***
"Daichi, you've done well these past few weeks." Coach Narukami said, his expression unreadable.
While he did his best to keep a neutral face, inwardly he was rather pleased. It seemed that his actions of moving Daichi to the 2nd team had done its job, as much as it was a pain to play without him on the field.
"Thanks coach." Daichi responded respectfully.
"Mmm. I'm putting you back on the 1st team for the Jingu Tournament." He said, a smile finally breaching his iron features.
Daichi's eyes lit up, his expression not hiding his happiness.
"Thank you Coach! I won't let you down." He said, bowing respectfully.
"Alright, now go back and get some food."
After being waved off, Daichi made his way back to his dorm, his footsteps light.
BUZZ BUZZ
"Hmm?"
"We just qualified for the Jingu Tournament. Will you be playing?"
Daichi's face lit up as he saw the message from his brother. This was the second piece of good news he'd heard in a row.
"Yep, see you there." He messaged back.
With a spring in his step, Daichi made his way back to the dorms and grabbed a new set of clothes before hitting the showers. He was a bit tired since he'd been going above and beyond in practice lately.
After showering, he went to the cafeteria and got some food.
"You're back in the team? Thank goodness!" Kouichi exclaimed, his face showing his excitement.
"Mmm, coach said that I'll be back in the squad for the Jingu Tournament."
The news seemed to raise everyone's spirits, a clear sign that Daichi's status in the team was solidified. After all, who wouldn't want an U18 National player in the team?
Daichi felt his worries melt away as he continued to chat with his teammates. The previous month seemed like a bad dream, one that he'd put behind himself.
After the wake up call from Ken, he was able to get back on track and focus on why he attended Osaka Toin in the first place.
To become a pro.
"Let's go celebrate at Karaoke or something." One of the players suggested.
"Yeah that sounds great! We need a break from baseball every now and then."
However, Daichi shook his head. He was exhausted, especially after filling his belly.
"You guys go ahead, I'm gonna head to bed early."
"Aww come on man, you never come out with us."
"Yeah, come out, it'll be fun." Another player added.
Yet before Daichi could decline once more, Kouichi piped up, "Hey guys, there's a reason why he's a National team player and not us."
"Hey~ that hurts my feelings."
"Yeah, you don't have to be so mean."
"Hahaha!"
Laughter broke out at the table. Despite those words, they were all in good spirits.
"Alright you guys have fun, I'm heading back." Daichi said, placing his empty dishes at the counter.
A few minutes later he arrived in his room and sat in bed, pulling out his phone.
He opened his messages, going straight to his conversation with Miho.
"I just need some space for a while."
"Ok."
Daichi looked at the message history and let out a deep sigh. The last message he'd received was around a month ago, just after being moved to the 2nd team.
He stared for a while, a wild debate sounding off in his heart.
'I'll call her after I make the 1st team.'
This was what he'd said every night after staring at his phone before bed.
The day had come, yet he felt too much shame and embarrassment to make the call. He turned over on his side and placed the phone down, making his decision.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ
Daichi picked up his phone and saw the caller, his eyes bulging in disbelief.
"Miho?"
He thought about letting it go to voice mail, but shook his head, his resolve hardening. The longer he let it go on, the worse he would feel.
"Hello?"
"…So your phone does work then?"
A sassy voice sounded out from the other side, causing Daichi's face to pale. He didn't know how to answer the question, yet he knew that he was in trouble.
"I'm sorry…"
"Do you know how worried I was?"
"I'm sorry…"
"Daichi, what is going on with you? I tried to respect your need for space, but I didn't think you would just stop contacting me altogether… It's been a whole month!" She said, her voice sounding agitated.
"I know. I've just not been in a great place recently and didn't want to burden you with all your studies and everything." He said, feeling a deep sense of remorse.
"No, that's not good enough. Do you think that I would turn you away just because of some studies? What the hell do you take me for?"
Daichi silently listened, not that he had much choice. Whatever excuses he could come up with would likely get shot down, because he was most definitely in the wrong.
He had been a crappy boyfriend and there was no changing that.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I pushed you away because I didn't want you to see me like this." Daichi said truthfully.
Miho paused, the sound of her breathing evening out on the other side of the line.
"Tell me what happened." Her tone was curt, yet there was a hint of concern in her voice.
Daichi let out a sigh, composing himself before telling her the whole story. He detailed everything that had taken place after returning from their trip to South Korea with the National team.
By the time he had finished, over 15 minutes had passed.
Daichi was silent, waiting for Miho to respond. Just as he thought she might have hung up, he heard the sound of crying on the other end.
"I'm so sorry Daichi, I had no idea." Miho's tearful voice entered his ears, filling him with warmth.
"But I'm still mad at you."
"Hahaha" Daichi couldn't help but let out a genuine laugh, feeling it was a little comical.
"You can punish me when I see you in a couple of weeks." He said with a grin, his mood improving significantly.