Dear Brother (one shot)
Jan. 14th, 2015 10:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yun_miyakeTitle : Dear Brother
Pairing : Aimiya (brothers)/Sakumiya/A little bit Junba
Length : one shot
Rating : g
Genre : brotherhood love
Disclaimer : Just my imagination
Summary : They shared the same dream when they were kids, but Aiba chose a different path, until that day…
Warning : Unbetaed, sorry for error grammars and typos
"Kazu, your bat!"
Aiba chased his little brother as he had already fled to school, leaving his baseball bat home and he knew that Kazu would be troubled by it.
"Thanks, I must be hurry, bye Nii chan!"
He waved good bye to the younger, smiling slightly and checking his watch, it was still 7 in the morning. He returned to his house and finished his breakfast; he would start his new lesson that day; designing winter clothes.
He took his bag from the porch and swung it to his shoulder, shouting good bye to his mother and walked out from his house. His school was around 30 minutes by bus; he was still in third semester, chasing his dream to become a designer one day. But, he wasn't that hopeless, he had joined several competitions and got third place, not a bad start.
As Kazu always said, he could be a famous designer one day, even though the younger swore that he would never wear his designed clothes. Kazu was three years younger than him; he was still in the second grade of high school, his dream was to become a baseball athlete. They used to play baseball together when they were kids, Kazu would have taken the first basement position, and he was one of the best.
The bus passed by the baseball field where Kazu had always trained. He smiled slightly, remembering Kazu's joke last night, that kid always had something funny to say, even when they were in the middle of a fight.
He got down from the bus, heading the entrance gate; the other students were at the school yard, talking to each other, discussing about their upcoming lessons or gossiping about the other friends. Aiba found his friend, Sho, at the bench; he was reading a thick book – a usual scene.
"Sho chan, morning."
"Morning, Aiba kun," the man gestured him to sit beside him, "ready for the next competition?"
Aiba shrugged and joined Sho on the bench, "Not so sure about that."
"How's Kazu kun?"
"He's fine," Aiba answered, he knew that Sho was pursuing Kazu, but he still felt uneasy about it.
"We'll be watching movie tonight," Sho said.
"What?!" Aiba shifted closer to his friend, glaring at him, "you haven't gotten my permission yet."
"Easy," Sho grinned, "I will never lay a hand on him, promise."
Aiba frowned, Sho was a good guy, he knew that, but he still felt uneasy to imagine Kazu being kissed or touched. They went to the class together, Sho explained about the newest winter clothes in Europe but Aiba didn't listen to him. He just saw his biggest rival from the other class, Matsumoto Jun.
"This is one of the coats that become the newest fashion in London. Aiba kun, are you listening?"
"Yes...I mean no," he saw Jun was talking to their lecturer, Higashiyama and it raised his suspicious.
"Good luck, Jun,"
Aiba could hear the teacher's voice and saw Jun's smiling face; his rival was handsome but he was also a bully. Aiba was his bullying object since he stepped his feet in this academy.
"Aiba san," Jun's deep voice called him. "I can't wait to compete with you this semester."
Aiba couldn't answer, Jun's face was as stoic as ever, but it also had something else which made Aiba speechless.
"We're almost late, come on Aiba kun," Sho pulled his elbow towards their classroom; Jun waved his hands at him, a mixtures between mocking and teasing. Aiba followed Sho and chose to sit down at the far corner.
***
"The match is on Saturday, make sure you'll be there," Kazu said. They enjoyed a peaceful evening by playing Nintendo.
"Sure, Sho chan will be there as well."
"Sho chan..." Kazu murmured, but didn't say more. Aiba didn't ask about their date because he knew that Kazu won't talk about it with him.
"What about the designing competition?" Kazu asked.
"I don't know, but I'll try my best," Aiba said. His head pictured Jun's stoic face, the one who motivated him to do his best.
"Masaki, I want to play baseball with you," Kazu said out of the blue, he pushed the pause button and craned his neck to look at Aiba. "It’s been a long time, don't you think?"
"You're right," Aiba mumbled; they had promised each other that they would become baseball athletes, but half-way, Aiba changed his mind, he wanted to design clothes. He knew that Kazu was disappointed by his decision, but the younger did his part very well, and Aiba believed that one day, Kazu would become a great athlete.
"Want some hot chocolate?" Aiba put his Nintendo and rose off the floor.
