"I idly watch the scene before me from afar, an impenetrable wall standing between they and I."

"About seven boys, likely first years by the looks of them, seem to have gotten their hands on a baseball bat and gloves from the storage shed. With their blazers piled near a tree, they've taken to the field with gusto. Not a bad way to kill some time after school's finished for the day, really."

"The batter lowers himself and brings his bat into position, preparing for the pitch. The posture of his upper body is pretty much right, but his footwork is horrible."

"The pitcher's tongue flicks along his lips as he focuses himself. A quick look around the field betrays his lack of confidence, needing to reassure himself of where his few friends are standing. Going by the hand he's repeatedly dropping the ball into, looks like he's a southpaw."

"I'd put money on the pitcher being the weak link in the game, despite the short-staffed fielding team. They manage to have left field, right field, and the shortstop position covered between them, waiting with ready hands and focused eyes."

"The catcher nods, and with a long breath, the pitcher pulls his arm back. Everyone, including me, tenses up, waiting for the critical moment."

"With little warning, that moment arrives. His left arm flies towards in an unmistakable fastball, his entire body moving with the one goal of getting as much speed on the thing as possible. While he's no professional, the sight of a fit body in such fluid, practiced motion is one of the most impressive things to watch."

"For an amateur just messing around, he sure put some steam on it. The batter's eyes remain steadfastly on the ball, not shrinking from the challenge."

"The sound of impact echoes around the field as he nails a solid hit, the ball shooting flat and just to the right."

"...And straight into the stomach of one very unfortunate fielder. Everyone around cringes at the sight."

"The force of the blow dazes him for a moment before he crumples to the ground, arms clutching at his sore torso. It doesn't take long for his friends to quickly jog over."

his "That didn't look fun."

"I turn to see Hisao having coming up behind me, eyes still watching the events unfolding ahead."

mik "Couple o' bruised ribs at least, I'd imagine. That's what happens when you try to play like a pro without the practice to back it up."

his "Or the protective gear."

mik "That too."

"He turns on his heel and gestures for me to follow. Without anything else to do, I shrug and obediently do so."

"As we arrive in Hisao's room, it's his desk that immediately catches my attention. On it sits a couple of textbooks, one open to a bookmarked page, and a notebook before the chair. As Hisao steps back to allow a better view of them, it's hard not to be suspicious."

his "Take a seat. Your afterschool study lessons begin today."

mik "Really?"

his "Yes, really."

his "I'm not much good at humanities, but since you're managing to just pass those, we can probably afford to skip them."

mik "Can't we just have some fun in bed, instead? Maybe watch a movie on your laptop or something?"

"He just crosses his arms in response. He's really set his mind to this."

"Another glance at his desk shows one possible reason. Peeking out from beneath the heavy chemistry textbook lies a couple of glossy university brochures."

mik "So this is what brought this on."

his "In part. I do want to help, you know."

mik "You've been doing great at tutoring Suzu, isn't that enough?"

his "That's completely beside the point. Why are you so hesitant about applying yourself at school work?"

mik "I'm not hesitating. I just don't care. There's a difference."

his "I've heard that before. You'll care an awful lot in a few months, I can tell you that now."

mik "I already know I'll get some crappy job. Boo hoo."

his "So that's what you think about first..."

mik "What, you mean this is about us? Together? Come on, I know you'd be cool with being around each other a bit less if we end up in different places."

his "But you wouldn't."

his "I don't even know why I'm telling you all this. You already knew, didn't you?"

"Hisao can be sharp when he puts his mind to it, much to my annoyance. As much as I might try to dance around the elephant in the room, he's not letting up in pursuing it."

mik "This is fun, isn't it? We make a good pair, and life with Haru, Yukio, Suzu, and everyone else is great, too. Even if it can't last forever, can't we just enjoy the time we have?"

his "So that's all this ever was, in your mind? Just a fling before we gave up and parted at graduation?"

mik "I'm just being realistic."

"Those three words hurt him more than I think I've ever managed to in the past. Maybe I didn't understand just how much sway I had over his emotions until now."

"It's he who breaks the silence."

his "Was I ever anything special to you? Something more than some chew toy to throw out once you got bored with it?"

mik "That's not fair..."

his "I'm being perfectly fair. I lost everything that was precious to me, but I worked damn hard to get myself back together. Now you're just going to flake out on me? Shrug and say you've had enough?"

mik "Well pardon me for drawing the short straw in life!"

mik "You have money, a normal family, you're smart, and you'll probably get into some nice, poncy university. You won, well done. Teacher Nakai has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

mik "I tried, man. I worked by guts out, and look at where it got me. Stop being a dick just because not all of us can be as lucky as you."

his "Yeah... real lucky."

mik "I-"

"Apologising is the last thing I want to do, but I didn't mean to wound him like that. All I can do is grit my teeth, accepting the anger he must feel in me right now."

his "I just want to help you. I love you, Miki."

mik "Really? 'Cause from where I'm standing, it looks more like you fell for who you thought you could make me into."

his "So it's my fault you only want to be around me for a few months? Is that what you call that love?"

mik "I thought you'd finally become someone pretty cool after all this time, but it turns out you're just a bore who hides behind his arrogance."

his "Take that back."

mik "Piss off. You're the one talking down to me."

"It's only by clenching my fist until my knuckles whiten that I stave off the adrenaline coursing through me, but as he continues looking at me with eyes of pure contempt, I feel my body preparing to lash out."

"Left with no other outlet, I quickly turn around and punch his door on the way out of his dormitory room. Arguing with the asshole any longer isn't going to change his mind."

his "Miki, come back!"

"I don't bother turning back as I hear his voice coming from behind me. I don't even want to see his stupid mug right now."

mik "Like Hell I will. Have a nice life at university, asshole!"

"I misjudged him. I took his changing personality to mean he was like me, relearning how to enjoy life after such radical change, but it looks like he's more interested in lording himself over others."

"I don't need someone like that."