Though the score was blown out, the players had shown them an entertaining enough match with some big home runs.
Dam who was on the field getting ready to bat next, threw his helmet onto the ground in frustration. Not only had he failed to make an impression in this match, he felt stifled.
Every time that he tried to trash talk the runners for Japan, they would burst out into laughter. He had put quite a bit of research into insulting things to say before the match.
Usually when he trashed talked in Korea, he could get under everyone's skin. Yet for some reason, his words did nothing.
Coach Hyun and Coach Takashi shook hands briefly, saying a few courteous words in English that neither of them fully understood.
"Good job."
"Good luck."
Afterwards, both teams bowed at each other and left the field.
Since the game had finished earlier than expected, they were able to stay in the lockers for a little longer, even being allowed to use the showering facilities.
"I've made up my mind, I'm going to play in the Majors." Hiroki said, basking under the hot water from the shower. The water ran down his chiseled abs, which would have been quite the sight for any woman if they had have been present.
"Hah! You think you have what it takes to join the majors? You're 100 years too early for that youngster."
"We're the same age…" Hiroki replied to the annoying voice he recognized as Aki, his current roommate.
"Tch, I'm far older than you, at least mentally."
"Sure, you have the mind of a decrepit 100 year old." Riku quipped from a few stalls over.
"Hahaha!"
The room burst into laughter, leaving Aki red-faced and embarrassed.
Team morale was high as everyone got ready and returned to the locker room.
"Well done everyone. We managed to execute all of our strategies to perfection while neutralizing the Korean small ball." Chris said with a grin.
Coach Takashi spoke up next, though he was not smiling.
"Let's not get complacent. You all did well today, but we still have 4 more games left in the group stages. This is just the start of our World Cup dominance."
"Yes sir!"
This time it wasn't just Ken that responded, the whole team seemed to be on the same wavelength as they called out as such.
"Very good. We're heading back to the hotel now for some lunch, but you'll also be free to use the facilities until 6pm tonight. Just be careful not to do anything stupid."
A few players eyes widened at these words. The hotel had a large swimming pool, a gym, even a recreational room with pool tables and ping pong for guests. This would be the first opportunity they would have to use it.
While Ken would have been happier exploring the city, it wasn't too much of a downgrade to have access to such things.
So the team made their way back to the hotel and got some lunch.
"Hey, we're gonna head up to the pool after this. Did you guys want to come?"
Aki asked the trio of Daichi, Ken and Hiroki.
"Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fun." Ken said after a while. Hiroki also nodded since he didn't have anything better to do.
"Ah, just one moment." Daichi pulled out his phone and typed something out before hitting send, leaving the others to stare at him blankly.
After a full minute, he pulled out his phone and let out a smile.
"Yep, I'll come as well."
"…"
"Did you need to ask your Mom or something?" Aki blurted out, only to receive some laughter in response from the other two.
Despite sharing the same Mother, Ken thought it was hilarious. Obviously he knew who Daichi was messaging, yet that didn't stop him from laughing.
A while later, everyone got ready and arrived at the swimming pool. It was an Olympic sized pool, complete with lanes for racing.
Many of the players had only done swimming in school, therefore they just settled by playing around. This was probably the first time that the team had done something together that didn't revolve around baseball.
Since they were only teenagers still, it was rather beneficial to have times like this. After all, who could consistently be under pressure without showing a few cracks?
"Hey guys."
The sound of a female cut through the male voices, causing everyone present to turn their head in its direction.
The woman was wearing a dazzling white bikini with a sarong wrapped around her waist. Her midriff was on full display, as were her assets which seemingly gleamed in the afternoon sun.
"Who is that!?"
A few murmurs rang out from the players, as they were caught off guard by the mysterious woman.
Even Ken had trouble recognizing the woman in front of him, yet Daichi quickly ran up to her and stood in front, blocking the players view.
He glared at them like a dog would when protecting their property.
"Take your eyes of Miho!" He said, almost sounding like a bark.
"EH!? That's Miho?" A few players shuddered before quickly losing interest. They had no death wish going after the Head Coach's Granddaughter.
"Ah, here I thought a beauty had graced our presence, but it was only Miho~" Riku said with flair, receiving a few laughs in response.
Miho heard his voice and felt her eye twitch in response. However, she saw Daichi and instantly forgot about the annoying guy.
"Wow, you look amazing." Daichi said, his eyes shining.
"Okay, let's go." Ken said, feeling second hand embarrassment creeping up.
He quickly swam to the other side of the pool in order to get away from the cringe-fest.
'Is this what people would feel like around me and Ai?' He thought, yet he shook his head in the next moment.
'I'm never awkward around Ai, right?'
Of course Ken was delusional. People often viewed their own relationships through rose tinted glasses, therefore he did not know that he was much worse than his brother.