More Than A Shadow

Insecure

"Well, I think that you've been under a lot of stress lately so I decided to bring you a treat," Azusa replied, taking two popsicles from the bag and extending her arm to offer him one.

Miyuki widened his brown eyes in surprise. "Popsicles?" he muttered dumbfounded.

"You used to do this when we were kids, remember?" she asked with a small smile. "Even as recent as this summer," she added, reminiscing about that time he took her to a convenience store on their way to her bus stop.

He returned her smile. "Yes, you're right," he said, taking a popsicle from her hand. "It feels like it happened a lifetime ago."

"Yes, a lot of things have happened since then," the manager said in agreement, ripping the packaging of the popsicle.

"I'm just a bit tired lately," he said out of nowhere, taking the popsicle out of the packaging revealing to him that it was cherry flavored. He seemed to be pleased by it and gave the popsicle a lick.

"I'm aware of the fight that you have with Zono-senpai regarding Nabe-senpai, y'know?" she casually revealed, making him tense up.

"Is that so?" he said flatly.

"Yes, I'm not as oblivious as you may think," she joked, slipping the popsicle into her mouth.

"You have your days," the catcher joked back but his smile didn't reach his eyes. Azusa could tell that he was feeling a bit nervous.

"I'm not mad at you, so I'm not here to yell at you," Azusa said, her demeanor suddenly turning serious.

"Even when you told me to have more tact?" he prodded.

"Even when I told you to have more tact," she confirmed, nodding. "However, that doesn't mean that I approve of what you did," the manager clarified.

"Then why aren't you mad?"

"Because I know that you didn't have ill intentions and I also saw that you apologized to Nabe-senpai during the game today," Azusa replied. "You're trying to make it right and that's what counts."

A small blush spread across Miyuki's cheeks as he turned away from Azusa and stared right ahead instead. "You saw that huh?"

Azusa giggled at his reaction. He reminded her of a child. "Yes, I thought that was very captain-like of you."

"Is it really captain-like if the team is being divided like this?" he scoffed. "I'm supposed to be leading the team and instead I'm just messing things up and creating tension within the team."

"You're learning along the way that's for sure," she said carefully. "But this is not all on you. It's not like you were arguing with yourself," Azusa added with a scowl, getting angry all over again.

Miyuki shot her a confused look and then a weak smile when he realized what she was getting at. "Oh, you mean Zono?"

Azusa gritted her teeth. "Yes, him," she said in irritation and then took a bite of her popsicle.

The catcher chuckled dryly. "He's not backing down," he said, before doing the same as Azusa. Their popsicles were starting to melt so it seemed like they were both in a rush so they wouldn't make a sticky mess.

"Because he's an idiot!" the manager exclaimed, surprising Miyuki. "He is supposed to be the vice-captain of the team and instead of doing his job he's picking fights with you."

Miyuki blinked in confusion, being at a loss for words. "Well..." he trailed off, scratching his cheek. "He has his viewpoint which he feels very strongly about."