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The Storyteller993 – Don't worry I have a… special plan in mind during this route and during the Agave route I think you'll like.
Two, yep this is just everyday stuff for them.
Three, well this is a new route so…
Fourth, well I did kind of talk about it in the prologue so, I think we've already hit on that topic.
But still thanks for continuing to enjoy the story.
The embodiment of weirdness – Yeah, that's how this is always gonna be with each route. As for his feelings, yeah he's almost there. Thanks for enjoying it so far.
Majikoi – Love Me Seriously - Kazuko Route
Daughter of Kawakami – Part 5
Let's Play Ball…
June 27th, 2009, Saturday
Today was the day for Kawakami's athletic festival and it's Ball Games tournament. After passing a camera crew that didn't seem to be very interesting we all headed inside.
"Well, at least it's nice and sunny. Not like all that rain we got early this week." I say letting out a stretch.
"I can kind of smell the rain in the air." Kazuko said.
"If there's any nose I trust, it's yours." I reply.
"I can sniff out all sorts of things. Especially the flu." Uh, what now…?
"Even so, you're one heck of a dog… Come on, let's go!" We headed for the gym.
"Yeah!" Kazuko said following right behind me.
"Those two are fired up." Miyako said as she watched the both of us head inside.
"Of course they are. It's the ball game tournament!" Gakuto cheered.
"Well, you do have your basketball games." Miyako said.
"That's right. When you think of basketball, you think of me!" Gakuto said being a little full of himself.
A few moments later while we were waiting for the doors to open, "I'm… SO VERY HUNGRY!"
We heard Kuma-chan yell as looked out to the field seeing him begin to cause a stir!
"Hungry!" A starved Kuma-chan began running around everywhere. Everyone started panicking.
"Where's Kawakami-san? Or Shiina-san? Or Chris?" One Class 2-F student looked around in a panic.
"They're not here yet!" Yonpachi told them.
Deciding they were the only ones to stop him one student rallied the others, "F-Fine. We'll just have to stop him together. Guys! On three, we'll all throw our balls at him. I'm sorry for this Kuma-chan, but we're taking you down!"
Kuma started coming at them, "Hungry! I need for badly!"
"One, two, three!" With that count-off the Class F students threw their basketballs at Kuma. All of which appeared to strike hime.
"H-Heheh… did we get him?" One student asks. "W-wait, the basketballs dug into his body!?"
"Hmph!" With little effort, the basketballs were deflected from Kuma's body causing them to reflect back at the other students. "That attack won't work on me!"
And so with the others down and out; Kuma continued his rampage, "SO… HUNGRY…!"
At that moment, both me and Kazuko were on the scene, "Whoa! Umm, what's going on here!?"
"Ah, Kawakami, Azai! So you see…!" Yonpachi told us about some hair-brained scheme to use Kuma during the game, but he suddenly went crazy after not eating for so long.
"Oh, poor Kuma-chan's on a rampage." Kazuko sympathized with him.
"Rrrooaarr!" Kuma yelled, still on a rampage… Right at us!
"Wah! He's coming at us!" Yonpachi panicked.
"Naga, let's stop him together! Sorry Kuma-chan, but we need you to settle down!"
"Yeah, we're sorry for this Kuma!" The both of us charged right at him.
The both of us flew at him with sharp kicks, but our hits were deflected by his body fat.
"Ah, there's too much fat on his body!" Kazuko exclaimed.
"Hah, hah, hah…! Your kicks are useless against me! My fat is my armor! No martial art can damage me!" Kuma proclaimed.
"Onee-sama and Grandpa can stop you, and so will I!" Kazuko proclaimed back.
"Kazuko, let's get him together!" I tell her.
"Yeah! Septadecum Strike! Ahtatatatata!" Kazuko began to rattle off a flurry of quick kicks all which not only did some damage but also cut past Kuma's main defense; his fat.
"Your kicks are cutting up my fat?!" Kuma was shocked that his defense was being unraveled.
"My turn! Kawakami Style: Scorpion Strike!" With one sharp, but powerful kick right in the middle of Kuma's stomach where he was exposed struck true and pushed him back causing him to fall over.
"Hidebu!" I had struck one of his chakra points. Striking at that specific point was like spreading a poison throughout his body.
"Oof… Oof…" Kuma tried in vain to get up but eventually gave up and fainted.
"Wow! You two were amazing!" Yonpachi came out after Kuma-chan was out cold.
"That's not the point! How could you do this to poor Kuma-chan!?" Kazuko said upset.
"Dude, I know he's strong, but you didn't have to deny him food for that!" I join in chastising Yonpachi.
"H-Hey, chill out! We'll get him treated right away!" After this little escapade, looking over at Wanko any one from the outside could say she's strong to an untrained eye that is.
And so it was time for Kawakami Academy's ball game tournament. Where classes would sweat and toil under the early summer sun in various standard sports. Well, apparently the early morning events could be called that.
For today's tournament, the morning game was basketball. The matchup… 2-F vs. 3-A.
"Wow! This is hype!" One spectator cheered.
"Ain't that class F the one with all the problem kids in it?" Another wondered.
Lu-sensei was the referee for this game, "First, let's introduce Class A. A man who needs no introduction, senior Ikegami!"
"That's him! That's Ikegami! He's renowned for his defense!" A third spectator cheered. Guess this guy was hot stuff for the school.
"Heh. Me and my four teammates know our way around the court. Those Class F kids will be begging for mercy." Wow buddy, prepare to get rocked then.
"Next, let us meet the five warriors of Class F!" Lu-sensei turned to introduce us.
"Power forward is Shimazu Gakuto!"
"I'll show all of you what a really dunk is!" Gakuto cheered.
"Small forward is Minamoto Tadakatsu!"
"If you're makin' me do this, I don't feel like losin'." For once, Gen looked ready to go in his own lackadaisical way.
"Get your head in the game, dammit!" Gakuto was a bit too in character.
"You don't gotta tell me dumbass." Gen said a bit annoyed now.
"Shooting guard is Kazama Shouichi!"
"I'm gonna sink every three-point shot, 'cause getting that swoosh from mid-court's where it's at!" Kazama as always was pumped up.
"And for point guard we have Azai Nagamasa!" Considering that Yamato wanted no part in this originally, I'm still excited to play!
"I'm more than ready!" I cheer out.
"Center is Kumagai Mitsuru!"
"Ooh… So hungry… Terribly hungry… Oooooh!" Kuma-chan was back on his feet after a few minutes of rest, our kicks from before hadn't done much to physically hurt him, but was meant to simply stop him from rampaging. "I'm starving! Give me food!"
But for now he was in a position to be controlled and led.
"I feel bad starvin' the poor guy, but he's in beast mode right now. And we've fed him just enough that he can follow Yamato's orders." Gakuto said.
"Y-You guys are insane." Ikegami was surprised at how far we were willing to go.
"What's wrong senpai? I thought you were the cool guy on the court?" I decided to taunt him a bit to get under his skin.
"Hah, like it even matters! We're going to win! Class A, let's do this!" Ikegami rallied his teammates.
In the stands, "Hooray! Hooray! Ikegami!" Some of Class A's cheerleaders could be heard.
"Heheh. Look at that. I bet you wish you had cheerleaders." Ikegami said as if flaunting some grand prize.
On our side, "Nagamasa, good luck." I could feel Miyako's passionate gaze come my way.
