XIII. Burning Efforts

This part of the story breaks the chronology, much like "The Future" did. Enjoy ♥️.

7 years ago...

Nanairō

"But Mankato-senpai... I'm exhausted... I want to go play with Shunpeī-san!" He gave me a merciless look.

"How long have you been doing this, Satō?"

"Three years—"

"How old are you?"

"Eight, but I still—"

"Then you know my answer. Three years of effort will never put you above anyone else. Three years isn't enough to refine your skills. Don't you want to be a star baseball player when you grow up? All of the star players have been playing for more than three years. Some have been playing five years. So what? The great ones have been playing for fifteen, some twenty years. If three years is enough for you then have at it."

Though I felt weak and exhausted, I knew the senpai was right. He and the other senpais who rotated training me were only trying to help me. I want to be a Prodigy too... Can I be as good as them?

"Now, will you do it?" I nodded. "Good! 100 more swings!"

And so 100 more, turned into 200, then 300, and eventually I lost count of how many times I swung that overbearing baseball bat. I want to play baseball and become a great!

Day after day, I swung the bat no matter how exhausted I was, no matter how much pain I was in. I fought to become what I would be called later in my highschool career (unbeknownst to me), a batting monster. My desire for a childhood quickly faded into nothing.

As days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, the bat got heavier and longer by added weights and longer bat sizes. My friend number dwindled, but my desire to become better exceeded. One day things were different, though.

"Satō. Come here, it's time to teach you the hard things now. It's time to teach you how to pitch breaking balls." My eyes widened, and my desire and hunger for greatness, which I thought was enough as is, seemed to double in size, as a grin scrawled across my face.

"Yes sir!"

1st Year of Junior High (Middle School)

I felt completely and utterly nervous. What if I wasn't good enough? What if all the other kids at Kōbe East were much better than me? At my self destructive thoughts, I remembered everything the alumni of Seidō had taught me and told me in order to put me years ahead of everyone else. Almost 8 years of exclusive training and coaching to put me where I was now, my final challenge from them.

"Go and build your reputation at Kōbe East! Take them to Nationals, and make it to Seīdo! It all relies on your spirit!"

I confidently walked into campus, having boosted my self esteem. It was a day before school started, and the prospective baseball team members were to meet on the field. I looked around, curious to my surroundings. It was a rather large campus for a junior high. Eventually I stumbled upon the baseball field and saw some people beginning to gather. I joined the group of players, excitement bubbling in my chest. I stood amongst them, but I noticed how coldly I was treated to the others, who were giddy amongst their friends. My excitement had begun to simmer due to the atmosphere. Right, this school is prestigious for baseball... They don't know me and won't respect me until I prove myself on the field. I had almost forgotten that most of them had played together in the different childhood leagues. I would be a completely unknown entity.

Eventually, the Coach and the baseball members walked up, all of them having a complacent air about them. Why so cocky... It's not like any of you have been to or seen Nationals yet... "Hey little shits! Lineup!" I got pushed to the back of the line. I felt irritation at the Coach's words, but I knew I had no right to speak yet. Looking back, I probably should've spoken my mind.

"I want your name, and what you think you're doing here, nothing else." I felt anger rising. He doesn't even know us, not to mention what we play.

"Mō Ji-Yūko. I'm here to be a catcher."

"Watanabi Koshiro. I want to play Right field."

With each introduction I heard the members of the team snickering and whispering snide and rude things. By the time it was my turn, ten people later, I was fed up.

"I'll wait until you stop your damned snickering to introduce myself." Silence from everyone ensued. "Thanks. My name is Nakatomi Satōshi. I'm here to play pitcher or any other position other than Right Field I'm needed in. I've been playing baseball eight years and look forward to continuing my career in it here." I bowed before stepping back.

"Pfft... What is he, 6 years old? He sounds and looks like a little girl!"

"Play anything he's needed in? We don't need your help!"

"How can someone that short do anything in baseball? Hope he's ready to sit the benches."

"Haha! Eight years? What a joke! Who even is that kid? I've never seen him in any of the leagues!"

"Have you had enough of your whisperings or do you care to shut it?" I saw several of the players get angry but I wouldn't back down. Not after all of my efforts...!

"Shut it and go home to Mommy little boy!"

"Enough, all of you. I doubt any of you  Baby First years will be of any use to me, so don't get any ideas. Now then, upperclassmen, show them hell!"

Soon enough the "training" of Kōbe East began. I easily proved myself worthy in each of their so called rigorous trials and surprised everyone.

"Wh-what... He's only a first year but he's a monster! How can he bat like that and run that fast?"

I easily showed up and shattered the confidence of the previously complacent upperclassmen. I could tell how utterly crushed they were by how quickly they have up trying to keep up with me. And so began my Junior High career.

