Chapter Text
Mei scowled, tempted to throw the baseball in his hand at the wall.
“Seidou’s a strong opponent.” Fukui sat next to Itsuki, an open notebook laying on the table in front of him. “We need to make sure we don’t underestimate them.”
Yabe scoffed. “We’re not that overconfident.” His eyes darkened. “Those of us who played last year remember that game like it was yesterday.”
Carlos grinned. “I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about.” He looked at Shirakawa, who sat beside him. “Right?”
Shirakawa scowled. “It won’t be easy, but we’ll win again.”
“One more thing.”
Everyone looked at Fukui, surprised.
“While Furuya will most likely start, we can’t forget about Eijun.” Fukui flipped a page before clicking a button, causing the screen to show Eijun. “Make sure to simulate going against him during practice.”
Mei glowered at the Eijun on the screen, letting go of the baseball to clench his fists.
That little…!
He still couldn’t believe…!
Yabe narrowed his eyes, looking determined. “I’ll hit off Eijun this time.”
“So confident,” Carlos teased.
Yabe shot him a dirty look. “Like you don’t feel the same.”
“… You’re right.” Carlos made a face, causing a couple of the first years to look surprised. A determined look came onto his face a couple of moments later. “He won’t overpower me this time.”
Shirakawa looked down at his hands, forming a fist with his right hand. He narrowed his eyes, looking determined.
Akamatsu grinned. “I won’t be playing, but I’m looking forward to Eijun-san’s pitches.” He looked at Itsuki, who sat across from Mei. “Right, Tadano-senpai?”
“Eijun’s a formidable opponent.” Itsuki looked determined. “I didn’t play last year, but even I could feel how he easily changed the tide for Seidou.”
Carlos grinned. “I’m looking forward to playing against Furuya, but I’m hoping we can hit off him and pull out Eijun early.”
Shirakawa clicked his tongue. “Like it will be that easy.”
“I know, but it’s fun to think about, right?” Carlos’ grin widened when Shirakawa looked away from him.
Fukui hummed, studying his notebook. “Furuya’s a different pitcher compared to last year. I doubt it will be that easy.”
Yabe puffed his chest out. “Leave it up to us! We’ll make sure to score runs!”
“It’ll be great if you guys can score runs off Furuya as early as possible.” Fukui looked up from his notebook, a serious look on his face. “Something tells me we won’t have an easy time against Eijun.”
Mei clenched his fists even tighter.
Carlos grinned. “I’m not surprised, considering our opponent will be Eijun. We’ll score some runs off Furuya.” He looked at Mei. “That way, our ace can relax some.”
Everyone blinked at their ace’s tense posture.
Yabe frowned. “Speaking of relaxing…”
“What’s wrong with you?” Shirakawa frowned. “Are you needlessly jealous again?”
Mei glowered at him. “What do you mean by ‘needlessly jealous’!”
Carlos frowned deeply. “Exactly what it means. Eijun’s your boyfriend, Mei.”
“I still think he’s stupid for staying with him this long.” Shirakawa scowled.
Mei scoffed, grabbing the baseball in his left hand. “Stupid is right.” He clicked his tongue. “That guy’s so stupid.”
Several of the Inashiro first string members looked surprised, others confused.
What the hell?
What was wrong with their ace?
Normally, he’d be getting jealous or telling them not to call Eijun stupid.
Itsuki gave him a concerned look. “Mei-san, is everything alright with Eijun?”
“Don’t ask me.” Mei frowned deeply at the baseball. “He’s the problem.”
Carlos hummed. “You two get into an argument?”
Shirakawa rolled his eyes. “That’s nothing new.”
Yabe shot him a dirty look. “It’s your fault, isn’t it? Hurry up and apologize.”
“This isn’t my fault!” Mei glowered at them. “He’s the one who’s ignoring me!”
Carlos snorted. “Again, that’s nothing new. You should apologize.”
“Why do you automatically assume it’s my fault!”
Shirakawa gave him a disapproving look. “Because we know what you’re like.”
Itsuki frowned. “Eijun wouldn’t ignore you for no reason, Mei-san.”
“I know that!” Mei huffed. “I don’t understand why he’s doing it, though!”
Itsuki hummed. “You talked to him before our game, didn’t you?”
