Chapter 7

IT'S GAME TIME! While the start of the game doesn't necessarily go according to Akko's expectation, in typical Akko fashion, she makes the best of the position she's been given and catches the attention of a few of her teammates. PART 1


Can't Spell Winning One Without Inning One (Part 1)

When she arrived home after the previous night's get together, Akko snuck to her room and plopped herself on her bed as quiet as possible so she wouldn't wake her parents.

Her mind raced with excitement, nerves rattled in her chest while exhaustion weighed down her eyelids. A terrible combination leaving her too tired to do anything, but too wired to sleep.

Thoughts of fantastical plays ran through her imagination; incredibly caught fly balls and game winning miracle hits. Her friends and teammates cheered her on, Sucy was smiling, Constanze set off mini homemade fireworks, and Diana shook her shoulders in warm celebration as Jasminka raises her into the air with a single arm. Chariot reappeared after years of hiding too, sitting in the bleachers cheering. It was great.

Eventually she fell asleep with the ghost of a smile on her lips, completely neglecting her unfinished homework.

Between then and now, Akko had found that the day had gone by surprisingly fast. She reasons that even though she was super excited for the game, she had also been trying to quickly complete homework before it was due in class. So, she guesses the anticipation and the stress just canceled each other out- not that she's complaining about it… now.

"Twenty jumping jacks! Count 'em! Go!" Croix booms, leading the girls in a pre-game practice.

"One!… Two!...Three!..."

The Luna Nova Witches, in full uniform, jump in unison in the heart of left field.

With her high pants tucked and the number 7 emblazoned on her back, Akko is itching to play with a fresh confidence burning through her. Seeing everyone in matching colors, collectively moving, determined and hopeful for the first game of the season as though they are all a part of a single-purposed machine, makes her heart race with pride that she has gotten this far.

Today's the day, Akko. Up until now it's all been practice. The pressure's on and there's no way you're gonna suck after all your hard work.

Her eyes shift towards the back of the uniform with a large 1 and the name 'CAVENDISH' brandished from shoulder to shoulder.

Diana may have gotten shortstop this time, but my job is just as important. If anything gets past her, I gotta stop it.

One of her imagination's fantastical situations from the night before comes to her mind. A line drive shoots just out of the shortstop's reach causing her to miss the ball and fall to the ground. Akko then charges from the outfield, glove stretched as far as it can and catches the ball in mid-air with a stunning display of skill. Once she throws the ball to Jasminka who gets the runner who thought it was safe to run to second out, she walks towards the blonde and extends her hand helping her to her feet. Her uniform might as well be plate armor because the way Diana and looks up at her and takes her hand was like that of a princess thanking a knight for surpassing the trials aimed to trap her in a castle. 'It's no problem' she says in return, 'I'm just doing what I can'. And then Chariot was there and she gave her a signed softball and that's when she woke up to her alarm.

"Aaaaakko… AKKO!"

The brunette snaps out of her daydreaming and looks to the girl droning her name.

"Yo… we finished jumping jacks like, eleven jumping jacks ago. You can stop." Amanda says with a laugh.

Akko, mid jump with arms splayed, then realizes that she is indeed, still doing jumping jacks. She glances around at the rest of the team and coaches looking at her, some amused, some disapprovingly (namely Hannah and Barbara), and one a little concerned. She hadn't even realized Diana had turned around.

She slaps her arms to her side and clears her throat uneasily. "I… um.. I just wanted to get a few more in… ya know… to be... extra ready."

Amanda snorts, rolling her eyes. "Oh okay Akko."

"Well, if you are adequately prepared," Croix says regaining the attention of the team, "next up are lunges."

Midway through their warm-up they see a bus pull up to the field. The Arcturus Academy Cockatrices exit the bus and file to the guest team dugout. Clad in brown and yellow uniforms, they make their way into right field and begin a practice of their own.

As Croix walks over to greet the umpire and the opposing coach, Ursula monitors throwing drills. Akko, like several of the other girls watch the other team from the corner of their eyes

We can totally take them. Though that pitcher's grunt is kinda scary…

Akko catches the ball heading towards her, redirecting it back to Sucy and then takes a step further into the outfield.

I can't wait to finally get the chance to really play. That scrimmage against Varsity just wasn't fair. Coach Meridies was totally right about Molly's family secret knuckleball.

"Alright girls! Huddle up!" Ursula calls over as Croix walks towards them roster in hand.

"You ready ladies?" Croix asks looking around the huddle.

"YES COACH!" The girls yell in harmony.

