Later that night, Ken arrived back home with the other two. After practicing alone for a while they had attended the team practice, though things were light. Since they were in the middle of a grueling series, the coaching staff didn't want to tire them out.
However, Rohan's expression was gloomy.
"Cheer up man, Ken clearly had a breakthrough, there's no need to beat yourself up." Daichi said, patting him on the shoulder consolingly.
Rohan grumbled, "He hit me for over 20 home runs… How can I recover from that?"
"It wasn't like it was a competition, I don't know why you're so gloomy." Ken replied off-handedly. He on the other hand was in an excellent mood. Rohan was no pushover after all.
"How can you say it like that? You're a pitcher too right? Don't you also have pride?" Rohan appealed.
Ken pondered for a moment before answering, "You're right, I have pride. But I never would have let someone hit 20 home runs off me." He said, patting Rohan on the other shoulder with a laugh.
All he received in return were some more grumbles in response.
"Still, I don't know what you've changed… It's like you're a completely different player now. Your swing is smooth and there are no wasted movements, its honestly one of the best I've seen." Daichi commented, his hand stroking his bare chin.
"Thanks little bro." Ken said with a smile.
The Perfect Calibration skill was responsible for cleaning up his batting form, but it would also be the same when he began pitching. There was also the L-Grade Physicality Elixir that he needed to take tonight.
'This isn't even my final form…' Ken thought, his smile getting even larger.
"Dinner will be ready soon." Yuki's voice came out from the kitchen.
"You don't have to cook mom, we can always get takeout if you want a break." Ken told her. While he appreciated all of her help, he didn't want his mother to feel like she had to cook every single meal.
However, he quickly regretted his words.
"You don't like my cooking?" Yuki asked dangerously, her hands upon her hips.
"I—I never said that…" Ken stammered.
"Then stop your complaining and sit down while I finish cooking." She huffed, quickly ignoring him.
Ken heard some chuckles from Daichi and his father nearby.
"I thought you were smarter than that my boy." Chris said flashing him a grin, "Don't you know that as long as there's a kitchen, your mother will gravitate towards it?"
"Yes, that was my fault." Ken admitted.
"Even on holiday I've tried to book places without a kitchen, but your mother always gets annoyed. I have learned to just let it go."
Chris seemed quite relaxed. It seemed that his new retired lifestyle suited him perfectly.
"How's the golf swing coming along?" Ken asked, taking a seat at the table next to his father.
Chris froze, his relaxed expression turning strained. "It's… coming along."
"HAHAHA, yer dad still sucks at golf." Tetsu interjected, laughing obnoxiously.
"At least I didn't hit that old guy in front of us yesterday." Chris said, getting defensive.
"Ya couldn't hit the backside of a barn old man!" Tetsu shouted back, his thick kansai accent coming out even more than usual.
The two glared at each other for a while, clear tension between them. It was only when Chris let out an exaggerated sigh and sat back in his chair that things went back to normal.
At least until he opened his mouth again.
"I will never understand how such a sweet girl is your daughter." Chris said, shaking his head.
"Huh!? What are ya sayin?" Tetsu piped up, puffing out his chest.
"Nothing much, just that you lack the grace of your wife and daughter." He replied, shrugging.
While the words weren't exactly untrue, Tetsu fired back. "Well how are yer sons such talented athletes when ya can't even swing a damn golf club properly."
Silence settled over the table as the two glared at each other.
"Alright, I think that's enou—" Ken said, but was quickly cut off.
"You bastard, they're completely different sports! Get me a damn bat and I'll show you how hard I can hit." Chris shouted, leaning over the table.
Tetsu then fired back and the two were yelling at each other like children.
Ken let out a sigh, it seemed that his father was not as relaxed in his retirement as he had first thought.
"You two…" Yuki and Naomi appeared next to their respective husbands. The former was holding a rolling pin, slapping one end on her palm while the latter did the same with a wooden spoon.
It looked like the two ladies had had enough.
"If you two idiots keep fighting, don't blame us for knocking some sense into you." Yuki said, her tone icy.
Both Tetsu and Chris shared a gaze briefly before nodding. As if they had agreed beforehand, both men extended their hands and apologized for their words.
Only then were the two women satisfied.
The scene was rather amusing, but Ken didn't know how to feel. Chris returned to looking relaxed, his eyes scanning the paper in front of his face while Tetsu was on his phone.
"They're actually really good friends." Ai leaned in and whispered to him.
Ken's eyes widened in disbelief. He had just seen the two arguing like a bunch of children, yet they were meant to be good friends?
"I know its hard to believe, but I think they both might be tsundere…1"
"Tsun Tsun? No way…" Ken looked as if he'd had his mind blown as he stared between the two older men. Was this really what was going on?
"A spot just opened up at 9am Rouge Park, you in?" Tetsu asked, not even lifting his gaze.
"Huh? Why would I want to do that?" Chris said, looking up from his paper briefly. However, his expression changed a moment later, "I guess I'll go, it would be impolite to refuse."
"But don't get the wrong idea… I'm only going because I don't want to be rude." Chris stipulated.
"Huh? Well I'm only going because I gotta test out my new clubs." Tetsu stated, averting his gaze.
Ken blinked a few times incredulously. Was his father always a Tsundere?
A "tsundere" is a Japanese term for a character archetype, particularly in anime and manga, who initially appears harsh, cold, and even rude, but gradually reveals a more affectionate and warm side, especially towards their love interest. The term is derived from "tsun tsun" (meaning "aloofly, offputtingly") and "dere dere" (meaning "in a lovey-dovey manner")