Koshien Preparation

"Oh, he's here", said Harucchi seeing Rei enter the room.

"Why are you late, Rei-chan", commented Masuko.

"It's fine since Ryosuke isn't here", said Kuramochi.

As Kuramochi mentioned his brother, Harucchi got worried. 'I hope Aniki is ok'.

All the players in the meeting room were looking at Rei in interest.

Rei stared at them speechless. After a moment he said, "It was Sawamura's fault".

Sawamura gave Rei a wronged expression.

"Since Rei and Sawamura are here now. We can start", said Kataoka.

Everyone nodded fully focused.

"For the 1st time in a while Seido is going to Koshien which is a thing to celebrate but since Koshien is near we have to start preparing", said Kataoka. He signaled Chris to come up towards the board so he could explain everyone the plan.

Chris nodded and holding his notebook he walked up to the board.

"Let's get straight to the point. Since playing Inashiro our team hasn't fully recovered and we have many things to improve on", said Chris stating the fact.

All the player's moods dimmed upon hearing the bitter truth.

Tanba especially was anxious. He hadn't ever felt pressure like this before. Especially him being the ace, put a huge burden on him.

Miyuki eyed Tanba concerned.

"I have given Coach plans of what each person should improve on and now moving forward we should decide the pitching order since the Koshien Matches are going to be more rigorous", said Chris.

All the pitchers on the 1st string focused fully on what Chris was saying.

"Tanba, the ace, and Rei will be starting the matches in Koshien. Sawamura, Kawakami, and Furuya will be staying on standby", said Chris.

Thunder crackled through Sawamura, Kawakami, and Furuya's brains.

"If you have a problem, you can discuss it with the coach later in his office. Now moving on, let's discuss the strategies", said Chris.

The meeting went on for another 2-3 hours.

"I feel like sleeping…", said Rei as he yawned walking out of the meeting room.

"We're just going to evening practice", commented Sawamura.

Rei clicked his tongue.

"WHAT WAS THAT!", said Sawamura.

"I have no idea. What you are talking about", said Rei calmly.

"You don't sound like you mean it!", said Sawamura.

They both walked towards the field.

At night outside Kataoka's office.

"W-WHY ARE YOU TWO HERE!", said Sawamura seeing Furuya and Kawakami near him.

"Shush…", said Kawakami silencing Sawamura since he was too loud.

Sawamura quickly covered his mouth.

Furuya ignored Sawamura.

Kawakami knocked on the door.

"Come in!", said Coach.

All the 3 of them went inside the office at the same time.

"We would like to know why we aren't able to start in a game", said Kawakami.

Sawamura and Furuya nodded.

Kataoka who was filling out forms on his desk stopped to answer their question.

"Ok, I'll tell you", said Kataoka.

"First, Sawamura, you…what do you even do on the mound? You can't even control your pitches fully and you expect me to let you be the starter in Koshien", said Kataoka.

Sawamura as he got hit by too many critical hits, sat down sullen.

"Second, Kawakami. Unfortunately, you don't have the skills needed for a starter in Koshien", said Kataoka.

Kawakami nodded reluctantly barely able to swallow down the Coach's comment.

"Third, Furuya, you have no stamina. How are you supposed to last during the game? Even throwing 2-3 innings will get hard for you", said Kataoka.

Furuya was dazed hearing this.

"Now, since I have answered your question, you 3 may leave since I am busy", said Kataoka.

The trio walked outside.

Coming out of the room, the trio looked lost in their own thoughts but one of them suddenly dashed somewhere leaving the other 2 startled.

'I Have to get that book from master', thought Sawamura as he dashed to Chris's dorm.

In Rei's Dorm.

Rei who was excited to finally get some peaceful sleep after rigorous training, as he was about to jump on his bed the door was suddenly banged open.

Rei cursed at the person who barged into his dorm at this time. Seeing Sawamura, he groaned.

"MASTER! I WANT THE NOTEBOOK YOU HAD TO GIVE ME!", said Sawamura.

"At this time, Sawamura. Everyone is going to be given there's in the morning", said Chris tired.

Sawamura nodded.

Chris got out of his bed and handed Sawamura the notebook.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!", said Sawamura. He bowed and left.

"He left as quickly as he came", commented Rei.

A Few Days Later. The Day before leaving for Koshien.

Everyone had been going through hard training and improving themselves as much as they could in a short amount of time.

Rei who had been practicing his Gyroball couldn't seem to level it any further. It was too hard for the current him.

Unfortunately, Tanba still wasn't in a good condition.

Ryosuke's foot injury still wasn't fully healed but Rei got that covered since he spent 200 coins to buy a healing cream that would heal and numb the injury, unlike the previous cream which only numbed the pain for a short while. Ryosuke thought it was a foreign medicine like the previous cream. Speaking of the cream, When Rei opened the shop, he was shocked at how much expensive things had gotten.

"Yep, the system is definitely getting a 0-star review", commented Rei trying to get his petty revenge. Another change in the shop was that now he could buy Skills but again they were super expensive.

In Rei's Dorm.

"Put this in there too", said Kanemaru putting cheeseburgers in Rei's bag.

"Why? Take it out! Why would I need this for Koshien?", said Rei.

"Ahh…Soka", said Kanemaru taking the cheeseburger out and eating it.

"Weren't you going to help me pack?", said Rei.

"Not in the mood", said Kanemaru.

Hearing Kanemaru's comment, Rei got pissed and attacked him.

As both of them fought, Chris came and separated them from each other.

In Miyuki's Dorm.

'Wonder how everything is going to be? There are still many shortcomings in the team, maybe if Rei and Furuya pitch continuously we can hold out longer because Tanba's having complications with his pitching recently', thought Miyuki sighing.