9. The Departure

* FEW MONTHS LATER *

( THIRD PERSON POV )

A few months rolled by and it was already the last day of school before summer vacation. The school was nearing to its end and everyone was excited as they all will enter 6th grade. Then the door opened and the teacher came into the class and coughed which made the children focus on him.

Then he started saying, "It's good to see you are all very excited that the school is about to be done but please remain quiet till the school completes. One more important thing is that your friend Sato Izumi would leave the school starting next year as his father is transferred to another location so please convey your goodbyes to him." and left the class.

Then all the classmates suddenly started to group around Izumi and started to talk to him. If one can notice clearly it can be seen that Rei was standing and that he was shocked.

( REI POV )

I was shocked. I couldn't help but doubt what I heard and whether it's true. I turned my head to see all my classmates surrounding Izumi and talking with him. I couldn't understand why Izumi would not tell me about this and I thought we were best friends. It was as if the world around me stopped and I started feeling a sense of betrayal in my heart and mind. I couldn't stand this feeling.

I then immediately grabbed my bag, ran to him, grabbed Izumi's hand, and started to run towards the ground. Upon reaching, I released his hand and saw him bending and holding his knees while gasping for air. He then looked at me and smiled.

I was confused and angry at the same time I went to him grabbed his shoulder and started to swing him back and forth and shouted at his face, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, THAT YOU ARE LEAVING IDIOT. I THOUGHT WE WERE BEST FRIENDS, HOW CAN YOU NOT TELL ME. I THOUGHT WE WOULD BECOME THE BEST DUO THERE IS AND IF YOU LEAVE HOW CAN WE BECOME ONE, "

He then grabbed my hands and screamed back, "HOW SHOULD I KNOW THAT I WAS LEAVING. MY DAD TOLD ME THIS MORNING AND I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT SINCE MORNING." and tears started to roll down his cheek. He crouched down and cried softly.

I then kept my bag to the side and sat down beside him in silence and after a while, I asked, "So what are we gonna do about the promise."

"I don't know now but if we ever get a chance when we grow up to be in the same team then we both can really make it happen."

I then nodded and looked at him and said, " Definitely."

"Definitely."

We both then went back home and I told my dad what happened and he was also shocked by this sudden surprise so we both gifted him a new glove as a parting gift. The next day Sato's family moved out of their house and went away from here. I felt sad as I didn't have anyone to talk to and felt lonely, but I was still happy as dad was there to keep me company.

* FEW DAYS LATER *

Otou-san took me to the cages today and we both practiced some of my catching. I was still sad and felt lonely that Izumi left but I wanted to become strong to keep my promise to him. I and Otou-san went to the nearby general store so we could pick up some groceries to eat and we're on our way back home.

While walking dad suddenly looked at him and asked, "Hey son, do you still have the drive in you to become the best catcher there is."

I could understand his worry as I was feeling a bit depressed over Izumi leaving so he thought that I lost my goal so I turned to face him and said, "Yes Otou-san, I will become the best catcher there is."

He then smiled and said, " That is good because nothing comes free, keep working hard you can meet each other if you both keep playing baseball."

I was cheered up hearing this and found a new drive to chase my goals, and subconsciously grinning like an idiot. seeing this he ruffles my hair as he was happy to see me acting normal again and says "what do you want for...."