Hiroto was panting heavily, his hand on the knee supporting him from collapsing on the spot. Gone was his clean and handsome face as the sweat rolled down his temple like rain. The clean white training clothes he wore also had no trace of their whiteness anymore, the dirt and dust stuck all over it due to how much he dived and fell today.
However, never in his mind, he thought about his messy appearance. All the thing inside his brain right now was how to react quickly to the ball that would come in his direction at any random time. And true to his prediction, once his concentration was a bit off, Kataoka sent a sharp groundball, bouncing wildly between the area covered by Tetsu and Ryousuke.
On the other hand, Asou and Fumiya from the second string who acted as the runner on the batter box and the second base started their action.
In a normal situation, sending them out together on a double play would be the best thing the fielders could do right now. The standard defensive action was to toss the ball to Tetsu and send Asou out first before he could reach the first base before letting Tetsu throw the ball to the other side so Masuko could send Fumiya out on the third base. However, that was in a normal situation, against normal runners.
But this time was different. Before Kuramochi, Fumiya was the fastest runner on the team. Even though he suffered from an ACL injury, after his work hard, he managed to recover about 80 percent of the best speed he had before the injury. Knowing this, Hiroto was confident that if he tossed the ball to Tetsu first, Fumiya would be able to reach the third base safely and put more pressure on the pitcher.
So, after quick thinking, Hiroto made a quick decision.
He scooped the ball gently with his glove without letting it slip wildly from his reach, shifting the ball to his left hand before gritting his teeth, exerting all the muscle power from his shoulder to throw the ball as hard and as fast as possible to the third base.
BAAAAM!
The ball went straight like a laser, piercing the second base area covered by Ryousuke and Kuramochi before overtaking the running Fumiya to reach the third base, arriving at Masuko's glove comfortably without him having to move his hand a single inch.
Fumiya who was about to arrive at the third base froze on the spot, looking at the ball on Masuko's glove with eyes popped wide. He didn't expect that the ball would arrive first before him, especially since he stole the start about two steps ahead. Not only Fumiya, but almost everyone had the same reaction, heads snapped to Hiroto as if looking at an alien.
It wasn't until Isashiki roared that the awkward silence was broken on the field.
"YOSSHAAAA! NICE COVER, HIROTO!"
Only by then did everyone also react with the same enthusiasm.
"Nice throw, Hiroto!"
"What a laser!"
"Good catch, Masuko!"
"Yeah!"
Even Kataoka nodded, satisfied with it. Thinking about the protagonist of the play, he had to admit Hiroto was one of the best players he had ever coached in his life in terms of reaction and decision-making. Within a span of seconds, he could determine that Fumiya's presence as a runner on the third base would be far more dangerous compared to Asou on the first base and acted accordingly. And the throw was beautiful too. He could see how comfortable Masuko was when he caught the ball.
'It's always good to have a genius like him on a team.' Kataoka smirked a little. However, it vanished quickly, replaced with his default flat expression as he shouted, "Good play, Hiroto-kun! The next five balls would be the last before we have lunch, so be prepared, everyone!"
"OSSH!"
Finally… After running, diving, catching, and throwing the ball for almost two and a half hours under the sun, lunchtime finally arrived. This wasn't just the time to replenish their empty stomach, but also to cool down their body after a heavy activity on the first day. Just like a wise man said, the first and the last steps will always be the hardest part of the journey.
However, that wasn't what made the entire Seido players excited. No, it was the menu of the lunch that aroused their enthusiasm.
As a rich private school focusing on baseball, the school was always pretty generous in treating the members of the baseball club. Just like the student dorm where the majority of its residents came from the baseball team, the nutritious lunch was also part of the privilege that the players could enjoy every day. And when the hell week arrived, the aunties in the cafeteria would always go crazy, cooking delicious meals that were enough to feed an entire team or even two.
"So, when will the food come?" Masuko asked, saliva threatening to roll down his mouth. Besides him, Isashiki also waited impatiently, his head turned around to find the whereabouts of the people who would bring them the goods.