"Good luck, everyone! Good luck, Nagamasa!" I could hear Kazuko cheer. Hearing her like that made me even more pumped up somehow.
"You can do it, Class F!" Chika cheered.
""Please do your best." Mayo joined in as well.
"Boys, fire yourselves up!" Even Umeko-sensei, one of the most popular of the teachers among the boys cheered for us.
"You were saying, senpai?" Rubbing it in his face.
"Gh… The girls in your class are too damn good." Ikegami seemed to falter in the face of our lineup. "Even so. we're still gonna wipe the floor with you. Just watch."
"Okay then. Everyone, Yamato didn't have any specific plans for us. Just play your style of the game." I tell the rest of them. They nod in unison, except for Kumagai… poor dude.
"Play ball!" Lu-sensei through the ball in the air, with Ikegami's side receiving it.
"Okay, no rush! Just one basket at a time!" Ikegami directed his team while dribbling the ball. But our shooting guard had no time for patience.
Kazama went in and stole the ball, "You gotta play harder than that! The ball's mine!"
"Kazama, you craft little prick!" Ikegami groaned.
And just like he wanted to; Kazama shot from mid-court after a short dribble, "Time to shine! Adventure Cannon: Three Point Shot!"
"You're out of range!... Huh?" Swish! Nothing but net!
"Wow! Three points, already! Nice one, Capt!" Wanko cheered.
Ikegami's team rebounded, "Tch, we're just getting started! Go, pass!"
But Gakuto was already on them, "Hmph! Intercepted! A 10-year old could play better than you lot!"
"He's a giant!" Ikegami marveled at Gakuto's towering stature.
"What else would you expect from a natural-born master? Here's the ball – finish the play!" Gakuto passes the ball to me.
"Trusting me? I'm touched… well guess I'll shoot!" I look to make a mid-court shot.
"You fool. You're too far away! Kazama might've made that shot, but you can't!" Ikegami said trying to get to me.
"Psyche!" Instead mid-jump, I started dribbling past two of Ikegami's teammates who had been trying to stop me.
"What?!" The two said shocked by my fake.
"Nothing but net!" Jumping up and no one in my way… Dunk! "Hahaha! That's how it's done!" It's heating up!
"Wow, that was so cool!" Mayo on the sidelines was impressed.
"C-c-calm down! Don't start turning tail! I'll score!" Ikegami himself wasn't looking so confident, and it also didn't help his own teammates already started looking dejected.
Ikegami trying to pick his team up made to shoot, "I call this my 'I Want to Say I Love You' shot." But it hit the rim.
"Ah, I missed? Get the rebound!" Ikegami directed.
"Kuma-chan, if you get that ball, I'll give you ALL of my homemade onigiri to eat after this!" I yell towards Kuma.
And yet despite his rotund stature, Kuma got the rebound, "Rooooaarr! This ball is mine!" Kocking down Ikegami's teammate in the process.
"How'd he jump like that? My teammate never had a chance!" Ikegami said gritting his teeth.
"I knew Ikegami would give the play-by-play!" A spectator said. Wait, in this context isn't that an insult?
"Nice rebound! Here, pass!" But Ikegami was headed my way.
"Even if you're a student of Kawakami, taking the ball from you Azai should be easy." Ikegami said.
"C'mon, Nagamasa! Pass me the ball show that I may show off my ultimate techinque!" Gakuto said.
"Sure, okay." I made to pass to Gakuto.
"Hah, that's so obvious! I'll just block you pass—"
"Just kidding!" I faked it.
"Kh—you faked me out?!"
"To me." Gen-san called.
"Sure, okay." I made to pass to Gen this time… but…
"Block Minamoto!" Ikegami commanded.
"Just kidding!" I faked him out for a second time.
"A double fake?!"
"I'm always true to the basics! Layup!" I tossed the ball towards the hoop.
"Hey, dude! I think you forced that one a bit!" I tossed the ball from mid-court, but despite Kazama's fear.
First, it bounced off the rim, "Ooh, so close. But he missed!" Wanko pointed out.
"Damn, thought I had that one…" But even so that wasn't the point.
"But the rebound will be mine!" Gakuto strikes again!
"And with the slam dunk! Hah!" Gakuto jumped to slam it into the basket.
Ikegami this time made to block it, "Not on my watch! Toh!"
"Dunk!" Just as Gakuto powerfully dunked the ball at that same moment, Ikegami's head was just underneath the basket and the ball impacted on his head.
"Gwah!"
"Hey, you jerk! Out of my way!" Gakuto said in a huff.
Lu-sensei blew his whistle, "Stop that! You can't dunk the ball on an opposing players head!"
"… … …" Ikegami was out cold.
"That's an instant five fouls! Shimazu, you're ejected!" Lu-sensei threw him out.
"H-How could this happen to me!?"
"Damn dude, you left him battered and bruised. Literally. But now…" With their ace gone now.
"We'll just win straight up. Though I was hoping things would already be tighter than this." Kazama was now left wanting more.
And yet despite Gakuto's ejection, Class 2-F won their match handily.
And then, that very afternoon was time for the main event…
"Nice job, winning the basketball game!" Mayo cheered. "Next, I would like to score a victory in Kawakami Ball! Let's all work together!"
"Yo, we got it covered! So, who're we up against?" Kazama asked.
"I have a feeling…" I say with a tingle of excitement.
"Yeah, tell us the draw." Yamat asked as well.
"Umm… You see, we're sort of up against 2-S." Mayo informs us.
"… …" Kazama seems shocked at first.
"I'm sorry I have such bad luck…" Mayo seems to curse her draw.
"Class Rep." Kazama tries to get her attention.
"Why did I have to draw the strongest enemy of all?" Mayo seems a bit upset.
"Class Rep!" Kazama gets her attention.
"Huh?" Mayo says.
"Nice one! There's no one else I want to beat to a pulp more than anything!" Kazama cheers.
"Yep. We're destined to square off with them. I can't wait!" Kazuko cheered as well.
"After that basketball game, I needed a good punchin' bag anyways!" Gakuto was more than ready.
"Hah… so the hammer of justice will finally come down upon their elitist skulls." Suguru was ready for vengeance.
"So we're up against 2-S… This calls for a plan." Yamato seemed ready to plan our victory.
"I-I had no idea you all would be this excited to fight them. I can't believe it." Mayo was surprised.
"Heh… I wouldn't want my class any other way." Umeko-sensei seemed proud of us.
And so after a quick explanation of the rules. One of those being that unlike baseball however; anyone holding a ball can attack runners at will. And finally, only five substitutes are allowed.
"Yes, good explanation. As you can see this is a combination of baseball and American football in a sense. Hence, we must field powerful warriors." Umeko-sensei said.
"Naoe Yamato, you will be manager and select our nine warriors." Umeko turned to Yamato.
"Before we begin, is everyone okay with me being manager?" He asks everyone. The baseball team members in our class acquiesce to him being manager.
"If the baseball team thinks Naocchi can do it, then it has to be him." Chika said.
"Conceive for us another of your brilliant strategies, Tactician. The more cunning, the better." Suguru was more than okay with this.
"Everyone approves of you." Mayo gave her okay as well.
"Then I'm more than ready to lead you guys to victory. But first, Nagamasa, can you play in my place?" He turns to me.
"Me?" I say.
"Yeah, while there's no rule against a manager playing I have more faith in your abilities in baseball than my own. For now, our first up to bat will be Wanko, our second baseman. We need to start off strong!"
