The next day, Kasumi scrolled her phone by the train window. Shion sat beside her, wired earphones in ear, eyes closed. Both wore a relaxed, peaceful look—like the trip had given them a small break.
Same day On a bench near the park, Yeamori sat alone. Vacation days were stretching long and empty. Her friends had gone on trips, while she had nothing but the tiny ants crawling on the ground for company.
Ren walked past, noticed her, slowed down, then actually stepped back. He stood there awkwardly.
"What's wrong? Why are you creeping me out like that?" Yeamori asked, half-annoyed, half-curious.
Ren scratched his neck. "Just… felt like watching."
"Don't pull stupid jokes."
"All right, fine. Tell me what's up." He dropped beside her.
"I wanted something to do during the vacation," she admitted, "but everyone's busy or traveling."
"So what? I didn't go anywhere either."
"Oh?" she tilted her head.
"You into sports?" he asked suddenly.
"Yeah. Baseball, badminton, table tennis and tennis. Why?"
"You're talented," he said with genuine tone.
"Why're you asking all this?"
Ren leaned in slightly. "Because this time, it's a baseball ground match. One of our players dropped out last minute… please, play for my team. It's my request."
Yeamori froze. The thought of stepping into a competitive match after so long made her hesitate. But seeing the urgency in his eyes, she nodded.
Relief and joy spread across Ren's face.
"Thanks!"
---
At the Baseball Ground
The sun beat down on the dusty field. The smell of dry earth mixed with sweat as players stretched and warmed up. A small crowd had gathered—neighbors, friends, and families—buzzing with chatter.
When Yeamori stepped onto the ground in her cap and jersey, the team captain frowned.
"She's a girl… we asked for a male player."
Ren immediately defended, his voice sharp but confident.
"No one else was available. Trust me—she'll do fine."
Murmurs spread among the teammates. Some doubted, some smirked. The opposing team captain raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
---
First At-Bat
The pitcher wound up, his arm slicing the air. The ball whistled forward.
CRACK!
Yeamori's bat connected with perfection. The ball soared high, cutting across the sky, sailing over the fence.
"HOME RUN!" someone shouted.
The ground shook with cheers. Her teammates jumped up, pounding gloves, shouting her name. Even the skeptical captain looked wide-eyed.
"She… she's incredible."
---
The Match Intensifies
The game heated up. Every time Yeamori stepped to bat, the pitcher grew more nervous.
He tried fastballs, curveballs, even change-ups. But her timing was flawless—line drives, grounders sneaking through the gaps, and one more towering shot over the left field.
Defensively, she surprised them too—snatching a sharp catch in the outfield, diving low to stop a ground ball, and hurling it straight to base with power.
"Where did you find her?" one teammate whispered to Ren.
Ren only smiled, watching Yeamori play like she was born for it.
---
Final Inning
The score was tied. Last chance. The crowd fell silent as Yeamori stepped up again.
The pitcher exhaled, sweat dripping. He hurled his fastest throw yet.
THWACK!
The ball rocketed past the outfielders. Yeamori sprinted, her feet pounding the dirt. First base. Second. Third. She dashed home as the crowd erupted.
"SAFE! Game over!"
The scoreboard flashed victory. The team swarmed her, lifting their caps and gloves.
"Great hitting! Play with us again," the captain said, his doubt now turned into respect.
---
After the Game
An opponent walked up, smiling warmly.
"Been a while, huh?"
Yeamori shrugged casually, though her heartbeat still raced from the adrenaline.
"Felt like playing."
Captain to say opponent bowler."you know the who is yeamori "
Opponent bowler say captain."yeah yeamori is very telented he is former player of my team "
They shook hands. Respect was earned.
On the walk back, Ren glanced at her with a small, satisfied smile.
"Feels good, doesn't it?"
Yeamori chuckled softly, brushing dust off her jersey.
"Yeah… it really does."Her reply was small, but her eyes were clear—she meant it.
Ren softly questioned to yeamori."yeamori you come with in local tournament to play "
Yeamori long paused and answered."okay i come with you"
"if local tournament won you come with me in hotel dinner "
Yeamori his cheek little wormed and say casually."naah "
Ren with silly face."why?"
Yeamori glance ren reaction."hah haha " hide his Lough with her hand and say "show your face in mirror your just like a egret "
Ren is very awkward in this situation and then yeamori answer his question
"okay don't be a serious i come with you in dinner "
Evening came. Hokkaido's cold wind dusted the ground in a thin sheet of snow. At the station, Kasumi looked up and spotted a familiar face.
"Dad!" she ran and hugged him."I missed you so much,"
"We missed you too," he answered, warm.
His eyes landed on Shion.
"Hello, Shion. I'm Takeshi Hoshino—Kasumi's dad."
Shion hesitated, then bowed politely.
"Hello, sir. I'm Shion Amano."
"Don't call me sir… Uncle is fine."
"All right… Uncle."
Kasumi couldn't hide her soft smile as they chatted.
"Come on, both of you—get in the car."
---
The car's heater warmed them as cold air fell silently outside.
"Dad…" Kasumi asked softly.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"What's Miyu up to?"
"She's a bit naughty, but we'll manage," Takeshi laughed.
---
And few minutes later They arrived at the bungalow. Shion's eyes widened—the house looked huge and warm, like a scene from a movie.
The door opened. Sayaka—Kasumi's mother—stood there with a gentle smile.
"Mom!" Kasumi hugged her.
Shion stood politely. Sayaka gave him a look and signaled her husband.
"Come in, Shion. Consider this your home too."
"You know my name?" he asked.
"Yes. Kasumi told us when you two went hiking…"
A small voice interrupted.
"Big sister!"
"Miyu!" Kasumi chirped.
A little girl barreled in and immediately hugged Shion.
"Mom, Dad—he smells so good~!"
She grabbed his hand.
"I'll play video games with him!"
Shion awkwardly admitted, "But I don't really know how to play…"
"I'll teach you!" Miyu declared.
Kasumi looked surprised. "Wait—where are you taking him?"
---Chapter 19 end ---