Girl Next Door

Chapter Nine

The team has been divided into two teams of nine. Kyosuke and Takeru, now clad in baseball attire, were on one team. Team captain Saito was on another. Saito's team was playing offense. Kyosuke's team was therefore playing defense. Hiashi was the umpire.

Kyosuke took his place at the pitcher's mound, an intimidating "game face" on him. He and Takeru have been practicing for years to perfect the former's throw, and for the latter to perfect his catch. Now it seemed all that practicing paid off. Takeru, the catcher, squatted behind Saito, who was batting for his team.

"You know," said Saito, smirking, "it's not too late to reconsider. You rookies have a lot to learn, you know."

"Hmm... Nah," said Kyosuke, smirking back at him. "I've waited my whole life for this moment."

"You tell him, pal," said Takeru braggingly from behind Saito.

One moment of silence before Hiashi yelled, "Play ball!" and the game began.

Saito, looking into Kyosuke's eyes, placed the bat over his shoulder, ready to strike the ball when it comes. Kyosuke, looking back into Saito's eyes, grasped the ball in his mitt with both hands ready for the throw.

In two seconds he raised his left foot for the pitch, pushing his right down against the rubber of the pitcher's mound and with a forward snap of his right arm, the ball was thrown. Saito swung his bat-- too late. The ball was in Takeru's mitt.

"Strike one!" yelled Hiashi.

Saito was indeed surprised. He never expected a couple of rookies would actually get the first ball.

"Good throw," he said to Kyosuke, smirking.

"I practice time-to-time with Takeru over there," Kyosuke replied, steaming with confidence.

It was time for the second pitch. Takeru has thrown the ball back to Kyosuke. Saito, getting ready for a hit, placed the bat over his shoulder, more serious than ever.

Kyosuke was again to pitch. Holding the ball in both hands, he raised his foot, pressed the other foot down on the rubber, then threw the white round missile towards Saito. Saito swung-- and missed again. The ball flew by too fast and Takeru had caught it.

"Strike two!" yelled Hiyashi.

"Damn," hissed Saito, wiping the sweat from his brow. He was getting frustrated. One more strike and he is out.

The third pitch determines it all. Saito, place the bat over his shoulder, determined to hit the ball once and for all. But Kyosuke and Takeru are in it to win it.

Kyosuke raised his foot, pressed down on the rubber with his other foot, and threw the ball that would surely get them into the team. Saito swung the bat-- and this time gets a hit. Stunned and relieved, the batter, now a runner, proceeded to drop his bat, then ran off to touch all four bases.

The defense team wasted no time in catching the ball. One of the outfielders was going to catch the fly ball. He ran helter-skelter towards where it was going to land. With a "thunk", the fly ball landed right into his mitt. Then with a great thrust of his arm he threw the ball towards third base, since Saito had already cleared second.

Saito ran ever so furiously towards third base. He had almost reached it when the third baseman reached for the sky and caught the ball in his mitt.

"You're out!" yelled Hiashi. The game was over. Kyosuke's team won.

Kyosuke was greatly elated by this turn of events, and so was Takeru. Everyone in the field stared at each other blankly. Saito on the other hand was shocked that a couple of rookies had outed him. But, being a good sport, he walked right up to Kyosuke smiling.