"Leave it to me! Leading the attack's an honor!" Wanko was ready.
"Second up will be Chris, our shortstop. That'll put us in a position to score."
"I will fight for our victory. My abilities are yours to command." Chris had probably been waiting for this moment for a while now.
"Third will be Capt, our center fielder. We're counting on you."
"Sweet. You won't believe how much of that outfield I can cover." Kazama was pumped up.
"Fourth batter is Gakuto, our catcher. You're our power hitter."
"Yeah, time to bust out the Japanese howitzer! Thanks, Yamato!" Gakuto was ready to get in
"Fifth will be Kuma-chan, our first baseman." Who was still very hungry.
"Ooh… SO HUNGRY. Can I eat the other team?" He asked.
"Yeah, you can swallow them whole!" Yamato said getting him excited.
"Sixth batter will be Gen-san, our left fielder. I hope we can count on that strong arm of yours." Yamato asked him.
"Me?... Fine, I'll do it." Gen agreed, but like with basketball once he's in; he's serious to the end.
"Batter number seven is Miyako, our pitcher. We need your sharpshooter-like precision." Yamato asked her.
"These sports festivals are so dumb, but I'll do anything for you, Yamato." Just as Miyako was walking to the dugout I took her shoulder.
"Miyako…" I said into her war, "If you get more than 6 outs, I'll give you a reward." Then I gave her a small peek on the cheek.
"Ooh… Yes! I'll do it for you, anything for you, Nagamasa!" And with that she ran for the dugout.
"What did you…?" Yamato asked me.
"Don't ask. Let's just say she's full of energy now." I tell him with a smile.
"And you'll bat eighth Nagamasa, and you'll play right field." But that left just one spot.
"Come on, you've got to let me play!" Haguro was asking for a chance.
"Haguro, are you serious?" Chika asked surprised.
"Like, class S is just gonna fill their team with girls, right?" Haguro reasoned. "And girls can wail on other girls harder than with guys. My power bomb will make crimson flowers bloom on their faces."
"I like your spirit then. You'll bath ninth and play third base, Haguro." With that, the main line up was done.
"You also need five substitutes." Umeko asked, just as Yamato wrote a list of our classes substitutes.
"Naoe, are you serious? They all look like poor hands to me… Bur wait… No, this may actually work. To be sure, this is absolutely what you want?" She asks to be sure.
"Yes, unless you have any objections?" He asks her.
"Heh, all right. I'll go submit this list." With that she was gone.
"All right guys, the battle begins now. Some of you may think winning or losing may not matter at n athletics festival but…" I picked up the rest of Yamato's speech.
"If anyone's willing to entertain that kind of weak thought, your welcome to leave. This is our one chance to stick it to Class 2-S and show them we're nothing scoff at. Anybody leaving?" With a quick leave it seems no one in our class is leaving… "Good, then let's play to win!"
"Yeah!" Everyone cheers in unison as they raised their fists into the air. And with that we take the field.
The game is set to begin as the radio plays, "Okay, it's Kawakami Ball time. Your play-by-play coverage will be handled by me, the radio personality Kawakami Momoyo."
"While I, Lu will be you color commentator." I guess since Inoue's in 2-S, that Lu-sensei will be his replacement.
"Alright, both teams have taken position! It's finally time to play ball!" Momoyo announces.
We all meet in the middle with Tesshin as the umpire, "Now then bow to each other!"
"Mwahaha! We will crush you beneath our feet!" Hideo loudly proclaims.
"Heh! Sorry, but I feel like going home a loser." Kazama, his equal replies in kind.
With that that game starts!
The PA announcer calls out, "Top of the first, First up is 2-S third baseman, Class S Student 1."
"Damn it, Kuki! You're supposed to put my actual name on the sheet!" Damn, that's low…
"Mwahaha! Then perform today with such excellence that your name is worthy of my memory!" Hideo told him.
"Hmph… don't look down on the rugby club so lightly!" The student loudly exclaimed.
From the dugout, Yamat signals Miyako with a flick of his eyes, "Miyako, hit him with a grounder."
"Even you're professing your love for me? In the middle of a match?! I'm so wet!" Was all Miyako could think of in the moment.
"Like hell I am!" Yamato yelled back with his eyes.
"I'm just joking. Here I go. This one's for you too Nagamasa ~"
"Yay." Miyako throws the ball.
"Shiina Miyako throws the first pitch! But she seems to be off her game." Momoyo comments.
The Class S student confident he's got it, "It's mine! Wait—a curveball!?"
"An easy grounder to second. She zips it to first!" As Miyako rushes for the grounded ball.
Umeko to the side comments, "In normal baseball, that would be considered an out. But we're not playing baseball…"
The batter runs for first base, "I'm only out once the first baseman touches me! I'll blow right through you, fatty!"
He charges straight at Kuma; with Momoyo commenting the whole way, "He's charging straight at the first baseman! He's looking to tackle him!"
"Kuma-chan, you can eat him!" I scream from the outfield.
"Food…" Kuma stares the Class S student as if he's friend chicken.
"Oraahh!" Despite not running full tilt, Kuma stands his ground not flinching a bit.
"Hmph! Come to me, my ham sandwich!" He bearhugs his opponent.
"Gaaahhh!" The crunch could be heard through the field.
"He passionately hugs the runner! That's got to hurt!" Momoyo says.
"Oh, what a spectacularly disturbing sound! Nagamasa, that's 1; only 5 more and nothing will stand in our way anymore!" Yeah, she's fired up now.
"Mnn, this is too gristly for me. I'll pass." Kuma drops the player.
"Ah… Gah… *cough*… Kwuh!" All the runner could do was twitch on the ground still barely conscious.
"Bring out the stretcher!" Tesshin calls for the injured player to be taken away for first aid.
Seeing Kuma's fierce defense some in Class S are a bit worried, "Hey, hey that first baseman's trouble." Inoue points out.
"What do we do? I don't want to be a ham sandwich."
Koyuki replies, "Don't worry Jun, if you were a ham sandwich, I'd eat you first, because your my friend."
"If that's what our friendship is, then I'm out." Inoue says a bit freaked out.
Margit steps up to take the reins, "I shall manage something. Kokoro, you will assist."
"How dare you order me around. But fine… alright." Kokoro replies.
After a check-up by the doctors for the injured player, "Ah, the doc's are saying he won't be able to return. The first batter is retired! Class 2-S is already off to a rocky start!"
The PA announcer signals, "Second at bat, shortstop, Fushikawa."
The noble steps up to the batter's plate, "Now then, I'll show you the glorious power of a noble house."
"Cook her up however you want." Yamato signals to Miyako; she then turns to Nagamasa for his own input.
"If it's Fushikawa… do however you want just be careful she's tricky." I signal to her, with that she nods.
"Got it." She then looked straight at Gakuto, "Gakuto, you're the catcher. Make a call."
Gakuto offered, "A strike right over the plate. It's not like she'll be able to hit it."
Miyako then throws, "Mm-hm. Hah!"
But Fushikawa is more than ready it seems, "Behold! This noble and refined batting technique that has been passed down through the Fushikawa bloodline for generations!"
With a crack of the bat, she sent the ball into the shallow left field.
"And without the ball the baseman can't defend. It's a hit!" Momoyo continues with her radio delivery. "We've got one out, and a runner on first."
Gakuto said to himself, "She hit the ball right where she wanted to. Is all of Class S like her? Miyako, you have to stay on top of your game at all times against all of them."
