A few more speeches took place after Daichi’s, including Shiro who basically painted Ken as a blood hungry training demon. Many of the guests laughed it off, but there were a few in the crowd who looked as if they had PTSD.
Just as the speeches were winding down, it was finally time for Ken to address the crowd. He walked up to the spot and bowed slightly to the emcee, taking the microphone in his hand.
He looked around the room at all the smiling faces staring back at him and felt a smile creep onto his lips. Most, if not all of his friends and family were gathered here right now.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to come and celebrate our wedding today, it really means a lot to Ai and myself.” He said, taking a deep breath.
Ken turned to Ai and felt a lump in his throat. She gazed at him with a small smile that lit up her eyes.
“I am a flawed man.” He stated, “I am short tempered and selfish. Sometimes I get so hyperfocused on one thing that I neglect those around me. I’m sure that many of you here today have felt the effects of this.”
The room was silent, though there were a few nods of agreement.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was play professional baseball. Everything that I worked toward has been for this end goal. But somewhere along the way, a certain someone entered my life and made me realize that there was more to life than just baseball.” Ken said, smiling at Ai.
“I had always been aware of Ai, even back in middle school. She was always graceful.”
“Graceful!? Whatta joke. The girls yoosed ta trip over her own feet!” Tetsu slurred.
“Dad!” Ai puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
The room broke into laughter and Ken chuckled. Perhaps as her father, Tetsu would have seen different, but even now Ken could remember Ai back then.
“It wasn’t until High School at Yokohama that we finally got acquainted. She joined the baseball club as a manager and we started to see more of each other. Little by little, our friendship bloomed until one day, Ai said she was transferring schools.”
Ken smiled warmly, turning to Ai. “Back then, you said that I inspired you to chase your dreams… But you don’t realize how much your support has helped me chasing mine.” He said, his voice trailing off.
“When I ran off to America, you supported me. Even when you came to New York for college, we wouldn’t see each other for weeks at a time, yet you still waited patiently, supporting me from afar.”
“And now that we’re married… There is nothing else in our way.” Ken stated, his expression solemn. “From this day forward, you and our family will be my number 1 priority, I promise you that.”
“Woohoo, Grandbabies!” Yuki yelled from her table.
Ken’s face instantly reddened and the room erupted into laughter. Ken quickly handed the microphone back to the emcee and went over to Ai, kissing his wife deeply.
“I love you.” He said simply.
“And I love you, silly.”
***
The wedding continued without issue. It was truly a wonderful occasion that Ken would remember for the rest of his life. However, after getting back to the hotel, it became even more memorable.
Even as he was on the plane back to America, Ken’s face began to heat up as he remembered the night. As a now married couple, the consummation had been both passionate and intense, lasting for many rounds until the two were exhausted.
“Would you like a drink sir?”
Ken flinched, startled by the stewardess on the plane. He shook his head and tried to calm down his heart.
He felt a little bad for leaving Ai in Japan after just getting married, but he was already late for spring training. Even his grandfather had caught a flight the very next morning to return to America.
“You okay bro?”
Ken turned to Daichi who was in the aisle over. “I’m alright, just missing my wife already.” He said with a smile.
“Well you might see her sooner rather than later if we make it to the main roster during this spring training.” Daichi replied.
“Mmm…” Ken nodded.
Ken had been told an unexpected piece of news from his grandfather that night. The owner of the Detroit Ligers had invited some players from the minor league affiliated teams to join the spring training and compete for a roster spot.
Ken and Daichi were on the list.
So instead of heading to Ohio, the two were on their way to Florida. However, since a week of Spring training had already passed, they would be at a disadvantage.
To Ken, making the squad was non negotiable. He only had 12 months to get as famous as possible, so unless he changed careers and turned to acting or something, he would need to make the team.
Of course it was always his intention to do so, only now the stakes were much higher.
Someone of his age would generally have plenty of time to enter the Major League, but Ken did not have such a luxury.
His gaze moved to the monitor in front of him. There was still 10 hours left of the flight.
“I’m going to sleep for a bit.” He said to Daichi before getting comfortable.
‘It’s time to enter the Image Training…’
For the next four hours he pitched until he was kicked out. A wave of exhaustion hit Ken as he lay back in his chair.
”If I keep up this pace, I should complete two of the missions in about a month and a half…’ He thought in his heart.
Yet even if he finished those, he would be just shy of the 20 million Major Points required to unlock the unknown function in the system.
Shaking his head, Ken battled his fatigue and activated the sleep protocol skill, falling into a deep sleep a few moments later.