"Are you guys getting to know each other", said Raizou as he entered the field.
"Haii. Coach", replied the players.
Raizou smiled smugly hearing Rei call him coach.
'What's with that Smug face', thought Rei.
"Now since everyone has gotten to know each other. Let me tell you guys how we are going to re-organize the team and the lineup", said Raizou getting the attention of the team.
"What do you mean by re-organizing the team", questioned Ryou.
Hearing Ryou's question, Raizou was startled and glared at Sanada. 'You brat, how dare you not listen to me', he thought.
Sanada avoided his gaze.
"Che…Ugh…SOMEONE was going to inform you guys", said Raizou clicking his tongue.
The players looked at their coach confused, only Rei and Sanada knew what was happening.
"So, Sanada got his leg injured because he fell off his bike. Basically, it's all Sanada's fault", said Raizou pointing toward Sanada.
'This damn old hag', thought Sanada sensing the tense atmosphere.
Suddenly, all the players got tensed realizing the situation. Sanada was the ace and carried the team, if he can't pitch then who will?
"You guys don't need to worry. I your reliable coach have gotten a substitute", said Raizou crossing his arms pridefully.
"He is saying bullshit again", said Hideo.
Yuu nodded.
"T-trust me. This time it's definitely someone unexpected", said Raizou.
'Who?', wondered all the players.
"Rei Fujikawa", said Raizou pushing Rei in front of the team.
'I-It's bright. Is that an angel?', thought almost everyone on the team knowing Rei was the substitute.
"Now back to business since Rei is the ace now we have to make changes in the lineup. I don't care if you have problems with the lineup just deal with it", said Raizou digging his ear.
"HAII", replied the players.
"Rei, he's the ace now and I will continuously send him towards the left field for defense. Sanada will be a relief pitcher and except for that everyone else's position is the same", said Raizou.
"Nanda, he scared me. I worked so hard for the position", said Mishima.
"That's it for today. Do some warmups before heading back home. Rei, Ryou, and Kazuma stay back with me", said Raizou.
All three of them nodded.
After 10 Minutes, in Yakushi's Field.
"Rei, how fast is your fastest pitch?", asked Raizou.
Kazuma and Ryou wondered why the coach was asking Rei such a question.
"Umm…about 150 KM", said Rei.
'For real…', thought Ryou and Kazuma shocked.
Raizou coughed roughly, "Yeah…That's what I thought so too". 'What's with this monster…thank God I don't have to face him anymore. I feel like my prayers have finally been heard', he thought.
"Anyways, Kazuma do you have the confidence to catch Rei's pitches?", said Raizou.
Kazuma was silent for a moment and said reluctantly, "I think so".
"This is going to be hard", muttered Raizou.
"Oy, Ryou, stay with Kazuma all night and help him practice catching 150 KM pitches. And Rei you stay with them too", said Raizou.
"Me?", questioned Rei.
"Yeah. Who else am I talking to? Kazuma and you have to work on your battery. Just go over the basics such as signs and etc.", said Raizou.
"Isn't it almost midnight?", questioned Ryou concerned for his fellow teammates.
"Shut up, seriously. I don't care if you have to sleep on the field or on the bus tomorrow you guys are staying up late practicing", said Raizou as he walked back home.
"Is he just going to leave like that?", questioned Rei seeing Raizou leave.
"Oye, are you underestimating me? You don't think I can do this", said Kazuma glaring at Ryou.
"I was just thinking-", said Ryou.
"Agh, whatever. Just come help me and you too ace", said Kazuma.
"Calling me ace already. I like it", muttered Rei as he followed them to practice.
Throughout all night, Rei threw some pitches trying to get Kazuma used to it. At first, Kazuma couldn't catch Rei's pitches at all. But after 2-3 hours he was starting to get it since Ryou was giving him advice along the way.
"How come he's not tired yet? We have been practicing for 4 hours straight", said Kazuma.
"I guess he has a lot of stamina", commented Ryou.
Rei didn't know what those 2 were whispering amongst themselves but since he was practicing all night, Rei activated his Stamina boost skill. He just wanted to test it out before the tournament. And thankfully this skill didn't disappoint.
The Next Day.
Today was Rei's 1st official day at Yakushi high school.
"Are you ready?", yelled Chiaki.
"Yeah", muttered Rei walking down the stairs.
"Aw, my baby", exclaimed Chiaki taking photos of Rei.
"Why are you acting like it's my first day of kindergarten", said Rei.
"Oh please. Even if you're in college or old, I will act like this with you", said Chiaki.
"Anyways, Come let me drop you at school", said Chiaki.
Rei nodded and sat in his mom's car.
After 20 Minutes, Rei arrived at Yakushi.
Rei got out of the car and waved goodbye to his mother as he took his first steps into the school.
After a few minutes, Rei walked into his classroom. Entering his classroom, he walked to an empty seat.
Rei looked around observing how a Japanese public school is.
"REIII!!", exclaimed Raichi as he came running toward Rei.
"What are you doing here?", asked Rei.
"It's my classroom too and coincidentally you sit right next to me", said Raichi excitedly.
Rei chuckled at his own bad luck.
A few hours later, classes ended.
"I didn't know you were so smart", said Raichi.
"Well, he was a scholarship student", commented Yuu.
'Turns out there's another person from the team in my classroom', thought Rei as they walked towards the field.
In The Field.
There was a bus parked a few feet away.
Managers and Staff members were helping the team pack and load their stuff onto the bus.
"Here's your shirt", said Raizou handing Rei his shirt as soon as he saw him.
Receiving the shirt, Rei smiled looking at the ace number. 'This feels too good', he thought caressing the number tag.
"KAZUMA, WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING HERE? DON'T SLEEP HERE. SLEEP IN THE BUS OR SOMETHING", said Raizou seeing Kazuma sleeping on the field.
Everyone chuckled witnessing the scene.
A few minutes later, everyone was sitting on the bus ready.
"Let's aim to win Koshien", yelled Raizou feeling hopeful of the outcome.
Players cheered agreeing with their coach.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.