Morning sunlight leaked through Aoi's curtains, painting soft lines across his floor.
He stared at the ceiling for a long moment, letting the weight of his decision settle in his chest.
He'd said it.
He'd chosen.
But choosing something in the dark of his backyard was one thing.
Saying it out loud — officially — felt like crossing a second line.
And somehow, that one was scarier.
Aoi rolled out of bed, heart pounding a little too quickly. His body didn't like being still for long, so he stood, stretched, shook the nerves out of his arms, then bounced lightly on the balls of his feet.
"Okay," he whispered to himself. "Today… I say it."
His stomach twisted.
He really hoped he wouldn't throw up.
--------------------
He walked through the school gates half-expecting the whole baseball team to tackle him, but instead…
Everyone acted normal.
Well — mostly.
Masa slammed an arm around his shoulder the moment he spotted him.
"Aoi! Did you tell Takeda yet? Did you? Did you? Did you—"
"Masa PLEASE breathe!"
"I'll breathe when you breathe!"
Aoi shoved him off gently. "I'm telling him after class."
Masa's eyes softened — just slightly. "You sure?"
Aoi nodded.
"…Yeah."
Saying it aloud still made something flutter inside his chest — fear, excitement, something in between. But it wasn't the painful tightness from before. It felt… brighter.
They walked into the classroom, and for once, Aoi didn't try to hide his restlessness. His leg bounced under the desk. His fingers tapped against his thigh. His mind kept replaying the moment under the backyard moonlight.
*I'm going.*
Those words felt like setting a match to his own future.
--------------------
Aoi retreated to the quiet side of the school building and kicked around his football out of habit — soft touches, small circles, the rhythm helping him think.
He didn't hear footsteps until someone cleared their throat.
He froze.
His heart did a strange jump when he saw who it was.
Coach Sakamoto stood a few meters away, hands in his pockets.
"Your answer," the coach said simply. "You made it?"
Aoi nodded.
Coach stared at him for a long moment.
"…Say it."
Aoi swallowed. His fingers curled in the fabric of his shorts.
"I… I'm going to Kose."
The coach's expression didn't change — but something in his shoulders loosened.
"Good."
"Good?" Aoi blurted. "That's it? Not even a 'don't forget us when you're famous'?"
The corner of Coach's mouth twitched — a microscopic smile, but still a smile.
"You'll regret acting cocky if you say it like that."
Aoi spluttered. "I wasn't—! I mean—! That's not—!"
Coach held up a hand. "Aoi."
Aoi stopped.
"You're making the right choice. And you're making it for the right reasons."
Aoi's chest warmed.
Coach turned to leave, then paused.
"And Aoi?"
"Yeah?"
"If Kose doesn't teach you discipline… I'll come there and yell at you myself."
Aoi choked on air. "PLEASE DON'T—!"
But Coach only waved a hand and walked off.
Aoi sagged in relief.
Even now, even with everything changing… nothing felt broken.
Nothing felt abandoned.
Somehow, it all felt stronger.
--------------------
Takeda was waiting outside the office building, posture straight, arms folded, the same calm confidence as before. When he noticed Aoi, he gave a small nod.
"Aoi. You look like you've been thinking hard."
"That obvious?" Aoi muttered.
"Very."
Aoi inhaled.
His heartbeat thudded in his ears.
He curled his left hand into a fist, feeling the familiar tremor of anticipation.
Then—
"I've decided," he said.
Takeda raised a brow. "I'm listening."
Aoi straightened, shoulders tight but firm.
"I want to join Kose. I want to pitch there. I want… I want to grow."
The words shook — but they were clear.
Takeda's eyes softened in the smallest, most unexpected way.
"Good," he said quietly. "That's what we were hoping to hear."
Aoi exhaled, knees almost giving out in relief. "So I'm—"
"—Accepted," Takeda finished. "Welcome to Kose, Aoi Aikawa."
Aoi blinked rapidly, vision blurring for a second.
Hearing it said out loud…
Hearing it become real…
His heart soared.
Takeda stepped closer, voice lowering.
"But remember — choosing a path is only the first step. Walking it is much harder."
Aoi nodded vigorously. "I'll work. I'll train. I'll—"
"Don't make promises out of fear," Takeda cut in. "Make them because you want to."
Aoi stilled.
Then slowly… he smiled.
"…I want to."
Takeda nodded once — satisfied.
"We'll send the paperwork to your family. Training starts in early April."
Aoi tried — failed — to hide his grin.
This was happening.
This was really, actually happening.
-------------------
Aoi returned home and headed straight to the backyard.
He dropped his school bag, stepped into the cool evening air, and looked at the patch of dirt where he'd practiced thousands of times.
He lifted his left hand.
The wind brushed against his fingers.
He imagined a mound far bigger than this one.
A field brighter than anything he'd ever played on.
A crowd roaring loud enough to swallow his heartbeat.
"Kose," he whispered.
And then, softer:
"Koshien…"
He bounced lightly on his toes, unable to contain the restless spark in his limbs.
This time, the excitement didn't twist into guilt.
This time, it flowed forward.
Aoi breathed out slowly.
He had chosen.
And tomorrow… he would start preparing for everything that choice demanded.
His dream wasn't waiting.
So neither would he.