WHOOOOOSH
PAH
"WHAT!? 108mph? It can't be…"
Ryan almost dropped his phone as he watched the highlights from the American League Championship Series that had ended a few hours ago.
"108mph! Ken's done it again, beating his own record by almost an entire mile per hour. How does he keep getting faster?" The commentators excited voice came from the phone, filling Ryan with annoyance.
He resisted the urge to throw his phone, taking a deep breath and calming himself.
Ryan couldn't help but feel stifled. Ken had entered the Majors 2 years later than himself, a fact that he held tremendous pride for. Yet as soon as he got into the league, the news had never stopped talking about it.
From throwing a shutout and breaking the strikeout record in his debut game, to breaking the fastest pitch record later in the season. It seemed like whenever anyone mentioned baseball, Ken's name was on the tip of their tongue.
Ryan's pride was hurt.
To him, Ken was his only rival since back then when they faced each other in the U18 World Cup. But it was becoming more and more difficult to say this out loud. Compared to the accolades Ken had achieved in his debut season, Ryan was lackluster.
What's worse is that they had yet to have a chance to face each other this season.
The only chance they would get to play each other would be the World Series. The Blue Marlin's had won the first game over Philadelphia, as did the Ligers in their match.
As long as they both won, Ryan would be able to settle his feud with Ken in the World Series.
The highlights finished and Ken's face appeared in the post-match interview on Ryan's phone. He quickly locked the phone and tossed it aside, letting out a deep sigh.
Ryan sat back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for a while, his thoughts scattered.
"That bastard better not lose…" he muttered.
RING RING
The sound of his phone ringing caught his attention, but when he looked at who was calling, his eyes widened.
"Hello…"
"Congratulations on the win, you were pitching well."
Hearing the emotionless voice on the other line compliment him, Ryan didn't know how to respond at first.
"Thanks… How is the injury?"
"It's fine, I'll be fully healed in a few weeks. Until then, I can only work on the upper half of my body."
"You're still working out while injured? Won't your coach's rake you over the coals?" Ryan asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"The season is over, they can't tell me what to do in my free time."
Ryan stifled his laugh. It wasn't often that he heard Leo sound like such a child, but it brought him some unexpected joy.
"Did you watch his game?" Ryan asked.
"Mmm, he broke his own speed record again." Leo replied matter-of-factly.
"Do you think you would have won if you faced him?"
Ryan wasn't sure why he asked such a question, but a large part of him wanted to hear the answer from Leo's own mouth.
"It's tough to say. His breaking balls have improved significantly to the point where it's tough to predict their course. But I'd say that his brother Daichi is the one to watch out for, his attention to detail is almost as meticulous as my own."
Ryan didn't respond right away, his face turning sour. He should have expected a response like this, though he was a little surprised to hear Leo give the catcher so much credit.
"That's unlike you, giving out praise like that." Ryan added.
"I praised you not even a few seconds after you picked up the phone." Leo answered matter-of-factly.
"I guess you're right." Ryan replied laughingly.
Some silence hung between them before Ryan spoke up once more.
"How are you really doing? You must be pretty gutted after being forced to miss the Division series."
"Honestly? I'm fine. Sure I'm a little frustrated that I won't get to play against Ken, but we both have long careers ahead, there will be plenty of time in the future." Leo said sincerely.
Ryan nodded in response, satisfied with the answer.
"You're right. But there's no way that I'm going to let Ken win the World Series in his rookie season. If he gets past Houston, I'll do everything in my power to stop him in his tracks." Ryan vowed.
"Well, best of luck. You should come visit once the post season ends, it would be good to catch up again."
"Sounds good. I'm glad you're doing alright." Ryan replied and ended the call soon after.
It wasn't until a few minutes later that he realized something. Even though they'd attended High School together and played on the same team, he and Leo were never really close.
Everything had changed after the U18 World Cup loss.
Leo whose confidence bordered on arrogance, had used the loss to fuel his growth. While it was similar for Ryan, his circumstances were a little different.
'Would I still have run away if I won that game?' Ryan thought, staring at the ceiling.
Remembering that fateful day where he finally escaped his abusive father, he realized that he probably wouldn't have done so. His arrogance was a trait he shared with his biological father, without facing and losing to Ken, nothing would have likely changed.
For some reason, talking with Leo had brought up such old memories. It made sense, since Leo was the only person who had taken him in after he ran away from home.
Ryan shook his head, trying to get rid of his sentimental mood.
"None of that matters…" he whispered, getting to his feet.
He walked out to his balcony which overlooked a busy street. The sun had already disappeared and the street lights lit up the skyline.
Staring out into the distance, Ryan's expression shifted, his face full of determination.
"Don't lose Ken… Let's meet on the biggest stage in the world."
"The World Series."