"Beautiful!" Croix lowers her voice and continues, "Now, don't expect this game to be easy. You have been practicing, but so have they. Never underestimate your opponent, but similarly, don't hold them to unproven high standards either. At this point, very little is beyond your reach so don't let a poor play or a pitcher's creepy grunt get in your way, alright?" As if on cue, the other team's pitcher threw the ball to her catcher with said creepy grunt.

"Now, I know you've already heard Coach Callistis and me say it, but we are so proud of the progress you girls have been making since day one. You have grown as individuals, as teammates, and as a whole, a force to be taken seriously. While there is always room to improve, learn, and experience, you girls have shown that you understand that to do all of these things you must push yourselves. And we see you doing so every day with the drive to better yourselves. What do you say to making today another one of those days?"

A battle cry of affirmation bursts forth from the group of girls as Croix and Ursula put their hands forward.

"Alright, everybody in!"

The girls quickly extend their arms to meet in the center piled one over the other. Akko, Lotte, and Sucy sandwich their hands together and throw them onto the top.

"Witches on three! One… Two… Three!"

"WITCHES!"

"That's what I'm talking about! Alright ladies, we have the field first, Coach Callistis will read off your positions and batting lineup."

The girl's attention shifts to Ursula as she goes down the list one by one.

"Amanda, pitcher. Constanze, catcher. Jasminka, first. Barbara, second. Diana, short. Hannah, third. Sarah, right. Sucy, center. Mary, left-"

...What…?

Akko's heart drops, her determined expression clouded by disbelief. That is, until Ursula continues on…

"Akko, Avery, Lotte, and Blair, you will be put in as substitutes in the fifth inning. We want everyone to get a chance in today's game, but for now be sure to bring the energy! And would anyone like to volunteer to take note on the scoresheet?"

Okay… well… I'm a little bummed I'm not starting. But that won't get Atsuko Kagari down! If everyone is going to play, somebody was going to have to wait their turn, right? Lotte is too! I just have to make sure to help end the game on a victorious note! In the meantime, I'm gonna be the best darn cheerleader there is!

With her temporary role quickly accepted, Akko runs to Sucy. After nearly losing her hearing to the words 'good luck' and being shaken within an inch of her life by one overly supportive, overly excited Akko, Sucy breaks free from her friend's grasp and jogs with a little more urgency than normal to her position among the rest of the girls in the outfield.

The coaches and remaining players make their way to the dugout to await the game's start.

"I seem to remember you also making certain... sounds when you pitched." Ursula whispers to Croix with a giggle.

"It was for intimidation!"

"I'd say the moaning was more distracting than intimidating." She chuckles her way into the dugout as a blushing Croix follows.

Akko walks into the dugout tying her fingers through the chain-link barrier and begins cheering her teammates on.

The infield and outfield have a game of toss as Amanda takes a few practice pitches before stretching her back and pointing to Constanze.

"Ready Conz?" The redhead yells over the plate.

The small girl nods her head with a grunt and adjusts her stance as the first batter begins a few practice swings.

Amanda turns away from the plate and takes a few steps towards second base. After twirling the ball on her fingers, with a quick breath she leaps into a standing backflip. The acrobat lands and drops into a backwards somersault then rolls into a handstand. Finishing off, with the balance and control of a cat, she twists and cartwheels into her windup stance.

Akko watches with her jaw on the ground, shaking the fencing as Amanda launches the ball over home plate into Constanze's waiting glove.

Oooooooooh! That was so cool!

"As extra as ever, O'Neill." Hannah says behind her with brows raised. "I'll give it to you, that was impressive."

"Been practicing that for a few weeks." She smiles cheekily at the third baseman.

"Amanda!" Ursula yells from the sideline with enough urgency to cause the pitcher to drop her smile and turn to her in alarm. "There is no reason to needlessly show off, do you want to get hurt?! Don't be so reckless!"

The team looks over surprised by the outburst from the normally meek woman. While her words were not frantic, the sternness of the message left the girls, in and out of the dugout, cycling through expressions of confusion, concern, and shock.

After a moment, Croix gently places a hand on the assistant coach's shoulder causing the woman to snap her attention to the head coach, a ghost of fear dancing behind her glasses.

"Are you alright?" The lilac haired woman asks quietly, worry coloring her features.

Ursula widens her eyes, a blush of embarrassment washing over her face. She clears her throat and looks back up towards the still frozen pitcher. With a demeanor completely reverted back to the soft-spoken English teacher they've grown used to, she attempts to diffuse the awkward tension

"I- I'm sorry for my harshness. I-I just- Just please be careful. I don't want to see any of you need to get rushed to the nurse."

