80. Tests (II)

Standing on plate Rei took a deep breath and calmed his nerves down. He got ready as he concentrated on the machine. Iwata nodded and Konda saw him ready and the first pitch got shot. Rei saw the pitch coming and gripped the bat tighter.

He saw the ball going to the outside corner and immediately swung his hands stretching his bat wide. The bat connected and Rei pulled it towards the right field. He was able to hit towards the outer field nearing a home run but still came short.

He waved the bat and gripped it again. He took his stance again and another pitch came right down the middle, which he slugged it towards the center field. He got ready for the next one and it was surprisingly inside. Rei choked on the bat and was able to perfectly connect the ball.

Iwata nodded as he continued to see him bat. After a few balls and seeing Rei consistent he motioned Konda to increase the speed.

Konda increased the speed and the next pitch went out. Rei felt surprised by the sudden increase in speed and couldn't react in time. He hit a foul and got ready again. The balls continued to come at him while Rei hit some and fouled some.

Iwata understood his level and asked Konda to stop. Rei noticed Iwata coming near him and took out his helmet and kept his bag on the bench near him.

"You also have improved a lot, Rei. Continue to practice so you would be able to hit quicker pitches thereafter."

Rei nodded and Iwata continued, "Starting from today you and Suzaku start practicing together and get to know his pitching style too."

Suzaku and Rei nodded, both of them were still not completely compatible and it is still quite stressful if they won't be able to coordinate well.

"Ok for now continue your respective training for today and starting tomorrow you can start joined practice." and went towards the Feilding training to look over the players.

Rei took his helmet and kept it in his locker. He went to an empty spot on the field and started swinging his bat. He continued to swing till the practice ended taking a few brakes in the middle. While taking breaks he noticed a few first years were still very bad and did not know the basics of Feilding.

He felt surprised as it was August and a new school year starts in April before summer break and whatever they did the whole time. But some of them were still good enough to be in the club.

He went back into the lockers after training ended and changed his clothes. He came out, taking his bag, and saw Khira, Suzaku, Daichi, and Tanaka standing and chatting. He went near them and asked, "Let's go senpai and you guys are also coming?" He looked towards Daichi and Tanaka.

"Yah we heard from Ite-senpai that you're treating some very tasty steam buns," answered Daichi while Tanaka nodded. Rei nodded and all 5 of them made their way towards the shop

"Do you think we will go to at least the quarter-finals this year, captain," asked Daichi.

"We have 6 more months to prepare for the spring tournament. If we practice hard enough we might make it there," answered Akhira after some consideration. Daichi nodded and remained silent.

"I think we should aim for Koshien and not only quarter-finals for the regional round. If we aim small our ability would also be small." suddenly Rei said.

All four of them were shocked hearing his words. They all knew the team's condition and that it was never enough to aim big, so they always aimed short. But hearing Rei they knew they were wrong and had to aim big.

"What Rei said is right. Let's aim for the nationals," said Suzaku excitedly.

"Yes" answered the other three in union and they reached the shop

All of them went in and Rei was surprised noticing the number of people. The shop was bustling with activity and he noticed a new young man near the counter with the old gramps sitting at the cashier.

"The business has been going well. I see Old man. You also hired a new person to be at the quarter." said Rei as he went to the old man with the rest behind him.

"Oh you are here Rei, Yes business has been going well and we needed a new employee. My old age couldn't keep up with the customers," answered Nobuyuki noticing it was Rei who called for him.

Rei nodded and ordered 5 steam buns. The old man took out a token and gave it to Rei asking him to give it to his employee at the counter. Rei went and gave the token while giving it to the kitchen.

After sometimes their steam buns came out and Rei noticed the rest were already sitting and took it towards them. He set the tray down and each one of them was intoxicated by the smell.

Rei sat down beside Daichi and Tanaka and took a bun. All of them slowly took a bun and sniffed it taking in the rich smell coming out. They slowly took a bite and all of them gave the same reaction.

Even so the ever so stoic faced Tanaka was able to give out a small smile. Rei already got used to people showing funny faces when they eat the bun here but it was still funny to see his teammate's expression. He slowly took out his phone and snapped a picture of everyone and giggled seeing it. All of them completed eating and Rei paid the bill, going outside.

"It was insane. I never had much tastier than the normal buns," exclaimed Daichi with a smile.

"Yes they were very tasty indeed, " said Suzaku, still thinking about them.

"Ok, let's go now. Meet you guys tomorrow" said Akhira.

Everyone went their separate ways and Rei took out his phone as he walked home. He texted Mizuki and Keiko if they reached home and got an instant reply from both of them. He continued to talk to them and reached home.

He entered and Narumi noticed as he went by the hall and asked, "What happened Rei, your so late today"

"I was with some teammates, Oba-san."

Narumi nodded and Rei went to take a bath. He came into the hall and noticed Sora watching a movie while Narumi went for cooking. He sat beside him and asked, "How is your coaching going on?"

"It is going well, Izumi is getting a better hang of his control now than before. The team is growing more solid."

"Do you think you have a chance of winning the championship this time around?"

"Yah if it continues, we might make it."

Rei did not ask anything else and both of them continued to watch the movie. Narumi called for all of them and they stopped the television. After helping out Narumi with the dishes Rei went back to his room.

He took out his books, completed his homework, and started his catching form training. He continued to remain in the position till the clock struck 3 hours and 40 minutes and he fell. He sat on his bed, massaged his legs, and took out his phone.

He texted both his senpais and started talking with them. He told them how the juniors changed after his last encounter with them and also how respectful they were. He also told them they were learning how to cook from their advisor.

Both of them were very happy listening to Rei tell them about their club and the new girls. They were also astonished about how they changed within a week and are also learning actual cooking from the advisor.

They promised to meet them when the school's annual festival is celebrated and talk to them. Rei was also happy listening to them. They proceeded to talk about Rei's baseball training and also their highschool life.

Rei only stopped talking when he noticed it was very late and he had to wake up the next day for school. He kept his phone to the side and covered himself with the blanket slowly drifting off to sleep.

*NEXT DAY*

Rei got up and completed his daily run and got inside the bath. He slowly took a shower and continued to think about today's training. He wondered how his chemistry with Suzaku would turn out and if they would be good enough for the spring tournament. He could only sigh and get out of the bathroom when he heard Sora's impatient shouts from outside.

He quickly wore his uniform, checked all his books, and went to the dining room. He ate breakfast along with everyone and got out of the house once he was done along with a rushed Sora.

He slowly walked as he conversed with Sora towards the school and surprisingly met Keiko and Mizuki halfway. All of them reached the school and went their separate ways.