74 The Reason

Before Yakushi's 1st round started.

"Where are you going?", asked Sawamura while sipping on his water.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to go watch the other match. Since we won our match, it just makes sense to know about your opponents and their plays", said Miyuki.

"You're definitely hiding something…You didn't go to watch other matches last year or in our previous tournament especially since you wouldn't pay attention to them since it's only the beginning of the tournament", said Kuramochi suspicious of Miyuki's behavior.

"HAHAHAHA…what do you mean?", said Miyuki awkwardly chuckling.

After a few minutes of arguing, Kuramochi finally convinced Miyuki to tell them the real reason he was going to watch the match.

"Che…why are you guys arguing so much with me? It's not a big secret it's just that Yakushi is playing in the next match", blurted Miyuki clicking his tongue.

"YAKUSHI!!", exclaimed Sawamura and Kuramochi.

"Since it's that team then I'll go watch the match since, during the practice match, we lost", said Kuramochi.

Remembering the home run that Raichi hit off of him, Sawamura's heart skipped a beat in fear.

"I-I…want to go too", muttered Sawamura.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you guys. Since you all like to tag along. Ugh but whatever let's go", said Miyuki.

Before anyone else got ready to go, "Let me go along with you guys too", said Kanemaru.

"Kanemaru, I didn't expect you to come with us", said Sawamura.

"M-mind your own business, I'm just interested in watching you got a problem", said Kanemaru.

"Enough with your bickering the match is about to start anyways, so let's go", said Miyuki fed up as he walked toward the stadium.

Everyone else followed.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the match stadium.

Miyuki glanced at the scoreboard as he sat down. He was shocked looking at the score since he knew Nanamori Gakuen wasn't an easy team to win especially with their exceptional lineup. 'For a public school, they are pretty strong', he thought.

"What are you looking at?", said Sawamura nudging the dazed Miyuki.

"Oh, I was just looking at the scoreboard", said Miyuki.

"OOOO…let's see. OH MY GOD…3 runs already even though they are only in the 2nd inning!", exclaimed Sawamura.

"For Real!", exclaimed Kuramochi.

"Yakushi scored, didn't they? They are pretty strong this year", commented Kanemaru.

Haruichi nodded agreeing with Kanemaru

Yakushi High Vs. Nanamori Gakuen. 3-0 (Currently in the 2nd inning).

"Nanto…REI FUJIKAWA former Seido pitcher is playing with Yakushi High during this fall tournament. Recently, we have heard that Rei transferred schools. But to find out that he transferred to Yakushi, The Dark Horse team. What a surprise!", exclaimed the announcer.

As soon as they heard this announcement all 5 of them were dumbfounded.

"A-are they talking about the Rei, we know", said Kanemaru flustered.

In the field, Rei just struck out all the batters and was walking back to the dugout.

"So, he chose Yakushi. I guess we found out", said Miyuki.

"Master #2…", muttered Sawamura upset.

"What does that school have that we don't?", said Kanemaru pissed.

"I'm going to kill that brat if I ever see him in a match again", said Kuramochi.

Furuya clenched his fists thinking, 'Why Yakushi'.

"But don't you think that they have gotten strong too fast since Rei has joined them now", said Kuramochi.

"Yeah, and that's why they are a formidable opponent", said Miyuki.

"We will probably play Yakushi later on", said Kanemaru.

"Look at Master #2's back!", yelled Sawamura suddenly.

All the team members were shocked at this discovery, that Rei was the ace. Especially Furuya who seemed to be irritated by this news.

"I knew it, this is why he transferred", said Kanemaru frustrated.

"Looking at their prowess, I can say that we will meet Yakushi in the finals", said Miyuki.

'But I don't want to play against. Master #2', thought Sawamura sullenly.

"Isn't it interesting? To play against Rei, that pitching machine", said Kuramochi.

"That Is why I'm also looking forward to the finals", said Miyuki grinning.

Present time.

The 2 matches scheduled today were:

Seido High Vs. Seishou High.

Yakushi High Vs. Metropolitan Mino

In Seido's Dugout. The start of their 2nd round.

Kataoka had been in thought since he found out that Rei was the ace at Yakushi now. He had been doubting the decision he had made in the past. 'To remove Sanada of the ace position. That just shows how much better Rei is.', he thought.

"Furuya, get ready. I need you to remember something on the mound. Pace yourself and don't show your weaknesses as Miyuki said before", said Kataoka.

Furuya nodded. 'It'll be fine this time. I'll definitely strike out the players and we will win as planned', he thought.

'Is he going to be, ok?', thought Miyuki glancing at Furuya worried.

Furuya struck out the 1st 2 batters right off the bat.

'I don't regret it', thought Kataoka observing Furuya in the field as he struck players out.

In Yakushi's Dugout. The starting of the 2nd round against Metropolitan Mino.

"Oops", said Raizou scratching his neck as he realized the situation.

"WHAT IS 'OOPS'! You're going to cost us the game. WE ONLY HAVE KAZUMA AS A GOOD ENOUGH CATCHER. TELL ME DO YOU HAVE ANYONE TO REPLACE HIM?", yelled Rei frustrated with his coach.

"IT'S NOT THE TIME TO BE BLUSHING, YOU AHO!", said Rei as he noticed Kazuma blushing.

'It's all the damn coach's fault. How can he force me and Kazuma to have overnight training sessions right before the match. Because of that Kazuma is super exhausted. While we were warming up, I saw his hands trembling as he caught my pitches. I mean I'm totally fine because of my stats. Ugh what can I do? Let's just hope that Metropolitan Mino is an easy team to beat', thought Rei.

"Oh, don't overreact. It's not like he got injured", said Raizou.

"You better hope Kazuma doesn't make any silly mistakes during the match", said Rei.

"He won't. Now stop worrying. If he does just clean after his mess", said Raizou giving Rei a thumbs up.

"You've got to be kidding me", said Rei.