"That sounds perfect too." Miyako said with a sly grin.
"Miyako, don't let it get to you!" Yamato yells out from the sidelines.
"Mm-hm! If you and Nagamasa are saying to not sweat it, then I won't." Miyako replied.
"Uh, but you should try to at least pick her off." Yamato said.
"One out! One out!"
The announcer called the next player, "Third batter is, Margit, pitcher."
"Focus low, so we can get the double play. Just keep things by the book." Yamato once again signaled.
"Hohoho! Ohhh hohoho!" Kokoro laughed out loud.
"I don't like the sound of that laugh. And I know she's not bluffing. It's the laugh of someone who's got something up her sleeve." Yamato said to himself.
Signaling to Yamato I tell him, "I think they're after Kuma! They're looking for revenge!"
"I should've known…!" Yamato called out to Kuma, "Kuma-chan! Watch out for Fushikawa Kokoro!"
"Yeargh! Manager or not, stay out of this!" Kokoro hissed at Yamato.
"So… hungry…" Damn it all, he's still to out of it to know if he's listening. Why'd we go with this stupid strategy in the first place!?
"Hah!" Miyako did as she was instructed.
"Hmph!" Once again, Margit cracks the ball against her bat, but it turns out to be a lifeless grounder going towards our shortstop, Chris.
Chris was immediately on the ball, "On it… Ball caught!" With it securely in her glove. "Dog!"
Kazuko catches it, "Yep, that's two outs! Now, to first!"
"Oh, a 6-4-3 double play? Hmm…" Something catches Momoyo's eye on the field.
Fushikawa begins positioning herself behind Kuma-chan. "Hohoho, the out is yours."
"Fushikawa hasn't left first base!" Momoyo points out.
With Margit coming in for the follow-up, "Now, it's time to hunt the big, most-dangerous game of all!"
Kuma was focused on Margit he didn't pay attention to Kokoro behind him, "Ooh… You look plump and yummy! Blessed be all the world's ingredients, for you will be in my stomach!"
However as he moves Kokoro bars his leg, "Hmm…? I can't move my leg!"
"Hohoho. I've applied a joint lock to your legs. Now you can't move freely." Margit comes charging in after Kuma.
Kazama tries to warn him, "Kuma-chan, watch out! She's coming in on high!"
"Hasen Jagd!" Margit does indeed come down hard on Kuma with an axe kick.
"Aagh!" Kuma yells as he falls to the ground.
"Oh, a vicious ace kick! Kuma-man's down!" Momoyo spectates on the fierce blow.
The first aid team and Tesshin run to his aid, "But he's stayed in position with the ball in his hands, so Margit is still out! Bring Kumagai a stretcher!"
"Three outs. Change sides." The PA announced, now it was our turn to bat.
"K-Kuma-chan!" Yamato exclaimed. The medics bore him out on a stretcher.
"For achieving a double play, you have earned my praise. However, it will take several hours for him to recover." Margit said with a proud smirk on her face.
"Hohoho. No monkey could ever defend against our Ara Assassination." Kokoro seemed just as proud of herself.
"And Kuma-man's already been declared as not returning to the field!" Momoyo commented.
"Ah, poor Kuma-chan… This is the second time today." Yonpachi said solemnly.
"Um, like, you were the one who set him on a rampage." Chika noted.
"Yeah, and guess what? You're his sub, Yonpachi." The monkey freaked out.
"Y-You're throwing me into this hellscape!?" The monkey panicked.
"Calm down, besides that agility of yours might come in handy – Think about it, you and a female runner clash and in the process you might just cop a feel on the way down?" I tell him.
And he falls for it, "R-Really? What sort of man could say no to that?!"
"That's disgusting. Naocchi, Azaicchi, how could you even suggest that?" Chika was disappointed.
"Sorry, but this is a war right now Chika-chan."
"Yeah, we need to do anything we can to win."
Back to the game; now was our turn to attack, "Bottom of the first half, 2-F leads off with second baseman, Kawakami."
"I'll exterminate them. You don't mind, right, Yamato, Nagamasa?" She turns to the both of us.
"Yeah, go wreak havoc. That's your job as the lead hitter." Yamato encourages her.
"Yeah, and we'll do this for Kuma-chan as well." I do the same.
"Roget that! Then off I go!" Kazuko makes her way up to home plate.
With that both Yamato and I watch 2-S's line-up, "And so the most important players of theirs to watch out for are… Second-at-bat, Kokoro, who's their shortstop. Third-at-bat, their pitcher Margit. Fourth-at-bat, their catcher Kuki Hideo. Then there's the seventh, eighth, and ninth at bats being Aoi, Koyuki and Inoue in that order."
"Not to mention those three are covering the outfield, with their coordination it'll be hard to get passed them. Those legs of Koyuki's are powerful I feel, I think she'd give Miyako or Kazuko a run for their money in the speed and agility departments." I add on.
"Yeah, the infielders are just extras; those lot are the real problem. With all of that in mind we need a solid plan." Yamato says bringing his fingers to his chin.
At home plate; Kazuko found herself in proximity to Hideo who as before was their catcher. I had more than an inkling that Touma planned for it that way.
"Oh, our beloved Kazuko-dono! To think we would meet in such a way as this!" Hideo said excited to be so close to her. "Sad though it may be, fate has given us this match! Forgive me!"
"Th-This is… kind of awkward." Kazuko immediately didn't like being at first bat.
On the pitcher's mound, "Now, which pitch should I throw?" Margit signaled to Hideo.
"A slow pitch down the middle, to see how she reacts." Hideo signals back, but Margit can tell he's being soft.
"Fool. I would ask to not let your personal feelings not interfere in the way you play." Safe to say she was not a happy camper.
"Mm… Our subconscious yet gets the better of me. That will not do." Hideo corrects himself.
"Then how about this?" Margit makes her pitch.
"The pitcher makes her throw!" Momoyo says as she stands watching in anticipation of Margit's first throw.
"Oh, it's a curveball, but I've got it! Teigh!" Kazuko bunts it towards third base and she takes off.
"Oh, a rolling bunt? Then I see you intend to truly fight." Margit commented on Wanko's resolve.
As she made her way to first base; the Class 2-S first baseman was ready to intercept, "Heh, as our first baseman, I'll throw you off the diamond!"
"Ooh, here comes the showdown between the first baseman and Kazuko!" Momoyo watched in anticipation.
"Let's goo!" Wanko cheered.
"The judo club doesn't go easy on even girls!" The baseman goes in to tag Wanko.
"Don't let him tag you with the ball!" Yamato calls out.
Wanko then dodged around his glove and slipped right behind him/ Grabbing him from his waist, "Kawakami Butcherbird Suplex!"
Enemy in hand, Wanko for heartbeat was in the air with her opponent as she suplexed her opponent, "Gweh!?"
"He smashes headfirst into the ground! A thrilling knockout!"
"Gh… ugh… guuuh…" The baseman twitches as the pain courses through his body.
Tesshin calls, "Safe! No outs, runner on first!"
"That's our lead-off batter! You can't ask for better than that!" Chika cheers for Wanko.
"That'll make up for Kuma-chan." Kazuko said.
But to everyone's shock the baseman gets up, "Hmph… I'm not done yet! I'm back on my feet!"
"Oh, it looks like the first baseman's not down for the count." Momoyo said.
Wanko was impressed, "Wow, you're pretty tough."
