“Welcome to the post season Ligers fans. I’m Bob Carney and joining me today as usual is Bill Cartwright. It’s been a stellar season for the Ligers this year with their young lineup.”
“I think you’re referring to the two Japanese brothers, Ken and Daichi, right Bob?”
“Well yes, but Rohan Hills has also had a great debut season as a starting pitcher, though his numbers fall a little short of Ken’s.”
“I’m not sure we can use Ken as a point of comparison for a rookie can we? I mean, not only is he leading the league in ERA, he’s also still sitting at 14 strikes per 9 innings. He’s essentially a shoe-in for rookie of the year.”
“And that’s not even taking into consideration his batting efforts.”
“You’re right Bob. While Daichi might not be a pitcher, he has his brother beat in the hitting department. With a batting average of 0.335 in his very first season, he lead all players this regular season.”
“Unbelievable. Well, the Ligers have released their lineup for tonight and for those of you watching at home, you’re in for a treat. Both brothers will be starting this game, hopefully we’ll see something special.”
“Why are they speaking English? I can’t understand anything.” A voice complained.
“Do you really need to hear the commentary? Can’t you just watch it without?” The bartender said, his expression showing his annoyance.
“Shuttup! Put on the damn Japanese commentators.” Makoto yelled, his voice shouting within the bar.
“Alright, I think you’ve had enough buddy.” The bartender said, getting ready to remove the bald man from his establishment.
“I apologize for my friend’s loud mouth.” A voice called from nearby. A man wearing a tight fitted shirt and styled hair walked into the bar, instantly becoming the center of attention.
“Is that a celebrity or something?”
Whispers went around the bar as they saw this newcomer.
“Hiroki? I thought you said that you couldn’t make it?” Shiro who was seated at the same table as Makoto asked, though he looked pretty relieved to see him.
“How could I miss Ken’s perfect game?” Hiroki said with a grin.
“Eh?”
“Daichi sent me a message yesterday. They’re going to go for a perfect game this game.”
“ORYAHHHHH! I can’t wait!”
SLAP
“Shut your pie-hole, you’re gonna get us kicked out.” Hiroki said, slapping Makoto atop his head before giving an apologetic bow to the bartender once more.
Thankfully, the bartender took a step back and didn’t bother with Makoto anymore.
“I’m sorry, would you mind changing the TV channel to the Japanese broadcast of the game?” A sweet voice spoke up at the bar.
Makoto’s gaze moved to the voice and his jaw dropped onto the table in front of him. The woman was short, but her proportions were out of this world. He stared at her monumental twin peaks and felt his brain short circuit.
“E? Or maybe G-cup?” he muttered.
He was too distracted to notice that someone was staring daggers into the side of his head. Another slap came from out of nowhere, harder than last time.
“YOWWW~” Makoto complained, rubbing his head. “What did I do this time?”
“Are you done ogling my girlfriend?”
“Eh!?”
Only now did Makoto realize that it was in fact Hiroki’s girlfriend. He had met her at Ken’s engagement party and later at Ken’s wedding.
“Sorry…” Makoto drooped his head, looking like a child that had been scolded.
“Did you talk to Yusuke?” Shiro asked, changing the subject.
“He won’t be making it unfortunately.”
“Ah damn. Guess it’s just us 5 then.”
“5?” Makoto raised his head and counted, “But there’s only 4 of us.”
“Kaori is coming a little later, she just needed to finish some school work.”
At this, Makoto grew depressed. Despite being the ex-captain, he was far behind his Kouhai’s. This was nothing more than embarrassing.
Yet instead of wallowing in his own pity, his eyes glanced around the bar, determination creeping into his features. ‘I just need to find a woman now…’ he thought.
The first woman he saw had a petite figure with her back facing him, long black hair cascading down past her shoulders. He ran his hand over his head, as if to fix the non-existent hair upon his bald head before making his way over.
“Hey pretty la—dy?”
As Makoto slid into the empty chair next to the woman, he realized that he’d made a grave mistake.
“Lady? Who are you talking to?” A surprisingly deep voice came out of the man at the table, scaring even Makoto.
“PFFFT”
Hiroki burst into laughter, holding his sides tightly after witnessing the exchange. He almost couldn’t believe that Makoto had done such a thing in front of him.
Makoto hastily returned to the table, his face burning red with embarrassment. “How did this happen?”
“How much have you had to drink already?”
“Too much apparently.” Makoto said, pushing the glass of beer away from him slowly.
Some time passed and Kaori arrived, wearing a cute green dress. Now that everyone had gathered, they turned their attention to the TV which had now been changed to the correct channel thanks to Rie’s insistence.
It seemed that asking with a pretty woman was far more successful than a belligerent monk asking.
“Ah! There’s Ai!” Kaori shouted, pointing to the screen.
The game had yet to start, but the cameras were already roaming around the crowd. By chance, Ai appeared on the screen, cradling her very pregnant belly.
“Oh my god, she’s glowing~” Rie said, her voice rising a few octaves.
“I still can’t believe Ken is going to be a dad… He’s even younger than me.” Hiroki shook his head.
Rie’s gaze snapped to him, “When are you going to play in America? I want to see my niece and nephew.”
Hiroki blinked a few times, “I wasn’t planning on it for quite a while…”
Rie pouted, “Well you’ll just have to give me kids of my own, otherwise I’ll move to America myself.”
“EH!?”