章 52: 52. Recovery

Saying that Rei took a seat on the bench at the side with Izumi beside him. Rei looked at the kids playing around trying to ease his heart. He remembered his childhood and his days with Tensei and Izumi, playing in a park just like this all the time.

After feeling his heart at ease Rei stood up and went forward. He stopped after reaching some distance and shouted, "Come let's continue, Izumi."

Izumi nodded and stood up to play with him. He threw the ball and Rei caught it. Gripping the ball tightly he winded the ball. He threw the ball back closing his eyes instinctively at fear. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Izumi with the ball in his hands waving at him.

He felt relieved that nothing happened and let out the happiest smile he could. Rei felt happy that he could play baseball again. His eyes were filled with tears thinking about it. He could not help but pinch his cheeks worried that it was a dream.

Seeing him stopping Izumi felt worried and shouted, "Are you ok there, Rei?"

Rei nodded, wiping the tears present, and nodded. He prompted Izumi to throw harder. They both started playing, losing track of time. Rei could not catch some of them as he lacked training in the past two years. Even though he missed some this day was the happiest he was in the past 2 years.

As he played he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He took it out and saw Meiko calling him. Answering the call he heard Meiko, "Are you both not coming home Rei. It is already past noon."

Bewildered he checked the time and noticed it was really past noo and hurriedly answered, "Yes we are on our way back Meiko." and cut the call.

He kept the phone back and shouted, "Let's go back Izumi, Meiko just called. We are late for lunch."

Izumi nodded and made his way towards Rei. Both of them made their way home. The whole way Rei was full of smiles and was overjoyed. Seeing him smile, Izumi let out a small smile of his own.

Izumi spoke suddenly, "We can reach our goal now that you can play Rei."

Rei nodded and answered with confidence, "Yes Izumi we will reach it."

Reaching home Rei's smile didn't decrease and remained the same the whole way. Entering they both made their way towards the dining room. Reaching there they saw Narumi standing inside the kitchen washing the dishes.

Hearing their steps, Narumi turned around and saw both of them. She noticed the large smile on Rei's face and felt relieved. Rei went over to her side and said enthusiastically, "Oba-san today I played without feeling like I always do. I saw Otou-san and he told me everything will be alright. I can play baseball now." with the same smile.

Hearing him Narumi felt her heart flutter, she thought she heard wrong and asked again, "Did you say you can play again Rei."

"Yes, Oba-san I can play again."

Narumi felt her eyes water. She wrapped her arms around Rei and patted him on the back pulling him to a tight hug. Her voice shook as she spoke, "That... That is good Rei. I am so glad that you can play again." These words came from the bottom of her heart.

Narumi noticed these past 2 years how sad Rei was even though he seemed happy outside. She could see his sadness whenever the siblings talked about baseball. Now that he can play again she was the happiest for him.

Hearing her Rei felt touched but struggled out of the tight hug as he got suffocated. He spoke softly, "Oba-san too tight."

Narumi let him out and patted him on the head and said with a smile, "Ok now wash your hands and eat lunch. Come on Izumi wash your hands too and sit down."

Both of them washed their hands and sat down and started to eat their lunch. Rei smiled all along and seeing him Narumi also smiled. As they were eating she remembered something and asked Rei, "Do you want to go to the doctor tomorrow for a session, Rei?"

Hearing her, Rei thought for some time and nodded. After eating both of them washed their dishes and all of them went inside the hall. Only Sora was there when they reached there.

Sitting on the couch, Narumi told Sora, "Guess what Sora, Rei can baseball again."

Hearing her Sora's eyes went wide open in shock, he looked at Rei and asked, "Is it true Rei?"

Rei nodded affirming him and Sora smiled. He patted Rei on the back and congratulated him, "That is good Rei. Now you can play with us. It would be good."

Rei smiled wryly and told him, "I don't know Sora. I am lacking in training and almost forgot about the basics now."

"That is alright. We have the whole summer left for you to get back in shape and dad will also come back in 2 days so you can ask him," said Sora nodding to himself.

Rei could only nod and remain calm. After a while Izumi stood up as he had to go back home. On the way back home Izumi had a smile on his face. He felt relieved Rei could play again. He felt at peace and that he repaid the kindness Tensei gave him when he was young.

After sending Izumi out Rei went back towards his room and fell on his bed. He looked at the ceiling and wondered again if this all was a dream for him. He rolled on his bed filled with happiness. He looked at the photo of him and Tensei, taking it in his hands he slid across the glass.

His eyes filled with tears as he spoke softly, "I did it Otou-san. Thank you for helping me. I will fulfill the promise I gave you and become a great catcher in the future."

He hugged the frame and slowly slept.