Mei scowled, tightening his grip on the baseball. “He hasn’t talked to me since!” He let out a frustrated sound. “The nerve of that guy!”
“He could be busy, you know.” Carlos gave him a pointed look. “Did you ever think about that?”
Shirakawa clicked his tongue. “Impossible. That would require thinking about someone other than himself.”
Yabe scoffed. “Yeah, he’s not capable of doing that.”
Itsuki frowned at them. “Mei-san cares about Eijun.” He looked at Mei. “They have a point, though, Mei-san. Isn’t he busy with practice?”
“That’s not…” Mei let out another frustrated sound, running his hand through his hair. “That’s not it. I’m not talking about right now.” At their confused looks, he rolled his eyes. “I messaged him last night, and when he never responded, I tried to call him.”
Fukui frowned. “And that worried you?”
“Worry…!” Mei dropped the baseball on the table, his jaw dropping. He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not worried! I’m angry, Fuku-chan!”
Carlos rolled his eyes. “Again, the world doesn’t revolve around you.”
“But I’m Eijun’s world!”
Several of them groaned, making faces.
Yabe looked disgusted, sticking his tongue out. “Did you really just say that?”
Shirakawa clicked his tongue again. “He has a life outside of you, you know.”
“Yeah, Mei.” Carlos frowned. “He’s got his friends and teammates.”
Mei pouted. “I know that, but…”
“But what?”
Mei gave them a serious look, causing several of them to blink. “Eijun usually messages me back. He promised me he would let me know if he’s too busy to talk.”
Itsuki looked concerned. “And he didn’t?”
“Yeah.” Mei frowned at the table. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
Yabe sighed, placing a hand on his forehead. “Have you ever thought you’re the problem?” He shot him a dirty look. “Why are you always quick to blame Eijun?”
Mei looked up, his eyes flashing dangerously. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re the idiot this time.” Carlos snorted.
Shirakawa scowled. “I’m not surprised you didn’t realize that.”
Fukui looked at them, holding up his hands. “There, there. Calm down.” He looked at Mei, furrowing his eyebrows. “It’s as Itsuki said. Eijun must have a reason for this.”
“He’s ignoring me!” Mei huffed, grabbing the baseball and standing up. “What part of that do you guys not understand!”
Yabe gave him a disapproving look. “See? You’re doing it again.”
Itsuki hummed. “Eijun hasn’t told me anything. It must’ve happened recently.” He glanced at the baseball in Mei’s hand. “Maybe it has to do with his teammates?”
Mei frowned deeply at the table for several moments, causing some of them to look hopeful.
Maybe Itsuki’s words got through to him?
(As expected of Mei’s battery partner.)
Mei scoffed a few moments later. “Even if it does, he would’ve messaged me.” He rolled his eyes, turning around. “Not that I’m surprised you guys took his side.” He walked over to the door.
Those who looked hopeful glowered at him.
“What’s that supposed to mean!”
“You made us feel hopeful for nothing!”
“Apologize to Eijun!”
Mei turned around, his eyes flashing dangerously. “He’s the one who needs to apologize.” He clicked his tongue. “He’s so impertinent.”
Carlos looked at Shirakawa. “See? This is why I feel sorry for Eijun.”
“I feel sorry for him, too.” Shirakawa glowered at Mei. “He’s too stupid to realize that our idiot ace only cares about himself.”
Yabe scoffed. “I don’t know why Eijun puts up with him.”
Mei glowered at him. “He doesn’t put up with me. He likes me.”
Itsuki took out his cell phone, frowning at it. “Maybe I should message Eijun. I’m sure he—”
“Don’t!”
Everyone looked at Mei, surprised.
“This is none of your business!” Mei’s eyes flashed dangerously, causing a few of them to gulp. “Don’t get involved!” He looked at Fukui. “The meeting’s over, right? I’m leaving.”
Fukui nodded at first, but he quickly shook his head a few moments later. He held out one hand. “Wait, Mei. I wanted to ask about Eijun.”
Mei huffed, knowing what he wanted to ask. “You guys better not take it easy on him! I won’t forgive you if you do!” He looked each of them in the eye. “Do whatever it takes to hit off him!”
Several of their eyes widened at what he implied.
Was he serious?
