Chapter 72: <72> The Boring Commentary Fanatic
Chapter 72: The Boring Commentary Fanatic
As Sakura Girls University and Tokumei Junior High were getting ready for their match, Sendo had Wakana prepare the camera.
Of course, this was arranged in advance. With Japanese student baseball becoming increasingly professional, the importance of information is growing. Normally, even practice games prohibit filming.
"The college players are impressive, their defense is very smooth! And Tokomei... No, wait, it's Tokumei!" Sendo commented on both teams' performance levels.
Suddenly, a gleam appeared in Sendo's eyes. Feeling playful, he casually pulled out a book from somewhere, rolled it up, and used it as a makeshift microphone.
"Alright, the game is finally starting! Sakura Girls University is at bat first. The leadoff hitter has stepped into the batter's box! It's a pretty athletic-looking lady!"
"Hey! Sendo, if you want to provide commentary, I won't stop you, but can you drop the irrelevant stuff?" Sawamura retorted from the side.
"What do you mean by irrelevant?"
"Like mentioning her figure!"
"Oh, I see! You're still just a kid, huh?"
"What did you say?!"
The batter made contact, but the ball was an easy out to the third baseman. "And that's one out!" Sendo quickly dropped his banter with Sawamura to offer a faux-serious commentary.
"Now the second batter is stepping in," he continued, casually shortening the explanation like an actual announcer. "Wow, strong legs. This batter's stance is going to be very solid!"
"Aki! It's rude to judge a girl like that!" Wakana couldn't help but interject.
"Why? I'm just evaluating a baseball player, Wakana. Stop interrupting!"
"Should I tell you I did that on purpose?" Wakana thought to herself.
"Here comes the pitch! Swing and a miss! That's one strike!"
Seeing Sendo so engrossed in his playful commentary, Wakana sighed.
Maybe because outside of reading manga at home like a typical shut-in, Sendo really had no other entertainment.
Sendo was thoroughly enjoying himself, giving light-hearted commentary about the players of Sakura Girls University.
Although the national runner-up team wasn't to be underestimated, the leadoff batter was unlucky and got caught out. But the second and third batters managed to get on base safely!
"And now we have the cleanup hitter! How will Tokomei respond? Wait, I mean Tokumei!" Sendo corrected himself again.
"Could you lower your voice? I can't concentrate!" Sawamura complained.
"My voice isn't even that loud. Besides, you're the one who can whisper across 100 meters, so you don't have the right to criticize me!... Ah! They're intentionally walking the fourth batter, choosing a bases-loaded strategy!"
"Umph!"
"It's hit! But Tokumei's fielders are positioned deep... They caught it! But the relay throw isn't in time! Sakura Girls University scores first, making it 1-0!"
As Sendo's commentary continued, so did the game.
Sakura Girls University managed to score one run in the first inning. In the next few innings, both teams remained scoreless, just as Coach Mitani had anticipated.
The overall skill level between the two teams seemed fairly even.
However, the batting power of Sakura Girls University was a notch higher. Bit by bit, they kept adding to their score. In the fifth inning, their cleanup hitter smashed a two-run home run.
"A brilliant home run! It's now 3-0!" Sendo continued his "enthusiastic" commentary.
"Sendo, sorry for interrupting..." Sawamura started.
"I've already told you, it's not that I dislike baseball," Sendo interrupted without even turning his head, cutting off Sawamura while giving him a side-eye.
"Honestly, playing a game now and then for fun isn't so bad, even if it's just an easy win!"
By the fifth inning, Sendo had pretty much gauged the offensive power of both teams.
He was also aware that Sakura Girls University's ace pitcher would only appear in their upcoming match against Akagi, so it was still unclear how strong they truly were. But based on the batting performance, he could make a rough estimate.
After saying this, Sendo lost interest in providing commentary.
"So, what do you all think of Sakura Girls University's batting lineup?" Sendo asked the group.
"They're incredible. Tokumei's defense isn't bad, but they still managed to score bit by bit. As expected from a university team!" Ohno commented, and the others generally agreed. As for the oddball in the group, they just ignored his opinion.
"In general, Tokumei's overall strength is similar to ours. However, I'd say our defense and teamwork are better. Given that they're a new team, they probably haven't developed the same familiarity as we have. Individually, their players might be stronger," Sendo added his assessment.
"It's a great match!"
"Absolutely, no doubt about it!"
...
As everyone continued to watch and discuss the match, Sendo suddenly yawned loudly, even smacking his lips a couple of times.
"We're all seriously analyzing the game here! What are you doing, Sendo?!" Sawamura complained, clearly annoyed.
"How should I put it? I'm just feeling a bit bored," Sendo replied nonchalantly.
"Bored? How can you be bored right now?"
"Well, it's just... everything, really. I guess when it's our own game, I'm fully involved, so I don't feel this way. But watching as a third party... I don't know why, it just feels boring."
"You're such a mystery! What on earth goes on in your head every day?! Ugh!" Sawamura clenched his fists, teeth grinding in frustration.
"Don't try to guess a woman's mind!" Sendo suddenly sang a line from a song he vaguely remembered, though he sang it in English. He didn't recall the song's name, but he sang it anyway.
"Ah, wait, I'm not a girl! Oh well, it doesn't matter. It's a good thing I sang it in English," Sendo thought, feeling a chill as he imagined what would happen if he had sung it in Japanese.
"What are you mumbling about? I can't understand a word you're saying," Sawamura asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing, just a melody from an English song that popped into my head."
"An English song? What song?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know…?"
"It's just a tune that came to mind. Don't sweat the small stuff!"
At that moment, Sano arrived, interrupting their conversation. "Sorry for the wait, everyone! I brought all the gear!" He had returned on the school bus, carrying their equipment.
"Alright then, go grab your stuff and start warming up! Oh, and Takada, can you grab mine too?" Sendo, feeling lazy, casually asked Takada to help with his gear, even though he was more than capable himself.
Despite his playful and slightly cheeky personality, Sendo was the kind of guy who openly showed his care for friends, albeit in his own way. It's part of why he was so popular and well-liked, unlike Miyuki.
"You got it!" Takada quickly agreed.
"What a nice guy!" someone commented.
"Hey, don't bully Takada!" Sawamura happened to overhear and grabbed Sendo, shaking him vigorously.
"Alright, alright, let go! It's good for his workout anyway! And besides, who do you think I'm playing this practice game for, huh?" Sendo retorted, swiftly breaking free from Sawamura's grip, a smirk on his face.
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