As I laid there choking to death I couldn't help but feel anger? I wasn't sure why I was so angry but I wanted to hit something.
The light faded from his eyes when suddenly he awoke. He was choking still he quickly coughed trying to clear his throat. Gum? I spit it out onto the ground before realizing I was in a formation with a bunch of people… everyone seemed to be wearing an athletic uniform and I quickly realized it was a baseball uniform everyone was wearing.
I quickly stood back up in place. I recognized a man wearing shades… and a woman standing behind him… Rei Takashima?
I was baffled! It was daiya no ace. Ace no diamond, all the same to me. But one thing was for certain it was at least similar… but, this is a anime but everything looks so real…
I couldn't help but shake my head.
"Alright now that we're done dealing with those three let's continue introductions." Kataoka spoke.
Eventually it reached me but I wasn't sure, a small panel popped up.
"I am Akira Mei, I play center field, but I also have experience in playing catcher." I said a little unsure as I read a bit of information about my self that popped up like a system screen.
As they moved on to the next player next to me.
"System message: user is now immune to injury or backlash from over exerting or over working themselves. Iron man or extreme fatigue resistance and passive healing ability unlocked. Other perks can be gained by making notable achievements"
Seeing this I smiled. 'Well I'm happy with this, I don't have to worry about being injured from working out or exercising to much. And also extreme endurance trying to turn me into a training maniac'
But before I finished thinking the end of my line finished introducing themselves and I found that we were heading to warm up.
And soon the first years began our fairly light training. My years of physical training in my previous life easily made this look very easy. However as the thought passed through my mind I recalled the perks I got and smiled. Ha it's not my endurance but the systems endurance making this easy. I shook my head at my own arrogance. It's so easy to become arrogant,
As the coaches watched the new comers one of the players who ended up joining was very notable, a left handed pitchers younger brother, Akira Mei. Known for his good offensive batting, and his defensive ability but he was always over shadowed by his older brother. However Akira was totally unaware of what the others were thinking as he continued his training.
I continued following the guidance of the coaches and eventually it was time for lunch. Being a typical American in my last life I readily ate the three bowls of delicious rice and could only smile as the thoughts of missing good Asian rice from my last life. Having traveled to Japan and South Korea I knew all to well how bland and disgusting American white rice is. The smile on my face drawing attention from many players both seniors or my fellow first years. The first years seemed to look at me like a monster. While my seniors looked at me with skepticism among other varied expressions.
I also spotted a few notable characters including one who looked like he was about to barf… Sawamura!
I smiled to myself spotting him but keeping to myself as I continued to glance around. However spotting a certain upperclassman looking at me as he was about to finish getting his food I quickly stood up to leave before the black bellied Miyuki had a chance to bother me.
As I rushed out the door a coach looked at me. "Done already? Okay well first years are on field two for today, you'll get more instruction there." Looking at the man I nodded and thanked him before I changed into my cleats and put them on and grabbed my glove from my bag.
As I arrived I quickly went through the physical assessments that included a few different metrics like a standing throw, vertical jump, base to base sprint time among other things. As I finished thanks to being the first of the newcomers to finish eating I was able to immediately begin with any position I choose. However two acceptiosn remain, pitcher and catcher. It seemed they wanted the new catchers to be stand in catchers for the ones trying out the catchers position.
So I quickly played my role in both outfielding and infielding easily performing the typical tests with ease. However as I was finishing the infielding testing I heard a shout. "Where are you going?!"
Looking over it was coach kataoka looking at Sawamura. I couldn't help but cringe but I decided that it's not my battle and headed to go get some catchers gear on.
I got changed and headed to wait in line to catch and when I finally got into position a good number of players were waiting to go on the mound.
There was only two other catchers and it seemed like they were going to be thoroughly tested here with how many pitchers are present. As they had the catchers catching the pitches they also had a student being a stand in to catch throws form the catchers at two of the bases throwing the ball to one of the standin's over at second and third base and after every few throws the coach behind the catcher would tell him to throw to a base whenever he felt like it.
With a line of guys blocking your view to second from home the blind throw wasn't simple to the other two guys eventually Akira made his way to the plate in catchers gear. He had played in middle school but that was a long time ago. His hand eye coordination was quite good but he wasn't so sure.
The pitchers throw was a bit high I quickly stood up and jumped and as I was on the air the coach said throw to second… I caught the ball keeping it from going past as I landed I gained my balance and threw to second. I could feel the slight difference between my old body and my new one. Considering the age difference from my last life to this one it isn't surprising. Apart from that I felt like my body was actually keeping up with my mind.
I got back into position and waited for the next pitch and continued this for a few times before Furuya walked up. The coach asked if I was tired yet. "No im good coach, let the other guy continue his break." With only a few guys who wanted to be catchers they of course rotated us in the position.
Using us to catch for the pitchers is obvious. So as I was asked if I wanted a break I could only deny after seeing Furuya. A smile on my face, I wanted to see if I could catch them… I wasn't good at framing but I knew I could probably catch it… my reaction time and sporting ability was one of the few things I could brag about in my last life.
