After their stroll around Tokyo and the soft glow of twilight faded into night, Dranred decided to take Rosette somewhere special for dinner. But instead of choosing a crowded restaurant, he searched for a quiet place where no one would interrupt their evening together.
Rosette's brows furrowed in confusion as he led her through the gates of a baseball stadium. It wasn't the same one used for the World Cup, but it was large, clean, and beautifully lit under the night sky. When she looked around, she realized they were completely alone.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, glancing at the empty stands.
Dranred didn't answer right away. He simply smiled and walked toward the pitcher's mound. There, resting on the ground, was a baseball mitt and a bat.
"Hey!" Rosette called out, grabbing his arm before he could go any further. "You're not supposed to be pitching yet. Why are we here?"
"This is still part of our date," Dranred said with a grin. He gently took her hand and guided her toward the mound. Once they were standing there, he carefully removed the sling from his arm.
"What are you doing?" she asked, alarmed.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "I'm not going to strain it. I just want to let you swing the bat. The last time we played, I was a bit too harsh on you—because of my pride."
Rosette blinked, recalling that afternoon when they'd played baseball with the children from the charity house.
"That can wait," she protested. "Your arm is injured."
"We're already here," he said with a teasing smile. "Let's just play a little. I promise I won't put any real force into it."
He picked up the mitt and the bat, then offered them to her. "Think of this as your special lesson—from the famous Fire Ace himself."
Rosette didn't move right away. She looked at the bat, then at him, still frowning in disapproval. She clearly didn't like the idea.
Dranred chuckled as if he could read her thoughts. "You have my word," he said gently. "If I feel even the slightest discomfort, I'll stop. But don't you want to make me happy, just this once? Think of it as a gift—for making it to the finals."
His eyes softened as he said it, and Rosette sighed, torn between worry and affection.
"You're so stubborn," Rosette said with a sigh as she took the bat from him. "Just a few pitches, okay?"
In truth, she had always wanted to know what it felt like to stand in the batter's box — to see the ball coming toward her the way players did on TV. During the World Cup finals, she had even caught herself imagining it. But since Dranred was injured, she had buried the idea, thinking it was impossible. She didn't realize that somehow, he'd read her mind — and now here they were, standing on a quiet baseball field under the night sky.
"Ready?" Dranred called from the mound, his voice echoing faintly in the empty stadium.
Rosette stood a few meters ahead of the net that pitchers used during practice. Everything was already set up — the net, the mitt, the baseballs. It almost looked like Dranred had planned this all along.
"Here comes the first pitch," he said, tossing the ball lightly toward her.
He didn't use his pitching form, nor did he throw with force. Still, Rosette gasped and instinctively jumped out of the way. The ball hit the net with a soft thud.
Dranred burst out laughing.
"Hey!" Rosette exclaimed, glaring at him as he tried — and failed — to stop laughing.
"Did you just laugh at me?" she demanded. It was the first time she had ever seen him laugh so freely, and though she wanted to be annoyed, she couldn't help but smile.
"Are you sure you're even injured?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she adjusted her stance again.
"That wasn't even close to my full strength," Dranred said, amusement still in his voice. "Just watch the ball, relax your shoulders."
He grinned. "All right — second pitch."
This time, Rosette didn't close her eyes, though she flinched just before the ball reached her. She swung too late, and the ball thudded harmlessly against the net again.
Dranred chuckled. "Don't close your eyes! How can you hit the ball if you're not even looking at it?"
"Easy for you to say!" she shot back, pouting as she tightened her grip on the bat.
"Let's try one more," he said, trying not to laugh again.
Rosette swung with all her strength — but missed, spinning halfway around from the force. The ball hit the net once more, and Dranred couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Stop laughing!" she cried, stamping her foot. "It's not easy standing here, you know! I probably look ridiculous swinging at air!"
Dranred's laughter softened into a smile. "You look perfect," he said quietly, his tone suddenly gentle.
Rosette froze, bat still in hand, the sound of her heartbeat loud in her ears.
For a moment, neither of them moved — only the soft hum of the stadium lights and the faint breeze filling the space between them.
"Keep your feet steady, relax your shoulders, and watch the ball," Dranred instructed gently.
"This is the last one. You have to hit this," he said with a teasing smile.
Rosette took a deep breath and adjusted her stance. Her eyes followed the ball as it came closer. She tightened her grip on the bat — and swung.
A sharp, clean sound filled the air as the ball met the bat. Both of them watched in surprise as it soared high into the air, landing perfectly in center field.
Rosette gasped, covering her mouth in shock before jumping with pure excitement like a child who just won a prize. Dranred couldn't help but laugh — seeing her that happy made his whole day complete.
"Was it fun?" he asked, walking toward her.
Rosette nodded eagerly, her smile still wide. She knew Dranred hadn't pitched at full strength, but she was still proud to have hit one of his throws.
"That's it for today," Dranred said, rolling his shoulder lightly. "My arm feels a little dis—"
Before he could finish, Rosette rushed forward and grabbed his arm, her face full of worry.
"Are you okay? I told you we shouldn't have done that! You're so stubborn!" she scolded softly.
"I'm fine," Dranred chuckled. "It's nothing serious. I just wanted to pitch for you."
He reached out and took her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Here. My medicine," he said with a grin. "See? I'm already recovering — my energy source is right here."
Rosette rolled her eyes, though her heart fluttered. "You're impossible."
"I know," he said softly. "That's why I need you by my side."
Rosette didn't reply, just looked up at him quietly.
"Are you trying to tempt me again with that look?" he teased.
"W–what? Of course not!" she stammered, blushing and taking a small step back.
Dranred only grinned mischievously. "If you say so."
Then he took her hand again. Rosette looked down at their joined hands, a shy smile curving her lips.