The next few months were an adjustment for everyone in the Takagi family as they tried to get used to having two new babies in the house.
Since Kenji and Natsuki had decided to arrive 3 weeks early, Miho, Daichi and Rohan had needed to move out quickly. Thankfully, Daichi had already secured a place for them down the street.
Despite it being the off season, Mark visited the house almost daily. Now over 70 years of age, Ken's grandfather was now a great grandfather.
"I swear you never even made this face when we won the World Series." Ken said, letting out a chuckle as he watched the older man play with the kids.
"You should understand Ken," Mark said with a smile, "life is the most precious when spent with loved ones."
Ken froze. His grandfather's words seemed to overlap with Mika's.
Ken's eyes moved to the two plush toys that she'd left for Kenji and Natsuki, his mood turning somber.
'Silly Mika… How did you not realize that you are also one of my loved ones…' he mumbled in his heart regretfully.
"Why do you look so sad?" Mark said, his words snapping Ken out of his reverie.
Ken shook his head, "It's nothing… I was just thinking that I'll miss them both when I have to go on the road again." He said.
"Mmm, it will be a little difficult at first, especially while they're young. But don't worry, you still have your mother and father here to help out Ai while you're gone." Mark replied, reassuring him.
"I'm not so sure about that, grandpa. I think Mom wants to go back to Japan soon, it's too hard for her here."
Instead of being concerned, Mark flashed him a toothy grin. "That might have been the case a few months ago, but I think you'll find that she's changed her mind."
"Really?"
Ken found it a little hard to believe, especially after seeing how melancholic his mother was back then. Could the birth of his children really have been enough to make her want to stay?
"Oh I almost forgot, did you give that old bastard a call yet? He keeps annoying me."
"What old bastard?" Ken replied, having no idea who the man was referring to.
"Hajime, your old coach. He keeps asking for your phone number, but I have been making excuses since you've only just become a father."
Ken's eyes lit up, "Coach Takashi has been trying to get a hold of me?"
Seeing Ken's enthusiasm, Mark wore a wry smile. "Looks like I was meddling for no reason. I'll send you his number, go give him a call."
Ken's excitement increased as he waited for his grandfather to send the number. He hadn't spoken to his old coach in years, but he had always wanted to represent his home country once again during his career.
Ken received the number and excused himself, but just as he left the room he realized something. "Wait, isn't it really late in Japan right now?"
"Don't worry, that bastard will wake up from death if he knew you were calling." Mark replied with a dry chuckle.
Though he didn't exactly understand why, Ken nodded and left the room, leaving his grandfather to look after the two babies.
RING RING
RING RING
"What is it?"
The phone rang for a while before a hoarse voice answered, clearly half asleep.
"Coach Takashi, sorry did I wake you?" Ken asked, feeling a little bad.
"Hmm? Who is this? You sound familiar."
"Coach, it's me, Ken. My grandfather asked me to call you when I was free, sorry it took so long."
"KEN!?" His loud shout assaulted Ken's ears, causing him to almost drop the phone.
"Finally, I got a hold of you. Have you heard the news? I've recently returned to become the coach of the men's National Team. Will you join the team for the World Baseball Classic in March?"
Coach Takashi's words were filled with excitement, his earlier tiredness disappearing like smoke.
Hearing this, Ken's heart surged, but he quickly reigned it in. He didn't want to make a decision by himself, he would need to discuss with Ai.
"I can't give you an answer yet. I'm sure you know that my wife just had twins a few months ago." Ken replied, curbing his enthusiasm.
"I… Okay, I understand. Have a talk with your wife first and let me know what you decide." Coach Takashi's disappointment was evident in his tone as he replied.
"But just so you know, the group stage will be played in Tokyo. Maybe that will twist the decision in your favor." He continued.
Ken's eyes lit up, but he still withheld his decision. "Who else have you invited to tryout?" he asked curiously.
"Hehe, quite a few names that you would recognize. Masayuki, Riku, Hiroki, Yusuke, Tatsuo, Yu Tanaka…"
"Tatsuo?" Ken frowned. He recognized the other names, but he couldn't place this one.
"I think you guys played each other back in Koshien. You might not remember him… But he certainly remembers you Ken." Coach Takashi replied his amusement evident.
Ken furrowed his brow even further, trying to remember who he had played against way back then. Then suddenly, a figure appeared in his mind, the shortstop from Shinjuku.
"Tatsuo Shiraki… That guy has made the team?" Ken asked in disbelief.
He had heard from Kei, the delinquent pitcher that Tatsuo had begun to take baseball seriously, but that was the last he'd heard. Since it was around 6 years ago, Ken had completely forgotten.
"Hehe, that kid is a prodigy. He's playing in the NPB now, but wants to make the jump to the Majors. This World Baseball Classic will be the stage where he showcases his abilities." Coach Takashi said with a laugh.
While he was discussing with the Coach, Ai descended the stairs in front of him, wearing a questioning look.
"It's Coach Takashi, Miho's grandpa." Ken said softly, placing the phone away from his mouth.
"Is that about the National Team?" Ai's eyes lit up with excitement, "Did you get an invite?"
Ken blinked a few times, not expecting this line of questioning. He briefly nodded, only for Ai to let out a little squeal and run forward to hug him.
"Congratulations! I'm so proud of you." She said, wrapping her arms around him.
Ken suddenly felt warm and a smile graced his lips as he sunk into the hug. Only after a few moments did he realize that he was still on the phone to the older man.
He moved it to his ear and interrupted the coach, "I'll join the team… Just tell me where and when."