As he threw the pitch it was actually high. I quickly raised the glove and caught it but only just. The pitch was a bit wild but it made a good sound… I stood up and threw the ball back. The coach behind me seemed shocked as did the coach standing behind him at that moment. I only furrowed my brows… I had already caught for two other pitchers and furuya's pitch speed was almost the same as theirs. He was holding back.
It felt more like 80 mph, not slow by any means but… I remember Furuya could throw faster…
I threw the ball back and smiled, "come on you can throw faster right?"
Furuya seemed surprised by my statement but then nodded, a lot of players were trying out to be pitchers. Few had what they call "stuff" and velocity being furuya's main weapon wasn't going to be showcased if he held back; Furuya throwing above 80 mph, 135 kph, at the beginning of high school is already quite good. Meaning he had talent but I knew he was hiding his true potential.
As I got back into position I focused very clearly and held my glove low, I knew he pitched high and a little wild so placing his target low may let him keep his pitches within reason.
Furuya looked at the catcher who seemed to egg him on however if the catcher wanted him to go all out he would. In annoyance Furuya smiled and decided to scare this guy. He lifted his leg and as he launched his leg toward the catcher and swung his arm a fierce look could be seen in his eyes.
The ball launched out of his fingers strait towards Akira's face. The ball was like a white laser aimed at his head when suddenly.
*Bam*
The sound of the ball entering the pocket of the glove sounded.
The coaches seeing the throw were surprised by the speed, his first pitch could be said to be okay. Maybe even good for a first year in high school considering he had no previous experience playing… but that speed that velocity! Was insane!
The speed was so surprising they didn't even realize that the catcher caught the perfectly. However, one person didn't overlook that face. Furuya's face turned into a slight shock then into a smile. He nodded towards Akira.
'I'll have to ask him to catch for me to practice later.' Furuya thought before he looked at the coach who spoke, "that's amazing but, we don't want you to get worn out so if you have any other positions go do that."
The coach quickly made sure to note down the pitcher but then also looked towards the catcher… a thought in his head. 'I didn't realize it but… he caught that pitch.' He nodded. I'll make note of that as well.
After moving on to the next pitcher and soon enough the last pitchers were coming around the three catchers including myself rotated around every few pitchers to let us take breaks until eventually we finished. As I took off my gear I had to admit at one time I wanted to be a pitcher but, then I smiled, it's a new life, I can do this. I quickly nodded my head to myself as I spoke to the catching coach to let me pitch when the line started getting shorter.
As I got into the line only one player was left in front of me I began rolling my shoulders and even doing a few shoulder and a few wide and then a few diamond pushups. To target my shoulders and then chest and arms. While probably not a practical warmup before pitching it felt right. As I finished doing about thirty of each pushups I stood back up seeing the pitcher ahead of me was nearly done I smiled as I waited hoping a bit.
I knew my pitching form wouldn't be perfect and definitely needed work but here I had only one goal, velo. Much like Furuya, I knew this body had what it took to throw at his velo, stepping up the the mound I quickly took my position lifting my knee stomach hight I bent my rear leg as I leaned towards home plate as I slid my left leg forwards directly towards home plate I pushed off the rubber of the pitchers mound as I built my wall I let my instincts take over as I focused only on my fingertips as I lightly pushed forwards as the ball flew towards home plate I swung my back leg forwards to keep my balance.
As the training came to an end I took off the catchers gear and wanted to go wash but found myself attacked by furuya. "Let's go play catch."
I felt a slight ache in my heart. "After dinner if we are allowed."
Later that night after eating dinner I went to see about using the catchers gear I wore during practice and grabbed it along with a glove. Although I previously played outfield thanks to my strong arm and good running speed. Or I should say the previous owner of this body. I personally felt more comfortable behind the plate.
I grabbed the gear and found Furuya waiting for me. Putting on the gear I looked at Furuya and said. "We're only doing 50 pitches then you're done." He looked at me but after a short staring contest he didn't fight me on it.
Soon enough a bunch of time had past and he finally pitched his last pitch and I took of my gear then began swinging my bat with a weight on it. I couldn't help but feel anger rush through my bones… for some reason whenever I held a bat and I see a baseball I just feel the need to release all my anger on that ball. I knew this was the same was the previous Akira Mei felt, being constantly overshadowed by your older brother in baseball. Even if he was better in offense than his brother he would often be overlooked in middle school and even in elementary school.
My aura seemed to have made others want to leave me alone or maybe it the anger on my face but I could only release my anger this way. My anger from my previous life and the anger form this one as well.
However after a bit of time I decided to change my mind. I would pitch, I'll show my brother who's truely better between us!
As I released I could feel the tips of my fingers well and launched the ball with everything I had. However wanting to focus on myself I put some earplugs in and began to slowly go through my mechanics of pitching once before each pitch.
However as I was so focused on myself it wasn't until I was done and leaning down to grab the bucket to pick them up that I noticed someone behind me. Rei Takashima!
She nodded, "we're about to turn the lights off, you should get to bed before it's to late."
I quickly picked up the baseballs and put them away as I took my earbuds off and i decided to ask a question. "Coach Takashima, how is my pitching?"
Her eyes flashed with curiosity but the expression never appeared on her face as she spoke. "Your pitch speed isn't bad, you need some work on your lower body strength. Overall you can probably be used in a few months as a pitcher if needed. But only your effort and time will tell."