Start of a Rivalry
After the showdown between Ichiro and Hiroki, a week has elapsed. The players are all gathered in a common room.
Coach: The team we face tomorrow is Teitou, the one that went to Nationals last year from our prefecture. Though this is a practice game, we have to play well so as to earn their respect.
Daiki, the first baseman: Not only did they win the entire regional tournament but they also made the quarterfinals of the Koshien, losing by a run to the eventual runners-up of that year's summer tournament.
Todoroki: Their key players include Makase, their ace pitcher, Akira, the clean-up and Shiro, their catcher.
Coach: Their fielding is considered one of the best in the region so getting hits will be tough. So try to swing only at meatballs and fastballs, hitting breaking balls will result in us getting jammed, sending the ball to the outfield.
Hiroki: Bottom line is we have to bat smart, increase the pitching count, so that we can hopefully take advantage of the pitcher's decreased control in the later innings.
Minamino: The problem with the batting we will face is that the battery of the pitcher and the catcher is extremely sound, they have great trust for each other.
Ichiro: The most we can do is trust our game and play our best, it is gonna be a battle of attrition. It will come down to our mental toughness.
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At home.
Ichiro: Status!
[Showing status]
Name: Ichiro Watanabe
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Level: 4
Strength: 13
Speed: 15
Endurance: 16
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 13
Baseball IQ: 19
Abilities: (Function locked till level 5)
Elixirs: 500
[Status Shown]
Ichiro- I'm only a minuscule amount of experience away from reaching level 5, where I can start unlocking abilities. Currently, I guess I have the passive ability of aura, as I was able to use for a short period of time. Show types of balls!
[Types of balls available]
Fastball: B+
Cutter: B+
Power Curve: C-
Ichiro: I've improved my breaking balls, but no progress on the fastball. Its gonna be a tough match tomorrow, after all the battery between me and Todoroki is not very sound, due to us not having a great level of trust for each other at the moment.
Sakura: Hey Ichiro, ready for your big match tomorrow, I'll be there with the others.
Ichiro: I'm ready, though I must admit I do have the butterflies in my stomach.
Sakura: Is it the adrenaline kicking in already? You should really try to go to sleep, you'll feel better.
Ichiro: Gee thanks for the therapy doc, I'll be sure to contact you if I feel any worse.
Sakura: You're such a tease! Well if you won't sleep wanna go for a walk?
Ichiro: Sure, I'll come to pick you up.
Sakura: No meet me at the park beside the snack shop, I'll get you a milk shake.
Ichiro: Alright I'll be there.
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In the park.
Ichiro: Looks like you finally arrived.
Sakura: Did you sprint to the park so that you can make me feel as if I was late? *pout*
Ichiro: Haha you know me too well.
The two chatted and flirted with each other, enjoying their time and holding each other's hand.
Sakura: Oh look at the time, we've been out for almost an hour, I need to get back home.
Ichiro: I'll drop you and this time I am not taking no for an answer.
Sakura nodded. They walked to her home and before reaching...
Sakura: Thanks Ichiro, I had a great time.
Ichiro: I should be the one thanking, I enjoyed as well.
Sakura was a bit shorter than Ichiro, so she tiptoed and approached his face, giving him a peck on the lips, electrifying the raven-haired boy.
Sakura's eyes exuded love and warmth, but her face was all flushed, and she ran to her home.
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On the baseball field the next day. It was a Saturday so many people had come to see the match.
Man 1: Hoho so Horikoshi is facing Teitou, last year's best 8 in Koshien. This should be a fun match.
Man 2: Ha! What are you talking about! Its gonna be a blowout, Horikoshi does not stand a chance at beating Teitou.
Man 1: Well their ace pitcher, Makase is a monster, only conceding 4 runs in the whole of last year's regional tournament, earning him MVP.
Man 2: Don't forget Akira their cleanup, getting a hit in every game played of the whole of last year.
Man 1: Woah thats impressive! Well he is the captain after all!
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The two teams bowed to each other, where Ichiro and Haruichi smiled towards each other, both were excited to match up.
Horikoshi was pitching first, so guess who was the leadoff batter. Indeed it was Haruichi. The first batter Ichiro would face is Haruichi.
Umpire: Play ball!
After the signal from Todoroki, Ichiro threw his first pitch of the game.