Chapter 18: Worth (1)
"Our academy has consistently appeared in the HS World Series, though we haven't won for about three years, but even though we lost some seniors from last year since they either left for college or the big leagues, I believe our team didn't lose in strength and our pitchers, fielders, and hitters got better in the off-season, and we will continue to put in work, even more, this season. As you know, the softball team will also have the NHSAA Softball world series, which will be hosted with our world series, on the same field and at the same time on different days, but this is all for later.
Depending on how Rei does today, the coaches and I will decide how Rei, Kai, and Yue will divide the four practice games against those in another region. As for the JV intrasquad game, instead of doing 7 innings as per NHSAA official game rules, we will do 9 innings which will be divided equally against all pitchers. Now onto what I assume most of you are thinking of currently, who will be our shortstop?" Coach Helios studied their faces again, his gaze lingered on four individuals.
"I thought as much, as most of you may know, Leo Knight, our first baseman has committed to Vanderbilt on a scholarship in the offseason, and we both agreed it would be more beneficial to him to sit this season out in order to avoid unnecessary risks. Although it is unfortunate, you know I'm not one to spare feelings, I think it would make our once golden wall, which consisted of Dawson, and Minho, and transform it into a Diamond wall."
A few murmurs resounded through the field before Coach Helios coughed silencing everyone in an instant.
"I know, our shortstop and second baseman were a force to be reckoned with last season, but can anyone tell me why Dawson is so scary to have on base, and at shortstop?"
Suddenly someone raised their hand, as Coach Helios slightly raised his brow, before nodding his head, while everyone turned their attention to the person who raised their hand, including Rei.
"Because he's annoying." Sora chuckled, as multiple laughs flowed through the players, even the coach chuckled slightly.
"Yes, and the reason he is so annoying, besides his personality, is because of how fast he is, as you know even in D1 high schools, there are only a handful of players in the nation that could match his speed, and from what I hear, from Sora, is that Rei is even faster than him, Yes Dawson?" Coach Helios said as he looked at Dawson, while everyone changed gazes to focus on Dawson who had his hand raised.
"Coach let me race him," Dawson exclaimed as his strong aura radiated off him.
"You will but later, after we're done testing him, but like I was saying if Dawson is like a cheetah, then from what I hear, Rei is like a speed demon. Now let's warm up," Coach said as he clapped his hands.
The entire team, with Rei included, equally spread across the foul line they were in a single horizontal line.
"Lunges!" Minho's loud voice echoed through the field, as everyone started doing lunges until their right knee touched the grass, and switched legs, with each lunge, they could feel their muscles stretching and strengthening. The grass beneath their feet added an extra challenge, making it harder to keep their balance. But they persisted, switching legs as they lunged forward, slowly making their way to the center of the outfield.
Rei was able to keep his balance, as he was doing his lunges, he felt the familiar sensation of his muscles stretching and pulling, but he did not waver. His thighs burned with a fiery intensity as if the sun itself had taken up residence inside them, but he did not make a single noise or even break a sweat. As he continued his lunges, Rei's face remained expressionless, betraying none of the effort or discomfort he was experiencing. His body moved with fluid grace, his movements precise and controlled, as if he were performing some ancient ritual.
The sight of everyone performing the lunges together was a sight to behold. The sound of their breaths, the rustling of the grass, and the occasional grunt of exertion filled the air. As they finally reached the center of the outfield.
"Back!" Minho's voice boomed out once more, as they did the same but this time going backward.
"High Knee skips!"
"Butterfly twists!"
"Leg swings!"
"Arm Circles!"
...
...
...
As Rei finished the stretching routine, he couldn't help but feel the slight stickiness of his baseball uniform against his skin. The fabric clung to his toned physique, accentuating his every muscle and curve.
The small movements caused the fabric to brush against his skin. The sweat on his forehead and neck glistened in the warm sun, making him look even more attractive than usual. He ran his fingers through his damp hair, feeling the cool breeze against his skin.
His eyes closed briefly as he savored the feeling of the wind against his face.
"Everyone grab your gloves, and pick a ball," Minho called out as they all went to the dugout, after grabbing his glove Rei saw a basket of baseball, and he started walking towards it before a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Wanna pair up?" Sora said with a cheeky smile.
"Oi! why don't you pair up with me!" Yue suddenly chimed in as he looked at Sora with a betraying expression on his face.
"Because I don't want your stupidity to rub off on me." Sora mocked, with a smug expression on his face.
"Yue, pair up with Kai, you're both pitchers, Sora needs to build a battery connection with Rei." Minho's calm voice stopped Yue, as they saw Minho looking at them with a straight face.
Yue sighed before dragging the helpless Kai with him.
Meanwhile, Rei didn't say anything as both he and Sora started tossing a ball and catching it there were about 20 ft away from each other, as they continued passing, Sora backed up a few feet, and so did everyone else until almost everyone stood about 120 ft from each other, while Sora, Rei, Yue, Kai, and some outfielders were at around 335 ft.
Rei stood on the baseball field, scanning the sky for any signs of the ball. His eyes darted back and forth, searching for the small white object that he knew was coming his way.
Suddenly, he saw it.
The baseball was hurtling towards him at an incredible speed, coming from a distance of 335ft away.
Rei's eyes locked onto the ball, calculating its trajectory and distance with precision. With a quick flick of his wrist, he reached out and snatched the ball out of the air, the leather of the glove smacking against his palm.
With a fluid motion, he brought the glove close to his chest and in one seamless transition, transferred the ball to his throwing hand. The movement was so smooth and graceful that it seemed almost effortless, like watching a dancer twirl across a stage, as Rei set his feet and wound up, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash. Suddenly, with a burst of energy, he unleashed the ball from his fingertips, and the ball beamed through the air, slicing through the air with ease.
Just as Rei had caught it, Sora caught the ball perfectly at his chest.
Rei could hear Sora laughing like a mad scientist, but he just ignored it as they continued throwing the ball, as the same scene replayed over and over for the next few minutes.
"Bring it in," Minho called out.
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