Chapter 24: Progress
These 2 weeks had passed quickly, Rei had been switching between Miyuki and Chris continuously.
Chris senpai would give him Training Menus from which he would gain 0.1 in all his stats. He would do stretches with him and give him advice on how to take care of his fingers when he pitches.
Miyuki would advise him regarding his pitch and his speed seemed to have increased when he pitched his fastball. Now his speed was around 150 KM.
As a new day started, before freshening up Rei decided to look over his status to see his progress. Since it's been a long-time, he checked it.
Rei wanted to start fixing all his weaknesses before the summer tournament started because he didn't want to be banned or demoted by the coach again.
Rei already had a hitting skill that he could level up.
He does have experience batting from his previous life, and he has tried batting but whenever he tried it, he couldn't make contact with the ball at all. He only had a powerful swing because of his strength.
If he leveled his hitting skill up, then he could at least help the team through his batting.
Rei opened the System Interface.
[Mission] [Daily Quests] [Status] [Shop]
Rei clicked the [Status] tab.
[Status
Name: Rei Fujikawa
Position: Pitcher
Current level: 2
Coins: 39
Speed: 10.2 (Can only be increased through practice)
Strength: 30+
Balance: 30+
Flexibility: 30+
Grip: 10 (Can only be increased through practice)
(Skills)
Four-seam Fastball (level 8/10): when pitching this ball your chances of striking out the opponent increase by 80%.
Hitting (Level 2): Increases 20% your chance of touching the ball with a bat.
Cold- Heart (Level 6/10): Increases your focus and lets you make good decisions in matches by 60%.
Cutter Ball (Level 3/10): When pitching this ball, you have a 30% chance of breaking your opponent's bats.
Comment: A Novice Pitcher.]
Rei nodded feeling happy with his progress.
It seemed like he gained 4 points in his speed through training alone. All his other stats hit 30 and his Grip increased by 5 points. He gained these Stats through training with Chris Senpai's menus and his daily quests.
Looking at his skills, Rei has almost maxed his Fastball.
His cold heart skill increased. Rei thought this was an easy skill to increase because the often he used it the more its level increased. He was glad that this skill increased though because if he was put under a lot of pressure, he could withstand it because of this skill.
The time Rei had left till the start of the summer tournament, he was going to grind his hitting skill. Which was about 4 weeks. He will at least be able to send the ball to the back of the field because of his strength and because of his skill he will be able to have more chances of contact with the ball.
Rei was going to practice his cutter ball when his Fastball reached level 9.
Rei closed his status feeling satisfied with his progress.
For now, he had a training goal he wanted to achieve.
Morning Practice, near the batting boxes.
Miyuki was practicing his batting, he stopped when he saw Rei approaching him.
"I want to practice my batting", said Rei with determination.
"Ok", said Miyuki. He agreed because this was the first time Rei requested something while training with him.
Since his hitting skill was level 2, he could barely make contact with the bat.
While Rei was receiving guidance on batting from Miyuki. There was a practice match ongoing in a separate field.
In Field B.
Sawamura was in the outfield practicing the pitching posture Kataoka showed him last night with the towel.
"The Right-Hand wall and the pull with my body…The right-hand wall-pull for short", said Sawamura while practicing his posture during the game.
A ball was hit and was coming toward Sawamura in the outfield.
"Heads Up!", said an outfielder near Sawamura warning him of the incoming ball.
Sawamura saw the ball coming and moved away scared while screaming.
"Who's sending it this far? I accidentally screamed like a little girl!", yelled Sawamura.
"Oh, sorry. I hit it too hard", said Furuya in the batter's box.
"It was you?!", said Sawamura shocked.
"He sure hits well for a 1st year. Makes me sick".
"Yeah, especially when we're stuck on the second-string despite being the best players on our teams in junior high. Not to mention…It doesn't help when all the monsters on this team practice harder than anyone else".
"Yeah, I don't know what to say. Everyone here is crazy and stupid. But we don't want to regret being on this team".
"Yeah. Even if we can't be on the field, we want to fight it out until the end with these guys".
"In fact…we can't quit after coming so far!".
"We didn't go through 3 years of strenuous training for nothing!".
"I haven't even had a girlfriend for these 3 years!".
"You idiot! Don't say that! Send more flying, you newbie 1st years! You'd better work so hard at baseball that you don't have time for a girlfriend! And juniors, you guys aren't being loud enough!".
