Work Text:
/November 15/ 4:45 pm
It was just a fine day for everybody. The sun was up with the cool breeze of the winds indicating that winter's just around the corner. So does a normal day for the ever-so enthusiastic and a ball of sunshine named, Sawamura Eijun to ask everyone to play. Hide and seek, as we speak. Yes, definitely normal for them because it's just Eijun seeking for attention and company. They didn't have much anything to do, so eventually everyone agreed. At least almost half the first string members, some almunis that coincidentally came for a visit and certain first years that Eijun had pulled along.
It started of as Eijun being the seeker which made him put extra effort to find everybody because almost everyone knows a very good spot. Honestly, it's just Eijun and his lack of sense of direction which led him to only finding Asada, Okumura, Furuya(who could care less getting caught) and Kawakami-senpai who actually wasn't a part of the game, he was dragged into by a very pouty puppy with dog eyes begging him to just play along for now.
For anyone who isn't in Eijun's radar would probably just brush it off but if you're in the baseball team and is a part of a seemingly big friend group of Eijun. No one can ignore that, I mean how ca you ignore those cute eyes and cute plump lips? and no, Kawakami is definitely not fond of the boy. No, nope, never.
Eventually, it was Asada's turn which he managed to find almost everybody to everyone's surprise. With those long legs of yours, of course you'll find us! paired with his usual blooming laugh as Eijun pats his Kouhai's back. It continued like that and the very last seeker was Miyuki, who had his mocking green as his glasses hid the glint of his mischievous eyes. He locked eyes with Eijun and threw him a grin. If he caught Eijun's eyes and smile falter for a bit he didn't think of it much, thinking it's just the boy nervous that it was his precious senpai being the seeker. at least that's what he thought.
/November 15/ 5:39 pm
Halfway of his hunt that it started to rain which made everyone retreats in the nearest hall, the cafeteria of their dorms. It was mostly packed but seemingly, some had decided to laze around their respective rooms already. As a captain and responsible of his teammates, Miyuki did a head count of the players that was with them. His eyes twitched for a bit as he didn't caught a certain loud pitcher that very much is the culprit of this game. He had thought Eijun did not hear about everyone yelling that the game's over, knowing how hard headed he is, Miyuki sends Kanemaru and Haruichi to find him.
Kanemaru wasn't very much as of having a bad day, except he was actually enjoying the nice weather and how Eijun suggested for them to play a game in courtesy of their stiffing body. They were in baseball lockdown, because of a big incoming storm that will probably come for 2 days or maybe more.
It wasn't very much of an unusual sight either to hear Eijun asking to play with them. It was like a very excited puppy asking for attention, they weren't wrong, Eijun looks very much of a kicked puppy with that bright grin of his.
And now it started raining and Eijun had yet to come back. So their captain had sent him and Haruichi to come find the idiot, it was always him and Haruichi that comes looking for that idiotic of a sunshine anyways, so even before being told they were already halfway the door when they were instructed too. Earning a knowing chuckle from Toujou and a nod from Furuya, they very knew what to do.
Both had gone to the possible places their friend could have been, to the tiniest places of their dorms to the much opened one, Eijun was nowhere to be found. Now with the possible storm that is currently happening right now worried Haruichi, so with a stop they had to think of places Eijun had gone to. After much of thinking and stupidly they carried their bodies in front of Eijun's room, with no one there they scurried over other possible rooms Eijun might be in. But to no avail, still no signs of Eijun.
The thunders clapping every now and then had joined them in calling Eijun's name. Still no answer or signs of him. So they headed back into the cafeteria where everyone still there, probably waiting for them or just to lounge around. Some expectantly looked at them, gazing and asking if they had found him. Haruichi was very much getting worried as they explained that he was nowhere to be found. Almost rounding up every corner of the dorms but still no signs of their pitcher. With a few curse words from Kuramochi who had promised to kick Eijun and do his new improvised move to him, they started to look again once more. With now almost half of the players had gone to look at every corners and rooms they knew of.
Still, it was like, Eijun was gone. With Nabe and Miyuki heading to the coaches' office, everyone continued looking for Eijun. The two had explained how things got out of hand, how Eijun was nowhere to be found and hasn't replied to any of their calls and texts yet.
