Chapter Text
Sawamura slapped his thigh with his glove in frustration, huffing.
“C’mon Sawamura-senpai!” Yui called encouragingly from his spot in the bullpen.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sawamura grumbled uncharacteristically. All practice he had been failing miserably, unable to paint the corners, his control all over the place. Yui was trying his best to hype him up, but at the end of the day that wasn’t the problem. There was a big game coming up against Yakushi, and Sawamura had his eye on the diamond.
Sawamura snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of a loud thwap next to him. Just a reminder, that like always, Furuya also had his eye on it. The stoic pitcher’s ice blue eyes were narrowed in focus as he pitched to Okumura.
“That one looked a little better, senpai,” Yui said enthusiastically. Sawamura felt a little bad. His kouhai probably found a way to believe it was his fault he was pitching like crap, his ability as a catcher and all that.
“A little better than shitty is still shitty,” A sly voice snarked to his right. Sawamura groaned, not wanting to deal with his sassy catcher’s bullshit right now.
Normally, he would get all riled up and say something back, but he wasn’t feeling it today. At his silence, Miyuki’s expression turned more serious.
“What’s up with you? Even you don’t pitch this bad normally,” he said harshly, in captain mode.
“Wow, what horrible words! Super encouraging,” Sawamura tried to banter back, but it clearly fell flat, making the situation more awkward. Miyuki frowned, taking inventory of Sawamura.
“Try one more, to the inside,” Miyuki requested, moving to stand behind Sawamura.
Sawamura obeyed, trying his best to aim for the chest of a right handed batter. However, the ball veered to the left, becoming a perfect meatball. Miyuki narrowed his eyes.
“Alright! Hooray! They got a grand slam, we’ve lost the game!” He cheered falsely, watching Sawamura’s reaction.
Sawamura rolled his eyes, but didn’t properly object or pout like he normally would.
“Okay, cool down, it’s getting late. We’ll take a look at your form tomorrow,” Miyuki decided, nodding to Yui that he was done for the day as well.
Sawamura whipped his head around, mouth open to object, but Miyuki simply clapped him on the shoulder, “That’s that!” He didn’t miss the way Sawamura flinched and his breath hitched slightly. He recovered his expression, molding it to one of his pre-throwing-a-fit faces.
Miyuki silently observed as Sawamura walked off with Yui, grumbling a bit but ultimately putting on a show for the younger player.
He felt chills go up his spine. He turned around to see Furuya staring holes into him. Ah yes, the other needy pitcher.
“You’re looking good, Furuya, but let’s wrap up for the day. I’m hungry,” Miyuki said flippantly. Furuya still clearly glowed at the praise, to which Miyuki snickered. These kids were so easily manipulated.
He stared off after Sawamura, contemplating.