"Are you sure you're not going to co Michael? This is the biggest party of the year, Rachel is also going to be there."
A man with blond hair was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the small TV screen not far away from him. "No, I've been waiting for this ga for too long…"
Michael's roommate let out a sigh, "I knew you were a baseball fanatic, but it's even impacting your social life…"
Eventually, the man shook his head, "Suit yourself. Just don't be upset if Rachel finds herself a boyfriend while you're busy watching silly gas."
Michael ignored his roommate, turning his attention to the screen in front of him.
It was a ga he'd been looking forward to for a long ti, one that he'd marked in the calendar ever since Ken had been nad a starting pitcher.
"This will be the second start of Ken Takagi's pitching career against the in form Yanks. The last ti he started, the guy set the record for strikeouts in a single match with 21. I'm looking forward to how he will perform today."
"Look Bill, I'm also excited about seeing him on the mound again but let's not set our expectations too high. What he did was against an unprepared Chicago team. Now that teams have seen his pitching arsenal, it's going to be more difficult in the future."
Michael scowled as he heard the comntator doubt Ken. He grumbled so words of annoyance before getting comfortable.
As Ken walked up to the mound, Michael felt his heart soar. His eyes instinctively moved to his bedside table where a signed ball sat in a clear box, the words "Dream big and never give up" written clearly.
A flood of emotion gripped him. He could still rember the day that he received this ball. Japan had won a close victory over the United States after one of the most intense duels between a batter and pitcher he'd ever seen.
Even now, thinking back to it gave him goosebumps.
Leo and Ken, these two had faced each other again in College. Michael had been fortunate enough to head to Florida and watch them play, but things did not work out as planned.
Ken had been injured by Leo's broken bat and was forced to sit out the remainder of the ga. Michael was heartbroken for Ken, but thankfully the guy was in good spirits after the ga when they t up.
Still, there was unfinished business between these two young players.
Michael did not want to miss a single mont of this ga, which was why he declined his friend's invitation to the party. Sure he could watch a replay, but Michael knew himself. Even if he attended the party, he would be thinking about the ga the entire ti.
"It's starting…" He mumbled, feeling his nerves grow taut.
"Play ball!" The umpire yelled on the field.
Michael's eyes shined as he saw the first pitch leave Ken's fingertips. A 101mph fastball low and inside sent the batter swinging awkwardly.
"Strike."
"It's so fast…" Michael muttered. "Would I be able to hit such a pitch one day?"
The first inning ended quickly with a strikeout and two easy outs from grounders. It seed that the Yanks players were having an easier ti making contact with the ball than the White Socks players in the first week.
'Is this because they studied him?' Michael thought, feeling a little worried.
When it was ti for the Ligers to bat, the batters were dispatched easily.
Michael's eyes focused on Leo Caron, the one in the catchers gear. Since he was Arican, it might have made sense to idolize Leo instead of Ken. But there was sothing about the guy that made him feel out of reach.
To Michael, Ken was far more personable, whereas Leo was like a star in the sky.
"Both teams get through the first inning without giving up a single hit. Leo Caron will now co up to bat. He's been instruntal in the resurgence of the Yanks team."
"What's even more interesting is that Ken and Leo actually have so history. I'm told that they played against each other in the U18 World Cup when Japan upset the reigning US team."
"Let's not forget they also played each other in College just 2 years ago. It will be interesting to see how the ga plays out."
The TV comntators were lively as the teams changed over, but Michael ignored them, his eyes focused solely on Ken.
"Batting 4th, Leo Caron."
As Leo stepped into the batters box, Michael could feel the tension even through the TV. Ken's whole body seed to shift and his aura sharpened like that of a tall spear as he stared down at his opponent.
But Leo was unwavering. He held his bat out with his left arm and placed his right hand on his opposite shoulder, as if pointing a weapon at Ken. He held this pose for longer than usual before getting into position.
It was almost felt like a declaration of war.
The first pitch ca out, a fastball to the inside.
It went straight into the outstretched glove of the catcher.
"104 miles!? Wow, this kid ca to play today… Is that the fastest he's pitched so far in the Majors?"
Hearing the comntators praise Ken's pitches made Michael smile, but it didn't remain for long. Leo had not swung at the ball, but his expression was unreadable, as if he was biding his ti.
'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?' Michael thought, clenching his fists. He could not move his gaze from the screen for even a second.
The next pitch ca through, this ti it was a ball above the strike zone. Once again Leo did not even flinch, letting it go through to the catcher.
The count was 1-1 and things seed to be heating up, until…
Leo's eyes flashed and his body sprung into action.
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