The two stayed like that for a while in the empty batting cages. There was no shame, it was just two men embracing, supporting one another in their own way.
It was almost like they’d gone back in time to when they first met, when Daichi had been so vulnerable. Like then, Ken was watching over him, only wanting the best for his little brother.
A gasp came from nearby, startling Ken and Daichi both. They turned, only to see a familiar face staring back at them, his jaw dropped in an exaggerated fashion.
Ken let out a groan inwardly.
“Y—You two…”
Ken knew Steve well enough to know that the next words out of his mouth would be something ridiculous, so he pre-emptively spoke up, cutting him off.
“I swear, if you say something like ‘Are you two having an affair?’ I will shove this bat so far up your behind that you’ll taste nothing but maple for the rest of your life.” Ken said seriously.
Steve’s whole body shuddered while Daichi who had turned to wipe away the tears on his face let out an audible laugh.
“Dude… Not cool.” Steve huffed, “I thought you guys were doing some bro stuff, so I came to join you. But here I see you guys hugging it out without me… Not cool.”
“Huh?”
“Is your friend alright in the head?” Daichi asked in Japanese.
Ken shook his head, “Kare wa bakada.1”
Daichi nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.
Hearing the two talk in Japanese, Steve huffed. “I’m prepared to forgive you. Just give me a bro hug, 10 seconds from you Ken, and you…” he looked at Daichi briefly before turning up his nose, “nevermind, I don’t want snot on my shirt.”
“What?” Ken blinked a few times in confusion, unsure of how they got to this point.
“Let’s go.”
As Ken walked towards Steve, the guys eyes lit up and he opened his arms wide, a smile present on his lips. “I knew you would come around.”
However, Ken walked right past him with Daichi in tow, leaving the guy stranded on an island with his arms apart, waiting for a hug. If Tara were here to see the scene, she might just bury her head out of embarrassment for good.
“Ahem… Where are we going?” As if sensing that he was not going to get what he asked for, Steve quickly moved on, clearing his throat to submerge the embarrassment.
This was one of his virtues, the ability to move on quickly.
“It’s already 9pm and we have a flight tomorrow.” Ken stated, “plus, it’s already been a long day.”
“Eh? You guys didn’t even play tonight, what do you mean its been a long day?” Steve complained, his voice whining slightly.
Hearing this, Ken realized that Steve wasn’t wrong. While he wanted to head back home and go into the Image Training before bed tonight, it might not be the worst idea to take Daichi out somewhere.
However, he didn’t want to pressure his brother.
“I feel like doing some Karaoke.” Daichi said, shooting Ken a smile.
“Oho, you have good taste. I saw a place like that when I went out the other night. They have private rooms so you don’t have to worry about people filming you.” Steve suggested.
“There’s Karaoke without private rooms in America?” Ken raised an eyebrow.
Even Daichi appeared shocked. The thought of performing in front of a bunch of random people sounded horrific to say the least.
“Hmm? That’s usually how its done, in front of the other bar patrons. Do they do it differently in Japan?” Steve asked curiously.
The trio chatted back and forth and decided to head to the Karaoke Bistro that Steve suggested. As they walked past the old man behind the counter, they saw he was busy counting hundred dollar bills.
“Hehe, I’ve earned a months salary in one night…”
“Old man, we’re leaving now so you can close up the place.”
“Oh sweet. 2000 bucks for barely an hour of overtime, thank you very much.” He shot the trio a grin and pocketed his money before shooting up from his chair.
“2000? I only gave him a thousand.” Steve said, scratching his head in thought.
“That slimy bastard…” Daichi muttered.
It turned out that the guy had accepted bribes from both Daichi and Steve, getting himself a wad of cash for doing absolutely nothing.
“Hmm?” Ken was blissfully unaware of the situation.
The trio left the batting cages and hailed a taxi, intending on heading to the Karaoke Bistro. As fate would have it, the same taxi driver picked them up.
“Ken, Daichi! Fancy seeing you guys again. It must be my lucky night.” The guy exclaimed.
“It’s good to see you again sir.” Ken replied giving him a warm smile before hopping into the back seat alongside Daichi.
Steve tried to slide into the back seat as well with the other two but was blocked by Daichi. “Sit in the front, its too cramped back here.”
Steve frowned but realized he had no choice. He let out a sigh and got into the passenger seat, placing his seatbelt on.
“I don’t care where you guys are going, I’m not letting you pay this time.” The taxi driver said, digging in his heels. It seemed that accepting the signed ball and the two expensive tips were too much for him.
“Eh? Why are you giving us a free ride?” Steve asked curiously.
“Oh, they both signed this ball for my son. He’s going to treasure it for the rest of his life.” The driver said, handing the ball to Steve.
“Oh cool.” Without a word, Steve grabbed the marker in the center console and signed the other side of the ball before giving it back to the man, “Here, now its worth even more.” He said with a grin.
However, the man looked horrified.
“W—What the hell are you doing!? How dare you ruin my son’s ball!”
He’s an idiot