"Don't take the Judo Club lightly!" But from how he was holding his neck, "Ooh, my neck hurts…"
"Mmm, he's still in the game. You were so close." Chika said a bit upset.
"This might be just what we want. Chirs?" Yamato called out to her.
"What?" Chris turns to face him.
"You promise to follow my orders in this match?" He asks her.
"Yes, given that you are the manager. Do you have an order for me?" She inquires of him.
"Wanko's looking to run so back her up." He tells her.
"Roger that." Chris understands as she makes her way to the plate.
"Batting second, the shortstop, Chris." The announcer says.
"Hideo! I'm quite sure you are aware… The first-base runner is looking to steal!" Touma reminds their catcher. Little does he know.
"I grasped that. She wears her heart on her sleeve." Margit points out as well.
"Aww… they know. But like it matters, right Kazuko?" I say to her with a smile.
"Yeah, let them come. We're playing Kawakami Ball!" Kazuko was more than pumped again.
"Hoho? You seek the base that I cover? Interesting." Kokoro was more than ready it seemed. "Go ahead, Margit. Let her run! This second base will be your grave. But do be sure to tell me what to put on your tombstone."
"The only tombstone I'm having will be cheese and pepperoni. Now I really will avenge Kuma-chan." Kazuko was more than ready.
"Then let's go." Margit was ready to throw.
"Margit, throw a strike." Hideo signaled again.
Margit was surprised, "Not an intentional ball? You know she wishes to steal right?"
"We can throw her out. Better to get a strike on the board." Hideo reasoned.
"You are thinking too little of them." Margit warned him.
But Hideo pushed back, "And you think too little of me! I shall not dishonor this match!"
But with that Margit followed her orders, "Understood. I will pitch as you command."
Just as the ball left Margit's hands; Wanko had dashed off!
"I shall support her… with a swing and a miss!" Chris purposely misses her swing causing Kuki to catch it.
"Kazuko-dono, pray do not hold it against me! I will throw you out with love!" He says as he throws it to second.
"The ball flies like an arrow to second!" Momoyo watched as the ball zipped on by.
Kokoro makes the catch, "Catch! Now come to the gates of Hell where waits the Champion! I shall bend your joints in ways they were never intended to!"
"Deyaaahhh!" However, Kazuko had no fear and charges in anyway.
"A foolish slide! You've only exposed your leg!" Kokoro makes to catch her as she grabbed her leg. "Got you! Now suffer my noble joint lo—"
"Kawakami Style: Scorpion Strike!" With an acrobatic twist of her body, Wanko slammed her fist into Kokoro's stomach.
"Ugh!? You attacked me from a slide!?" Kokoro falls to the ground.
"Maybe next time you won't wait so long to apply the lock! Thanks for giving me the opportunity!" Kazuko takes the chance to talk down to Fushikawa again.
"Nngh!? That was bait the entire time!?" Kokoro just realizes.
"It's hard to escape from a joint lock. You let her get overconfident, eh, Wanko?" Hey, your bias is slipping.
"However, she must not have struck hard enough." Lu points out.
"Gggh! M-m-my body hurts!" Kokoro whines, but with what power she has left brings herself up, "Yet a noblewoman has her pride to consider as well! I still wouldn't embarrass myself as to let go of the ball! Touch… you're out!" Kokoro tags her.
"Yes, well fought! Kazuko, out!" Tesshin rules.
"N-Noo…!" Kazuko whines.
"Heh. Heheheh, and yet I am still able to battle." Kokoro now stands strong.
"You survived the Scorpion Strike?" Kazuko noticed.
"Hohoho, you can never keep me down. And now you are out. Useless! Useless! Everything you did was useless! Hoh, Hohoho!" Oh, I'm gonna destroy you.
"Nnnngh!" Kazuko grumbles as she makes it back to everyone, "Ooh. I'm sorry, everyone…"
"Don't get down, you made them pay with that one. Two of their members are injured now, which means we have a chance in the future. Also Yamato, if I ever get the chance; permission to destroy Kokoro Fushikawa by any means necessary within the rules?" I ask him.
"Yeah, you got my express permission. She's got to be hurting like you said." Yamato replied
Touma went to check on Kokoro, "Are you alright? That strike looked to hit you square."
"Of course I am, Aoi-kun. Do I not look like my normal, dignified self!?" While sounding brave, Koyuki snuck up behind her and…
"Pokity poke." Poked her in the stomach.
"Yeouuuuch! It still hurts!?" The pain still stung deep it would seem.
"Ahaha! This is fun!" Koyuki kept poking her.
"O-Oooh… What are you doing? Enough!" Kokoro tried to shake her off to no avail.
Touma still was worried, "Seems you were inured just as much as I feared. I cannot imagine you'll leave the field by choice, so please try to keep it a secret." Fat chance with a cry like that and two eagle-eyed young men watching the young "noble."
"Oh, I'm gonna have fun." I said while cracking my neck.
"Have at it." Yamato said.
Touma immediately spotted the both of us waving at him, "Seems we've already been found out."
Back to the game, "All right, one out. Defense, you will psych yourselves up." Margit ordered.
"Ooh, okie-dokie." The Class S defense seem to tighten up some.
"Yamato, you have not given me any particular orders yet… Is a standard hit acceptable?" Chris inquires.
"Oh my gosh, when did you become so regal and cool?" While a joke, it was code that she understood.
"Hit the thrown ball… Nothing could be simpler or more clean!" But…
"Strike! Batter out!" Tesshin called.
"I never expected the ball to move…" Chris said having been thrown off by one of Margit's trick throws. "Maru-san, I wish you'd have faced me honestly, with a fastball."
"Huh? What happened to it being simple and clean? Because the way that you're making me feel – it's hard to let it go." Yamato chastised her.
She seem to take it to heart, "A-Apologies! I shall be more careful henceforth. Sheesh. Why must ever misstep I make be accompanied by your sarcasm."
"Okay, great, but could you take a step to the left? I can't give out instructions." He waves his hand in front of her to motion her to move.
"Mngh…" She grumbles.
"You know despite everything you two still argue like some married couple. Are you sure you don't like her like that?" I ask him.
"Me? Like Chris? Hah, when pigs learn to fly." Yamato replies.
"Yamato, idiot!" Chris hears him and hits him upside the head.
"Owww! See!?" He points out her abuse.
"I don't see anything different." I reply cheekily.
"Welp, I'll see you all on the other side of a home run." Kazama said as he stepped up towards home plate.
"Keep your eye on the ball. Looks like they're probably going to throw off the plate." Yamato tells him.
"Sure thing. I got this. So hey, Wanko and Chris!" He calls out to the two girls.
"Hm?" Goes Wanko.
"Mm?" Goes Chris.
"I'm your leader, and that makes it my job to settle the score! So don't let a few bad breaks get you down!" And with that he charges to the batter's mound.
"Third at bat, center fielder, Kazama-kun! Good luck!" Well there's some bias!
"What the hell was that?!" Gakuto protested the PA's treatment of Kazama.
"Sweet! Let's do this!" Kazama stands ready at the plate.
"He certainly knows when to give a rousing speech." Chris pointed out.
"Yeah, if Capt does something like that, he's bound to win. But if Gakuto did something like that, he'd be set up to fail." Yamato added.
"Damn it, not everything I do is doomed!" Gakuto protested again.
"Then when you go to bat, don't get struck out and we might believe you." I told him.
"Then just you wait. I'll knock that ball into the Tama River." And he's doing it already.
