[ As promised Erina comes to spectate one of Miyuki's games. It's an environment that is different from what she's accustomed to by just a fraction; the crowd was lively, reacting to when the ball was put into play with eagerness or exhausted sighs, but there was just something that her realize that she was stepping out of her comfort zone—what is it?
Is it because he called this a date?
It's not a date. God. (Even though she's dressed in date attire because that's all her wardrobe has to offer.)
Focus. She actually spent her free time researching to get a solid grip on what was going on, it would be a waste if she just sat in the crowd all flustered. So it should be of no surprise that she suppresses those emotions by rolling with the excitement of the crowd supporting Seidou. Mildly. If you're willing to call her embarrassingly losing her voice somewhere along the way from cheering "mild". And if Miyuki bothers to look in her general direction at all he'll possibly catch a glimpse of a childlike grin before Erina's features completely flat line. Call it habit, but then again she's fully aware that it's a expression she normally doesn't show in his presence.
He probably can't even spot her in the crowd but she does it for safe measure.
After the game is over she's, of course, waiting for Miyuki to do whatever he needs inside the dugout with his team. But as the crowd shifts to leave she realizes that it's probably not best for her to wait in the stands and decides to move elsewhere. Still within eyesight of the dugout, she's patient until he finally leaves the dugout in which she's quick to approach. God she probably looks like an eager fan but that's not it like... at all. ]
Miyuki. [ A giddy murmur, still reeling herself from the excitement she had built up earlier, she clears her throat before speaking up once more: ] What exactly were you thinking during the top of the fifth?
[ She's gotta put him on blast before she can say anything nice... it's just instinct at this point. ]
/sees no problem with sweatpants, wearing his cap sideways, and 3/4 sleeves. help him.
[ He'd given her the location, the date — date... It's something he knows this is not, despite his teasing.
— It's not, right? From what he's gathered, you have your attention on the other person during a date, that's the point. And he can't do that when he has something else that needs his focus.
Still, he scans the crowd for her face beforehand, making Kuramochi question the oddity of Miyuki staring into the stands. He offers a comment about there being a lot of people out there today, one he knows Kuramochi can see through even though he doesn't push for more information of what (who?) is on Miyuki's mind. Their shortstop can be too perceptive sometimes...
He assures him his head's in the game where it needs to be, and it is.
At some quieter moments, though, he can spare a thought for Erina. She studied up on baseball just as she said she would, he's sure of it, and he has to wonder if she can feel the excitement like he does. The building tension of the fight between them, the little victories and setbacks and the final win that means they're one step closer to the finals. To koshien.
By the end of it he's sweaty and dirty, smiling off the high. When they bow to the stands is when he finally catches sight of her and his smile just widens. When he finally gets away to come to see her, bag left with the others, he's a little struck by how good his name sounds in her breath.
He only gets out a: ] Hey~ [ Before she's asking that and he can't say he's surprised. ]
Top of the fifth... [ Miyuki looks off as he recalls, with a smile, ] Ah, I was still a little frustrated~. We'd managed to tie the game, but that pitcher really had it out for me after I got that hit off him!
[ Miyuki isn't an instinct batter. He reads the opponent battery and anticipates what's coming. While he managed to do so and Seidou scored, the other pitcher's arm and catcher's block stopped him from adding another run. They could have pulled ahead there! But naturally, he was focused on defending by the top of the fifth. ]
And then I had to worry if our pitcher shook off his nerves yet after being subbed in the inning before. [ He ended up doing fine, for the record, though Miyuki knows both him and the first pitcher still have a long way to go. ]
honestly erina's not any better she wears the dumb chef hat
[ It's almost unfair how nice his smile is, it almost encourages her to reflect with a similar expression. Almost.
If anything she'll argue that the small curl of her lips comes directly from Miyuki admitting everything with his own mouth. But it's short-lived, her lips slightly agape as she tilts her head to the side. ] You were thinking about all of that... ? Well I guess it's to be expected.
[ This was a team sport, so distant from what she's used to in Tootsuki where every challenge was faced alone. ]
I am impressed. I didn't know what I was expecting, but I believe that I had... fun. Watching the game. [ A pause. ] Not just you. [ Like it's necessary to add that part. ]
[ There's a lot to consider during a game, especially for his position in particular. He has to think more, take more, be aware of more than anyone else on the field. It's challenging, but that's precisely what makes it so fun.
