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On a bedside table lays a digital clock that shows 23:28 indicating the time which means that the man on the bed should be asleep by now, however, said man is still wide awake with his phone on his hand, mindlessly scrolling to whatever pleases his entertainment. A ding on his phone made him frown, a notification of message saying “Joichiro Fujiwara, we have a game tomorrow and I hope you’re sleeping now”. With a groan, he locked his phone and turn to his side, and much to his surprise, he is indeed sleepy. One last glance on the clock before he closes his eyes. It was 23:58.
“You did well today, Jo!” One of Joichiro’s teammate told him while patting his back. He just responded with a bright smile as he headed to where the reporter is. He’s going to be interviewed as the MVP for today’s match.
“So, Fujiwara, or should I call you as the infamous “Jo”, how was it? How do you feel that you’re the MVP for today’s match?” The reporter proceeds to put the mic just a decent amount of distance from Jo’s mouth to speak.
“It feels nice. I love that I was able to contribute to the team and win” he finished it with a bright smile that made the people watching cheer for him.
“That was an incredible homerun! Almost remind me of Ohtani Shohei!” the reporter continues.
“Oh yeah, that’s a personal goal.”
“To be Ohtani?”
“No, to surpass The Ohtani Shohei” Jo let out a chuckle.
“That’s a very bold goal!”
“I know! That’s why I’m training hard to make sure I will reach that goal!” Joichiro looked at the camera and winked. The lady just giggles on his side.
“Last question, and I know your fans wants to know as well, are you dating someone now?” The reporter’s intrigued eyes met Jo and he showed her a smile. It didn’t reach his eyes this time.
“No. I don’t have time nor am I interested in dating. My focus now is baseball.” There was a hint of dryness on how he responded. It’s like the most cliché response from a celebrity who is trying to get out of any dating scandal possible.
“Well, that’s it! Thank you, Fujiwara Joichiro and congratulations!” said the reporter.
“Thank you!” Joichiro bowed his respect before he exits the scene.
Joichiro’s phone blowing up from all the messages of congratulations and what not, it puts a smile on his face as he tries to respond to each message. The warmth of the congratulatory messages makes him forget the cold of the weather outside. Snow might not be on sight yet but everyone know it will start to fall soon. Jo lays down on his bed with his phone in his hand being the only source of light in his room, like a routine every night, he scrolls on whatever application he is on. He smiles as he sees posts of his teammate’s pictures of their baseball team’s victory in Instagram, liking every post of it. He continues to scroll on his feed until it stops on one post from Diago. His smile faded. It was a picture of Daigo and a person he used to know. They were smiling so widely like the old times. The person next to Daigo was, and still, a sunshine. Bringing light to everywhere he goes, putting smiles on people’s faces, brightening other people’s dark days. With much contemplation, he taps his finger twice on the screen, locked his phone, and tries to go to sleep. It was 23:09.
Long, hard trainings are a perfect distraction for Joichiro. With baseball as his number 1 priority, his head is full of training and playing the sport he loves. When he is in training or even on field, in a match, his only thinking about how to win the game. He’s lying if he says the goal, he said from one interview was true. He knows he can’t surpass the legend, but at least to become as good as Ohtani Shohei will be the compliment he will treasure all his life hence, he is trying so hard. Making his name known.
A cold wind greeted Joichiro after leaving the gym in the afternoon. He checks his phone and immediately went into his messages. One text stands out the most, it was from Daigo. It is an invitation. A Christmas Party invitation. He thinks not only twice but a million times if he wants to go. His schedule says yes as he doesn’t have much to do during the Christmas week. He didn’t send a respond yet. Part of him wants to go, to socialize with his friends, catch up with them, maybe brag a bit about his achievements in baseball industry. Another part of him doesn’t want to meet them, for the reason that that person will be there as well, he might not be sure but he knows his circle with Daigo well.
Toss and turn is the new added routine in Joichiro’s night. He checked the clock on his bedside table, it is 20:09. He decided to watch some baseball match available on Youtube, however his head is somewhere else. Should he reply to Daigo now? Poor man could be waiting the whole day for his response. With a lot of push and pull for several hours, he typed “Hi Dai-chan! Sure, I’ll join! Send me the details, I’ll be there! See you!”. It was 22:59.
The day of the party came and so is Joichiro. All his worries was thrown out the window when he was greeted warmly by Daigo, defeating the cold outside. He saw old friends that he wasn’t able to see much these days, a catch up is a need when a party like this is being held. Joichiro learns that Ryusei now owns his cosmetic line and is thriving, as it should. He knows how passionate Ryusei is when it comes to make up and is meticulous when it comes to make up products. Kento, despite being the youngest of the friend circle, owns now a sneakers shop. He made sure to drop by and buy a pair or two. He was informed as well that Kento is now dating Michi who is now a top model. Joichiro laughed as he remembers the two bickering like cat and dog before when they hang out. Who would’ve known they will get together like this.