"Sure, thanks," Kazu murmured, "can you take me some snack too?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aiba walked towards the kitchen, pouring two glasses of chocolates, took crispy from the shelf, and came back to Kazu.
***
Saturday came peacefully; except that Kazu woke up late and scolded everyone in the house for not waking him up. The match would start at ten. Kazu fled towards his team as they got the school. Aiba and his mother walked together to the audiences stand, he wasn't surprised to see Sho there.
"Sho chan!" He waved to his friend and chose two seats beside him. Aiba's mother also greeted the guy.
"I hope Kazu kun will do well."
Aiba nodded.
He saw a man at the top of audience seat, he looked familiar - Matsujun?
But he had no time to pay attention, sine the match was about to begin. Kazu and his team entered the field with their white customs; Aiba waved from his seat, but Kazu didn't see him.
"He looks nervous," Sho said.
"He did well when he was nervous. He'll be alright," Aiba crossed his fingers, hoping for good luck.
The match went well, Kazu and his teammates worked together very effective. They were fine at the first 6 innings, but Kazu fell down when he ran after beating the ball. The supporters screamed and shouted to him to get up, but there was something wrong. Kazu couldn't get up by himself; the referee blew his whistle and called for medical staffs. Two men brought a medical palanquin to lift him up. Aiba rose off his chair and narrowed his eyes to see Kazu better; he was wincing painfully and held his knee with eyes closed.
"Let's check him," Aiba said to Sho who nodded immediately. "Kaa-chan, you stay here."
His mother nodded. Both of them fled from the audiences' stands and headed the medical room. The situation was crowded; the substitute players were surrounding Kazu when they got there.
Aiba approached the bed; Kazu winced as the medical staff checked his knee.
"We need doctors, we have to bring him to the hospital," one of them spoke to the crowd. Aiba shifted closer to the bed, holding Kazu's hand.
"Kazu, hold on," he wiped the sweat on Kazu's forehead while holding his hand.
"My knee, it's hurt," he bit his lower lip.
"Hold on, you'll be fine," Aiba spread his sight to his surroundings. Everybody showed worry faces; one of them even held their breath as Kazu kept on wincing painfully.
"Excuse me Sir, we need to move him," the medical staff told Aiba; he let go of Kazu's hand and he remembered his mother.
"Sho chan, can you go with him? I need to find my mother."
Sho nodded and without wasting more time, he chased the medical staff. They moved Kazu to the ambulance. He chanted prayers on his way to the audiences' stand, hoping that the injury was just a minor and not causing any danger to his brother.
***
Aiba didn't understand the doctor's explanation regarding Kazu's injury, his knee ligament spread wide and it was too dangerous for him to continue his activity related to sports. He sat down alone on the bench at the hospital park, thinking of Kazu. To stop doing sport would break Kazu's heart, baseball was his soul and now he had to lose it – in the middle of a match that he and his team was about to win.
He could feel the little sharp needle stabbed his heart; imagining Kazu's feelings. He wanted to do something for Kazu; anything that could make him felt better. He remembered the reason why he quieted baseball, his silly dream to become a designer - and now he realized that he had not enough talent to reach it, he even couldn't win against Jun. He shouldn't have quieted at the first place; he should have accompanied his brother – to walk at the same path.
He returned to Kazu's room after an hour passed, the younger was staring at his knee with unreadable expression on his face. Aiba shifted closer and placed his palm on Kazu's head, stroking his hair softly.
***
It changed Kazu's life completely, for not be able to play baseball anymore was a great shock for the boy. Aiba hadn't seen him crying since the doctor told him about the fact, but he knew that Kazu was totally broke inside. They went home in silence; none of them spoke about the match or tried to find out which team had won the game. Kazu stared outside blankly, refusing to open his mouth, not even when Sho offered him a question.
As they got home, Aiba helped the younger to get down from the car and lifted him to his room.
"Masaki, let me use the crutches." Kazu protested, but Aiba didn't reply.
"Kazu kun, you can use it later," Sho answered on his behalf. Kazu held his neck tightly as they crossed their living room.
"Use my room, you can't go upstairs with this knee," Aiba said.
Kazu only squished his shoulder as an answer.
He sat the younger on the bed and joined him; Sho also did the same thing.
"Do you want something to drink?" Sho asked, breaking the intense silence between the brothers. Aiba craned his neck to Kazu, the younger still drowning into his own thoughts.
"Two hot chocolates will do," Aiba murmured.