He didn’t care if they…
Mei, though, looked unaffected, as if he didn’t care about Eijun. “Is that all, Fuku-chan?” After giving them a warning look, he walked out the door, slamming the door behind him, causing several of them to wince.
Several moments passed in silence before Carlos snorted.
“Honestly, he’s the only guy who will tell us it’s none of our business after telling us everything.”
Yabe scoffed. “Then he has the audacity to tell us not to get involved.”
Itsuki sighed, looking guilty. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault he left.”
He regretted mentioning something about messaging Eijun.
When he said it, he meant that he wanted to message Eijun and make sure he was alright.
He didn’t blame Mei-san for misunderstanding, as he didn’t specify what he meant.
“Don’t apologize!” Yabe glared at him. “It’s his fault!”
Carlos rolled his eyes. “He’s just sulking because Eijun’s not giving him attention.”
Shirakawa looked disapproving. “He should do it more often. Maybe our idiot ace will finally realize the world doesn’t revolve around him.”
“Hey, guys?” Fukui frowned deeply. “About what Mei just said… He wasn’t…?”
Carlos hummed, glancing at Shirakawa. “He was. You know how serious he is about winning.”
“Will Eijun be alright?”
Shirakawa scowled. “He’s a pitcher. We’ll do everything we can to take him down.”
Only Carlos noticed the way Shirakawa’s hands formed fists under the table.
Carlos grinned, nudging Shirakawa. “I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure Eijun’s gotten over it by now.” His grin widened when Shirakawa and everyone else looked at him. “It gives us something to look forward to.”
Yabe blinked a few times. “Something to look forward to?”
“If you think about Eijun’s pitching last year compared to this year…” Carlos laughed. “Well… You can’t really compare them. I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Yabe furrowed his eyebrows for a few moments before grinning. “I get it. We’ll get to have a proper showdown with him.”
“Exactly.” Carlos looked smug.
Shirakawa hummed. “You can’t really count last year. All he had was his fastballs.”
“Exactly.” Carlos still looked smug. “When you think about the breaking balls and control Eijun’s got now…” He shivered. “Doesn’t it excite you?”
Itsuki smiled a soft smile. “Eijun’s a true pitcher now. I’m looking forward to seeing his pitches.”
Yabe gave him a teasing grin. “Good luck trying to hit his pitches.”
Itsuki looked determined. “I’ll do my best.”
Fukui stood up, clapping his hands, causing everyone to look at him. “Alright. Let’s get to morning practice. I believe in you guys.”
Several people grinned, holding up a fist.
“Yeah!”
“Let’s do it!”
“As expected of Fuku-chan! He gave us the words we wanted to hear most!”
They left Inashiro’s video room and made their way to their practice field, chatting about Seidou’s batters and pitchers.
(Honestly? While they chatted about Furuya’s pitches, they mainly talked about Eijun. They couldn’t wait to play against him again.)
Mei stood in the bullpen, tapping his foot. “Took you long enough! Hurry up, Itsuki!”
“Ah… There you are, Mei-san.” Itsuki ran over to him. “Did you already warm up?”
Mei scoffed. “Of course I did! Who do you think I am!” He pointed at him with his glove. “Hurry up! I can’t pitch without you!”
“That’s good.” Itsuki gave him a soft smile before leaving the bullpen. “I’ll go warm up.”
Mei huffed, ignoring some of his teammates’ nervous expressions.
He probably didn’t need to be so impatient, as Itsuki wanted to check on his form and the condition of his pitches in preparation for tomorrow’s game.
(Itsuki (and Kantoku for that matter) would probably only let him throw ten pitches at most.)
Thinking about Eijun and how he ignored him, though, annoyed him.
His teammates blaming him and talking about Eijun only made him angrier.
He wanted to let off some steam.
Shaking his head at his thoughts, Mei forced himself to take a deep breath, not wanting his anger to affect his pitching.
Enough was enough.
He didn’t want his anger with Eijun to affect his pitching in tomorrow’s game.
(They must win tomorrow’s game to return to Koushien. Not that he had any doubt.)
He also didn’t want this… situation to affect Eijun’s pitching.
“Mei-san, sorry to make you wait!” Itsuki ran over to his spot in the bullpen.
Mei clicked his tongue, tossing a baseball up into the air. “Finally, Itsuki!”
