*DING*
#NEW MISSION: Free the baseball slaves of Fujimi
DESCRIPTION: The Fujimi Junior High players have suffered under the dictatorship of Coach Ryoma Kitsui for far too long, ruining their experience of baseball. The system has deemed the Coach Kitsui is not worthy of teaching these teenagers and requests that you put an end to his dictatorship.
*Task 1: Reignite the Fujimi players passion for baseball
REWARDS:
>Skill: Charismatic Air
>B-grade Stamina Elixir
>Unlock potential Shiro Masuda (Catcher)
>Unlock potential Kenji Taguchi (Pitcher)
The moment that Ken sat down in the dugout, he heard a notification from the system, prompting him to open the window. As his eyes read the mission description it instantly resonated with him.
'It turns out the system also doesn't appreciate how this Coach has been treating his players.' Ken thought inwardly.
He had already decided to change the status quo and try and show the players that they could have fun, but this mission would be the icing on the cake.
'Unlock potential?'
"Ken, hurry up and get on the field." Daichi called out to him from the stairs, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Ah, one moment!" He called back, quickly grabbing his hat and glove.
At the bottom of the 3rd innings, it was the pitcher Kenji's turn to bat. No matter how many times Ken looked at him, the only word that came to his mind was average. Yet the system had mentioned his potential would be unlocked if he could complete the mission.
'Does this mean he has the potential to become a pro?' Ken thought.
DONG
The ball was sent flying into the right outfield while ken was busy thinking. It bounced just before the Seiko outfielder Shin could catch it. With a few quick steps, Shin threw the ball back to Ken who stretched out his glove and collected the ball.
"Safe"
Unfortunately, Kenji was able to make it safely onto first base before the ball landed in his glove.
Ken threw the ball in an arc back to Kouichi before turning to Kenji who was now on base. Now that he was close enough, Ken decided to use the Identify skill on the average looking boy.
This time however, there was no cost for using the skill. Which probably meant that there was little to no disparity between the two.
NAME: Kenji Taguchi
AGE: 15
TALENT ASSESSMENT: D+ (B-)
POTENTIAL: D (S+)
USER STATS:
>Physical Fitness: C+
>Pitching: B-
>Fielding: C+
>Game Intelligence: D (B-)
>Mental: E (B)
Note: Grades in brackets are before status modifiers.
Additional information: Played for Chiba City during elementary school with great success. Family moved before he had to settle with Fujimi in middle school.
KENJI TAGUCHI'S DATA HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE COMPENDIUM.
Ken was shocked. Kenji's potential was S+ but was currently only showing as D thanks to what the system referred to as a status modifier. However, the most glaring difference was probably his mental grade.
Although the system didn't explicitly say what was wrong with Kenji, he could guess that it was likely a result from being forced to play a certain way by Coach Kistui.
Ken once again felt anger that such a talent was being forced to rot away under this ignorant coach. He could understand why the system would issue a mission for him to intervene.
If Kenji was like this, then Shiro the catcher would also probably be suffering the same situation.
"Hey man, that was a nice hit." Ken said, keeping his raging emotions under the surface.
Kenji turned around and looked at him for a moment before thanking him in a small voice. The average looking guy seemed rather reserved, or perhaps that was also a result of the coach's influence.
"You're Kenji right? Didn't you used to play for Chiba City?" Ken asked inquisitively.
Only now did Kenji's expression change into one of shock. "H-How did you know that?"
Ken shrugged, "I have a friend who played in the same circuit. He mentioned a pitcher that looked like you, saying that you had some of the best controlled pitches he had ever seen. He also said that even though you looked average, it felt like he was facing a tiger whenever he was in the batters box."
Words spewed out of Ken's mouth, using the additional information from the system to weave a believable story. Of course they were all made up, however, he hoped that they would have some impact.
Kenji looked a little confused, but there was a hint of reminiscence behind his gaze, giving Ken a small window of hope.
"But it sounds like he was lying about the tiger part. I mean, your pitches are well controlled, but they lack any intent… Almost as if they're coming from a pitching machine." Ken finished.
He saw an imperceptible flash of anger on Kenji's face, however he hid it almost instantly. Without a word, he looked back at his coach and turned away once more, letting out a sigh.
