Chapter Text

Chapter 1

A man early 30s with short brown hair and amber eyes stared at a faded photo that had just been handed to him.  It showed him as a young boy with a group of boys around him.  All of them looking happy with big smiles and baseball jerseys.  It was weathered and torn in a corner from daily handling, but he held it like it was a precious gift.  A small blue-haired teen stood before him watching as tears gathered in his favorite pitcher’s eyes. 

The snapping of shuttered lights faded into the background for Eijun as he did everything he could to keep his composure.  He quickly signaled to his club manager that he needed a break and looked at the boy watching him with a cold calculated stare. “Can you come with me please?”

It had been years since Seidou and with playing in the Major leagues in America he had lost contact with his old teammates.  Seeing the picture of them all happy had rattled the older pitcher.  The boy followed Eijun as he walked quickly away from the crowd, clamoring his name and the flashing of cameras into a quiet room.  It was small with a dressing table and couch.  A tray of fruit and vegetables was untouched on the small side table.

Eijun sank into the couch still holding the photograph in his hands.  “Who are you?”   He asked finally, dragging his eyes away from the photo.  He looked at the bright smile across his younger face surrounded by his teammates.   Time, busy schedule, and being bad at texting had slowly faded all communication between him and them. 

The blue-haired boy looked at him with an unreadable expression.  “You act like you care about that group in the picture.  When was the last time you talked to anyone?  The last person you talked to was Furuya and that was before his shoulder injury causing him to retire.”

“Time got away from us all.  My biggest regret was not taking this team to Koshien.  Instead, so many good players never got a chance to be drafted because I could not bring them there.”  His gaze was pulled towards the picture like it was a magnet.  His eyes traced over the smaller pink-haired boy with a shy smile across his face and bangs hiding his eyes.  The older pink boy who had a smirk and a sinister glint in his eyes and the green-haired boy beside him his arm over his shoulders.  His eyes had then seemed to draw the boy with glasses and a smirk across his face.

“When this picture was taken, I thought I would always have these guys at my back.  Miyuki-senpai across from me going pro and us having the perfect battery.  Haruchii and Mochi-senpai behind me guarding my back.  But life got in the way of that.”  Eijun said softly the pad of his thumb tracing the figures as he spoke.

“My dad wanted you to have that picture.  He told me so many stories of the days playing at Seidou before he died.”  The blue-haired boy handed over an envelope tapping his finger on where the pink-haired boys were.  “He also wanted you to have this.”

Eijun took the envelope his hand shaking hearing that one of the Kominato’ s had died.  “When?” was the only word, he could force himself to say past the rock that seemed to have lodged itself in his throat.  He looked at the envelope with his name written in familiar handwriting.  It looked like it had been handled with care.

“Two months ago, to cancer.  When it was caught it was too late to treat.  He only lived six months after the diagnosis and passed away at home.  He left these for you and made me promise that I would deliver them to you personally.”  The blue-haired boy said looking at the ground.  “With everything he did for me, I wanted to honor his last wish.”

Eijun slowly broke the seal and pulled out a letter addressed to him.  He sat the envelope beside him on the brown couch with care and shaky hands, before taking the letter in between his two hands.  His eyes teering up rapidly just from seeing the first line.

Dear Ei-chan

If you are reading this it means that my letter has finally reached you and I have passed.  I wanted to let you know that playing with you for those three years was truly some of the best times in my life.  I hate that we were not able to stay close, but I am so proud of the pitcher you have become.  I just wish I was able to guard your back one last time.  I have a son now and he is wonderful.  I made a life for myself but there was always a hole where my best friend was missing.  I wish I had done more for you when you had the yips, but I only thought of myself and the sorrow I felt for not being able to take my brother and the third-years to Koshien. 

I do not know how much you have kept up with everyone over the years, but it has not been good.  A part of me hopes that you thought of us as much as we thought of you, but I also think I would be mad if you did not come when we needed you.  I think I would actually prefer you to just not to have known.

Anki and Kuramochi were in a really bad traffic accident two years ago.  It left Kuramochi in a wheelchair and Anki passed away due to his injuries.  Everyone missed you at the funeral, but we saw you had a game that day.  Miyuki after that day never came to gatherings anymore.  I think he was looking and hoping you would show up even though none of us had spoken to you in years.

Everyone drifted apart.  We tried to keep it all together but without our Sun, our Ace it all fell apart.  As I sit here and write this letter to you, I remember days of dirt and sweat.  I wish I could go back to those days and do them over.  I miss hearing your loud voice echoing across the field saying something stupid but lightening everyone’s mood. 

