II. And Everything in-between!

*Everything Bolded will be defined at the end of the Chapter*

* Everything in Underlined Italics is spoken in English not Japanese.*

Nanairō

It'd been a month since the last time I was at Seidō, and now I was back. But as an official student. Today was the day I would be moving in, and tomorrow would be my first day. At this point, I was standing in front of the gate with a small sign hanging down from it that reads: "Seidō Spirit Dorm!" I stood for a few moments before turning my attention to the dorms.

"This is a pretty large set of dorms put aside for the Seidō Baseball team..." I looked to my left and saw a boy with hair messily going in either directions from under his hat. He had chocolate brown hair and lighter eyes to match. He had what could be described as round cheeks and a girly chin. He was definitely shorter than Miyuki, for sure.

"Ah sorry, am I blocking your way?" I stepped aside. The boy smiled at me but shook his head. "No no! You're fine, I was only admiring the dorms! I'm Kawakami Norifumi, but I think it'd be alright if you wanted to call me Nori." I smiled at the slightly panicky boy and bowed as I introduced myself, "I'm Nakatomi Satōshi, you can just call me Satō since we'll be playing together. It's nice to meet you Nori-kun."

I straightened myself and smiled up at Nori. "Nice to meet you too. I need to get to my room now!" I nodded as the boy ran off a bit flustered. He will get used to my girly features, surely. I found myself following Nori's train of thought as I walked to my dorm. 211... 211. Ah, here it is. I saw my name under the number 211 and I opened the door without hesitation. It said I was sharing with Isashiki Jun and Azuma Kiyokuni. They certainly sound like interesting people. I wonder why the lights are off.

It didn't take long for me to figure out why the lights were out when a face covered in makeup and powder was illuminated by a flashlight in the doorway. I stared at the boy. "Boooo!" I shook my my head and laughed. "It'll take more than that to scare me! Haha!" I heard a scream from one of the dorms above, assumable Nori's. I suddenly got pulled into the dark room by the bag in my hand and the door was slammed shut. The lights suddenly flickered on.

I was now sitting on the floor between the two bunk beds on either side of me. The two boys were standing in front of me, one grinning and the other frowning with his arms crossed over the bulge that was his stomach. The grinning boy was the same height as me and had blondish brown hair and deep brown eyes. His hair was messily arranged and he had a thin beard on his chin to match. His partner was much taller than him and most obviously doubled the boy in width and weight. The boy had large features, a wide bridged nose, big lips and thick eyebrows to match. He had shorter hair that stuck up in any given direction that was a brown color to match his eyes. He had a toothy grin that was formerly a scowl, showing of the gap between his front teeth. They were an odd pair, for sure.

"Ah look at the pipsqueak they sent us this year! He's even smaller than you Jun!" The taller boy boomed. "NO WAY! OI, FIRST YEAR! STAND UP!" The boy, presumably named Jun, shouted with no warning. I stood up and looked at the two. "Hahaha! Same height! But look! He's scrawny in build! Like a well toned girl!" I sighed at the taller boy. "Azuma senpai, Isashiki senpai, could you both please lower your voices?" The second year obviously took that as a challenge.

"WHAT WAS THAT YOU SCROUNGY LITTLE NEWBIE!?" I cracked a smile while Azuma filled the room with his loud voice. "Spitz senpai, you're so hot headed, it's almost like you're trying to apply the year of torture you went through on me. But as you can see, you're failing." My grin got bigger as Azuma got louder. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!? YOU OWE ME A FOOT MASSAGE NOW YOU LITTLE DISRESPECTFUL BRAT!" I was now laughing with Azuma. "He's Seidō's very own Spitz!"

The Third year and I finally stopped laughing and that's when the heavy atmosphere hit. "So, little first year, what is your name?" Azuma came through with an almost convicting tone even though I wasn't being accused of anything. "Ah right, I'm Nakatomi Satōshi, but Satō is fine." I bowed respectfully only to be thrown into a headlock by Jun. "Alright Satō! You owe me a foot rub after dinner!" I gulped as I was dragged to the cafeteria for dinner.

