Guide:
(Y/N): Your Name
(Y/BFF/N): Your Best Friend's Name
"Hell no, Hiro!" you cried in laughter as the younger Hamada brother told you a joke that made you both crack up. It was just another typical sunny day at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, and you were hanging out in Hiro's lab after having completed your project for the new head of robotics. Or rather, you were hanging out in Tadashi's old lab that Hiro took over after his brother's death.
Tadashi...that name still rang clear in your memory. Not only was he your trusted lab partner, he was also your boyfriend—your boyfriend for so long. Your time with him was only cut short when a fire started in the convention hall at SFIT, and he ran in to save a professor that wasn't suffering from the smoke or flames AT ALL. To this day you were still pretty depressed for the loss of your boyfriend, but since the arrest of Professor Robert Callaghan, you have been feeling significantly better as you spent more time with Hiro and his friends. The time you spent with Hiro has been pretty special since he gave you a fond reminder of your boyfriend, that he hasn't exactly left you in the way brutal reality made you see his reckless choice. If you know what I mean.
"I honestly can't believe you finished earlier than me, (Y/N)," Hiro smirked knowingly. "And I thought I was the smarter one of the two of us."
"Different projects, different time lengths, I guess," you simply shrugged. "Besides," you added, gesturing to his blueprint, "I probably wouldn't be able to finish THIS thing in the same time frame as you would have."
"Well, simple is kind of the best way, but I love giving myself challenges," Hiro said lightly.
"Finally using that big brain of yours, huh," you joked, though only halfheartedly. That was what Tadashi said to Hiro before he started building his microbots to gain entry to SFIT.
"Well...yeah," Hiro smiled.
For a while, the both of you were silent as you glanced at the blueprint, then at Hiro. The silence was broken suddenly by the sound of Hiro's cellphone going off. When Hiro saw who was calling, a scowl was etched on his face.
"Who is it?" you asked.
"The police," Hiro answered slowly. "Hang on. I'll be right back."
He dashed out of the lab for a moment, leaving you inside, feeling alone.
Slowly, you looked around the lab at Hiro's things, which have been placed on several shelves and counters and even around the huge blue screen that served as a programming computer, recalling how once this place has been filled with Tadashi's things. You closed your eyes briefly, surrendering yourself back to the time when you and Tadashi were together, not just in his lab but also out of it, going on several dates around the city before his tragic and reckless end. The faint scent of his cologne, his warm and gentle touch on your face before every kiss...never have you been under a brighter sky before he showed up.
Then you opened your eyes, which landed on the San Fransokyo Ninjas hat hanging from Hiro's lamp head, and a faint smile twisted at your lips. This was the thing that brought you and Tadashi together since the end of your sophomore year at high school...
***********FLASHBACK*************
"I'm sorry, (Y/N)," your best friend said apologetically over the phone. "I just didn't know this would come up."
It was the day of one of the final San Fransokyo Ninjas games against the Los Kyoto Narwhals, and you and your best friend have so willingly gotten front row seats at the game, being big time baseball fanatics since you were both young. But just as you were preparing, she called you up and said she had something else going on...and she didn't tell you the details.
You smiled ruefully. "Hey, (Y/BFF/N), it's okay," you assured her. "I'll tell you everything, even take some pictures of the game! Then we'll both be able to catch up on the game together."
"I hope so," she answered dejectedly.
"Yeah. Good luck with...whatever you're up to," you said uncertainly, trying to put a bit of hope in your voice to spin things around but kinda failing to.
"Thanks," she said. "See you Monday."
"Yeah, see you then," you replied, hanging up and exiting the house, walking all the way to the baseball stadium. It wasn't that far from your house—just a ten minute walk—and by the time you reached the stadium you were surprised to see the massive number of spectators there.
Hesitantly you lined up at the very back, suspecting that there were about 75 people in front of you waiting to get their tickets scanned. When after half an hour you finally got your ticket scanned, you headed inside the stadium, but then as you passed a concession stand and gift shop, something caught your eye. A black San Fransokyo Ninjas cap—an authentic one with a player's signature under the brim in silver sharpie—was up for an auction.
A shopkeeper looked up and saw you eyeing the cap with an air of interest. "You like this cap?" she asked you.