"Don't be rude, you two!" Ryousuke smacked them both on the back of their head. "Be patient and sit down here with everyone!"
Even though Masuko and Isashiki nodded, a trace of impatience still could be seen on their face, making the second baseman sigh helplessly. Tetsu who received the glance from Ryousuke just shrugged it out, asking the pink-haired boy to let them be. The two of them were always the infamous foodie of the team, so as long as their reaction wasn't that exaggerated that could frighten the aunties and the managers who would come, it was better to let them act like this.
After a few minutes, the wait was finally over. Five aunties from the cafeteria finally arrived with four managers of the baseball team, bringing about five big boxes filled with delicious lunches. One of the aunties chuckled, especially after seeing the starving gaze from Masuko.
"Sorry for the wait!" She smiled brightly, putting down the ox on her hand. "The meu today is a natto bento, sliced turkey breast, crispy bacon, avocado, mixed greens, and a drizzle of ranch dressing all wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla."
Hearing what they would eat, several players came forward eagerly, salivating at the box in front of them.
"We also have fresh fruit salad here!" The other aunties also put down her box. "A colorful mix of seasonal fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and pineapple, served chilled and perfect for a hot summer day. All is ready for you!"
The sound of stomach grumbling resonated around, making several players blush while the aunties chuckled richly. It was understandable, though. After sweating all day under the scorching sun, all they wanted now was just a full stomach and a good sleep. Even though the second one was impossible to get right now, at least the first one was available right in front of their face.
"Oi, Tetsu! Hurry up!" Isashiki asked the captain impatiently.
"Okay, okay.." He responded helplessly, standing up in the front while the other players were lining up behind him. With Tetsu's command, they bowed simultaneously, shouting, "ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHU!"
This was a long-life tradition kept since anyone could remember here. By thanking the workers constantly, it would remind the players that even though they were the protagonists of the game, they didn't fight alone. Even a small character like a cafeteria aunty or a janitor with a small presence who usually cleaned up their room had their own role in the great design. This would keep the players humble all the time which was important for a teenage boy to have their ego checked constantly.
"God, this is delicious." Masuko moaned with pure delight after taking the first bite. "I am so glad I joined this team."
"You mean, you joined this team for the food, Masuko-senpai?!" Sawamura asked, bewildered.
"Of course, not." Isashiki snorted. "No sane school would use the food to promote themselves. It was just a collateral effect after we entered the school. But he is not wrong, though. I have talked about several players from the other team and the majority said the nutritious meal they had was a disaster."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah." Isashiki nodded. "Speaking of meal, what is your problem, brat?! Why didn't I see you move your chopstick?! You didn't even try it at all! And Furuya, don't think you cannot hide it either! Kominato-junior, eat faster! We will have a harder training after this!"
"EH?!" Thinking of another heavy training after the meal, all the hungry feeling suddenly disappeared for the three newcomers, replaced by the urge to vomit on the spot.
Without them noticing, their conversation was so loud that almost everyone could hear the topic. One of the aunties came forward with a concerned look after realizing Sawamura and Furuya hadn't eaten even a quarter of the lunch prepared by them.
"Are you both okay? Do you have any allergies that we didn't notice? No, that shouldn't be. We read all of your medical records and had already gotten rid of anything that could cause you harm, so that shouldn't be the case. Does that mean you don't like the food?"
Sawamura and Furuya were touched by the concern from the aunties. However, when they were about to answer, cold gazes from everyone sent shivers down their spine, freezing them on the spot.
"Don't worry, Miko-Obaasan." Ryousuke reassured the aunt who talked to Sawamura and Furuya. "It is not like they don't like your food. They just want to save it so they can savor the taste better. Is that right, Sawamura-kun? Furuya-kun?" He said the last part with a hint of threat in his smile, forcing the two pitchers to nod and smile furiously.
