The next morning, Aki woke up early like his new schedule demanded. After a shower and getting dressed, he wandered over to Hito’s door. He knocked on it softly before letting himself in, and walked right over to the blond’s beside.

“Hito.” He said softly, poking the blond’s cheeks. “Hi~to?”

“Hnmm…” Hito’s face curled into an unhappy expression as he opened his eyes sleepily. “…Mnn?”

“C’mon.” Aki said. “Get up and dressed. We have practice remember?”

“Mmnnnn~~~~” came Hito’s sleepy unhappy response.

Aki knelt down, feeling Hito’s cheek with the back of his hand. “You feeling okay? Your cheeks are red.” He pulled his hand back, “And you’re warm.”

Hito nodded, groaning as he sat up. Aki backed up, letting Hito swing his legs over. Hito took a second to yawn, stretch and rub his eyes. Then he stood up and stretched his arms high above his head. Then he rested his silver eyes on Aki.

Aki had just watched Hito without moving. “You should really wear more than just jeans to sleep.” He said as he turned to walk out of the room. “I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast. Put on something warm.”

Hito yawned again when Aki left. He changed into a pair of black cargo pants and pulled on a long sleeve soft yellow shirt over his usual black tank. He glanced as he heard his silver chained bracelet make a clank sound.

Hito frowned, looking away from his wrist and left downstairs.

Aki had finished making rice omelets and placed them onto some slices of buttered toast. Hito walked over and poked the food. Aki handed him the slice.

“Eat it.” Aki said strictly. “It’s not bad.”

Hito watched Aki as he began to eat his own, then followed after.

After eating, Aki left the room. Hito watching Aki leave in his blue jeans, green shirt and white unzipped hoody. He came back in a few moments later with Hito’s red jacket and his own black jacket.

Then the two left without saying a thing. They walked in silence to the school’s baseball field. Aki waved as they grew closer to a group of twenty or so other young men.

A red head dressed in the white and red baseball uniform ran over to Aki. “Yo! You’re early.” He looked to Hito, “Who’s the short guy?”

“Hito.” Aki said with a nod, “He’s going to practice with that okay?”

“Been lounging in front of the TV too long, huh?” the red head asked with a chuckle.

Aki nodded again waving his arm, “Yeah, whatever. Something like that.”

“OK we’re gonna start with the four laps in a few.” The red head said, walking off.

Aki took off his jacket, and walked over to the starting line with Hito. He dropped his jacket by the pole and stretched. “You might wanna take off your jacket, or you’ll get warm.” Hito nodded and took it off, laying it next to Aki’s. “Don’t push yourself. You don’t have to run fast if you don’t want to.” Again Hito nodded.

A brunette farther away shouted, “Okay guys! Four laps. First five to finish do one more.” The group groaned. “Shut up! Okay…” Hito looked around as everyone got into the starting running position. “GO!!!!”

The group all took off at once at a jogging pace. Hito blinked and then ran after, taking up the rear with a few others.

After the four laps, and the one extra, the group started pitching practice. Batsmen were warming up with their swings. Then a small group of six broke off to do a small game at the far end of the field. Another small group started doing laps while tossing a ball to each other. And a few more groups starting with pitching and batting.

Aki got hung up with the pitching group while Hito got stuck with the ball-tossing group.

“Hey Aki,” said the red head, pitching next to Aki. “That blond… He seems kinda sucky.”

“Oh yeah?”

“He doesn’t catch on fast, huh?”

Aki shrugged. “He’s never played before.”

“So why’d you bring him?”

Aki threw a pitch, watching the batsman hit it back right into his hand. “I don’t know. He wanted to come and see I guess.” He winced a bit as he felt the ball land into his hand. “…Rylph.”

“Yeah?” The red head turned to him.

“I broke my wrist a bit ago.” Aki said, holding his wrist as he dropped the ball. “…I don’t think I can be in any more.”

“What?” Rylph blinked, “You wanna take some time off?” Aki nodded. He sighed. “Fine… Take the time off then.”

“Hey!” a guy shouted from across the field. “Are you okay?”

Aki looked up and ran over with Rylph. They were followed by most of the other guys.

“What happened, Matt?” Aki shouted, as he ran up.

“Dunno. He just fainted.” He said.

“Back up, give him some air!” Shouted another.

Aki pushed his way through the group, rushing closer when he saw Hito on the ground wheezing.