Despite feeling a little bummed from being scolded (to which she was no stranger to), Amanda begrudgingly understands the reasoning behind her coach's worry.

"A-alright Coach. Sorry… I was just playin around." The redhead apologizes, a little off put by the outburst.

She turns to face the batter's box and begins kicking the dirt off the pitcher's plate. She watches as the Cockatrices' first batter makes her way to the batter's box completely unaware of what had just transpired. With a cocky smile and a confident laugh, she determinedly refocuses on the task at hand.

The rest of the team, accepting the assistant coach's justification for concern, follow Amanda's example and crouch into position awaiting the start of the game.

Akko watches her favorite teacher subtly ring her hands at the mouth of the dugout as she and Croix watch Amanda windup her first throw.

I hope Professor Ursula's okay...That was weird.


The first inning starts off with a strike. And then a second strike. Akko cheers wildly behind the fence as Constanze throws the ball back to the pitching mound. If Amanda had been thrown off by Ursula's words, she isn't even remotely letting it show. She is downright enjoying herself.

She sends her third pitch towards the batter, this time to be met with the ting of aluminum. The batter runs down the baseline as the ball skids across the infield towards Barbara. The dark-haired girl charges the ground ball and catches it as it jumps up in a cloud of dust. She turns to Jasminka and throws it towards the girl stretching towards her. Jasminka catches the incoming ball, making the out with the batter a single stride from the base.

"Yeah Barbs!" Hannah cheers from third base as the rest of the team 'woo's and claps their gloves.

"Go Ba~arb! Go Ja~as! Go Ba~arb! Go Ja~as!" Akko claps in rhythm leading the chant echoing through the dugout.

"Great play ladies! That's one out!" Croix calls out from the sidelines next to a clapping Ursula.

Jasminka returns the ball to a grinning Amanda who begins prepping the plate for the next pitch.

Despite the confidence boost at the start of the inning, the rest of the Witches' time on the field proved Coach Meridies' words of "don't underestimate your opponent" were not meant to be taken lightly.

The second out came where there were runners on first and second. As Amanda was in the midst of her prep routine, the runner on second left the base for third. Amanda twists and throws the ball to a surprised Diana, who in turn sprints, tags the runner out, and throws the ball to a waiting Barbara on second resulting in a stare down forcing the other runner back behind Jasminka.

Diana looks to Amanda with a conflicted expression. The latter responds, "I would have thrown to Hannah, but I wanted the out!" Then proceeds to wink at the irked third baseman before turning back to the batter. Diana rolls her eyes shaking her head and gets back into position.

The last out comes when the batter hit a double into center field just out of Sucy's reach. At the time, there were runners on second and third. While they do score one run, just before the second runner could slide home, Constanze tags her out after catching Sucy's throw from the back of center field.

The coaches watch the throw in awe. "Holy fuck, Sucy." they say simultaneously under their breaths.

Akko on the other hand hollers and shakes the fencing threatening to rend it from its support. "YEAAAAAAH SUCYYY! THATS THREE!"

Lotte and the other girls in the dugout, while still cheering, could not fathom how the brunette girl maintained such energy and volume.

The team jogs to the dugout getting praise from Croix and high fives from Ursula on the way in.

Akko runs over to Sucy and grabs her shoulders, which at this point Sucy is no longer surprised by. "That throw was amazing Sucy! And that was a crazy catch Constanze!" Akko spins around to look at said girl as she removes her catching gear. The girl smiles and gives her a thumbs up.

"And Amanda! Great pitching!"

"Yeah thanks, Akko. I heard you the first ten times." The redheaded girl says rubbing her ears, face scrunched in a wince. "Tone it down a bit will ya? I love ya, but you're gonna deafen somebody."

"If only." Sucy scowls over Akko's shoulder, still firmly within the brunette's grasp.

"Sorry! Heh heh." Akko shrugs finally lowering her voice. "Just keeping up morale!"

Sucy and Amanda look at her and deadpan. "It's the FIRST. INNING."

"And there's no need to go to eleven after every play!" Amanda adds.

"Well yeah, I know that! I just…" she sighs and quiets herself. "I just want to be a part of it. That's all."

Sucy bats the bill of Akko's hat down into her face, resulting in a yelp and freedom from the other girl's arms. "You are the most impatient dummy I have ever met."

"For real, dude! You'll be up in no time. And you get to finish up the game… God help us." Amanda teases as she pulls on her batting gloves.

Akko fixes her hat and huffs. "I know… Aargh! I'm just so excited!" She groans.

"Bernhardt, you're up first! Cavendish, O'Neill, Antonenko get on deck!" Croix calls into the dugout before taking on the position of third-base coach.

