Back on the field, the coach finally managed to calm everyone down since the organizers would need to prepare everything for the next match.
They all walked back onto the field to perform the ceremonial bow.
“Thank you for the game!”
Ken’s eyes were on the tall delinquent who seemed to have recovered from his concussion. Despite being the Ace of the team, he looked at peace compared to the other players who were in tears.
Tatsuo seemed to be in a mixture of emotions, however Ken merely smiled.
Only those who didn’t care about baseball would be able to remain straight faced. It was clear that this match had a significant impact on the teen.
Kei locked gazes with Ken after the bow. He sent a nod of appreciation towards his opponent which Ken reciprocated.
“Alright let’s hurry to the locker room.” Coach Hanada said, ushering everyone off the field. If they were to delay the next game, it could mess up the schedule since there were still 3 games left to play today.
As they all filed off the field, the coach called out for Ken to stay behind.
Ken turned, only to see a few unfamiliar faces who were standing next to the coach. Seeing the microphones, voice recorders and notepads in their hands, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out they were a part of the media.
“Ken, can we have a few questions?” One of them asked, his excitement palpable.
However, before he could answer the fellow, a lady dressed in a tight yet professional dress with a suit jacket around her shoulders interrupted.
“Sorry everyone, we’ll be taking the first interview.” She smiled, showing her sparkling white teeth.
Although there was some dissent, no one voiced their complaints aloud.
“Hi there Ken, I’m Miya Fukuda from NHK. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She bowed, slightly exposing her luxurious cleavage that was hidden well within her dress.
Ken felt his body react instantly, flushing his cheeks.
[High blood pressure detected, suggest user removes themselves from the area.]
Instead of lashing out at Mika like he usually would, his mind raced. NHK was the National TV channel that was broadcasting Koshien to the rest of the country. He would be mortified if he made a fool of himself on live TV.
‘Mika, use poker face! … Please’
[Understood.]
“I-I’m Ken, likewise.” He said eventually, bowing in response.
The woman in front of him could only be described as stunning. She looked to be in her mid to late twenties with soft and beautiful features, not to mention curves in all the right places.
There was probably not a heterosexual man in Japan that could truthfully say that she was not their type.
“Great. We’ll be going live in 30 seconds, I’ll be asking a few questions, so please just answer to the best of your abilities.”
Miya was bubbly yet somehow kept her professional demeanor. Inwardly, Ken believed she could have become an idol if journalism had not worked out for her. With her looks and personality, it would rouse single men from their lairs in droves.
Ken was feeling nervous, yet thanks to his poker face skill, no one would have noticed. Were it not for him fidgeting, it would be the perfect disguise.
“We’re going live in, 5… 4… 3…” The guy behind the camera counted down, gesturing with hand signals when it got to the final two seconds.
Once she’d been counted in, Miya’s presence shined as she talked to the camera, increasing her already bubbly persona.
“We’re here with Yokohama’s Ace Ken Takagi who has become the first pitcher in Koshien’s over 100 year history to pitch a perfect game. This in itself is quite an accomplishment, but adding on the fact that this is his debut match as a freshman, makes it even more so.”
Her words were said fluidly and interestingly, so much so that even Ken was shocked. Firstly he hadn’t realized that he pitched a perfect game, and secondly he had no idea that it was the first in Koshien history.
Yet before his mind could comprehend, a question was fired his way.
“Ken, how are you feeling after such a monumental game?” She asked, placing the microphone in front of his face.
He didn’t answer right away, likely out of nervousness. Since this was the first time being on TV and he had no experience, it merely increased the levels of anxiety.
Just as he thought he might never get the courage to answer, he heard a monotonous voice in his head.
[Enacting focus protocol.]
The moment he heard those words, his anxiety dissipated just like magic. His mind which had been over thinking everything seemed to be working just fine.
Before the silence got too uncomfortable, Ken managed to answer.
“I feel great thank you Miya. While I’m happy for the honor of being the first pitcher to throw a perfect game at Koshien, I’m more excited that we were able to win in the first round and advance to the next stage.”
The confident tone and his poker face showing outwardly, made those who listened to him feel at ease. There was no arrogance, he seemed like a well mannered teenage boy.
“Yes that’s fantastic. Would you say that a big reason you were able to throw a perfect game was because of your 160km/h fastball?”
Ken shook his head almost instinctively, “Without great leads from my catcher Yuta, it wouldn’t matter how fast I could pitch. Also our teams fielding was a great contribution towards the perfect game.”
A large smile formed on Miya’s face as he heard Ken’s words.
‘He’s a natural at this.’ She commented inwardly.
“That’s very modest of you Ken. Tell me, why did you choose to attend Yokohama High instead of one of the prestigious baseball schools in the country?” This was probably one of the burning questions on a lot of people’s minds, even his own teammates.
Ken didn’t miss a beat as he responded calmly.
“The head coach is someone that I admire greatly, without him there is no way that our team could have reached the level we are now. It was my decision to go to Yokohama.”
Miya raised her brow, her journalistic instinct telling her that there was a juicy scoop hidden beneath those words.
“When you say that it was your decision to go to Yokohama, does that mean you had other offers?”
Ken couldn’t help but smile inwardly at the question. Now that he thought about it, there was a certain individual who had told him to give up pitching in order to obtain a scholarship.
However, he decided to keep it civil. He would be facing Daichi in the Semi-final’s as long as both teams could continue winning.
“No comment.”
Despite inwardly feeling a little annoyed, Miya showed no signs of it, donning her trademark spotless smile.
“Is there anyone that you’re looking forward to playing against in this year’s Koshien?”
This time, Ken forcefully removed his poker face skill and let out a grin. This was something that he and Daichi had vowed to make happen in the future.
“I want to play against Osaka Toin in the Semi-finals, against my brother Daichi.”
Miya’s eyes shined brightly before adding some fuel to the fire.
“Is there anything you want to say to Osaka or your brother right now?”
For once, Ken got a little carried away and stared directly into the open lense of the camera, pausing for dramatic effect.
“Don’t lose.”
Miya was a little taken aback at first, but her professionalism quickly took over.
“Well you heard it here folks. I am Miya Furuka and this was my guest Ken Takagi, please stay tuned for the next game which is set to start in 30 minutes time.”
A/N: Want a mass release? Check Authors Note for more info! 20/30/50 chaps on offer.