Door opening shush the groups noise and enters the man with the brightest smile on earth. Joichiro’s heart stopped. “Hello! Sorry I’m late! I brought cake!” with a box in hand, he continues to enter the room and greets everyone. He stopped at Joichiro and gave him a warm smile, “Hello Jo. Long time no see!” Joichiro could just blink and nod. “Congratulations as well!” Joichiro swears he could hear his heart shatter in pieces. “Thank you” is all he could mutter.
The Christmas Party continues with Daigo asking if Joichiro was okay from time to time. Joichiro made sure not to be the party pooper and ruin everyone’s mood by being awkward. Everyone’s chatting about their life, a little rant here and a little brag there. “Kazuya, how about you? How’s your restaurant?” Ryusei asked and everyone looked at the man in question. “It’s good. We’re planning to renovate and expand it next month” Kazuya smiled. “God, I miss your cooking!” Daigo exclaims.
“Then come to my restaurant next time!”
“Is it going to be free?”
“Come on Dai-chan, you’re earning a lot with your hosting gigs, don’t be greedy!”
“Who’s greedy? Me? No way!” Daigo pouts and everyone laughs at the sight.
It was already dark when everyone decides to head home. Everyone bid their goodbyes and hugs were given here and there. “Nice meeting you again Jo, glad you made it this time, you've been busier than ever. Pleased that you are well” Kazuya bowed in front Joichiro. “Same here. Nice meeting you again.” With a bow, he was off to his house.
A warm bath didn’t wash away Joichiro’s thoughts. It has been three years since he last saw Kazuya. He shakes his head hoping to shake his mind. While drying his hair, he remembers how it was when he was with Kazuya. How he will wake up with the sun directly shining at him with a smile and of course, a delicious homecooked meals for breakfast. If it’s Kazuya, then you should know how world class his cooking will be. He just not cook, but he do it with love. He cooks with care, with knowledge about the health condition of the ones eating his meal. Joichiro scoffed. It’s funny that after all these years, the memories stayed with him. The person didn’t.
Joichiro flopped on his bed and again, scrolls through his phone. He can see that Daigo already posted their pictures from the party on Instagram and tagged everyone. With not much hesitation, he clicked on the username “kazuyasspurin”, he is lying if he says that wasn’t a silly username for a grown man who owns a restaurant. He scrolled through Kazuya’s Instagram which is filled with pictures of food, and some selfies. He continues to scroll on Kazuya’s account and reached pictures from 3 years ago, dated December 14. A picture of roses, withered, with a caption “Just like these roses, I was left here to die”.
All the memories come rushing to Joichiro’s head. He misses him, his pale skin that turns bright red in an instant he was embarrassed. He misses his sweet bright smile that will make all his worry go away. How he was comforted that night when he failed his try out to the baseball team he wanted to be in. That same night Kazuya saw Joichiro broke down and cried for the first time.
He remembers it all. How he was loved by the person he hurt the most. How he was taken care of by the person who he abandoned. How he taken Kazuya for granted. How Kazuya proposed to him and wants to open another chapter in their life which he refused.
Tears running down Joichiro’s face as he acknowledge his feelings. For years, he always avoided the topic. The topic of love, the topic that is Kazuya. Joichiro thinks Kazuya is too nice that he will understand that he will pursue his baseball career. He always believed that Kazuya will be on his side when he reaches his goal. He was always been by his side. He loved Kazuya, nonetheless, he never thought of marriage. Not yet. Not when he is nothing. Not when he doesn’t have his name known yet. He was surprised to say the least that Kazuya was thinking of marrying him, at that time. Panic rushed through Joichiro that he refused Kazuya’s proposal. Sorry and goodbye was the last thing he said to Kazuya before he left him, crying.
With all the fiasco on Joichiro’s mind and emotion, he held his phone, thinking of contacting Kazuya to win him back. Albeit his plans, he accidentally refreshed Kazuya’s account. He sees a new post, his eyes widened, with trembling hands, he clicked the post. It is Kazuya’s hand with a ring on his finger where he could’ve put one before. He swiped for another picture and it was Kazuya hugging another man. Another swipe, it was a picture of Kazuya and the man with their hands in front, showing their matching rings. Joichiro read the caption saying “Of course, I said “YES!”. Thank you, Kyohei, for the best Christmas gift! I’m excited to spend the rest of my life with you! Merry Christmas!”. Joichiro dropped his phone.
Joichiro is now one of the top baseball players in Japan like he planned. Kazuya stayed the same, a happy sunshine who deserve the love he is receiving now. He took a glance on his bedside table to check the time. With tears in his eyes, he whispered “Merry Christmas”. It is 00:00.