k.

'02 ☆ blue angel

[1uvdainty]

♡ ── katey. '02. she/her. isfp.

♡ ── all of my works are purely fictional and for entertainment purposes. some of them will contain mature content MDNI. please do not plagiarize and translate anything.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

ATHLETES

[1uvdainty]

𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇 ── rs (one - new season)

he is a shy pitcher who can win the hearts of millions, even a lovely social media coordinator.

pairing: roki sasaki x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, family, shy!roki, extrovert!bubbly!oc, social media, language barrier

language key: english, japanese

warnings: certain chapters will have warnings listed. hurt/comfort, mentions of tragedy, explicit language, suggestive/sexual content, cyberbullying. minors DNI.

wc: 2.1k words

note: as always starting it with so much fluff <3

taglist: open!

MARCH 2025, PHOENIX, ARIZONA

It does feel like time has flown by after winning another World Series and ending the year for baseball. Months later, the champs have returned from the offseason and are ready for a new season.

A petite woman with waist-length dark hair, dressed in a comfy pink sweater that has bows printed on it, light blue jeans, and sneakers, enters the building of the ballpark. She then goes to the field where she sees the players practicing for the upcoming game. She even notices fans watching them with their Dodgers merchandise and baseballs for the players to sign. 

Her face lit up when Dave Roberts spotted her. 

“Hello, Ms. Lila Lim!” He waves his hand.

She giggles and speed walks. “Hi, Dave!”

The Dodgers manager’s heart is full because her presence brought new energy into the field. As a social butterfly, she is friends with the entire team. Lila hugs Dave after being away for so long. 

“How have you been?” Dave asked, parting the hug. Lila expounds briefly about her life. “I’ve been good. I decided to travel to Seattle to visit my family. I was also proud to see my little niece, who is attending daycare, very soon.” She has a huge soft spot for kids, and it feels bittersweet that little Joy is growing up.

Dave spreads a smile across his face when she mentions her family because he knows them personally, and they’re wonderful people. 

“That’s nice to hear. I hope everything will be great as this year goes by.” He is pleased that she and her loved ones are doing fine. Dave then starts expressing his thoughts on the changes. “Ever since we built a new roster, I had to learn and analyze what the rookies can do.” He is familiar with their abilities because some of them played in other Major League teams, while a few are coming from different countries. 

But overall, the Dodgers have been making positive strides that’ll lead to a brighter future. “They’re mainly pitchers, but if they can be effective for our forty-man roster, I would be happy.” Dave does have hopes for his team. He also calls the players his boys because he loves and adores them. 

“Good luck to all of us,” Lila reassures, and the manager chuckles merrily. “That’s right.” He said. 

Lila is also looking forward to her second year as a social media coordinator. Along with a talented team, she creates and schedules engaging content, monitors analytics, and interacts with online communities. Like most people, Lila wouldn’t be so ambitious for getting accepted by one of the most famous MLB teams because it’s mostly luck. But most of all, she gets to work with superstars that many can recognize. 

Abruptly, her name gets called.

“Lala?”

She turns around, and a smile automatically plays on her face when she comes across a tall and handsome man with a baby face. 

“Shohei! Long time no see!” 

Lila becomes ecstatic; she pulls him into a big bear hug. Shohei didn’t expect her to be so strong for someone so tiny, and to see her again. He wraps his buff arms around her. “Are you meeting up with Sue?” The three-time MVP questions his friend.

She lifts her head to meet his boba-like eyes. “Yes, I am. Is Yoshi here as well?” She asked about the other Japanese player. The two pulled away from the embrace. Shohei nods his head, “Yes. He is on the other side of the field. We also have another Japanese player, and he is a friend of ours.” He tells Lila about Yoshi and the newest pitcher on the team.

“Aww, how lovely. So, like a reunion for the three of you.” Lila is happy for them because it seems a lot more fun and exciting to play with friends from home. Shohei lets out a hearty laugh that sounds very cute. “Yes, like a reunion. Want to go see them?” He asked her. Lila nodded as a non-verbal response. 

Shohei looks over at Dave to ask him. “You don’t mind if I steal her, Doc?” 

The older man gestures with his hand. “Go ahead. I’ll be seeing her all day.” He allows the two friends to have their time together. 

“So, anything new?” Lila asked Shohei.

He responded, “Not really. Well, there is someone.” His voice sounded a little sheepish. 

Lila instantly turns her head to look at him with wide eyes. “Oh my god! Who?!” She becomes giddy because it’s rare for Shohei to talk about dating.

“It’s a bit of an embarrassing story, but let’s just say Decoy played cupid,” Shohei explains that he was at the park with his furry friend, Decoy. The cute, lovable dog was so mischievous that he wandered off, making Shohei upset, and he chased him around the park. Decoy came across a pretty girl who was having a solo picnic. 

Shohei apologized for his pet’s behavior, but she didn’t mind it because Decoy was being friendly and social. 

“Wow. It seems like your furbaby knows how to pick the ones for you.” Lila blithely stated. 

Shohei responds, “I’m letting him slide for that.” He would’ve been deeply embarrassed if Decoy got in trouble. 

Soon enough, the two friends meet up with the pitchers and catchers, practicing in the same area. They also spotted fans outside the field, cheering them on.

Lila recognizes Yoshinobu playing catch with another man. He has quite a lean figure, sharp facial features, dark hair beneath his Dodgers cap, doe-like eyes, and a yellow pitching glove that stands out from the field. He is wearing a dark blue Dodgers jersey with the number eleven stitched on it. 

She remembers the Dodgers recruiting another Japanese player, but she forgot his name. 

But instead, Lila brushes off her curiosity to say hello to Yoshinobu. 

“Hi, Yoshi!” She raises her voice to get his attention. Yoshinobu catches the ball from his friend and looks around to see who is calling him. He hears Lila and yells with open arms, “Lala!” 

She sped up her legs to enter his arms. 

As they pull away, Shohei joins them. He tells Lila, “This is Roki.” he gestures with his hand, and she looks at the timid-looking man, “the friend that I mentioned earlier, who is one of our newest players.” He finished introducing him. 

'So that’s his name.' She acknowledges. 

“Hello, I’m Lila. It’s nice to meet you, Roki.” She gives him a cordial response. Lila can also see the joy in Shohei and Yoshinobu’s faces when their friend lends his hand. Roki has a small smile, “Hello, Lila. It’s nice to meet you.” The young player sheepishly spoke in English with an accent. The petite pink beauty takes his handshake. 

‘He seems like a well-mannered person.’ She can pinpoint that he is shy, too.

As their hands part, Shohei pats Roki’s back and says, “He is a phenom at pitching. He broke my high school record, which is over 100 miles per hour.” The information has Lila’s jaw dropping.

Yoshinobu scoffs, “Well, definitely won’t beat me.” He countered, which had the trio laughing. Of course, it wasn’t taken as an offense to Roki because he is like a little brother to him, and Shohei, who is making it to the top. 

Lila gives them a sincere compliment, “That’s incredible. I’m sure you all will bring an impact on the team, if not baseball as a whole.” She has loved baseball since the day her father took her to the Dodgers’ stadium when she was ten years old. Now, she works for the organization and attends all the games, events, celebrations, and so on. 

Shohei adds more positivity to the conversation. “Let’s see how this year goes. I’m predicting it’ll be crazy yet exciting.” He can admit how one year on this team has been magnificent. 

Yoshinobu nods with a big smile. “I agree with you, brother, especially what happened last fall.” Everyone will never forget that spectacular moment for the team. 

Lila claps her hands. “We can do it. Let’s go, Dodgers!” She does the iconic cheer. 

In unison, Shohei, Yoshinobu, and Roki shout, “Let’s go, Dodgers!”

.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Inside the complex, she joins her colleagues at an empty conference room.

“Hi, Sue!” Lila greeted a pretty blonde Korean woman. She is the head of the social media team and has been working for the Dodgers for nearly a decade. Plus, the fans love what she shares on the platforms. 

Sue’s face beams when she hears Lila’s light voice. “Hey, girlie! It’s been a while!” She gives her a quick hug. 

The two ladies help each other lay out the camera lenses to use, and their external microphones are intact. They’re called the “techy girls” because they know so much about photography and filming. 

Lila lets out a breath. “It has. Now, we are all back, so let’s go to work.” She is ready for 162 games and possibly more, like advancing to the postseason. 

The long-time director reminds the youngest, “As usual, the first day is going to be hectic. But I’m sure you can handle it.” Sue sets a reminder and hands out a paper with the schedule. 

Lila chuckles blithely because this is not her first time getting through a challenging day. “Of course, I can. I have to put on my big girl shoes.” She has her laptop ready, camera equipment in one bag, and her phone fully charged. 

Her first task is to capture moments of the batters practicing. She is feeling stoked because she gets to meet with the rest of the players and, of course, who wouldn’t want to hang out with the jokester of the bunch? 

Speaking of him, Kiké makes a beeline when he sees her. “Lala, can you record cool footage of me?” He requested. His brown eyes are wide, and his tone is a plea. “Sure, Kiké. I’ll also add in the bad ones.” Lila playfully giggles. The jokester and amazing player groans, “Please, don’t. I have to look professional and serious.” He begs, almost like an upset child. 

Freddie walks up to the duo. “Since when have you ever been serious?” He has a smirk on his lips and hears what they’ve been saying.

Lila snickers, “That’s a good question.” The response has Kiké almost throwing a fit.

“Just promise me.” The man stomps his foot with a whiny voice. Lila stops teasing him because he’ll do the same to her. “Okay, I will. Pretend that I’m not around you.” She tells him to go practice. She and Freddie exchanged smiles because Kiké can sometimes be childish. Well, more like always. 

There would be times when the guys would hit the baseball into the air like a home run. Like Shohei, he is impressing them with his perfect batting. And sometimes they would mess around to add a more fun atmosphere. Lila also met some new faces. 

Dave even introduced her to their Korean rookie, Hyeseong Kim, who was so kind and excellent with his hits and speed. Lila was lucky enough to record a wholesome moment of Shohei complimenting him in Korean. 

After taking multiple photos and filming videos, Lila takes a break to look through them. She sits on the sidelines where the coaches and staff members are watching the players. Lila transfers the content onto her laptop to have a look through them. 

While she waits for the download to complete, Lila recognizes Roki is heading to the batting ground to watch what is happening. He flashed a toothy smile when the players were delighted to see him. 

Lila wasn’t expecting a shy guy like him to have a sweet smile. Little did she know, Sue was secretly spying on her a few feet away. She had been eyeing her youngest coordinator like a hawk. 

Subsequently, the people began packing up to take a break and prepare for the pre-season game.  

“Girl, don’t act like I didn’t notice you.”

Lila hears what Sue is implying. The younger woman shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, he is cute.” She made it sound like an understatement, but Roki is a very handsome man. 

Sue makes an assumption. “I guess your crush on Shohei has moved on.” She remembered Lila would be blushing and smiling whenever Shohei was present.

“Well, to be fair, everyone loves him. But things changed. Shohei told me that he is currently seeing someone.” Lila proves her point that being friends is best for them. Sue felt a bit crushed because Lila does have a sensitive soul. “Damn, sister. You went through a high school experience in your adult life.” She wasn’t wrong because they all have been there. 

Lila giggles merrily, “I did, and obviously I am proud to be his friend.” It may be saddening, but she is now happy. However, Sue is not over what happened minutes ago. “If Roki is free and interested, you'd better go for him.” She may sound like she is joking, but she is rooting for Lila. Sue went on ahead back to the building while the younger pack her stuff.

Speaking of the cute, shy pitcher, he approaches Lila while fidgeting with his fingers. 

“Hello,” Roki says, almost in a small voice.

The obsidian-haired girl looks up to greet him with a content smile. “Hi.”

Roki does his best to speak once more. “Do you need help?” He asked her. Lila nods earnestly, “Oh, yes! Thank you!” She appreciates his kindness by letting him carry her camera bag. Roki loops the strap over his shoulder. They begin walking back to the complex.  

It was quiet for about ten seconds until Roki started speaking. “Uh, are you ready to watch the game?” He asks, wanting to start a conversation. Lila responds, “I am. I’ll be close to the dugout as you guys play.” She loves being around the dugout because it’s nice to see the games up close and intimate. 

“I’m sure you’ll do great as you work your way towards the end.” Roki’s plush lips curve into an amiable grin.

Lila can feel warmth spread across her chest. She tells Roki, “I appreciate it. And the same goes for you. Your MLB debut will be memorable, which many of us are anticipating.” Lila would give support to the guys because they deserve it, and Roki is one of them. 

“Thank you. I’ll try my best.” He is genuine and wants to make contributions to the Dodgers. As they went inside the complex, the two ended their conversation on a good note before going their separate ways.

“I see what you are doing.”

Roki jolts from Shohei’s voice. He turns around to see a smug expression on his senior’s face. Roki rubs the back of his neck. “Is it too obvious?” It’s honestly a foolish question for him to ask.

Shohei smiles playfully and says. “Well, you are acting shyer than usual.” He has seen how his junior is behaving.

The older tells the younger about Lila. “But hey, she is a wonderful woman. Lila welcomed me to the team with open arms, and now, we’re friends. I am certain that everything will work out between you and her.” Shohei tries to give some encouragement. It’s not every day his timid friend talks to a girl.

Roki lets out a breath, “If you’re right, big bro, then I’ll take my chance.” He says, and Shohei chuckles.

“It will happen. I have no doubts.” The two-way player sounded a bit too confident. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (11. summer love)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2.2k words

language key: english, japanese

warning: hurt/comfort

note: this chapter is a very sweet one and happy halloween everyone!

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

Decoy looks up from his new mother and surprises her with kisses. Aria laughs gleefully at the slobbering licks because he knows she is not feeling well. “I’m okay. I just need to be stronger.” She says to him and pats his little head. Shohei watches the moment right before his eyes, and it is great to see that smile back on her beautiful face. 

It’s the first time he sees Aria sad, and she is open about it. Shohei learned what was wrong, which worried him because it wasn’t right to see the internet attacking her mentally. However, along with negative feedback, there were positive ones. The people said Aria is beautiful, cute, and seems like a lovely woman. Shohei agrees with those responses because that’s who she is. 

Shohei says to Aria, “You are strong. The strongest in the world.” It may sound like an exaggeration, but he is sincere. She looks from Decoy to him, “Thank you. In case you are wondering, I am glad that I picked you.” Aria will forever and always love Shohei. His face plasters a smile. “Well, I am glad too.” The man only wants his lover to be happy. 

Then, Shohei receives a text message from his mother. He grabs his phone from the coffee table and reads it. 

I hope to see Aria whenever you two visit Japan.

Shohei chuckles because she is too sweet. 

“Who’s that?” Aria asked. 

“My mom. She wants to meet you in person.” Her boyfriend responds, and it makes her satisfied with his family. “If we travel to Japan, I would love to see your hometown. The place where a legendary baseball player was born.” Aria couldn’t help but sound corny. Shohei thought it was adorable that she was interested in exploring Japan’s countryside. 

“Then it’s a promise. We will go to my hometown when the season is over.” He spoke confidently. Even though it’ll be a long wait, Aria is alright with the idea. 

Shohei texts his mother back.

We’ll plan to go after everything gets done.

He puts down his phone and stands up from the couch. He offers Aria his hand, “Let’s go outside for fresh air.” Shohei wants to clear the tension and make her feel more relieved. She takes it without a word. As they head to the serene garden, Decoy follows his parents. He just wants to play and run around freely. 

Shohei’s garden is like walking into a dream that comes to life. The magnificent long pool, lush green turf, pretty blooming flowers, and the view of the sunset sky add more beauty. No matter how many times Aria has been in Shohei’s home, she will never get over how every part is gorgeous. 

Once stepping out, Aria takes in the atmosphere, and her spirit is elevated. Shohei hugs her from behind and puts his chin on top of her head. It’ll forever melt his heart at how small she is compared to him. Yes, indeed, he did prefer tall girls when he got asked about his ideal type in an old interview, but Aria’s charm made him attached to her. 

“Feeling good?” Shohei questions. 

Aria nods her head, “Yes. Much better.” 

The quiet place gets interrupted when Decoy’s heavy breathing booms in the garden. Aria snickers, and Shohei sighs. They both look down and notice he is standing in front of them, smiling big. 

