Chapter 3:
Around this time Tanba should've been relieved of his position as pitcher and has become a second string. I shook my head, the plot of this story. Why'd I become a catcher anyway..i wanna pitch.. Late at night lately I've been pitching to a net. I might've scared some people since some people are talking about hearing loud booms at night.
It also seems that it's tryouts. I sighed every now and again Fuyura would look at me or look around towards Miyuki. I just mess with my glove. I was an all rounder..meaning they tested me on all my skills, and by all skills i mean all of them.
I was stretching quietly when I heard a loud boom, must be Fuyura. Many went stiff or just stopped what they were doing. I just shook my head, glancing around, my muscles felt tense..I was more prone to injury..despite everything. It seems like Fuyura was popular..with his pitching. He could throw 120 meters. It seemed Eijun was watching with a small pout. Coach wanted to use the first years in a game..must be the first years versus the 2nd and 3rd string..I believe? I got up, sighing, Eijun is always comparing himself to Fuyura. When will he learn they both have different strengths and weaknesses. I frowned and smacked the back of his head lightly.
"What are you doing..are you trying to ruin your body. Idiot."
I scold as he pouted.
Lunch came quickly. I sat across from him as Eijun ate greedily. I ate slowly, taking my time not wanting to ruin my stomach. Miyuki approached asking why Eijun was stuffing his face. I raised a brow as Miyuki sat next to him. I just shook my head, they're idiots. Everyone seemed quiet, I looked around while Miyuki and Eijun talked quietly. I just ate quietly and watched Eijun loudly ask if he got to play. I sighed and decided to intercept
"We all get to play idiot, I'm gonna play catcher, so we have extra training that needs done. Eat, efficiently that way you don't puke"
I say strictly, wanting Eijun to use his strengths and not end up weakened due to being too full. He pouted and got up shifting to sit next to him. I pull up a video on my phone.
"Watch this, Eijun, it'll help, we'll try it later"
I say while Miyuki peaked at the video curiously
"Grips?"
"They're exercises to help him grip the ball comfortably. It'll help direct where the ball goes for certain balls. Miyuki smirked, his grin teasing.
"You're so kind N/n-kun~! Helping your pitcher"
I rolled my eyes and Fuyura suddenly sat next to Miyuki. Miyuki was a little caught off guard.
"Miyuki…i don't feel anyone here will be able to hit my pitches tomorrow, if i'm right will you be my catcher."
I glared offended, I grumble
"Idiot, I'm the catcher, so don't be cocky. I'll be catch whenever you and Eijun go in."
I huffed and ate my rice as everyone glared at Fuyura. Idiot. I just shook my head as Eijun glanced at me and then frowned at Fuyura. Everyone began to side Fuyura up, I just shook my head and got up. Deciding to escape from the drama. I glanced at Eijun.
"C'mon..i'll catch your pitches for a bit"
I beckoned as Eijun immediately shot up and followed me out the room. Soon enough training went by, I felt gross. I'll take a shower later. I shook my head and sat outside on a bench and watched game plays. I rubbed my neck and shook my head, I moved my fingers doing a light exercise..i need to keep this up, if I can..i'll see if this school has an official softball team..it seemed like it didn't but I could just..be not that noticeable since Japan likes baseball a lot more and it's more popular. I got up and walked towards my dorm room. It was later than I thought and I managed to get to bath house late. It was a slight bit embarrassing. I sat down awkwardly and began to clean my hair. Damn, I hope no one else comes in here..I managed to get through the awkwardness quickly and after my bath I put on pajamas. I shivered slightly and dried my hair while walking back to the dorms.
It was the next day and most of us were in uniform, a practice uniform. Last night I was contacted by my parents. They told me that Seidou did in fact contact them about inviting me to softball. That means i'm going to need to tell both coaches..about…my predicament. I zone back in, ah this must be the..match. I shook my head and sat on the bench. I would be batting later. I glance at Eijun who was next to me
"Excited?"
I asked with a smirk and Eijun smiled widely back. I turned my gaze back on the game, jeez, what an unfair match up..back in america..it wasn't like this..must mean it's elite here..I shook my head and focused on the game. What scary curve balls..definitely not first year material to hit. Looks like i'm gonna need to knock them down a peg. Tanba..and his catcher…i forget his name..damn it..
I decided to start warming up myself, feeling each pop and squeeze in my shoulders and down my back. I sighed and bit my lip..it must be unfair to these first years..such harsh grading. Survival of the fittest. I frown and get up after stretching and frowning. Disadvantaged, was the right word to describe it. I want to pitch. Knock them down a peg..or 4. I played on america. High School in my senior year. I was the Ace and I played catcher for some games since my catcher was injured. I grumbled and put on my catching gear.
"Pitcher change, Satoru Fuyura get on the mound. I sigh and click and clipped some stuff into position. I grab my mask and helmet and grinned
"Can I be put in as catcher, coach"
I grinned evilly.
"Catcher change, y/n L/n"
I smirked and crouched down and held out my mitt. Where should I put it. How about the middle to piss them off, yeah?
When Fuyura threw I could see the ball come barreling down but not the middle. I cursed and swung my mitted hand up feeling the ball into my glove. I looked up at the coach and grinned.
"Sorry sorry..ball.."
I called out, my mitt was right there before his face. His mask did fall off. His face was slightly red due to the back lash of it. My mitt was pretty old..I've been using it since forever..The coach just grinned though and passed Fuyura and told him to be at the first string tomorrow.
What the hell? It was a clear ball and he didn't have the best control. Was it the speed? I narrowed my eyes and just sighed crouched down once again feeling the small sting of the ball in my palm. I caught two more of his pitches before he sat down and Tanba was also subbed out. I sighed and took off my catcher's gear grabbing my bat and gloves. I glanced up towards Eijun and he was batting first.. I just sighed and waited patiently as Eijun greeted the coach and the catcher eccentrically.
Eijun then was struck out on the first and second pitch but the catcher deflected it behind him and Eijun soon made it to the base, facing first. I just chuckled and marched to the batter's box giving my quiet thanks to Haruichi and boxed to the coach and catcher and smiled. The first pitch came and I smirked and swung my bat as hard as I could as the ball was hit high and fast heading past the infield and outfield soon enough going just above the cage and over it. A home run. A grand slam. I laughed and grinned as me and Eijun ran around each base. I grinned and saluted the third years mockingly. A stomped hard on the base. I took off my gloves and Eijun excitedly patted my back.
"N/n! Another home run! I knew you could hit! You hit off of every pitcher every year and always hit a home run on the first pitch they gave you! You're so cool"
I just laughed as some of the first years seemed to brighten and congratulate me.
After that Haruichi hit a double
I grinned at the derogatory language and just smiled bowing at the 3rd year catcher. Damn..already ending the game. I frowned, Eijun hasn't got to pitch and I haven't got to pitch either. I just stayed silent and Eijun said some encouraging words?? And the first years wanted to continue the game.
"Punk, from this inning on your the pitcher"
I just rose a brow and asked
"I wanna pitch too, in the last inning"
I then turned away hearing the noisy third years who are in the 1st string. Jun and Kuramochi and a few others. Eijun then got on the mound. I smirked and my eyes narrows
lets win this Eijun