"My life is over," Kazu muttered as Sho left. He inhaled deep breath; holding the tears which was about to fall.
"Hey, just let it out," Aiba circled his arm on Kazu's shoulder, pulling him closer. Kazu leaned to him and sobbed sadly, Aiba could feel the pain in his chest; he rested his chin on Kazu's head, letting him poured his emotion.
***
"Aiba kun, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I have thought about it." Aiba said to his lecturer that morning, "I have no talent in designing and there's only blur future if I continue, I choose to quit."
His lecturer, Higashiyama thought for a while before answering, "I appreciate your decision, but in case you want to come back here, you'll be fully welcomed."
"Thank you, Sir," Aiba bowed to the tall man and left his office; he held the documents in his hands tighter, the resign letter for the principal. He turned right towards the corridor where the principal's office located. Somebody had just closed the door as Aiba got there.
"Matsujun..." he mumbled the handsome guy's name.
"I heard that you want to quit."
"That is..." Aiba scratched his head; not knowing how to find the right words for his situation.
"I'm sorry for your brother," Jun said, repairing his stylish hat on his head.
"Thanks," Aiba answered, "did you watch the game?"
"Yes, I did," Jun nodded, giving him a mysterious smile, "I'll be very lonely that my rival decided to quit."
"Good luck for your project," Aiba said as he bowed shortly to the man before him.
Jun walked further from the principal's room; Aiba watched him until he disappeared as he climbed down the stairs. He knocked on the door and heard the principal's voice, telling him to enter.
***
Registering your name to the baseball team wasn't an easy thing to do. Aiba had sent his application to almost five minor teams so far and none of them gave him reply. But, he didn't want to give up; he did it for Kazu and himself as well. Kazu against his decision at first; telling him that he was a dumb for throwing his own dream to become a designer just to apply for a position in a minor baseball team which never appeared in a league.
"This is my real dream," Aiba said to the younger. "I made a wrong decision before, but not now."
"You lie to yourself," Kazu whispered. The younger had joined piano lesson at the nearest music course as he couldn't do sport anymore, Sho accompanied him when he was free. Kazu was okay, but Aiba knew, his longing for baseball was written all over his face. That was why he wanted to continue Kazu''s dream; he wanted to replace the injured knees for the younger.
It took almost a month before a minor team accepted him as a member; Aiba didn’t regret it at all, he followed the exercise schedule and did his best. It had been a while since he played baseball, so the exercise was kind of tough for him. His current position was a catcher and because they were lack of players, the coach chose him for their upcoming match.
“Masaki nii-chan, are you really okay with this?” Kazu asked him as he prepared his bag for the daily practice. “I don’t want you to sacrifice your future for this stupid thing.”
“Kazu, I’m fine, I know what I’m doing,” Aiba inserted his T-shirt along with his towel into the bag, glancing at Kazu’s frowning face, “wanna come along?”
Kazu lifted his face to meet his gaze and he nodded, “I want to see your play.”
“Perhaps it will make you sad, to see the baseball field again.”
“I’m fine,” Kazu smiled slightly, “I want to see you as a catcher. Can I drag Sho chan along?”
“Sure, he promised me that he would update me with Matsujun’s project,” Aiba said as he swung his bag to his shoulder.
“Matsujun?”
“Our friend in the academy, not really a friend but I don’t know how to call him,” Aiba avoided Kazu’s gaze as he spoke.
That was the first time for Kazu to come to baseball field after the incident. Aiba saw a glimpse of sadness in the boy’s eyes but he could handle his feeling very well and Sho’s presence was also a great help. Since that day, Kazu always came to watch the exercise; he would have bought drink for Aiba or snacks which they enjoyed after the practice. Sometimes, Sho would be there too and in a rare occasion, Jun also came.
Aiba knew it was just a beginning of something; even though he hadn’t seen the end of the long road ahead, but he believed that he would be okay. Kazu would be okay too. Perhaps, the answer would come in next year, next ten years, or even longer than that, but one thing he had already known, he wanted to cherish the dream he and Kazu once had shared. Even though Kazu couldn’t play baseball anymore, it didn’t mean his dream had died – that dream stayed alive through him.
When Kazu joined the first piano conquer, Aiba had just finished his first match; he went to the concert hall, still on his baseball uniform. He met Sho there who looked at him with bewilderment expression; but he gladly gestured him to sit down beside him.