You nodded. "It's pretty cool." Then you noticed the bidding sheet below the cap, and your eyes widened when you saw the minimum bid. "$50 is your minimum bid?"
"Correct, miss," the shopkeeper nodded.
Your eyes narrowed at the number of people who auctioned for the hat. The biggest bid was $95, which made you scowl somewhat in annoyance. People have been coming over to watch the greatest baseball team in the city, and they have the chance to get a cap for big money, but they bet so little!
Still scowling, you picked up the pen and put down your maximum bid. Being a rich kid, you didn't mind spending money as long as it was for good causes. Of course, your parents thought differently, but you didn't care. You had quite a bit of cash in your wallet, and you were willing to spend it on your favourite baseball team—EVER.
"Ahh, going big, huh?" The shopkeeper nodded admirably. "Good luck, miss."
"When will you announce the winner of the auction?" you asked.
"After the game," she said.
You nodded as you picked up two San Fransokyo Ninjas mini pennants and some baseball cards, purchasing them and thanking the shopkeeper as you exited the shop, tucking your new purchases in your purse. You owed your friend some things, so might as well, right?
Just then, you turned your head to see two boys chasing each other just by the gift shop—a small boy with his arms full of snacks, and an older boy about your age, both of them with jet black hair. The smaller boy was running as fast as his skinny legs could carry him, away from his older brother.
"HIRO!" the older boy cried exasperatedly. "I was planning on spending some money at least on the souvenirs here! Now look at you! What will Aunt Cass SAY?!"
"What does it matter, Tadashi?" the younger boy, Hiro, pouted. "You never gave me a chance to get me snacks whenever we go to baseball games!"
"So? Just because this is the last one doesn't mean we can spend ALL the cash on snacks!"
"Might as well get them before they run out!" Hiro sang.
"Oh you knucklehead!" Tadashi cried.
You gasped quietly. Tadashi was in your grade at San Fransokyo High, and also—unbeknownst to EVERYONE in the school—your crush. Not even your best friend knew that you had a crush on him. For years since you first saw him around you tried to work up the nerve to talk to him, but with no luck. And now you saw him in the stadium...
Unfortunately for you, Tadashi saw you first.
"(Y/N)?" he asked uncertainly. "W-w-what a s-s-surprise!" he stuttered after.
You remained standing there, slightly agape, unable to find your voice. "U-um, yeah, I, heh, I guess," you managed to say, grateful that your voice didn't come out as a squeak.
"I didn't know you were a baseball fan," Tadashi said quietly.
You shrugged, feeling a blush creep up on your face, but you retained that brave look hoping that you didn't look as red as you felt. "Yeah, I...I am. My friend, (Y/BFF/N), and I have been watching them play since we were young. Never took the sport up ourselves but we kinda went to almost every single one of their games when we were old enough to. Just, she couldn't make it today because of something that 'came up', so I'm on my own."
"Lucky!" Tadashi cried. "We only get to go once or twice a season. So for us, a trip to the stadium is a rare occasion. But I have to say right now...we probably used all of our cash for the wrong purposes." He then gestured to Hiro, who had his cheeks stuffed with who-knows-what.
"You want some, Dashi?" he asked, holding up several bags of gummy bears and popcorn and pretzels.
Tadashi shrugged and then turned to you.
You smiled. "Sure. I was going to get some snacks myself but I don't mind sharing with you."
Tadashi smiled back as he took some popcorn and pretzels and handed them to you, and you gratefully took them as you lead the way into the main stadium, where you heard the crowds cheering as both baseball teams exited from the wings and onto the diamond.
"What the heck..." Tadashi murmured as he noticed how packed the stadium got.
"Over here!" you both heard Hiro shout as he waved his arms, gesturing to two empty seats up top.
You nodded as you headed up the stairs, Tadashi just behind you, as you made your way to Hiro. "Good one," you smiled at the younger Hamada.
"Thanks," he smiled cheekily. Then he leaned forward to talk with Tadashi. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"What?!" Tadashi cried in shock. "N-n-no! Um, n-no, of course she—"
"You're stuttering!" Hiro laughed. "You're totally in love with her!"