"Y-Yeah, Obaasan! Don't worry! We will eat it!"
"U-Um!"
"Is that so?" The aunty that was identified by Ryousuke as Miko-Obaasan sighed in relief. "Well, that's good. If you want a second, just call me. I have more prepared for you all. Bye, Masuko-chan!"
"Bye, Miko-Obaasan!" Masuko grinned, waving his hand to the lady.
After she left the range of hearing, Ryousuke grabbed Sawamura and Furuya's collars and whispered dangerously straight to their ears, "Listen, you Brats. I know Miko-Obaasan always notices whenever someone has an allergy or bad reaction toward some food, so the problem should lie on you. I don't know what is it, but never show your displeasure about the food in front of her again, or I will force you to kneel and beg under her foot for forgiveness, and that is after everyone chews you alive. You got it?"
Even with fear in their eyes, Sawamura and Furuya still nodded solemnly, figuring out they were close to offending the group of people they couldn't afford to offend. Even though they had only been two months on the team, they knew how careful the aunties from the cafeteria were for the baseball team. They would always sneak pudding, snacks, ice cream, or anything delicious without the coach knowing about it.
But their care was beyond the food they prepared. Sometimes, whenever any players needed some privacy or a friend to share their story or problem, they would go to them. Not like any other adult women who liked to gossip around, they were good listeners and knew how to keep secrets. Whenever someone was sick, they would be the first one to take care, making a hot soup, nagging a lot about taking a good rest, and complaining about how the team activity was too heavy for the players. Their role on the team sometimes was close enough to be the second mother for everyone.
That was why the players were very protective of the group of cafeteria aunties here.
"Anyway, why don't you eat your portion?" Hiroto asked, trying to lighten up the mood.
"I-I cannot…." Furuya mumbled softly, his face pale. It seemed he was a light eater, couldn't eat a lot without having a digestion problem.
"And what about you, Sawamura-chan? Do you want more?" Masuko offered.
"U-Uh…." Looking at the nervous Sawamura, all the eyes suddenly turned into him, making the first-year pitcher more nervous. "N-N-No, Senpai! T-There is no p-problem at all!"
"Then, what are you waiting for? Eat it, Brat!" Isashiki grinned, waiting eagerly for a good show.
"Hahaha! Why not?!" He exclaimed loudly, picking up the natto with his chopstick. "This will help my stamina recover and the vitamin B in it will boost my immune system! It also has plenty of calcium and promotes intestinal health! There is no reason to not eat it!"
"Is he going to participate in a trivia quiz or what?" Miyuki murmured, holding back his laughter.
"Kyahaha! Just eat it, Sawamura!" Unlike Miyuki, Kuramochi didn't hold back his laugh, slapped his roommate on his back.
Sawamura gulped, tilted his head back and dumped all the natto in one go, pinched his nose. For a moment, everyone stared intently at him chewing as much as he could and swallowing it all. When they were about to be disappointed since nothing happened, Sawamura suddenly grimaced with an ugly face, showing his mouth full of natto.
"I cannot eat it!"
"That's disgusting, Sawamura! Swallow it!"
"Gyahaha! You better eat it, Brat!"
"Someone, give him a water!"
"So, the loudmouth cannot eat natto, huh? Hahaha!"
Everyone laughed, enjoying the comedic scene of Sawamura crying in despair about having to finish his natto. Even Furuya who wasn't able to finish his portion smiled a little, amused by his fellow pitcher. Kataoka who witnessed from afar just smirked, not intending to destroy the mood. In the middle of a hot summer like this, good humor was needed from time to time to maintain the mood of the team, especially when they were about to face the hardest part of their training today.
'Let's see who will still be able to laugh later…'
Author note :
Hey! I have written a few next chapters of this new story and posted it already on my account. If you want to read it in advance, you can visit /ZetaFaes .
You can read this story up to chapter 35, and I will try to update it faster.
Thank you for your support! I appreciate it! :)
-Zeta Faes-