/November 15/ 6:40 pm
It's been almost an hour since Eijun was nowhere to be found. They had informed the school cctv's and their own dorm cctv's already but only caught a glimpse of him during the day time. And the very last scene of him was hiding at the very back of the cafeteria's kitchen almost everyone had stomped into the cafeteria ready to scold him for worrying everyone like that.
It seemed like they were wrong anyways because Eijun was nowhere near the back of the kitchen. With frustrated groans and sighs, everyone had mostly given up finding him. Thinking he probably just left for a run outside or probably just joking around again. So they dropped it and hurried themselves for a bath and some slumping in their beds. Clearly exhausted.
Kuramochi wasn't an idiot, he knew how his roommate had been acting off lately. How Eijun would just stare at nothing and just sighs loudly as if he was thinking so deeply, how Eijun would continuously check the calendar and time, how Eijun doesn't struggle much anymore in his daily wrestling and headlocks--which he overthinks how Eijun might have grew tired of him already, how Eijun would reminisce events from his childhood days with a look Kuramochi had never seen from him before.
A look of something, a look that screams longing and fondness.
and how Eijun would occasionally asked for his future plans or Asada's plans in the future, earning a smack on the head from his senpai. But then Kuramochi would see something in Eijun's expression and eyes. Jealousy. What would that idiot be possibly be jealous for when he would too gonna be accepted in universities and be picked when he'd go pro. So what was that pained smile from his lips whenever they answered his questions about their future. What was that one tear that slipped off from him that he though his senpai did not noticed.
Kuramochi had brought it up with Miyuki a while ago, which the latter had said to something that-- you know how he gets emotional, that idiot, really.
And now the idiot was nowhere to be found. As he and Asada came in their room they noticed a piece of folded paper from Eijun's pillow. How come Kanemaru and Haruichi didn't noticed this? sigh, idiots. Kuramochi was nosy, so he picked it up and opened the letter. Before opening it the paper had something written in front of it, Seido.
It was strange indeed. Why would he make something like this? Who knows. So with his curiosity, he opened the letter up with Asada by his side curious as well.
Hey senpai! I know you'll read this so please be my messenger!
Ha, as if I'd do that for you. but still kept reading
So today is November 15 right? And we played hide and seek right? Please don't be mad at me! hehehe, you're probably looking for me now but you don't have to senpai!
Fuck him and this, saying something as to now look for him and shit. Kuramochi continued to read the letter.
Senpai can you be my messenger for this? Can you please get the box underneath my bed? Do not open it yet and finish this letter first 'kay?
as he read that Asada had quickly grabbed a shoe size box underneath their bunk bed, what the fuck is this idiot is on now.
Nice one! so you're probably wondering what that is yeah? please do not open it before you had a call from Wakana! I'm giving you her number (XXX-XXXX-XXX) and call her immediately once you've read this okay? What the? now I have Wakana's number? I promise she will explain everything on why I suddenly disappeard! So senpai, I want you to smile and be your usual self okay? Tell Asada to loosen up too and that he'll be a great pitcher! That's all senpai! give Wakana a call and make sure to not open the box not until she says so alright? bye bye senpai! Asada too!
Kuramochi grumbled at first but Asada had told him that it might be important so he dialed Wakana's number and set it on speaker. Dying to know what's happening. With a few rings the call was answered, with a hello and a quick introduction from Kuramochi. Not minding one bit on hurrying Wakana to explain everything. So with a sigh,
(this might take a while and my explanation needs to be heard with mostly every Ei-chan's friends so I suggest you to gather everyone first. It's alright I can wait while you gather everyone) Her voice was solemn and weak, as if she just got back from crying or something Kuramochi couldn't decipher.
With a grunt he sends Asada to send a quick text on their groupchat, asking for them to come immediately and it's an important matter regarding Eijun.
/November 15/ 7:15 pm
Everyone gathered in Room 5's, even the alumni's that are surprisingly would be staying with them for the night because of the roads getting blocked. Confusion aroused once everyone started to huddle up together and the way Kuramochi's expression were nowhere but just a serious look and furrowed eyebrows and a phone in hand. He told them to shut up first and listen to the person he was on call first. Some had kept whispering looking for Sawamura but mellowed down upon hearing the voice of the caller. Wakana?
(I think you guys should know the truth, about Eijun and his disappearance probably just earlier. So please just hear me out first before asking questions because I can't stand it anymore. Please listen closely so I don't have to repeat myself, please) her voice sounded so much like a plead, asking for them to listen to her with seriousness and take her seriously.