Meanwhile, "Ball. The count is 2-0!"
Hideo seems to think Kazama is onto them, "No matter how narrow he doesn't swing at any of them. You impudent commoner."
"As good as your eyes are…" Margit points out.
"Throw another ball. Given his personality, he will make an attempt." Hideo signaled.
Margit disagreed, "Nein. We don't need to flee the contest."
"So you would disobey? Fine then. Throw however you feel." Hideo lets her throw.
"It's time! Hah!" Margit threw it straight and true this time.
"Oh, here comes a 130 km/h fastball!" Momoyo tracked the ball.
Kazama stood his ground, "Here comes my best strike! Orah!"
"A hit! A huge hit! A gigantic hit!" Momoyo said watching the ball soar.
"What? He hit the ball cleanly?" Margit was surprised that he'd been able to hit the ball at all given how fast it was.
Lu-sensei then noticed, "He's hit it into the gap between center and left field… Hm?!"
Just as I thought Koyuki zipped after the ball, "Ziiiinnnggg!"
"Wow, how's she so fast?" Miyako wondered with wide eyes.
"I always had a feeling, but those legs of hers are probably her best asset. And I mean more so in the realm of martial arts. Among everyone here, if there were some kind of kickboxing tournament, Koyuki would come out on top no questions asked." I explained.
"Look at that 2-S center fielder go!" Momoyo watched as Koyuki made to jump.
"Jumping catch!" And which Koyuki did just that, hopping in the air can catching the battle in her glove cleanly. "Yay!"
"Bweh? Whoa, whoa. You seriously caught that?!" Even Kazama was taken aback.
"Three outs! Change sides!" Tesshin announced.
"Shoot that was lame." Kazama kicked himself.
"No, you could have played no better." Chris tried to pick his spirits up.
"Yeah, yeah, especially since Chris struck out. Don't worry about it." Yamato, dude…
"You could have left out that part about me!"
"I correct my statement, you two are a married couple. You just don't have rings yet." I mumble out.
"I would never marry an idiot like Yamato!" Chris vehemently objected. "Nngh, how long must I wait for my next opportunity!?"
"Well we know that Koyuki can cover a lot of ground really quick and that jump of hers is impressive." Yamato noted.
"I could've pulled that off to. I'm serious!" Kazama tried to keep his flow going. "So Miyako, let them challenge me a bit."
"That's extremely unreasonable…" Miyako wasn't about to let him pitch.
"Okay, we need to figure out who to put on first base." Yamato wondered.
"I shall do it." Chris volunteered. "For it is clear to me now the role of first base plays in this game."
"There'll be danger." Yamato warns her.
"Nothing I can't handle. They will scatter before me." Chris takes Kuma's place, while Yonpachi takes shortstop. Yamato told Miyako info about Class S's next batter.
"Fourth batter for Class 2-S, pitcher, Kuki." The PA announced.
Hideo proudly arrives at home plate, "I have bided my time, but now is my hour is at hand! Tremble before me, unenlightened commoners."
Azami cheers for him, "You can do it, Hideo-sama!" And after a few threats she gets the others going to cheer for him.
As Hideo steps up to the plate Miyako feels something about him, "Something's not right. It feels like he'll hit anything I throw at him."
"Don't worry about it. Just throw your best." Gakuto tells her.
"Mn-hm! Teyah!" Miyako makes her pitch!
"Kazuko-dono, this hit I make in your honor. Hah… Enuma Elish!" Fucking really!?
"A hit! And all the outfielders are standing still!" We could do nothing as we saw the ball soar away like a star. Damn, I thought after his accident baseball was a dead thing for him. Guess not.
"The ball is unquestionably gone, but it was a good pitch." Lu adds on.
"Heheh. No one can beat Hideo-sama in baseball!" Azumi says proudly.
Us outfielders could only stare and watch as the ball soared over the back fence.
"Shoot, there's nothing I can do about that." Capt said, like he could anyway.
"You're this good, Kuki Hideo… He's one to watch over." Yamato notes.
But for me I just stand watching not really caring knowing that the more Hideo wastes just doing his own thing…
"Home run!" Tesshin calls. Yes old man, we know. All of Hideo's classmates cheer his hit.
"Mwahahaha! Behold, unenlightened masses, the majesty of your emperor!" Hideo proclaims.
"Shut up and take your walk!" Gakuto angrily claps back.
"Then hence begins the hero's parade. We shall take our time." And so Hideo begins walking as he waves to the crowd… Yes stupid, waste more time in the first half, please…
"Yamato, must I have the ball to interfere with him?" Chris asks.
"Yeah, and he hit a home run. We have no choice but to stand and watch." Yamato replies.
"Mmm. That is… humiliating." Chris watches as Hideo walks by her as he laughs loudly.
"Mwahaha!"
"He didn't step on first base!" Chris points out.
"Indeed. The sight of Kazuko-dono has set me ill at ease. But there; that should suffice." Hideo came and touched the plate with his foot.
"Huh?" She was confused why he came back.
"He would've been out if you'd not said anything…" Yamato argues with Chris.
Chris gets defensive, "Th-There would've been no honor in such an out."
Hideo then approached Kazuko as she slowly attempted to back away from him, "Kazuko-dono, did you bear witness to my fireworks of love?"
"Haha, it was amazing. So huge!" She sheepishly replied.
Hideo smiled, "Knowing that my feelings have reached your heart brings me ever more joy."
"Hey, get walkin' already 'fore you piss me off." Gen-san said with gritted teeth.
"We have a gamer to play here, we'd very much like to get a move on." I join in.
"Silence, commoners. Who gave you permission to speak…? Whatever, I am leaving now." He touched second base and moved on. "Farewell, Kazuko-dono! Until we meet again! Mwahahaha!"
Miyako mock vomited, "Blech… It's kind of frustrating, watching your pitch g over the outfield fence."
"One run's nothing! Don't let it get to you Miyako!" Kazama tried to calm her down. "Still, Kuki Hideo's gonna pay for looking cooler than me."
"You may need to listen to your own advice, Capt." I say candidly.
"I agree with Nagamasa." Yamato replied.
Up next was that same Judo club member from before, "Now it is time for the Judo Club's turn to keep up the pressure!"
"I won't let you!" Miyako's pitch hit home this time!
"Strike! Batter out!" Tesshin called.
"A pity. As a member of the baseball team, I'll have to pick up the slack it seems." The baseball player says.
"I'll aim high and inside!" Miyako made the pitch.
"Strike! Batter out!"
"Nice job Miyako! You got two outs like it was nothing!" Gakuto cheered.
"That's half-way to 6 ~ Nagamasa-san… I'm almost there ~" Miyako was getting excited.
"Seventh batter, right fielder Aoi." The PA announced. Just as he walked onto the field his rabid fans made themselves known.
As he stepped up to the pitch Aoi tried his charm on Miyako, "Shiina-san, you're as beautiful as a lilac on a May morning."
Safe to say Miyako was not impressed, "So what? We're playing a game here."
"That failed?! Well, I will say I'm not surprised." With that Aoi took his swing and missed.
"Strike! Batter out!" And with Touma out, we had to change.
"My heart only belongs to Yamato and Nagamasa. I don't appreciate you looking at me like that." Miyako made her discomfort known to Aoi.
"Goodness me… I think I will fail to hit any pitches this day." Touma felt a bit upset.
"Well, I have put one pitch into the stands. Be at ease my friend Touma." Hideo tried to comfort his classmate.