“I think someone wants attention,” Aria tells her boyfriend, looking at the furry friend with love in her eyes. “As if he hasn’t yet,” Shohei remarks, and it has them laughing. They pulled away to play with Decoy. 

Aria remembers something. “I do know some Japanese that he will understand.” She wants to try speaking it and see how Decoy will react. 

“Decoy, sit.” She orders him, and he listens. But there was more. 

“Decoy, roll over.” The dog does it without hesitation. Aria is feeling proud of herself. She also asked him for a paw, and he gave her one. Shohei is overall amazed by Aria’s clear pronunciation. 

And it did something to him. 

⋆˙⟡

Summer is here, which means school is out and baseball games are continuing until the fall. 

Aria finds it bittersweet to say goodbye to her students as they move on to first grade. However, she looks forward to meeting new kids who are ready to learn and helping them discover their strengths and conquer their challenges. 

She has also met some of the players’ children at their bobblehead nights. Aria is like a magnet; when she gives them candy and small talks, they won’t stop chasing after her. 

It appalled the guys how natural she was. 

Right now, Aria is alone in her apartment and watching the game on television. She smiles and cheers whenever Shohei appears, and of course, the team. 

Suddenly, the doorbell rings. 

Confused, Aria goes and checks through the peephole. She gasps in shock before opening it. 

“Riri!”

“Sophie!”

It turns out to be her sister. Aria let Sophie inside and hugged her. She shuts the door, then starts speaking. 

“Oh my goodness! You didn’t tell me you were visiting!” Aria would’ve gotten a text or call as a reminder. Sophie explains in short, “Mom and Dad booked a flight for Parker, the kids, and me. It was unexpected, but we’re all happy to be here.” She is grateful that their parents want them to have a summer break in California because Victor and Lauren are much older, and it’s best to see the rest of the family. 

Aria feels content with their parents’ generosity. “That’s wonderful of them.” She said. 

The two ladies sit on the couch and watch the game. Sophie told Aria that Parker and the kids are at their parents’ house because she wanted to spend a day with her sister. 

They see Shohei is up and ready to bat. 

“You hit the jackpot. I don’t know what you did to have him in your life.” After getting the news, Sophie and Parker thought Aria was acting crazy. As proof, she showed them pictures of them on their dates and one with Shohei and their parents. 

Aria giggles, “Everyone has been saying the same thing. I’m sure you all might have a chance to meet him.” She doesn’t know how many times she’ll hear that from people.

Sophie responds, “The kids and Parker, they will lose it.” She can imagine their reactions. Aria understands because it’s unbearable to get excited over Shohei. 

The sisters watched the game, catching up on each other’s lives, and later on, they went out for dinner. 

It’s a serene summer night. 

Sophie and Aria decided to go to a nearby restaurant. While waiting for their food to come to the table, Aria receives a message from Shohei.

Can Decoy and I spend the night at your place?

After reading the text, she replies to him.

Yes, you two can stay over! Just let me know.

She puts away her phone to have a moment with her sister. 

When their dishes arrived, they ate well and talked in between. Aria asks Sophie, “Got any places that you and your family would like to go to?” 

The older sibling responds, “We haven’t thought about it yet, but we’ll see. I believe the kids and Parker just want to explore LA and be with you and our parents.” The trip wasn’t planned out because she and her family wanted to wing it. 

Aria beams, “It’s all good! I’m more than welcome to come along because school is done.” She is super stoked for this summer. 

Sophie has a jovial smile and says. “Appreciate you.” 

“Of course.” Aria will do anything for her loved ones. Afterward, the sisters said their goodbyes and went on their separate ways.

Midnight blue deepens over a broad and starlit sky.

Aria cleans herself up and patiently waits for Shohei. It takes a while for him to be dismissed, which is typical because baseball games can vary in how long it takes to end. She does find it unbelievable, and she respects those hard-working players. 

11:00 pm.

The young teacher is sitting on the couch, playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch. Aria has been keeping herself occupied, and video gaming is one of them.

Abruptly, the doorbell rings.

Aria pauses the game to open the door and lets her boyfriend and her furbaby inside. Her face brightens, “Hello, Sho! And Decoy!” She happily greets them. Without taking a whiff or being hesitant, the dog is making himself at home by running around the apartment. Shohei does a quick kiss on the lips and sets down his bags in Aria’s room.

He leaves to enter the living room, where Decoy is playing tug-a-war with Aria. Shohei grins at the wholesome sight. He needed it after a long day. 

The man slumps on the couch and lets out a deep breath. He closes his strained eyes, which have heavy bags. Shohei then senses Aria approaching to sit by him. She gingerly brushes his fluffy black hair with her fingers. It has grown out a lot. 

Jane and Millie once sent Aria a picture of Shohei with an undercut, and she screamed. Any hairstyle suits him, but that one specifically has her heart beating. 

She starts to remember something. Aria speaks to Shohei, “You didn’t explain to me why you want a sleepover.” It left her confused when he sent her that text message. 

Shohei opens his eyes and sits up. He explains to Aria, “I thought to make things easier by having you take care of Decoy tomorrow because he’ll be attending with your family.” Right when he answers, silence comes in for a second. 

“Are you serious?” Aria’s chocolate brown eyes are widened owlishly. Shohei laughs at her cute expression. He nods, “They’ll get to be at the game for free because I asked the staff members if they could allow it, and they said yes.” Shohei did promise Aria’s parents his gratitude, and he wanted to do one where the rest of her family is together. 

Aria moves to hug her benevolent lover. “Oh my god, Shohei, thank you so much! My family will love it!” She can’t wait to see their reactions.

Shohei kisses the top of her head. “After you told me that your sister is visiting, I thought it would be nice to give them a special gift.” He adds another reason. Aria lifts her eyes to meet his warm brown orbs. “You’re going to make them happy. I love you for that.” Only Shohei would do such a thing.

She watches him chuckle. “Like I said on our first date, I only want happiness for everyone.” He is a man of his word. 

⋆˙⟡

It’s the next day, and Aria is dressed up for the occasion. She is wearing blue and white to match the Dodgers’ color scheme. Aria had to take deep breaths to calm her nerves before leaving the apartment because she and Shohei had created a plan. 

She’ll have them in one vehicle and say they’re going sightseeing. Jane taught her very well how to keep a big secret. Aria has been updating Shohei, who is already at the stadium with Decoy. It’s also the dog’s first Dodger game. 

Good thing Aria is driving, because it would ruin the surprise if she puts the address on the GPS. Her father was a bit confused, but her suspicion didn’t give it away. 

Driving onto a familiar highway, Aria is feeling giddy as she gets closer to the destination. Up ahead, she sees the blue sign that every fan loves. Ethan sees it as well, and he gasps. “Sweetheart, are we going to a Dodgers game?” He asked his youngest daughter. The question has the people flabbergasted.

Aria nods earnestly. “Yes, we are! Shohei gave you all free game as a thank you for accepting him into our lives.” She tells them, and they couldn’t believe it. Shortly, the car got loud from cheers, applause, and excitement. 

“This is amazing, sweetheart!”

“We’re going to see the Dodgers!”

“Shohei is the best!”

Aria can see the delight written on their faces. Victor commented on Shohei, and he is right. The man loves her family. 

After she parks the vehicle, her loved ones are entering the stadium, and it’s almost game time. The fans are beginning to fill up the place, making the atmosphere thrilling. Aria opens her phone to call Shohei.

“Hey, we’re here. Do you want us to meet you in the field?”

“Yes! I’ll have the chance to see your family during practice.” 

Once she gets confirmation from Shohei, Aria leads her family to the field. Good thing the staff and crew recognize her and give them access. She can spot her brother-in-law and parents recording on their phones as they go further inside, while Sophie holds her kids’ hands. 

Celeste stops recording to wave her hand. “Shohei!” She calls out for him. The player is walking up to the family with a wide smile. “Hello, guys!” He opens his arms to have Celeste hug him. After her, he does it to Ethan, who is truly ecstatic because it has been a while. 

Aria then comes to Shohei to introduce him to her sister’s family. “This is my sister, Sophie, her husband, Parker, and her kids, Victor and Lauren.” 

Parker has the bravery to offer his hand. “Please, to meet you, Shohei.” He said, trying not to stutter. Sophie snickers because her husband isn’t usually this nervous. Shohei gladly gives him a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you all. I provided a suite as a way to watch the game, and my dog Decoy would love to play with the kids.” He informs them of an extra surprise to make their first Dodgers game experience more extraordinary. 

Sophie is fond of his kindness. “We’ll enjoy every second of it,” she looks down at her children, “what do we say to Uncle Shohei?” She adds a term that shocks Aria and Shohei. It seems like Sophie is comfortable letting Victor and Lauren view the baseball star as another loved one. 

“Thank you, Uncle Shohei.” Lauren thanks him with a cute smile.

“Thank you, and you’re the greatest player ever.” Victor finally gets to say that because he has been waiting for the right timing. 

Shohei bends down to their level and allows the sweet kids to hug him. “You’re very welcome. There will be more in the future.” He stated sincerely. Then a staff member takes the bunch, except for Aria, to their suite. She wants to stay behind for a little bit. 

“You know, I should do an appreciation gift as well.” Aria had thought about it, and she hopes it’ll happen. Shohei looks at her with loving eyes. “You don’t necessarily have to. But if you want, then I’ll take it in a heartbeat.” It may sound cliché, but having her in his life is enough. 

Without a word, the couple embraces each other to express their love publicly. In the background, both the fans and players adore seeing them together.

From the afternoon to night, Aria and her family were having the time of their lives. Even Decoy was happy because he got a paper award for his first Dodgers game. Of course, he had fun playing Victor and Lauren. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇 ── rs

he is a shy pitcher who can win the hearts of millions, even a lovely social media coordinator.

pairing: roki sasaki x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, family, shy!roki, extrovert!bubbly!oc, social media, language barrier

warnings: certain chapters will have warnings listed. hurt/comfort, mentions of tragedy, explicit language, suggestive/sexual content, cyberbullying. minors DNI.

note: hiii friends! i am happy that i can publish a roki fic and i'm excited about this one. i hope you enjoy!

disclaimer: this work is purely fictional and does not reflect the behavior or personal actions of any individual. if this is something you are uncomfortable with please skip or don't read.

taglist: open!

one - new season

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (10. annoucement)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2.2k words

language key: english, japanese

warning: mentions of sex talk and cyberbullying

note: it’s bittersweet to say this but i’ll be there is coming to an end soon. i’m actually proud of myself for completing a story because i had a lovely time writing the chapters and interacting with kind readers ^_^

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

In Aria’s bedroom, Jane and Millie are helping her get ready for the Dodgers gala. The preparation is special because Millie created a white halter-neck dress with a tulle ruffled skirt, and Jane is doing the hair and makeup. Aria has neutral-colored eyeshadow, rosy lips, and her hair is in loose curls. 

“Girl, look at you.” Jane is making Aria into a real-life fairytale princess. 

Millie is sitting on the bed and does a fake sob. “Our baby has become a woman.” 

It has the girls laughing because her dramatic behavior can be annoying, yet it’s funny. Jane applies hairspray to have the curls and flyaways in place. She pats Aria’s shoulder to convey that she is done. Aria looks at herself in the vanity mirror and is impressed by Jane’s handiwork. 

“I bet you Shohei will fall on his knees and become speechless.” Millie can imagine the stunned expression. Jane nods her head. “According to how he treats Riri, he is completely a lovesick man, and it’s cute.” Whenever Aria tells the stories about her and Shohei’s moments together, he is always a gentleman, even if it’s something small like opening the door for her. 

Aria turns from the vanity mirror to them. She elaborates further on what he is like as a boyfriend. “I find it endearing how protective he is. Shohei even offered to let me live with him and will do his best not to let the media invade our privacy.” 

Millie acknowledges why he does it, and she states her opinion. “I’ll be for real here, the media in America and Japan are crazy for this man. So, it makes sense why he was to keep you safe.” It’s never easy to handle fame while wanting to live an ordinary life. 

Jane also thought it was best to tell Aria what had made him protective of her. “I don’t know if he told you this, but he went through some hard times not too long ago. In other words, a former friend ruined a friendship. Shohei has been healing himself, and so far, the best thing that’s happened to him is you.” She remembers those times when he wouldn’t be his optimistic self or appear to be dissatisfied with playing the games. 

“I’m glad he is mentally and emotionally strong enough to handle a heartbreak and continue his passion.” Aria wouldn’t think someone could hurt Shohei. However, it’s a relief that he is doing better now.

Millie waves her hands, “But yes. Let’s lighten up. Have you guys done it yet?” She asked with a smirk. Jane’s eyes widen and instantly become interested. 

At first, there was silence, and Aria could feel her face burning. She knew at some point her friends would bring up this topic.

“Uh…yes, we did,” Aria answers shyly. 

Jane gasps, “No fucking way. How was it?” She quickly asked her. Millie has her ears open. Aria can feel her heart racing a thousand beats. Despite being embarrassed, she went along with it because she knew the girl wouldn’t stop being nosy. Aria explains briefly, “It was nice yet a little painful, but it eases away. I will admit, I never felt such pleasure in my life.” The shy girl wants to bury herself in a hole.

Millie screams high-pitched, and Jane has her jaw dropped. 

“Oh my god, Aria! You are seriously the luckiest girl in the world. Anyone would want to be in your position.” Millie tells the truth because it’s a dream to date Shohei. 

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Aria is urging them to move on from the topic. 

Jane giggles joyfully and reminds her. “Hey, we’re all glad to see you happy.”

Soon after, Aria continues to get ready while the girls are chilling around in her apartment. Then, she goes to the bathroom to put on the dress. Once she enters the living room, the two friends are bewitched by her soft elegance. 

“I am ready,” Aria says while putting on the diamond earrings that Millie suggested. She reasoned it added more glam, and it did. The last time she got dressed was for her sister’s wedding. 

The doorbell abruptly broke the silence. 

Millie jumps out of the couch to look at the peephole. “Shohei is here!” She informs Aria.

“Bring him in!” The dolled-up teacher is feeling giddy yet a bit nervous. Millie opens the door to let in a handsome man dressed in black attire with his raven hair pushed back, looking like a dark prince.

Shohei says hello to Millie and thanks her for letting him inside. His eyes swiftly land on Aria. He was almost lost for words, but managed to speak. “Wow. You look beautiful. Well, you always are.” Shohei gives Aria a lovely compliment. 

A blush blooms on her cheeks. “Thank you, Sho. These ladies did their magic on me.” She is grateful to have friends to help out. 

Soon enough, Aria wears her pale pink pumps, which boost her height, but she is still tiny compared to Shohei. Now that their work is done, Jane and Millie say their farewells before heading back home.

“We hope you two have fun.”

“Make sure to stay safe.”

Aria snickers as she enters the Porsche. She says one last thing to them. “Okay, okay, mothers.” 

⋆˙⟡

The blue carpet is where the Dodgers players and their significant others will walk down. Plus, journalists will make a quick stop for the men to ask questions. During the drive to the venue, Shohei spoke to Aria about that part of the event. He’ll allow her to wait for him once he gets done. Shohei doesn’t want Aria to be put on the spot because he knows journalists will get too curious and cross the line. 

While waiting for his name to get called up, Shohei hears a familiar voice calling out for Aria.

“Riri!”

She looks around to find the person approaching and beams, “Hi, Freddie!” She waves her hand and sees a gorgeous woman next to him. 

Freddie introduces her, “This is my wife, Chelsea. We’ve been married for ten years with three little boys.”

The younger woman becomes joyous and beckons her hand. “Aww, how amazing. It’s nice to meet you.”

Chelsea shows Aria a sweet smile. “Nice to meet you, too. I find it intriguing that you got your hands on this man.” She accepts the handshake and drifts her attention to Shohei. He chuckles before saying, “There’s always someone for someone.” And he is not wrong on that.

“Our son, Charles, loves Shohei.” Freddie points out to Aria. 

“Really?” She asked with a giggle. 

Chelsea nods her head and responds fully, “Charles said his favorite uncle is Shohei and would spend every day with him.” It made her husband a little envious. Aria can’t blame the boy because he is not the only one. “That’s so sweet. My parents also adore him.” She mentions them, which makes Shohei happy. 

