Tatsuya lowered his gaze after missing what should have been an easy pitch. At just a glance, one could see how nervous the kid was, but there didn't seem to be anything that could set his mind right.
Chris watched from his position near the dugout, wearing a worried expression. He knew that Tatsuya was an absolute gun in the batters box, but he lacked confidence.
It was honestly like watching Daichi when he had first met him all those years ago.
"Come on Tatsu…" he muttered, his fists clenching.
In the batters box, Tatsuya raised his head and glanced towards 3rd base where Kenji was waiting. He needed to at least hit an flyball to the outfield if they wanted to win the game, but he wasn't sure if he could.
If he hit it short, there was a possibility that it ended in a double play and the game would end. The pressure mounted upon his shoulders, almost crushing him.
"Dad…" He said in a small, almost pleading tone.
Just as he was about to turn his attention back towards the pitcher, he saw Kenji wave both his arms, trying to get his attention.
Tatsuya frowned, not understanding what his cousin was doing. Right after, the guy pointed to the fence alongside 3rd base, as if he was trying to show him something.
He followed the outstretched arm and saw his two uncles at the fence, Ken and Steve. The former was difficult to miss, his tall frame towering over the other spectators present.
However, a figure pushed to the front, pressing up against the cage.
"Let's go Tatsu! Hit a big one!"
The voice boomed over the field, causing Tatsuya to flinch. His heart beat louder in his chest as he saw the one person he had been hoping to see in this very moment appear in front of him.
Tatsuya's face reddened and he smiled shyly before turning back to the pitcher.
"Wow, his face is as red as a tomato." Steve commented, letting out a small whistle.
"Shut up or I'll make your face black and blue." Daichi quipped, sending him a glare.
Steve raised both his hands, issuing his surrender. The two had gotten a lot closer over the years, to the point where vague threats of violence were just part of their daily conversations.
"Looks like that did the trick." Ken said, wearing a smile. He could see the confidence return to the young figure, his form now looking far steadier and more dangerous.
"Seems like he just needed to know his papa was watching, aww how sweet." Steve said, nudging Daichi with his elbow a few times.
Thanks to his god-like patience, Daichi managed to ignore the guy, his eyes focused on his son in the batters box. There was some truth to Steve's words though, it seemed that Tatsuya had been looking for him in the crowd.
This just highlighted the importance of having a father figure in a child's life. No one knew this more than Daichi himself, who had suffered during his early years and well into his teens.
In fact, if it wasn't for Ken and Chris, Daichi didn't know what kind of person he would be right now.
His eyes moved to Chris, his father. The man looked older, the wrinkles on his face accumulating thanks to his ever increasing age. However, they were mostly laugh lines, a sign that he had indeed been happy since retiring.
WHOOOOOOSH
THWACKK!
Daichi saw his son swing, his form compact and filled with power. It reminded him of his own swing, which was understandable since he had taught the boy himself.
From the lead up to the swing, all the way to the follow through, everything looked perfect. For a 13 year old, having such a swing was like a cheat code, putting Tatsuya far above his peers.
The ball sailed into the air, its destination already set.
"YEAHHHHH!"
A wild cheer from the crowd sounded as the ball flew into center field and out of the park, bringing an end to the close game between the two 15U teams.
Tatsuya almost skipped towards first base, his smile reaching from one ear to the other. When he eventually rounded second, he could see his father and uncle's watching and cheering him on.
His father looked proud as punch, a satisfied smile plastered on his face. Just seeing this expression on his father's face was more than enough for Tatsuya who didn't really care about the WWBA championship trophy.
After rounding 3rd, he jogged towards home plate where the entirety of the team had left the dugout and were waiting for him. Their expressions were filled with pure joy and excitement.
Even those who had questioned why he was playing in the 15U team looked happy to see him.
As soon as he stepped onto home plate, the whole team crowded him. In an instant, he was almost toppled to the ground, but he felt a strong pair of arms grab him and hoist him into the air.
After a moment of panic, he realized that it was Kenji who had saved him from being dogpiled. But even as he felt relieved, more hands pushed him from underneath and he was tossed into the air.
Tatsuya swallowed the scream that was about to escape his lips.
"TATSU-YA"
"TATSU-YA"
The players chanted his name, throwing his small body in the air and celebrating the win. He had never experienced this kind of treatment before, but for some reason it filled him with joy.
"Let's go celebrate with them." Ken said, patting his brother on the shoulder on his way past.
"Mmm…" Daichi's eyes lingered on his son for a few moments before agreeing.
"Oi, wait for me…" Steve complained, trudging behind them.
It was a little tough getting through the crowd, but they eventually arrived at the gate to enter the field. The security guard who was guarding the entrance suddenly went wide-eyed as he saw 3 Major League stars appear out of nowhere.
"Mind if we go in? Our kids are in there." Ken asked with a small smile.
"I—I can't."