Plop.

Plop.

Plop.

Stone after stone, each fall into the dark blue water to sink into its depths. Each ripple spreads, wider and wider, until it disappears. No more ripple. No more stone. All of them disappear into the moonlit water.

Plop. Plop.

There is a slight disturbance in the grass. Tatsuya Uesugi turns around instinctively, wondering how his friend, Minami Asakura, could have possibly found him when he didn't tell anyone where he is. To his surprise, he finds someone else standing there.

The figure smiles down at him, hands in his pockets and his curly hair waving in the slight breeze. "Hi," Akio Nitta says.

Tatsuya blinks slightly before answering uncertainly, "Hi."

Nitta motions at the grass on which the other is sitting on. "Mind if I join you?"

Tatsuya shrugs. Taking it as a "yes", Nitta sits down beside him, picking up a small rock as he bends down. His fingers run over the gray surface quietly. Both do not speak.

Plop. Plop.

Plop.

Nitta draws back his arm that threw the stone into the river. He turns to the other who continues to fling stones at the water. "So."

"So," Tatsuya says, not looking at him, "how was Kohshien?"

Nitta shrugs and looks out to the river. "Same as last year," he replies.

Plop.

"Why'd you come here?" Tatsuya finally asks. "It's already late for going out."

"Well then," Nitta counters with a slight smile, "why are you here?"

Tatsuya throws a pebble at the water, thinking for a suitable answer. Finally, he says softly, "Kazuya and I used to stay here most afternoon-offs, just throwing rocks at the river. Like we're doing now."

Nitta stops from throwing a rock. He lets it drop beside him awkwardly. "Oh."

Tatsuya gives him a brief smile. "Don't worry."

Nitta flushes. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry," the pitcher repeats. Plop. Plop. In go more stones, falling into the dark bottom. "Were you going to Minami-chan's for coffee?"

Plop. Plop.

"No, I was just passing by." Uncomfortable silence falls over them again. Then Nitta chuckles. "Do you realize that whenever we meet, we only talk of three things? Baseball, Kazuya and Minami-chan."

"They're the only things we have in common."

Plop.

"We never really had a chance to find out, ne?"

Tatsuya pauses and turns to the other, finding Nitta smiling at him. He frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I mean let's talk about something else for a change. Let me start." Nitta clears his throat, apparently thinking. "First of all, which subjects do you like?"

A slow smiles spreads on Tatsuya's face. Before long, they are already talking about their school, teachers, parents, favorite bands, from anything and everything. They chatted about their junior high years, their elementary years, how they got into baseball that led to other stories.

Finally, Nitta laughs, exhilarated. "I'm sorry," he apologizes. "I talk too much when I find someone interesting to talk to." By then, he is half-lying on the grass, head leaning on his hand propped up by his elbow as he looks up at Tatsuya.

"It's okay," Tatsuya assures him. "I talk a lot, too."

"More than Kazuya?" Nitta teases.

Tatsuya laughs. "Much more."

Kazuya.

The awkward silence falls over them once more and Tatsuya looks away, picking up another stone on the ground and throwing it at the river. He finds it easier to do that rather than sitting there waiting for one of them to break the uncomfortable tranquility.

Then, he asks softly, "If Kazuya was alive, where do you think you would be now?"

"At home, studying," Nitta answers abruptly. Then he looks at him curiously. "You?"

Tatsuya shakes his head. "Still here. But for a different reason."

Nitta continues to stare at him. Then he asks quietly: "You love her, don't you?"

"Yes." He does not deny it. He feels he cannot lie to the other.

"Then..." The batter hesitates. "Then why did you let her go?"

Tatsuya stops, clenching his hand unconsciously on a smooth pebble. He looks down and closes his eyes, remembering that time, long ago, when Kazuya was alive, when the three of them were still together. A smaller Minami laughing and the two twins fighting gaily.

I like a pitcher!

Minami's voice echoing in his mind, followed by Kazuya's.

Then I'll become a pitcher!

No, I'll become a pitcher!

Let's decide on it. Jack-en-poy!

The winner is decided when Minami speaks.

I like Kazuya...!

He opens his eyes and replies to the question sadly. "She was never mine in the first place."

"Dammit!" Nitta swears. "You gave up too much for your brother! And for Minami! When are you going to stop giving to a dead person? When you're ruined?!"

"When I have nothing more to give."

Nitta swears again and throws a rock at the water, frustrated. It sinks quickly, the ripples continuing to spread. Nothing more to give. It is silent again.

"Give Minami a chance," Akio goes on, gentler this time. "And give yourself a chance. God knows you deserve it."

Tatsuya is silent, not turning to him. But he is listening.

Nitta sighs once more. "Look, Uesugi, I would have liked your brother. I wish I met him and befriended him after that practice game in junior high. But he's gone. Start living, Tatsuya. You're no substitute."

"I know," Tatsuya replies softly. "But I wish I was. I wish he'd come back. Even if it means taking my own life, I wish he will!" The last statement is spoken with such vehemence.

Nitta sits up and touches his arm. "But you can't. Be Tatsuya again. Don't settle for being Kazuya's brother." He falls silent. "I'll be waiting...to face you again."

Tatsuya picks up another stone and throws it to the silent river. "Akio..."

"Mm?"

"Kazuya would have liked you."

"I'm glad."

Tatsuya throws another stone into the river. Plop. He turns to him. "I don't want to like you."

Nitta smiles, understanding. "Why not?"

"It'd be harder to beat you during the tournament."

Nitta's smile grows wider. He knows. "Then don't like me."

Tatsuya shrugs. "Too late."

Plop.

They fall silent again, remembering. And wondering. They stay like that for a few minutes, silently brooding, thinking their own thoughts.

Finally, Nitta stands up, brushing the dirt from his jeans and sweater. "I have to go, my parents might be looking for me." He pauses and looks down at the other who continues to stare at the horizon. "You should go home now, too. Minami will be worried. She must be waiting for you."

Tatsuya nods, not turning to him. "I'll follow."

"Tatsuya."

Tatsuya turns around to him and finds Akio Nitta smiling at him, that infuriating smile that gives hope. "I'm waiting, too."

He walks away.

Tatsuya throws another stone into the water, wondering how many stones now lay at the base, if the rocks by the riverbank will run out. All because of him and his nightly thoughts.

She must be waiting for you.

Nitta's words.

I think...Minami likes you.

And Kazuya's.

Yes, Minami will be waiting. His parents must also be worried about him and waiting, too. And Nitta...Nitta said he continues to wait. Today. He said that today. He also said that after the last finals. "I'm not the only one waiting for Tatsuya Uesugi."

He stands up and brushes the dirt from his jeans.

It is time go home.