Heartstrings & Homeruns | Kenji Sato

CHAPTER 15

Chapter Fifteen: The Burden of a Memory

The following morning, I arrived at the training center feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination. The dinner with my father had dredged up emotions I’d long tried to bury, and the awkwardness with Kenji lingered in my mind. But I was determined not to let it affect my work.

As I entered the therapy room, I was surprised to see Kenji already there, stretching on one of the therapy tables. He looked up and gave me a warm smile. “Morning, Asami.”

“Morning, Kenji,” I replied, trying to match his upbeat tone. “You’re here early.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I figured I’d get a head start on the day. Plus, I wanted to make sure you’re okay after last night.”

I appreciated his concern, but I didn’t want to dwell on the previous evening. “I’m fine, really. Just a lot on my mind.”

Kenji nodded, understanding. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. But I get it if you’d rather focus on work.”

“Thanks, Kenji,” I said, giving him a genuine smile. “I appreciate it.”

We worked together in comfortable silence, going through his routine and discussing his progress. Despite the awkwardness from the dinner, our professional dynamic remained strong, and I was grateful for that.

As the morning progressed, the team began to trickle in, and the usual hustle and bustle of training filled the air. I focused on my tasks, pushing thoughts of my father to the back of my mind.

During a break, I stepped outside to get some fresh air. The warm breeze was a welcome relief from the tension that had been building up. As I stood there, lost in thought, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Coach Shimura walking toward me.

“Hey, Asami,” he said, his tone gentle. “Got a minute?”

“Of course, Coach,” I replied, curious about what he wanted to discuss.

We walked a short distance away from the building, finding a quiet spot near the edge of the training grounds. Coach Shimura turned to me, his expression serious yet kind.

“I heard about the dinner with your father,” he began, his voice filled with concern. “I wanted to check in on you. How are you holding up?”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “It’s been... difficult. My father has always had high expectations, and sometimes it feels like I’m constantly falling short.”

Coach Shimura nodded, his eyes understanding. “I’ve seen the pressure parents can put on their children, especially in the world of sports. It’s not easy.”

“No, it’s not,” I agreed. “He means well, but it’s hard to live up to his expectations while also trying to forge my own path.”

“Have you talked to him about how you feel?” Coach Shimura asked gently.

I shook my head. “Not really. Whenever I try, it just ends up in an argument. He doesn’t seem to understand that I need to make my own decisions.”

Coach Shimura placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes, it takes a while for parents to see things from our perspective. But it’s important to communicate your feelings. You deserve to be heard, Asami.”

I nodded, appreciating his support. “I’ll try, Coach. It’s just... hard.”

“I know it is,” he said softly. “But you’re strong, Asami. You’ve already accomplished so much. Don’t let anyone, not even your father, make you doubt your worth.”