Chapitre 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.

L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
Hoku_1

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

Creation is hard, cheer me up!

I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!

Like it ? Add to library！

Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

commentaire Commentaire 15

Voter

Chapitre 25: Pressure

Sawamura was having trouble with his pitching as usual. He didn't understand why this was happening to him during such an important match.

Kataoka gave Chris a chance and let him form a battery with Sawamura.

When Chris came to the field the match went back on track.

Sawamura's pitching improved because of Chris senpai's play and catching skills.

All the 3rd years who were previously in the 1st string with Chris came to watch the match because he was catching.

In the weight room.

"What's this? Not going to see the game, Miya?", said Ryosuke.

"Not interested in a second-string game", said Miyauchi.

"You don't need another catcher fighting for first-string, huh?", said Ryosuke.

"Don't read my mind", said Miyauchi.

In the Audience.

Rei was sitting and watching the match while eating popcorn. He was watching this match from the beginning since he knew Chris Senpai was going to catch in it.

He wanted to witness Chris Senpai's catching skills.

Rei was amazed to see Chris Senpai on the field. His plays and how he brought out the potential of the pitcher proved how much skill Chris Senpai had.

So far Rei had been observing every match 2nd string or 1st string. When they were important matches such as this, he would always try to examine every player's skill.

He was doing this because he had to take in every factor and improve his team so that they can aim for the Koshien this year. He knew for a fact that if he didn't make a change in the current team, they would lose as they did in the anime.

Of course, him being on the team would have a big change but right now, he was still improving and had weaknesses.

The match continued and Chris started having problems with his shoulder.

In the audience.

"As expected, it's a shame that his shoulder is acting up again. I was hoping that something would have changed, but I guess not", thought Rei grimily.

Rei walked out of the field because he couldn't see Chris Senpai struggle. He was even more determined to achieve his goal now.

After the match ended, the 1st string members wondered which 2 players the Coach will be taking into the 1st string.

At night.

Kataoka had decided which players he would be taking.

After a while in a room, all the players gathered.

Kataoka was going to announce the players who are promoting.

The 2 players selected are, Sawamura Eijun and Kominato Haruichi.

While the melodrama was going on, Rei was practicing his batting in the practice field.

As previously said, he is grinding this skill.

In the Dorms.

Rei came out of the bathroom freshened up.

He saw Chris Senpai as he came out laying on his bed in a daze.

"Senpai, I wanted to ask you something", said Rei approaching Chris.

"What?", said Chris curiously getting out of his daze.

"Why did you go on the field, if your shoulder still wasn't fully healed", said Rei frustratingly. He didn't understand why people did such things and put their careers in danger.

"I don't regret anything even though I risked my shoulder. I'm grateful the coach even agreed to put me in the game", said Chris smiling while walking toward the door.

Rei was feeling disappointed with this because during these past few months he had gotten quite close to Chris.

"Now it's your turn. You do know how much baseball talent you have right? Hone this talent and strike out many batters. I'll come to see your matches", said Chris.

Rei nodded feeling relieved by Chris Senpai's words.

"Make this summer long, Rei", said Chris as he left the room leaving Rei sullen.

The Next Day, morning practice.

Rei was running using all his speed with 3 tires attached and he kept muttering, "Ace, Ace, Ace...".

"Is something wrong with Rei lately? He seems fired up for some reason. He really wants the Ace number doesn't he", said Miyuki.

"Isn't it a good thing? He's way better than that baka", said Chris pointing towards Sawamura who was struggling with his fielding.

Miyuki laughed and nodded agreeing with Chris.

In the dugout of the field, Kataoka, Director Oota, and Takashima were discussing about the ace situation.

"Is it because Tanba isn't doing so good that you brought another pitcher up to the 1st string? Even though we have Rei and Furuya already", said Director Oota.

"The number of strikeouts or the number of hits is irrelevant. In high school baseball, where one loss is the end, we're not looking for the numbers. No matter how ugly the pitching is, it's fine if it makes us win. That's the kind of ace I'm looking for. So, if you ask me, we don't have one on our team right now. We'll have to grow them into aces during the upcoming camp and throughout the tournament. If the pitcher is on a roll, I'll let him play, regardless of his age", said Kataoka.

At night in the dorms.

Rei got up past midnight and grabbed his bat.

"You're practicing again today too? I've seen you leaving at night recently", said Kanemaru laying on his bed.

Rei was silent in response.

"Why are you even practicing batting like this? We have other amazing batters on our team, what's got you this riled up? ", said Kanemaru frustratingly. Seeing Rei like this made him angry for some reason. He felt incompetent comparing himself to Rei and he couldn't even hate him for it because he sees how much training and practicing Rei does.

"I'll be back", said Rei shutting the door behind him.

Kanemaru sighed seeing Rei leave.

Walking outside toward the field, Rei felt pressured as the summer tournament came closer. He knew the result of the tournament and seeing people near him have high hopes for the tournament was upsetting. That is why he is trying his best to raise his hitting level so he can score and help the team.

Rei was planning to tell Miyuki and Chris about the cutter ball during the Pre-Summer Training Camp because they could help him raise his efficiency with it.

As Rei was walking to the field, he heard voices talking which he found weird since it was past midnight.