"We'll take the field first." Ken stated with a grin.
A few minutes later, Yokohama had taken the field with Ken standing on the mound. From the outside he looked relaxed and carefree, yet inwardly Ken was feeling the nerves begin to arise.
On this small stage with only 50 or so spectators, he was close to having a panic attack.
The thought of failure weighed heavily on his mind, causing his breathing to be slightly uneven.
'What is going on with me?' He thought, adjusting the uniform which felt like it was pressing down on his neck.
The game had not started, yet he was already feeling off.
'Why are you even trying?'
'You can't pitch properly without the system.'
The dark voices spoke up in a harsh tone, battering his already fragile emotional state.
With the addition of his family situation, Ken's psyche was already threatening to fracture under the pressure.
"You can start your warm up pitches now." The plate umpire called out to Ken, startling him slightly.
"S-Sure thing."
Mamoru sat on the bench, letting out a groan. He could see Ken bumbling up on the mound and instantly felt his anger begin to rise.
'What kind of Captain looks scared on the mound?' He thought, his frustration mounting.
Pah
Ken began to warm up his arm, trying to shake off the negative feelings. He had been excited before the match, even exuding some level of confidence.
Yet standing upon the mound with his teammates behind him made him feel vulnerable and exposed.
After around 10 throws, he nodded to the plate umpire to begin the game.
"Play ball!"
At the umpires words, a few spectators yelled out support to the first batter. He was rather short, but he looked agile.
Ken watched him slowly walk into the batters box before taking a deep breath.
'Just think about your training…' He said inwardly, trying to focus.
Ken closed his eyes, honing his focus and trying to drown out the voice of doubt echoing in his mind.
In the next moment, his eyes snapped open.
Ken's leg lifted as he clutched his glove towards his chest. In one swift and fluid movement, he bent his back leg and strode forward with power.
Dirt was kicked up as his foot planted, but the rest had yet to come.
Like a whirlwind, Ken twisted his body, forcing all of his weight on his lead leg as his arm whipped through the air.
PAH!
'W-What the hell!?'
The lead-off batter for Yokosuka exclaimed inwardly, not believing what he had just witnessed.
It wasn't just him.
Shiro felt pins and needles in his hand instantly, yet his wide eyes were staring at the figure on the mound in shock.
"S-Strike!"
Finally, the umpire made the call after a short lapse.
"That's it!" Seiji exclaimed, pumping his fist in adulation.
Since this wasn't exactly a crucial match, there was no speed guns in attendance. However, instinctively the coach could tell that it was in the high 90's.
Mamoru blinked a few times, his earlier complaints now forcefully shoved down his throat. His eyes shined for a moment before he shook his head.
For a brief moment, it looked like he saw the prodigy that he looked up to.
"It had to be a fluke.' He thought, not wanting to get his hopes up.
"That felt good…" Ken muttered to himself.
Although he'd been training for 3-4 weeks on his new pitching form, there were times when he would fall a little flat. Thankfully, his first pitch seemed to have gone well.
Shiro crouched down once more, his hand still shaking from the earlier catch.
'He's back?'
Of course Shiro wasn't speaking figuratively since he'd played with the guy since the start of their 2nd year of High School.
However, this was the first time that he experienced the type of pitch that had been thrown on the world stage against the best teenagers the world had to offer.
Compared to the pitches he'd been catching this year, this was at least 2 levels higher.
A wave of excitement swept through Shiro as he called for the next pitch.
'Let me see it again… The fastball that took down the United States.'
Ken nodded after receiving the sign from Shiro. Once again he took a deep breath and lifted his leg.
WHOOOSH
PAH
"Strike."
'Yes!' Shiro shouted in his heart.
This was the Ken that he knew, the one who would break through anything in his way.
"Phew… I'm feeling good." Ken mumbled.
His body suddenly felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted off his back. The pressure that was attacking him from the moment he stepped onto the mound had relinquished itself.
Even the voice that had been plaguing him all this time was silent, giving him great reprieve.
'I can do this.'
WHOOOSH
"Strikeout!"
…
"Strikeout!"
…
"Strikeout! 3 outs, changeover."
The next two batters fell just as quick as the first, causing Ken to let out a sigh of relief as he made his way back to the dugout.
"Looks like our Ace is on point today! Haha." Yusuke said, slapping Ken on the back on his way past.
"Nice pitching Captain!"
Many of his teammates gave him props on their way in. There seemed to be a shift in their attitudes as they welcomed their new Captain into his role.
Yusuke and Shiro were a given, but the other 2nd years and new 1st years were a surprise to Ken.
Ken arrived at the dugout to see Coach Hanada grinning at him like a proud father.
"Nice work so far" He said, slapping him on the shoulder.
Hearing such a compliment from his coach caused Ken to let out a genuine smile.
For the first time since losing the system over 12 months ago, he felt like he was moving forward.
If it wasn't for the man in front of him, who knew if he would have ever gotten out of the rut he was stuck in.
"Thanks Coach." He said sincerely.