He would message Eijun tonight, and if Eijun ignored him again, he planned on visiting Seidou himself.
(Some part of him knew it was wrong, but he didn’t care.)
His lips twitched despite himself at imagining Seidou’s reaction.
Inashiro’s ace visiting Seidou’s ace the night before their game?
What a scandal.
ZZZ
Kazuya frowned as he walked back to his dorm room.
He had gotten used to practicing his swings after practice, so even though tomorrow was their game with Inashiro, he still made sure to practice his swings.
Unlike last night, though, he practiced his swings alone.
Which… was strange.
Usually, someone would join him and practice near him, namely Sawamura or Furuya.
(Sometimes, both showed up. Their rivalry was as strong as ever.)
His frown deepened at the thought of Sawamura.
He didn’t understand Sawamura’s anger with him.
Kuramochi had mentioned something about how Sawamura had been acting strange.
Was that it?
Sawamura had acted like his normal self during practice, but when he caught Sawamura’s pitches, Sawamura had been uncharacteristically quiet.
Was Sawamura still angry with him?
The strangest thing was that… he didn’t even know why.
Normally, he knew why Sawamura felt angry, but this time…
It seemed to come out of nowhere.
What was with Sawamura’s timing?
Seriously, why did Sawamura have to do this the night before their game?
… Then again, he wasn’t a stranger to this situation.
(Last time, though, he had gotten into an argument with Sawamura. He didn’t even do anything this time.)
Sawamura didn’t let his anger with him affect his pitches (much to his relief).
They should be alright tomorrow.
He hummed.
Last year, he had felt understandably worried about Sawamura’s feelings for Mei. He had even thought Sawamura might take it easy on Mei (and the rest of Inashiro).
(He should’ve known Sawamura wouldn’t take it easy on Mei, as baseball meant everything to Sawamura. He couldn’t help it, though, especially after seeing how much Mei meant to him.)
This year, though…
He believed in Sawamura.
Believed in… their ace and his pitching.
Sawamura wouldn’t let him (or the rest of the team) down.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about his teammates, namely the ones who didn’t know Sawamura well.
“Aren’t you worried about Sawamura-senpai?”
Kazuya stopped himself from turning the corner.
“Eh? Worried about Sawamura-senpai? What do you mean?”
It sounded like some first years.
(Didn’t they know better than to talk about their senpai out in the open like that?)
The first guy hummed. “He’s dating Inashiro’s ace, isn’t he?”
“What are you…?” The second guy gasped. “Wait, are you…?”
The first guy let out a triumphant sound. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Eh? No way,” the second guy protested. “Sawamura-senpai wouldn’t go easy on Inashiro. Even if he is dating Inashiro’s ace.”
The first guy scoffed. “We don’t know that for sure. They look really close. Remember how he wore Narumiya-san’s game jersey to practice the other day?”
The second guy hummed. “Come to think of it… I heard they met up after our semifinal game.”
“See? I’ve got reason to be worried.”
The second guy let out a disapproving sound. “Still… You shouldn’t doubt our senpai like that.”
“I don’t get it.” The first guy sounded annoyed. “Why aren’t our senpai worried about Sawamura-senpai’s relationship with Narumiya-san? They don’t doubt him at all?”
The second guy sighed. “It could be they already knew? Besides, they’ve known Sawamura-senpai longer than we have.”
The first guy clicked his tongue. “They don’t look worried at all. Sawamura-senpai’s our ace. What if we get into a pinch tomorrow? We can’t count on someone who’s dating the enemy.”
Kazuya heard enough.
He stepped out of his hiding place, a part of him taking delight in the way their eyes widened.
“M-Miyuki-senpai!” The second guy gulped, glancing at his friend. “Good evening!” He bowed at the waist.
The first guy frowned before bowing at the waist. “Good evening. Good work.”
Kazuya nodded. “Good work.” He waited until they straightened up before narrowing his eyes. “Care to let me in on your discussion?”
The second guy paled, reaching out and grabbing his friend’s arm. “I-It was nothing, really! Just talking about tomorrow!” He tugged on his friend’s arm. “We’ll take our leave now!”
Kazuya hummed, looking at the first guy, who still looked unhappy. “Is that so? If you have any questions or concerns about tomorrow, we can talk about them.” He kept his tone light, reining back his anger (for now), wanting them to fall for his trap.