"Bottom of the second. 2-F begins with their catcher, Shimazu."
Gakuto proudly stood up to the plate, "I'll match your home run with one of my own!" He even made some practice swings.
"I can feel the gusts of wind from his bat even here." Margit noted.
"And we can predict the height of the ball's trajectory. Go deep, outfielders." Hideo noted. "Well his type of batter demands pitches of varying speeds and breaking balls."
"Understood." Margit knew what she had to do.
Yamato realized after Gakuto's little performance 2-S was up to something, "There's no way they're going to face him head on."
"Yeah after that display and knowing Margit…" I noted.
"Yeah, Gakuto, aim for the breaking balls! That's what she'll throw!" Yamato warned Gakuto.
"Got it. I can handle this!" Gakuto stood ready.
"Hit this, if you can!" Margit pitched a curveball just as planned.
"A curveball, just where I wanted it!" With a crack of the bat, Gakuto hit the ball.
"What?!" Margit watched as the ball soared.
"Another home run? No, it might be too low." Momoyo said as she watched the ball go.
"More like it's getting a strong headwind. Hm…" Yamato watched as Inoue went off for the ball.
"Catch! Oh, I'm right up against the fence." Inoue made the catch.
"Close one, but you're out!" Tesshin called at Gakuto.
"Tch, the ball curved sharper than I thought. Now I know. Next time will be different." Gakuto wasn't put off by it however.
"Fifth at bat, shortstop, Fukumoto."
"My turn! Yahoo!" Yonpachi made his way to the batter's spot.
Margit didn't seem to be worried, "He will be a cinch."
"Yonpachi, there's no way they'll take you seriously. I want you to swing high and outside. As hard as you can, on the first pitch. Get a good hit and I promise every girl in the stands will want to such your dick." Yamato signaled to him.
"Really dude?" I ask him with a raised eyebrow.
"I got to motivate him somehow." Yamato replied.
"Seriously!? Time to make my harem dreams a reality!" Seems Yonpachi was convinced otherwise.
And to our surprise he hit it!
"Whoa, it's a hit! He hit it right between third base and shortstop." Momoyo said.
Margit was once again shocked, "Must I throw my best against all their batters? This cannot be right."
"Sixth up to bat is Minamoto, left fielder."
"Think you can hit this!?" Margit pitched.
Tadakatsu stood his ground, "Damn right I can!"
"There it goes! Deep into left field! It's fair!" Momoyo watched as the ball landed right on the edge of the field.
"Tch. They're getting hit after hit on her." Inoue grumbled.
"Awesome! I'm making it to third!" Yonpachi sprinted off. But this was all part of the plan, while the others were focused on Fukumoto.
"You won't die for nothin'!" Tadakatsu too his chance and ran as fast as he could!
"What? When did you…!?" Margit was caught off guard as Tadakatsu made it to third quickly threw thew ball to the third baseman, a Class S student who was an American football player.
"On it! Now time to blow you… Huh?"
"Get out of my way dumbass!" Gen's backfist punch grazed the guy's chin.
"I can't see… A concussion?" With that kiai, Tadakatsu then slammed his forehead into the dazed football player laying him out.
"Yay! Nice one, Ta-chan!" Wanko cheered his childhood friend.
"Kew you could do it Ta-chan!" Yamato cheered as well, but obviously to mess with him.
Safe to say he was a bit angry afterwards when Kazama joined in as well. That glare really is something. But all in all, I know he's a good guy.
"Fukumoto's out! Minamoto is safe! Good play. Two outs! Runner on third. Play on!" Tesshin kept the game running.
"Curses. The third baseman must be replaced… Azumi, take to the field!" Hideo ordered.
"Yes, sir! Oshitari Azumi will defend it from all comers!" Azumi went out to the field, now another dangerous threat.
"Third base is trouble now. They've put their first batter there." Yamato worried.
"But it's one substitute they've had to use. If anything we've made up for losing Kuma now." I tell him.
"Seventh at pat, pitcher, Shiina."
"Buy us some time Miyako. Hit fouls." Yamato tells her.
"Roger." Miyako nods understanding her role. Meanwhile the medics carry Yonpachi off on a stretcher as well as the football player.
With that we replaced him with Suguru, "You're on the list of substitutes. Good luck out there."
"I will avenge my comrade. Let their attacks come an go as they will." Suguru said more than ready to take the field.
Meanwhile on the field, "Kh! Twelve straight fouls! Are you trying to anger me?!"
"Ball! That's ball four!" Tesshin said giving Miyako the automatic base.
"Seems persistence has gotten me the base." Miyako said with a smirk.
"Nice one Miyako!" I cheered for her.
"Eighth at bat, right fielder, Azai!"
"Alright, let's do this! Wanko, I'll bring home what you started, I promise." She seemed confused by what I meant.
"Huh?"
"Hah, even if you have another sly trick it will not work." Hideo said as I made it to the home plate.
"Well we'll just have to see won't we rich boy?" I say back.
Margit who by this point had her anger to a brim let out. "Do you think some trick will let you hit my pitch!?"
She makes the pitch and… "Nope, but I know how to bunt!"
"You fool! You have two outs already!" Margit slid for the ball and threw it to first base. "First baseman, be merciless, do not hold back!"
"On it! Come on, I will take on any opponent!" The judoka said with the ball in hand.
"Even so… you're mine!" I clotheslined him right in the neck.
"Gwaaahhh!" He toppled over.
"I know your still hurt from Wanko's suplex."
"You bastard… You went right for my weakness…" He crumbles.
"Then you should've taken yourself out of the game." I tell him.
"First baseman out! Azai is safe!" Meanwhile during all of that, Tadakatsu made it to home plate making one to one now.
"Wow! You did it Nagamasa!" Moro cheered.
"Haha, I only wanted to finish what Wanko started. Baseball's a team sport. Wanko, you and I won together." I tell her.
"Huh? So… I should celebrate?" She seemed a bit unsure.
"Darn straight! Go nuts, Wanko!" With Kazama's approval…
"Yay! Yay! Thanks, Nagamasa!" She began jumping and waving her arms.
"You did good, Nagamasa. But watch your back out there!" Kazama warms me.
At the radio desk, "Ah, seems we have another first baseman down for the count!"
"Jun, take first base. A substitute will take the left field." Hideo orders.
"Geh, you want me on first? That don't sound like a good idea." Jun was unsure.
"I know of your talents. Now go." Hideo tells him again.
Inoue does so, "You know I get butterflies when I get under pressure."
But without Jun in the outfield, Koyuki felt lonely and made her way towards Touma as the only one from their group left.
But it seems despite the gap Hideo doesn't want to try and fill it. I guess they think they can handle it.
"Well then, hello Azai-san. Looks like I don't really have a choice in the matter. No hard feelings?" Jun greets me.
"Nah, you're just playing your role." I tell him.
"All right, activate the formation." Hideo tells his team.
"Formation? That doesn't sound good…" I turn back to Yamato who notices as well.
"Yeah, I don't like the sound of that either." He tells me. Knowing something might happen, I bend down pretending to tie my shoes and pick up some pocket sand.
"Ninth at bat is third baseman, Haguro."
Margit pitched, "Hit a grounder!"
"Oof! Oof! Oof! Mine!" But Haguro fell for the breaking ball as it bounces weakly against the infield.
Margit takes it and throws it towards first base, "Now! Our target is Azai Nagamasa!"
