Heartstrings & Homeruns | Kenji Sato

CHAPTER 07

Chapter Seven: The Strain of Shrouded Secrecy

The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the training field. Most of the team had already left for the day, but Kenji remained, determined to improve his batting. He stood alone in the batter's box, gripping the bat tightly, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Despite his best efforts, the balls weren't landing where he intended.

"Come on! You can do this! You are Ken Sato!" He shouted, his voice echoing across the empty field. The bat swung through the air, but once again, the ball went astray. Frustration boiled within him, clouding his focus and judgment.

I had just finished my last session of the day and was heading back to the therapy room when I spotted Kenji on the field. I paused, watching as he took swing after swing, each one missing the mark. I could see the frustration etched on his face, his movements growing more erratic with every miss.

Deciding he could use some support, I walked over to the field. "Kenji," I called out gently as I approached. "What's going on?"

Kenji looked up, surprise and relief flashing across his features. "Asami, hey. Just trying to work on my swing. It's all over the place today."

I nodded, stepping closer. "It looks like something's on your mind. Want to talk about it?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's everything, really. The pressure of being back in Japan, the expectations from the team, and... well, us."

My heart ached at his honesty. I knew how hard he was on himself, always striving for perfection. "Kenji, it's okay to have off days. You're human. We all are."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with frustration and vulnerability. "But it feels like I'm letting everyone down. The team, the fans, you..."

Stepping onto the field beside him, I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're not letting anyone down. You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask for. Sometimes, we just need to take a step back and breathe."

Kenji took a deep breath, my words resonating with him. "You're right. I've been pushing too hard."

I smiled softly. "Why don't we try something different? Let's break it down and focus on the basics. Clear your mind, one swing at a time."

He nodded, appreciating my calm and steady presence. I moved to the pitcher's mound, preparing to pitch. Kenji looked at me with curiosity.

"You know, Asami, you know the game really well. Ever think of giving baseball a try?" he asked with a hint of a grin.

I laughed lightly. "Actually, I used to dabble with baseball a bit back in the day. Just for fun, though. I wasn't half bad."

Kenji's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I had no idea."

I nodded. "Yep. It's been a while, but I still remember the basics. Let's see if it helps."

Kenji stepped back to the batter's box as I took my place on the mound. I wound up and pitched the ball. To my surprise, Kenji's eyes widened as he watched the ball sail with impressive speed and precision, landing right in the zone.

"Wow," he said, lowering his bat. "That was... really good. Your pitching isn't like anything I've seen from an average player. It's almost like a pro."

I smiled, a bit shy. "Thanks, Kenji. Like I said, I used to play a bit. I guess it stuck with me."

Kenji nodded, clearly impressed. "Well, it definitely shows. Let's do another."

We continued, each pitch I threw helping Kenji find his rhythm. His swings became more consistent, and his confidence grew with every successful hit.

After several more successful hits, Kenji finally relaxed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Asami. I needed that."