Sure enough, the first guy frowned deeply. “We were talking about Sawamura-senpai, but you probably already know that.”
So predictable.
“You’re right.” Kazuya resisted the urge to smirk. “I never thought I’d hear someone doubting him while coming back from practicing my swings.”
The first guy gave him a suspicious look. “You weren’t eavesdropping on purpose, were you?”
The second guy looked horrified, tugging on his arm again. “You shouldn’t accuse your senpai like that!”
“I don’t mind.” Kazuya grinned at the second guy, amused when he shivered. “As for eavesdropping…” He looked at the first guy. “You might not believe me, but it wasn’t on purpose.”
The first guy still looked suspicious. “Why did you decide to come out now?”
“Because I couldn’t listen silently anymore.” Kazuya’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Not after you insulted our ace like that.”
The first guy’s jaw dropped. “Insult…!” He frowned deeply, ignoring his friend's attempts to pull him away. “I wasn’t insulting him.”
Kazuya stepped closer, causing the second guy to flinch. “You’re doubting him, aren’t you?”
“That’s not the same thing as insulting him.”
Kazuya hummed. “So you think it’s alright to doubt your senpai’s abilities and feelings.”
“That’s not…!” The first guy made a face, causing Kazuya’s lips to twitch. “I was just worried!” He furrowed his eyebrows. “You’re not worried about him?”
Kazuya shrugged. “Not particularly. He and his pitches are in good shape.”
“That’s not what I mean!” The first guy let out a frustrated sound, causing Kazuya to hide his grin. “Is it true he’s dating Narumiya-san?”
This is fun.
Kazuya grinned. “Yeah, it’s true. He’s not the type of guy to hide stuff.”
He knew differently, of course, but these disrespectful first years didn’t need to know that.
“You’re not worried he’ll let his feelings for Narumiya-san affect his pitching?”
The second guy tugged on his arm, shooting him a dirty look. “Stop it. You’re going too far.”
“We might not know Sawamura-senpai as well as our senpai do, but we know what Sawamura-senpai’s like.” The first guy huffed. “That’s why I’m worried.”
Kazuya hummed, closing his eyes briefly. “So you’re not doubting his abilities as the ace.”
“Of course not.” The first guy shook his head. “It’s hard to forget his remarkable pitching in the semifinal game.”
Kazuya frowned deeply. “I understand why you’re worried, but baseball means a lot to Sawamura. He wouldn’t go easy on someone.”
“Even if that someone is his boyfriend?”
Kazuya gave them a serious look. “Even then. We’ve been looking forward to this rematch for a while now. He’s going to do everything in his power to help us win.”
The first guy scoffed. “Isn’t that easier said than done, though? Sawamura-senpai might let his feelings for Narumiya-san get the best of him.”
Kazuya narrowed his eyes. “It’s true Sawamura likes him, but he wouldn’t let his feelings get the best of him.”
“How do you know? I’m not saying he’ll do it on purpose, but he might do it accidentally.”
Kazuya resisted the urge to tighten his grip on his bat. “If Sawamura does that, he’ll be a failure of an ace and a failure of a teammate.”
This conversation angered him.
At first, he thought it was because these disrespectful first years doubted Sawamura.
(How could they insult his partner like that? Didn’t they know that by insulting Sawamura, they insulted him too?)
That wasn’t it, though.
This first year in front of him reminded him of… him.
Him from last year.
Kazuya had thought everything this first year had been saying and even doubted Sawamura during the game itself.
He hated that this first year reminded him of him.
(Not only did Sawamura prove him wrong, but he had found out how serious Sawamura was about baseball and… Mei.)
Honestly?
He still hated Sawamura’s relationship with Mei.
He still didn’t believe Mei had changed and knew Mei would hurt Sawamura.
(Maybe after Inashiro lost?)
The only thing he liked about their relationship was that…
Kazuya gave them another serious look. “He’s serious about baseball. He won’t let us down.” He frowned a few moments later. “Are you worried about anything else?”
The first guy reluctantly shook his head. “… No. Just that.”
“Then this conversation is over.” Kazuya grinned, his tone light. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”
The first guy looked suspicious. “I get the feeling you’ll laugh at us instead of helping us, though.”