“And I adore them as well. Her dad is a big fan of mine.” He hopes to see Ethan and Celeste again. Freddie pats his shoulder, “Getting love from your partner’s parents is a life achievement.” He stands corrected because Shohei showed up in the clubhouse all ecstatic after meeting Aria’s parents.

Eventually, Freddie and Chelsea said goodbye to them and will see them at the venue. 

Shortly, they are next. Aria feels her anxiety is starting to get to her because she will be shown to the world. However, she knows what to expect. Shohei can read Aria’s body language, and he gently rubs the small of her back to calm her. It did bring a confrontation from his soothing touch. Aria takes deep breaths. 

“Ready?” Shohei wants to make sure she is comfortable. 

Aria confirms, “Yes. I just hope I won’t trip and fall.” She tries to add humor.

Shohei grins and tells her, “Don’t worry. I’ll catch you.” It’s a promise that he will not break. 

He then lends her his arm to hold. She takes it by looping her wrist and hand. Aria can feel how solid Shohei’s muscles are underneath the suit. When a staff member calls his name, they begins to walk down the blue carpet. 

Aria can see multiple photographers with their flashing cameras. She also notices their faces. They are bewildered when they spot her. She wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad reaction, but the walk ended, and Shohei went to the journalists. Aria patiently waits for him as several media outlets bombard him with questions, which she has to give him respect for handling them. 

After finishing the short interview, Shohei and Aria have the security guards guide them to the venue. There are hundreds of people, and it’s loud, but they are having a good time. 

Shohei wraps his arm around Aria’s waist. “See. It wasn’t so bad.” He is impressed by her confidence. Aria playfully rolls her eyes, “Easy for you to say.” She has her boyfriend smiling because she was too cute and precious. Shohei pecks the crown of Aria’s head. “You did great. The people were star-struck by you.” He saw it happen, and she looked like a goddess gracing her presence. Aria blushes at his comment. There will never be a day when he is not being too kind. 

Throughout the gala, delicious food was served, upbeat music was played, and Aria got the chance to meet up with the guys, which surprised them because they weren’t expecting her to attend. The team and Aria took pictures and recorded videos together. 

At that moment, her chocolate-brown eyes notice Yoshinobu in a dashing plaid navy blue suit. Aria gets elated, and she yells out his name. “Yoshi!” Luckily, he hears her through the loudness of the place. 

Yoshinobu has a gleeful smile. “Aria! Are you having fun?” He asked her and gave a quick hug. She nodded, “Yes, I am. It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m loving it.” Aria feels like her anxiousness has washed away after seeing the players, and of course, Shohei being by her side. 

The pitcher says, “That’s good to hear.” 

Shohei goes in their direction after finishing a talk with one of the Dodgers organization’s employees. Yoshinobu senses his presence and sees him standing behind Aria. “Hey, big bro. How about you?” He greets his senior. 

“I’m doing great. You looked lonely when coming here.” Shohei states the obvious. Yoshinobu lets out a breath. “I didn’t ask anyone, and it’s all good for me.” He is telling the truth because he doesn’t mind being the only attendee without a date. 

Aria is looking at them all quietly. She has no clue what they are saying, but it has Shohei grinning. He almost forgot they were speaking in Japanese, so he translated to her. “He said he was fine coming here by himself.” 

The response has Aria giggling because Yoshinobu seems like the type to be straightforward, yet is sincere about anything. She pats his arm for reassurance. “But you are one of the stars, and it matters.” Aria knows that everyone at this gala has a purpose.

She made donations for the education area because, as a teacher herself, she wants both students and teachers to have a wonderful experience in school.

⋆˙⟡

A few days after the event, social media, news reports, and the internet itself exploded about Shohei and Aria. 

The public was astonished by the sudden announcement of their relationship. In one of the questions that Shohei answered at the gala, the journalist wondered who that woman was to him.

He came clear to say Aria is his girlfriend and what she means to him. Shohei even started posting pictures of them on their dates and Decoy cuddling with Aria on his Instagram. It’s finally something they can be open about. 

In the living room of Shohei’s home, the two are watching a movie, and Decoy is getting pets from Aria with his head resting on her lap. She is still trying to wrap her head around being considered as Shohei’s girlfriend. It may not be important to some people, but some loved them. Nevertheless, some were not so supportive. 

The others are the ones leaving comments in articles and websites criticizing her looks, she is dating him for his money, and so on. It did strike a nerve. Aria knew from the start of the relationship that there would be negative assumptions about her. 

Shohei invited Aria to his house to spend time together and lift her blue mood. He witnessed Aria watching the movie in silence and was supposed to be happy. 

The man pulls her into a hug. “Hey. They don’t know you are an amazing woman, and the only one in my life.” Shohei spoke firmly because it concerns him to see her upset. 

Aria sighs, “I know. It’s going to be difficult to ignore, but I’ll never let it affect me mentally.” She has to level up her big girl shoes and let everything pass. 

“I love you.” Shohei will be saying that phrase more than once. 

It lightens her spirit a bit. She looks up from his chest to say it back. “I love you, too.”

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

The Great Pumpkin - so

summary: autumn is here and pumpkins are being picked out and carved for the spooky season.

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!reader

genre/tags: fluff, family, cuteness overload, spooky season, husband!father!shohei, wife!mother!reader

wc: 1k words

language key: english, japanese

note: i thought it would be fun to write something halloween-related because i luv spooky month ⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

On this brilliant autumn day, a family of five is at the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect one to carve. It was Shohei’s idea because he loves Halloween and getting into the spooky season with his loved ones, and Decoy will always be fun. 

“Papa! We want this one!” Shohei hears his little girl’s adorable voice. He sees her pointing at a pumpkin that’s twice the size of a regular one. 

He becomes a bit conflicted. “It’s bigger than your guy’s head.” 

But as a great father that he is, Shohei picks up the pumpkin. He grunts and uses his strength from those gym workouts and pitching because it is heavy. “You got this, dad!” Shohei’s son gives him support, which he definitely needs. 

Meanwhile, you were checking out the land with Decoy, who was happily walking around and sniffing the pumpkins. The place is decked out with cute Halloween decorations and provides entertainment like games and a corn maze.

“Y/N! What do you think?!” Shohei calls for you. 

When you turn around, you notice your husband is struggling as your babies are happy that they got a pumpkin. Your oldest child, Eric Takumi Ohtani, is a spitting image of Shohei, and his mannerisms are so friendly and sweet. Last but not least, your youngest is Irene Mei Ohtani, and she looks more like you while having an optimistic heart. 

You smile blithely, “It’s almost the same size as The Great Pumpkin from Charlie Brown.” You and the kids love that short classic movie. Shohei says, “I’m doing it for them.” He tries to look strong, but, for real, his arms are about to break. You know your hubby through and through that he’ll act differently to impress the children. 

“Do you need help, Sho?” You asked while containing your laughter. Shohei didn’t hesitate to deny it. “Nope! Nope! I got this!” The man waddles his way to the parking lot. Irene then holds your hand, and Eric stands beside you, holding onto Decoy’s leash. “Papa looks funny.” She laughs at her penguin-like father. Irene is a blunt kid, but she tells the truth. 

You look at both of them. “Now, who picked out the pumpkin?” You question because the two can be mischievous. Eric points his index finger at Irene. “She did. I said I’ll let you choose whichever this time.” The seven-year-old expounds to his mother. You become amused that your pure and innocent daughter decides to make things harder for Shohei. Well, it’s not the first time. 

Decoy is wagging his tail and watching his human as well. 

Once they arrived home, the Ohtani Family layered old newspapers in the backyard. They changed their clothes to wear matching Halloween shirts and red plaid sweats. You came out of the kitchen after unboxing the utensils to check on your family. You see them using paddles to remove the pumpkin guts. Decoy is sitting on his bed as they do their thing. 

“Gotta scrape all of the guts out. Like how you pick your nose.” Shohei makes an absurd comparison. 

“Ew! Papa! I don’t pick my nose.” Irene rebutted with a scrunching face. Eric finds it hilarious and laughs merrily. 

The baseball superstar smirks, “Oh, you don’t? Then what’s this?” He reaches over to tap his baby girl’s button nose. She squeals and laughs her head off. Your heart melted at the sound of her angelic voice. You joined the trio by helping them scrape the pumpkin guts. 

Shohei sighed tiredly, “Why did she choose this one? It’s going to take ages to carve.” He spoke in a low voice to prevent the kids from hearing his complaint. You replied, “Well, Eric told me that Irene picked out this pumpkin. So, you better not upset her.” Shohei didn’t think he would get new information, and he knew he was doomed.

“Promises can’t be broken, I guess.” San meets your gaze to show his cute pout. The promise is not to break his daughter’s heart, and she is a daddy’s girl. 

Subsequently, the big pumpkin is hollowed out and ready to carve.

“Alright! We are done!” Shohei is relieved because it took ages. 

You went to sit with your babies and wipe their messy hands clean. “How do you want to carve the pumpkin?” You asked them. Eric speaks, “Again, I’m letting Mei-chan choose the design.” His generosity has Shohei and you feeling content.

“Can we do Decoy?” Irene looks at her parents with the prettiest boba-like eyes. How can anyone say no to that? 

The furry friend perks his head when he hears his name get called.

Shohei nods his head with a wide smile. “Yes! I love that.” He agrees with his daughter. You and Eric are also accepting the challenge. When it comes to arts & crafts, Shohei will do it as if it’s a major task. Even though Irene wouldn’t mind if it came out ugly, her father doesn’t like imperfections. 

Hours go by, and the day is now night. 

The Decoy pumpkin is finished. You and Shohei took some pictures to share on social media, the rest of the family, and in the Dodgers team group chat. 

You grabbed two tea light candles from the island in the kitchen. “Here, babies. Our masterpiece won’t be complete without these candles.” You handed them to Eric and Irene. They hold the candles and use their arms to reach inside the top of the carved pumpkin. Eric and Irene place it in the middle before Shohei grabs the lighter.

“Watch. This is a magical moment.” He puts two flames on the wicks. 

The little ones’ faces brighten like the Decoy pumpkin. “It’s pretty!” Irene claps her hands. “The best pumpkin yet.” Eric is impressed as well.

Shohei shifts his body to the masterpiece in front of him. “Papa is an artist.” He has a smug expression. You rolled your eyes yet smiled at your self-righteous husband.

[princesmitty]

WILL SMITH AND ROKI SASAKI CELEBRATE THE LAST OUT OF GAME 4 OF THE NLCS TO SWEEP THE BREWERS - brewers @ dodgers 10/17/25

[1uvdainty]

i luv them (╥﹏╥) <3

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (09. meet the parents)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2k words

language key: english, japanese

warning: suggestive themes

note: i decided to rewrite this chapter because the old ver didn't satisfy me but i hope you all enjoy this one <3

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

After a month of dating, Shohei and Aria have reached the point where they should be personal. It’s time to let their families know about their relationship. 

Shohei wanted to meet Aria’s family first. It was the best choice because they live in the United States, and he thought maybe one day they could book a trip to Japan and meet his family. They can video call each other, but the time difference will make it complicated. 

Aria runs to the door and checks the peephole. It’s Shohei who is dressed in a dashing outfit. She unlocks the door to let him in. “Hi. Sorry, I’m still getting ready.” She is still in her pajamas while her makeup and hair are completed. 

Shohei enters the apartment and closes the door. He snickers because she looks adorable in her Strawberry Shortcake pajama set. He shakes his head, “No, it’s good. I can wait for you.” Shohei didn’t mind waiting for Aria. He pecks her cheek and watches her rush to the bedroom, like a rat scurrying. 

As he waits for Aria, Shohei takes a seat on the couch. His eyes landed on the coffee table. It has a pile of books and papers that are Japanese learning materials. Shohei picks up one of the books and sees that she annotates the pages, highlighting the conjugates, and a lot of the learning process. 

He feels warmth spread across his heart. Aria is learning Japanese, and it has him wondering if she is doing it for him or for other purposes. Shohei then hears the bedroom door click open, revealing an angel in a flowy pink dress with short puffy sleeves and a bow tied in the back. 

Aria never fails to make Shohei a lovesick man. He can feel the warm and fuzzy feeling whenever he sees her. 

Shohei stands up to pull Aria into a hug. “You look like an angel sent from heaven.” He and his odd compliments make her laugh. Nevertheless, it’s very sweet.  

The couple parted from the hug. Shohei becomes curious and asks Aria, “You’re learning Japanese?”

She quickly realizes that he notice her new collection. “I am! I just thought it would be useful and fun to learn. And yes, I want to try communicating with you in your native language.” Aria explains her new hobby. 

He finds it interesting, but still a bit confused. “You honestly didn’t need to do it for me. English is fine.” The man said. 

Aria adds to her explanation. “I know, but I do want to have a full-on conversation in a different language.” She also wanted to try it out with her best friends. 

Shohei pats her shoulder and says, “If you need help, I would gladly do it. But I don’t know if I’ll be a patient teacher.” 

“You are super patient. I don’t think you carry any ounce of anger or hate in you.” Aria has never seen Shohei upset because he is always kind and respectful. 

He snickers, “Let’s see how your parents think of me.” It’s one of the biggest challenges that he must face. 

⋆˙⟡

“I’m scared,” Shohei admits, almost in a shaky voice.

Throughout the car ride, he was taking a lot of deep breaths. Aria had to hold his hand, and she couldn’t stop laughing because panic-stricken Shohei was something you don’t see every day.  He was also being too cute and honest. 

Aria leaned against his arm as they walked down the neighborhood sidewalk. “Don’t be. They’ll love you.” She has been reassuring Shohei countless times, but the nerves are getting to him. 

The house is ordinary yet stunning. Shohei can tell there was a lot of joy in Aria’s childhood, despite not being her first. 

Nevertheless, a home is a home. 

As they set foot on the porch, Aria rings the doorbell. Shohei quickly straightens his suit and wipes the sweat off his hands on the sides of his dress pants. The door opens, and he sees a middle-aged couple. 

“Hi, Mom, hi Dad!” Aria gleefully greets her parents and gives them hugs. Their eyes automatically land on Shohei. She can tell they are stupefied. 

Aria chuckles, “This is my boyfriend, the one and only Shohei Ohtani.” She introduces him to her parents. Her father then shook his head out of the trance. 

Mr. Reed or Ethan quickly takes out his hand to hold Shohei’s. “Oh my god! It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Ohtani! I’m such a big fan!” He couldn’t help but get excited. 

Shohei shakes Ethan’s hand and smiles widely. “Likewise! Thank you very much, Mr. Reed.” He appreciates the older man. 

Aria’s mother, Celeste, says, “Please, come in. We have all day to get to know each other.” She and her husband let the younger couple inside the house. 

Shohei takes in the lovely place with warm colors of decor and furniture. He also spots a collection of pictures on the wall. Shohei smiles when he sees little Aria in her cute pink puffy dress, and it goes to show that she has loved the color pink for her whole life. 

Soon enough, Ethan and Shohei are in the living room, talking to each other about what comes to mind. Meanwhile, Celeste and Aria prep the dining table for dinner. 

“Tell me. How did you manage to get an MLB superstar?” Celeste is eager to know for so long because her daughter wanted to wait for the day to explain. Ethan, as well, couldn’t be more patient. 

Aria smiles as she speaks. “Long story short, we met in Japan last year, and it was a brief moment. On Millie’s birthday, it just so happened we crossed paths and agreed to start a relationship.” It still surprises her that she is dating Shohei, which does make her happy for numerous reasons. One of them is that he does have a deep interest in her. 

Celeste puts down the utensils and listens to her youngest child. “I’m glad that you found someone like Shohei because your fanboy father has stolen him from you. He is very handsome and nice.” She looks at the opening of the living room to see Ethan and Shohei enjoying their time together. Aria laughs heartily at her mother’s statement. “I can see that. Well, none of us has said the most important phrase yet.” She admits to the older woman. 

She immediately knew what Aria meant. Celeste gives her a piece of advice, “You should do it when the time is right, and if you don’t, then you’ll miss your chance.” Even though Celeste isn’t around Aria as often, she does hope there will be someone for her. 

The youngest Reed daughter sighs, “I’ll follow your advice, Mom.” 