But enough baseball dorking. He's genuinely glad she enjoyed herself, his grin gaining a smug little lift at that addendum. ]
I was planning on going back to the dorms and taking a shower.
[ He picks at his collar and tugs to air himself out a bit. Even as he's saying it, though, he's wondering. Eying her, as though to glean something from it. And he does:
[ Her heart is racing in her chest, which she ignores in exchange of thinking of how she should word what she has in mind. It's just a suggestion, something that she wouldn't be mad about if it were shot down, so why is she hesitating?
Soon enough she's making the ultimate decision of just spouting out what comes first: ]
I'd like to spend time with you. If you're not too tired... Like dinner? Or we can just... talk.
[ That's what all the hip teens are doing, right? ]
Edited (it's 1 am i'm dying) 2017-05-24 06:13 (UTC)
Maybe that's what he should have been researching: where do you take a girl when you wanna hang? Instead of the reading he's started doing on her. Which has been enough that the suggestion of dinner has him mentally backing off more than he would have already. Though, it is better justification to admit he hasn't eaten out in a long while and wouldn't know where to take her that might be acceptable without some research.
... wait, wasn't this just supposed to be the game??
Not that... he dislikes the thought of spending some more time with her. He didn't even really get to talk with her.
[ Honestly she's just as surprised. Not because she thought that he would reject the suggestion, Erina held a small sliver of hope in her chest, but because she managed to say it at all. ]
I'd certainly hope not, it would be rude of you since I'm technically your guest. [ —But.— ] The park sounds nice.
[ And pick something up... it sounds so casual, so different from what she's used to, and oddly enough she's fascinated by it. She can't even remember when was the last time she went to a public park. ]
[ He can't contest that he should probably be playing the good host here. Well. He could contest it but finds he doesn't really want to. It's something in her face, maybe her eyes — how heartened she looks about a little thing like this and the way it infects him, excitement tingling amidst his good mood. ]
Front of the school, so I don't lose you. We can walk from there, alright?
[ Maybe he won't feel so giddy by then. ]
See you soon~ [ He turns to go with a silly wave and a sillier grin.
While getting ready he doesn't tell anyone what he's doing, exactly. Only once he's dressed does he quickly tip someone off that he'll be out for a while, in case anyone comes looking for him. The other boys don't have a chance to ask him what they're thinking, seeing Miyuki dressing semi-nicely and going out on his own somewhere. It's for the better, though they'll likely catch him later tonight.
For now, he's just going out with his acquaintance who is also a girl, whom he's wearing a nice pair of jeans and a polo shirt for (he's trying). "Soon" he's striding out the gate, smiling when he catches sight of her. ]
[ She feels like he's teasing her. Is he teasing her? ]
Don't make it sound like I'm always getting lost! [ She huffs. ] Fine, don't keep me waiting.
[ Erina folds her arms across her chest, sparing him a glance before he walks off with that grin on his face. Turning on her heels she's immediately trying to wipe her memory clean of it, repeating to herself that it's only because of the game. She can relate to that much, at least, she always came out of creating a successful dish smiling, so it's only natural.
She waits out at the front gate, trying to keep herself distracted while waiting for Miyuki. And when he arrives she's got her back against the wall while kneeling down, arms wrapped lazily around her knees. ]
I almost considered calling my personal driver to come pick me up. [ She's joking, of course, but it's presented so dryly that anyone else would say otherwise. ] But he's busy so that would mean taking the helicopter, and I'm not sure if your school will accept last minute pick ups.
[ Standing up, she dusts off the skirt of her dress and turns to look at him appropriately. It's then that she gets a better look at him and—... why does he have to look decent? Why couldn't he just wear sweatpants or something!? ]
Anyway. [ She can feel her ears burning up and she quickly turns the opposite direction, probably the wrong direction, and begins walking. ] We should hurry before the sun goes down, I still have a lot of questions about the game and your opinion on a few things.
[ The better question is: when is he not teasing her.
And also: he can tell she's kidding about the being picked up part but what about the having a helicopter available to her part..... and what does it say that he has to question that. His reply comes in a similar fashion, ]
As long as we're not using it, he could always have landed in one of the fields.
[ Miyuki raises a brow under her assessment, brief as it is before she's turning away in a huff — totally a good sign in his book! He doesn't move to follow after, calling out from where he stands. ]
Oh yeah? Then we should probably avoid going the long way.