Kazuya laughed. “What? You’re still doubting me after what just happened?” He shook his head. “I’ve got some rude kouhai.”
“You just laughed!”
The second guy groaned, shooting his friend a dirty look. “I’m sorry about him, Miyuki-senpai. He doesn’t mean to be rude.”
Kazuya shrugged. “Unfortunately, I’m used to it.” He gave them a fake grin. “Sorry for interrupting your conversation. I’ll leave you guys alone. Good night.”
The second guy bowed at the waist, forcing his friend to bow with him. “Good night.”
Kazuya turned around, walking away from them. He only took a few steps before remembering something, causing him to stop and turn around to look at them. “By the way…”
The first years froze as his eyes darkened.
“You better not say a word of this conversation to Sawamura himself.” Kazuya tightened his grip on his bat, glowering at them. “And if I hear you insulting Sawamura again, you’ll regret it.”
The first years paled, the second guy flinching.
They bowed at the waist again, bowing deeper this time. “We’re very sorry! We won’t do it again!”
Kazuya strode across the Seidou dormitory, waiting until he left their sight before relaxing his grip on his bat.
He hated the thought of it, but he needed to keep an eye on Sawamura tomorrow.
Not that he wouldn’t keep an eye on him anyway.
Now, though…
He needed to keep an eye on him for a different reason entirely.
A reason he didn’t even think would come up.
(Was that naïve of him? Maybe even conceited? Why didn’t he think of the possibility of his teammates doubting Sawamura after learning about his relationship with Mei?)
Maybe he was worrying too much?
He believed in Sawamura.
The first years made him think of something, though.
What if more of his teammates felt the same and had already cornered Sawamura?
He didn’t want to believe that.
Sawamura would’ve come to him.
(… Right?)
Talking to Sawamura would only make things worse, especially if Sawamura was still angry with him.
He had been planning on returning to his room and looking over Mei’s pitches one more time.
If he couldn’t talk to Sawamura, though, that left him with only one option.
(His best option, really.)
Kuramochi might know something about this, and if he didn’t, he needed to warn him about it.
They didn’t need Sawamura thinking stupid thoughts.
Not when they needed their ace’s pitching to win against Inashiro.
After dropping off his stuff in his dorm room, Kazuya walked through the dorms to Kuramochi’s room.
Turning the corner, he let out a surprised sound as someone bumped into him, the other person letting out a familiar yelp.
“What the hell?” He frowned before blinking, recognizing the person in front of him. “Sawamura?”
Sawamura winced, rubbing his forehead. “What the hell, Cap!”
“You’re the one who bumped into me.” Kazuya gave him an offended look.
Sawamura narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t you look where you’re going!”
“What part of you bumped into me do you not understand!”
Sawamura scoffed, running a hand through his hair, causing Kazuya to stare. “I don’t have time for this. I need to get going.”
Those gestures…
They reminded him of… Mei.
(Was Mei rubbing off on Sawamura that much? Hopefully, Mei’s cockiness didn’t rub off on him.)
“Hang on, Sawamura.” Kazuya forced himself not to frown, his hands twitching in his pockets. “Where are you going?”
Sawamura stared at him for a few moments before frowning. “Boss told me he wants to see me, but I don’t know why.”
Kazuya raised his eyebrows.
Kantoku wanted to see Sawamura?
If he had to guess why…
“Do you want me to come with you?” Kazuya offered. “I’m sure Kantoku won’t mind if I’m there with you.”
Sawamura frowned deeply, looking suspicious for some reason. “Aren’t you going somewhere?”
Shit.
Kazuya needed to talk to Kuramochi, but he also wanted to go with Sawamura, hoping to give him support and somehow melt his anger.
(Not that he had any clue how to do that.)
Maybe he could speak to Kuramochi after going with Sawamura?
Sawamura shook his head a few moments later, causing him to blink. “Don’t worry about it, Cap. I’ll go by myself.” He took a few steps forward before turning to look at him. “Thanks anyway.” He walked away before Kazuya could say anything else.
Kazuya groaned, watching Sawamura walk for a few moments before turning around.
If he didn’t need to talk to Kuramochi, he would’ve joined Sawamura without hesitation.
He didn’t need to worry, though.
Sawamura would be alright.