stretching and sulking away from the pack.

the same way, and is trying very hard not to look it.

that Kantoku is smirking a bit more distubingly today.

too distracted to notice.

it's a good thing he had the presence of mind to change his clothess *before* showing up at the field.

steals glances at Jun-san. :<

finished the basic stretching, and is staring at the mound while he stretches his arms a little more.

starts wonder if he can convince Kantoku to make him run laps for the rest of practice.

discards the thought away. It's time to step up and face things. It's not like Jun-san is having any difficulty at it. B(

having A LOT OF DIFFICULTY, actually, but it doesn't show nearly as much as it should.

(EPIC IGNORING IS EPIC <3)

(YESSSS.)

ignoring teammates who are trying to chat him up. But it's only because he's not chatty by nature, okay.

finally takes a deep, steadying breath and approaches Rio. "Um."

(I'd join you with Shingo, but I'm going home. XD)

(shingo would be good to butt in when they patch things up a little in the future? with the teasing etc.?)

doesn't meet his eyes. "Jun-san."

...We should probably practice.

"Yeah." He stands from the bench, shuffle his feet.

Ready when you are.

only nods and moves to the mound. He's not doing his Usual Pitcherly Ticks (i.e. tossing the ball back and forth, or up and down).

he probably needs to be calling out pitches, but he's too stubborn to do it.

a little hurt that Jun-san seems so unaffected.

(WTH, RIO, LOOK AT HIM, OF COURSE HE'S AFFECTED. B|)

shot and silenced. For now.

Um. It's your call, you know. *after waiting around for a sign*

(RIO IS NOT VERY OBSERVANT OKAY. HE CANNOT SEE FROM THE FOG OF HIS OWN WANGST)

signals for an outside straight. B|

nods and follows his lead.

signals for a curveball.

follows again, without comment.

continues to ask for different pitches, still stubbornly silent

follows each one, hoping that Rio would eventually say *something*.

finally asks for a sinker.

pauses. He shakes his head after a long moment.

signals for it again. B|

shakes his head again.

speaks up at last, raising his voice so it would reach Jun-san.

We've already practice most of the other pitchers. Do it already.

pitches*

...You know I don't like that one.

So you're going to ignore it just because you don't like it. B(

(...Enter subtext, much?)

can't bring himself to answer.

(... you know me. 8D)

for a couple other pitches, but then goes back to the sinker.

I already told you, I don't want to throw that one. *sounds more resigned (or apologetic?) than angry*

Your sinker will go to waste if you don't practice it.

That can't really be the reason why you're asking me to throw it.

......

Just throw the stupid sinker.

purses his lips and finally does what he's told.

...Happy?

... B<

It's kindda slow...

steps off the mound. "...I'm going to go and wash my face."

watches as Jun-san walk away, then steels his resolve and follows him B<

Rio's eyes on his back as he walks over to the outdoor sinks, and it doesn't make him feel any better.

falls back and simply watches from a distance.

trying to be inconspicuous. For his height, anyway.

that Rio's being painfully obvious. He washes his face, just like he said he would.

keeps getting asked by senpais if their battery practice is over. B(

not really sure.

brushes past Rio on the way back. He keeps his head down.

tries to block his way and clutches at Jun-san's arm.

Jun-san--

turns around and glares at him. "What?"

You're mad at me B(

Glad you noticed. Are we going to continue practicing? I can throw another sinker, if it pleases you.

That... was not the point.

Really? I couldn't tell. ...Can you let go now?

... No.

Then what is it? *a little angrier now; just a little*

I just want understand... this thing.

chokes out, "I don't know how to act around you anymore!"

quite visibly flinched at that. He looked away.

Just... give me time to think about it, all right?

hesitantly lets go of Jun-san's hand.

.......

Clue me in if you've figured it out, I guess. :<

(BAAWWWW, IT'S ONE STEP FORWARD THREE STEPS BACKWARD FOR THESE GUYS)

(HINDI NAMAN. ...Just two steps backward. Lulz. 8D)

looks away. "I-I'm sorry. I just..." he trails off, shaking his head, frustrated.

that the only thing he's certain of right now is how much he misses Kazu, and how far Rio's managed to get into his head.

(...victoly for Rio? 8D)

(I THINK SO? Poor boy doesn't quite know it yet though. X3)

like he's been digging a deeper hole for himself, caring this much for Jun-san.

sighs. "Yeah, I guess we should go back to practice. If you're still up for it."

silently nods. He doesn't want to get in the team's way any more than he already has.

(ahahaha, should we cut it off at this point? baww, angsty thread is angsty)

(Sure, why not? No clue how to go on for the moment. WE MUST PLOT THIS.)

(MFYYYYY)

(I WONDER IF IT'S TIME SOMEONE MADE A KAZU.)

(WAT SRSLY?)

(noooooooooooooooo, cockbloooock)

( "HEY JUNTA. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T KNOW BUT I'M ACTUALLY A GIRL." )

(.....Wat. XD)