𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅𝐅. furuya satoru

chapter 4: 8 points

( please click on the comment section in this line for content warnings that might serve as spoilers)

Alternate Title: A little about Kazuya's attachment issue.
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Hazui Tadanori, First Year

Tadanori didn’t know what to expect when he was called into head coach Kataoka’s office the next day, but Kazuya was the last thing he expected there. The catcher was covered in sweat and dirt, standing up straight with his hands neatly folded behind his back and he appeared to be as shock as Tadanori was when he saw him enter the room.

“Coach Kataoka,” Tadanori said, wanting to make sure the coach was aware of his presence as he went to stand by Kazuya—though keeping his distance. He didn’t know why he played along Kazuya’s immature game of not speaking to each other throughout breakfast (though still stubbornly keeping their promise by sitting right across one another), morning practice, lunch, afternoon practice, until that very moment.

Tadanori glanced at Kazuya only to find him looking down and away from him, he was hoping that Kazuya would at least be sensible enough to leave their personal matter out of baseball but he was disappointed to see him still acting like the childish brat he was yesterday. Tadanori was so sick of it that he would rather be the bigger man forgive Kazuya than spend another minute in their uncomfortable and weird silence.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” coach Kataoka said, turning away from the window to look at Tadanori, his gaze so hard that it actually caught Tadanori off guard. Just a little bit. But it managed to get him to jerk his head up, to stand even straighter if it was possible. “Hazui.”

“Coach.”

“You were scouted as a pitcher.”

He knew this was the question the coach had in mind for him. In reality, especially off the mound, Tadanori wasn’t the interesting person he would like himself to believe. Sure, some would say that he’s got immense pressure when he stands in the batter box, but batting clean up was something he did as a pitcher. He had never done anything as not a pitcher. So really, this was the only topic to be brought up.

“I was.” Tadanori debated whether or not he should tell the coach about why he chose to stay away from pitching in high school, but he decided that he wasn’t going to say anything unless asked.

“And yet you are interested in playing as an outfielder?”

“Yes.”

Coach Kataoka’s arms were folded on his chest, and Tadanori licked his lips which he felt like it was all too dry all of the sudden. Kataoka’s face was unreadable, but Tadanori could tell that he was itching to question his decision. Tadanori had practiced the answer to the ‘why?’ more times than he had even practice his pitching. He had crumples of papers in his trash bin, in them written rejected versions of how Tadanori could convey the fear that creeps up his spine every time he even as little as looks at the mound, how he could explain the dread choking him, literally cutting off his oxygen supply as he would crumble to his knees if someone were to remind him of That Absolute Fucking Worse Experience of His Life.

The older man’s gaze flicked from Tadanori to Kazuya. Tadanori turned to look at him as well. “Miyuki told me that you are one of the pitchers he is looking forward to catch to most.” He said, looking back at Hazui.

“Miyuki-kun can be a little selfish at times,” Tadanori said after a moment, compiling different answers and scenarios in his head before settling with that one. “Please forgive him.”