Then it was Seiko's turn to field. Kouichi stood upon the mound looking loose and relaxed. He had only begun pitching again a few days ago and was pleased to notice that he felt no more pain.
The break paired with the training regin had helped improve his throwing action and stamina. He was of course without his forkball now, but that was a small price to pay, especially after learning the 2-seam fastball.
Kouichi was on fire, shutting out the first 3 batters with only 9 pitches. Ken gawked, inwardly feeling remorse that he hadn't listened to his father in his previous life.
Of course he was capable of doing the sa thing against this opposition who were centered around the pitching of Kotaro. This was the main reason why Ken was so relieved when Daichi had put so runs on the board, because Joto did not have a great batting line up.
The ga continued like this for the next 8 innings, with Kouichi only giving up a single hit and no runs. Daichi was taken out of the ga thanks to Joto realizing he was the only threat and deciding to walk him whenever he was in the batting box.
At first he was frustrated, but then he realized that it didn't matter as long as they won the ga.
Ken once again was forced to sit on the side lines as the team clinched their 2nd round win over Joto in the Kanto Tournant. The Coach had co up to him during the ga and praised that his ntoring had such a great effect on Kouichi.
Despite the praise, Ken cut straight to the heart of the matter, asking when he would get so playing ti. He had improved so much that he knew he could make an impact on the ga more than Jin who was in his place.
The coach grinned, "I was just about to ntion this to you after the ga. But I'm planning on starting you for the remaining gas of the tournant. Are you ready to show how much you've improved?"
Ken's face lit up, clearly not expecting such a straight answer from the Coach.
"Yes coach!"
Like that, everyone returned back ho in good spirits, especially Ken who had just found out he would be joining the starting line up for the next ga.
Daichi had noticed his chirpy expression ever since the end of the ga, but had only decided to ask him about it over dinner. If it was what he was guessing, then it would be better to discuss away from the ears of his teammates.
"You're looking awfully happy today Big Bro." Daichi stated with a smile.
"Who ? What gave you that impression?" Ken asked, unable to remove the dumb smile that had been plastered on his face the entire afternoon.
"Just a feeling… So did the Coach tell you that you're in the starting line up next ga?" He asked, feeling a sense of relief inwardly. Daichi had also been affected by the coach's decision to sit out Ken to watch over Kouichi.
In his opinion, the best players should be out on the field, no matter the circumstances. Well, unless soone was injured of course.
Ken's eyes narrowed, "Are you so kind of mind reader?" he asked suspiciously.
Diachi just stared at him silently for a few monts, as if to ask if he was stupid.
"Mom, I need so aluminum foil. Daichi is a mind reader!" Ken shot up from the table exaggeratedly and began looking for the roll of foil.
"Hahaha." Yuki began giggling in response, only for Daichi to join in monts later.
Of course Ken was just being silly, but he was in a great mood after being suppressed for so long. He would finally be able to play with his brother on the biggest stage for Middle School baseball.
Ken sat down and sent a wink Daichi's way. "We'll both be on the starting line up for the next ga. Just 3 more wins until we win the tournant."
Daichi nodded, feeling his body fill with determination. "Will there be scouts at any of the gas?" He asked.
"Only at the final ga, so we need to at least make it up to there."
The two seed fired up, even after dinner had finished. Yuki sent them off so she could have so peace and quiet for a while before heading to bed. She decided to call her husband and inform him of the good news.
"That's great!" Chris exclaid through the phone speaker, causing Yuki to move it away from her ear for a mont.
"Yeah, thank goodness. I was starting to get a little worried about Kenny over the past couple of weeks." She admitted.
"I'll admit, it was a little selfish of the Coach to do what he did. Even I was about to give him a call and give him a piece of my mind."
Yuki smiled, she did not doubt his words. When it ca to his family, Chris wouldn't be afraid to jump into a den of lions as long as it was to save them from harm.
When they had adopted Daichi, Chris had insisted on taking the role of foreign adviser for the NPB and Major League venture because it paid a lot more. Unfortunately, this led to his workload increasing significantly and he was away from ho a lot more often.
However, Chris and Yuki's marriage was strong. They both agreed that having her stay at ho and look after kids was the best way to raise them.
"When are you coming back ho? I miss you." She said softly, staring out the window solemnly.
"I won't be ho for another 3 weeks… I miss you too." He said tenderly.
Yuki looked a little sad, however her eyes lit up in the next mont. "If the boys make it to the finals, it'll be in about 3 weeks ti. That ans we'll be able to watch!" she exclaid excitedly.
Chris was silent for a while before responding, "That sounds great, but don't tell them. I don't want to add any more pressure onto their shoulders."
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