The song Nino played was simple, but for some reason, it touched Aiba’s heart. Nino had showed him the title the night before, ‘Dear Brother’.
end
Pairing : Aimiya (brothers)/Sakumiya/A little bit Junba
Length : one shot
Rating : g
Genre : brotherhood love
Disclaimer : Just my imagination
Summary : They shared the same dream when they were kids, but Aiba chose a different path, until that day…
Warning : Unbetaed, sorry for error grammars and typos
"Kazu, your bat!"
Aiba chased his little brother as he had already fled to school, leaving his baseball bat home and he knew that Kazu would be troubled by it.
"Thanks, I must be hurry, bye Nii chan!"
He waved good bye to the younger, smiling slightly and checking his watch, it was still 7 in the morning. He returned to his house and finished his breakfast; he would start his new lesson that day; designing winter clothes.
He took his bag from the porch and swung it to his shoulder, shouting good bye to his mother and walked out from his house. His school was around 30 minutes by bus; he was still in third semester, chasing his dream to become a designer one day. But, he wasn't that hopeless, he had joined several competitions and got third place, not a bad start.
As Kazu always said, he could be a famous designer one day, even though the younger swore that he would never wear his designed clothes. Kazu was three years younger than him; he was still in the second grade of high school, his dream was to become a baseball athlete. They used to play baseball together when they were kids, Kazu would have taken the first basement position, and he was one of the best.
The bus passed by the baseball field where Kazu had always trained. He smiled slightly, remembering Kazu's joke last night, that kid always had something funny to say, even when they were in the middle of a fight.
He got down from the bus, heading the entrance gate; the other students were at the school yard, talking to each other, discussing about their upcoming lessons or gossiping about the other friends. Aiba found his friend, Sho, at the bench; he was reading a thick book – a usual scene.
"Sho chan, morning."
"Morning, Aiba kun," the man gestured him to sit beside him, "ready for the next competition?"
Aiba shrugged and joined Sho on the bench, "Not so sure about that."
"How's Kazu kun?"
"He's fine," Aiba answered, he knew that Sho was pursuing Kazu, but he still felt uneasy about it.
"We'll be watching movie tonight," Sho said.
"What?!" Aiba shifted closer to his friend, glaring at him, "you haven't gotten my permission yet."
"Easy," Sho grinned, "I will never lay a hand on him, promise."
Aiba frowned, Sho was a good guy, he knew that, but he still felt uneasy to imagine Kazu being kissed or touched. They went to the class together, Sho explained about the newest winter clothes in Europe but Aiba didn't listen to him. He just saw his biggest rival from the other class, Matsumoto Jun.
"This is one of the coats that become the newest fashion in London. Aiba kun, are you listening?"
"Yes...I mean no," he saw Jun was talking to their lecturer, Higashiyama and it raised his suspicious.
"Good luck, Jun,"
Aiba could hear the teacher's voice and saw Jun's smiling face; his rival was handsome but he was also a bully. Aiba was his bullying object since he stepped his feet in this academy.
"Aiba san," Jun's deep voice called him. "I can't wait to compete with you this semester."
Aiba couldn't answer, Jun's face was as stoic as ever, but it also had something else which made Aiba speechless.
"We're almost late, come on Aiba kun," Sho pulled his elbow towards their classroom; Jun waved his hands at him, a mixtures between mocking and teasing. Aiba followed Sho and chose to sit down at the far corner.
***
"The match is on Saturday, make sure you'll be there," Kazu said. They enjoyed a peaceful evening by playing Nintendo.
"Sure, Sho chan will be there as well."
"Sho chan..." Kazu murmured, but didn't say more. Aiba didn't ask about their date because he knew that Kazu won't talk about it with him.
"What about the designing competition?" Kazu asked.
"I don't know, but I'll try my best," Aiba said. His head pictured Jun's stoic face, the one who motivated him to do his best.
"Masaki, I want to play baseball with you," Kazu said out of the blue, he pushed the pause button and craned his neck to look at Aiba. "It’s been a long time, don't you think?"
"You're right," Aiba mumbled; they had promised each other that they would become baseball athletes, but half-way, Aiba changed his mind, he wanted to design clothes. He knew that Kazu was disappointed by his decision, but the younger did his part very well, and Aiba believed that one day, Kazu would become a great athlete.
"Want some hot chocolate?" Aiba put his Nintendo and rose off the floor.
"Sure, thanks," Kazu murmured, "can you take me some snack too?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aiba walked towards the kitchen, pouring two glasses of chocolates, took crispy from the shelf, and came back to Kazu.
