The two shook hands before getting the prompt by the guy behind the camera.
The moment the count reached zero, Brandon turned into a completely different person.
“Good morning, this is Brandon Anderson reporting from Rodgers stadium after the exciting Cuba vs Japan match. I’m here with the sensational freshman Ken Takagi who had a massive impact on today’s game.” He gestured to Ken who felt a little nervous.
While he had participated in interviews before, he still had trouble concealing his nerves. If it wasn’t for his poker face, his expression would seem awkward.
“Ken, tell me what it was like hitting the walk-off home run for your team in the dying moments of the game?” Brandon asked, placing the microphone closer to his face.
“Ah what can I say? Of course it felt amazing. But a big reason why I got the opportunity was because of my team.” He replied succinctly.
“Of course. But you also had some amazing individual plays, both in the outfield and on the mound. Do you think that you should have been the starting pitcher this match?”
Though his words were said nicely, there was an undertone behind them. Almost as if he was fishing for some drama.
Thankfully Ken had his poker face skill active, otherwise he would have sent a frown towards the man.
“I trust Coach Takashi and think he made the right decision. He trusts me with closing out games on the mound which lines up perfectly with my skill set. There’s no dissatisfaction within the Japanese team.”
He had to choose his words carefully, not showing his true thoughts. If he were to be honest, he would have chosen to go on the mound in the 6th inning against the Lopez twins, but that did not happen.
“Wow very humble of you Ken. One last question if you don’t mind.”
“Sure go ahead.”
Brandon cleared his throat briefly away from the microphone and spoke up.
“After your performance today, some people have compared you to Ryan Smith. What do you think of that comparison and are you looking forward to playing him in the World Cup?”
He moved the microphone over to Ken and looked at him with sparkling eyes.
‘Heh, Ryan Smith… America’s darling.’ Ken thought inwardly.
Of course he knew who Ryan Smith was, the next prodigy who would take the Major Leagues by storm in the coming years. He was a monster, yet Ken didn’t feel like he would lose to him.
No, he refused to lose to him.
“Ryan Smith? Sorry, I’ve never heard of him.”
Silence.
Ken was convincing thanks to his poker face, so much so that Brandon was taken aback. It took him quite a few seconds to compose himself before he managed to bring a close to the interview.
“Ahem. Well congratulations again on your comeback victory over Cuba. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your matches in the future.”
“Thank you.” Ken said, bowing slightly.
“This was Brandon Anderson reporting on the U18 World Cup. We’ll be back with the next game Canada vs South Korea shortly.”
“And Cut.” The cameraman said, turning off the camera.
Brandon let out a deep sigh, feeling as if a storm was brewing. He could already see the comments on the video from the American audience directed to the teen beside him.
“Man, you’ve just gone and stirred the hornets nest.” He said to Ken, expecting to see a confused expression on his face.
However, he was taken aback as the teen grin widely at the comment.
“Don’t worry, I know. I’ll see you around Brandon.” Ken remarked before running back to the dugout to grab his things.
“Huh? Don’t tell me…”
Yet Ken was gone by the time he managed to put everything together.
“Haha, what an interesting kid.” He said with a chuckle.
“Ken! Can you please sign this ball.”
As the team were about to walk through the tunnels, Ken heard his name being called from the side line. There was a young kid around the age of 12 or 13 who was holding out a beaten up ball and a pen.
“Hmm?”
He walked over to the kid calmly, yet inwardly he was screaming for joy.
‘My first time being asked for an autograph!’
“Sure buddy, let’s take a look.”
Yet after grabbing the ball, he noticed that the seams were broken and some of the leather was hanging off the ball.
“I can get a fresh ball to sign if you like?” He asked.
“No no! This was the ball from the first home run you hit today, I wanna keep it.” The kid replied vigorously.
“What? Really?”
Ken almost didn’t believe it. He tried to recall what had happened when he hit the first home run under the effects of Limit Break.
Only now did he remember that the fielder had almost robbed him of a home run, despite him hitting the crap out of the ball.
‘So that’s why it didn’t go as far as I thought… The ball broke apart.’
Ken decided to sign his name on the only part that didn’t look beaten up. His signature was beautiful, a sign that this was not his first time writing it.
In reality, Ken had practiced his signature for an embarrassing amount of time in his previous life. So much so that he had already perfected it, despite never becoming a professional athlete.
If anyone were to ask, he would vehemently deny the claims, for it was far too embarrassing.
“Ken! Hurry up.”
Daichi yelled at him, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
“Here ya go.” Ken handed the beaten up ball and the marker back to the kid, a wide grin on his face.
“T-Thank you!” The kid looked as if his day had been made.
Ken was about to leave, but he thought of something suddenly.
“You’re the first one who has asked me for my autograph. What’s your name?”
At these words, the kid’s expression brightened even more, if that were even possible.
“M-My name is Michael.” He responded, feeling a little starstruck.
“Thanks Michael, I’ll see you around!” Ken said, waving goodbye.
