Chapter 26: 26.
Just as Alejandro was proudly recounting his exceptional home run, a teasing voice whispered into his ear, immediately revealing the speaker's identity without the need to look up.
Alejandro subtly rolled his eyes, straightened his posture, and sighed in mock defeat. "Miyuki senpai, is it really fair to rib the first-year juniors like this?"
Indeed, at Alejandro's bedside stood Miyuki Kazuya from the same dormitory. Fresh from a shower, his hair still glistened with droplets, and his attractive face bore a mischievous grin. Overall, Miyuki was undeniably charming, and he happened to be quite a hit with the ladies.
In fact, shortly after arriving at Seido, Alejandro discovered the existence of the "Miyuki Fan Club." His eyebrows raised, as girls often approached Alejandro in class to inquire about Miyuki, much to his annoyance.
Well, someone seemed a tad envious—envious of a handsome fellow like Miyuki!
Alejandro might argue he was handsome too, but why did no girl seem willing to ask him more questions? Annoyance bubbled within him. All the men in the world better off in the looks department should just vanish, he fumed, frustrated by what was irking him the most right now!
"Wow, I didn't know a simple expression could get such a reaction out of you." Seeing Alejandro's response, Miyuki found himself in the mood to continue teasing. Sporting his usual smirk, he playfully gripped Alejandro's shoulder.
"Miyuki senpai, kindly keep some self-respect. I'm absolutely not interested in men, just so you know!" Alejandro retorted, rolling his eyes. He maintained a poker face, though a faint trace of suspicion lingered in his gaze.
"Wait, does this mean Miyuki senpai might be...?" Alejandro inched his finger forward slightly, his tone cautious. "Well, I mean, that's totally fine by me, but, you know, my parents are really hoping for grandkids soon, so..."
Gazing at Miyuki Kazuya with feigned remorse, Alejandro let a tinge of regret color his expression. Such a good-looking guy, what a waste...
Miyuki Kazuya's expression froze for a moment. He hadn't anticipated that such a simple gesture could lead to such a massive misunderstanding. Miyuki was at a loss for words, struggling to find a way to explain. The hint of regret in Alejandro's eyes made Miyuki even go crazy.
"Hmph, with so many female fans, how could I possibly have such a hobby?" Miyuki retorted, aware that this misunderstanding couldn't be allowed to fester. If this kid uttered a word outside, it could spiral out of control. He had merely been teasing Alejandro; there was no need to turn things serious.
"Yeah, it's precisely because you have all those female fans, Miyuki senpai, that you've never had a girlfriend. I had my doubts before, but today I never expected..." Regret began to etch itself onto Alejandro's face, amplifying Miyuki's sense of unease.
Why was Alejandro taking this so seriously?
Could he not take a joke?
Wait, something wasn't right. Miyuki Kazuya sensed a shift in the air, squinting slightly, he detected a glint of amusement lurking in Alejandro's eyes. Suddenly, it dawned on Miyuki—wait, he had actually been unwittingly drawn into Alejandro's banter.
Once he pieced it together, the exasperated expression faded from Miyuki's face, replaced by his customary laid-back demeanor. A faint smirk played at the corner of his lips.
Well, well, this boy dared to playfully tease his senior. Miyuki wouldn't allow him to think he could get away with it without realizing the consequences of poking fun at a senior.
Observing the rapid shift in Miyuki's expression, Alejandro couldn't help but feel exposed. It seemed this guy had easily deciphered his intentions, and now he wore a sneer of anticipation, akin to a child about to unwrap a new toy.
"Alejandro, you know what? Today, the coach called me in and assigned me a task. Can you guess what it is?" Miyuki's words unfurled deliberately, adding to the sense of unease building within Alejandro.
"Huh?" Alejandro's growing discomfort reached a peak. It was as if he was teetering on the edge of a pit, about to be pushed in.
"The coach told me that Satoru Furuya, the newcomer to the First String, and you are now my responsibility. Your fundamental training is almost nonexistent, requiring guidance. The coach handed this task over to me. Furuya is a pitcher, and I am a catcher. Since you and I are in the same dormitory, the coach thought it fitting to entrust both of you to me," Miyuki explained leisurely, that distinct Miyuki smirk adorning his face.
An eerie sensation washed over Alejandro. By this point, he couldn't ignore the fact that Miyuki had seen through his initial intentions. Instead, it seemed this guy planned to exploit the coach's mandate as a way to legitimately impose his own training regimen on Alejandro. A bitter taste spread in Alejandro's mouth, and he couldn't tell whether he was in more discomfort or humiliation. It was truly a self-inflicted predicament.
Forced into an awkward smile, Alejandro offered an apologetic chuckle. "Uh, well, Miyuki senpai, are you feeling tired? Thirsty, perhaps? Would you like me to fetch you a glass of water? Or maybe I could buy you a drink? Anything you need?"
Alejandro had personally experienced the rigor of high school baseball training, understanding that the initial period served as an adjustment phase for freshman rookies entering the world of high school baseball. The true intensity of training exceeded these initial stages.
Not to mention the training regime for the first-string players, which was undoubtedly even more demanding than that of the second-string.
Certainly, Alejandro held the belief that Miyuki wouldn't resort to petty tricks in matters like this. However, the spectrum of formal training methods was vast. Alejandro was convinced that while Miyuki was genuinely committed to enhancing his skills and capabilities, he might also sprinkle in some extra elements for amusement. That would be perfectly fine.
As for that cunning Miyuki, Alejandro had little doubt that he wouldn't hesitate to employ every possible means. With his mind whirling incessantly, Alejandro couldn't bring himself to desire such a fate. The mere prospect of being at the mercy of Miyuki's schemes for the next few months sent shivers down his spine.
What was he thinking just a while ago? Why had he dared to jest with this guy? Alejandro chastised himself, lamenting his lack of comprehension regarding Miyuki's nature. The pace of recent developments had been so swift that he hadn't even had time to process it.
Miyuki's smile seemed to amplify the bitterness etched onto Alejandro's face.
Well, it seemed Alejandro had walked into a dead-end situation. In Miyuki's mind, no doubt, strategies for subjecting Alejandro to various trials were already taking shape. Alejandro's shoulders sagged, unable to extricate himself from his predicament.
Resigned to his fate, he contemplated the notion of treating everything as a mere dream. At least sleep could offer solace to his bruised heart. Alejandro's eyes glistened with the suggestion of tears as he clung to this comforting idea.
The night enveloped them in its tranquility, embracing the profound interaction that had unfolded between a deeply beleaguered first-year freshman and an unscrupulous second-year senior.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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