"Pshh, no," you shook your head, feeling your heart clench. "No no no, Hiro, we...we just pass by each other in school. That's all."
"Huh. Well, I won't be surprised if you two ended up together," Hiro said loftily as he popped another gummy bear in his mouth."
You glanced at Tadashi and shrugged. "Are you?"
"Um...well..." Tadashi blushed beet red as he leaned over and whispered in your ear. "Yes."
You looked at him, shocked. "And all we ever do is pass by the halls! How did you..."
"You've been the talk of the town there, (Y/N)," he simply said. "That is...word of you have been going around from your friends and mine. And...you're probably one of the prettiest and smartest people I have ever met. Even if we don't know each other very well."
You smiled and gave a slight chuckle of relief, feeling your heart expand and swell with complete ecstasy. "Well...that's really, um, touching, Tadashi. I...I kinda liked you too."
Tadashi grinned, his eyes sparkling. "I'm glad then. I'm really glad," he whispered.
And without warning he took your hand gently as you both continued to look at the game play, cheering whenever the Ninjas scored an inning, groaning when the point was given to the Narwhals. By the end, your snacks have almost all disappeared, your voice was pretty much hoarse, and Tadashi still hasn't let go of your hand.
********************
Later, you were announced as the winner of the baseball cap auction, and you went to the diamond and received the cap, waving it to the crowd who cheered for you. As you headed back to the bleachers, you stuffed the baseball cap in your purse.
"Congratulations, (Y/N)," Tadashi beamed gently.
You turned to him and smiled back, feeling the butterflies flutter in your heart and stomach—hard. "Thanks, Tadashi."
The three of you then headed out of the stadium, talking animatedly with both brothers. Tadashi then offered to take you home, which you obliged to, and you experienced your first ride on a moped, feeling your hair fly behind you, your laughter ringing in the late afternoon air. When at last you reached your place, you thanked both brothers for an amazing time, and then entered the house, putting your things down and gazing at the baseball cap that you have bid for a great amount of money. Turning it around and around in your fingers, you thought earlier of how Tadashi and Hiro never have much time to head to a baseball game...or money, for that matter. And yet here you were, going to every game you could with your best friend, continuously yelling yourself hoarse. If only you had an idea how to at least solidify a good friendship, a relationship even, with Tadashi, your long-time crush...
And then a light bulb went off.
*******PRESENT DAY******
You were now turning the hat over and over in your hands, the same way you did a few years ago, debating on giving this hat to Tadashi on the final day of sophomore year. After that, he was so ecstatic he couldn't help but kiss you, which he did over and over in the deserted hallways of the school. And after that, most of the dates involved going out to baseball games, but you still managed to go to other places too, enjoying each other's company, each other's touch, never regretting all the time you two spent.
It was this hat that brought you both together.
Tears started rolling down your cheeks as you smiled faintly, tracing the outline of the brim with your finger just to calm yourself down. Funny, why when he ran into the building, it flew off of his head and landed on the pavement in front of you and Hiro that night. Perhaps it somehow "refused" to be burnt with the person you loved. Whatever the case, you were glad it was saved from the fire. You didn't want a reminder of the person who you loved for so long to be gone, forever out of your reach.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and then both Hiro and Baymax showed up, Hiro's eyes wide with shock.
"What happened?" you asked, putting the hat down.
"No, (Y/N), don't you drop that hat!" Hiro cried. "Tadashi has been spotted alive! He's still ALIVE, (Y/N)!"
To this, you jumped up, picking the hat up. "Baymax, did you scan for him?"
"I have, (Y/N)," Baymax replied calmly. "I still have retained a copy of Tadashi Hamada's health biography in my database. And I have found a match still walking in the city."
"Where is he?" you asked.
"He is currently by the pier, just at the edges of the city," Baymax reported.
You then turned back to Hiro. "So what's the plan?"
"Don't gear up," he said. "And don't tell anyone else. But do bring a couple things, in case he isn't who we think it is."
"You think the police confirmed that he is Tadashi?" you asked quietly.
"I hope so," Hiro nodded. "At least, that is what they told me over the phone. But we can't be too sure yet."
"Right." You nodded as you passed them and exited the lab. "I'll be back in 5 minutes!"
