Chapter 11: A Match That Determine Future
Time passed quickly, and Wednesday arrived—the day of the match against SC High School.
Unlike Saturdays, classes ended early on Wednesdays, allowing for matches to be held in the afternoon.
During the morning assembly, a microphone was suddenly placed in front of Lucas, who was lost in thought.
"Why are you so shocked? Is it because the match is right before your eyes?"
Lucas sighed and shook his head.
"Then why? You've been acting strange since yesterday."
"Nothing much. I just had something to think about."
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I think it would be better to sort this out quickly."
Lucas was grateful for Mike's concern. He had noticed Lucas was struggling, even though he hadn't said anything.
But while it made Lucas feel better, it wasn't a problem Mike could solve.
'Wouldn't it be better to tell them quickly that i want to join the baseball club? If i mention the scholarship, they might agree more easily than i think.'
But it wasn't easy to put it into action. If there was opposition at home, the school's proposal and today's game would all be meaningless.
'In that case, it would be better to hide it a little longer...'
Because of these worries, Lucas had a blank expression on his face since the previous day. Mike tried to help him but was unable to solve his problems.
This anxious state of mind could be dangerous on a day like today. Baseball, like any sport, relies heavily on a player's mental state. It was so intense that it was even called a mental sport.
But look at Lucas now.
He looked bereft of his country ahead of today's important match. Mike decided that he couldn't leave it like this, so he took out the paper he had prepared and started reading it, saying that he had to do what he had to do.
"You said we were going to face the SC 1st team today, right? The SC High School baseball team is a mid-level team within the California League."
Mike, who had been feeling lucky, looked at Lucas's expression. He was still staring blankly into space, wondering if he was listening.
"I've heard rumors that they're sending their best members to today's match. So, we might have to be a little nervous about this match."
Mike glanced at Lucas again and then poked his side. "Are you listening?"
"Uh."
"Then I will continue."
Mike sighed in relief and continued speaking leisurely.
"Be especially careful of the SC 4th batter. If you get caught, he has enough power to go over the fence. Of course, he's not a batter with great hitting mechanics. He's just a guy who tries to win everything with his power. If you can't handle it, it's better to ignore him."
Hearing so much chatter, Lucas eventually turned his head and looked at Mike.
"Are you a power analyst?"
"I didn't intend to go this far. But looking at your expression, I think it might be necessary."
When Lucas tilted his head, Mike raised the corners of his mouth.
"I thought you'd listen if I talked about baseball. And I don't know what's going on, but please know that there are people who support you."
It was then that Lucas's pupils became lively.
Was it this heartening to be cheered on by someone?
Somehow, it felt like the first time he met someone who genuinely believed in baseball.
"What did you say earlier? Be careful of number 4?"
He didn't plan on it, but he'd take note.
'And thank you for your support.'
Although these words did not come out of Lucas's mouth, Mike read his thoughts from his expression.
* * *
Immediately after class, Lucas quickly headed to the field. Even though he arrived an hour early, a few people were already there.
The players who came out before him seemed more motivated than on the first day. As Lucas entered the field, children who recognized him approached him one by one.
"Oh! Baseball genius!"
"Please take care of me today too!"
Lucas nodded and put his school bag down in the dugout. Normally, he would have started stretching right away.
As soon as he entered the field, an unpleasant feeling tormented his five senses.
At that moment, "Lucas, look at me for a sec."
When he turned his head in the direction of the voice, Director Donald gestured towards him. Lucas got up from his seat and approached him.
The director looked around for a moment and then pulled Lucas to the corner.
"You know what kind of match it is today, right?"
"It's a match against SC High School's first team, and they told me to watch out for number 4."
A hollow laugh escaped the director's mouth.
"Huh. I see you're talking about Finley. Despite your expression, you must have been studying quite hard."
The reason the director called Lucas separately was that he noticed Lucas, who had been distracted, wasn't prepared for the match. But Lucas's words were the exact opposite of his expression.
"That's not it. My friend told me."
Only then did the director nod. Above all, the director knew Lucas's situation quite well, if not perfectly.
"Today's game will determine your future."
"What do you mean?" Lucas looked into the director's eyes and furrowed his brow slightly.
The director patted Lucas on the shoulder.
"You will face an unexpected situation today. But I believe you will overcome it well."
"Unexpected situation? What on earth is that?"
"Well, we'll find out once the game starts. I hope you do well."
"You just keep talking nonsense."
Lucas just stared blankly at the director with a blank expression.
"I won't let you bat today."
"what?"
"You will be the starting pitcher, but you will only pitch for about 3 innings."
The director continued speaking with the corners of his lips raised.
"To be honest, I don't think you're in a position to play a full match right now."
Lucas nodded. As he said, he wasn't in top condition because he had only been studying rather than preparing for the season.
"So today I'll only play three short innings. And as I said before, since your future is at stake, you'd better show a good performance."
With those words, the director left to greet the other players as well. Lucas became even more confused as he watched the director's back slowly moving away.
"This is a match that will determine my future? Why?"
Lucas couldn't understand what the director meant.
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