⋆˙⟡

Over in the living room, Ethan brings up a question for Shohei. “May I ask, what do you see in Aria?” Like any other father, he wants to get to know the man whom his daughter brings home. Plus, it’s uncommon for his youngest child. 

Shohei gets real with the answer. “I see a lot of greatness in her. When I first met Aria, it was instant love at first sight. It sounds cliché to say the least, but I guess it was meant to be after a year. You may be questioning how a rich man like me would choose your daughter? To make it simple, I found my happiness from her, and she doesn’t see him as anything other than a man who loves baseball.” 

Ethan hears him speak with genuine emotion. He draws a smile when Shohei says his daughter makes him happy. Aria has always been a super generous person.

“I love that you both accept each other for what it is. I mean, it’s not every day a baseball star comes to you like it’s a regular scenario. Aria wouldn’t stop talking about you in the family group chat.” Ethan humors, which causes Shohei to laugh contentedly because it’s adorable. He does the same thing with his family in Japan. 

The older man adds, “I don’t know if it’s too early to say this, but welcome to the family, Shohei.” He lets out a hand. The baseball player takes it with a firm grip. “Thank you, sir.” He sincerely appreciates Ethan. 

Subsequently, as the night arrives, the dining room is full and the people are having a merry moment. The aroma of the food fills the air and tastes delightful.

Aria’s parents have smiles on their faces, and it warms her heart because they seem to enjoy having Shohei around. When dinner ended, Celeste was astonished by Shohei’s gentlemanly behavior of helping her collect the dirty dishes.

At the table, Ethan tells Aria, “You chose the right guy, sweetheart.” His response has her laughing gleefully. 

“I’ll pat myself on the back.” It felt like she achieved a big life goal. Aria asks Ethan, “So, Dad, what do you think of Shohei?” She has gotten her mother’s opinion; now it’s her father’s turn. 

Ethan responded truthfully, “I like him. He is a humble man, and I would love to have him around more.” 

Aria gets elated because that’s all she needed. Her parents allow Shohei into their lives. She leans forward to grasp Ethan’s hand. “I’ll make sure to bring him home as much as possible,” Aria promises her father, who grins happily. 

“Try not to force the man.” He reminded her because he had personal experiences.

She giggles and says, “Alright.”

⋆˙⟡

Midnight has arrived, where the obsidian sky darkens the world with a hint of light from the crescent moon and stars. 

It’s time to head home, as Aria’s parents wished the day didn’t fly by so quickly. 

“Thank you for coming, Shohei. We had a wonderful time.” 

Celeste enveloped her arms around his waist and patted his wide back. As a tall man, he carefully embraces the much smaller woman. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Reed.” Shohei is satisfied that Aria’s parents have developed a fondness for him. 

“Please, call us Celeste and Ethan. You are now family to us.” Celeste softly caresses his cheek—a mother’s touch has him feeling content. 

Ethan also bids goodbye to Shohei and Aria. He watches them walk out of the house right before his eyes. It struck him to the heart to see his daughter happily go to the outside world and have a man in her life. 

During the peaceful drive, Aria asks Shohei, “It wasn’t that bad, was it?” He looks more relieved than he did earlier. The man shakes his head, “No, it wasn’t. I’m glad that your parents and sister approve of me, and I truly feel thankful.” He’ll definitely do something for them to show his gratitude. 

That day will come. 

When coming back to the apartment, Shohei follows Aria, and that feeling hasn’t left him because he wanted her. She opens the door to let both of them inside. Aria stretches her arms and says, “Happy to be home.”

As soon as Shohei shuts and locks the door, he pulls Aria’s arm to put his lips onto hers. He gently presses her against the door and begins to explore her cheek and neck. Aria lets out a gasp when he lifts one of her legs and wraps it around his waist with one hand on the side of her head. Like last time, she can feel his big thigh rubbing on her center, except it’s making her feel more pleasure. 

Aria hugs her man’s neck. “Shohei. I love you.” She finally says with full certainty. Shohei raises his face from her collarbone to make eye contact. Aria watches his plush lips etch a wide smile, and his eyes glimmer. “I love you, too, daarin.” He responds with the same level of affection. 

The petite beauty kisses him again and parts to express herself, “I had to say it because I didn’t want to miss my chance.” She, indeed, took her mother’s advice, and miraculously, Shohei feels the same way. 

He puts her leg down to bring her into his arms. “Thank you for saying it first because I wouldn’t do it,” Shohei confesses. Aria lets out a hearty laugh. She is proud of herself, too. “You’re welcome. Now, you don’t have to be afraid.” Aria raises her head to kiss him.

The deeply in love couple spent the rest of the night being more intimate than usual. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (08. work day)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2k words

language key: english, japanese

note: helloooo long time no see! i hope you all are doing well cuz it did take a while to finish this chapter :,) but i am happy to finish and post it. you'll get to read more of protective shohei which is honestly so freakin sweet <3 also as a reminder this story takes place in 2024 and will mention actual events

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

After ending that very sensual yet romantic moment, Aria showers and changes out of her date clothes into something more comfortable. She’ll be spending the day at the stadium, which is exciting because she’ll have early access. And of course, to see the guys again.

Shohei is sitting in the living room watching TV and snacking. The two are a match made in heaven because they make themselves at home so quickly.

While putting on her makeup, Aria thought about Shohei’s commitment to protecting her. She knew what she was getting herself into when dating a famous person. It sounds like a challenge, but she doesn’t want to think that way.

She also wondered what caused him to react so profoundly after she mentioned the media. Aria believed she should not ask Shohei about it because it would make her feel guilty for upsetting him. But if it has to be said, then she’ll listen to him personally.

For now, Aria is happy to be with Shohei, and he seems like the one.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she decides to wear something simple and cute: a pink crewneck with a bunny on it and light blue flared jeans. Lastly, her hair is in a French braid.

When she leaves the bathroom, Aria grins to see a bear in a human form, so intrigued by Jujutsu Kaisen playing on the TV.

“Having fun?” She asked Shohei.

He hears Aria’s dulcet voice and shifts his gaze from the TV to her. No matter how many times he has seen her, his breath gets taken away.

Shohei puts the bag of chips on the coffee table and waddles over to Aria. Without a word, he hugs her. “You’re so cute, perfect, and everything.” He speaks with pouty lips.

Aria laughs gleefully, “Alright, lover boy. Let’s head on out before you run late.” She pats his wide back. Shohei mutters, “Okay.” In a solemn voice. All he wants is to admire Aria’s beauty, but a game is what keeps him living.

Shohei kisses the top of her head and parts from the embrace. He turns off the TV, puts the snacks back onto the kitchen counter, and opens the door for Aria. Such a true gentleman through and through.

During the drive to the Dodgers Stadium, Shohei asked Aria if she could join him for the upcoming Blue Diamond Gala, where the Dodgers’ Foundation does fundraisers to help out communities. It also means to have a first public appearance as a couple.

“Sure, I would love to come along.”

“Really? You’re not worried about anything?”

Aria shakes her head. “No. I mean, yes, I understand there will be a lot of journalists wanting to know who I am, but it’ll be an obvious answer.” She chuckles to clear the slight tension, knowing Shohei is worried. Aria pulls her gaze from the road to look at him. There wasn’t a response from Shohei.

For reassurance, Aria takes his right hand in a tight grip. “I’ll be alright, Shohei. If things take a turn, we’ll settle it together.” She speaks firmly. The man presses the brake pedal when a red light appears. He meets her eyes. “At first, I thought you were a shy girl. Now you’re showing me more sides of yourself.” Shohei does find it appealing because Aria has hidden charms.

She snickers, “Well, I can’t always be shy whenever something serious happens.” And it’s the truth. Aria hears a sweet laugh from Shohei. “Okay, I’ll stop worrying.” He states almost like a promise.

Coming back to the stadium is like another home to Shohei.

Needless to say, it’s been life-changing since he first stepped foot onto the bases and made all of the wins that he wanted. Shohei will always get happy and excited for another game. Yes, losses are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.

When walking in the parking lot, they spotted a group of fans waiting outside for the doors to open. Shohei allows Aria to walk ahead of him and heads to the inside of the stadium. He heard them saying hi, and he would do a small wave as a kind gesture.

The next place to go is the clubhouse. As the two enter the long hallways, Aria makes a suggestion.

“Should I be your cheerleader as you are playing?”

Shohei didn’t hesitate to agree with her. “Yes, please! I need all the luck in the world! Also, a butt tap.” He wants to make as many wins as possible. The last part went right over Aria’s head. She looks at Shohei baffingly. “Uh, a butt tap?” Not sure what he meant.

“It’s also for encouragement. Everyone does it in sports.” He clarified in short. Aria understands and finds it hilarious and somehow wholesome. She tells him, “Okay, I’ll do that too.” It’ll be the first time in her life she touches a man’s butt.

And Shohei’s bottom is something else, like many women and men would envy to have a perfectly shaped one. Aria has seen it multiple times, and she wonders if she should start working out or do squats.

Her boyfriend gives her a sudden kiss on the crown of her head as a thank you.

⋆˙⟡

“Shohei! And Aria?”

Freddie is the first person to greet the couple.

When he says Aria, all of the guys have their heads turned to the door. She instantly gets shy from getting so much attention. “Hi, everyone.” She waves at the players. In unison, they said hello with friendly smiles.

Mookie goes up to Aria and wraps his arms around her. “Good to see you again!” He said so cordially. Aria returns the hug. ”Likewise! I hope you guys are doing well.” She knows they’ve been working hard throughout this season, and almost half of the year has passed. Mookie gently pats her before pulling away.

“We’ve been good. Shohei, here, keeps surprising us every day.” Max points at his teammate, who smiles happily.

“Oh, I can’t imagine,” Aria spoke in a faux tone, and she snickered. The guys laugh along with her because Shohei is flustered—not very common for him to act like that. One of the oldest players, Clayton, acknowledges why Aria is here in the clubhouse, which he asks them. “So, is this real?” He lifts a brow and smiles.

They looked at each other for a second, and Aria nodded her head. Shohei answers the question. “Yes, everyone. We’ve been dating for almost 48 hours.” Once he says it, the guys clap their hands and cheer for the new lovers.

Clayton speaks again, “But hey, good for both of you. We love seeing more people joining the bunch. Half of us are married with children.” He points his thumb to one of their catchers next to him. “Will has a new child coming into the world very soon,” Clayton informs Aria, and her face lights up.

“Aww, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” She tells Will. His lips plastered a smile. “Thank you. I also have another child named Charlotte, who is two years old.” He mentions his first child.

“You’re welcome, and I’m sure she is growing up fast.” Aria had seen it many times in her life.

“Like a flower.” Even though he’ll be having two kids very soon, Will is still going through the new dad phase.

Aria then tells the team what she does for a living. “I’m an elementary school teacher. I truly love kids and navigating the world they live in.”

Teoscar is astounded, well, all of them are. “So, you are a teacher, Jane is a physician therapist, and Millie recently told us that she is a business owner in clothes. You, ladies, are amazing.”

The petite beauty laughs sheepishly. “I appreciate it. I’m sure you all feel the same way about success.” Aria has heard the stories of the Dodgers’ journey from Shohei. The stories were emotional and heartfelt.

Kiké walks up to hug Shohei. “We sure do. And another reason is this guy.” He slapped his stomach. The room broke out laughing while Shohei went along with it.

Eventually, the guys stole Aria from Shohei. He watches her get comfortable and enjoy being with his teammates.

Freddie approaches to stand by him. “Shohei, you'd better wife her up.” He unknowingly recites the familiar words.

Shohei turns his head to Freddie, “That’s what Yoshinobu told me.” He also notices his friend is running late.

The older man chuckles, “I mean, he ain’t wrong. She is beautiful, intelligent, adorable, and everything great about her. You might have to follow Yoshinobu’s words.” He is basically saying it’s now or never.

Shohei sighs, “But first, I have to do the family meetings.”

“Oh damn. I hope her parents approve of you. Especially her daddy.” Freddie knows what it’s like to earn his wife’s family’s blessing. It was harder than stealing a base.

After the clubhouse hangout, everyone went out into the field. Aria’s jaw dropped as she walked in the same spot where millions of games were played. She can understand the perspective of a baseball player. It does feel overwhelming, especially when a crowd of people is watching you.

“Shocking, right?”

Aria hears her boyfriend from behind. He changed out of his casual clothes into his fitness attire, which is a blue muscle tee and shorts. His LA snapback is put on backwards, showing off his handsome face—Aria’s personal favorite look of Shohei.

“I mean, yes. A baseball stadium is your workplace, and that’s incredible.” She looks around the stadium like a curious kid. Shohei watches her, and his happiness grows from her cute reactions.

Throughout practice, he is either batting, running with his signature slides, or stretching. Aria, on the other hand, is playing catch with Miguel, Max, and one of the newest teammates, Tommy.

Shohei takes a break from his batting practice. He sits down on the grass and drinks some water. His eyes landed on his girlfriend and the guys. It warms his heart to see her getting along with the team because he did tell her that they would love her.

“So, how are you and Aria?”

The two-way player turns his head and notices his best friend is coming his way.

Shohei answers Yoshinobu’s question. “It’s going great. I even asked her to join the gala, and I’m still surprised that she said yes.”

The pitcher has a smile on his face. “Well, you gotta let the lady make her own decisions. What else happened, if you don’t mind sharing?” Yoshinobu is being his usual nosy self, but Shohei will share, regardless.

Shohei goes on telling Yoshinobu about yesterday. “I told her stories about my baseball journey, and I mentioned the time we won the WBC.” It was all pure and simple.

“We kissed on our first date.” He says it proudly.

Yoshinobu looks at him with a content expression, “Let’s go, big bro!”

Shohei laughs because he knows it would be important. “Decoy loves Aria. He got sad when she had to leave, but it’s not the last time he’ll be seeing her.” The man has never seen his furry best friend cry like that. Decoy is usually fine whenever Shohei leaves the house.

“Aww, sweet boy. I mean, she has become the sunshine in our lives now.” Yoshinobu indicates that Aria has the team adoring her, and he does like her as a great friend. He gestures with his head. “Speaking of the sunshine.” The two Japanese players witness that Aria is coming their way.

“Hi, Yoshi!” She cheerily greets the pitcher.

“Hi!” He waves his hand.

Shohei stands up and quickly looks around to recognize fans coming into the stadium. He is a patient man, but he has the urge to hug and kiss Aria. It’s going to be a long wait.

“Having fun with the guys, daarin?” Shohei asked Aria, adding the pet name that shocked Yoshinobu. She responded, “Yes, I am! They’re so nice, and they taught me how to throw a baseball.” Aria never knew there were multiple ways; it looks simple, yet challenging.

“One day, you’ll see me throw a baseball and do strikeouts.” Shohei will be a pitcher again; he just knows it.

Yoshinobu smirks because he knows Shohei likes to show off or brag about his skills.

masterlist

[yoshinobuyamamoto]

off to tokyo! 😎

[1uvdainty]

cutiesss! 🤍

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (07. memories)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2.1k words

language key: english, japanese

warnings: mention of financial issues and suggestive themes

note: another filler chapter but it gets more interesting. plus it’s my first time writing something suggestive lol

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

“I want to ask you something. What does daarin mean?” 

Aria finally asked Shohei the pet name he has been calling her. She is helping him make their dinner, and ramen is one of her comfort foods that she would make as a quick meal. 

Shohei scoops the cooked noodles from the pot into two bowls. A smile etches his lips because it sounds cute when she says it. 

He tells Aria, “Daarin means my darling in Japanese.” 

The definition of the pet name warms her heart and makes her blush. “That’s so cute! What should I call you?” Aria hasn’t thought about calling him anything else besides his name. Shohei brings up some recommendations. “I’ve gotten called Sho a lot. Shotani by a former teammate and friend,” he chuckles before continuing, “believe it or not, unicorn because I’m a two-way player.” Shohei can go on for hours, but the last one has Aria laughing. 

It’s the strangest yet greatest nickname. 

She clears her throat to speak. “Unicorn is amazing. But I might stick to Sho.” In which the baseball player didn’t mind because he preferred it. 

Once the ramen bowls are ready, Shohei and Aria sit in the dining room and devour their meal. Decoy is also having his dinner handed by his father. 