[ With those last two words (un)subtly underlined. He begins to turn the other way, looking back at her with a grin on the edge of laughter. ]
[ It means that she's gotta make one hell of an entrance later or take him on a helicopter ride.
Going the long way. Which means she's not going the right way and slowly looks over her shoulder to notice that he's walking the opposite way. Honestly speaking there's a petty, childish side of her that wants to race and beat him there but she realizes just bad of an idea that would be in a matter of seconds. Though the turn of her heels doesn't come with reluctance, however. ]
You should have told me! [ Like he could read her mind. Sometimes it felt like he could... to a degree, of course.
She pets some pep to her step in order to catch up to him, a subtle tinge of pink to her cheeks. ] Anyway... How do you think you did today? From my perspective you— [ Is she about to compliment him? She's about to compliment him. The thought alone is odd, the feeling foreign on her tongue, but she manages to speak in a very neutral tone. ] ... you did good. Though that probably doesn't mean much coming from someone who doesn't play sports.
But I couldn't help but notice that you were enjoying yourself.
His grin only widens — she seemed so sure when she went off! But he waits for her to get abreast of him before starting to walk. He waits for her to get those words out too, which... well, he somewhat disagrees with the way she downplays it. There are many who may not have ever been out in the field, may not even want to be, but understand the intricacies of the game even better than some players. It still means something.
It means something else, coming from her. But, ah — he glances over and his tone is only a little insufferable. ]
You were watching me that closely? [ Not that it's at all difficult to see his more obnoxious smiles even when the mask is over his face. But those are probably not what she means.
He looks back ahead of them, ] If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be out there. I don't think any of us would be.
[ That's just a fact — to be in the starting line-up at Seidou you have to want it, and have the heart to put in the work for it. Which is a convenient detraction from how there were brief moments in which he was smiling like a little boy, honest delight mixed with adrenaline. ]
That was an interesting game, though... We played well, but I think it helped us recognize where we're lacking and what we should be working on.
For observational purposes, yes. [ Somehow that manages to go over her head, though the sight of expression does mild hers. Neutral features flat lining the moment she gazes at that smile of his. ]
Don't you feel that after every game?
[ Curious, she quirks a brow. ]
It's a competitive sport, aren't you all constantly working on advancing as a team? [ "Team" is such a foreign word to her that it almost sounds funny. ] If you left games thinking "that went perfectly" then that isn't helping much... [ Not that she's one to talk with her own mindset, but she's putting into consideration of everything she's studied. Apparently "teamwork makes the dream work" so she's at least trying to apply that here? ]
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no subject
Is it because he called this a date?
It's not a date. God. (Even though she's dressed in date attire because that's all her wardrobe has to offer.)
Focus. She actually spent her free time researching to get a solid grip on what was going on, it would be a waste if she just sat in the crowd all flustered. So it should be of no surprise that she suppresses those emotions by rolling with the excitement of the crowd supporting Seidou. Mildly. If you're willing to call her embarrassingly losing her voice somewhere along the way from cheering "mild". And if Miyuki bothers to look in her general direction at all he'll possibly catch a glimpse of a childlike grin before Erina's features completely flat line. Call it habit, but then again she's fully aware that it's a expression she normally doesn't show in his presence.
He probably can't even spot her in the crowd but she does it for safe measure.
After the game is over she's, of course, waiting for Miyuki to do whatever he needs inside the dugout with his team. But as the crowd shifts to leave she realizes that it's probably not best for her to wait in the stands and decides to move elsewhere. Still within eyesight of the dugout, she's patient until he finally leaves the dugout in which she's quick to approach. God she probably looks like an eager fan but that's not it like... at all. ]
Miyuki. [ A giddy murmur, still reeling herself from the excitement she had built up earlier, she clears her throat before speaking up once more: ] What exactly were you thinking during the top of the fifth?
[ She's gotta put him on blast before she can say anything nice... it's just instinct at this point. ]
/sees no problem with sweatpants, wearing his cap sideways, and 3/4 sleeves. help him.
— It's not, right? From what he's gathered, you have your attention on the other person during a date, that's the point. And he can't do that when he has something else that needs his focus.
