I crouched down and adjusted my gloves once more. My sharp eyes were locked on the batter. A brief drizzle had wet the field, but our team, the Shinjuku Hunters, played on without hesitation. It was the final inning, and the opposing team had a runner on third base. The score was 3-1 in our favor, with two outs remaining.


    “Pitch it in there, Haruka!” Yui, our tall shortstop, shouted at our pitcher, and then quickly glanced at me, offering a sly wink.


    Both of us knew that the batter favored hitting to the right side of the field, and over 60% of the time, he grounded out. I moved into position, prepared.


    The dark-haired pitcher wound up and sent the ball rocketing low, right down the middle. The batter swung with force, and the ball sliced sharply between first and second base. I dashed from my position toward the fast-moving ball. I dove for it, my glove just inches away when Rika Karella, our first baseman, collided into me. The ball slipped free, allowing the runner on third to score, and the batter to safely reach first base.


    Haruka, who had covered first, cursed loudly. "Rika! What the hell are you doing?!" Her arm was aching, and she needed ice, but the last thing she wanted to do was pitch another inning.


    Rika jumped up from the collision, snarling at me as I scrambled for the loose ball. "Damn it! You saw I had it! What the hell, Mizuki?"


    I stood my ground, facing the furious first baseman. "Back off, Rika. Come on, we’ve got a game to finish."


    "The hell I will," Rika growled, stepping closer. "It was in my territory."


    Yui stepped in between us. "Rika, it’s over. Come on, let''s get this out and finish this." She quickly scanned the bench for our coach, who was also her boyfriend.


    “Rika! Get back to first!” Coach Ikeda called from the dugout. "Mizuki!" He pointed to the mound, giving a silent command.


    Yui handed me the ball, and I threw it back to Haruka, who was taking deep breaths before she had to pitch again. Yui pulled me aside and spoke softly. "She’s a pain. Just let it go."


    Back at first base, Rika shot a dangerous glare at the runner before growling at me again. "Wear a cap, so the damn ball doesn’t get past you next time."


    I paused for a moment, slowly turning around. I took one step before Yui grabbed the top of my shorts and pulled me back. The shortstop with dark ash blonde hair, tied in a ponytail, whispered, "Show her up. That''ll get to her more than anything else."


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    I nodded and motioned for her to get back into position. A few moments later, we were ready to play again. Once more, I crouched into position, eyes locked on the batter.


    Haruka’s first pitch came fast and clean, heading for home plate, and the batter struck it sharply. It went right, just outside second base. Haruka couldn’t react fast enough, leaving me to handle the ball. Like a predator, I sprinted toward it. I dove, stretching out as far as my five-foot frame allowed, and managed to catch it.


    The runner on first had a huge lead and was already halfway to second. Yui scrambled to cover second base. I saw her twist as she landed hard and heard a thump. The long-haired blonde second baseman rolled once but got up quickly, throwing the ball to second. It was a close call, but Yui’s glove was outstretched just in time, catching the ball before the runner’s foot hit the base.


    Three outs, and the game was over. The score was 3-2. It was time to celebrate. We all headed for the dugout. Coach Ikeda gave each of us a high-five. He was incredibly proud of his team, and if we kept playing like this, we’d be a sure bet for the tournament playoffs.


    “Girls, it’s on me. Drinks at Big Sound. Everyone coming?” Coach Ikeda grinned, his eyes sparkling with pride.


    “I’m in!” Haruka yelled as she wrapped a cold towel around her arm and slipped on her jacket.


    Several players confirmed, and just then, Rika made a boastful challenge with a wicked grin. "First one to get a perfect score gets a kiss."


    Most of the players rolled their eyes and snickered at Rika’s usual brash comments, but no one dared challenge her. She was tough and talented, one of the best first basemen in the district.


    Dusting off my jersey, I ignored Rika. I glanced at my uniform before turning to Yui. "I need to run home and change."


    Yui swiped at the dirt on my back. "That’s enough. You don’t need to change. Besides, it’ll take too long."


    I shook my head. Since joining the Hunters, I’d saved every jersey, each with my number 21 on it. They were part of my prized collection, and I only wore the older ones for special occasions. "No, I need to wash my uniform first. Won’t be long, though. I promised your uncle I’d help tonight at the karaoke bar."


    "Okay, okay," Yui agreed. "See you later then. Not too long."


    "I’ll be right back," I smiled, heading to my dark, metallic grey BMW. It was a ten-mile drive out of Shinjuku, but I didn’t mind. I loved the peace and quiet of the countryside.


    When I arrived at the karaoke bar, I was greeted by my cousin, Mika Sashami, who was tugging her girlfriend along through the crowd. "Hey!" Mika called out to a few of her friends. "They’re here already." She smiled over her shoulder at Aiko and Yuka.


    "Great," Aiko mumbled as she gave Mika a glum look when she saw the large crowd gathered at Mika’s usual booth.


    "Wasn’t my idea," Yuka shrugged.


    As the trio made their way through the bar, the owner, Jin Kyoto, gave Mika a wave before turning to his part-time help. "Mizuki?"


    I placed a drink down on the bar before turning to Jin, my ‘adopted’ uncle. "What’s up?"


    Jin, scratching his neatly trimmed beard, shifted a couple of bottles on the shelf behind the bar. "We need a few more bottles of Maker’s Mark. Don’t worry about the sodas; I’ll grab those later."


    "I''m on it," I replied, quickly wiping down the bar before heading out the back.


    Yui caught me before I disappeared. "You working all night?"


    "Jin needs help," I said, using it as an excuse to avoid Rika’s inevitable loud comments.


    "Sure," Yui gave a quick glance back at the table where her team was gathered. She smiled when she saw her boyfriend surrounded by the team and nodded at him. "You know, I think he’s secretly one of the girls."


    "Guess he’s in the right place then," I winked. "Go on, I’ve got to grab something for your uncle but I’ll be over in a minute."


    "Don’t be long. I told Seiji we couldn’t stay too late. We still have work tomorrow."


    "Got it," I nodded.


    As I stepped into the back room with the cases of drinks, Jin wrapped an arm around my shoulder and gave me a quick hug. "You girls did well tonight. Five wins in a row?"


    I grinned, "We’re going to the playoffs again this year."


    "That’s good," Jin said with a smile, keeping his arm around me loosely. "Just make sure you’re having fun."


    After a quick kiss on the cheek, he squeezed my shoulder. "Go on, enjoy yourself for a bit."


    As I returned with the drinks, I overheard Yui asking Jin, "Did you get that song I requested?"


    "It’s in the jukebox. Number 21," Jin squeezed my shoulder before grabbing the drinks from me. "I’ve got it. You go on ahead."


    I grinned. "Thanks, Uncle Jin."


    What should I do now? Of course I want to have some fun tonight.