Bab 67: 67. Izumi's Feelings

( IZUMI POV )

Leaving Rei behind in Tokyo 2 years back was a heartbreaking moment. Rei was the only person I could only call as my best friend even to this day. I continued to practice and improve in pitching for the sole reason to play with Rei again.

Moving into the new neighborhood was very tough. I couldn't make friends or play baseball. I practiced alone for a whole year and entered Middle School. I painstakingly begged my parents to join me in the club which was 2 stations away.

The club was in particular not that good, but there were 2 people who made it good. Being a pitcher I held much respect towards Meiko. She was easily one of the best pitchers, if not the best in my opinion.

The other was her brother, Sora. He had monstrous strength and hitting ability for a middle schooler. His fielding was also top-notch and saved many flies to the outfield. He was the main cannon for the team.

I stayed on the bench for the whole tournament only making occasional appearances in matches. The coach wanted me to improve before he could use me in the games next year. I trained a lot the whole year, learning new things and practicing daily.

Meiko left after the tournament and despite all her efforts together with Sora we came short and couldn't win. I continued to practice harder to fill in the spot left by Meiko.

One day, as I was training, Sora invited me for lunch, and seeing his resolute expression I agreed. His mother was really kind and I also got to know that Meiko and Sora had a little brother.

Sora went and called him. I turned around and that moment was the shock of my life. Next to Sora stood a boy very tall with a handsome figure. But that was not the main part of it. He looked exactly like Rei.

I stood up trying to control my heart and walked towards him. My legs were shaking with excitement and gave in when I reached him. I could see closely it was Rei, my best friend. It was really Rei. He looked shocked seeing me and tears flowed out of our eyes.

I controlled myself and went with him after lunch. He told me his whole story after we reached his room. I was shocked to hear all this. I couldn't imagine how Rei felt after sensei's death and me as his best friend not being there for him made me feel horrible.

But the most shocking news was him not playing baseball anymore. He stopped playing baseball after that summer. I felt my purpose of playing shatter. I remembered the promise we made together to sensei.

If sensei was still alive he would be shocked to the core. I made a new goal and it was to make him play again. I became more resolute to help him in whatever means I can. I convinced him to try it out the next day when I would come.

I was anxious the whole night and couldn't fall asleep. My thoughts were only wandering around how I can help Rei. I went over the next day and we went to a nearby park to play. We started to play a simple game of catch, but Rei suddenly stopped when it was his turn.

He kneeled and started crying. I was worried about him and ran towards him. He looked at me after some time and said he saw Tensei. We sat on a bench and he explained what happened and how he might play again.

We tried to play again and this time Rei was at ease. He didn't have a headache or any other problem. He had a happy smile on his face and tears filled his eyes. He was able to play after 2 years and this was a precious moment for him.

I was happy for him and he started to train with Shirogana-san. He started with the basics as he almost forgot what he learned when we were young. He learned all the basic drills from Shirogana-san and practiced them every day rigorously

He practiced the same drills over and over again for a whole month and made drastic improvements. He was easily at a level of an average catcher for our age only after one month of training.

One day after our training he told me he was going back to Tokyo to visit sensei's grave. I immediately asked him if I could go with him. Shiroggana-san accepted and I immediately went home and asked mom and dad. They agreed and dad was able to drop me early in the morning.

We started on our journey after having breakfast. I immediately slept after getting in only to wake up for lunch. I was able to show Rei my girlfriend whom I met and liked in middle school.

After reaching Tokyo we went to Shirogana-san's house and got freshened up. We went to a park after that and Shirogana-san tested out Rei's improvement. It was easy to say he was surprised by it especially with Rei's pitch framing.

We returned after some hours and went to bed after dinner. We went to the graveyard early in the morning. We were all in silence on our way there. When we reached sensei's grave, i felt my heart tighten. I went before the grave after the couple.

I cupped my hands and prayed, 'Sensei, I am finally here to meet you. I am very sorry for not able to come before. I finally met Rei after 2 years and am happy to say Rei no is able to play baseball again. I and Rei will now work harder than ever to fulfill our promise to you. So please look over us from above.'

I stood beside the couple after praying and it was Rei's turn. Rei kneeled down cupping his hands and spoke with his father. He told him about everything that has happened these past 2 years and that now he is able to play again.

We went back home after that and ate breakfast. We started to go back after breakfast. I again slept the ride back home. We reached Rei's house and I stayed with him for an hour before going home.

I clenched my fists as I lied down ready to sleep on my bed. I thought of my promise to sensei and my dream.

'I will definitely become a good pitcher for Rei and fulfill my dream to be the best duo with him.