The Lineup

Team practice started in an hour, but Hiroki wanted to get there early for some extra time to hone his skills. Coach Suzuki would be choosing the starting lineup today for their first game. Hiroki wanted to be on it – a tall task for a first year.

As he approached the diamond, the ching of baseballs crashing into the fence behind home plate reverberated over the background noise of distant traffic.

After entering the dugout, Hiroki saw Nobu on the pitching mound, a basket of baseballs sitting in beside him. How the hell is he already here?

"Hey, Nobu," Hiroki called.
"Hey."

Nobu made his way toward the dugout, "you're here early."
Hiroki gave him a look, "and yet you still beat me."
Nobu smirked, "we can't take it too easy as first years if we want to play in any games."
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Hiroki responded, "want to warm up?"
"Ya, sure."

They began to throw a ball back and forth. Hiroki could really feel the weight of a pitcher's throws.

"Aki gave you a scare today, huh?" Nobu jabbed, with a grin on his face.
"Ya..." Hiroki turned pale as that memory popped back into his mind, "Do you two know each other?"
"We grew up together," Nobu said with a soft shrug.
"How long have you known her?"
"Since grade school," Nobu added.
"Wow, are you close?"
"I guess... she's like a sister," there was hesitation.
"You're related?"
"No," Nobu's tone turned solemn, "our families just know each other well."

Hiroki got the hint. They continued their warmup with a little bit of discomfort in the air.

As practice came to a close, Coach Suzuki called the team in for a meeting.
"Gather round, gather round. Good practice today, gentlemen. Our first game will be this Saturday against Koiji," he bellowed.

"This will be our starting lineup:
Pitching first will be Nobu Harada
With Goro Sasaki as backup.
First Base, Enji Ikeda
Second Base, Chuujirou Matsuda
Short Stop..."

Hiroki tensed up, without realizing it he was holding his breath. He was desperate to be on the starting lineup, but he barely had time to prove himself.

"... Kotaro Sakai," a third year. The world went silent as that quick reality sank in.

He didn't hear the rest of the lineup, being too lost in his own thoughts. It was to be expected, considering he was a first year, but that didn't lessen the sting and frustration. Part of him believed he could be a starter; after all, Nobu was.

"Please give a round of applause for those to our starting lineup," Coach Suzuki announced. The team clapped; Hiroki convinced himself to join in. "All of you please continue to work hard."

He wasn't satisfied. Every fiber in his body wanted to be on the starting lineup. What would it take?

"Hey, Coach," Hiroki croaked as he approached. "Yes, Hiroki?" Coach Suzuki asked. Hiroki was surprised Coach knew his name.

He was afraid to ask the question, but he knew he needed to, "what do I need to do to get on the starting lineup?" Coach Suzuki gave a supportive smile, "You are a very talented player, but you are still a first year. There's no doubt in my mind that you will surpass your seniors, however, it's up to you to determine how soon that will happen."

The advice was raw and honest, but bitter. This was reality. It was a sharp introduction to the realities of highly competitive university baseball.

"Understood. Thank you, Coach," Hiroki said with a respectful bow.

He had got away in high school without a whole-hearted effort. Not that he didn't try, but he knew in his soul that his glove still had a sheen that could have been dulled.

Sora saw from a distance the conversation between Hiroki and Coach Suzuki, he approached Hiroki, "what did you ask Coach about?"
With a moment of embarrassment, Hiroki confessed, "how to get on the starting lineup." Sora's eyebrows raised in surprised.
"That's bold," Sora expressed, "what did he say?"
"To work harder," Hiroki smirked.
"Classic..."