After escaping the neurotic Spitz, I was able to grab my food. Unfortunately since the cafeteria was so crowded, there were three options, a seat next to Spitz, a seat next to Azuma, or sit by myself at the end of a table where some of the first years who had just walked in and grabbed their food sat. I, of course, chose the semi-empty table. Unfortunately, an annoying snake took the seat across from me while Nori sat beside me. I smiled at Nori and he returned it weakly as he started on his food.

"So Satōshi-" I glared at Miyuki. "Miyuki, don't you know that snakes don't belong in the cafeteria?" He grinned. "I'm offended Satōshi, really. It's rude to call someone a snake, even indirectly." He spoke too loud, because now everyone in the cafeteria was looking at the provocative boy. "Sure doesn't seem like you're offended, you look rather amused actually." Nori looked scared for his life as he stared at me. I looked him in the eyes momentarily.

"Oi, you two, quiet down." I turned and saw a black haired boy wearing an intimidating look in his eyes that had no effect on me. Nori turned as well and yelped with Miyuki. I blinked at the two's reactions. "Sorry, Miyuki was being disrespectful, leading to a small argument that escalated-" I heard a really noisy chorus come from my roommates. "OI NAKATOMI! YOU SHOULDN'T START THINGS AT THE DINNER TABLE YOU DISRESPECTFUL KŌHAI!" I sighed at their Idiocy. "AZUMA-SENPAI, SPITZ-SENPAI, I APOLOGIZE, BUT MIYUKI STARTED IT!" Everyone started cracking up at my nickname for Jun. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SPITZ!" I was suddenly tackled in a headlock by the Spitz of Seidō himself. I was struggling to breathe, but Miyuki was getting a good laugh out of it. "Kyahaha!" I heard a loud laugh through all of the hysterics. And then everything got quiet. Fast.

"Jun, let the boy off the floor." He immediately did so. We both stood up and faced the man who had just walked in. He was wearing sunglasses even though it was night time. "Everyone go to your rooms and be on Field B for introductions at 6 A.M. Sharp tomorrow." The man walked out as we all concerted the word "Hai!" and did as instructed. That did not get me out of a night wrestling with Jun.

I flipped open my phone and looked through my contacts and saw Ji Yūko's number. Underneath it was someone I hadn't seen in four years. Shunpeī... Are you still mad at me for what I did? After four years? The truth was, we got in an argument before my departure from Kyotō to Kōbe. And it was my fault.

Flashback

"Shunpeī-ku-"

"Nanai. Why didn't you tell me about your plans to go to Kōbe for Junior High? We've been around each other our whole lives. I've spent a year in Junior High thinking that by the time I was in my second year of Junior High you'd be there too as a first year and I'd have to be patient. But now I found out from my Okāsan that you're going to Kōbe East so you could get away."

I turned my head to the ground. "I'm going to Kōbe East because they're a Prestigious Junior High for Ba-"

"That's not right Nanairō!"

"Shunpeī we can't always stay together! I'm sorry okay? I was coming to tell you now!" I looked him in the eyes, fuelling his fire further.

"Fine. Go to Kōbe East and don't come back. Don't regret your choice either. Just go."

"Shun, wait you're being too dramatic about thi-"

"And I have a right to be. We've been friends our whole lives, best-friend's even, and you didn't even mention your going to Kōbe East."

The boy looked away from me with his face scrunched as he walked off. I was now crying. It was my own fault and I knew that. But he was my best friend for years and years. And now? He was gone. Over something stupid I did.

"Goodbye, Satō-kun."

I was shaken awake by a screaming Jun. "OI, FIRST YEAR! DONT FALL ASLEEP STARING AT YOUR PHONE- wait are you crying?" I stared at the Spitz wide-eyed. "N-no. I need to use the bathroom." I stood and brushed past him, rushing out of the room and to the bathroom. I shoved the door open and went into a stall, sliding the door shut and locking it.

