CHAPTER 05: Incredibly Flexible to be a Catcher

"Get your ass over here already!" Okajima impatiently yelled as he scowls at Sugino. Yuuma sheepishly chuckles as he was tugged forward by Maehara, who was eager to see 'chicks play baseball'. Sometimes Yuuma self-reflects and thinks that he's the only guy who has a rational way of thinking and could stir his boys out of trouble (sometimes). He just doesn't have a big head to state that aloud. Nagisa and Sugino looked like they have a normal mindset, but they could be a little eccentric when they want to (looking like normal boys who could kill with a baseball equipment). "Be patient, Okajima."

Sugino was being surrounded by a group of four boys who looked like they were still in middle school. They wanted his autograph. Sugino smiles kindly and did as they wanted, a little proud of himself for doing a good job at being a well-known pitcher of his baseball team. He might even be good enough to be considered as a role model for young boys. When he was finally free from them, he followed his team to take a seat that has a decent view of the players.

When Okajima's girlfriend- the team had a hard time believing it- invited them to watch their softball game that coming Friday, Yuuma, Maehara, Kimura and Sugaya reluctantly agreed. The other boys followed. None of the boys knew anyone from her softball team, but they still came to their game with a supportive aura. Okajima, as well as his girlfriend Kurahashi, was glad to hear their acceptance.

Sadly, because of Karma's exasperating 'I want to do crazy antics' , Itona's blunt 'I agree with Karma's antics' and Terasaka's simpleminded 'I'm stupid enough to agree with Karma's antics', all of them arrived nineteen minutes late in Kurahashi's game. Okajima was inflamed. He was demanding Yuuma to just let them off, but because of Yuuma's speech about unity and teamwork, Okajima gave up. Of course, they left together, but not without Okajima bawling inside their van like a kid who lost his toy.

"Go Hinano!" cheers Okajima, who was standing and leaning over the divider that refrained him from entering the field.

His loud voice caught some of the girls' attention, but one girl made it easier for them to determine which one was Hinano Kurahashi.

"Taiga!" yelled back a petite girl whose smile is just as bright as the warm sun.

Behind Okajima, Itona whispers into Maehara's ear. "What did that girl see in him?"

"Beats me" was Maehara's reply.

The girl had stood up, waving eagerly at the boys with a free hand. Apparently, she was guarding the third base. And someone was already on the third base- a girl who looked like a foreigner, with red, blazing eyes and lilac hair. Sugino looked at the rest of Hinano's teammates. They looked tough actually despite having thin, petite physiques. He's seen some frail-looking boys play (Nagisa's a good example) and they're good. Then the sound of a whistle resonated by the home plate. His eyes drifted towards the position of the catcher. Another petite-looking girl with a short haircut. He couldn't see through her mask, so his eyes didn't stay long at her. He looked at their pitcher, and immediately got intimidated. For someone who wears their hair in low pigtails and has a slim physique, she surely emits a freezing background.

The pitcher winds back.

The batter prepares.

And wow, what a fast ball did that pitcher pitched. As the batter misses, the catcher succesfully receives the ball- but not without swaying backwards and then trying to regain her balance on her crouching position. The catcher slips off her mitt and shook her hand.

The blonde girl guarding the first base cackled shamelessly, shoulders shaking. "Take it easy, Hayami!"

The pitcher, a girl named Hayami, shakes her shoulder as a response while looking at the catcher with a slightly apologetic expression.

The second pitch was up. The catcher catches the ball with ease this time.

Third pitch was up.

"Go Hayami!" Her team mates cheered. Even Okajima cheered. Sugino glanced at the score and noticed that this was the last inning.

The pitcher winds up. Another fast ball.

The sound of the ball hitting the bat immediately sounded like the signal that it was the end of the world for them. The crowd went wild. The girls went wild. Okajima went wild. Sugino could feel the suspense. Whoever was at the outer left field did their best, practically rolling on the grass before throwing it to Hinano. The base runner was halfway to the home plate. Goodness, that baserunner was fast. Even she caught Kimura's attention.

"Go Hinano- you can do it sunshine!" Okajima cheered. Hinano caught the ball and threw it to the catcher.

Unfortunately, Hinano's throw was quick. Sugino wouldn't blame her if it was out of nervousness and/or excitement. The ball wouldn't make it. If the catcher were to get off her territory, they might have a chance of losing a point, especially with that baserunner's speed.

And what happened had impressed him, as well as the boys.

The catcher quickly jogs forward, attempting to catch it. She was just a meter away from the home plate. And with a quick move, her legs spreads into a thin line, forming a perfect side split, legs flat and stretched on the ground. The ball shoots to her mitt like a bullet out of a gun, quickly secured as soon as she catches the ball. The toe of her shoes touched the plate, just a second before the base runner could step on the dirty plate.

Then the umpire barks the revelation.

Hinano screeches. Hayami keels over, hands resting on her knees. The blonde girl whooped. Her girls cheered.

"Whow."

"That was incredible!" Nagisa states in amazement.

Sugino's eyes lingered long on the catcher, who stood up proudly on her feet while handing the ball to the umpire. She lifts off her protective mask, revealing a clean face of pride and joy. And what a cute face too. She started doing cartwheels and jumped like a ball filled with energy, triumphant for winning the game. Afterwards, the two teams shook hands, then the opponent started leaving the field. Some audiences left too, while others stayed. Okajima jumped over the divider, and the boys followed him.

And as they all interacted, Sugino had no idea that that catcher would change him for the rest of his life. A little challenge with her won't hurt, right?

Author's Note:

So, the previous chapter was a rare pair about Hayami Rinka and Yuuma Isogai. I thought it'd be obvious if I mentioned the information that her specialty is long-range assassination, and he works at a cafe... guess I failed.

So, I've seen a guest's review about their liked ships. TOTALLY NOT CRACK! Just a rare pair. I don't take requests but I'm glad to hear your rare pair. :)

As for this chapter, it's obviously going to have a part two but, meh, it won't be posted quickly. Hope you enjoyed it!