I Among Dogs

Chapter 27: Cricket Clash

 I watched the leaves twirl in the air as they descended from their home, an old tree just near Rusty's house that faced opposite of me. With my eyes locked straight forward in deep concentration, I waited just for the right moment with my fists up and ready, and as soon as the leaves neared my chest height, I shot my arm forward, fingers out spread and enclosing every time they touched a leaf, repeating the movement until I no longer saw any falling leaves in front of me.

In order to help with my training, I remembered one scene from a manga I once read about a teenager getting into boxing after a heavyweight champion saved him from a group of bullies. Said heavyweight had him go through this kind of training to improve the speed of his punches.

Counting the leaves in my hand, I nodded with a bit of satisfaction upon noticing I hadn't missed a single leaf. And I had noticed my punches were getting faster through this type of training, if only rather slowly.

"Ya really trying make winter get here faster?" A Red Kelpie that wore a white cap and was only a year older than I am asked jokingly with a chuckle as he walked up to me.

"Heh, nah. Just doing this to add to my training." I replied to Digger as I tossed the leaves away.

Digger was Rusty's older brother. In fact he was the oldest of his parents' children, thus was practically the one responsible for serving as something of a father figure for both Rusty and their youngest sister, Dusty, whilst their father was away serving Canistralia's military.

Those texts from Kurou had not left my mind since I had left Coco's house a week or so, and since then, I had been training outside of the dojo every chance I got, usually whenever both Bluey and Bingo were out at school. I made damn well sure that neither Bandit or Chilli or even anyone else, especially the kids knew about the real reason why I was pushing myself through more vigorous training.

But one thing still bothered me that I couldn't answer; Just how would Kurou's grandfather be able to contact human authorities if they wanted nothing to do with Canistralia's residents to the point of cutting them off?

The only way I would find that out if I was to ask Kurou myself, but lord knows where he is in this region.

That was also the reason why I hadn't shown the texts to Andrew or anyone in the CPIA, because who's to say Kurou wouldn't be watching in case if I tried that?

Speaking of Coco, Bandit and Chilli had noticed I had been getting along quite well with the families of Bluey's friends and decided it wouldn't hurt for me to keep making visits. This time, I got the chance to meet Rusty's, and they were just as friendly and welcoming as the others, Digger especially. Shame I didn't get to meet their father, Anthony, but oh well.

"Well come on, I think you've buggered up your muscles enough recently. Step back and have a bit of fun!" Digger urged me, practically tugging my arm to the front garden of his home where Rusty and Dusty were waiting.

Said garden had been altered into a small field for a specific sport Rusty and his family were big fans of called 'Cricket'. A horizontal line of dry pale yellow grass with one end having a single stick planted, the other end had three sticks with a top connecting them together.

It was currently Digger's turn as the pitcher with Rusty as the batter and Dusty serving as a fielder. I just stood by the fence and watched, having no experience with the game whatsoever.

Digger positioned himself before quickly rushing up and throwing the tennis ball in hand towards Rusty who swung, scoring a direct hit!

...That sent the ball flying right into the open window of their kitchen and directly whacked into a bowl their mom, Jane was washing at the sink, making her scream and drop said bowl as a result.