Just when she thought she would be heading home, Shohei asked Aria if she was up for a sleepover. It surprised the girl because she didn’t pack anything. However, Shohei offered her a shirt, the smallest shorts he had, and hygiene products. Aria agrees with it because she can trust him.

The next thing she knows, she is cuddling with Decoy on a king-sized bed. Apparently, Shohei lets him sleep at the end of his bed because he doesn’t like to be alone. It’s very kind of him to treat Decoy like a loved one. 

After a nice shower and dressed in his pajamas, Shohei walks in with a photo book. He puts it on the nightstand, hops onto the bed, and sits behind Aria with his long legs spread out. Shohei gently pulls her to his chest and wraps his arms around her.

“I’ve always wanted a dog, but my family couldn’t afford to adopt one. But I’m happy that Decoy is now part of my life.” Aria looks at him lovingly at the foot of the bed.

Shohei shares a memory of his childhood. “I used to have a dog as a kid. A shelter rescued it, and it became my first best friend. My sister and brother are much older than I, so hanging out together became a challenge, and I spent more time with my parents, friends, and our first pet.” He remembers that sweet golden retriever that would give him so much joy as a kid.

The man appreciates the beautiful woman in his arms. “I’m glad that you allowed Decoy into your life.” 

“Of course I would! Like, how can you say no to that angel face?” She says and pouts at the adorable sight of a sleeping Decoy. Then it clicked in her head that Shohei never mentioned his siblings. 

He briefly explains, “I thought now it would be appropriate to talk more personally. Despite our age gap, I am close to them. Another thing we have in common is that we are the youngest in our families.” 

Aria sighs, “Sometimes being the baby of the family is a privilege, but it can have its cons because we have to wait until we’re old enough to do anything.” At some point in her life, she was the youngest relative, and truthfully, she didn’t enjoy it like most kids would. 

Instead of being coddled by her parents, Aria wanted to grow up fast so she could do things that kids weren’t allowed to do. However, she is grateful that her parents treated her well.  

“Like me having to wait to sign a Major League contract,” Shohei mentions, out of the blue.

Aria raises her neck to see his grinning. “And you did it.” She says to her new boyfriend. 

He then becomes curious. “Speaking of age, you don’t mind if I ask your age?” Shohei knows it’s sometimes not right to ask a woman’s age, but Aria went along with it.

She responded, “Sure! I’m 23, but I'll be turning 24 on October 12. How about you?” 

Shohei chuckles sheepishly. “No joke, I'm 29, going to be 30 on July 5.” His reply has Aria turning around to cup his face, more like squishing his plump cheeks. “You have such a baby face! And yet you’re built like a superhero!” She describes his physical appearance perfectly. 

“Is that a good thing?” Shohei manages to speak, and his heart races from her compliment. 

Aria nods with a smile. “Of course it is!” She would’ve added more words about him, but it’ll go on for eternity. 

She also didn’t forget about the photo book that he brought with him. Shohei began to show Aria his baseball journey. The first photo was of him in high school. He still has that baby face, but more child-like, thinner, and has a shaved hairstyle. In it, he is wearing his first baseball tournament uniform. 

Aria instantly falls in love with teenager Shohei. “Aww, you’re so cute! Well, you still are.” She reminds him, and forever is. “Thanks. I haven’t changed a bit.” Shohei looks at his younger self. Little did that kid know he would be a superstar. 

“You just got taller and older.” Aria teases him for the first time. 

Shohei gasps dramatically. He then sprinkles her cheek and neck with kisses. Aria squeals lowly, trying not to wake up Decoy. She forgot to tell Shohei she is ticklish, but now he knows. 

After the teasing, they delved more into the book. When they stumbled upon a significant memory, Shohei shared the story. “This is from my first World Baseball Classic, where teams from different countries play against each other. My team won, and it has been the biggest win of my life so far. I was genuinely surprised that I faced my Angels teammate, during the Final At Bat.”

“I do miss the guys. I just know they’re still playing for their Japanese teams and having fun.” He openly admits his homesickness. Aria feels for him because she, too, misses people back at home. 

She does her best to cheer him up. “Your stories are so fascinating. You should be a writer of your own book.” It’s also sweet how he keeps physical copies of them. 

“I’ve been wanting to write something for people to read, but it’ll come to me at some point.” Shohei would like to expand a story of his life in as many ways as possible. It’ll most likely give inspiration for children as well. He suddenly notices Aria letting out a yawn. “Tired?” He chuckles because anything she does is adorable. 

Aria answers, “Yes. It’s the weekend, so that means I can rest more. Thank you for everything. I don’t know how many times I’ll be saying that, but I hope you won’t get annoyed.” She apologizes again, but Shohei didn’t mind it. 

He closes the book and puts it on the nightstand. Shohei reassures Aria, “Of course not, daarin. Let’s rest because I have another game tomorrow, and the guys would love to see you again.” His teammates have probably seen the signs between him and Aria, but they’ll be happy for him.

The couple is snuggling up together underneath the blanket and letting the night pass by. 

⋆˙⟡

When the morning came, a perfect sunrise brought an orange glow into the mansion.

Like a little family, Shohei, Aria, and Decoy are having their first meal of the day. Decoy was glad to see that Aria didn’t leave because he gave her kisses to wake her up, and to his father, of course. The three are in the dining room, eating homemade pancakes with fresh fruit, made by Aria.

“I know this sounds early, but would you like to meet my parents?”

Aria offers an opportunity to Shohei, and she is careful because she doesn’t want to rush their relationship or pressure him. Plus, will they even believe she is dating an MLB player?

Shohei’s eyes lit up. “Sure, I would love to! I hope I don’t mess up my handshakes.” He has to put on his bigger boy shoes because he is committed. Shohei hears Aria laughing, like chiming bells on a windy day. 

“You’ll be fine. My parents are very nice people, and they welcomed my brother-in-law with open arms.” Aria will never forget that time when Parker was a nervous wreck because he was stuttering his words. But he is an amazing guy who is like an older brother. Shohei says, “Okay, I believe you.” He won’t disregard his girlfriend's statement. 

After breakfast, Aria has to head home. Decoy is upset when she starts to pack her belongings. “Aww, don’t cry. I’ll be back again, okay?” She is holding him like a baby and makes a promise. Decoy lets out a grunt. Both Shohei and Aria laugh at his cute response. 

“Okay, Dekopin? Now, be good when I’m gone.” Shohei pets his droopy ears. When he speaks Japanese to Decoy, Aria finds it adorable.

Once saying goodbye to Decoy, his father and new mother take a drive back to the apartment. 

Throughout the car ride, Shohei puts his hand on Aria’s thigh. Like a gentleman, he asked for her permission, and she allowed him to be intimate. At this point, they shouldn’t be questioning what to do. But they show each other respect and kindness. 

“Here’s my home sweet home. It’s small yet worth living in.”

Aria opens the door to her apartment, and Shohei gets welcomed by girly decor. Everything is pink, white, and a hint of beige. 

“Your place is beautiful. It really screams you.” He gives her a positive comment about her living space. “Thank you! I try to manage enough space for all of my furniture.” Aria thanked him and did a quick tour. Shohei can see how much she loves bright colors, cute cartoon art as wall decor, and the view from the balcony is enchanting. 

On the couch, Aria expounds to Shohei her brutally honest opinion about this apartment. “I’ve been living here for three years now, and I just can’t seem to leave this place. However, there is a downside to it. My rent goes up, and paying them can be a struggle when you only have a teaching salary.” She enjoys seeing the people in the building because some of them have kids who attend the school she teaches, and her landlord is very nice. But Aria does her best to save money to pay rent. 

Shohei wraps arms around her petite form. “Since I’m willing to help you out with anything, I wouldn’t mind having you living with me.” He confesses, which astounds Aria. She lifts her head to frown at him. “Shohei. Are you sure? What about the media?” She is being cautious and worries about their safety. 

The man swears to her. “If they do find out and nasty rumors get spread, I won’t hesitate to defend you. I’ve been through it before, and it was difficult to settle it all.” Shohei stares deeply into her chocolate brown eyes. Flabbergasted, Aria couldn’t imagine what rumor it was that hurt him. 

“Thank you, Shohei. If I ever say yes, can I add pink to your mansion?” She goes back to being playful with appreciation. Shohei breaks out a lighthearted laugh. Aria loves it when he is smiling. “I’ll allow it.” He simply said. 

Aria built the courage to peck his lips. It was shy yet innocent. 

Shohei’s eyes soften, and the desire to pour out his love for her is tempting. He does it by pressing his lips onto Aria’s. But this time it’s harder, passionate, and needy. Shohei moves himself forward to hover over Aria.

Startled, she lets out a gasp between kisses when he presses his thigh between her legs. The lovely sound filled his ears. 

“Shohei.” Aria breaks the kiss by saying his name so airily and sweetly that he has the urge to keep going. Shohei rests his forehead on hers. “Did I scare you?” He wonders. Then a small smile plays on Aria’s luscious lips. “No. We can continue next time. More than kisses.” She reminds Shohei, which shocks him. 

He didn’t think timid Aria had another side to her. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (06. golden hour)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2k words

language key: english, japanese

warning: crying, mention of past injuries, and hurt/comfort

note: besties get ready for this one and it might be my fav update so far >.<

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

The golden hour presents an orange and yellow gradient sky, peach-colored clouds, and a gentle spring breeze.

Inside the car, a loud karaoke is happening. At first, it was chill, soothing music that became party music. Shohei and Aria are singing at the top of their lungs like there is no care in the world. 

Up until a familiar tune filled their ears. Aria’s jaw dropped before speaking. “I love this song! But I don’t want to butcher the lyrics.” She is tempted to sing the song, but worries about her broken Japanese. Shohei heartens Aria, “It’s okay. I’ll sing along with you.” He tries to reassure her that it won’t upset him, personally. Not to mention, she has a wonderful singing voice. It’s light and pleasant. 

Aria goes with it and waits for the main chorus to start. 

Remember Summer Days

It won’t return a second time

Even the memories, now, will be washed away by the waves

Oh, I love you

I’m unable to forget, but when winter arrives

There will be another love

Shohei is bobbing his head while singing along. To him, Aria’s Japanese isn’t bad, and she is enjoying the music. Shohei glanced at her. The golden hour lighting shone over her face, like an enchanting goddess. 

A beautiful woman singing a nostalgic song from his childhood has brought him a new form of healing. 

When the song ends, Aria turns her head to Shohei. “Did I do well?” She asked, feeling a little nervous. He answers truthfully, “You did great! Your Japanese wasn’t far off, and you looked happy while singing.“ His response brought delight to Aria. 

Curious, Shohei has a wonderment. “How do you know that song?”

Aria explains, “Jane introduced me to the genres of Japanese music, and City Pop caught my interest. I’m not a professional singer, but I would sing alone in my apartment or for parties.” At this point, she should learn Japanese and not be afraid to show off her voice. It’s also surprising to Shohei how Aria has hidden talents. 

He then takes her hand to hold and caresses the back of it with his thumb. Aria blushes at his gentle touch, which honestly makes her flustered all the time. Shohei tells a short story. “When I was little, my mom would listen to City Pop because it was and still is a popular genre in Japanese music. It also helped me get through the hours of practicing for baseball games.” He remembers a boy living in a rural city, playing catch with his father, and retro music. 

Aria’s expression softens. It’s so precious whenever Shohei shares moments of his life, especially about his family. “I love that! Your mom has good taste.” She comments and has Shohei giggling.

Even though it sounds a bit early, she wonders if she’ll meet his relatives. They seemed like lovely people who cared for one another. 

“You should sing more, too,” Shohei suggested. 

Aria looks at him, perplexed. “You think so? It doesn’t deafen your ears?” She questions with a hint of humor. Shohei denies it and chuckles merrily. “Yes, I would love to hear more, and no, it doesn’t.” 

⋆˙⟡

Awestruck, Aria can’t believe what she is seeing right now. Shohei’s mansion resembles a castle in a fairytale. He is a very wealthy man to own such a magnificent living space, but stepping onto the property feels like it should be forbidden. 

“Wow. Your home is stunning.” Aria delivers a compliment and won’t stop admiring it. Shohei finds her reactions to be so cute that he is gushing internally. He pulls up to the driveway and turns off the engine. “Thank you. It’s also my first ever mansion.” Shohei affirmed. Before the lavish lifestyle, he lived in a small home that was cozy and full of love. Nevertheless, Shohei is grateful to have everything. Aria is actually proud that he achieved so much. 

Soon enough, the couple gets out of the car to enter the home. Shohei unlocks the door and has Aria walk in first. Suddenly, a happy four-legged friend dashes to them. 

“Aww, aren’t you a cutie?” She bends down to pet Decoy’s ears. Unexpectedly, he hops forward to attack her face with kisses. Aria laughs at the slobbering affection. But for Shohei, he is displeased by his mischievous behavior. “No, Decoy! Sit!” He scolds him. Decoy obeys Shohei’s demand and cutely sits in front of Aria with a smile. 

“Sorry. He is still a puppy and needs a lot of training. His name is Dekopin or Decoy as an easier way to call him.” Shohei apologizes, feeling a bit embarrassed. He bends down as well to pet Decoy’s little head. Aria giggles blithely, “You’re good. I can tell he loves people.” She continues to pet the mess out of him. 

Decoy is small, but he has a hyperactive energy that is adorable yet insane. 

“I’ll be back. Make yourself at home.” Shohei allows Aria to get comfortable. “Okay,” She says, taking a seat on the couch. Shohei heads to the bedroom to put his jacket and hat away. He pulls his phone out of his jeans to message Yoshi. 

The trip to the aquarium: accomplished.

Nice, big bro! What are you doing now?

I invited her over to my place. Going to have dinner soon.

Are you gonna do anything else? hmmmm.

Shohei lets out a sigh because he knows what Yoshi is referring to. He replies. 

No, not yet. I don’t want to pressure or scare her. I’m still learning about Aria, and the one thing that stood out is that she is a teacher. 

Damn, dude. She is pretty AND smart. Wife her up!

Yoshi can joke around, sometimes. However, he seems to support the relationship. 

Again, I’m not going to pressure her. But let’s see how this plays out.

Shohei ends the conversation, feeling a little hopeful. 

When returning to the living room, Shohei witnesses the cutest moment right before his eyes. Decoy is cuddling with Aria and watching a show. He is about to melt on the spot, but he must continue their date. “You two are looking comfy.” Shohei hops on the couch and notices the TV is playing a classic anime, Fruit Basket. 

His warm brown eyes lit up, “Oh wow. Do you like anime?” He asked Aria. She nods happily, “Yes, I love it! I grew up watching them and reading the manga.” She emphasizes the word ‘love’ and reveals she is into Japanese pop culture. Shohei’s heart can’t take it much longer. Did he just hit the jackpot? 

“How about you?” Aria asked him, petting Decoy’s relaxed head on her lap. He nods, “As a Japanese man, yes, I do.” He dabbles in humor for stating the obvious. Aria laughs because she should’ve known. Shohei continues, “Slam Dunk is my favorite anime. It’s a basketball series, and I used to do drawings that are inspired by its manga art.” When he was a kid, he had a collection of artworks in his bedroom. 

Aria is acknowledging that he is good at anything, which is no surprise. She even told Shohei how Jane and Millie helped her express her interests without being shy. It also led her to discuss their friendship. As Shohei listens, he can understand why they’re inseparable because Aria would mention the girls in their talks, and it doesn’t bother him. Similar to him with Yoshi. 

Suddenly, a thought crosses Aria’s head.

“I’m curious. Do you think your team already knows we would become an item?” She asked Shohei.

He makes an assumption. “I’m sure they do. Some of us can’t keep our mouths shut.” Shohei also wonders if Yoshinobu did tell the guys and possibly the Dodgers staff members.

⋆˙⟡

After finishing an episode, Shohei stands up from the couch and stretches his arms. “I'm going to start making dinner. Are you up for miso ramen?” He asked Aria, since it’s officially nighttime. 

She has a smile on her face. “Yes, please!” She said, mirthfully. Shohei goes on ahead to the kitchen and starts cooking. Aria plays fetch with Decoy and runs around because he is in the mood for entertainment. She would throw a tennis ball in the large living room and have him get it with his super speed. 

