Kawamoto-san gets a hit and reaches first base.

We have a runner on and only one out. We can do this.

As Suzuki-san gets ready to go to the plate, I’m standing on deck ready to go after him. I wish him luck, “Suzuki-san, good luck.”

“I’ll do my best Gotou-san. You did a great job pitching well to keep us in the game and get us this far this year.”

“I only wish I didn’t let two runs score.”

“It’s only 2-1. We are a team so we all have to work together to win.”

“Thank you, Suzuki-san. We just need two runs and we will go to Koshien.”

“Here I go!”

Suzuki-san steps in to the left-handed batter’s box and gets ready for the pitch.

The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher, winds up and delivers a great pitch down the center.

Suzuki-san swings and skies it deep toward right field only to go foul at the last minute.

I take a deep breath and exhale.

So close.

The umpire throws a new ball to the pitcher and then gets the signs from the catcher.

The pitcher sets and delivers the pitch to Suzuki-san.

Suzuki-san swing and makes contact.

A ground ball to the shortstop.

Oh no!

An easy double play.

Yep, that’s what it is.

A 6-4-3 double play.

The winning team erupts in cheer as Suzuki-san heads back from first base, head slumped.

I go up to him and he sees me and begins to bow and says, “I’m sorry I let you down.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and say to him, “remember you said we are a team. We are this close to Koshien with all but the two-third years returning next year. Just think we came this far when the school did nowhere this close. We can do this, right?”

“Yeah, you’re right we can do this!”

“Come on, Let’s go talk to the other teammates.”

We walk over to our teammates.

We both bow our heads to them and apologize for our failure to win.

Everyone comes up to Suzuki-san and I to comfort us as we all walk back to the locker room…

* * *

I wake up in a bed. It’s not my bed but one at a hospital it seems.

“Ow, ow, ow!” I let out as I try to get up out of bed, I feel pain in my arm and leg.

My arm has bandages and a sling keeping my arm up and a cast on my leg but not tied down.

That’s right I was almost hit by a truck.

No, I was hit by a truck but, someone moved me anyway.

Were they trying to push me?

No, that doesn’t make sense.

I was pulled away from the truck.

Then how was I hurt?

“TAKA~!”

My mother comes in to the room.

“Oh! I’m, so happy you’re safe.”

My mother comes around to my non-casted side and gives me a hug.

“Ow, ow, ow.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just so glad you’re alive.”

“I don’t know what all happened. I just remember checking my study cards and then someone pulling my collar and blacking out.”

“The police told me all the details. The truck driver was going too fast for the rainy conditions and was also driving while awake for twenty-seven hours.”

“I felt someone pull be away from the road, so they saved me, right?”

“Yes, this girl, well, college student, pulled you away from the oncoming truck.”

“I have to thank her. I don’t think I’d be alive if not for her.”

“Um, she…she didn’t survive. The truck hit her first and she died instantly.”

Tears start to come down my face.

“But… it was my fault.”

“No, dear, it was the driver’s fault. You did nothing wrong.”

“I just looked down at my cards and then she died because I didn’t pay attention.”

“No, no, witnesses said she was caught off balance when she grabbed you and was hit by the truck.”

“That’s not any better! It just makes it more my fault!”

My crying starts to become heavier as my mother starts to hug me again.

I say muffled by her hug, “it’s all my fault, it’s my fault…”

* * *

“Hello Taka-kun, are you awake?”

“Oh, Ai-chan what brings you here?”

“What, I can’t see a classmate after he was in a harrowing accident?”

“Uh, ok.”

“Oh, don’t be so serious. The class rep. needed someone to bring you your school work so, I volunteered to bring it for you. But, how are you doing? How’s your leg and arm?”

“They’re ok. I only dislocated my arm. Sadly, it’s my pitching arm so I don’t know if I’ll be able to pitch this year at all.”

“Shouldn’t you think about getting better first.”

“Yeah, you’re right. That’s all I can do for now and see how things are in a few months.”

“Um…if you don’t mind, I’d like to help you with your work you know, since you can’t write at the moment.”

Wow, she’s being so cute and bashful right now, “thank you so much. I hope Satou-sensei won’t mistake my paper for yours since it’ll have the same handwriting.”

She lets out a giggle. “Ha ha, mine’ll be the one with the higher score anyway.”

“Oh, we’ll see about that…”

* * *

The end of day bell goes off.

“Everyone before you leave, there will be a Japanese quiz tomorrow so, I hope you will be ready.”

I put my books and pencil case in my bag and then Satou-sensei calls out to me.

“Gotou-san, I need you to help me with something in the art room.”

“Ok, I’m going there now.”

“Thank you, I’ll be there shortly.”

I finish collecting my supplies, grab my bag and head to the art room on the other end of the hallway.

I slide the door to the art room and notice a couple of desks put together face to face.

After a few minutes I hear the click-clack of Satou-sensei’s shoes grow louder as she reaches the art room door.

It opens and she enters saying, “please, have a seat.”

“Did…did I do something wrong?”

“Of course not. I just wanted to see how you were holding up. It’s been a month since you came back. How’s the leg now that the cast is off?”

