?"

"i was wondering. are girls allowed to play baseball at seido and in the nationals?"

"well, yes. technically they are allowed to, but i've never seen any on any of the other teams and seido has never had a female player before. honestly, i would be delighted to have one. i think it would be good for the boys and it would be refreshing to finally have another girl to be around other than the managers." rei explained, looking off into space, imagining the thought of having a girl player on the team. "why though?"