"Oh hey Ken, what's up?" Tetsu rubbed his stomach, a satisfied expression on his face, "sorry, I just finished the last jar. But I'll get some in tha mornin'."
Ken just watched him, too stunned to reply. What kind of father ate their pregnant daughters snacks? Clearly someone who was too stupid to realize just what kind of danger he'd be inviting.
"Alright, I'm off ta bed." Tetsu said, turning on his heel and leaving the kitchen.
By the time Ken came back to his senses, Tetsu had already left. He looked at the clock and realized that it was already past 11pm. Even if there was a store open, he couldn't guarantee that it would sell pickled onions.
Just thinking about how Ai would react to this news made Ken feel a huge sense of trepidation. Was he about to face the wrath of his pregnant wife?
He marched up the stairs slowly, like a man walking to the gallows to be hanged. Of course this situation wasn't his fault, but his innocence wouldn't matter in the end. Not when it comes to cravings.
"Ai honey…" Ken said softly, poking his head around the door. Getting too close to her could prove disastrous.
After hearing no response, Ken raised an eyebrow and approached her, only to hear the soft rhythmic breathing. Ai had fallen asleep in the short few minutes that he went downstairs.
"Oh thank goodness…" Ken clutched his heart, letting out a sigh of relief.
He would have to deal with the consequences in the morning, but at least by then they'd be able to visit a store close by.
Ken slunk into bed and stared at the ceiling like he always did. Instead of opening up the system, he thought back on what had transpired today.
The situation with Daichi had been resolved and they were now closer than ever before. There was a good chance that their skills while playing together would be enhanced even more.
When his thoughts moved to baseball, Ken realized that he'd messed up. He still needed to hit another 800 home runs before he could secure the Home Run King skill.
With only days left until the end of the World Series, he had a very limited time to complete it. Even if he went into the Image Training two times a day, it would still be too close for comfort.
'I had better do it tonight, otherwise I might miss out on the rewards.' He thought, letting out a sigh.
It was already after 11pm, but what choice did he have?
Ken got out his phone and sent a message to the group chat, canceling the morning run. Even with his sleep protocol, getting only 2 hours of sleep would not be enough to sustain him the following day.
After doing so, he entered the Image Training.
#BATTING MISSIONS:
> Hit 100,000 bunts successfully [0%] - 3,500,000 Major points + Skill: Bunt Aficionado
> Hit 100,000 balls into outfield [91%] - 3,500,000 Major points + Skill: Double Trouble
> Hit 50,000 foul balls [41%] - 1,500,000 Major points + Skil: Foul Demon
> Hit 100,000 sliders [20%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skill: Slider Demon
> Hit 100,000 curve balls [12%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skil: Curve Demon
> Hit 100,000 fastballs [33%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skil: Fastball Demon
> Hit 50,000 home runs [98.4%]- 10,000,000 Major points + Diamond Lottery ticket + Skill: Home Run King
Ken selected batting and appeared in the batters box, his favorite bat already in his hands. Like usual, a version of him appeared on the mound and awaited his signal.
The good thing about the Image Training area was that he only ever got mentally tired, not physically. The AI version of him however, did not get fatigued at all.
WHOOOOOSH
THWACKK!
Exit velo: 107mph
Trajectory: 14 degrees
Distance: 358 feet
Result: Home Run (Left Outfield)
"Again."
THWWWWACKK!
Exit velo: 110mph
Trajectory: 17 degrees
Distance: 452 feet
Result: Home Run (Center Outfield)
[New record]
Ken let out a whistle, appreciating the statistics of his hit. He had just beat out his previous record by almost 10 feet. Even without acquiring the Home Run King skill, Ken's abilities had been improving.
The session lasted for 2 hours before Ken was forcibly kicked out of the Image Training area. It seemed that he was far too fatigued to last the entire 4 hours.
'Mika… use sleep protocol.'
'Please…'
As Ken felt his eyes getting heavier, he asked Mika to use the sleep protocol. There was a huge difference between when he used it and when he fell asleep organically. He had even tested his sleep statistics with his smart watch, confirming his suspicions.
[Understood. Activating Sleep Protocol.]
Ken drifted off to sleep, entering a dreamless rest.
After what seemed like only an instant, Ken woke up to the sound of his alarm. His arm moved like lightning, putting an end to the annoying jingle.
A quick glance at the time showed it was 7am. Yet despite only getting 6 hours of sleep, Ken felt refreshed. He let out a big stretch, getting to his feet slowly.
"Hmm?" Ken turned only to see that Ai was not sleeping beside him. He quickly got changed and made his way downstairs to look for her.
Yet upon descending, he saw a big commotion.
"Ai… Sweetie. You don't havta do this." Tetsu pleaded, his tone sounding pitiful.
"You didn't have to eat my last pickled onions!" Ai growled.
'Oh crap…' Ken slowed down his descent, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.
"Ken! Please speak up fer me!" Tetsu called him out, causing him to freeze in place.
Ai's gaze snapped towards him, her eyes filled with an unspoken threat that induced a primal fear from within. Ken knew that if he didn't say the right thing, it would be over for him.
"I—I…" Ken stammered, not knowing what to say. Only now did he see that Tetsu's luggage had been scattered around the lounge room.
It was clear that Ai had made the man pack up his things. He was at her mercy.