The Autumn leaves fell, bringing with it a chilly air.
Around a month had passed since the incident with Daichi at home and Ken was on his way to the school for the final game of the Fall Tournament.
Luck would have it that they'd be facing their old rival Shuei High School for a spot in the Jingu Tournament. Ever since the departure of Carlos, their team had struggled to score runs.
If it wasn't for the supreme pitching from Kazuhiro, their club would have fallen greatly.
"Good Morning Captain!"
A bunch of first years were already waiting at the designated spot in front of the school, bowing their heads in respect to Ken who'd just arrived.
Mamoru and Shingo. These were the first years who had made it to the 1st team, showing their skills throughout the year.
"Morning." Ken said, sending a wave their way.
It still felt odd to be called Captain, but he couldn't exactly tell them not to call him such.
He saw Shiro and Kaori holding hands and whispering sweet nothings to each other, causing an incredulous expression to form on Ken's face.
'Even though it's been a year, I still can't believe that Shiro was able to get a girlfriend…' He said inwardly, shaking his head.
"How's our Ace feeling today?" Yusuke called out, slapping him on the back fondly.
Ken winced, feeling the sting of the slap in the middle of his back.
"I was better before you slapped me" He said, rolling his eyes.
"Hahaha, don't be like that. I'm just carrying on Captain Makoto's legacy… ORYAHHH!"
Yusuke seemed to be in a good mood. In fact, most of the team seemed to be in good spirits, especially the coach.
"Hehehehe" Seiji Hanada chuckled darkly, his face turned up in a domineering fashion.
"I can't wait to see that old man's face when we stomp his team yet again."
Remembering the conduct between his own Coach and Shuei's Coach Goto, Ken couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. The two would act like children in each other's presence.
"Alright team, let's head out!" Coach Hanada announced, motioning for everyone to get on the bus.
As Ken went to walk up the stairs, he felt something blocking his way.
"Hmm?"
He looked down only to see what looked like an elementary schooler who was trying to get on the wrong bus.
"Um, are you lost little girl?" Ken asked.
The girl was really short and wore a black tracksuit with her hair sporting two pigtails. Her button nose, big brown eyes and rosy red cheeks were adorable, making anyone who saw it want to protect her.
Hearing his words, tears began to form at the corner of her eyes, as if she was going to bawl.
"Er, Coach… I think we have a missing child." He said, pointing to the girl in front of him.
"What?" Seiji poked his head around Ken's large body and saw the girl, yet his face turned stupefied in the next moment.
"Ken you idiot!" The girl wailed, pounding her fists on his chest like a kitten before running to the back of the line.
"Eh?"
Ken was mystified. Just who was this girl that even knew his name.
"PFFT"
Yusuke who was ahead of Ken noticed the whole thing and was doing his best to contain his laughter. Yet after seeing the slight change in Ken's eyes, he knew he was in danger.
Without a word he ran through the aisle of the bus and tried to hide.
Unfortunately for him, Ken was a patient man.
"Ahem… Care to tell me what's so funny?" He asked in a deep tone.
"Err…"
Ken sat patiently as Yusuke explained the situation to him, yet before long his jaw had already dropped.
"Manager!? That little girl?"
"Buddy… She's been on the team for most of this year." Yusuke stated, wondering if Ken had been dropped on his head as a child.
He let out a sigh, 'I guess this guy truly doesn't see any other woman but Ai.' Yusuke thought, shaking his head.
The little girl he'd been speaking of was none other than Yui Koba, a first year. Despite her stature, she was rather intelligent, often working on tactics with the coach.
Yui entered the bus, her face still red in embarrassment. She lowered her head, finding a seat quickly so she wouldn't be noticed.
However, even after being seated, she felt her eyes moisten.
Being treated like a stranger by Ken had made her feel horrible. Despite being a manager for the most of the year, it was as if he had only noticed her today.
"Is this seat taken?" A warm voice asked.
Yui raised her head, "Kaori Senpai?"
Meanwhile on the back of the bus, Ken was assaulted by a number of stares filled with discontent.
"What a jerk, I can't believe he said that to Yui-chan."
Ken shuddered in response, lowering his head. He did not remember ever seeing that girl in his life, how was it his fault?
Truth be told, he had been focusing on himself quite a lot lately, especially with the whole change of his pitching form.
'She's so short, it's no surprise if I never saw her before…' He said to himself.
However, he could already imagine the backlash from the team if he used that as an excuse.
"Haaahhh." He let out a deep sigh, cursing his position as Captain.
Around 40 minutes later, the bus arrived at a familiar place, Shuei High School.
As the team alighted from the bus, Ken was hit by a wave of memories. The friendly they played back in his first year was fresh in his mind.
'I wonder what that guy is doing now?' He thought to himself, thinking about the curly haired batter Carlos.
He hadn't seen him in the World Cup even though the Dominican Republic had been playing.
As they walked the familiar path to the baseball field, there was an old figure awaiting them, his smile reminiscent of a Buddha statue.