'Why am I feeling this way?' Ken's thoughts were in disarray.
Was it perhaps because he saw himself in Rohan? Or maybe he wished that he had been as tenacious and unbreakable as this man. The guy was 24 years old, the same age Ken was before he regressed.
For a while, Ken stewed in his thoughts.
'Is this my insightful trait that is making me so empathetic?'
"You okay Ken? You look pale." Cain's voice awoke him from his train of thought.
Ken shook his head, "I'm alright now, just a few nerves leftover." He said, turning his attention back to the field. The 7th batter was up, which meant he would need to go warm up in a few moments.
WHACK
The ball was struck into right field, shooting between 1st and 2nd base for an easy base hit. As the crowd cheered, Ken centered himself and quickly got ready. He placed his helmet and guards on before walking out of the dugout.
Coach Matthews pat him on the back on the way past, "Loosen up a little, you won't be able to hit if you're too tense."
"Thank you coach." Ken replied, bowing his head slightly.
He walked on deck and took a few practice swings. The coach was right, his body felt tight. 'This isn't like me…' Ken thought.
To others this might just be a regular season game for the SeaWolves, but to him it was his debut in the professional league. Not only this, the ominous system mission was looming over his head.
Ken closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself. He tried to picture something that would ease his nerves.
A woman appeared in his mind wearing a flowing white dress. In her hands was a bouquet of flowers, clutched tightly to her chest as she waited for him to meet her at the alter.
Ken's nerves unraveled and a smile broke out onto his face in the next moment. Ai, the person who had supported him in this life, the one who filled his heart with love and understanding was waiting for him.
His hands gripped tighter on the bat. This woman had sacrificed her own happiness for Ken to chase his dreams. The whole reason he was able to focus purely on baseball was because she was so supportive.
'There's no way I'll let it end here…' He thought.
Ken's eyes snapped open in that moment, as if he had finally awoken from his dream.
WHOOOOOOSH
The swing was loud and filled with power causing many of those in the dugout to move their gazes to Ken instead of the game itself.
"Man, that rookie can swing…" Rick said incredulously.
"Ah, to be young." Cain added.
Rick scowled, "You're only a few years older than him you bastard."
WHACK
Everyone's attention turned back to the field as Tony smacked the ball deep into left field. The ball was hit low and far enough that the outfielder could not get to it in time, allowing the runners to snatch two bases.
Ken nodded in satisfaction, they were in a good scoring position at the bottom of the 3rd. As long as he could hit it deep into the outfield, they would get at least one run.
"Batting 9th, our newest addition to the SeaWolves… From Japan, number 13… KEN TAKAGI!"
The announcers voice echoed over the speakers, but was met with a lukewarm reaction from the crowd. Perhaps if the announcer had mentioned he was the 3rd overall pick of the draft, or that he was from Columbia instead, they might have cheered louder.
However, Ken did not care about the crowds reaction. He approached the batters box and went through his ritual, touching the plate and the end of his cleats with the bat.
He turned to the pitcher for the Yard Goats on the mound and got into position. Ken did not know anything about the guy, so he needed to tread cautiously unless the guy threw a meatball. Either way, he would be ready.
Letting out a controlled breath, Ken waited patiently for the next pitch.
He watched the pitcher look towards 3rd base briefly before raising his leg and striding forward. Ken's eyes locked onto the ball which flew out.
Without a word, Ken stepped backwards, watching as the ball flew into the glove of the catcher.
PAH
"Ball."
'They're trying to rattle me…' Ken thought, however his mind was calm. He wasn't surprised. Since he was a rookie, it wouldn't be uncommon for other teams to try and spook him with an inside ball.
"Petty tricks." Ken muttered, not even glancing at the catcher behind him.
The next pitch arrived, a slider deep outside and low. With his long arms, Ken could have reached it, but it would have likely been a ground ball to first base.
PAH
"Ball."
"Are you afraid to throw me a strike?" Ken asked, finally turning his attention to the catcher. The guy had a full beard beneath his catchers mask and looked to be in his 30's.
The catcher scowled, "This ain't college kid. You should tone down your arrogance."
Ken shrugged, "Throw me a strike and see just how arrogant I can be."
After saying this, Ken completely ignored the catcher. Whatever they threw next, he would dispatch as long as it was in the strike zone. He had supreme confidence in himself.
It was a huge shift from how he was feeling just moments ago warming up. Half the battle of performing under pressure was confidence. Ken had trained for almost 10 years non-stop to be here, if he couldn't trust all of his hard work, then what could he trust?
"100 bucks says he hits a homer." Cain said from the dugout.
"I'll take that bet any day." Rick said, "The guy was shaking like a leaf earlier, he probably won't get a decent hit until his 3rd at-bat."
"Hehe, easy money." Cain let out a laugh, rubbing his hands together.