"You're right. Those days are behind me now." Kenji looked tired and defeated, as if the once youthful and bright boy was now confined by invisible chains.
Ken didn't miss any of this, particularly the look he sent at the coach. He wasn't sure if this was the right time, but who knew when he would have the opportunity to talk to Kenji again whilst he was alone.
"Kitsui is a real apt name for your coach don't you think?" (this is a pun in japanese, Kitsui means tough, hard, difficult)
"Pfft" Kenji almost burst out laughing, but managed to hold it back at the last moment. However, not before receiving a few curious glances from the rest of the Seiko squad.
Ken decided to strike while the iron was hot, placing his hand on the teens shoulder. "Why don't you bring that tiger back to the mound? I want to try hitting those scary pitches, it sounds like a lot of fun."
"Fun?" Kenji paused for a moment, his mind deep in thought. Why was this person always talking about fun? He had heard him speaking to Shiro before the changeover, complaining that the game wasn't fun.
Was baseball meant to be fun? When was the last time that he actually enjoyed himself while playing baseball? Was it 2 or 3 years ago… Certainly not after he had joined Fujimi and become the starting pitcher.
"Yeah, fun. Baseball is so much more exciting when you're having fun." Ken nodded, flashing a smile to the average looking youth.
"Strike! Out."
Kouichi struck out the next 3 batters despite Kenji getting onto first base in the beginning. Ken had wanted to continue talking, but it looked like he would have to leave it here for now.
He may not get to speak to the pitcher one on one again, but he hoped that his words had at least planted the seed of rebellion in his heart. As long as he got Fujimi's battery on board, they should be able to affect the other players.
Kenji began his walk back to the dugout, looking a little lost. Shiro who had been warming up to bat intercepted him, showing some concern.
"Kenji, are you okay? You look a little pale."
"Ah… I'm fine." He replied, however his face still seemed torn.
Shiro grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "No you're not. Did that stupid 1st baseman say something to you? I won't let him bully you."
Kenji didn't reply for a while, staring at the ground. Yet when he lifted his gaze, there was something different about his expression.
"Have you ever had fun playing for Fujimi?"
Shiro turned his face up in question, "Huh? What's this crap about fun? That guy must have been talking in your ear that whole time."
Kenji slapped Shiro's hand off his shoulder and glared at his friend. "His words are true. Why the hell are we even playing baseball if we don't enjoy it? Will we be able to look back at this experience fondly when we grow older? What use is winning if we can't play our own way?"
Shiro was shocked. He had been friends with Kenji ever since they joined the team in the first year of middle school, yet he had never heard him raise his voice or talk to him like this. Usually he was meek and just went with the flow.
"W-What's gotten into you?"
"I love baseball… But I hate this kind of baseball." He didn't know how to articulate his feelings very well so these were the only words he could say that felt right.
However, Shiro understood him almost instantly. He too had lost something ever since joining Fujimi's team. He was still playing baseball, but he didn't really feel like he was playing, almost as if he was merely a cog in a machine, mindlessly turning.
Shiro's expression twisted for a moment before he nodded.
"So why don't we play our own game?"
"Our own game?"
A smile finally formed on the catchers face as he once again placed his hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Let's play how we want to play."
Kenji was shocked, however he was suddenly filled with excitement. Yet his logical mind suddenly recalled something and his gaze fell back to the ground.
"But the coach will take us out of the game…"
"Not if we can get the whole team on our side." Shiro grinned.
Kenji lifted his head, as if wanting to make sure that his friend was not kidding. After confirming that Shiro was indeed serious, he finally broke out into a smile.
The two headed back to the dugout and grabbed their gear, avoiding the stare of Coach Kitsui who had been silent for most of the game.
The moment everyone walked out onto the field, Shiro called them all to the center of the pitch and had a quick meeting, keeping his voice low in order to ensure some privacy.
Ken had been keeping an eye on the pitcher and catcher duo the entire time and although he did not hear their conversation, he had a feeling that his words were having an effect. The fact that they held a meeting before the start of the 4th innings also backed up this theory.
When the team dispersed and got into position, Kenji looked over at Ken in the dugout and let out a big smile. This was the most emotion he had seen from the pitcher the entire game.
Ken felt a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, feeling his competitive spirit ignite inside of him.
"Show us what you've got." He muttered.