Tokyo didn't feel real. The city hit me like a punch of exhaust fumes, the sizzle of yakitori, neon towers scraping the sky until my neck hurt from staring up. We went straight for the stadium. While we waited at the gates, Nobu kept shuffling, pale as a ghost. "Eijun... I think that train station bento is fighting back. I need a bathroom. Now." He didn't even wait for me to answer, just shot off toward the toilet, sprinting like his life depended on it.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Grandpa didn't seem worried, leaning against a pillar, nose buried in a newspaper. "He's probably just lost," Wakana said, but her worry lines gave her away. "Grandpa, stay here and watch our bags. We'll go find him."
We walked through the crowd toward the restrooms. Suddenly, someone's angry voice cut through the noise like a slap. "Watch it, brat! You know how much these shoes cost?" A knot of people stood nearby, most of them pretending not to care or just looking. Nobu was cornered against the tiled wall, looking small and terrified. Three older boys trapped him in, they were probably in second year of middle school,they were older by just a year but they acted as if the world owed them something. Judging by the uniforms and that cocky, rich-kid swagger.
"I-I'm sorry," Nobu stammered, voice thin. "I was in a hurry and-"
"Sorry doesn't fix my shoes, country boy" the ringleader snapped, stepping closer. Nobu shrank back.
Wakana and I didn't even look at each other. I just moved, planting myself between Nobu and the tall one, my face blank and steady. "He said he was sorry" I shot back, voice sharp. "It was an accident. If you want, we'll find napkins and wipe it off, but come on, no need for the drama." Wakana added while helping Nobu calm down.
The guy blinked, surprised we even dared. "Drama? You've got a big mouth for a runt." He reached out, probably to shove me but Wakana was right there, fierce as a lioness.
"We said we're sorry" she snapped. "Back off."
"Or what?" one of the others sneered, stepping up. I braced myself, already mapping out which move I'd use if it got ugly.
Then, right when things threatened to explode, a lazy voice drifted over. "Wow, picking on kids at a baseball game? Even for you, that's pretty pathetic."
We all turned. Two boys leaned against the railing nearby. One had messy hair and glasses that flashed in the sun, Miyuki Kazuya. His friend was taller, all slouch and bored, and Miyuki called him Sato. They looked like second-year middle schoolers, and they had this cool, easy confidence, like nothing could touch them.
"Who are you?" the bully snapped.
Miyuki pushed up his glasses, smirking. "Just a guy who hates watching bad plays. Now it's three-on-three, if you count the kids. Honestly, I think the short one with the intense eyes could take you by himself." He gave me a quick, sharp look like he saw right through me.
The leader scowled, realizing the crowd had turned. "Tch. Whatever. Not worth getting thrown out before the game" he muttered, and they shoved past, melting into the crowd.
Nobu finally exhaled, shaky with relief. "Thank you... thank you so much."
Miyuki just waved him off. "Don't mention it. Next time, watch where you're going."
Then he looked at me, that smirk never fading. "You've got guts, kid. Most people would be bawling right now."
"I'm not a kid" I muttered avoiding eye contact.
All that fear of meeting 'characters' of the manga came back. I recognized him right away, and that's what scared me the most. I studently remembered my situation. When I was finally enjoying this life something had to destroy that. Tho I was also scared because in my past life I was a huge fan of Miyuki. When I took a break from studying I was reading fanfiction about him and Sawamura and now all that embarrassment hit me all at once when I met him in person. My face is getting redder second by second. I didn't know what to say, I was both scared and happy. My heart was beating way too fast. I was worried he might have heard it. Fortunately judging by his reaction he didn't seem to notice.
"...thank you for helping us. The game is about to start so I think it's best if we just head back."
"Ah, it's that time already. Yea, sure. Just don't get in trouble again." He said, already turning away and waving. Wakana and Nobu shyly waved back and we also headed back to our seats.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"Took you long enough. Did something happen?" My grandpa said finally looking up from the newspaper.
"You won't believe it, some senpais trapped Nobu and were tormenting him because they bumped into him. And it wasn't even his fault they didn't look where they were going." Wakana said, still all angry about what happened.
"Well at least you ended in one piece." He said casually. "And what's with him?" He nodded at me.
"Eh?" "Ah. We're not sure. He became like this after what happened. And more when a handsome senpais helped us. Getting all flustered and everything."
"?" "Someone helped you?"
"Yes, they didn't introduce themselves but they called each other Sato and Kazuya. They seemed nice. And they were the only ones who were kind enough to help us. I wanted to pay them back for helping us somehow, but before i could say anything Eijun already made us go back."
"...we would miss the game otherwise" I finally said something.
My grandfather didn't push more, he knew I didn't want to talk about it. "Then sit down and put the hats back up, the sun is up and i dont want any of you getting dizzy me here."
So we sat down and the game finally started.