Please be good to my son. He has now lost two sets of parents.  I am hoping you can take care of him for me.  I am sorry for placing this burden on you but I am hoping that with you he will be okay.  He is my greatest treasure, and I am hoping that with my best friend, he will not be alone anymore.

I will be rooting for you and watching always.

Kominato Hurachii

Tears streaked down Eijun’ s face as he read the letter, sobs choking him.  As a tear hit the paper staining it, he tenderly rubbed it away.  The blue-haired boy watched as he placed the paper down and shoved his face in his hands sobbing harshly.  “Why did no one tell me?”

After Eijun was finally able to get his emotions under control he looked at the boy, who was surveying him with an expression he could not decipher.  The boy tilted his head to the side as if trying to decide on something.

“My dad found me one day.  I don’t know if he wrote it in the letter.  I was pitching this ball I had made of old newspapers against a wall.  Nothing but skin, bones, and bruises.  He came stomping up to me asking who had left the bruises, all pink hair and blazing eyes.  When he found out I was living in the orphanage he took me home and adopted me.  He taught me about baseball and life.”  His eyes turned sad as he became lost in the memories.

“He had two regrets and by the time I awakened my power I could not do anything to correct either of them.  He was sad he never was able to play on the same field as Uncles at the same time and that he lost contact with you.  When I finally figured out what I could do his body would not be able to withstand the strain of it.  So, I am also here with a plea of my own to you.  Please allow me to send you back in time so you can fulfill my dad’s two wishes.  Please go back and help my dad play with my uncles and go to Koshien.  This time do not lose contact but play together even if you become famous again.”

The blue-haired boy bowed towards Eijun, his hair falling in his face reminding him of a pink-haired boy.  He stood up and walked over to the boy pulling him to his chest in a tight hug.  Slowly arms wrapped around him as the boy cried brokenly.  “I know I am asking a lot.  You would give up everything you have worked so hard for, but you are my only option.  Please.  If I could go I would but you are my only hope.”

"Are you saying I can go back?" Eijun's voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and hope, his eyes wide and searching. "Does that mean I get another shot at bringing Shinsho and the team to Koshien?" His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins as he spoke. "I know I should probably be asking more questions, but honestly, I don't care." He clenched his fists, determination flashing across his face. "Just send me back. I've read too many Mangas not to have pictured this moment a thousand times already."

“Can you send me back before I go to Seidou with Rei-san?  If I am going to do this, I want to try to do it properly.  I don’t want to go back without having time to prepare.  It would also give me time to talk to your dad before he joins Seidou.  I want to push him to not follow second base but another position so he can stand on the field with Onii-san at the same time.  At least for Onii-san last year.” Eijun pulled the boy back enough so he could see his face.

Eijun nodded as if making up his mind and walked to the door opening it slightly.  “Can you tell everyone that I came down with food poisoning?  I am not feeling very well and would like to go home and rest.”  He spoke softly to someone waiting outside.  “Tell everyone that we will reschedule the meet and greet and that anyone that comes with a ticket from today will get signed merchandise as an apology.”

The soft murmurs lingered in the air, scarcely louder than whispers, making the words almost impossible to catch. It appeared that an understanding had finally settled among them, as Eijun quietly shut the door behind him and collected his keys. Handling the envelope and letter with meticulous attention, his fingertips brushing lightly against the paper. He beckoned the boy closer, his gesture gentle but firm, and led him out into the dimly lit parking garage, where echoes bounced off concrete walls and fluorescent lights cast long shadows along their path.

Leaving the area the car pulled fluidly out of the parking spot and onto the street before the boy’s stomach let out a harsh sound.  The sound caused Eijun to let out a small laugh as the boy blushed red from embarrassment.  “My housekeeper makes some of the best food.  If you can wait about 10 minutes when we get to my house I will make you a plate and we can talk a little bit more.  I am not the same naïve kid from back at Seidou.  If I am going to go back, I need a plan and your help in making one.”

The boy perched anxiously in the passenger seat, his knuckles white as he hugged a battered canvas bag tightly against his chest. He looked up and nodded, his wide eyes darting around the dimly lit interior of the car. “Hey kid, how old are you?” the driver asked, glancing over with a gentle curiosity. “We’ve got ten minutes until we arrive. Why don’t you tell me your story? I just realized I don’t even know your name.” The dashboard lights flickered, casting shadows across the boy’s tense features, and for a moment, the silence between them hung heavy in the air.

“My name is Imaizumi Ren, and I’m 15 years old.” Eijun offered a warm smile, his gaze full of encouragement as he waited for Ren to share his story. “When I was seven, my dad adopted me. My parents once took me to a lively college baseball game—my dad had played on the team, and I could see the pride in his eyes—but the drive home turned tragic. We got caught in a horrific accident; both of them died when I was just four years old. The loss left me utterly alone, with no family left to turn to.”

