Girl Next Door

Chapter Thirteen

About eight minutes later they have reached Yoshiba. Inside, Risa asked the receptionist for the keys to the stadium. She gave it to her, and the two headed for the stadium.

"Why are we going to the stadium, Risa?" asked Kyosuke.

"You'll see," said Risa with a gentle smile.

They entered the stadium and into the baseball field. Kyosuke scratched his head, wondering what Risa was planning on doing.

"The baseball field?" asked Kyosuke? "What do you want us to do here?"

"Just wait," replied Risa, looking around. She looked for some baseball tools around the bleachers.

"What is she up to?" muttered Kyosuke.

Risa came back to Kyosuke in the middle of the field carrying a baseball, bat and a mitt.

"Here," said Risa, handing Kyosuke the tools. He still wondered what Risa was up to. She then returned to the bleachers and came back with a baseball helmet.

"W-What's going on?" asked Kyosuke, confused.

"Just a little warmup," said Risa, cheerfully taking the bat from Kyosuke.

"I don't understand," said Kyosuke.

"I heard your game will push through this summer," said Risa, "so I'm helping you practice. Right now."

"Huh?" said Kyosuke with a blank expression.

"Tee-hee," giggled Risa. "Baka."

Risa ran towards the in field of the baseball diamond. "Come on!" she called out to Kyosuke. He walked towards her direction.

"You be the pitcher," said Risa.

"Um, in our team, I am the pitcher," replied Kyosuke, putting on the mitt.

"Oh, right," said Risa, scratching her chin. She put on the helmet and swung the bat playfully in midair. Kyosuke took the ball and stood upon the pitcher's mound a few yards from where Risa stood.

"I'm only gonna throw it gently for you, okay?" said Kyosuke.

"No, throw it as hard as you can," replied Risa as she positioned herself on home plate.

"Are you sure?" asked Kyosuke, a bit concerned.

"Yeah, trust me," said Risa with confidence.

"Okay," said Kyosuke as he prepared for the pitch.

He paused for a moment, as he was nervous about Risa missing and humiliating herself, or worse, getting hit by the speeding ball. Risa got ready and placed the bat over her right shoulder.

Then Kyosuke made up his mind. He raised his left foot as he pressed down on the rubber with his right, then with a forward snap of his right arm he threw he ball. And the next event surprised Kyosuke.

Risa's reactions were impressive. As soon as the ball was thrown, she wasted no time and successfully hit the ball, sending it flying towards the outfield.. Kyosuke's mouth was agape with wonder.

"Wow," he said, staring at Risa.

"Tee-hee," she giggled. "I hit it."

"Yeah," said Kyosuke, now smiling. "Your timing is... Wow."

"Speechless?" said Risa, smiling confidently.

"How...?" asked Kyosuke, overcome by amazement.

"Well, I used to bat for my school's team in America," said Risa almost braggingly.