“It’s good but really weak. I won’t be running much for a while.”

“That’s good. Take your time to get better. Still, you don’t seem to be your usual self. Would you like to talk about it with me?’

“It’s just that I don’t feel right about what happened. I feel so responsible for what happened. You know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I can understand that you might have an overwhelming feeling of responsibility for what happened but, what happened to Michiru wasn’t your fault and you need to keep telling yourself that if you ever want to continue living your life.”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“You need to stop blaming yourself for what happened.”

“No, that’s not all you said. You said ‘what happened to Michiru’. Was that her name?”

“Umm…well, I guess I can’t lie to you, can I? Yes, her name was Michiru Kanazawa and she went to this school as well.”

“So, you knew her? What was she like? I want to talk to her parents.”

“Whoa, calm down. I’ll tell you all I know and can tell you. She was in my first class as a homeroom teacher when I got here. Michiru had just moved here from out of town and at some point, became friends with Shinichi her eventual fiancé. Even though they were not in the same class they always pushed each other in their studies and to be the best version of themselves. Unlike many students they decided early on what their goals were in life and were driven to see them through.”

“What were their goals?”

“Shinichi was focused on life sciences mostly in biochemistry and biotech and he excelled in pretty much all the sciences except for physics. Michiru however, got enamored in broadcast production. While that doesn’t seem as exciting as what Shinichi was doing, she thought about using her love of reading and interpreting it into different ways of telling a story on film or TV. It and books were her passion.”

“I see. Were you still in contact with them after they graduated?”

“Yes, they would come to the culture festival every year. It was a favorite of hers. They would always come to see me. Last year they announced that they were finally getting married once they had graduated. It seems that they both got the job they were looking for after college.”

“What? They were that close to finally realizing their dream.” I start to show my guilt in my slumped shoulders and bowed head.

“Now, why do you think I went into so much detail about their lives?”

“I assume it wasn’t to make me feel bad about what I did?”

“Listen, it was NOT your fault and you need to remember that. What I mean is that the two of them had an unbelievable desire to make the world a better place and did everything to accomplish that. What I am asking you to think about is what will you do with this chance that Michiru gave you? Give it some thought and act on it like the two of them would have. That’s all I ask.”

“Thank you very much, sensei. I do have something to ask you though. Do you have a way to get in touch with her parents?”

“I won’t lie and say I don’t but I don’t think now is a good time to meet them. When you really feel the time is right, I will reach out to them and ask them if they will meet with you. For now, I think it’s best to get your own self in order. Don’t you think?”

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“Yeah, you’re right as always. Thank you so much sensei. I have a lot to think about.”

With that I get up out of my seat and give Satou-sensei a bow, get my things and head for the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, sensei.”

As I walk out to locker near the exit, I get my shoes and all I can think about is, what am I going to do? …

* * *

It has been three days since my talk with Satou-sensei.

I have given her words a lot of thought.

I really don’t know what my talent is other than baseball.

I mean I am good at it but how is that going to make an impact on the world?

Even though my shoulder is feeling better, having my leg broken and still really weak will really affect my pitching.

It’ll take quite a long time to get back into playing ability let alone back to my prime.

I already missed the spring tournament so; I can at least spend this year getting better.

Thanks to Ai-chan my studies have been good and has let me take my mind off the accident and not being on the field.

Ah, Ai-chan.

I wrote this confession letter to her but, I am worried that giving it to her will mess up the great study sessions we have together.

I could always put it in her locker here.

Yeah, that’s a really manly thing to do, not.

I put on my shoes, put my slippers in my locker and leave school to go home.

I think I’ll stop by the convenience store and see what new manga is on the stands.

I usually felt a lot more relaxed after browsing them.

After a bit I arrive at the convenience store.

I make a beeline to the newsstand and peruse the titles.

Oh, hey, the new Shotgun Cats is in this issue.

No, wait it’s the same creator but, it looks like he’s doing a mecha manga now.

Ixion the Bullet God, huh?

This is interesting.

Such a big change in genre.

No, wait I remember.

He did the mecha designs for that one show, Gum Pop Trouble.

Shotgun Cats is the different genre manga.

Yeah, I can see the similarities with Gum Pop but, the mecha are much bigger.

So even he was able to change genres and be successful.

I put the manga back on the shelf and glance over the rest of the manga and magazines.

Man, some people just messily put newspapers back.

I pick up the newspaper to refold it and put it back neatly.

What’s this?

This article about there being a large lack of STEM graduates which will impact medical advancements and space exploration in the future.

Oh! Wasn’t Kanazawa-san’s fiancé going to work in the biological sciences?

I think that’s what Satou-sensei said.

I don’t think I’m cut out for doing that but you know what?

Those giant robots and powered armor suits were cool.

Maybe I can do something involving that.

I neatly put the newspaper back, turn and leave the convenience store and head home.

Yeah, I have finally decided…

* * *

“There I am Taka! Number 517! What was your number again?”

“327.”

“There you are! We did it! I mean of course you’re there, you had me tutoring you.” Ai-chan nods triumphantly.

“Eh, are you sure about that? I thought I remembered you struggling pretty hard with that calculus portion.”