Still, he scans the crowd for her face beforehand, making Kuramochi question the oddity of Miyuki staring into the stands. He offers a comment about there being a lot of people out there today, one he knows Kuramochi can see through even though he doesn't push for more information of what (who?) is on Miyuki's mind. Their shortstop can be too perceptive sometimes...
He assures him his head's in the game where it needs to be, and it is.
At some quieter moments, though, he can spare a thought for Erina. She studied up on baseball just as she said she would, he's sure of it, and he has to wonder if she can feel the excitement like he does. The building tension of the fight between them, the little victories and setbacks and the final win that means they're one step closer to the finals. To koshien.
By the end of it he's sweaty and dirty, smiling off the high. When they bow to the stands is when he finally catches sight of her and his smile just widens. When he finally gets away to come to see her, bag left with the others, he's a little struck by how good his name sounds in her breath.
He only gets out a: ] Hey~ [ Before she's asking that and he can't say he's surprised. ]
Top of the fifth... [ Miyuki looks off as he recalls, with a smile, ] Ah, I was still a little frustrated~. We'd managed to tie the game, but that pitcher really had it out for me after I got that hit off him!
[ Miyuki isn't an instinct batter. He reads the opponent battery and anticipates what's coming. While he managed to do so and Seidou scored, the other pitcher's arm and catcher's block stopped him from adding another run. They could have pulled ahead there! But naturally, he was focused on defending by the top of the fifth. ]
And then I had to worry if our pitcher shook off his nerves yet after being subbed in the inning before. [ He ended up doing fine, for the record, though Miyuki knows both him and the first pitcher still have a long way to go. ]
honestly erina's not any better she wears the dumb chef hat
If anything she'll argue that the small curl of her lips comes directly from Miyuki admitting everything with his own mouth. But it's short-lived, her lips slightly agape as she tilts her head to the side. ] You were thinking about all of that... ? Well I guess it's to be expected.
[ This was a team sport, so distant from what she's used to in Tootsuki where every challenge was faced alone. ]
I am impressed. I didn't know what I was expecting, but I believe that I had... fun. Watching the game. [ A pause. ] Not just you. [ Like it's necessary to add that part. ]
Anyway, what are you doing after this?
no subject
But enough baseball dorking. He's genuinely glad she enjoyed herself, his grin gaining a smug little lift at that addendum. ]
I was planning on going back to the dorms and taking a shower.
[ He picks at his collar and tugs to air himself out a bit. Even as he's saying it, though, he's wondering. Eying her, as though to glean something from it. And he does:
She looks good.
Which is neither helpful nor surprising to him. ]
Why?
1/2
[ That's it. That's all she responds with. Erina Nakiri truly is a woman of refinement and absolute eloquence, her grandfather would be proud. ]
I was just wondering.
no subject
Soon enough she's making the ultimate decision of just spouting out what comes first: ]
I'd like to spend time with you. If you're not too tired... Like dinner? Or we can just... talk.
[ That's what all the hip teens are doing, right? ]
1/2
Maybe that's what he should have been researching: where do you take a girl when you wanna hang? Instead of the reading he's started doing on her. Which has been enough that the suggestion of dinner has him mentally backing off more than he would have already. Though, it is better justification to admit he hasn't eaten out in a long while and wouldn't know where to take her that might be acceptable without some research.
... wait, wasn't this just supposed to be the game??
Not that... he dislikes the thought of spending some more time with her. He didn't even really get to talk with her.
His mouth opens slightly. Closes again. ]
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Sure? I mean... I'm not gonna take that long.
[ He slips his hand against his neck, thinking it over a little more. Somewhere to talk... ]
We could just go to the park. Pick something up if we get hungry.
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I'd certainly hope not, it would be rude of you since I'm technically your guest. [ —But.— ] The park sounds nice.
[ And pick something up... it sounds so casual, so different from what she's used to, and oddly enough she's fascinated by it. She can't even remember when was the last time she went to a public park. ]
Where should I wait for you?
no subject
Front of the school, so I don't lose you. We can walk from there, alright?
[ Maybe he won't feel so giddy by then. ]
See you soon~ [ He turns to go with a silly wave and a sillier grin.
While getting ready he doesn't tell anyone what he's doing, exactly. Only once he's dressed does he quickly tip someone off that he'll be out for a while, in case anyone comes looking for him. The other boys don't have a chance to ask him what they're thinking, seeing Miyuki dressing semi-nicely and going out on his own somewhere. It's for the better, though they'll likely catch him later tonight.
