New Year's Visit

"Ehh? Ugh!

Akatsuki fell asleep again!!" A beautiful woman who looked remarkably like Furuya stood there holding what was clearly a freshly made casserole, complaining as she looked at Furuya sleeping under the kotatsu.

She was Furuya's mother, who had come all the way from Hokkaido.

"Oh dear!

He really is exhausted, isn't he?" Furuya's grandmother said after glancing over.

Only Furuya's grandfather remained calm, his feet tucked under the kotatsu as he watched television.

"I was hoping he'd eat a freshly made, piping-hot meal!

Honestly, this child, always like this!!

And he said he didn't want to come back to Hokkaido!

Is baseball really the kind of sport that leaves someone this exhausted?

And he never even called home!!" Furuya's mother continued to complain.

She clearly did not understand baseball, nor did she understand the difference between ordinary school baseball and powerhouse schools.

"But he did call here," Furuya's grandmother said with a smile.

"Ehh? No way!

Really?" Furuya's mother asked in surprise.

"Mm!

He said he was grateful for our support!"

"What the heck!!" Furuya's mother still looked unable to understand or accept it.

"This is the path he chose himself!

I'm sure there are many things buried deep in his heart that he hasn't told anyone...

Let him rest properly for now!" Furuya's grandfather suddenly said without turning around.

Furuya's sleeping face was as peaceful as a baby's, making people want to pinch his cheeks.

"Besides..., it seems Akatsuki has made some very good friends!" Furuya's Grandfather said with a smile as he looked at Furuya's sleeping face.

He also recalled Sendou and Sawamura's grandfathers.

Ring, ring, ring! Just then, Furuya's phone rang.

"Mm." Like a beautiful woman, Furuya slowly and gracefully opened his eyes.

"Sendou-san!"

"I told you, you don't need to use honorifics with me!