***
Saturday came peacefully; except that Kazu woke up late and scolded everyone in the house for not waking him up. The match would start at ten. Kazu fled towards his team as they got the school. Aiba and his mother walked together to the audiences stand, he wasn't surprised to see Sho there.
"Sho chan!" He waved to his friend and chose two seats beside him. Aiba's mother also greeted the guy.
"I hope Kazu kun will do well."
Aiba nodded.
He saw a man at the top of audience seat, he looked familiar - Matsujun?
But he had no time to pay attention, sine the match was about to begin. Kazu and his team entered the field with their white customs; Aiba waved from his seat, but Kazu didn't see him.
"He looks nervous," Sho said.
"He did well when he was nervous. He'll be alright," Aiba crossed his fingers, hoping for good luck.
The match went well, Kazu and his teammates worked together very effective. They were fine at the first 6 innings, but Kazu fell down when he ran after beating the ball. The supporters screamed and shouted to him to get up, but there was something wrong. Kazu couldn't get up by himself; the referee blew his whistle and called for medical staffs. Two men brought a medical palanquin to lift him up. Aiba rose off his chair and narrowed his eyes to see Kazu better; he was wincing painfully and held his knee with eyes closed.
"Let's check him," Aiba said to Sho who nodded immediately. "Kaa-chan, you stay here."
His mother nodded. Both of them fled from the audiences' stands and headed the medical room. The situation was crowded; the substitute players were surrounding Kazu when they got there.
Aiba approached the bed; Kazu winced as the medical staff checked his knee.
"We need doctors, we have to bring him to the hospital," one of them spoke to the crowd. Aiba shifted closer to the bed, holding Kazu's hand.
"Kazu, hold on," he wiped the sweat on Kazu's forehead while holding his hand.
"My knee, it's hurt," he bit his lower lip.
"Hold on, you'll be fine," Aiba spread his sight to his surroundings. Everybody showed worry faces; one of them even held their breath as Kazu kept on wincing painfully.
"Excuse me Sir, we need to move him," the medical staff told Aiba; he let go of Kazu's hand and he remembered his mother.
"Sho chan, can you go with him? I need to find my mother."
Sho nodded and without wasting more time, he chased the medical staff. They moved Kazu to the ambulance. He chanted prayers on his way to the audiences' stand, hoping that the injury was just a minor and not causing any danger to his brother.
***
Aiba didn't understand the doctor's explanation regarding Kazu's injury, his knee ligament spread wide and it was too dangerous for him to continue his activity related to sports. He sat down alone on the bench at the hospital park, thinking of Kazu. To stop doing sport would break Kazu's heart, baseball was his soul and now he had to lose it – in the middle of a match that he and his team was about to win.
He could feel the little sharp needle stabbed his heart; imagining Kazu's feelings. He wanted to do something for Kazu; anything that could make him felt better. He remembered the reason why he quieted baseball, his silly dream to become a designer - and now he realized that he had not enough talent to reach it, he even couldn't win against Jun. He shouldn't have quieted at the first place; he should have accompanied his brother – to walk at the same path.
He returned to Kazu's room after an hour passed, the younger was staring at his knee with unreadable expression on his face. Aiba shifted closer and placed his palm on Kazu's head, stroking his hair softly.
***
It changed Kazu's life completely, for not be able to play baseball anymore was a great shock for the boy. Aiba hadn't seen him crying since the doctor told him about the fact, but he knew that Kazu was totally broke inside. They went home in silence; none of them spoke about the match or tried to find out which team had won the game. Kazu stared outside blankly, refusing to open his mouth, not even when Sho offered him a question.
As they got home, Aiba helped the younger to get down from the car and lifted him to his room.
"Masaki, let me use the crutches." Kazu protested, but Aiba didn't reply.
"Kazu kun, you can use it later," Sho answered on his behalf. Kazu held his neck tightly as they crossed their living room.
"Use my room, you can't go upstairs with this knee," Aiba said.
Kazu only squished his shoulder as an answer.
He sat the younger on the bed and joined him; Sho also did the same thing.
"Do you want something to drink?" Sho asked, breaking the intense silence between the brothers. Aiba craned his neck to Kazu, the younger still drowning into his own thoughts.
"Two hot chocolates will do," Aiba murmured.
"My life is over," Kazu muttered as Sho left. He inhaled deep breath; holding the tears which was about to fall.