My name eventually started to become popular amongst baseball magazines and news reporters, especially gaining traction when I took my team to Nationals my second year. And by my Third year of Junior High, my name was everywhere. I held several number one records, and there was only one thing I tied for: Catcher.

Curious, one day I visited the school of the rival I fought for my title with. Having never met him before, I was curious as to how he performed. So I went to one of his school's practice matches. And I was pleasantly surprised.

I arrived just as the game began, so I watched from a crowd of mixed news reporters and magazine writers. I was recognized, but thankfully only greeted rather than questioned. I watched as the catcher took his place behind the plate. The pitcher was good too, he was the number two pitcher of the league, Narumiya Mei. Second to only myself. I eyed Miyuki Kazuya, my rival for number one Catcher, as he brilliantly led the pitcher. I grinned as he threw a beam from home to second when a runner tried to steal. God, he was getting more and more interesting by the second.

"Hey kid, are you looking to go here for Junior High?" I turned and saw the Coach approach me gently like I was a feather. I grinned and a bunch of the news reporters and magazine writers nearby bit down a laugh at the man's cluelessness.

"Ah, no sir. I'm actually a third year in junior high already." The Coach seemed embarrassed and shocked and as the team's switched defense and offense, I caught the catcher and pitcher's attentions.

"A-ah! I see! Where do you go then? Do they have a baseball team like ours?"

I nodded nonchalantly, biting down my smirk. "Yes sir. I go to Kōbe East. I'm on the baseball team." He flinched, now seeming to recognize me from magazines.

"K-Kōbe East? We lost to your team last year... Didn't you all go to Nationals?" I smirked, confidence now becoming evident as I made eye contact with the curious catcher.

"Yes, we did. It was a close game."

"Really, so what's your name? Did you play?"

"Yes sir I did. My name is Nakatomi Satōshi, and I was the Ace Pitcher." His eyes widened, as did the catcher and pitcher, who I destroyed the year before in the Quarter finals. Of course, they wouldn't recognize me. I had dyed my hair blonde and cut it differently that year because of a lost bet. You'd be amazed at how much changing your hair does to being recognized.

"T-then... Why are you here?"

"I have a game against you all next week, and I was just interested in seeing the growth of my only rival in catching right now, Miyuki Kazuya-kun." Miyuki maintained eye contact with me, wearing an amused grin as we challenged each other silently. We'll see who comes out on top... Won't we?

I sat through the rest of their practice match, never missing a moment. The game was called in the fifth inning, Miyuki's tram having destroyed the other. It ended with a solid 9-1. I grabbed my bag and checked my cell.

From: Ji YÅ«ko

To: Short Stack

Are you done watching Miyuki Kazuya-kun? Coach is getting pissed off that you're missing practice a week before such an important game.

I rolled my eyes at the message content as I began to shuffle away from the field, typing up my message as I went.

From: Short Stack

To: Ji YÅ«ko

You already know what I have to say to that prick. He can go back to drinking for all I care.

I put my cell away and began walking, taking in my surroundings as I went. "Wait!"

I didn't think whoever was shouting was talking to me, so I continued walking.

"Oi you deaf bastard! Wait a second!" I felt a hand tug at my sleeve. I stopped and spun on my heels to see the two I came all the way from Kōbe for. Truthfully I didn't have much time to waste, another 3 hour train ride awaited me, so I'd have to make it quick.

"What is it? I have to be going soon."

"What!? Without playing a little!?" I quirked an eyebrow at the short pitcher. He was around my height.

"Oh, that's not really what I'm here for."

"Hah! You're just scared!" Narumiya exuded a cocky attitude now.

"No... I just have another 3 hours on a train ahead of me..." I didn't think either of the duo had heard me, but when Miyuki interrupted Narumiya's laughter, I figured I was wrong.

"Must be a rough ride. How about a bit of compromise, then? One pitch, and we'll leave you alone." I sighed, and looked at the catcher.

"You drive a hard bargain. I'll get in trouble y'know? But, seeing as I don't have a choice other than to pitch for my escape, I guess I'll have to do it. 'Don't have my glove though, 'got one I can use?" I grinned as Narumiya raised a corner of his lips in disgust.

"That Kansai dialect is truly amazing! Hahaha!"

"Kazuya, I didn't understand anything he just said!" I felt second hand embarrassment for him as Miyuki laughed at him. "Something about missing the bus?" I sighed.

"Pfft... Why would he be missing the bus stupid? He asked if we had a glove he could borrow." They continued to bicker back and forth about what they thought I said. Ah... This is why I hide my Kansai Dialect when I'm in Tokyo... I scratched the back of my head impatiently.

"Are you two done arguing? I seriously have to be going soon." They seemed to snap out of their friendly bickering. Narumiya grinned.

