73. Teammates

Umashi Shiro, the left fielder of the team was the most joyous one in the team. Cracking up jokes and easing the situation in the team was very simple to him. Being a third-year he looked out for his underclassmen like his seniors did.

He had black silky hair and a straight nose. His face was one that girls would like to have another look at. He was as tall as Rei and was bulkier than Akira but less than Sora.

The next was Nakamura Tanaka, a second-year like Rei. He always had a very neutral and stoic expression and voice which never seemed to change a bit. He was a bench member for the shortstop position and according to what Rei saw today he was good at it but not good enough for sure.

He stood as tall as Akira and had a very thin build. His average face and brown hair along with his lack of presence made it hard to notice him.

After that, they made their way towards the locker room. Rei slowly took out the gear and thought to bring his gear tomorrow. He kept the kit back in its place and came out with everyone.

Suddenly Shiro suggests, "Let's go to the ice cream parlor and eat some ice cream."

"Ok let's go." agreed Akira and Tanaka.

"Sorry but I need to go home. You guys go ahead I will come next time," said Rei as he remembered that Mizuki and Keiko told they would be waiting for him near the gates.

The rest nodded and went out through another gate and Rei made his way towards the main gate. As the gate became clear he saw 2 silhouettes standing by it. He recognized it was Mizuki and Keiko and ran up to them.

"Come let's go now."

"Oh, you came Rei," said Keiko hearing Rei's voice.

"Ok, let's go." agreed Mizuki and all three of them walked.

"So how was your first day with a team Rei," asked Keiko

"It was good. I had fun."

"Are any of them mean to you Rei," asked Mizuki with concern.

Rei felt touched by her concern and replied, "I didn't meet many players. I met the coach, his assistant, the captain, and 3 other players of the team. Everyone was nice to me."

The three of them continued to talk as they reached a separation. Rei went on one side and Mizuki and Keiko on the other side. Rei reached home and went to his room. Taking out some clothes he made his way towards the bathroom to take a bath.

After taking a long refreshing bath he went to the hall and sat on the couch turning the television on. Shidou came in as rei watched the television and sat beside him.

"So how was your first day of practice with a team Rei?"

"It was good, old man. I enjoyed it a lot and everyone was nice to me."

Before Shidou can say anything they hear a voice behind them, "Oh that is nice. I knew Akira would do a good job."

They turned around and saw Sora near the door with his baseball stuff, probably back from his club training. Before he could continue, Narumi knocked him on the head behind him and reminded him, "Stop talking and go take a bath."

Sora only nodded at the sight of his mother and slowly went up quietly. Narumi smiled at Rei as she said, "That is good Rei. But remember to be safe while you play." and went back to the kitchen,

Seeing everyone gone, Shidou and Rei continue to converse and Sora joined in later after he took a bath. Narumi called everyone for dinner and after having dinner, Rei helped with the dishes before returning to his room.

He sat on his chair before his study table to start his homework until he heard his phone ring. He took it out and noticed the caller was Shirogana and picked it up.

"Hello, Oji-san how are you?"

"I am fine Rei, How was your day?"

"It was very good. I joined the baseball club in my school and met the captain. The coach appreciated me after he tested me out and I will probably play in the games henceforth."

"That is good Rei. Play safe and don't get injuries. Continue to practice the basic drills once you have time to."

"Yes I will Oji-san." and both of them continued for 10 minutes until they cut the call.

Rei took out his books and started to revise the things he was taught while also completing his homework after that. He checked the time and noticed it was only 8:30. He took out his phone and sent a message about new members joining the cooking club to his seniors Tomiko and Mitsuko.

After sending it out he kept the phone aside and waled towards his closet. He opened it and crouched down taking out his gear set which Shirogana gave him.

He then kept it aside and started his stance training. He continued to train until he felt exhausted after 3 hours and 20 minutes before he fell from exhaustion.

He noticed the time was already nearing midnight and sat on his bed. He packed his bag for all the books he needed the next day and took out his phone. He noticed texts from both his senpais.

[Take care of them Rei. Help them if they ever run into any kind of problems.] replied Mitsuko.

[Yes take care of them. If I ever found out you did not, I will show you hell.] supported Tomiko and warned Rei.

Rei felt shivers on his spine as he imagined Tomiko's rage and replied he would help them whenever they needed it. He knew Tomiko wouldn't do anything to him but still felt fearful as he also knew she could be very angry at him.

He turned his lamp off and got to bed as his morning started early with his jogs.