Discussed a trio of 3rd years while yelling from the outfield.
"Looks like they are suddenly in the mood", thought Kanemaru in the dugout hearing the yelling.
As Chris was leaving the field, he saw Sawamura doing a new that he thought was perfect for him currently since it had made Sawamura's center a bit stable.
National Training Center, in a certain Rehabilitation room.
"Hey, Yuu. Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, as your parent, but how about thinking about the future and quitting high school? Your shoulder is pretty much healed. But I really don't want to let you play Japanese high school baseball. The Japanese fighting spirit principle is ludicrous. Letting developing pitchers pitch under the sun for so long is just unthinkable In America. I asked the school to let you quit the team, so why did you go back? What are you going to accomplish by finishing school as a 2nd string player? I've already asked my high school if you could transfer in. We can go to America any time you're ready", said Chris's dad to Chris while he was doing his shoulder exercises near him.
Chris remained silent in response and didn't say anything to his dad.
Near the Practice Field at night.
Chris was walking back to his dorm. He stopped when he saw Tanba approaching him.
"Chris, can you check my pitching form? My control becomes rough after I pitch 70 times", said Tanba.
Chris nodded and said, "Looks like remaining the ace isn't so easy".
Tanba started showing Chris his pitching form with the towel exercise.
"Well, how is your shoulder doing recently? It's gotten a lot better, right? Are you gonna be ready by summer? It's thanks to you noticing my injury that I can still pitch today. The more games I win, the longer our summer will be. You'd better come back to the first string", said Tanba while exercising.
Chris smiled hearing what Tanba said and replied, "I know that deep inside, you already know. I haven't played for a year, and I finish up practice early. Seido isn't forgiving enough to give a guy like me a chance. But…you've sure learned to talk when you used to have stage fright. I'm more worried that you'll give your ace title over to someone else. For example, Rei or Furuya".
"Shut up! I'm not letting anyone take it from me!", said Tanba flustered.
"Yeah, that's the spirit", said Chris.
"I'm sure Dad has some sense in his words. But I have friends I've been fighting alongside with. I want to graduate laughing with my friends, Dad", thought Chris walking with Tanba as he realized why he didn't want to leave Seido yet.
In the Field.
Furuya, Rei, and Sawamura were running but they stopped hearing laughter.
Looking outside of the fence, they saw Tanba and Chris laughing.
"I didn't know those 2 could laugh like that", said Rei.
"Yeah…", said Sawamura, and Furuya nodded.
Morning practice.
Rei was still grinding his hitting skill. Which had risen a level but still he wasn't satisfied with it.
Sawamura got to know about the practice game that will be held today, and which will be the last chance for him to get into the 1st string.
Kokudokan High had arrived at Seido for their practice game with the 2nd string.
Some players still were hopeful that Furuya will pitch against them.
After a few minutes in the practice field.
Kokudokan High Vs. Seido High.
"Both team line up!", said the umpire.
"They're putting the 2nd string up against Kokudokan high? Coach Kataoka's being pretty bold. It's the last time the 2nd string team is playing, right?".
"Look at all the Seido players. They look fierce while shooting for the remaining spots on the first-string".
Discussed the audience.
"Bow!", said the umpire.
"Let's have a good game!", yelled both teams simultaneously while bowing.
Sawamura was the starting pitcher for this match.
Kokudokan High was disappointed that Rei or Furuya weren't pitching.
The 1st string was walking toward the audience to watch the game.
"I want to play in a game too…", said Furuya.
"YAAHAA…I wonder what comical thing he's going to do today! Depending on how he plays, he's not gonna get another chance next year", said Kuramochi.
"Where's Rei?", asked Miyuki as he couldn't see him anywhere.
"Rei said he's practicing. So, he's not coming to watch the game", said Furuya.
"He's still practicing, I told him he should rest more often", said Miyuki sighing.
"YAAHAA…Miyuki should I give him a beating for you", said Kuramochi.
"No, I'll do It instead later when I see him", said Miyuki smirking while preparing his fist to beat Rei.
"Anyways, I wonder why Chris senpai isn't the catcher and leading Sawamura. I guess his shoulder isn't feeling good", thought Miyuki.
After a few minutes the practice game between Kokudokan High Vs. Seido High started.
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