Later on, her body couldn’t take it anymore. Aria is panting while Decoy is chewing on the ball like it’s the most important thing in the world. She looks at him, astonished. “Oh my god. How can you have so much energy?” Aria asked Decoy. He lifts his head to show off that sweet smile. It also occurred to her that he is bilingual—a smart dog like him can understand Japanese and English. She also realizes that Decoy has a strong resemblance to his human. 

Aria enters the breathtaking kitchen with pristine countertops, glass cabinets, and a walk-in pantry. She dreams of having a house and designing it. The last time she lived in one was before she left Oregon. But for now, her apartment is enough as a shelter. 

The petite woman has her eyes on Shohei, who is cutting the vegetables for the soup. His back is facing her. Aria has the urge to hug him because he is a human version of a teddy bear. Instead, she approaches him to have a look at his handiwork. Aria then notices something peeking under Shohei’s right arm. She subconsciously traces her fingers over the big scar and few smaller ones.

Shohei felt her feather-like touch. He stops cutting the vegetables, washes his hands, and looks over his right shoulder. “I know it’s not the prettiest thing to see.” His response sounded a little insecure.

Aria quickly shakes her head. “I don’t find them ugly. The scars are a testimony to your dedication.” There’s a reason why athletes sacrifice their bodies during the games—her kind words comfort Shohei, like a real angel. 

He starts explaining about his past injury that affected him physically and emotionally. “The big scar happened when I was playing for the Angels. Unfortunately, I can’t pitch at a strong velocity because the wound is not entirely healed. But when the time is right, I’ll get back on the mound and pitch again.” Shohei has to be patient for the sake of his health.

Abruptly, he sees tears falling from Aria’s eyes. 

The man fully turns himself around and cups her face in his hands. “Why are you crying?” He questions with a chuckle, trying to make Aria feel better, and is concerned. 

“You’re such a trooper with a strong heart.” She praises him through her sobs. Shohei begins to feel intense emotions that are indescribable. He wipes Aria’s tears away with his thumb and leans closer to her. 

“Is this okay?” Shohei wants her consent. She simply nods to let him do it. Her breath hitches as their noses touch, and her cheeks are burning. Shohei leans down to press his lips over hers. The spark has completely ignited. 

Aria stands on her toes to reach his height and envelopes her arms around his neck. The feeling is splendid that Shohei moves both hands to her petite waist and tilts his head to deepen the kiss. 

Unexpectedly, a bark broke them apart.

“Decoy!” Shohei frowns and yells at his troublemaker friend. 

The dog is standing close to Aria with an innocent expression. She immediately understands why he did it. A giggle slips out of her lips, and she turns her head to Shohei. “He must be jealous.” Aria speculated. Never in a million years would a dog cling to her, which she didn’t mind. 

Shohei rolls his eyes and lightly bumps his forehead onto hers. “He’ll have to learn soon that you are mine.” The sentence comes off as possessive, but he isn’t wrong.

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (05. Just Keep Swimming)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2k words

language key: english, japanese

note: it's finally here! also you'll get a cameo of a cute little friend who will show up more in the future

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

After the talk with Yoshi and warmups, Shohei heads to the locker room. Before he does that, he visits Dave’s office first.

Shohei pokes his head through the open door. “Sir, I need some help.” He sounded a bit anxious, but kept his composure. Dave looks up from his computer to notice his one-of-a-kind player is present. The older man smiles, “Sure, Shohei. What is it?” He lets him inside the office to say what is on his mind.

Exhaling a big breath, Shohei says, “I need help building a relationship with a girl.”

He feels like a teenage boy struggling to impress a girl, which he is. A jolly laugh escapes from Dave’s laugh because it’s unbelievable that Shohei would ask for dating advice. He beckons a hand at an empty chair, “Have a seat, kid.” Dave watches Shohei immediately, taking the spot, and has both ears listening.

“Now, I’m not a dating expert, but I’ll try my best. I met my wife in high school, and it was love at first sight. We did have our awkward times when we were trying to be intimate, but eventually, we found ourselves trusting and loving each other. What my wife and I did was be authentic, communicate honestly and openly, set healthy expectations, and most importantly, have fun. So, stay safe and positive, Shohei. If you confidently believe this girl is the right one for you, then go for it.” Dave finished his explanation.

The manager will admit he does view his players as his sons. But with Shohei, he is closer to him and is comfortable being personal. In other words, he is Dave’s favorite player.

Shohei sighs and nods his head. “I did get some support from Yoshi, and I thought if I came to you, it would motivate me.” He is fortunate to have reliable people around him. Dave plays a smile and tells Shohei one last thing, “I’m always happy to help because no one should feel scared about loving someone.” Dave discloses, and Shohei wholeheartedly appreciates him. The player also shakes his hand.

When time passes, a new weekend is here.

Shohei looks at himself in the mirror to check his overall appearance. He wears a black leather jacket, a black top, and navy blue jeans. It’s something casual yet stylish. He adds a cap over his head to conceal his face. Regardless of having fame, Shohei keeps a low profile whenever he goes out.

Suddenly, a pitter-patter sound hits the floor. He brings his gaze below him to see his best friend, Dekopin or Decoy.

“Today is the day, buddy. Do you think I’ll do well?” Shohei asked the cute animal. He receives a bark as a response, like he understands him.

A smile plays on his handsome face. “I can do it!” He shouts, and Decoy barks out loud.

⋆˙⟡

I’m here!

Aria smiles gleefully and goes outside her apartment. She spots a sleek Porsche at the entrance. Aria watches the passenger window come down to reveal Shohei waving his hand ecstatically. She walks to the luxurious vehicle and sits inside.

“Hi. You look stunning.” Shohei compliments Aria. She is dressed in a pale pink lace shirt with short sleeves, a white ruffled skirt, and sneakers. Lastly, her dark locks are in soft, loose curls.

They look like a couple from a romance anime.

Aria responds, “Hey, you too, and thanks. You look handsome as usual.” She is glad she didn’t stutter. Shohei sends a bright smile. “Thanks. Ready?” He waited for the day to come and hoped this first date would be a success. Aria nods her head, “Yes, I am! Very excited to see the fishies.” She enjoys learning about ocean life, and it’s both magical and bizarre.

Shohei is glad to know that she is stoked because it was his idea all along. He then puts the car in drive and starts heading to their destination.

“So, the aquarium. Your life is truly blue.” Aria tries to make a joke, but she embarrasses herself. She clutches the hem of her skirt and hides her red face by looking at the window. “I’m sorry.” Aria felt like it was right to apologize. Surprisingly, Shohei did laugh because it was super cute. He says, “Well, you aren’t wrong. But my life before used to be red.” Shohei gives a hint of his past.

“Really?” Aria looks at him, puzzled.

Shohei begins to share a part of his journey. “I used to be on the Los Angeles Angels, and it was my first major league team for almost a decade. It was bittersweet to leave the team that started my baseball career, but I had to end it because I wanted to achieve more wins. Even though I’m staying with the Dodgers, the Angels are forever in my heart.” It felt nostalgic when he mentioned his first major league team.

Aria is fully intrigued when he talks about himself. It’s like following a protagonist’s life in a movie or a novel. She speaks, “That’s amazing how you’ve worked so hard to be on both teams. I originally wanted to start my career in my hometown, Portland, Oregon. My parents found a new home and new jobs here in California, so I had to accept the change. My sister still lives in Oregon with my nephew, niece, and brother-in-law. Now, I am a teacher and I love it.” Aria openly discusses her background, and she feels less shy about it.

Shohei has been listening because he wants to know more about her. They both can relate to moving to different places and accepting what’s best for them.

“You’re a teacher?” That part of the conversation stood out to Shohei.

Aria answers enthusiastically, “Yes, I’m a kindergarten teacher. I adore kids, and teaching them about knowledge can benefit their lives.” She went to explain to Shohei why she chose that profession. It was her father who suggested it. He is a professor at a college and gives her reasons why it can make a difference. Even though Aria had faced challenges like the hardships and underpay, learning never stops.

As he listens to her talk, Shohei is falling for Aria even more. She has beauty and brains, that’s a powerful combination.

“I’m impressed by you, Aria. My father also inspired me to play baseball, and he was my coach. I couldn’t imagine what I would do without him and the rest of my family.” Shohei does get homesick and thinks about his loved ones every day. However, they stay in touch with each other.

Aria’s heart swells because Shohei is such a family man. She agrees, “Me too. I love them with my life.”

⋆˙⟡

Walking hand-in-hand, Aria’s breath gets taken away when entering the aquarium. “Shohei, it’s so gorgeous!” She squeals and bounces on her feet. Of course, everything is blue, but the sea animals added color to the oceanic-like attraction.

Shohei giggles contentedly. “It is! Where do you want to go first?” He asked about which activity or exhibit to start on their date. Aria hums and looks around, but she can’t choose because they all look fun. Shortly, she says, “Let’s go find the biggest tank.” It’s also perfect for taking pictures and videos. Shohei grows ecstatic. “Yes! Let’s do it!” He said.

The couple went on a search while being mesmerized by the multiple exhibits around them. Soon enough, they found it, and people of all ages are here. The baseball player and teacher join them, examining the humongous tank. Aria’s attention instantly lands on a familiar-looking fish.

“Shohei, look! I found Nemo!” She points her finger at the baby clown fish. Nemo swam about the reef to find his little home. He found it followed by a bigger version of himself. Aria coos, “Aww, and then there’s Marlon!” She couldn’t handle the cuteness. The girl watches the father and son swim together.

“Just like the movie.” Shohei has been listening, but he is sneakily taking pictures of Aria and recording her reaction. She senses it and turns to him. Aria smiles, “Should I take some of you?” She volunteers to be his photographer. Shohei responds, “Yes, you may.” He switches places, and Aria takes his phone.

The handsome, tall man stands in front of the tank, looking like a real model or a Greek god, gracing his beauty. It also never fails to make Aria speechless.

Shohei then motions for her to come up to him. Aria approaches him and slips into his open right arm to wrap around her shoulders. Shohei takes the phone and raises his free arm to do a selfie. Aria rests her delicate arms on his waist. They took a few more pictures before exploring the entire aquarium.

For the next stop, they discover an empty room dedicated to jellyfish. The mystical-like creatures are moving in a pack through it and up into the center of the ceiling. “So pretty,” Aria whispered. The jellyfish glowed in the dim room, and she felt her mind float into a happy space. Shohei brings Aria into a back hug and puts his chin on top of her head. The feeling of his warm touch is comforting. She grasps onto his forearms with her hands.

So heavenly, so peaceful.

Later, the two are at the petting pool, where most of the kids gravitate towards the much smaller sea animals. Their little fingers are gently touching them. Shohei and Aria decided to do it as their last activity in the exhibit. “Look. That’s me and Yoshi.” Shohei points his finger and laughs. Aria draws her eyes to what he is indicating. Two royal blue starfish are lying on a rock. She laughs along with him. “One is small and one is big. Send a photo to him.” She tells Shohei, who didn’t hesitate.

“Now, that’s Jane, Millie, and me.” Aria found a trio of starfish. They’re easily amused to compare their friends to sea animals. “Who is who?” Shohei peers over. Aria says, “The green one is Jane, Millie is the light blue, and I’m the pink.” The starfish are the girls’ favorite colors. Shohei picks up that pink is her favorite color, which he'll remember from now on.

“This feels weird.” He cringes a little while bravely petting one. Aria chuckles because his unpleasant expression is hilarious. She touches the same starfish that he is touching. “It’s not so bad,” Aria reassures Shohei, trying not to laugh at him.

Afterward, Shohei told Aria he’d be going to the restroom. She let him go and said she was fine waiting by herself. As she waits for Shohei, her chocolate brown eyes land on the gift shop. Like a magnet, she gets pulled into it because the cute plushies are calling for her. There’s a fluffy dolphin with beady eyes and a small smile.

“Do you want it? I can buy it for you.”

Aria jolts when Shohei appears out of nowhere. She faced him and shyly spoke, “Are you sure? Because you've pretty much done a lot for me.” She doesn’t want to be a burden. It’s also giving her déjà vu from the first time they met.

Shohei, however, shakes his head, and a smile plasters on his face. “I’m okay with anything and won’t get tired of it. Your happiness matters.” He gives his honesty, like how Dave told him. Relief washed over Aria because that’s all she needed.

The dolphin plushie was purchased, and the trip to the aquarium was a success.

“So, what did you think?” Shohei questions first, heading back to the car.

“I had a lot of fun! Thank you for taking me here.” Aria appreciates him and is holding the dolphin in her arms. The response has Shohei proud of himself because it takes a lot of courage to ask someone out. He does a back hug again, and Aria presses her head against his broad chest. “You’re very welcome, daarin,” Shohei said with the pet name. Aria has yet to know what it means.

Then, it clicks in his head that he has one last thing. He tells her, “I have dinner served at my house. I also have a dog, and he does get rowdy. Are you okay meeting him?” Shohei is cautious because sometimes not everyone can handle pets. Aria gasps and beams. “Yes, absolutely! I love dogs. I’m also not allergic, so you got lucky.” She claims she is looking forward to meeting the adorable furry friend.

Shohei lets out a little laugh because she is correct. He also cares about her health.

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (04. Moral Support)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

warning: mention of a scandal

wc: 1.5k words

language key: english, japanese

note: i guess you can call this a filler chapter but it does go in-depth about what the story is leading into. also yoshi is such a sweetheart in this one <3

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

Shohei is looking down at Aria with adoring eyes.

Her small form is sunken into his wide, tall form, and he has to look down at her. But it doesn’t bother him because he finds it adorable. When Aria lifts her wide, sparkling gaze, he gets weak in the knees. Shohei’s heart is beating rapidly, and he can feel his ears heating up. 

The baseball player says, “Uh, shall we head back?” He asked, sheepishly. The woman in his arms responded, “Yes, or else Jane and Millie will freak out.” She isn’t lying because they are protective of her. 

Shohei laughs softly, “I hope they don’t think I have bad intentions.” That would be a terrible assumption, and he wouldn’t dare do it. Aria smiles with a shake of her head. “No, they wouldn’t.” At least that’s what she thinks. 

The two parted from the hug. Shohei does another gesture by lending his hand. Aria takes it and starts walking down the quiet, empty hallway. It’s also a way for them to maintain privacy because Shohei doesn’t want any journalists to sneak up on them. 

“You know, when we first met, you said you knew some English. To me, it’s not that bad.” Aria wasn’t sure why Shohei doubted himself about speaking a different language. He gives her his reasons, “I say that because the media would only be curious if I’m fluent or not, because I have a translator. But thank you, though.” Shohei didn’t need to hide the fact that he was insecure and doubted himself. 

Aria now feels bad because it must’ve upset him. “You’re welcome and sorry for bringing it up.” She apologized. Shohei looks at her, puzzled. “Why are you sorry? I didn’t take it as an offense.” He can see Aria’s timid expression. 

She exhales a little breath, “I know, but I didn’t want to annoy or judge you for something that’s your choice.” Aria doesn’t like to make others uncomfortable or talk about a touchy subject. Shohei, however, giggles merrily, and she isn’t sure why, though. 

“Well, I don’t feel any of that. Since this country has been my new home for nearly a decade, I have to start somewhere.” He does his best to cheer up Aria because he can tell she is self-aware about her words. 

And it did work. She shifts her attention to Shohei and notices his precious smile. 

“Why are you so nice?” Aria couldn’t help but ask him.

She sees him laugh out loud, and it makes her blush with a grin. Shohei answers, “I guess it’s my parents doing.” He does love them deeply. It’s enough to make him happy with how Aria views him. Shohei also wants to learn more about her because all he knows is that she is shy, kind, and beautiful. 

Maybe on their first date. 

When returning to the locker room, the people are still partying. They didn’t notice the two had left for quite a while. 

Shohei and Aria untwined their hands and rejoined the group for the rest of the night. However, Yoshi, Jane, and Millie witnessed them together. 

“Do you think there will be an announcement?” Millie questions. She watches Shohei and Aria being really close to each other. 

“I mean, do we even need one?” Yoshi states the obvious. 

Both Jane and Millie snicker because he is correct. All of them, as in the entire Dodgers team, know there will be a new MLB couple. Plus, they are like family that show respect in the games and their personal lives. 

“Watch them make an announcement, and we act oblivious to them.” Jane would love to see that happen. It’s also cute that they’re pure and sweet. The trio has been playing cupid, which is becoming increasingly exciting as Shohei and Aria's relationship progresses. 

