75 Chapter 75

"Is that Seido's Ace?".

"Can't believe he struck that Seishou Academy out".

"They won a called game".

"Seido's new lineup was a little lacking since Rei left the team".

"Even Though Furuya's pitching was not as good in the 1st round".

"Agreed".

"For some reason nowadays, I feel like Seido has changed".

"Yeah, whenever I walk near them, I feel like an intimidating aura hitting me".

"Such a strong presence".

"Just like an army…".

"BWAHAHAHA…what do you mean an army. So ridiculous".

'I know It sounds ridiculous but the way the coach leads the team seems almost like an army to me'.

Seido High Vs. Seishou Academy. 10-0.

Seido's Locker room, after their match.

"Good. You lasted longer in today's round. Though you still need to work on your pitch count", said Miyuki.

Furuya nodded determinedly.

This action left Miyuki speechless. 'Is he just going to agree like that? Shouldn't he ignore me', he thought.

"As I suggested raising Furuya as the ace was the best choice", said Ochihai coach.

Kataoka nodded.

Takashima frustratingly sighed hearing the conversation between them.

Yakushi's Dugout. The Start of the match with Metropolitan Mino.

"Oy, Kazuma", said Rei while moving his point finger signaling Kazuma to come toward him.

Kazuma nodded as he approached Rei.

"Listen here. Since you're not in top condition. I have an idea to solve the predicament we are in currently", said Rei.

Hearing Rei, Kazuma looked at Rei with hope. Because he was fed up with the situation as well since he couldn't catch it properly.

"I will throw my pitches at a slower speed. I will at least lower it by 10-15 KM", said Rei.

Kazuma's smile immediately disappeared. 'He's going to lower his speed for me. So that I can catch it. I-I…have to work harder. But will this be enough to win this match? I'm getting anxious just thinking about it since this is a single-elimination tournament'.

"What?", said Rei confused seeing Kazuma dazed.

Kazuma nodded agreeing with Rei as he stopped his thought process. 'Even though I'm getting anxiety thinking about this I have to trust Rei-kun', he thought.

Rei smiled since Kazuma agreed to his plan to win this match which is going to be successful. 'I had to come up with a brilliant plan in a short amount of time with the resources I had. A careless coach, a novice catcher, and strong batters. This is why. I have decided I will decrease my speed and pitch to contact and when I bat, I will hit a home run or at least get a run. I mean they are only Metropolitan Mino; they weren't even mentioned in the anime that thoroughly which can mean they are a weak team. I hope so at least', he thought.

A few minutes later, the first inning started and Yakushi was pitching.

Rei nodded towards Kazuma as he threw a 138 KM Fastball to the inside.

Rei was speechless seeing the batter not make contact with that slow-ass pitch. 'As expected now, Kazuma can catch my pitches effortlessly. But I mean come on; it has got to be luck on my side that the batter couldn't hit the pitch. Let's try again', he thought.

Rei pitched again with the same speed.

'Aare', thought Rei dumbfounded seeing the batter strike out again through these slow-ass pitches.

'Is this school after all a weak school? Can we win this even though I'm pitching this slowly? Eya…eya, let's not underestimate the school to early I'm sure there's going to be someone who can hit the slow ass pitches, right?', thought Rei.

A few minutes later, the 1st inning ended.

"There we have it. Rei Fujikawa didn't give Mino a chance to score through his pitching", said the announcer.

'It was that easy', thought Rei flabbergasted walking back to the dugout.

In The Audience, A few fans of Yakushi were discussing the match currently.

"I knew It Rei was going to dominate this match".

"Obviously ever since he transferred to Yakushi, the school has been transformed into a powerhouse school".

"But did you guys notice something weird about Rei's pitching today?".

"What!!".

"I feel like he was not throwing with all his might. Like he wasn't giving his all".

"Are you sure?"

"Looks like he was trying though".

(He was trying his best, but he was focusing on how to decrease his speed…)

"But if he actually isn't trying then I have to say he's a real baseball prodigy".

Back to the Field.

During the 1st inning, Raichi hit a home run easily.

2-3 inning, Rei hit a 2-run home run.

4 and 5th inning, Yakushi scored 4 more runs.

Yakushi High Vs. Metropolitan Mino. 8-0.

In the end, Yakushi High won.

Yakushi's Locker Room, after the match.

"Though I threw slower in this match, I can't continue doing this, so you have to step up your game Kazuma", said Rei.

Kazuma nodded determinedly.

"Why are you lecturing Kazuma like that? You guys are the same age. He's not your Kouhai, Rei", said Yuu.

Rei clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Thunderstruck in Kazuma's mind. As he realized how he had been acting toward Rei. He recalled everything single detail Rei had told him and declared, "I'll be Rei's Kouhai…".

"HAHAHAHA…for real", laughed Sanada in the corner.

"WHY CAN'T I BE HIS KOUHAI? He gives super helpful advice and if he can make me more useful to the team then why can't I be his KOUHAI for god's sake", said Kazuma snapping.

"Calm down, Kazuma. You can do as you please. No one will interrupt you if you want to be Rei's Kouhai", said Ryou.

"Why is this team full of weirdos?", muttered Ryou as he observed his teammates.

Rei was blushing as he received the compliment from Kazuma about his advice.

The father, and son duo, were watching tv. Raizou lazily sat down while Raichi was eating his banana.

The Tv showed the next round of Matches schedule, and we were against Akikawa Academy.

"That Akikawa Academy, huh? I think the player, 'clockwork' is the ace in that school", said Atsushi.

"WHAT!! That control freak", said Yuu shocked.

'You Shun shin. He was the player that had the most impeccable control in the whole series. I WANT TO PLAY AGAINST HIM SO BAD', thought Rei grinning.

Hearing the gasps in the locker room, Raizou said proudly, "What 'CLOCKWORK', what kind of stupid nickname is that? Anyways, since you guys seem to be scared of the 'CLOCKWORK' guy then Raichi will just smash him with his bat. HAHAHAHA…".