"Well, try to save some of that energy for when you're on the field. See ya in a bit!" Amanda says patting Akko on the cheek before heading towards the mouth of the dugout and grabbing a helmet and bat.

As the opposing pitcher warms up, every throw yields a slap and a very aggressive grunt. In order to keep her minimal self-control obedient and not burst out into giggles, Akko focuses her attention to her teammates.

Sucy, finally free from Akko's hands, flees over to Lotte who is talking to Jasminka and Blair on the bench. Hannah, Barbara and Avery stand huddled by the fence drinking from their water bottles, the former two brushing dirt from their pants. Mary helps Constanze with her catcher's gear as she talks about a monster movie she recently saw to which Constanze listens with interest.

Her eyes drift towards Coach Callistis who is standing by Sarah giving her tips on how to read the pitcher and adjusting her shoulders on the follow through of her swing. A small distance away Akko sees Diana and Amanda, helmeted with bats in hand, talking. She can't really hear what is being said, but the relaxed stance of both girls and the lack of threatening by aluminum bat indicates it is at least a civil conversation.

I keep forgetting they played on travelling together. I wonder why I never saw Diana on the rec teams... If she had been there, I wonder if we'd be closer…

She watches as Amanda lifts her bat and lays it across her shoulders. She can hear a confident laugh escape the redheads throat as Diana rolls her eyes and shakes her head from side to side.

I really didn't think that she and Amanda would be...friends? I guess it makes sense they're used to each other because they're both really good but…

Akko breaks from her thoughts when the two turn from their conversation and walk to the fence to begin a cheer for Sarah who had just made her way to the batter's box.

Ursula gets herself into position as first-base coach and cheerily greets the opponent first baseman.

Sarah stands at the plate, holding her bat out for measure before taking a breath and shuffling her feet into position.

"YEAH SARAH! LETS GO! START IT OFF GIRL!" Akko yells from the fence amongst the rest of the team.

As the pitcher winds up and releases the ball (with a grunt, of course), the raucous noise in the dugout hushes to avoid distraction.

The ball flies over the plate into the catcher's glove.

"Strike!"

Sarah stands, bat still pulled back, and takes a step out of the box to take a practice swing.

"YOU'VE GOT IT SARAH!" "NOW YOU'VE SEEN IT!" Akko yells, Lotte chiming in.

The redheaded girl steps back to the plate, staring the pitcher down as she readies her wind up. She adjusts the weight on her feet as the pitcher sends the ball spinning towards her. She swings, and with a ting the ball jumps across the infield in between the shortstop and third baseman. Sarah takes off down the first base line as Ursula waves her arm telling her to run through the base. As the ball soars towards the first baseman, Sarah steps on the bag and slows herself on her way to right field.

"Safe!"

"YEAHH! SARAH!"

The dugout bursts into cheers at the announcement while Ursula gives Sarah a high five as she jogs back to the base. She pats her on the shoulder and leans in and whispers to her, what is assumed to be, further instruction.

The cheering shifts from celebration to encouragement as Diana takes a step towards the plate.

"LET'S GO DIANAAAAA!" Akko jumps in surprise as she turns to see Hannah and Barbara loudly screaming at the fence next to her.

"YEAH DIANA! WHOOOOOO!" Akko cheers, but finds she is unable to match the volume at which the other two girls belt their support.

Diana turns to the dugout and a small giggle escapes her throat as she looks towards the fencing at her two friends clutching each other in anticipation. Her eyes then drift to the brunette cheering her on beside them and she notices a nervous warmth flutter in her chest.


Once Akko, Sucy, and Lotte said their goodbyes after being dropped off from their quiet commute, the car ride back to Barbara and Hannah's houses was far more comfortable. While Diana felt a slight loss from the absence of the brunette, she definitely noticed that with her departure it became easier to breathe. With the less familiar company gone, Hannah and Barbara fell into quiet conversation.

Despite the inconvenient proximity to one particular member, Diana really was glad that the teasing and animosity between her friends and the rest of the girls on the team seemed to have dissipated after all the time they had spent together. However, it appeared her friends still had some choice words about a certain Japanese girl.

"Do you think she's always been so childish?" Barbara mused.

"I bet. She's like a puppy… she's sweet, but she kinda just bumps around oblivious to everything. She could benefit from some maturity." Hannah responded. "And a tutor. It's a matter of time before she fails out."

