My girlfriend's mother turned out to be my stalker - Chapter 1- Sumire

“Strike three! Batter out!”

A smile etched on my lips as I heard those words.

The batter was on the verge of slamming his bat on the base.

“We fucking won!” Came the cheer from my left before someone slammed into me.

It was my best friend Ryouta who seemed prepared to jump on me, as if he knew we would win

Not only him, several others crashed into me from left and right as we cheered for our victory.

Why the happiness? Well, other than the fact that we won, we were now officially chosen to represent our school in the inter-school baseball match next month.

“Good work, Kei.” Came the voice of the coach as everyone parted from me and turned towards the bald man.

With his hands on his hips and a grin on his face he said, “From Monday, you guys are in for an extra hour after school.”

The smile on my face wiped off as I said, “But sensei…”

“Hmm? I ain’t hearing a single excuse. You guys just have a single month left to prepare for the match. And Kei, you are our primary pitcher. You have to put in extra effort.”

My shoulders slumped. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to do extra training. Rather, I love playing baseball so I know I would enjoy myself.

…the problem was my part-time job. I need to work for three hours at a cafe to earn enough for a living.

‘…I hope Tanaka-san can change my shift.’ It was a feeble hope but there was nothing else I could do, unless I wanted to get removed from the team.

While I was the ace pitcher of the team, neglecting the training would get me the bench.

“Alright now, dismiss.” He said before everyone started walking their ways, already planning how they would celebrate.

Ryouta approached me and asked, “How will you manage?”

He knows everything about me, and my situation.

He is one of the two people who know that I do a part-time job.

“Well…I can just beg Tanaka-san to get me a different shift.”

Ryouta’s brows elevated as he asked, “Knowing how cranky that man always remains, I believe he might ask you to shift your job rather.”

“Don’t say it, man…I really like this job.” I am earning three thousand yen a day and work four days a week.

The working atmosphere is very nice and my co-workers are very kind.

It’s just…the manager is a little hard to deal with.

Ryouta patted my shoulder before suggesting, “I say, talk to the coach and maybe tell him about your job. He might understand your situation.”

I sighed, “Well, I won’t tell him most probably.”

Ryouta looked ahead of us and said, “Well, I will take my leave. Don’t wanna become a third wheel.”

I side-glanced at him…but remained silent.

…the fact is, I also wanted him to leave.

Why?

Well, a certain girl was waiting for me.

Holding orange juice and a towel, she smilingly stood there.

I told her to return home or at least wait for me in the class since it was a hot summer day.

But during the whole match, she stood there…silently cheering for me.

With her long black hair comfortably tied in a loose bun and resting on her shoulder and emerald green eyes filled with excitement, she fidgeted at her place.

And once I was before her, “Ah!” She jumped on me.

I barely had the time to catch her in my arms and stop myself from falling.

“I am sweaty, Sumire…” I whispered, but that didn’t stop her from hugging me ever so tightly as she said,

“Congratulations, Kei! You won!” She was happier than I ever could be.

She has seen my struggle. She has seen me fail. And she has supported me all through it.

“You deserve this victory as much as I do.” I kissed the crown of her head before she slightly parted from me and looked up at me with her eyes bright.

“Don’t you think I deserve something else as well?”

I grinned before bringing my lips to hers.

Her arms instantly crossed behind my neck.

Her lips were soft and warm, tasting faintly of orange juice.

The world around us faded until it was only her breath and mine.

She tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss, and I could feel her smile against my lips.

My hands rested gently on her waist, pulling her closer.

Her fingers curled in my hair, as if afraid to let go.
It was slow, tender—like we had all the time in the world.

We didn’t care how many people watched us. In that moment, it was just me and her.

When we parted, her cheeks were dyed crimson

We had kissed so many times yet she still gets all shy whenever we do it.

Resting her head on my chest, she relayed, “I love you, Kei.”

“Mm, I know.”

Not so long after, we decided to leave.

Sumire had already brought my bag from the class so I didn’t have to struggle with the stairs.

“Have you thought about what you will do with your job?”

After I told Sumire about the extra training, her question was the same as Ryouta’s.

I sighed, “No, but-” I paused and whipped my head behind us.

Sumire paused and asked, “What happened?”

I looked at the corner of the street as I muttered, “I felt…someone was watching us.”

It was a strange feeling and I have been having this sensation for some time now.

Like someone is watching me.

Just then, Sumire hugged my arm and said, “Forget about that. Let’s eat something good today.”

I sighed…she was right. I might be overreacting.

However, at that time, little did I know….

******

A/N:- Thanks for reading.