"Hey, just let it out," Aiba circled his arm on Kazu's shoulder, pulling him closer. Kazu leaned to him and sobbed sadly, Aiba could feel the pain in his chest; he rested his chin on Kazu's head, letting him poured his emotion.
***
"Aiba kun, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I have thought about it." Aiba said to his lecturer that morning, "I have no talent in designing and there's only blur future if I continue, I choose to quit."
His lecturer, Higashiyama thought for a while before answering, "I appreciate your decision, but in case you want to come back here, you'll be fully welcomed."
"Thank you, Sir," Aiba bowed to the tall man and left his office; he held the documents in his hands tighter, the resign letter for the principal. He turned right towards the corridor where the principal's office located. Somebody had just closed the door as Aiba got there.
"Matsujun..." he mumbled the handsome guy's name.
"I heard that you want to quit."
"That is..." Aiba scratched his head; not knowing how to find the right words for his situation.
"I'm sorry for your brother," Jun said, repairing his stylish hat on his head.
"Thanks," Aiba answered, "did you watch the game?"
"Yes, I did," Jun nodded, giving him a mysterious smile, "I'll be very lonely that my rival decided to quit."
"Good luck for your project," Aiba said as he bowed shortly to the man before him.
Jun walked further from the principal's room; Aiba watched him until he disappeared as he climbed down the stairs. He knocked on the door and heard the principal's voice, telling him to enter.
***
Registering your name to the baseball team wasn't an easy thing to do. Aiba had sent his application to almost five minor teams so far and none of them gave him reply. But, he didn't want to give up; he did it for Kazu and himself as well. Kazu against his decision at first; telling him that he was a dumb for throwing his own dream to become a designer just to apply for a position in a minor baseball team which never appeared in a league.
"This is my real dream," Aiba said to the younger. "I made a wrong decision before, but not now."
"You lie to yourself," Kazu whispered. The younger had joined piano lesson at the nearest music course as he couldn't do sport anymore, Sho accompanied him when he was free. Kazu was okay, but Aiba knew, his longing for baseball was written all over his face. That was why he wanted to continue Kazu''s dream; he wanted to replace the injured knees for the younger.
It took almost a month before a minor team accepted him as a member; Aiba didn’t regret it at all, he followed the exercise schedule and did his best. It had been a while since he played baseball, so the exercise was kind of tough for him. His current position was a catcher and because they were lack of players, the coach chose him for their upcoming match.
“Masaki nii-chan, are you really okay with this?” Kazu asked him as he prepared his bag for the daily practice. “I don’t want you to sacrifice your future for this stupid thing.”
“Kazu, I’m fine, I know what I’m doing,” Aiba inserted his T-shirt along with his towel into the bag, glancing at Kazu’s frowning face, “wanna come along?”
Kazu lifted his face to meet his gaze and he nodded, “I want to see your play.”
“Perhaps it will make you sad, to see the baseball field again.”
“I’m fine,” Kazu smiled slightly, “I want to see you as a catcher. Can I drag Sho chan along?”
“Sure, he promised me that he would update me with Matsujun’s project,” Aiba said as he swung his bag to his shoulder.
“Matsujun?”
“Our friend in the academy, not really a friend but I don’t know how to call him,” Aiba avoided Kazu’s gaze as he spoke.
That was the first time for Kazu to come to baseball field after the incident. Aiba saw a glimpse of sadness in the boy’s eyes but he could handle his feeling very well and Sho’s presence was also a great help. Since that day, Kazu always came to watch the exercise; he would have bought drink for Aiba or snacks which they enjoyed after the practice. Sometimes, Sho would be there too and in a rare occasion, Jun also came.
Aiba knew it was just a beginning of something; even though he hadn’t seen the end of the long road ahead, but he believed that he would be okay. Kazu would be okay too. Perhaps, the answer would come in next year, next ten years, or even longer than that, but one thing he had already known, he wanted to cherish the dream he and Kazu once had shared. Even though Kazu couldn’t play baseball anymore, it didn’t mean his dream had died – that dream stayed alive through him.
When Kazu joined the first piano conquer, Aiba had just finished his first match; he went to the concert hall, still on his baseball uniform. He met Sho there who looked at him with bewilderment expression; but he gladly gestured him to sit down beside him.
The song Nino played was simple, but for some reason, it touched Aiba’s heart. Nino had showed him the title the night before, ‘Dear Brother’.
end
