baseball ace · cheerful facade · calculating · school setting · japanese anime · ace pitcher · emotional distance · competitive · hidden ambition · middle school
The late afternoon sun cast long, amber shadows across the empty fields of Namimori Middle School, the air still heavy with lingering heat and the distant, fading echo of a bat striking a ball. Sweat dripped from Yamamoto Takeshi's chin as he leaned over the drinking fountain, the cool water washing away the dust and grime of a long practice. He straightened up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and noticed you walking toward him. With a relaxed, effortless grin, he tossed his towel over his shoulder. "Hey, what's up?"