Later on, it becomes midnight. Everyone is cleaning up and packing their belongings, ready to head home. Millie sincerely thanked the Dodgers team, Dave, and her friends for the fantastic birthday. She couldn’t wish for more. 

“So, Riri. What’d you think of baseball?” Jane asked while driving on the highway. Aria tells her thoughts, “All thanks to you two, I found a sport that I can enjoy. I do find it interesting how it’s a simple sport yet deals with multiple challenges. It’s even better to watch it in person.”

Once she gives her response, Millie cheers. “Yay! We finally converted you!” She is glad that Aria is a fan. Jane feels the same way. “It only took one game, and there you go.” Obviously, it was more than that, but she and Millie will lay off the teasing, since they’re all exhausted. 

After getting dropped off and saying goodbye, Aria is back in her apartment. She goes straight to her bedroom because it was calling for her. She then hears a buzzing noise inside her purse. Aria takes it out to notice she has a new text message. 

Did you get home safely?

She reads with a smile because it’s from Shohei. Before leaving the stadium, they exchanged phone numbers. Aria has his contact ID as ‘Sho-bear’ with a blue heart emoji because he looks like one. 

The young teacher sits on the bed and types away.

Yes, I did. Thank you for asking. 

She sends the message, then waits for him to respond when the bubbles appear. 

Of course, and that’s great to know. Whenever you are free, would you like to go to the aquarium as our first date?

When she finished reading his reply, Aria squealed and lightly stomped her feet. She tells Shohei without hesitation. 

Yes, I would love to! I’ll definitely let you know.

Awesome! I’m looking forward to it.

He sounds so earnest that Aria is glad to know he is committed. 

Me too. I hope you rest well after an overwhelming reunion.

More like the best reunion. The same goes for you. Good night, daarin.

Good night, Sho.

Aria looks at the pet name in confusion. She doesn’t know what it means, but she’ll find out eventually. Aria knows she’ll have the best goodnight sleep, which is true because she wouldn’t stop smiling and her heart is fluttering. 

She has never been like this over someone. Aria did go on a few dates in her life, but it was never serious. And of course, it’s Shohei Ohtani. 

⋆˙⟡

“We fucking knew it!”

“That’s so damn cute! Congratulations!”

Jane and Millie are video calling through an iPad, and they’re ecstatic. Aria is at the dining table, going through her students’ assignments and scoring them. A week later, she had to tell her friends because she knew it would be a big deal. 

“Thanks, you two. But I don’t know if this will be a casual thing.” Aria feels skeptical and a bit nervous about the upcoming date. 

Millie shakes her head and encourages Aria to give it a try. “Please, don’t doubt yourself. Jane and I believe that Shohei is the one because we’ve never seen you with glimmering eyes.” 

As the big sister of the group, a year older than the girls, Jane offers some advice. “Just be yourself. It’s okay to mess up your sentence because we all make mistakes, and knowing Shohei, he’ll think it’s adorable. Most importantly, be honest. Never get scared to disagree on something.” 

Aria feels like a teenager again, going on her first date. Regardless, she appreciates her friends’ heartening words. “Let’s wait and see. I feel like I’m reliving my teenage years.” Aria has been counting the days, even when she is at work. The youngest hears Jane and Millie laugh blithely because they know she isn’t her ordinary self after that unexpected encounter. 

They, including Yoshi, went along with it and pretended not to know.

The video call lasted a long time, which was typical, but Aria needed help coping with her racing thoughts. She hasn’t told her family yet because the future is unclear for Shohei and her.

Subsequently, the kindergarten teacher finished her first task. Now, she has to plan out what to do for next week. Aria thought about doing spring-related activities and, of course, adding new lessons to their knowledge. 

“Wow, an aquarium date? Since when have you been a romantic guy?”

“I’ve always been one, you just didn’t care to pay attention.”

Yoshi rolled his eyes. “I am nosy, but not to a point where I’m invading your privacy.” Despite being Shohei’s friend for a long time, he still learns new things about him. 

The two are doing warm-ups for their next game, more like gossiping and catching the ball. Shohei smirks, “Lies. You always snoop into my business.” However, he doesn’t mind it because Yoshi is like that one annoying, but loyal, younger brother. 

“Okay, enough of me. What do you think of Aria?” Yoshi dives into the more personal topic.

Shohei answers truthfully, “She is shy, and I do believe she’ll come out of her shell. Indeed, I’ll be patient with her, and she seems like a lovely woman. And of course, she is undeniably beautiful.” There are many women he’d encountered in his life, but Aria stood out the most, for some reason. 

It’s almost like love at first sight. 

Yoshi catches the ball and can pinpoint the change of behavior. Shohei’s face lit up when he asked about Aria. Man has fallen hard. 

As a great friend, Yoshi gives him some moral support. “Good luck with this relationship, big bro. I do want to see you happy.” Times have been tough on Shohei.

It’s most likely the divided media that was caused by a heartbreaking situation where he first felt betrayed by a friend. Even though healing the wounds wasn’t easy, he kept moving forward, and it made him mentally stronger.

Shohei delivers a pleasant smile to his friend. “Thanks, little bro.” He said. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (03. number 17)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 1.6k words

language key: english, japanese

note: so much cuteness and wholesomeness hehe (>ᴗ•) 

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

“Wait. Do you two know each other?” 

Millie is the first one to break the silence. Not to mention, the players are watching the moment unfold. 

Aria mentally shakes her head to rip her gaze from Shohei’s to her friends. “Yes, but we’ve only met once.” That response alone shocked the girls because Aria wouldn’t be the type to keep secrets. 

“Is this some kind of Romeo and Juliet happening here?”

Teoscar's humor made the people laugh, while Shohei and Aria blushed shyly. 

On cue, the Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, enters the locker room. “Alright, gentlemen, and ladies.” He tips his hat at the girls. Jane waves at him. Millie and Aria deliver smiles. 

“Another game means another huge business. I wish you all the best of luck. Let’s hope for another achievement because we’re making history. Don’t be discouraged by who you’ll be up against because we’re all here to support each other.” Dave gives his team a motivational speech. 

In unison, “Yes, sir!” The players yelled and changed into their uniforms. 

Jane then tells them that she’ll take Millie and Aria to their seats and bids them goodbye. As they walked back to the entrance of the stadium, Millie couldn’t contain her eagerness. “Okay, spill. What is it between you and Shohei?” She asked Aria. It’s fair that she doesn’t know about athletes, but out of all people, she knows the Shohei Ohtani. 

Aria explains, “Remember our trip to Japan, where I went to a bakery and a gentleman helped me? It turns out it was Shohei, and I didn’t mention his name because I thought it didn’t matter to you two.” She has Jane and Millie looking at her, astounded. Aria then feels a bit uncomfortable by their silence and stares. “Please, say something.” She pleaded. 

To her relief, Jane tells it all. “Wow, Ari. The reason why we’re surprised is that Shohei is becoming the face of MLB. In other words, he is a superstar in baseball and arguably in sports. Whether you are a fan of him or not, his name is getting recognized everywhere you go.” Her clarification helps Aria understand that Shohei is more than a regular person. 

“That’s crazy.” She stated, utterly in shock. 

Jane and Millie laugh gleefully. They’re learning something every minute. 

In the locker room, Shohei is putting on his famous jersey with the number 17. He is still trying to take in what happened earlier. It’s not every day you come across someone again after a year, especially since they were continents apart. 

“Hey. Care to explain?” 

Shohei hears Yoshi’s voice behind him. The taller man turns to him and sits on the chair to put on his shoes. “I met Aria at a bakery when she and her friends took a trip to Japan. I helped pay for her things, and we only introduced ourselves and went our separate ways.” He tells his friend about that moment on a summer day.

“I guess it was meant to be.” Yoshi teases and Shohei raises his head to roll his eyes. 

“Don’t start.” He stands up from the chair, ready for business. 

Yoshi smirks slyly. “Well, don’t deny it. Coincidences or not, the signs are there. Also, it’s fine to be in a relationship.” He playfully and sincerely tries to encourage Shohei. People wouldn’t think that he is a ladies' man because he is a private individual. 

Shohei grabs his hat from the cubby and tells Yoshi. “I know, but it’s up to Aria. If it happens,” His handsome face etches a genuine smile, “I would gladly do it.” 

The pitcher pats his back, “Who can say no to Ohtani Shohei?” His best friend is a whole package and is not afraid to admit it. 

⋆˙⟡

First time at a baseball sounds like a life goal achieved. 

Especially for Millie, who has loads of snacks, a Dodgers hat, and a varsity jacket. If the birthday girl is happy, then it’s all good. The trio is sitting close to the field, where they can see the players’ faces very well. 

Speaking of the players, both teams begin to come to their respective dugouts, and the fans cheer. 

“Your man is right there.” Millie points at the player wearing a number 17 jersey on deck—ready to be the designated hitter. 

Aria sighs and closes her eyes, “Please, stop.” She can feel her face burning up. 

Jane giggles, then takes a bite of her ice cream. “You guys would look so cute together. Watch how he plays and you’ll start to have fuzzy feelings.” She and Millie hope to prove themselves right.

Aria indeed watches Shohei practice swinging the bat. He is handsome to begin with, but seeing him in his uniform makes him extra attractive. Her eyes trail down to admire his physique. She quickly averts her eyes when she stops at his lower half. Aria knows her face is shamelessly red like a rose. 

Of course, athletes are well fit, but Shohei is different. 

As soon as his name got announced as the first hitter, the fans screamed enthusiastically. Aria clapped her hands while Jane and Millie cheered their hearts out. 

“You can do it, Shohei!”

“That’s Aria’s man!”

She is slowly accepting her fate because her friends won’t stop until she does something. 

The electrifying crowd has Aria smiling and an adrenaline rush. She can see why her family and friends enjoy sports. It’s all about the fun and social experience. Jane and Millie are also nice enough to help teach her about baseball. 

She can also understand why Shohei is an elite athlete because he hit three home runs, which was unbelievable. The other players are also doing a stellar job with their teamwork. Aria would also crack up whenever Jane and Millie lose their sanity. 

⋆˙⟡

Into the night, billions of stars are scattered across the inky black sky and the glowing crescent moon.

When the game ends, Jane receives a text message from Dave. She becomes giddy after reading it. 

We have everything set up. I hope she’ll love it. 

“Hey, the players and Mr. Roberts have another surprise. And no, I didn’t plan on it.” Jane tells the girls. At this point, they’re letting it all happen without question. Millie shrugs her shoulders, “Alright. Let’s start leaving.” Can her day get any better?

Aria nods her head and follows them. She realizes that she’ll be seeing Shohei once more. Hopefully, it won’t be awkward like the second time. Aria wanted to bury herself in a hole from embarrassment because she didn’t say hello or anything else but his name. She made it like she had history with Shohei. Maybe it’ll be different this time. 

The three return to the locker room, and when they arrive, it’s dark. Jane turns on the light switch to reveal that the team and Dave are wearing party hats and a cute Tuxedo Sam cake that says ‘Happy Birthday Millie’ with lit-up candles in the center of the room. 

“Happy birthday to you!”

Millie beams when they start singing, and the adorable surprise. Her two best friends are singing along with the guys. After the song ends, Millie makes a wish before blowing out the candles. Jane and Aria give her one big hug. Millie then asks everyone, “How did you know Tuxedo Sam is my favorite Sanrio character?” 

Dave responds, “Your bestie told us.”

Millie cranes her neck to her right to see Jane looking all innocent. “You’re welcome.” She said, as if she didn’t know about this last surprise of the day. 

Kiké abruptly shouts, “It’s party time!” His teammates began to celebrate the night of another victory and, of course, Millie. 

In the middle of his teammates turning up the music and cutting the cake, Shohei starts walking up to Aria. 

She is taking pictures of the moment happening in front of her. Suddenly, she feels someone tapping her on the shoulder. Aria looks away from her phone to notice Shohei is right there. He grins before saying, “You don’t mind if we talk outside.” He thought it was appropriate to settle everything. Aria grins, “Sure.” She said. 

The two sneakily exit the locker room while the people are having their fun. 

“How come you didn’t tell me you are part of the MLB when we first met?”

Aria goes straight to the point, which has Shohei chuckling. He should’ve known that it would be an important topic. The baseball player and the teacher were walking through the hallway and found themselves in an empty area with glass windows, showing the beauty of the dark sky. 

Shohei expounds his words. “I honestly thought you would recognize me, considering my name has been known since I first started my career. But it’s okay. Not everyone has to know about me because I’m just a guy who plays baseball.” He is being too humble, and Aria looks at him in awe.

“Just a guy who plays baseball?” She is not falling for his last sentence. 

Shohei snickers, “I did sign a big contract and getting praised by the world. However, I enjoy what I do and it’s a blessing.” He disclosed the long-awaited response. 

Aria can see him as the same gentleman from the bakery despite his persona. She begins to speak, “Congratulations on your huge success, and no exaggeration, you deserve it.” During the game, he was determined to win and risked his well-being. 

Shohei’s lips draw a smile. “Thank you.”

Aria says, “You’re welcome.” She mirrors his smile. 

They make eye contact, and the familiar warmth spreads across their chests. 

‘It’s now or never.’ Shohei tells himself mentally. 

“Since that’s out of the way, do you want to meet again sometime?” He requested. The man doesn’t remember his last date, and it feels bizarre.

Aria happily replies, “Yes, I would love to.” 

Unexpectedly, Shohei opens his arms for an embrace. Aria takes steps forward to be closer to him than usual.

The man has the woman press her petite form against him. She puts her blush cheek onto his broad chest, and his long, strong arms wrap her.

Aria clenches the fabric of Shohei's jersey. 

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (02. happy birthday)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 2.3k words

language key: english, japanese

note: i am back! i took a small break because i was enjoying life hehe. i did a slight change to the first chapter so there won't be any confusion about the characters. anyway i hope you all enjoy this new chapter. i also want to thank everyone who enjoys this story because i have fun writing it.

taglist: @leclucklerc @s0uvlakispacestation @lancerslover

2024, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

The daylight comes as such intricately woven threads of gold.

It’s morning, and that means it’s a new day. Inside a studio apartment, Aria makes herself something to eat while relaxing, and music plays in the background. She sips her matcha latte and reads the pink calendar on the wall by the cabinets. 

April 19. Today is Millie’s birthday.

After eating her breakfast pancakes, Aria has to go to work. Most people can agree that no one wants to show up at their job that they don’t enjoy. However, Aria loves being a kindergarten teacher at a wonderful school. She is excellent with kids. It could just be that her sister has a son and a daughter who are growing up so fast, and she babysits them. Aria is passionate about shaping young minds and creating a foundation for lifelong learning.

Not to mention, she is the kids’ favorite teacher. They love having her around and find her teaching fun. 

In her bedroom, Aria picks out an outfit. Since it’s spring, she wears something casual and girly. The young woman takes out a long white dress with pink flowers, a lightweight cardigan, and sneakers with frilly socks. She puts her long, dark hair into a low ponytail with a beige colored bow. 

Aria checks herself in a full-length mirror. She sometimes wishes she were taller like Jane because she is short, five feet and two inches, but they claim it’s one of her charms. Aria does appreciate their honesty and kindness. However, they would sometimes be sarcastic, like in a typical friendship. 

Eventually, she leaves her apartment and heads to the elementary school. As soon as she enters the streets, it’s hustling and bustling. Aria has the patience, but won’t be nice if something or someone ticks her off. She is seen as sweet and kind, but no one should cross her. 

Before moving to California, she was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Aria had a difficult time adjusting to a new environment at the age of fifteen. Her parents were worried about how she felt emotionally because they knew it wouldn’t be easy for her. But as time passed, Aria grew to love her new home. 

“So, what do you think Jane prepared for my birthday?”

“I’m not sure. And no, she didn’t tell me anything.”

She is on the phone with Millie as she enters the campus. Jane, for some reason, planned out something for the birthday girl. It’s not rare for them to do surprises, but she has been so secretive. 

“She'd better not take us to Chucky-e-Cheese.”

“Aww, she won’t do that.”

Aria giggles at her response. She can picture Millie’s unsatisfied face in her head. Truthfully, Jane would put a lot of effort and dedication into making it special. 