After a few minutes I came back out of the stall and washed my hands and face. After drying my my face and hands, I left the bathroom and started to walk to the vending machines I saw earlier in the day to buy a strawberry milk. "Your roommates are running around like chickens with their heads cut off to find you." I jumped 6 feet in the air like a cat when I heard an unexpected voice.

"Kyahaha! He jumps like a cat Miyuki!" I turned and saw the snake catcher and his new found accomplice. Said accomplice had green tinted hair and brownish-green eyes. "We need to put a bell on you two. Especially you, snake!" I scowled at Miyuki as he laughed. "Good to know you're still within your nature Satō-kun." I grimaced slightly remembering my dream from earlier. Goodbye, Satō-kun. The words repeated in my head. "Hoi Nakatomi! Get back to the room you little brat!" I jumped at Azuma's sudden appearance but complied, leaving the snake and his accomplice to wonder.

As soon as we got back to the room, I was greeted with a headlock, a lecture, and the loud yells of Jun. Soon thereafter, we all decided to call it a day. I changed into my baseball uniform while the two slept and then crawled into my bunk under the snoring Jun. He needs a Z pack... I turned towards the wall and dozed off into rocky sleep, which was fore fronted by the same dream as before.

Next Day: Miyuki

I looked at my alarm clock and saw blurriness. What time does that say... I finally caught hold of my glasses and slipped them on. 6:01 A.M... I jolted up, luckily I was wearing my uniform. I grabbed my sports glasses and bolted out of the door with my things. I sprinted to the meeting as fast as possible and saw it already started. I hid behind a shed after dropping my stuff quietly with the other first years' stuff. I peeked around the corner and saw that they were starting introductions. I, of course, being the genius I am saw the pattern. Left to right.

I smirked as the coach continued down the line but noticed two sets of eyes on me. Kuramochi and Satōshi, should have known you two would be observant enough to notice me. I grinned at the two, aimedly Satōshi since I drove him crazy with my antics. Snake, he calls me. I didn't blame him, if I weren't me I'd call me a snake too! It's actually pretty accurate, honestly. Satōshi gave me an ugly look and Kuramochi just grinned. Realize it or not, you're both my partners in crime!

"Kuramochi Youichi! I want to play short stop!" That was the last one on that line. As everyone turned towards the first person on the second line, I took off. But something wasn't right. "Oi First Year, don't sneak in if you're late!" I froze up and craned my neck to see a bubblegum haired boy smiling mischievously at me. Why you little- "First Year! Why are you late, and more importantly, sneaking into my line!" I whimpered at the Coach. "I-" I stopped not sure if an apology would help. "I'm sorry." The Coach glowered and I heard Kuramochi and Satōshi snickering at my Idiocy. "Go run for morning practice, Miyuki Kazuya." I did as I was told, not wishing more displeasure on myself. Stupid Ryosuke senpai...

The last person was finally introducing themselves. "Nakatomi Satōshi, I want to play Pitcher, Catcher, and Left Field but I have experience in every other position besides Right Field! It's an honor to be here sir!" Everyone was staring at Satō, mostly the second years. Everywhere other than right!? How long has he been playing!?

I watched as they all dispersed into smaller groups to discuss what they're be doing in the afternoon. I turned my attention to Kuramochi next, seeing as he was talking to the bubblegum haired boy who just so happened to be the person who sold me out. I was too consumed at staring at the two, I didn't notice the shorter boy approaching me quietly from behind in a jog. I noticed the boy eventually, but it took a nudge in the side to finally gain my attention.