Everyone had agreed and kept their mouth shut after hearing her voice again, much to their confusion (Ei got into an accident over 2 years ago, ended up falling down the hillside, it was just one afternoon actually. That time he came back from his visit to Seido, so he left his bike around the train station and when he got back he didn't knew some shitheads tinkered his bike and removed his brake and loosened up his bike altogether. So while he was biking back to his house in the hillside, rain decided to start and made the road slippery. Ending Ei in an accident, him slipping the road and because of his fucked up bike, he slid down the hillside and crashed) a choke sob was heard from her and few other sobs that wasn't hers but seems like were listening to her talk to them. Everyone was surprised yes, because Eijun had never told them about this incident before. Especially just right after he came back to Seido that day.
He got treatment right? How was he?-- surprisingly it was Furuya who broke the silence, the usual sleepy pitcher had his interest with Wakana's story and because it's concerning Eijun, why wouldn't he.
(No, in that same day Eijun died.) another sob came from the caller and everyone in the room jolted up, because, because Eijun died. But Eijun was with them for almost 2 years now, why would she say he's dead when he was just there with them earlier?
No, Eijun was just with us earlier what are you talking about?-- this time it was Kanemaru that broke the silence once again. Because really that's impossible, Eijun cannot be a ghost right? Eijun's still here right? She must be getting dizzy or what
(Ei--Eijun. That day died. He died. But then something strange happen, as if his soul got right back up. As if it was nothing and continued on in his life but, but Eijun asked us for one thing. That, that he still isn't finished yet. That he haven't fulfilled something yet and that's why he came back. But-but-but, he never really was there to begin with. It was Eijun but not entirely EIjun.) right now everyone feels like grasping for a breath they never knew they had been holding as she spoke, because Eijun, Eijun was dead? he couldn't be...
hahaha, he's- he's going to come back right?-- Miyuki and fear were nowhere near each other but now he could feel it, from the bottom of his feet up to the very top of his head. Because it couldn't be, Eijun's not dead, he- he's not. Why now?
(Do you know why now? Today's November 15, his death anniversary, the day he fell and woke up with only his soul wandering around. Looking for something, longing for something. Guys, I know it's hard to believe but please, what I'm saying is true. And-and, the box. Yes the box, it has letters in it. Every single one of you that played with him today. Everyone has separate letters, so please open th box and get yours each.) now everyone's holding their own letters clenching it with their fists while tears began to form in their eyes. The first one to open up his letter was Kawakami- and the rest followed
--I love how calm and reassuring Kawakami senpai is! thank you for making me feel calm senpai!
--I love how quiet and very much opposite of me Shirasu senpai is! yo the best hitter there!
--I love how Zono senpai can be so scary but then how cute you are when trying not to cry! senpai's the best in hitting too!
--I love how a tsundere Asou senpai can be! thank you for assuring that I got you behind my back during matches
--I love hoe Nabe senpai can be so cool and calm too! your brains and how you lead the group with your wits just amzes me so much! thank you for being a part of our team!
--Yuki senpai! I love how great of a captain you are which makes me want to be one too! thank you for the shogi matches!
--Tanba senpai! I love your baldy head hehe, but most of all i love how great of an ace you are! I truly learned alot from you and your pitches
--Onisan senpai! I love how scary you might be but still looks so neutral with it, thank you for being Harucchi's bro and for being a big bro to me too! i've learned alot from you
--Spitz senpai! I love how loud you are like me HAHAHA! for real I've learned alot from you and I thank you for that
--Asada-chan! I know you'll be a great pitcher and I'm so so so sooo proud of you! remember the numbers and pitches I've thought you, 'kay? thank you fro putting up with me as your roommate
--Sato-chan! Your fast legs will be such a great advantage with the team so don't ever lose hope 'kay? thank you for being with Kou since the beginning. Continue to take care of each other yea?
--Yui-shounen! You're really cute ya know? Thanks for catching mine and Furuya's pitches yeah! You'll be a great one, batter or catcher!
--Masashi-chan! We've never really talked much but you're such a cute kouhai and thank you for hitting those home runs yeah? keep that up! you'll be soooo good!
Upon reading their letters they began to cry, looking down the floor trying not to cry more but thoroughly failed.