The boy gazed out the window. “I can hardly remember what they even looked like. All I know is that there was a massive accident on October 6th. Six cars were involved, but my parents were the only ones who lost their lives.” He offered a bittersweet smile. “I suppose I just haven’t had much luck when it comes to parents.”

“About six months ago my dad’s family tracked me down and told me I was part of the Imaizumi family.  Lots of money, lots of connections, lots of expectations.  No one wanted me back but my grandfather as I reminded him of my birth dad.  He wanted me to go back to save my birth dad from marrying my mother and dying.”

 “Instead after learning everything, I flew here to see you.  I owe my dad so much.  He fought for me and raised me.  He would spend every day after work even exhausted teaching me how to play baseball.  Making me dinner and telling me so many stories about Seidou…You.”

“Sounds rough.  Family expectations can be hard.  My family always expected me to just get a free education and then come back to run the farm.  It took my friend Wakana forcing to come to a game to see me play before they realized I was good at baseball.  Even then I kept being pushed to come back to the farm.”  Eijun said in an even voice.

“If you could go back to any time in the past?  When would it be?  I am not saying I am skilled enough to send you back at the exact moment, but I should be able to get you close.”  Ren turned to look at Eijun as he slowly pulled into a driveway.

“Let’s get you some food and we can discuss that inside.  I have a few ideas.”  The boy’s stomach growled loudly.  “First food.”  Eijun said a small chuckle.

Ren’s eyes grew wide as he was quickly escorted into the house.  The floor to ceiling glass doors leading to the fenced backyard allowed sunlight to stream into the room.  Eijun quickly walked into the kitchen pulling out Tupperware full of food and starting to heat it up.

The boy went to the long bookcase full of Manga’s and Japanese literature books.  His fingers traced along the spines seeing that Eijun really wasn’t joking when he said he liked Mangas.  “With this many manga’s he probably has thought about it before.  Played what if not ever really thinking it would actually happen.”

Looking around the room, he noticed the cream-colored couch with blue cushions.  Paintings of different locations in Japan on the walls with one three-tiered bookshelf holding what seemed to be keepsakes.  It had a ball in a glass box with a date on it.  A hat with writing on the inside.  A keychain in the shape of a bat in flight with its wings, spread.  A bottle of dirt sat beside an old worn glove on a shelf.  Not a single speck of dust could be seen.

“I hope this is okay.” Eijun came holding a tray with food.  “Let’s eat in here so we can talk.  I didn’t know what you liked so I brought a mix of things.”  The tray showed boiled eggs, rice, and short ribs, the smell causing Ren’s mouth to water.  He had run away from his grandfather’s house with just enough money to get a flight and a ticket to the meet and greet event.  He had eaten nothing but a bag of peanuts on the plane in almost 36 hours.

Seeing his face Eijun placed the tray in front of the boy who looked ready to tackle him for the food.  “Eat…Eat.  While you eat, I will talk and we can figure out when best to send me back.”  The boy grabbed the chopsticks pausing looking at Eijun who motioned with his hands for the boy to hurry up and eat the food.  He picked up the bowl of rice and started to eat hastily.

Allowing the boy to finish half a bowl Eijun started talking.  “I know I want time to work on training before I actually enter Seidou.  I was so stupid during my visit spouting fast-balls for life not even being able to throw in a straight line.”  Eijun laughed thinking about it and the boy just hummed while grabbing a piece of short rib to shove into his mouth, his cheeks bulging.

“Hey, slow down.  There is more if you are still hungry after.  No need to rush.”  Eijun said worriedly looking at the boy who was eating like it was his last meal.  “As long as I can go back to my last year of middle school before Rei-san invited me to Seidou for a visit I think that would be best but even if I arrive after it just means I need to train harder, faster.”

Eijun sat back with a thoughtful expression on his face.  His eyes on the shelf with the keepsakes.  “If I went too far back, I would feel guilty for playing baseball with everything I know now.  It would feel like I was a bully.  If I don’t go far enough back, I cannot guarantee enough time to strengthen my body to be able to keep up with what I can do now.  Plus, I need time to talk to your dad and convince him to give up playing second base at least for a year.  He would be a good center fielder and that way he can play at the same time as Onii-san.”

He stood quickly and started, “How about you send me back right after my last middle school game but before Rei-san comes to my house to scout me.  That should work, right?  What do you think?”

He met the boy’s gaze, the dark amber eyes turning a pale yellow as he could not draw his eyes away.  “Change things please?  I will give you time.”