********************
Five minutes late, you and Hiro made your way to the piers. Your eyes immediately widened as you spotted a young man with a dark green cardigan on, slightly peppered with burnt holes, his hair a slight mess. His face looked like it never saw the sun. At this moment he was slumped against a pole by the edge of the pier, his head bowed, his eyes probably closed.
Hiro nudged you gently in the ribs. "Could that be..."
You shrugged. "Come on. We have no time to lose."
Both of you then headed onto the docks, towards the man who was slumped there on the pier. As you inched closer, you clutched onto the hat tighter than ever, your fingers turning white. You have barely moved a few inches when the man jumped up, his eyes wide with alarm. He held in his hands a baseball bat, which he swung wildly upon seeing you, Hiro, and Baymax.
"What are you—" the man shouted before he froze in shock at the three of you, slowly lowering his bat. "H-how—"
You flung yourself at him, wrapping your arms around him as tightly as you dared. "Tadashi, how did YOU remain alive?"
"I always was, (Y/N)," he murmured softly into your ear. "I actually got away lucky before the explosion..."
"And how?"
"I found this bat lying around," he explained bluntly. "Threw a brick up and hit a good home run through the window."
You smirked as you let go of him. "Always the good batter, huh? Always looking for a chance at a home run."
"But there wasn't a single crowd I could please that night," Tadashi said bitterly. "I'm sorry...I really am, (Y/N)." Then he saw the hat, and chuckled. "Always kept it, didn't you? You know you gave it to me at the start of our relationship."
"It was weird, why it flew off your head that night," you said, laughing in relief. "But yes, we have been taking care of it. Very good care, if you ask us."
Tadashi raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Us?"
You stepped back, and Hiro stepped forward as he gave his brother a hug. "Why stay here at the piers, bro? Why, out of all places?"
"I couldn't return home," Tadashi said bluntly. "So yeah, here was the best choice. It's normally the place I go whenever I need to think."
"And hit random home runs using these stones?" you asked cheekily, picking up a random pebble. You then pitched it towards Tadashi, who swung the bat at the stone, and the pebble flew over your head and far far away into the water with a faint SPLASH!
"Yes," he smiled.
"HOME RUN!" you and Hiro cheered, high fiving each other and laughing. Then you turned back to Tadashi and gave him another hug.
"Don't you dare leave home base without THINKING," you scolded him. "You had both me and Hiro worrying about you to death!"
"Sorry," he smirked apologetically. "I'll stay with the both of you next time."
"That's not good enough," Hiro said edgily. "The person you were trying to save was still ALIVE—and he stole my microbots!"
"Wait. Callaghan stole your invention?!" Tadashi was fuming now. "Oh that—"
"He's in jail now," you said quietly. "It's alright now, Tadashi."
"I shouldn't have...all that time...I..." Tadashi shook his head. "How did he suddenly turn against us?"
"Even till today, I have no idea," you murmured.
"Let's just say he acted out of his own anger," Hiro simply piped up.
For a moment, the three of you remained silent, unable to believe it. This was where you stood a few years ago at the baseball game. Now Hiro was right. You and Tadashi ended up together. Then you were separated, and then back together again.
You gave Tadashi a quick peck on the cheek and took his hand. "Come on, Tadashi. We have quite a lot to catch up on."
"I won't argue with that," Tadashi laughed in agreement. "It's so good to see the both of you again."
And together, you all headed off of the pier, and back into the main city, your hand securely in Tadashi's, your heart pounding once more, a smile plastered on your face just as if you have indeed hit a home run.
CRAPPY I KNOW! I'm sorry! I just realized I haven't UPDATED AT ALL so yeah, here's another original. I was playing with the idea of Tadashi's hat, and then YEAH this came up.
As I already mentioned, updates for ALL of my stories would come slower and slower since there has been so much going on. So if you don't see much updates from me AT ALL, I'm super super super sorry! Expect another story in like, a few days. I guess. I mean, that's what I'm vouching for right now.
Hope you like this though!
-clara_hamada
PS If you haven't yet, I have a new Tadashi X Reader story up called "Conflicted". I know it's only 2 chapters, the next chapter is currently in construction so I'll get that up when I'm done with it. Thanks again for your patience.