“We shall wait and see. I hope you have a great day with your students.”

“Yes, and the same goes for you. Happy birthday, Millie.”

“Thank you, Ari.”

“You’re welcome.”

She ends the phone call to unlock the classroom door and prepare for today’s learning.

When the bell rings, Aria welcomes the students to the classroom and has them go to their seats. 

“Good morning, class! Today, we’ll be doing a lot of fun activities, but the best one of them all is art.” 

In unison, the boys and girls cheered happily because they loved to do art. Even though the kids aren’t professional artists, Aria is amazed by their creativity. 

“We’ll be doing art as our last thing of the day because it’s Friday, and I want you all to start your weekend with excitement. First, we continue with our spelling, addition, and subtraction. Now, I expect you to behave well, and we will treat each other with kindness. Understand, class?” Aria finished her instructions. 

“Yes, Ms. Reed!” They complied as great listeners. 

Aria adores her students, and she can see them doing wonderful things in the future. They all have different dreams, and it’s precious. The kids would tell Aria about becoming a doctor, an artist, an athlete, and many more. Never lose that faith.

⋆˙⟡

It then becomes lunchtime. Aria is in the campus’s garden where the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. She munches on her sandwich and decides to FaceTime her sister. 

“Hey, Riri. Are the kids giving you a hard time?”

“Hi, Soph, and no, they are amazing as always.”

Aria admits with a chuckle. Her students never once stress her out, and she is grateful for that because their parents must’ve been doing all of their responsibilities in disciplining them. 

“They’re super cute. I wish Victor and Lauren would go to your school. But we’re happy here in Portland.” 

“Me too. You all should come visit.” 

Sophie Reed is the eldest daughter of the family, and she still lives in their hometown because she and her husband didn’t want to move to California, since they own a house in Oregon. Aria does find it disappointing not seeing her sister twenty-four seven, but it never hurts to visit each other. 

“We shall see. Parker has been wanting to go to a sports game in Los Angeles. The kids would also love to see their grandparents and auntie.”

“It will happen! I can try ordering the tickets because you’ve done a lot for me. So, now it’s my turn.”

Throughout their childhood and into adulthood, Sophie always helped Aria—from getting out of her shell to gain self-esteem and being herself without feeling like the world was piling on her. Sophie looks at her little sister with a content smile. 

“Appreciate you. We’ll let you, Mom, and Dad know whenever we’ll head down there.” 

“Of course. And yes, please, because you have to live a little.”

The sisters continued the rest of the break talking because the little times are also precious. 

Lunchtime is over, and the hours pass; it's close to the end of the day. Aria did promise her students that they would do art as the last activity. The classroom is full of joy and excitement. Some of her students are wearing aprons to prevent the paint from staining their clothes, and some are coloring away with markers, colored pencils, and crayons. She walks from table to table to see that they’re all enjoying the activity. 

The clock reads 3 pm. 

Aria begins to pack up her stuff before clocking out. The day was a success. Everyone behaved, followed directions, and cooperated. She even got a few of her students’ drawings to keep because they’re all for her. It touches Aria’s heart to know how sweet they are. 

Subsequently, the young teacher leaves the campus and returns home. Now that work is done, the celebration has started. Aria is excited to dress up for Millie’s birthday and see what Jane has planned. 

Inside her bedroom, she changes into something more elegant. Aria picked out a cream white babydoll dress with short sleeves and short beige boots. She frees her hair from the ponytail to add a simple headband. After feeling great about how she looks, Aria heads to the parking lot to meet up with Jane and Millie. She enters the backseat of the car.

“Hey, girlie. You look so cute!”

“Our baby has graced us!”

Aria smiles merrily at her best friends. “Thank you! You both are beautiful, too.” She comments on their appearance. Jane is dressed in a white button-up and black flare pants with chunky sneakers. Casual yet chic. Millie has on a baby blue sundress and ankle-strapped sandals. She is pretty as always.

Jane is behind the wheel and starts the car. “Are you two ready?” She asked them.

Millie responds, “Yes, girl. And you better tell us where we are going, Jane Hino.” She makes a demand on the eldest. 

“Well, Millicent Paisley, I’m taking you to my workplace.” Jane sends her a quick, playful grin. 

Aria looks at the back of Jane’s seat. “Are you serious?” She is puzzled. 

Millie rolled her eyes and said, “I am not going to watch you work on my birthday.” 

Jane clarifies but doesn’t give away everything. “No, you two won’t watch me work because I have a day off. But you will thank me more than you’ll ever will.” Her statement has Millie and Aria speechless. What is she hiding? They both questioned mentally. 

⋆˙⟡

It turns out Jane wasn’t joking when she said it’s a big surprise. 

They arrived at the one and only Dodgers Stadium. 

Millie looks out at the window with a stunned face. “Oh my god. Are you for real? We’re going to see the Dodgers play?!” Her voice rises from elation. Jane parks the car before answering. “Yes, we are! I got us three to watch the game!” She feels relieved to announce the surprise that she kept for so long. 

Aria makes a gleeful smile on her face. “This is incredible, Jane! Thank you so much!” 

Millie nods earnestly, “Yes, yes, thank you!” She pulls Jane into a big bear. The Japanese-American replies, “You’re very welcome.” Being a physical therapist in sports medicine has its perks. Jane saved up a lot for the expensive tickets to have a good time. 

Inside the crowded entrance, a trio of friends is taking pictures and videos of the place for social media. Shortly, they went inside the stadium, where they saw more fans doing their own thing.

“Is it bad that I don’t know anything about baseball?”

Aria is a bit skittish because she is the only one in the group and family who is not a huge fan of sports. It sounds borderline embarrassing. However, Jane and Millie denied it. 

“No, it’s not bad. You’re just here for the vibes, and it’s nice.” Millie reassures Aria, so she doesn’t feel like an outcast. Jane adds, “We’re here for the fun, not for judgment.” 

Their comforting words helped uplift Aria’s spirit. She scans the inside, and it’s amazing to see people of all ages come together. Aria is squealing on the inside when she spots kids in their oversized jerseys. 

“Speaking of fun, I have one more surprise,” Jane utters, and the girls are confused again. How many surprises does she have? Whatever it is, she is taking them to a private area of the stadium. It’s not the VIP or the dugout suites, but the clubhouse for the players. 

“Uh, Jane. Are you sure we are allowed to be here?” Aria asked the physical therapist. She is getting a bit worried about how they walked in so freely. Millie joins, “If we get kicked out, I’m no longer your friend.” She is usually joking about her responses, but she is being serious. 

Jane chuckles, “Yes, we are, because this is the last surprise. I’ll be having you two meet the players.” She sounds so nonchalant that it’s scaring them. Millie and Aria are looking at her with wide eyes, and their jaws dropped to the ground. 

When entering the clubhouse, Jane cheerily greets the guys, and they do the same for her. 

“Our guardian angel is here!”

“Ooo, who are these ladies, Jane?”

Millie and Aria couldn’t speak because of bewilderment. Jane laughs at their hilarious faces. She clears her throat, “These are my friends that I’ve been talking about. Millie and Aria. It’s also Millie’s birthday, and I brought them here to celebrate.” Jane simply explains to the famous Dodgers players. 

Freddie Freeman is the first person to approach Millie and offer a handshake. “Happy birthday, Millie.” He kindly said.

She shakes herself from the trance to take his hand. “Thank you very much, Mr. Freeman!” Her inner child is screaming with joy. 

The man laughs lightheartedly, “Freddie is fine. Jane is like our little sister to us, and we’re pretty much, I don’t want to sound cheesy, but we’re family. So, we might as well get comfortable with each other.” He straightaway accepts Millie and Aria. His humbleness is one of his best traits. 

Aria bravely speaks, “W-We appreciate the welcoming. This is so surreal.” She can’t help but express how she is feeling. Her response has the guys and Jane laughing because it’s cute. Aria is effortlessly charming, and she doesn’t know it. 

Jane then has Millie and Aria meet the rest of the players. There’s a lot, but they are all nice to the young ladies. Even though Jane shouldn’t have favorites, the guys didn’t mind that she liked Yoshinobu Yamamoto more. They’re both Japanese and they communicate in their native language.

“Yoshi, this is Millie and Aria. Millie is also fluent in Japanese.” Jane informs Yoshi, who becomes shocked. “Really?” He wondered. Millie nods with a smile. “Yes! I learned it in high school. At first, it was a hobby, but I decided to learn more about the Japanese language and culture.” She gives him a brief explanation of her background. 

Yoshi has a bright smile and is impressed by how she almost sounds like a native speaker. “That’s amazing.” He complimented, and Millie thanked him. Yoshi turns his attention to Aria. She immediately shakes her head. “I don’t speak Japanese. Sorry.” The petite girl sheepishly responded. Yoshi chuckles, “It’s okay!” He said, in English. 

Aria has her friends talk to Yoshi and looks around the locker room. It’s massive, like the same size as her apartment. She notices the players are chilling just before the game starts. Aria can see why Jane loves her job because she works with stellar athletes, who are friendly and handsome. 

Suddenly, the locker room door opens, and her world stops. Aria gasps so loudly that it alarms the girls. “What’s wrong, Aria?” Jane asked. Millie eyes her worrisomely. 

The man at the door is the same one with warm brown eyes, tall stature, onyx hair, and child-like facial features from a year ago. 

“Shohei.”

Aria finally said his name. 

He hears the mellifluous voice after so long. They make eye contact, and the spark rekindles. 

“Aria.”

masterlist

[1uvdainty]

𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 ; so (01. strawberry croissants)

at first, it was a friendly encounter at a bakery in japan and nothing else. unexpectedly, they come across each other at a baseball game. was it a coincidence or something more?

pairing: shohei ohtani x fem!oc

genre/tags: fluff, light angst, baseball, developing relationship, friendship, teacher!oc, shy!sunshine!oc, protective!shohei, sweet boyfriend!shohei, dodgers team being a family, age difference (everyone is legal)

wc: 1.2k words

language key: english, japanese

note: yayyy! first chapter is here! here is something cute and will make you squeal >.<

taglist: @leclucklerc

2023, TOKYO, JAPAN

Under the summer sun, the warmth of those brilliant rays smiles upon faces and hearts. 

It’s a beautiful, heated day in Tokyo, Japan. A young woman in her twenties named Aria Reed was fortunate enough to afford traveling with her friends. What’s better than flying across the Earth? 

Despite being a wonderful vacation where they could be free from the stress and exhaustion, the language barrier was a challenge for Aria. She would try her best to communicate with the people in her broken Japanese and point whenever she ordered food. 

Speaking of food, Aria decided to be brave enough to get it by herself for a picnic. Her friends were a bit worried because they’re fluent in the language, and going alone is risky. Aria reassured them she’ll only go to the bakery near the park. So then, they let her do her thing. 

Tell us when you’ll get there, young lady.

We don't want you getting kidnapped.

Okay, okay, I’ll be fine.

Aria playfully giggles when reading the text messages. Jane and Millie are her best friends and soul-sisters that she never thought she needed. 

It started when a shy, small girl was looking for students to join a class project because it was mandatory by the teacher. She comes across two clever and sweet girls who didn’t mind her quietness, love for girly fashion, nerdy delights like anime and video games, and so much more. They also share similar interests, but it wasn’t the reason why the trio became friends in the first place. 

It was about social connection and support. After their first conversations, hangouts, and celebrations, Jane, Mille, and Aria are inseparable. 

Jane is the oldest in the group and her family, which is apparent because she is the responsible one and the tallest with a model-like face. Millie is known as an extrovert who learned Japanese in high school and is a big animal lover. Lastly, Aria is artistically creative, calm, and full of kindness.  

There are so many cute bakeries in the city that it was irresistible to go crazy over, because everything is cozy and fun, including the sweet treats. 

Eventually, Aria found the place and entered. An employee behind the counter greeted her politely with a bow. Luckily, other customers are ordering because she wants to take her time to find what she and the girls will like and practice some Japanese in her head. Aria only spoke a little of it throughout the vacation, but it doesn’t hurt to try it. Hopefully, the workers will understand her. And she did text Jane and Millie as promised.

“Do you need help, ma’am?” A soft-spoke, masculine voice erupts from her concentrated yet anxious thoughts. 

Aria jolts a little and turns to her left. She didn’t expect a man, a super handsome man, to approach her. He has warm brown eyes that could put her into a trance, a tall stature, onyx hair set over his forehead, a perfect facial structure, almost child-like, and dressed in casual clothes. He looks like a model, but he is a regular person. 

She stutters, “O-Oh, um! I don’t know Japanese.” Aria gestures with her mouth and ears and uses her index fingers to create an X. Good thing, he understands what she meant. The Japanese man apologizes, “I’m sorry. I can speak some English.” He changes languages, which surprises the petite woman. His heart suddenly flutters when he sees her cute reaction.

“I can help you order.” The man stated with a tender grin. 

“Of course! Thank you so much!” Aria appreciates his offer and has him line up with her. 

Soon enough, they reach the register, and the Japanese man orders three strawberry croissants because she has been eyeing them. When the cashier says the total price, Aria takes out her wallet, but the stranger stops her midway. “I can do it. If that's good with you.” He proposed. Aria becomes speechless. 

How is someone so handsome able to be this friendly? 

“Sure,” Aria replies softly with a pink blush blooming on her cheeks. Her eyes shifted to her fidgety fingers. 

The gentleman reads Aria like an open book, and he can sense she is shy, which is even more adorable. He then pays for the croissants and chocolate crème puff for himself. After purchasing, the Japanese man and American woman walked out of the bakery together. 

“Thank you again. I wasn’t expecting any help.” Aria admits with gratitude. The man spoke while smiling. “You’re welcome. Are you on a trip?” He wonders. His accent is heavy, but Aria can comprehend. She nodded, “Yes, I am. My friends and I wanted to explore Japan, and it’s a beautiful country.” Straightaway, it becomes one of her favorite places. 

“That’s great, and I hope you all enjoy your time here. By the way, I’m Shohei.” He says his name, and his hand is out. Aria gladly accepts the handshake. Her tiny, delicate fingers wrap around his brawny yet gentle ones. “It’s nice to meet you, Shohei. I’m Aria.” She also introduces herself. Once they let go, their eyes met.

“See you soon.” Shohei bids farewell. He isn’t sure if they’ll encounter each other in the future, but he hopes for it.

Aria’s lips etched a bright smile. “See you soon.” She responded sincerely. 

The two people went their separate ways, but the spark between them is slowly igniting. 

Aria arrives back at the park where Jane and Millie are chatting and waiting for her. “I have returned with the goods!” She happily announced. Aria plopped herself onto the Rilakkuma blanket. 

Jane raised an eyebrow. “What took you so long? The bakery isn’t that far.” She becomes curious and quite concerned. Aria answered while taking out the sweet treats from the bag. “Well, I was about to order, but then a gentleman helped me and we talked a little.” She wasn’t going to hide the fact about the nice stranger or Shohei. She didn’t mention his name because it wouldn’t be necessary. 

But her friends started teasing her. 

Millie smirks slyly, “Oooh~ was he hot?” She has no shame for being nosy. Aria sighs because she knows she can’t escape Millie’s mischief. Aria says, “Very.” A simple yet meaningful reply. She would be called a terrible liar if she didn’t think Shohei is attractive. Jane chuckled merrily, “I’m sensing something.” 

The youngest one rolls her eyes. “You two are ridiculous. I doubt he and I would meet again, considering we are from different countries.” Aria reasoned about not getting into a relationship. However, if Shohei does date, she believes that person will be the luckiest human being. Even though they’d only interacted for a minute or so, he seemed like a generous man. 

“I don’t know, Ari. You’re kind of living in your anime or Japanese drama fantasy.” Jane adds more fuel to the gossip. Millie laughs at the feasible assumption, and Aria groans behind her hands. The shy girl has nothing else to say, unfortunately. 

Inside a hotel room, Shohei is relaxing on the bed, eating his dessert, and watching television. His mind then goes back to what happened earlier.

When he left the bakery, it was astonishing how Aria didn’t recognize him. Shohei guesses that she probably doesn’t know about baseball or doesn’t know him, in general. It felt rare yet refreshing because he is doing his best to handle the popularity. 

Regardless, it doesn’t change him for something else. 

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