Like and Like
Like and Like
"Naoi sure likes you, hm?"
I took a long sip of my Cola and raised a brow. The wind was fierce today on the baseball field, causing my pitch to be slightly off. I set my drink down and pitched Hinata another ball. The playful look in his eyes changed to concentration and it was as if time had slowed down as he slid his right foot and pulled the bat back. When the ball came in to his vicinity, Hinata swung forward, slamming the bat in to the ball and causing it to fly with lightning speed in to the sky.
"Home run," I said, "again."
He laughed as if it was nothing and adjusted his baseball cap. I blinked.
Hinata was such a nice guy, he was funny, and I liked to be around him just like everyone else but sometimes. . . I feel like I need to be around him. He's good at cheering you up but it's not even when I'm sad or lonely. . . It's all the time.
I reached down and took another swig of my cola.
"You ignorin' me?" he smirked and started swinging at the air to warm up. I don't know what he expects me to respond to that. Naoi. . . Did he like me?
"Naoi is just thankful because I brought him peace, I guess."
"Is that so?" he smiled and he threw me another dusty ball to pitch. He's already knocked seven over the fence. The sun was starting to creep up from behind the clouds with a blazing light. "You ready for another?"
"Bring it," he said and drew his bat back confidently. I tossed the ball with as much force as I could muster and my mouth dropped. Hinata hesitated for a second, the concentration fuzzy in his eyes as the ball smacked right in to his cheek.
"Hinata! What are you-"
I ran to his side and shake him, "You okay?!"
"Not the first time," he coughed, "I got hit by one of these suckers. . . Damn, you never get used to the pain though."
"We'll need to get some ice to get it to stop swelling," I muttered, gently touching his cheek. There was a flicker in Hinata's eyes, so I pulled away. "Sorry, that hurt?"
"No, it was nice," he said and laid back on to the dirt.
"Hey, you're gonna get all dirty like that," I warned but he just shrugged and closed his eyes.
The wind started to slow down and became a calm breeze. I sat next to Hinata unsure of what to say.
"Are you content with that bruise, Hinata?"
"Bruise? Aw man, Noda's not gonna let me live this down!" he whined, touching the swollen area. I liked Hinata's carefree personality. I always wonder why he chose me of all people to hang out with. . . That day we went to guild, he said he liked me and it made me really happy. It was the first time somebody wanted to be friends with me.
"We're friends, aren't we. . ?" I asked quietly. As soon as it came out I wished it wouldn't have. It was more embarrassing to ask then I thought. Hinata glanced up at me in surprise, "Of course we are, buddy."
Buddy. . .
"Why else would I want you all to myself?" he laughed but stopped abruptly. Did he just say that?! We both blushed and an awkward silence lingered in the air.
"Are you. . ."
"Sh- Shut up!"
"You say no but something tells me you're lying. . ."
"Eh?! What kind of guy do you take me for?!"
"Honest."
"That makes no sense, idiot!"
"Yeah, I guess it doesn't."
Hinata stared at me dumbfound and I chuckled, he had a cute 'stupid' face. Eeeh. . . It's pretty weird for me to think a guy is cute but there's no use denying it.
"You're weird, Otonashi. That must be why I like you."
And again with the blushing.
"Same," I stated nonchalantly.
"Same?"
"Yeah."
"Not the same."
"What?" I questioned dumbly. He rolled on to his side to where I couldn't see his face.
"The meaning of your 'like' and my 'like' are not the same."
His 'like'? My 'like'? What's different?
"Uuuuh, well it's like this," he muttered in hesitation. That's the second time he's hesitated. Something was up with him today.
"You're 'like' is the way a guy feels about another guy without it being awkward whlie my 'like' makes things awkward. . ."
"Huh?"
"I mean," he slapped his forehead and sat up with a flush, "The way you like me is the way I feel about Yurippei."
"You like Yurippei?"
"As a sister or something. . ."
"So I like you as if you were my sister?" I asked in confusion. How the hell did any of this make sense?!
"What?! No, what are you talking about?!"
"That's what I'm wondering," I frowned and Hinata let out a deep sigh. He rubbed his temples and an idea seemed to hit him.
"The way you like me is the way a brother loves his brother while the way I like you. . ."
His lips formed a straight line and his eyes were focused on something in the dirt. He seemed to be pondering on how to explain what he meant and then he exhaled again.
"Forget it," he grinned at me and I shook my head.
"I'm curious now, tell me."
"Ah-"
"Please," I said and he looked shocked.
"Well that's. . . I mean, you know- I can't really explain without being blunt, Otonashi."
"Be blunt," I said calmly, trying to hide my anticipation. Hinata had a troubled look on his face as he started to explain again.
"My feelings for you are the same as your feelings for Kanade and Yui's feelings for me. . . Well, I would say mine were stronger but I'm not trying to brag or anything," he laughed and my mind tried to keep up with what he was telling me. My feelings for Kanade?
"Kanade's cute," I said trying to think more deeply on how I really felt about her. She was sweet and innocent but I thought of her as a friend just like Yurripei or Yui. Was Hinata trying to tell me he thought of me as a brother too? Then what does he mean we like each other in different ways?
"I don't get it."
"Well shit," he sighed and fell back on to the sand with a thump. "You love Kanade, right?"
"Um. . . I love her the same way I loved my little sister. She's small and cute just like she was."
He nodded along with my words and then stopped, "Eh? You mean you don't have feelings for her?"
I shook my head, "Not romantically if that's what you're thinking."
He shot up and rubbed his bruised cheek with a wince. I gave him a worried look. "You alright?".
"Great," he smiled and his eyes were bursting with happiness. Was he really okay?!
Wait a minute, he also said that he liked me the same way Yui liked him. Yui loved him to pieces which means. . . My heart suddenly seemed to float out of my chest as I looked at Hinata. Of course I always thought he was cute but right now. . . The way he was smiling at me made me feel happier than ever. His bright eyes held mine only making my heart increase in pace.
"I think I get it," I finally managed to say and Hinata cocked his head.
"Hm?"
"But you got it mixed up, Hinata. I'm the one that likes you in the way Yui liked you."
The sun blazed down on to the field and it was starting to get a lot warmer out here. My face felt hotter than I wanted it to be and I silently wished for the wind to return. Did I just confess to him? Since when did I feel so nervous around this guy?
"Otonashi you just," he said with a serious expression, "did you just. . ?"
"I don't know," I blushed, "Shut up-"
Hinata laughed and grabbed the end of my sleeve.
"I'm already married to Yui though."
"Wha-? You think I'm asking to marry you?! Hell no! Get your thoughts straight, Hinata or I'll-"
He pulled me closer with an evil grin. Our faces were so close and yet it wasn't close enough. There's something seriously wrong with me.
"I really like you Otonashi-kun," he stated smoothly. Our eyes locked together and I noticed how warm his eyes were. The soft glow in he always has really comes to life when your seconds away from touching noses.
"Well I really like you, Hinata," I responded stiffly, unsure of how I ended up in this situation. I guess my theory about him was right after all. Or maybe I'm his exception.
Hinata beamed and leaned forward to kiss me softly.
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a/n: My first anime fanfic on here o___o
I just finished angel beats and those two were too cute not to write about so yeah. . . XD
Too bad there's no community to post it in, I don't think at least >__>