After their final match at the Baseball World Cup, each member of the national team was given two days off — a rare chance to relax and explore Japan before returning home. Ever since they arrived in the country, they had done nothing but practice for their upcoming games. And even on their occasional days off, the anxiety about their next matches kept them from truly enjoying themselves.
This short break was a golden opportunity for everyone to unwind and see the sights of Japan.
"Dranred!" Celine's cheerful voice echoed through the hotel lobby where the national team was staying. Just then, Dranred stepped out of the elevator. Hearing his name, he turned toward her.
"Ms. Summers," he greeted politely, stopping when she reached him. He couldn't help but wonder why she was at the hotel.
"You're so formal," she said with a smile. "You can call me Celine." Her eyes flicked over his casual outfit. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah," Dranred replied with a faint smile. "Going sightseeing."
"That's great! Mind if I tag along? It feels a little sad to explore such a beautiful place alone. Since it's your day off — and you did say you were going sightseeing — maybe we can go together." She spoke with enthusiasm, though her voice softened at the end. "I don't really know anyone else here besides the members of the national team, so…" Her words trailed off as she looked at him, embarrassed.
"Am I talking too much?" she asked, her cheeks flushing.
Dranred couldn't help but smile.
"You look even more handsome when you smile," Celine said, teasing lightly. "Now I understand why so many people admire you — not just because you're the 'Shooting Star' on the basketball court and a rising superstar in baseball, but because when someone really sees you — the real Dranred — it's hard not to fall for you. Just like I did."
Her voice grew softer at the end, and when Dranred looked at her, he noticed the faint blush on her face.
"You're going to make my head big with all those compliments," he said with a chuckle.
"But everything I said is true," she insisted. "You know, since our first meeting didn't exactly go well, I'd like to take this chance to make it up to you. I judged you without knowing the whole story — and I'm really ashamed of that."
"Forget about it. It's all in the past," Dranred said calmly. "I don't dwell on what's already happened. I've learned to appreciate the present and look forward to a better future. You should do the same."
"Wow," Celine said, smiling in admiration. "You're not only good at sports — you also have such a positive outlook on life. The more I get to know you, the more I find myself falling for you."
Dranred froze for a moment, caught off guard by her sudden honesty.
"So, it's your day off, right?" she continued quickly, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's go?"
"I'm sorry," he said after a pause. "But I'll have to decline."
Celine blinked, surprised. He's turning me down? she thought. It was the first time she'd ever asked a man out — and she couldn't believe how quickly, how effortlessly, he had said no.
"I mean no offense," Dranred added, noticing the change in her expression. "It's our day off, and I already made plans to go out with Rosette today. So I can't join you."
He didn't owe her an explanation, but he offered one out of courtesy. She had been honest in asking him, and he didn't want her to think he was rejecting her because of how awkward things had been between them before. The truth was simple — he just missed Rosette. He wanted to spend the day with her, especially since she and James would be flying back home soon. He wanted to take her out, make the most of their remaining time together.
"I see. No worries, I understand," Celine said, forcing a small smile.
"Thanks. I'll get going then."
He gave her a polite tap on the shoulder and quickly walked out of the hotel. Celine stood frozen in the lobby, watching him leave — watching the easy, bright smile on his face as he stepped outside.
He can smile like that just thinking about her? she thought bitterly. What does that girl have, anyway? She still looks like a child to me.
Celine clenched her jaw. Her pride stung — not just because he turned her down, but because it wasn't the first time. The night before, he had left her at the restaurant right after Rosette walked out with James. He hadn't come back since. She couldn't understand it — what hold did that girl have on him? If she thought about it, she was more mature, more experienced… yet somehow, she still couldn't compete.
"Red?!" Rosette exclaimed in surprise when she and James ran into the pitcher in the hotel lobby. They had been on their way to the hotel restaurant for breakfast when they spotted him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, still startled. "Aren't you supposed to be resting? How's your arm?" Her eyes fell to the cast and arm sling supporting his injured arm.
"Good morning," Dranred greeted with an easy smile as he approached the siblings. "I'm fine — as long as I don't use this arm for pitching, I'll survive," he said, glancing briefly at his arm. Then, with a teasing grin, he added, "You're asking what I'm doing here? Well, I was planning to run away with you, but since you're with James, I guess I'll have to postpone it."
"What?!" Rosette gasped, turning to her brother in disbelief.
James only sighed in amusement. "I'll go ahead to the restaurant. I need to fill my stomach," he said, waving them off. "Go ahead — run away together. Just bring her back later." With that, he walked toward the restaurant, chuckling to himself.
"There, you heard him," Dranred said with a grin. "Let's go?" He reached for Rosette's hand, but she quickly pulled back.
"What are you saying? Don't joke like that!" she said, frowning at him.
"I'm not joking," he replied softly, though his lips curved into a half-smile. When he caught the startled look in her eyes, he bit back a laugh. He'd known Rosette for a long time, but somehow, her reactions always managed to surprise him. Lately, he'd found himself wanting to see every one of them. Maybe that would be his new goal in life — to witness all the expressions Rosette could make.
"Come on," he said, still smiling as he gently took her hand again.
"To where?" she asked, resisting slightly but not letting go.
"On a date," he said simply, leading her out of the hotel.
Rosette didn't even have the chance to protest — she was too shocked, too flustered by the suddenness of it all.
Their first stop was Ueno Park, where cherry blossoms were in full bloom. They were lucky — the World Cup had taken place during spring, and now the trees stood dressed in soft pink petals that fluttered in the breeze.
Rosette was awestruck. The sight was breathtaking, almost dreamlike. She stood there quietly, her eyes reflecting the soft pink glow of the blossoms. She hadn't realized she was crying until a tear slipped down her cheek.
Dranred, who had been snapping photos of her with his camera, paused when he noticed her wiping her eyes.
"Hey," he said gently, lowering the camera. "Are you crying?"
Rosette quickly turned away, laughing through her tears. "They're just… so beautiful," she said, smiling up at the falling petals.
Dranred smiled too — not at the blossoms, but at her.