If none of that had happened, Kouichi knew that he would never have gotten a chance to come to Osaka Toin. There was even a chance that he might not have played baseball in High School.
Daichi felt vindicated after seeing the changes in attitude from his friends. There was nothing the feeling of showing off one’s family members.
“So why aren’t you at this game Daichi?” Jing asked, breaking through the atmosphere.
“Ahhh… I guess they thought I was busy.” He said, letting out an awkward laugh.
He turned back to the TV which had already gone back to the game and felt a sudden burst of jealousy. However, he quickly shook his head and threw it to the back of his mind.
His father had only just arrived in Japan that morning, there was no way he’d forgotten about him.
However, despite telling himself this, he still felt a nagging sensation inside. Perhaps it was the fact he hadn’t seen his family for a long time, or maybe it was because he was just tired.
Either way, he decided to excuse himself after a few minutes and went to get some dinner. Since the cafeteria served food from 7pm to 8pm, he was a little early, but he waited patiently inside by himself.
BUZZ BUZZ
“Hey Kiddo, what are you up to tomorrow?”
Daichi’s face bloomed into a smile as he saw the mail from his father. Whatever insecurities had been eating away at him suddenly dissipated in that moment.
***
The sound of cicadas chirping filled the air, accompanied by the sweltering heat of the Japanese summer sun. Despite now being early August, Autumn still seemed so far away.
It was currently a few weeks into Summer break. But while most kids were enjoying themselves and staying cool inside or at the local swimming pools, there were some who were relentlessly training.
“YOKOHAMA”
“FIGHT ON”
The dull sound of cleats hitting the ground mixed in with the heavy breathing of 20 or so teens rang out across the baseball field. At the forefront of the group, a tall and handsome figure took the lead.
He had brown hair and a chiseled jaw, sporting some foreign features that one wouldn’t usually see in a Japanese native. Out of all the youths he seemed to be having the easiest time.
FWEEE
A whistle sounded, causing a groan of appreciation to be echoed in response. The group made their way over to the center of the field where a middle-aged man was waiting for them, his face covered in stubble and his intelligent eyes gazing at them.
“Well done you guys. I know it’s hot and I know it’s summer break, but you’ve done well to keep up your fitness all this time.” Seiji Hanada announced, looking at his team with a sense of pride.
The second and third years began to notice a slight change within the coach this season. His feelings which were usually hidden behind his patented poker face seemed to be more prevalent this year.
Of course they were experiencing a successful season so far, but that didn’t seem to be it. There was something or someone that had brought him out of his shell this year.
If someone were to ask any of the players who they were influenced most by this season, there would only be 1 unanimous answer.
Ken Takagi.
Right from the beginning, he had led by example like a true leader. Slowly bringing the team closer together, elevating the expectations they placed on themselves and molding their perceptions to mirror his own values.
Only through hard work and perseverance could one fulfill their own potential.
Coach Hanada glanced at the tall teen in front of him and could only nod in appreciation.
Unaware of the coach’s thoughts, Ken placed his hand up as if to ask a question.
“Ah, no need to raise your hand Ken. You’re free to talk.” Seiji replied, letting out a small laugh.
“Coach, you said you were going to tell us about the draw for Nationals today.”
“Ah yes, I completely forgot.” He stated, placing his palm to his face.
Not wanting to keep the team waiting any longer, the coach spoke up, “Makoto and I went to the draw yesterday and already have the fixtures. They are on the notice board in the locker room.”
“Now before you go loo—”
Before Coach Hanada could finish what he was about to say, there was pandemonium on the field as the group of teens sprinted towards the locker room. Even the ones who were trying to catch their breath moments ago, pushed through their exhaustion to stay with the pack.
“Ah, I should have expected as much.” Seiji said, letting out a hollow chuckle.
As he turned his head and began to follow the youths, he bent down and collected the figure who had been run into the ground by the stampede earlier. With practiced ease, he set the short guy on his feet and dusted him off.
“Run along now and go have a look.” He said, almost as if talking to a child.
Shiro had no tears to cry as he ran towards the locker room after being abandoned by his teammates. He almost looked like a lost child.
The team packed into the locker room and inched closer to the noticeboard. Since Makoto was already aware of the fixtures, he haughtily sat upon the bench and let the others find out for themselves.
Ken with his superior height was able to view it easier than the rest. He instantly found Yokohama’s name in the bottom left corner of the page.
‘We’re facing… Shinjuku High.’
Those two words caused his body to seize slightly upon reading them. His mind instantly had flashbacks of his previous life when they were made to look like incompetent fools against such a team.
‘Tatsuo Shiraki, Kei Hama… It won’t be the same result this time.’
He clenched his fist, feeling a burning will to show how much he’d improved.