"-Oi Miyuki, you listening? Y'know, if you're so obsessed with those two, you should take a picture. It'll last longer. Or maybe you're in love with Kuramochi, yeah? I'm just saying, you two hang out al-" I quickly hushed the provocative boy by putting him in a loose headlock. "Haha! What? I won't judge!" I tightened the headlock. "What's this about me being gay for Kuramochi? You do realize you're not one to talk, since you're so protective of Jyko-"

I stopped and looked at the boy who was now reversing the roles in our headlock. Jeez he's strong for such a small boy, now that I think about it, I did mispronounce Ji YÅ«ko's name didn't I? "Alright Kazuya, let me explain something to you really fast. Me protecting Ji YÅ«ko is like me protecting a brother, you have to protect them. No way out of it." The boy was now grinning, but his eyes weren't agreeing with his expression. In fact, his eyes were doing the opposite. He had an intimidating glint in his eyes that almost said: Mispronounce his name again, I dare you.

"Alright, I'll believe you, for now." I smirked when the boy tugged on my neck slightly, almost making me fall. "Seems like you two get along well enough! Kyahaha!" Kuramochi was approaching from behind with the other first years, but he was a lot faster than them. "Kuramochi, now what would ever make you believe that!" The short boy humored Kuramochi. And he says I'm gay for Kuramochi? "OI FIRST YEARS! QUIT GOOFING OFF YOU LITTLE BRATS!" Satōshi grinned at his roommate. "HAI, SPITZ-SENPAI!" Everyone busted out laughing other than Jun. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SPITZ!"

We finally escaped to breakfast, and man, it was just as amusing as dinner, only better, there were no interruptions. "So, how long have you two been together?"

Nanairō

"So, how long have you two been together?" I heard Nori choke on his food as I grinned at the partners in crime who were sitting across the table. Miyuki and Kuramochi spit out their drinks. "How long have you and Ji YÅ«ko been together?" I grinned. "First year of Junior High." Kuramochi busted out laughing. "Kyahaha! So openly ga-" I shook my head. "No, we're like siblings Kuramochi." He grinned. "So siblings can-" I'm pretty sure poor Nori was going to have a heart attack beside me so I didn't let him finish. "Ok, that's enough of that." I shoved my uneaten bread in Kuramochi's mouth and stood to walk away, Nori trailing me.

"That was definitely weird." I heard Miyuki say to Kuramochi as they got up and followed me and Nori. "Satō-kun, I see they constantly annoy you too?" I looked at Kawakami and grinned. "Only stupid Miyuki does. He followed me around my Junior High like a lost puppy just because my catcher wanted him to convince me to go here," I said the next part really loudly, "I guess he doesn't know how to take a hint, huh!" I knew the two boys were following us. "Why did you say that so loudly, Satō-kun?" I grinned at Nori. "Because those idiots are trailing us, Nori." He looked behind us and saw the two accomplices following us with crap-eating-grins. "Run Nori!" We both took off to get away.

Unfortunately, we underestimated Kuramochi's speed, since he almost caught Nori. I ended up grabbing Nori by the arm and dragging him up to my pace, leaving our pursuers with dirt in their faces. Eventually I got tired of dragging Nori and apparently he was tired of it too. So it ended up with me carrying Nori Piggyback and running for my life while Miyuki and Kuramochi were out of breath chasing us. "He's fast!" I saw Kuramochi starting to close the distance as I got tired. I ran faster than I was at the start and gained the distance again. I heard Miyuki flop on his face. "Kyahaha! Miyuki! Get off the ground!" Kuramochi's lack of attention gave us the momentum we needed to get away. "Ah, they escaped, whatever, we'll get them after the afternoon practice."

Nori and I walked to class, which we unfortunately shared with our pursuers. Ah, it's a cruel, cruel world. "Aren't you a little too stupid to be in 1-A, Miyuki and Kuramochi?" Miyuki grinned, causing Nori to react with an audible gulp. "Nope! Apparently I'm not!" I sighed. "Oh wait, aren't we supposed to be at the opening ceremony in five minutes!?" I grabbed Nori and took off for the ceremony. "C'mon idiots! I'm supposed to be there giving the speech!" Yeah, there was one thing I forgot to mention. I was the kid who made the top score on the Exam at the end of middle school that would decide if I would be able to go on to a luxury highschool. And considering I was at a school not known for Academics, I felt pretty proud of my scores.