The two girls giggled to themselves as Diana listened, refraining from adding anything to the conversation that could be seen as incriminating. She couldn't really say that her friends were wrong… Akko did tend to have an aura of immaturity following her actions and she was entirely aware of the girl's lack of focus when it comes to classwork- at least in the classes she, Hannah or Barbara shared with her- but still, in her heart she wanted to defend the girl who she knew had far more to offer than these superficial attributes alone.

"I believe she has shown growth since the start of the year, it is her first year here after all. Her previous school may not have had such advanced social and academic expectations as Luna Nova has." The blonde said coolly as she maintained her vision towards the minimal oncoming traffic.

"I suppose…" Hannah hummed in response as she tried to get a look at the blonde's expression.

Unlike Diana in this particular aspect, Hannah and Barbara knew exactly what they were doing. Diana may be well on her way in discovering or accepting her orientation and preference, but the two of them knew she would fight it every step of the way.

Unfortunately, they honestly couldn't blame her. The Cavendishes are a very well-known family in the area. Their multiple hospitals and hand in the starting-up most of the local healthcare organizations have afforded them near celebrity status. However, after the passing of Diana's mother, the anointed face of the family business, said business had begun to attract more and more negative press.

Aside from her Aunt Daryl desperately trying to maintain the respect that follows the Cavendish name (further pressuring Diana to keep up a near perfect appearance) soon after her mother's death she had made a point of not allowing herself to get too close to others emotionally. Diana had actually attempted to separate herself from Hannah and Barbara, to which they outright told her that they were 'having none of that'. Fortunately, their friend relented and here they were today. It's taken a while, but they are happy to see that, whether conscious or not, she has begun letting people back in.

Her title as the heiress of the Cavendish family business as well as her reputation as the ace of Luna Nova had placed her in the public's eye, but softball had always been one of the only places Diana had ever been able to shed her refined mask, if only a little, and allow herself to act her age and let off steam. The last thing she would want in one of the only aspects of her young life that allows her to let go is the threat of judgement and the potential for scandal. Barbara and Hannah knew this first hand, which is why they have yet to come out to anyone but one another.

Besides, no one wanted to take on the role of the stereotypical softball lesbian.

Though they wanted to tell Diana, they were a little afraid Daryl would make her cut ties with them due to 'potentially unfavorable connections'. And while they genuinely don't think she would look at them differently, interested in girls or not, the thought of 'but what if she does?' keeps their confessions at bay, at least until they're ready for the consequences. But as her friends, they want to see her happy, and for that, they knew she was going to need a little bit of a push. So, for that they were going to need to bring up the target of their friend's affection in hopes that she'll get hit with the realization enough to confront her feelings.

Or at least tell them, her best friends, that she has a crush! She's always been so serious and they've been waiting so long for the day the three of them can gossip like the teenage girls they were.

Sure, they're a little nosey, but what are friends for?

"I am a little surprised she's never actually had a relationship with a boy. She seems easy enough to please." Barbara followed Hannah's lead and discreetly looked to their blonde friend for a reaction. To her excitement, from the light of a passing car, she saw the blonde ever so slightly clench her jaw.

This night, despite leaving her elated on multiple occasions, had made her realize the presence of the growing monologue she's been having with herself.

I don't even know what I want. Do I wish she'd reciprocate my feelings? If she doesn't then it makes everything so much easier. I've dealt with worse loss… But then why does the thought of her with a boy make me feel… Is this jealousy?

She un-clenched her jaw and took a quiet breath.

I suppose it is… Atsuko Kagari, the mere thought of you on a date with a boy has made me jealous. How unfair.

Once she arrived home after wishing her friends a goodnight, she lay on her bed contemplating her feelings and decides on the conclusion of taking no immediate plan of action. She could not express her interest in her teammate beyond friendship, so that is how their relationship would be. She closed her eyes for a moment, her thoughts dragging her back into Akko's embrace less than an hour prior. The girl's warm strong arms around her, while asphyxiating, were something she found she wished hadn't let go so quickly. Her eyes shot open with an aggravated groan and she forced herself up to set her clothing for the next day and to change into her nightwear. As she fell to sleep, she batted away thoughts of wine red eyes.


(…to be continued)


Authors Note:

My plan was not initially to break this up into two parts, however it just got too long. So, the remainder of the game will be in the next chapter starting off with Diana's at bat.

I've never really written something so sports oriented, so I'm not really sure how much of the sport you want to read exactly. So, this and the next chapter will be a little more sports lingo filled because it's the first game and I think it's kinda important. If ya'll have any questions on lingo or softball stuff mentioned in the story don't be afraid to ask!

Fun Fact: The title of the chapter was my Varsity team's slogan the year I played. Not really cool on a t-shirt.

I hope you like what's coming up next!