50. Plan

Hearing his words Rei got curious. He nodded and indicated to him to proceed with what the plan was.

"Tomorrow I will come back. We will both go to the park again like old times. I will play with you and help you, ok"

Hearing him Rei felt dejected, he couldn't understand what would be the difference if he goes with him. He couldn't disappoint Izumi and accepted it.

Rei changed the discussion and asked, "Do you live in this town Izumi?"

Izumi also didn't pursue the topic and answered, "No I don't live here. I live two stations after. I come here for the club."

Both of them proceeded to talk about everything they did these past 2 years. Both of them were very happy to see each other as they both talked and they didn't notice the sun already setting. Both of them had fun talking to each other and felt a burden lift as they talked.

As they talked the door opened and Sora stood by the door. He looked at both of them and nodded. He then turned towards Izumi and asked, "Are you going to stay for Dinner Izumi? My mom wants you to stay."

Izumi shook his head and replied, "No I better start going back too. It would be too late if I go after having dinner." and stood up.

Rei also stood up with him to send him off. As they went towards the main door both of them exchanged their contact information to talk to each other. Reaching the main door, Izumi turned towards Rei and said, "Don't forget Rei, I will come tomorrow and we both will try to play."

Rei nodded with a small smile and waved his hand as Izumi went out. Rei left out a deep breath and shook his head. He felt bad making Izumi see him like this. Rei was the person who made the promise but could not hold it.

He turned back and went towards the hall to see some television. Reaching there he saw Meiko watching some programs and sat beside her. She asked without turning her head, "Did Izumi leave, Rei?"

Rei nodded and continued to watch. Meiko continued seeing him nod, "Did you have a good time meeting him, Rei."

"Yes it was good Meiko. I never thought I would be able to see him again. I am happy."

"That is good Rei." and both of them continued to watch the program in silence.

While Rei was watching television, Izumi was sitting on the train back home. Seeing outside the window he couldn't help but smile. His long-awaited wish was finally fulfilled. In the last 2 years he went back to his old home hoping to meet Rei but was never able to.

Today meeting Rei made him very happy. After hearing his condition from him, he made himself a promise to help Rei. He waited for so long to play baseball with him again and refused to let it end like this. He clenched his hands as he looked out with resolution in his eyes.

"Sensei I wanted to learn under you. But now you are no more, I will use all the strength I have to make Rei play again. This is my promise to you" Izumi made a promise leaning towards the window seeing the outside view.

Rei who was sitting inside the hall didn't know anything. He continued to watch with Meiko in silence. Suddenly a question popped inside him, so he turned towards Meiko and asked, "How good is Izumi, Meiko."

Meiko turned her head to face Rei and thought for a while. She finally answered after a while, "He is pretty good. He can be one of the best in terms of speed in middle school across the nation. His control is a bit lacking compared. The coach wants him to be ready by his final year as he wants to improve his control this year."

Rei nodded as he understood this. He remembers that even back when Tensei was alive, Izumi was mainly thought to improve the speed of the pitch.

Meiko continued, "I think that he would be a great monster when he reaches High School. By then he would be the best in the nation. Well this is something I think, that's all."

By this time Sora came inside and informed him that dinner was ready. They all made their way towards the table and sat. Meiko went and helped Narumi while Sora, Shidou, and Rei sat on the table waiting.

"Did you have fun meeting your friend today Rei." asked Shidou.

"Yes Old man. It was fun to meet and talk with him again."

Shidou nodded and didn't talk again. Sora also didn't open his mouth and was deeply thinking about something. The food was served and everyone ate happily.

After eating Rei helped Narumi with washing the dishes. While helping Narumi asked him, "Do you have any plans tomorrow, Rei."

"Izumi said he will come and play baseball with me, Oba-san. He told me he wants to help me."

Narumi nodded and didn't reply. After washing the dishes Rei went back to his room to sleep. Reaching his room he fell on the bed. He couldn't help but smile thinking about how he met Izumi again. Rei always felt that the 2 closest people to him were Tensei and Izumi, who were with him at a young age.

Rei took out his phone and messaged him, [Did you reach home?]

He immediately got a reply, [Yes I reached right now.]

Rei kept his phone to the side and didn't reply. He got another message afterward, [I will be by your home by 10 tomorrow be ready.]

Rei smiled at Izumi's text and replied, [OK]

He kept the phone aside on the table and looked up. He couldn't help but mutter, "Will I really be able to play again. Otou-san."

He shook his head and went back to sleep as he had to wake up early for his jog.