"You're the person who is giving the opening speech!? I thought only super smart people did that, not baseball players!" I face palmed. Kuramochi that's EXACTLY why I'm giving the speech. I'm renowned in the country for both Academics and Athletics.

"Kuramochi, you didn't realize before? That's the Nakatomi Satōshi that got a perfect score on the Finals that would decide if our highschool life would be easy or not. He was number one in the country, not to mention he was the number one Bunter, base runner, and pitcher nation wide on the elementary and Junior High level. He's a prodigy on every level possible-" I interrupted Miyuki. "I'm no Prodigy, I've been playing Baseball since I was four. I was trained at a young age how to play anywhere I wanted to. I'm no Prodigy, I'm just someone who learned everything I needed to know at a young age."

The rest of the walk to the Opening Ceremony was filled with silence. Me and the boys split off at the entrance, which is where I went to the backstage entrance. Finally silence, now I can focus on my speech so long as I don't look directly at those idiots. I changed into my school uniform in the changing room in the backstage and got ready. I already memorized what I plan to say. I fixed the tie on my uniform and stood at attention, waiting on the Principal to call me out. "-and now we'd like for the student with the highest test scores at our school to give a few words, Nakatomi Satōshi." I stepped out onto stage and bowed to everyone before stepping onto the podium. (I won't include his speech here, it might be referred to later on though)

I bowed once again after giving my speech as a loud round of applause echoed through the room. "That was a great speech by Nakatomi Satōshi, now-" I zoned out on the rest of the Principal's presentation as I walked out of the backstage area and went to the auditorium entrance to stand in the back and listen. "That's all. Thank you, and let's have a great three years! Don't forget, it's a half day so that the clubs festival can take place." People all stood to leave while I was already a step ahead. I was already halfway down the hallway before the others stepped out.

"He's the boy who gave the speech, Nakatomi Satōshi ne? He's kind of cute..." I sighed at the whispers behind me. "Didn't he come here for baseball thoug-" I heard someone interrupt the conversation. "Baseballru? I looked back at the person who seemingly had no idea what they were saying. "Ah, that means Baseball right?"

I walked up to the foreigner speaking English. He looked like an American. "Yes, they were talking about how I'm here for baseball." The boy smiled. "Ah, finally someone who understands English here." I nodded at him. "I read English originating books so I'm quite fluent in English. Do you need help finding your class or club room?" The boy nodded. "Yes please, it seems you're the only one here who is capable of helping me." I quickly smiled and asked for his schedule. "My name is Samuel Horn, I understand your name is Satōshi Nakatomi, right? You look familiar from the Baseball Magazines. But you kind of look like a girl. Sorry if I'm being rude." I shook my head with a smile. "Can you keep a secret?" The boy nodded eagerly. I leaned towards his ear. "I am a girl disguised as a boy. Only so I can play Baseball, though. Don't tell anyone." The boy again nodded. "Your secret is safe with me."

After that small encounter, I toured Samuel around the school, being sure to speak only in English so that no one could just drop in on our conversation unless they were fluent. I agreed to teach Samuel how to speak Japanese as well so he could hold a conversation with others besides myself and make friends. I headed to class with him, since we were both coincidentally sitting right next to each other in the same class. Norifumi sat on my other side, Miyuki behind me and Kuramochi in front of me. Well aren't I just lucky.

"Ne, Satō-kun, who is the boy sitting next to you?" I smiled at Nori. "His name is Horn Samuel-kun, he's an American Exchange Student who knows little Japanese. He plans to join the Baseball team in the afternoon group. We were the morning group apparently. Exchange students are usually first introduced in the afternoon while the rest of us all get tested for our desired positions." Nori made a noise of understanding. "I see, how do you understand what he's saying though?" I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I learned English when I was 6. I was addicted to the English books I found at the libraries. I learned English off of those books."

That was the last of the conversation. Soon, we would be going to practice. Today was the day I decided if I would become an ace pitcher or someone who was only worth being a relief pitcher. Today I found out if the last Ten years of work was worth while, or if it was a waste of time.

To be continued...