"Welcome everyone to the finals of the U18 Baseball World Cup. We've just seen Cuba take out Mexico and secure 3rd place after a brilliant 2-run walk-off home run."
Ai and Rie were sitting in her apartment with the laptop plugged into the TV. Since none of them spoke enough English to enjoy the American production, they were going to watch the game live through the website.
It was currently 3:30pm in LA, which meant it was now 7:30am in Japan. Rie was busy in the kitchen fixing up some breakfast for the two of them while Ai set up the stream.
Since it was the finals, there was no way she wouldn't watch it live.
"I'm joined by a special guest this afternoon, the current Ace for the Texas Riders, Yu Tanaka. Yu, have you been following the U18 World Cup thus far?"
The screen showed a middle-aged man and Yu Tanaka at a table, both dressed in nice suits for the broadcast.
"I have been watching our young Japan side very closely over the past 2 weeks. I'm very impressed with how the team has been playing, though I can't say that I'm surprised."
Yu said this matter-of-factly, as if it was a foregone conclusion.
The other host seemed to be a little bit puzzled, asking him to expand.
"Well, Coach Takashi is an amazing coach. It's understandable that he's been able to leave a lasting mark on the team despite the short training camp."
"Ah yes, of course. What do you think the chances of Japan being victorious in this match are?"
"I'd say around 40%."
"Eh!? What does he mean? Didn't we beat them convincingly last game?" Ai said, her features turning up into a frown.
"Ai~ Did you want cream on your pancakes?" Rie asked from the kitchen.
"Yes please."
The chatter on the TV continued for a while, yet Ai didn't feel like listening to this special guest after his input. Just as she was about to mute it, Rie walked in with two plates full of fluffy pancakes.
"Has the game started yet?" She asked, placing the plates down on the coffee table.
"Not yet, they're just talking crap before the game." Ai said, making a shooing motion towards the TV.
"Ooo, he's kinda hot." Rie said, fan girling a little.
"Really? Too bad his brain is mush though." Ai replied spitefully.
"What do you think Japan needs to do to increase their chances of winning this game?"
"Well that's simple… Put Ken on the mound." Yu said, his intelligent eyes turning sharp for a moment.
"Ah! Never mind, it seems like it's not all mush."
Hearing her boyfriend mentioned on the TV, Ai quickly changed her opinion of Yu Tanaka. Anyone who could recognize Ken's talents was someone to be respected in her book.
Yu Tanaka continued, elaborating on his remark.
"Out of the 4 games he's been on the mound, he's yet to give up a single hit, let alone a run. I believe that he'll be able to make a greater impact pitching, than he would in the outfield."
"Exactly!" Ai said aloud, almost screaming at the TV.
Although he was great at batting, Ai thought that Ken looked the coolest when he was standing on the mound. Even at Koshien, whenever he took the mound, it was as if he made his whole team better.
Rie looked at Ai weirdly, she had never seen her get this excited before. Usually the girl was reserved, particularly when they were at school, yet the person in front of her almost looked like a gangster with the way she sat and yelled at the TV.
"Yes that's very impressive. While we're on the subject of Ken; there are many in Japan who are making comparisons between you two, calling him the second-coming of Yu Tanaka. What are your thoughts on that?"
Ai's ears perked up and her eyes narrowed, as if telling the man through the TV to pick his answer carefully.
Yu smiled at the question, taking his time to answer.
"Ken has a weapon that I don't, and that's a 100mph fastball. That's something that no one can teach you, so for that reason, I'm very thankful for the compliment. He is still in the first year of High School so his potential is through the roof."
Yu was poised and concise with his answer, taking a humble approach. Yet his expression changed a little afterwards.
"However, he still has a long way to go. Besides the odd forkball, and two-seam, his pitching repertoire is quite limited. While it might work at his level of competition, he'll soon find out that it's not enough."
Ai frowned in response to the words from the guy and let out a harrumph.
"Hmph, don't think that my Ken is a one-trick-pony. He works harder than anyone." Ai retorted, as if the man would hear her words.
Rie stifled a chuckle. Though she wasn't used to it, seeing Ai get so worked up over her boyfriend was rather amusing. She was like a cute hamster with her puffed cheeks and non-threatening comebacks.
"Eat your pancakes before they go cold." Rie said, pointing to the plate in front of her friend.
"Ah, sorry Rie!" Ai asked for forgiveness before tucking into her food. If she slightly resembled a hamster before, then now the resemblance was almost uncanny.
"Hahaha"
Rie broke out into a peel of laughter, watching Ai shove an entire pancake into her mouth and chewing violently.
She felt as if she'd learned more about her friend in the past 20 minutes than she had ever since they met a few weeks ago.
"Hmm?"
Ai tilted her head in question, her jaw still moving up and down while trying to chew her fluffy pancakes.
"Hahahahaha!"
The scene was just too cute, causing her to enter into another fit of laughter.
"Well it looks like the players are now on the field and are lining up for the National Anthems."