Kokoro catches it, "Well do I know!"
And in comes Koyuki as well as I'm slowly surrounded, "Yay!"
"Like I said, no hard feelings." Jun said.
Keeping my cool I don't flinch and just calmly assess the situation.
Yamato however is panicking a bit, "Wh-what!? They're surrounding Nagamasa?!" Margit, Jun, Koyuki and Kokoro all have me boxed in.
"Seems they're planning on eliminating Nagamasa first!" Momoyo said watching the tense pla unfold.
"This is retaliation for what you did to our first baseman. An eye for an eye!" Kokoro declared.
"Ready for the pain? Good luck – cause you'll need it." Jun tells me.
"Haha, and like I said, no hard feelings. Besides my bloods boiling now, I'm excited." I tell him with a smile on my face.
"Huh?" Jun seems confused.
"Now that we have him surrounded, please do finish this quickly!" Touma told them, but it seems like they barely registered him, "Wait, can they even hear me from there?"
"The Young Master's calling for us to finish this quick." Jun picked up on him.
"I saw him pocketing sand before. Watch out for ant tricks." Kokoro warns them.
"Aah, you got me." I said keeping my poker face.
"I wish you hadn't said that. I wanted to see how a warrior like him would escape from this." Margit said with a bit of solemn. "But alas, let the execution begin. Hasen-!"
"Wait, wait! We can talk about this guys." I say trying to stop them. I know why Touma wants to finish this quickly. "There's no need for this, I thought this would be a fun game for all of us."
"Hoh? Is the monkey begging for his life? How pathetic! Hohoho!" Kokoro laughs. Yeah. That's right keep your eyes straight me… "Oh, how this situation must vex you."
"Azai, I thought you would fall with a shred of honor as a warrior." Margit said a bit upset.
"Sorry, but even as a warrior, I still got to use my brain." I then raised my fingers and in that moment with looks of confusion by all of them…
SNAP!
WHISTLE!
"And that's the whistle ending the first half!" Momoyo announces.
"The what! Time's expired?!" Kokoro said in a panic.
"Tch, you were just stalling for time with that spiel. That's why Touma told us to hurry it up!" Jun said.
"Guys, baseball's got to keep moving. We can't just sit around all day long." I reminded them.
"He's right. This game is like normal baseball. The halves are timed." Margit remembered.
"The first half is over. We'll move onto the second half after a break." Momoyo announces.
"Then was all that before part of your plan?" Margit inquires.
"Oh no, Margit-san… everything in this half was planned from the very beginning!" Let's play with them.
"What!?" All of them exclaim.
"Remember boys and girls, so long as the ball's in play and plays are made that clock is winding down. Even when let's say… people are making a parade out of things?" I remind them of Hideo taking his time. Which in full took of a whole 2 minutes of playtime.
"Tch, even Young Master told him to hurry it up." Jun said.
"And even while we're beating the crap out of each other… right, Fushikawa?" I smirk in her direction.
"Guh… so all that with that Dog… was part of your plan!?" Kokoro rubs at her stomach.
"Hahaha… Yamato's not the only tactician. Sure I'm a warrior who knows honor, but when it comes to winning victory. I'll do whatever's necessary as well. Deception is the very form of battle. Remember children. Hahaha!" I laugh while playing them along.
"Hmph! It's not like I'm vexed or anything!" Kokoro says with a grumble. "But we'll see who's laughing after the second half's over!"
"Pokey, poke, poke the body!" Koyuki pokes Kokoro's stomach again.
"Ngwah! Stop that! It stings!" Yep, the pains still getting to her. "Guh… cure the very ground you walk on, Kawakami Kazuko!"
"I couldn't agree more." Oh, the jealous ninja appears. "Next time she makes it on base, she won't get to see the far side of third base."
"Heheh. I see you are as evil as I." Kokoro revels in her fellow traveler.
"Whew, I made it out in one piece." I say as I return to the others. "I haven't felt that pressured in a long time."
By the looks of it the second half was going to be just as fierce as I could think.
"Well done, evening up the score, everyone. Do not let up a bit in the second half. Sink your fangs into them and do not let go." Umeko-sensei said trying to rally us.
"Naga, Naga! Thanks for thanking me after you made that hit." Wanko said as she ran up to me.
"I meant every word of it. We're a team you and me. You're up next inning. It's all on you." I tell her.
"Okay! This time, I'll win for sure!" Kazuko cheered.
"I know in the past you've said that multiple times… But for some reason, I believe you this time." Suguru said with a slight smile.
"Suguru… Yeah, leave it to me!" Kazuko cheered again.
"Wanko, I'm up first next inning, and I'm totally gonna get on base. Then, girl, it's all you." Haguro said. "So go kick some ass!"
"Okay! Thanks, Haguro!"
Even though I like to think cheering her on's my job. She is our family and class mascot so it's alright.
"Well. We should be ready since it's normal to have the mascot screw up sometimes." That got to Wanko after Gakuto said that.
"Wah! Why would that cheer me up, you stupid stupidhead!" Wanko chased after Gakuto.
"Moro, Yamato, what data do we have after that display from them in the first half?" I join the two of them where Moro has his laptop with him.
"I gathered all the information I could. Here's what I've got.. After all this is all I'm good for." Moro said a bit sadly.
"Nothing carries more weight then accurate enemy intelligence. Be proud of your efforts." Suguru tells him.
"I can't believe you even took the field, Suguru." Moro said.
"What better feeling is there then laying low a bunch of snobby elitists? Though they are physically strong, this game allows other avenues of attack." Suguru points out.
"But it did look like they were going easy on us." Chris pointed out.
"Yeah, I got that feeling before too and it's not going away." Yamato agreed with Chris.
"So they're going to get even stronger? Then that fires me up!" Wanko said ready and waiting.
"Yeah, the stronger then opponent, the greater the challenge right?" I said.
"Right on, you two. No matter what they throw at us, I'm gonna win! I just know it!" Capt joined in.
"Well we can't win if we're not determined to win." Yamato despite his worries still seemed just as willing to win as well.
"Sweet, then let's start the second half! Guys, I expect each of you to score a kill!" Kazama tells us.
"Guys, go out there and be the biggest hero! One they'll take about for years!" Yamato cheered out.
"Good. Here!" Umeko-sensei then whipped at us.
"Why the whip!?" Yamato yelped.
"My whip of love will psyche you all up! Everyone, line up!" Umeko told us.
"Hey, hey, let's not and say we did." Seems even Kazama's not immune to her "whip of love."
"Cease your grumbling and get in line." Umeko tells us again.
"I can take the hit for you if you want." I tell Capt.
"Nagamasa, you like being whipped now!?" Miyako said hearing my statement just now.
"No! No abnormal weirdness!" I swear this sounds like a slapstick routine.
The second half is next... And we will win no matter what!
AN#1 – Well here's the fifth part of the Kazuko Route – "The Daughter of Kawakami" to my Majikoi story, I'm NOT a Samurai, Seriously.
Class F and Class S are tied by the end of the first half and now it's time for the final stretch!
Who will stand out on top by the end?
What's up next for our heroes, Nagamasa and Kazuko? Stay tuned for Kazuko Route – Part 6 – Bottom of the Ninth…
AN#2 – I hope you guys are enjoying this rewrite. So please don't forget to leave reviews and also follow and favorite as well too!
AN#3 – Remember I wouldn't be here without you guys! Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! :) Despite the current issues with the Stats on FF.