MAJOR LEAGUE SYSTEM

Some time later, everyone had got their haircut done and was now dressed in their matching suits. Only now did Hiroki pull out the wooden box and reveal what was inside.

“Cigars?” Ken was taken aback. “I don’t smoke…”

“You don’t inhale these man. I only got these for the photos anyway, so you just need to light it and pretend.” Hiroki added.

“I already asked the hotel manager if we can go to the rooftop for photos. He said just to call and he’ll escort us.” Daichi said with a smile. “Come on, it will be fun.”

“What are we doing?” Steve asked, feeling a little left out.

After being given the run down, Steve grinned. “Oh, wait… A certain someone should be here soon.”

“A certain someone?”

However, Steve just sent him a grin before exiting the room, leaving the others in the lurch. Ken asked Daichi if he had any idea, to which the guy simply shrugged.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Ken opened it, only to see Steve and another figure behind him. The guy had bright orange hair and freckles on his face, wearing a wide smile.

“Surprise.” He said smilingly.

“Brian!” Ken was surprised. He quickly moved forward and hugged the guy, ruffling his hair. “What are you doing here man? I thought you couldn’t make it.”

Brian laughed, “Steve wouldn’t let me say no. He paid for my ticket over here and everything.”

Ken turned to Steve and placed his hand on the guys shoulder. “Thank you man…”

“Alright alright, let’s not get sappy. Can Nobu do Brian’s hair before we go for our photos?”

Thankfully, Nobu seemed enthusiastic about continuing his ‘battles’. Brian’s thick red hair was no match for his attacks, quickly succumbing to his scissor and comb combination.

Once finished, the group was escorted up to the roof by one of the staff members for the photos. It was a little overcast, but overall there was a nice view of Tokyo in the backdrop.

Hiroki prepared the cigars and lit his own, passing the lighter down the line to all the others.

Ken used to smoke in his previous life, but never cigars. Out of habit, he inhaled the first puff and quickly began to cough up his lungs. Hiroki let out a peel of laughter and smacked him on the back a few times.

“I told you not to inhale, idiot.”

Ken had the urge to punch him in the ribs, but he knew that he would probably hurt his fist doing so. Eventually he calmed down and got into position for the photo.

With Ken in the center, he was flanked by Steve and Daichi. Shiro and Hiroki were on the edges, against the Tokyo backdrop. Even without seeing it himself, Ken knew it was going to be a good picture.

Perhaps it was because he was surrounded by his friends, or for a different reason entirely, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He saw Brian standing off to the side and motioned for him to join.

The guy was wearing a gray suit, but Ken didn’t care.

Once he joined, the photographer started barking out orders.

“The two shorties come to the front.” He motioned.

Of course Brian didn’t speak Japanese, so Ken relayed the information to him. Hiroki passed his own cigar to Brian and lit up another one for himself.

They then went through a variety of poses, right until the clouds began to part. The once overcast sky opened up, sending rays of golden light onto the rooftop and over half of Tokyo itself.

“Ouch, damn it Steve.” Brian complained.

“It wasn’t me ya bastard. Why do you automatically blame me for everything?”

“If I blame you, 9 out of 10 times I’ll be right. Blame yourself for being such a dick all the time.” Brian quipped back.

“Listen here…”

The two quickly started to argue, just like they would back at Columbia. It was as if they were siblings, arguing over something petty, just like usual.

Instead of getting angry, Ken laughed loudly. Such a scene was so common just 6 months ago, yet even after so long apart, some things would never change.

His laughter put an end to the bickering, and soon the laughter spread infectiously between the men. Everyone here was linked to him in one way or another. Many of which shared monumental moments in his life either in Japan or America.

These 5 guys meant a lot to him in this life. Even with the weight of their existence crushing down on him, Ken chose to enjoy this moment. Today would be his final respite before throwing his all into baseball.

He had completely forgotten about the photographer by now.

“Guys… Let’s meet up like this again next year, no matter what okay?” Ken said, his voice turning a little hoarse.

“You want to meet up with us on your 1st wedding anniversary?” Daichi asked, raising his eyebrow in question.

“I don’t mean exactly a year… Just next year okay?”

As if hearing the vulnerability in his tone, no one made fun of him. They each nodded.

“Let’s do it. By then, I’ll also be making my way to the Majors.” Hiroki said, puffing out his chest.

“I’m in. I should be drafted by then.” Brian said.

Shiro smiled, “As long as Kaori let’s me, I’ll be wherever you need me to be.”

Ken turned to Steve and Daichi, waiting for their response.

Daichi slapped him on the back, “You won’t be going anywhere without me brother, don’t you worry.”

Steve was silent for a bit but he soon nodded, “You can count on me…”

Ken smiled sincerely, his determination rising from within.

‘This time next year I’ll become famous enough to stabilize this universe, I promise…’

Ken made this promise in his heart. Looking at all of his friends in front of him and seeing their smiling faces, there was no way that he could fail.

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