***
At the end of 5 innings, Ken had pitched around 50 balls and had yet to give up a hit. He got off the mound and celebrated with the team. They were in the lead 13-0 and the game would end via the mercy rule.
However, after he saw Zeke getting ready to bat, Ken realized that something was wrong.
"Wait, haven't we won already?" Ken asked the coach.
"Hmm? What are you talking about. We might be up 13 runs but the game is not over until the final whistle." He said, wearing a frown.
"But the mercy rule?" Ken asked.
Coach Brown looked at him weirdly. "There is no mercy rule in the post season Ken."
"EH!?" Suddenly Ken felt depressed. He had worked so hard in order to preserve his pitching numbers so he could play tomorrow, yet it seemed that it was all for nothing.
"Anyway, good work out there, I'm gonna put you in the outfield starting next inning."
"Yes sir…"
After around another hour or so the game came to an end with an overwhelming victory for the Bobcats. Their rally in the opening inning set the tone for the game, allowing them to take hold and never look back.
Jordan and Peter were able to get hits against Blake in the 7th and 9th innings, but it was too little too late. At the end of the game the score was 15-2, meaning Columbia would remain in the winners bracket.
They would face the winner of the next match between Virginia Tech and Gonzaga.
"Well played everyone." Coach Brown said wearing a brilliant smile. "You're welcome to stay and watch the next game if you so choose, or you can head back to the hotel. We'll be having a film study session after dinner, but you're free until then."
Funnily enough, no one decided to stay and watch the game, so the bus was fully loaded and went back to the hotel. It was just after noon and Steve, Brian and Ken decided to head out for some lunch.
They settled on an American grill place within walking distance from the Hotel.
"I can't believe you thought there was a mercy rule in the post season." Steve said, laughingly.
Ken frowned, sending a glare to his friend. "Why are you acting like you knew?"
"It's just common sense man." Steve shrugged.
"It's a surprise that you knew it. After all, common sense isn't your strong suit." Brian quipped, inserting himself into the conversation.
"PFFT." Ken held his sides and began to laugh, not expecting the quick and brutal comeback from the fiery youngster.
"You're lucky you're an endangered species, otherwise I'd beat the crap out of you." Steve retorted.
Both Brian and Ken looked at each other in question, not understanding what he was talking about. "Endangered species?" the latter asked.
"Yeah… He's an Orangutan right?" Steve asked, pointing to the orange hair atop Brian's head, his mischievous smile returning.
"PFFFFFT."
Once again, Ken lost his composure, unable to hold back the deep belly laugh that proceeded. Before he could recover, he saw Brian chasing after Steve down the street, yelling obscenities towards him.
"Kids these days." He said, smiling. The two had definitely made this past season a lot less monotonous. Part of him wished that the days could remain like this forever, but inwardly he knew that even if such a scenario existed, he would still choose to move on.
After all, his dream was always to join the Majors. With the skill of these two, he wouldn't be surprised if they were also drafted in the coming years.
With his dream so close, Ken felt a surge of determination.
'I'll win this College World Series first, then dedicate all my time and energy to improving before the draft…' He thought.
Back in Japan, Ai was on the couch and hugging her cushion tightly after watching the game. Seeing Ken perform so well had warmed her heart, but also made her miss him even more.
She glanced to the couch where Hiroki and Rie were currently sleeping. Rie had forgiven her boyfriend and was now snuggled up to him, her heavy bust practically smothering the poor guy.
Ai shook her head and let out a sigh. She walked into the next room and grabbed a blanket, placing it gently over the two before heading to the empty room where a futon was set up for her.
She pulled out her phone and saw a new message, causing her eyes to light up.
"We got the win eventually. Apparently they don't have a mercy rule in the post season…" Ken wrote.
Ai giggled and began to type back.
"You were so cool up there. I watched the game with Rie and Hiroki, but they fell asleep after the third inning. What are you doing now?"
A few minutes later, Ken replied with an image.
A picture of a burger and fries was in the forefront, but in the background she could see two figures who looked in the midst of an argument. Steve and the red-headed Brian looked like a couple of kids fighting, causing her to let out a laugh.
"I didn't know you were on babysitting duties? I hope they're paying you enough for this."
She giggled at her own joke and let out a yawn. Even though it was Summer Break, much like Ken, she struggled to sleep in in the mornings. Perhaps it was because of her parents owning a bakery, but she could never wake up past 6.
A new message came, a few laughing emoji's followed by a "I miss you."
Ai smiled sweetly, responding in turn. She sent her goodnight text and placed her phone down, ready to go to sleep. It took a little longer than usual since she was still buzzing from the Bobcats win.
Eventually her eyes felt heavy and she drifted off into slumber, dreaming of the day that she would see Ken again.