Chapter 6: CH 6

Chapter 6: Feelings that fill one’s heart

I was currently watching Toko University’s game on T.V.

Saito-san’s injury wasn’t that serious and he was playing very well in Koshien.

The cast on my leg was painful, but not so painful that I was having nightmares. I heard that I would be moved to a larger room in a few days.

Yoichiro and his friends came to visit today.

“When I went to school, they kept asking me about Hiroto.”

“I’ve also been asked about him a few times myself.”

“‘Where are you hospitalized, Yoshizumi?’, ‘If he’s injured and taking a break from baseball, can I invite him to play?’ Some people were saying weird things like that, but Hiroto is very popular, haha.’”

“I don’t care about that.” (Hiroto)

TLN: I will occasionally add brackets to show who’s talking since this novel’s conversations never include it.

“Hiroto was short in elementary school, but he grew taller since middle school.”

“That’s really it! Now you’re the tallest out of all of us and popular with everyone… You’re the worst!”

“Takuma, I don’t know what’s wrong… You shouldn’t be restless about that?” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto… you’re awful!”

People around me would talk about how a person is cute or cool and whatnot, but honestly, it didn’t matter to me.

I’m content with the life I currently have with these guys…

Before I moved here, I was always with a girl I grew up with, and we both liked each other.

Haruka-chan… I dreamed about those days before the game…

I wonder if she’s been okay since I’ve been gone.

I wonder if she’s doing well…

When I first moved out, I had a hard time mentally and I remembered devoting myself to baseball and studying.

These guys really helped me out a lot…

I guess I was having so much fun now that it was all I could think about.

It’s not that Iforgot about it, but now that I’m in this injured situation, I have a lot of time to think, and I’m remembering those days…

While I was immersed in my memories, Yoichiro said something to me.

“Koshien… Toko University won.”

“It was only their first game, but it was a crushing victory.”

“Hiroto didn’t give up any runs until the eighth inning against that line, right?”

Youichiro speaks admiringly. But I was most disappointed that I couldn’t pitch to the end…

If only I could have pitched one more inning… we would have been the ones standing there…

Yoichiro and the others had left and when I was alone, many emotions swirled around in my mind.

The chirping of the cicadas echoed in the air made me feel annoyed.

Suddenly, I looked outside to find that it was evening and the wind was blowing pleasantly.

Let’s go outside for a bit… I’m pretty sure there’s a rooftop, isn’t there?

I took my crutches and went outside.

There’s no one around at this hour.

I caught a clear view of the park in front of the hospitalI saw a bench while I was looking around, so I sat down and started to look around again.

Parents and their children in the park. Children playing with their friends.

As I looked at everyday life in my field of vision, I wondered what I was doing here…”What was supposed to be a refreshing change of pace made me feel more depressed.”

The tears that I had never shown in front of my stepfather, mother, Yoichiro and the others flowed down.

What I had been holding back had broken down.

Everyone… I’m sorry…

I couldn’t stop crying, I stopped holding back and sobbed.

I was relieved to see that no one was around me, but then I heard a small voice behind me say, “Eh….?” and I turned around.