“Oh, yeah? How about those kanji that were causing you so much trouble?”

We both let out a huge laugh.

Why does she have to be so cute?

No, I have to keep focus on this goal.

“We did it, Ai-chan! We really did it but, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“I must admit that I was shocked when you said you were giving up your dream of being a baseball pitcher. You made such a compelling reason to change to a STEM academic pursuit. I mean you convinced me to look into it as well.”

“I figured you would be a designer with the great art you always made.”

“Well, I’m still designing. I mean someone has to make those engineering ideas useable by normal people.” She lets out a giggle.

“Yeah, you’re right. We just want what ever we’re doing to work first and foremost. Let’s go back and tell Satou-sensei the great news.”

“Let’s go...”

* * *

“Sensei! Satou-sensei we did it!”

I hurriedly find her but, easily enough she was already in the classroom setting up for the next class.

Since our numbers were to be posted today our school usually allows for a day off to check the acceptance board and then do what needs to be done with your family afterward.

Ai-chan got a phone call and had to stop by home, so she told me to go ahead and tell Satou-sensei.

“That’s great! I am glad you were both able to make it in. You both worked so hard, you deserve it. You both still have a couple of months left here so I hope you won’t slack off before graduation.”

“Of course not. I will admit I was really worried I wouldn’t know what to do when you asked me what I should do to make the world a better place.”

“Well, life is always full of tests even when you aren’t in school any more. Consider it a test to see if you were going to rise to the challenge or be a broken man with no direction in life. I’d say you passed quite well so far.”

“Thank you, I didn’t want to let Kanazawa-san, you or Ai-chan down.”

“Well, you certainly didn’t do that so far. You should get home, tell your parents the good news and get ready for the last days of classes before graduation”

“Thank you, Satou-sensei I’ll see you tomorrow…”

* * *

I finally graduated and now I start my time in college that Ai-chan and I studied so hard for.

I decide to see Satou-sensei to thank her one last time.

“Satou-sensei than you very much for everything you did for me in high school.” I give a deep bow in appreciation while holding my diploma tube close to my body.

“I am very glad you were so strongly dedicated to your studies and completed school here. I hope that after you have gotten your college career started and situated, we can meet here at the cultural festival. You can tell me how things are going for you and Yokoyama-san.”

“Of course, Satou-sensei. I look forward to seeing you and the school then.” I again let out another deep bow and say, “Thank you again for everything…”

* * *

I was finally able to get some time off from my studies to attend the cultural festival at my old high school.

It was difficult but I resolved myself to give Satou-sensei an update and maybe it was time to face Kanazawa-san’s parents after two and a half years.

Walking around this familiar location I was at only a few months ago feel odd and comfortable at the same time.

I see some of the kohai that I remember and talked to on occasion.

Instinctually I avoid the baseball team’s booth.

I just can’t bring myself to be around them after I abandoned them to pursue my engineering future.

I wonder what theme Satou-sensei’s class chose this year.

I head to her room and see it has been changed into a maid café.

Well, it’s a bit generic but easy enough to do, I guess.

I can almost see Satou-sensei trying to talk the students out of doing it and trying to encourage them to be more original.

“Oh, Gotou-san you came. I’m glad you made it.”

Right on cue as if she read my mind.

“I know it’s not the most original class project but they were really adamant.”

I let out a big chuckle. “Somehow I knew you were going to say that.”

“Haha, you know me, always trying to get the best out of my students. Well let’s have a drink and catch up.”

“Of course.”

We walk in the door and are greeted with a chorus of “Welcome back, master.”

One girl who had Maya on her name tag comes up to us and says, “right this way master.”

“They’re really into it,” I say to Satou-sensei.

“You expected anything less from students of mine?”

“HAHA, I guess not.”

Maya sits us at a table together.

I order a cake set with cream and sugar in the coffee while Satou-sensei orders the same but with vanilla cream in her coffee.

That actually sounds good but maybe some other time.

“So, how has the studies been for you and Yokoyama-san?”

“It’s been really hectic for me and I have barely seen Ai-chan except around campus from time to time. Other than that, my focus has been on my studies and not much else.”

“I…see. I’m sad to hear you haven’t seen much of Yokoyama-san as I hope you remember how instrumental she was in your studies after the accident.”

“I never forget that. I just have been really absorbed in my studies and I’m sure she has too.”

“Hmm, I..see. Well, I am glad things are going smoothly. After we had that discussion after the accident, you asked if I could get you in contact with her parents. Is this still something you want to pursue?”

“Yes, very much so. Are you able to help me out?”

“I have contacted them and I don’t think it is time just yet.”

I hang my head a bit and reply, “I …see. Well, nothing I can do about that for now.”

“Don’t worry about it too much. I have a good feeling if we meet this time next year, I should be ok to let you get in contact with them then.”

Our orders arrive and we both take a sip of our coffee and start to eat our cake.

Satou-sensei continues, “You’ve done well so far but don’t let your life only be your studies, ok?”

“Of course, I’ll try to be more conscious of my surroundings as you taught us.”

“I hope so, for your sake…”