The last inning.
This is my stage. The only time I join the game.
We were down by five. The other team had some good, strong players, but they lacked control. Our team was batting.
Abbott's a fast runner, for a little kid. He stole third while nobody was looking. By the time they realized what was happening, he was almost to the bag.
I watched as Benjamin hit ball, sending Abbott home. I fixed my dirty hair into its usual two pigtails, and shoved my cap down just above my eyes. I was standing just off the "field". I looked like any other spectator, from here. Harvey hit one, and Benjamin made it to second. Marshall struck out, and Rufus got the bases loaded.
My turn.
I picked up my bat, and my fingers instantly found the groves they had worn into the wood. Taking the field, I walked up to home "plate", which was just a piece of scrap wood. I took a few practice swings and-
"What, did they run out of players or something?" It was the catcher. Up close, I just noticed he didn't even have a proper glove. Sure, his make-shift one would cushion the blow, but I doubt it did much.
"Hey! That's our star player! She's Hero!" It was Abbott, yelling from the side of the field.
"Hero? You're just a girl!"
"Hey, I know you're new here and all, but lets just get this straight; I'm the best there is." Everyone went silent. Oh, yeah. That was the first time I spoke actual words in front of everybody.
"Okay then, lets see, druggie." He gave a bright grin. Ugh.
Turning my back to him, I regained my focus. It was so silent, I could hear my own heart beat. I locked my eyes ahead of me, and planted my feet firmly on the ground. I stretched out my arms a little bit, and got into position.
The pitch.
Thud.
I didn't even flinch.
"Come on! At least try to swing at it, Hero!" He said mockingly from behind me. I ignored him. Keeping my eyes locked on the person in front of me, I stayed stone-still.
That was my ritual. I would assess the pitcher on the first throw, and knock it out the next pitch. I couldn't afford to mess this up. We needed a grand-slam.
The wind-up.
The pitch.
The swing.
Thwack!
I took my time to first base. By the time I reached home plate again, Abbott was waiting for me with a huge smile. I patted the ten-year-old on the back, and walked over to where the rest of the team was crowded around the prize money. They had already sectioned out a quarter of the winnings for me. I took it, and shoved it in my pocket.
Then, that kid from before, the catcher came up to me. "I'm Sou- er, I mean Kukai Souma. Sorry, people introduce themselves differently here. Anyway, good game?" He stuck out his hand, while the other rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
I took his hand, and shook it.
Chapter 4 will be coming soon, and from there we're almost done! This wasn't meant to be very long anyways guys. Actually, I'm surprising someone with it, as a favor...