"Here, use mine. I'm sure Kazuya won't mind catching for you~" I felt my lip twitch at the catcher's exasperated gasp.

"Don't volunteer me!"

"Who else would catch his pitch? They all suck."

"Don't talk like that!"

"What? You're denying the fact that you play circles around them?" The catcher was silenced with a resigned sigh as Narumiya threw his glove into my chest.

"Let's just get this over with. I'd like to be back at school early enough to avoid my Coach." He begrudgingly led me to their bullpen with Narumiya in tow.

"God, I never thought I'd be catching for my rival..." He scratched his head as he walked to the plate without putting on his gear.

"You're awfully bold to catch without equipment on."

"Can't be any worse than catching Mei's without guards." I shrugged.

"Your fault if you get bruised." We threw back and forth to warm my arm up.

"Judging on how you're throwing now, I won't need them." I smirked. Forgot who I was pitching to for a second there.

"Kazuya, I don't think you should risk it—"

"Doesn't matter. A pitcher is a pitcher." He returned my smirk as he got into a squatting position. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes, summoning every ounce of focused power for my pitch. It felt like I was sucking the air out of the area on the mound. I opened my eyes and zeroed in on the mitt as I began my wind up. My right foot landed on the base of the mound with an explosive amount of power, my upper body following suit.

My torso twisted just right to give my left shoulder the momentum to hurdle the ball at the place with impressive speed. My fingers skimmed the ground hard enough to leave a trail of my index and middle fingers as my body retracted back into itself like elastic. I looked up from the ground to see Miyuki on his ass with the ball in his glove and a stunned expression on his face. That was... Probably the hardest I've every thrown the ball. That was more than just 100% of my power... Surely it was more.

"Where was that explosive power hiding last year?" I looked up and saw Narumiya glaring, surely he was intimidated.

"Mei. You should beg him to teach you control. I don't know if you noticed or not, but the only movement that came from me was falling backwards from the force of that pitch. I... Didn't frame that at all." Narumiya looked down at his catcher with wide eyes. For a moment I thought I had scared him, but Miyuki grinned and looked up at me. "God, it's hard not to be excited with such an intense player pressuring you."

We all went our separate ways after that, those two heading to their homes and I to the train station. We all seemed to have forgotten about that day by the time the game rolled around.

•   •   •

Ding!

I opened my phone cautiously, curious as to who would be messaging me.

To: Loser-Pitcher

From: The Almighty Narumiya

Hey come to the park outside of Jingu stadium. I know you're in Tokyo to watch Nationals, so you might as well come. Kazuya said he saw you earlier.

I rolled my eyes. That damn Four-eyes...

I walked out of the stadium and crossed the street. The park was practically empty with how crazy things were in the stadium. I swear you could still hear the screaming of fans. I spotted a group of boys my age standing in a concrete rink of sorts. I noticed both Narumiya and Miyuki were there, so I walked over. "What a lame way to get my attention, Bakamiya." I swear I saw his veins pop while Miyuki snickered at my comment as I leaned against the nearby railing. It had been about a week since I had lost to those two, and their team dropped out of Nationals, so I was kinda pissed with them. "Not to mention chickening out the week of Nationals?" Miyuki stopped laughing at that.

"Shut up about it... Anyways, you two should come to Inashiro. I'm gonna build the ultimate team."

"Mei." He looked at Miyuki, humming in his own little world.

"We're both committed to going to Seidō, so uh..."

"But wait! Didn't you both get invited?" I shrugged.

"I only got invited to one school in Tokyo, the rest of the invitations I received were to places in the Kansai region."

"H-How! You're a monster!"

"Because my Coach never tried to get me any publicity. I actually got invited to an American school, but that's only because of my face being on a few magazines... The only publicity I've gotten is scouts I called and arranged." I scratched the back of my head.

"S-still! You should test in and—"

"No. I don't have the money or frankly the time." He pouted.

"Fine, then how about you Kazuya, why don't you come play for us instead of losing to us?"

"Nope. I've been committed for three years, not giving that up." The pitcher pouted.

"If you won't join us, we'll just have to crush you. Don't regret your decision. We could make the ultimate team..." I sighed and stood. I walked over and flicked Narumiya across the forehead, seeming to startle all of the other star baseball players present.

"Don't say things like that, people will think you're a cocky little prick." Miyuki didn't even try to bite down his loud cackle. "Shut it, Four-eyes, you're worse than he is..." He flinched at my insult.

"Fine! We'll prove your loyalties wrong, so be prepared."

"I'll be waiting, Mei." With that, we all split off.

•   •   •

I woke up from my nap, wondering what prompted my sudden dream about the old days. It was weird, before it was a dream about something happening in the future, this time it was the past... I checked the time.

"Shit I'm late again!"