And there they were. At the dinner table with faces red as cherries and tomatoes. Haru smiling and quietly drinking her tea. As Mai's parents took all this in slowly.

"So Marik, you're with my daughter?" Asked Mr. Tanaka.

"I-I'm not sure." He said softly.

"Yeah Dad." Mai blushed.

"I see. Tell me, what is next?"

"Well Dad I'm kind of embarrassed. Heck, we both are. I think we're just going to know each other more and go from there."

"Okay. I trust you. You are old enough. But curfew is eleven at night. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Replied Kuma.

"You're welcome now. Hehe." Giggled Haru.

"Now Haru what convinced you to hand him off?" Asked Mrs. Tanaka.

"I knew it. So did Aiko and Gen. It was the matter of getting her dense head to admit it. I'll also admit he's a catch, but we knew the long haul. A little work on both ends and here we are. Just pushed the right buttons."

"Not sure to say you suck or thank you." Thought Mai.

"Both girl."

"Fair. So Kuma what do you have planned for this weekend?"

"Guess I'll find out when it happens."

"Typical guy. You have a girlfriend now silly." Said Haru.

"Gotta work you know."

The air got quiet. It was if something seriously got wrong. Even the crickets shut up. They turned to him.

"You what?" They scolded.

"I have a lady to take care of. My rent is due to go up. I have to wear better clothes."

"Clothes?"

"Besides my work stuff which is all second hand, I have like four sets of clothes to wear to the new job. That's all. Besides, I don't want to be a cheap date and all."

"Kuma. One step at a time. Seven days a week?" Asked Mai.

"Not if he doesn't need me."

"So you plan to work seven days and keep a steady GPA.?"

"Try to."

"Can't push yourself too hard."

"That I try not to."

"Kuma you're more than just a boyfriend to me. I care about your well-being."

"Well right now I got to keep gravy on the table while it's there."

"Okay fine. Doesn't mean I approve but if you slip, I will let you know. You won't go off easy."

"Aware."

"Now let's finish dinner before I walk you out."

~~~~~

And just like that Kuma was with his regular routine during the night when he got home. Even though he was a five to six-hour sleeper he found himself staring at the ceiling.

I'm actually, dating. No gimmicks. No set up date. I... have a girlfriend. And I am positively sure I could do worse. Heck. I could do worse than Mai, Haru, and most girls. It's intimidating knowing it too. If that's going to be the case, I have to try harder for her. And her parents support me while mine can't. I wonder if I deserve all of this.

Waking up and heading to school he was dreadfully nervous. One part thought this was a dream. And the other this was happening at a slow rate.

"Kuma Dear." She called.

He looked behind. "Mai?"

"We have school in a few minutes." She clinged to him.

He was caught off guard. She didn't seem like the affectionate type. But like Haru wasn't afraid to be touchy feely. At least now that things were official. The fact that only one person at school knew.

The girls soon heard a familiar giggle as well as footsteps. Aiko and Gen gasp.

"No way." Awed Aiko.

"Am I seeing this right now?" Smiled Gen.

Haru smiled and looked over. "I had a talk with both of them last night and forced a few things. Isn't it cute?"

"It's cute. We all called it. It's just, is it too soon? Mai doesn't work fast." Puzzled Aiko.

"Not when she's had her first kiss." Haru winked.

"Now I feel as if this will go on for a good run." Gen beamed.

"Least my mother will stop asking me to date him. Gen what are your thoughts on Kuma?" Said Aiko.

"Well, he's cute, has good qualities. I just don't think I could help him with his situation at home and with life." She replied.

"True. I could. But Mai is rather a leader, almost demanding. She's scary at times. That keeps him going mostly." Haru had serious data on her two friends.

"Agreed Haru." The two nodded.

"Hey girls." Greeted Mai.

"Hi." Kuma had such a huge blush on his face.

"Haru filled us in." Said Aiko.

"About how I somehow date a beautiful girl?" Asked Kuma.

"Good luck with homeroom." Smirked Gen.

Homeroom? Why?... Ah crap. I know why.

After heading to the lockers, they approach their homeroom. Kuma gulped and walked in. Mr. Aono was surprised. The students thought they were dreaming. "Miss Tanaka is this a thing?" He pondered.

"Very recent but yes." Mai smiled.

"EHHHHHH?" Gasped the students. Kuma was right. This was going to be something loud and shoot his anxiety through the roof.

The boys laid on their desks sobbing as the girls had a little look of disgust. Kuma wasn't bad looking per say, it was to do with social norms. In their point of view quitting the team, cutting off communication from everyone, and changing drastically changed their take on him.

"This explains your progression Mr. Iwakuma. Keep at it." Said Mr. Aono.

Mai hugged Kuma into her bosoms and kissed him on the forehead. The guys went nuts. Jealousy unfolded. It wasn't pretty either.

"They're dating!?"

"How did he score her?"

"I deserve melons too."

"You're scum Marik."

Oh great and so here it goes. Crap comments from the guys. God forbid someone tries to be violent towards it.

"Iwakuma! Front and center." Said a familiar firm assertive voice.

Dammit. It's Coach.

Oh no. It's his Coach again. Thought Mai.

"Morning Coach. Remember this isn't a dugout." Kuma stood up.

"Rightfully so. Say Marik, I need you in my office. Come with me."

"Just give him a pass for me." Said Mr. Aono.

"I will when my infielder is rightfully mine." The Coach walks down the hallway by the gymnasium and takes his chair in his office a moment later and pulls out last year's team photo. He shows it to Kuma and leans back in his chair. "What do you see here son?"

"Team photo. What about it?" A very mellow response.

"We had one senior go. And now one junior who we need. Not just a five-tool guy but was heart and soul of this whole thing."

"Where you getting at Coach?" He asked.

"Kuma what's wrong my boy? Don't you miss the practices? Running and stealing the bases? Making pitchers pissed off? Chewing seeds and pulling dugout pranks?"

"You think I quit on baseball Coach?"

"Part of me says yes."

Kuma stood up. "You're wrong!" He yelled.

"Marik... What's up?"

"How about you have a seat, shut up, and let me be Coach?"

He sat down still shocked. "Okay kid. Ya got me. Fire away."

"You think I quit on baseball? Quit on one of the only things I truly cared about, took pride, and love every aspect of? You and my teammates? The traveling and team meals? You want to know why I'm not there?"

"You're girlfriend?"

"Are you f#$king kidding me!? No! Life quit on me. That's why. In the past few months my mother passed away of cancer, ran away so my father wouldn't kick the f#%king shit outta me a minimum three times a God damn week, and I work my ass off tenfold so I pay rent and eat." The tears poured down his face. He was getting emotions all come to him at once.

"Kuma...I..."

"You what? Wanted your infielder? Your leadoff hitter? Well guess what? I want my life back. I want my mother alive and my father happy. I want to steal bases like the fastest ball players. I thought this would get me to do something in my life. Maybe college. That car accident not long ago some nights I wish f#%king killed me. This is my life. This is who I am. And I've told this to people I can count them on one hand."

"Marik, this is awful. What can I do to help?"

"At the moment I don't think that's possible." He exited and slammed the door.

The Coach exhaled. "Wow." He leaned back and took a deep breath. "In all the years of ball I never saw this coming. Athlete meaning fight for a prize. His hopes and dreams are gone in his mind. I'm sitting here doing nothing."

He dials the phone.

< Yes hello? Mrs. K. I have a request for an old player of mine. He could........ uh huh. ......... Hmmm, a wise idea. Although he won't come to you. You're going to have to lure him. ............ Okay. Good luck. >