For now, he's just going out with his acquaintance who is also a girl, whom he's wearing a nice pair of jeans and a polo shirt for (he's trying). "Soon" he's striding out the gate, smiling when he catches sight of her. ]
Ah, you waited.
no subject
Don't make it sound like I'm always getting lost! [ She huffs. ] Fine, don't keep me waiting.
[ Erina folds her arms across her chest, sparing him a glance before he walks off with that grin on his face. Turning on her heels she's immediately trying to wipe her memory clean of it, repeating to herself that it's only because of the game. She can relate to that much, at least, she always came out of creating a successful dish smiling, so it's only natural.
She waits out at the front gate, trying to keep herself distracted while waiting for Miyuki. And when he arrives she's got her back against the wall while kneeling down, arms wrapped lazily around her knees. ]
I almost considered calling my personal driver to come pick me up. [ She's joking, of course, but it's presented so dryly that anyone else would say otherwise. ] But he's busy so that would mean taking the helicopter, and I'm not sure if your school will accept last minute pick ups.
[ Standing up, she dusts off the skirt of her dress and turns to look at him appropriately. It's then that she gets a better look at him and—... why does he have to look decent? Why couldn't he just wear sweatpants or something!? ]
Anyway. [ She can feel her ears burning up and she quickly turns the opposite direction, probably the wrong direction, and begins walking. ] We should hurry before the sun goes down, I still have a lot of questions about the game and your opinion on a few things.
no subject
And also: he can tell she's kidding about the being picked up part but what about the having a helicopter available to her part..... and what does it say that he has to question that. His reply comes in a similar fashion, ]
As long as we're not using it, he could always have landed in one of the fields.
[ Miyuki raises a brow under her assessment, brief as it is before she's turning away in a huff — totally a good sign in his book! He doesn't move to follow after, calling out from where he stands. ]
Oh yeah? Then we should probably avoid going the long way.
[ With those last two words (un)subtly underlined. He begins to turn the other way, looking back at her with a grin on the edge of laughter. ]
no subject
Going the long way. Which means she's not going the right way and slowly looks over her shoulder to notice that he's walking the opposite way. Honestly speaking there's a petty, childish side of her that wants to race and beat him there but she realizes just bad of an idea that would be in a matter of seconds. Though the turn of her heels doesn't come with reluctance, however. ]
You should have told me! [ Like he could read her mind. Sometimes it felt like he could... to a degree, of course.
She pets some pep to her step in order to catch up to him, a subtle tinge of pink to her cheeks. ] Anyway... How do you think you did today? From my perspective you— [ Is she about to compliment him? She's about to compliment him. The thought alone is odd, the feeling foreign on her tongue, but she manages to speak in a very neutral tone. ] ... you did good. Though that probably doesn't mean much coming from someone who doesn't play sports.
But I couldn't help but notice that you were enjoying yourself.
no subject
His grin only widens — she seemed so sure when she went off! But he waits for her to get abreast of him before starting to walk. He waits for her to get those words out too, which... well, he somewhat disagrees with the way she downplays it. There are many who may not have ever been out in the field, may not even want to be, but understand the intricacies of the game even better than some players. It still means something.
It means something else, coming from her. But, ah — he glances over and his tone is only a little insufferable. ]
You were watching me that closely? [ Not that it's at all difficult to see his more obnoxious smiles even when the mask is over his face. But those are probably not what she means.
He looks back ahead of them, ] If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be out there. I don't think any of us would be.
[ That's just a fact — to be in the starting line-up at Seidou you have to want it, and have the heart to put in the work for it. Which is a convenient detraction from how there were brief moments in which he was smiling like a little boy, honest delight mixed with adrenaline. ]
That was an interesting game, though... We played well, but I think it helped us recognize where we're lacking and what we should be working on.
1/2
Don't you feel that after every game?
[ Curious, she quirks a brow. ]
It's a competitive sport, aren't you all constantly working on advancing as a team? [ "Team" is such a foreign word to her that it almost sounds funny. ] If you left games thinking "that went perfectly" then that isn't helping much... [ Not that she's one to talk with her own mindset, but she's putting into consideration of everything she's studied. Apparently "teamwork makes the dream work" so she's at least trying to apply that here? ]
no subject
Miyuki... was there ever a time where you didn't like playing baseball?