Batteries

I had Extra time today so I wrote 2 chapters.

Enjoy ;)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Practice.

All the players stood in a line ready to listen to the coach's instructions.

"Practicing without an objective would only be a waste of time. The first step in climbing a hill, and the first step in climbing Mt. Fuji…Physically the same, but mentally different. Which one are we climbing? A goal breathes life into you every day. Be ambitious and never neglect your daily training!", said Kataoka seriously.

"HAII", yelled everyone simultaneously.

Rei felt guilty hearing Kataoka's speech because he had been neglecting his daily training nowadays since his stats were getting hard to increase.

"The upperclassmen get to practice fielding and batting through scrimmages. But us first years are stuck doing circuits and running. Furuya and Rei are in the first string and even they must do it. I really want to use balls again", said a random first year.

Sawamura, Haruichi, and Furuya were running in the back of the crowd while Rei was running ahead of them.

"Wait for me…", yelled Sawamura as he ran faster trying to catch up to Rei.

Rei looked back and saw Sawamura running at him and ignored him by increasing his pace a little.

"Don't ignore me", yelled Sawamura.

"Challenge accepted", said Haruichi seeing Sawamura and Rei going ahead of him. He increased his pace and ran ahead leaving Furuya alone at the back.

Sawamura caught up with Rei and Haruichi was also right behind them.

"Hey, you got into the second string, but you don't look so happy", said Haruichi.

"Of course, I'm not. I'm still doing exactly what I was doing before! I want to pitch in the first string!", said Sawamura frustratingly.

Rei chuckled after hearing Sawamura's reply.

"DON'T LAUGH! Just wait I'll surpass you in no time", said Sawamura.

"Oh…", said Rei in amusement. He didn't underestimate Sawamura like Furuya and took Sawamura as a rival.

"Give it your best shot", said Rei smiling.

Sawamura blushed as he received encouragement.

"But I'd rather get to play in the second-string than be benched in the first-string.", said Haruichi.

"A game?", questioned Sawamura as he slowed down to talk to Haruichi.

"The games we'll have on the weekends will be double headers, so I'm sure we'll have a chance to play, too", said Haruichi.

"Seriously! That's awesome!", said Sawamura loudly.

"Be quiet", muttered Furuya from the back. He has low stamina and can barely keep up with the crowd.

"First-year students, Furuya, Rei, and Sawamura, come immediately to the Field A bench", announced the speaker near the field.

After a few minutes, all 3 of them arrived at the Field A bench and saw 3 people standing there waiting for them.

"You 3 will be given the pitcher training menu starting today. You'll have twice as much work to do as everyone else, but good luck", said Takashima.

Sawamura was shaking in excitement hearing this news.

Rei and Furuya's expressions remained unchanged.

"Furuya and Rei, you guys might be pitching in next week's Kanto tournament. Furuya, you practice your pickoff plays and signs with Miyuki.", said Takashima.

"Hai", said Furuya.

"Rei-chan. He has power, but his control is trash. Also, he'll have to throw a hundred pitches every day to build endurance", said Miyuki standing next to Takashima.

"Oh, you've already been catching his pitch?", said Takashima.

Miyuki just shrugged in response.

Furuya was happy with Miyuki being his catcher.

"Yo-your name is…Rei...too?", said Rei dumbfounded.

Hearing his question Miyuki's eyes widened and started laughing on the ground.

"How didn't I notice that before", said Miyuki on the floor laughing and holding his stomach.

"Hahaha…Rei you have a girl's name", said Sawamura laughing.

"It's not a girl's name, a lot of guys have this name", said Rei blushing in embarrassment.

Furuya and Chris were chuckling too.

"Enough of this, get back on topic!", said Rei.

"Sawamura-Kun, you'll be working with Chris, a third year. Have him teach you about how to act and lead on the field", said Takashima holding back her laughter.

Sawamura acted like a brat and wasn't happy with his catcher because he wanted Miyuki since he was the best catcher.

Chris wasn't happy with his reaction but still introduced himself.

"Now, Rei you will be a special case since we don't have enough good pitchers on the team to teach you. So, you will switch between Miyuki and Chris. Go to them when you need guidance and follow both of their training routines", said Takashima.

"EHHHH", said Miyuki.

"Are you serious? How come I didn't hear about this", questioned Miyuki.

"The coach came to this decision so take it up with him, but I think this is a good decision for him since he will have 2 people looking over his progress", said Takashima.

Miyuki nodded understanding what Takashima was saying.

"You guys can decide how you want to switch it up", said Takashima leaving them alone.

"How about 1 week with me and the other with Chris senpai", said Miyuki.

"Ok", said Rei.

He shook his hands with Chris and Miyuki as he was officially in a battery with them.

In the practice field.

"Hey", said Rei trying to grab the ball thrown at him standing at the first base.

Rei couldn't catch the ball and it fell to the ground.

The other baseman was dumbfounded that Rei couldn't catch it.

Rei looked at his glove and thought it was weird that he couldn't catch it. In his previous life, he had some experience with fielding but when he tries using those skills with his current body, he can't do it. He can't move his body the way he wants it to.

"Don't mind", said Rei walking off the field.

"Don't give me that!", said the other baseman in frustration.

Now it was Furuya's turn, and he couldn't do fielding either.

"Their throws are amazing, but I guess they're not as good at fielding", said Ryosuke.

At Chris and Sawamura's side.

Chris was stretching Sawamura and writing notes down about his body and the things he needs to work on.

After Sawamura's continuous pestering, Chris decided to let him pitch.

Chris got into his catching position.

Sawamura threw his pitch, and it didn't go into the catcher's mitt.

"How come he didn't move", thought Sawamura.

"What happened, this is where my mitt is", said Chris.

"Eya, He's so scary!", thought Sawamura.

"I would never want to entrust the 3 years we spent here to you", said Chris.

Sawamura gruntled as he didn't know what to say in response.

At night.

There are rumors about Chris being jealous of Miyuki since he stole his position in the first string. People didn't have a good impression of Chris and felt bad for Sawamura because he was partnered with him.

As Sawamura was going back to his dorm he stopped after hearing a loud noise.

He went near the source of the sound.

Rei was pitching and Miyuki was catching his pitches.

"Hey, let's call it a day for you since I must catch Furuya's pitches today too. You're throwing too much. If you keep up this pace, you won't last until summer", said Miyuki.

Rei nodded and took off his glove.

Furuya got ready to pitch since Rei was done.

In Rei's dorm.

Rei went to the bathroom to freshen up as soon as he entered.

After a few minutes, he came out of the bathroom and saw a scroll on his bed.

"What is this…", said Rei picking it up.

"You're Training menu", said Chris.

"Thank you", said Rei sincerely.

"Oh, by the way, how was training with Sawamura", said Rei.

"Don't get me started with that brat", said Chris. He seemed frustrated with him.

"Was it that bad?", said Rei chuckling.

"You have no idea", said Chris.

"Are you going somewhere?", questioned Rei seeing him with his bag standing at the door.

"I won't be staying here the night", said Chris.

Rei nodded and didn't ask him further questions as he had an idea where he was going.

"See you later and good luck", said Rei.

Chris nodded and exited the room.

Walking out of the room, there was a smile on his face.