--Okumura-boy! You know ya got a long way ahead of you! So just keep striving to move forward lessen you growls please! you might scare of your pitcher HAHAHA. You do know that I love how you catch my ptches yeah? Just wanna thank you for that and for putting up with my loudmouth. Thanks so much Koushuu! You'll be a great catcher and I'm always so so proud of you
Koushuu couldn't contain his fist trembling eyes watering like a waterfall, his a few hits on the floor, he kept crying.
--Chris senpai, I was a dick to you the first time we met and I am truly sorry for that. But over all you're the one i've looked up to and will continue look up to. I love how determined and mature you are and I truly admire that! Thank you for always bringing the best out of me, for teaching the basics of baseball and supervising me while i pitch. Although I kept bugging you a lot but still! you're the greatest mentor and big brother I ever had. And I will never, ever forget you!
Funny how the usual calm and laid back cather is now sobbing full on in his seat, clutching the paper in his hands. The same as Toujou and Kanemaru,
--Toujou! Thank you for being my friend, my study buddy and for always being the one to calm me up whenever I'm troubled and sometimes just too loud for everybody. Thank you for the warm smiles and hugs whenever I say I had a nightmare and you and the others were immediately by my side. You're a great friend you know that? A great teammate and I thank you for that.
--'Nemaru! You're so brash but that's what I like about you! You're like a mother hen but never going too far! Thanks so much for the one always looking out for me when I overdo it at times, I really appreciate it both in the field, in the classroom or in the dorms. Thanks so much maru maru!
--Polar bear! You will always be my greatest rival and most especially my friend okay? Don't just sleep around hmm? Thank you for being with me, for putting up with me and protecting me whenever others overstep their boundaries. Especially when someone mocks me for my pitching you were always there to back me up. You kept me going, to continue to strive harder and to be better. I'm glad I got to know you Furuya, I'll never forget you. So smile more yeah? I like it a lot when you smile
Furuya, the ever emotionless and stoic guy with an aura more hotter than the sun. Shaking, tears wouldn't stop coming down as he read the letter over and over again
--Haruuuchhi!! My number one best best bestest friend! Thank you for always being with me, for putting up with all of my shits, for consoling me and confronting me at times that i couldn't find myself anymore. Thank you for being a brother to me, honestly you deserve so much Haru, and I just want you to know that I am so so so happy for you. For finding the thing that you've always been looking for. I'm so proud to be your friend, your teammate. Smile more 'kay? you look handsome with that. I know you'll do your best so never ever give up! I'm always with you.
The pink haired boy couldn't contain his sobs and chokes, he screams and wails until his tears couldn't stop flowing anymore
--Mochi senpai~ You know, despite all your wrestling and headlocks to me, you're definitely the most caring and loving senpai I've ever had. A big bro I wished I had since birth. Thanks so much for always keeping an eye on me senpai! for tucking me in at night when you think I fell asleep and didn't used my blanket, for always scolding me when I stayed up too late, for keeping me in check in my meals, for always being the one looking for me whenever I run too much in the field. Senpai thank you so much for being there for me whenever I feel down. With a kick from you and when you ruffle my hair, I knew that you cared and thanks so so so much for that. Be yourself senpai! I want you to be happy and smile more, because you deserve that!
Hands clenched in a fist as he tsked, scowl on his face while tears streaming down, Kuramochi couldn't stop a loud scream and a loud curse that probably roared all the way outside.
--Miyuki Kazuya!! you are a shitty tanuki okay? you're such a great captain and catcher that I couldn't contain admiring you. In awe and in love struck. You're such a great person, with your shitty personality, why did I fell in love with you? Actually the moment I saw you for the first time was probably love at first sight, like how can someone be this pretty and have such a snaky attitude? but then you catched my pitches, called me your partner and that was when I knew that. Ah, you're probably the one eh? Kazuya, youre such an enigma sometimes I couldn't decipher you. I just wished I could've tried to understand you more. To confess my love to you. Kazuya I love you so fucking much. So I want you to be happy and smile for me eh? I know you'll be such a great person, someone that everyone can rely on as you are a captain now. Just look at how far you've become Kazuya, I'm so proud of you. Thank your being my partner, my captain, my friend, my shitty tanuki. Take good care of yourself hmm? I love you.
and if anyone had discovered a hole in the wall the next few days, no one said anything.