Chapter 4 - The batter box is the stage

== The next day ==

== Riverbed - Softball field ==

Hagumi : Please take care of me today!

Kaoru - Misaki - Kanon - Kokoro : Please take care of me too!

Hagumi : Alright! We'll be playing defense first! Kano-chan-senpai, are you ready?

Kanon : Yes...! I have practiced a lot after all!

Hagumi : You're right! You can definitely catch the ball Kano-chan-senpai!

Hagumi : Everyone too! You all work really hard for this! Then... Let's do this--!

== First inning – First half ==

Kanon : (It's going to be fine... I mean, yesterday I managed to catch Hagumi-chan's throw.)

Kanon : (Also... I could see everyone from here... Somehow, it just feels like standing on top of the stage.)

Hagumi : ...Eyy.

Kanon : ...!

Referee : Strike!

Kanon : ...Waa, I catch it... I catch it, Hagumi-chan!

Hagumi : Yes! Nice catch, Kano-chan-senpai!

Akari : ...Waaa...!

Kanon : Ehehe...Yes! Then, Hagumi-chan, let's keep this up!

Hagumi : Okay--! Let's show them the power of Hello happy's battery!

---

Hagumi : Eyyy.

Kanon : ...Aaaa, She hit it...!

Hagumi : Kokoron! The ball is heading to the right-field--!

Kokoro : Leave it to me! Mr. Ball. where are you going!

Kokoro : Hmmm... here!

Misaki : Oooo, She catches it.

Kokoro: I did it! Mr. Ball, Thank you for telling me!

== First Inning ==

Hagumi : Kokoron, Kokoron! That catch from before was amazing!

Kokoro : Thank you, Hagumi! At that time, I feel like I heard Mr. ball's voice! He told me where he gonna land!

Kokoro : That's definitely the main reason I managed to catch Mr. Ball!

Kaoru : So that's means Mr. Ball has finally opened his heart to you. Aaa, How fleeting...

Kanon : Fufu, I'm glad that you can finally become a friend with Mr. Ball, Kokoro-chan. And you even managed to throw it in a straight line after that.

Kokoro : Yes! But your catch is also wonderful, Kanon! You managed to catch Mr. Ball even though hee's flying so fast!

Kanon : Ehehe... Maybe it's because I become a friend with Mr. Ball too.

Misaki : But seriously, among us, Kanon-san is the one who improves a lot.

Kaoru : Yes, we need to do our best too Well then, pardon me, I'm heading toward the batter box.

Hagumi : Yes! See you later Kaoru-kun! Show us a homerun!

Kokoro : Kaoru--! Fight! Happy--! Luck--!! Smile----!

Kokoro - Hagumi : Yeayyy!!!

Misaki : Ahhh, The opponent team is in shock, right now... Well, of course, right, everyone will react the same way when seeing us for the first time...

---

Referee : Strike! Batter out!

Kanon : Aaah, That was close…

Kokoro : Yes! She will definitely hit it next time! Kaoru's swing is really cool!

Hagumi : But, the opponent's pitcher is really amazing! Her throw is becoming even faster than the last time we face here! Right, Akari!

Akari : Y-Yes... Ah, It's my turn next.

Hagumi : I see! Don't worry, You will definitely managed to hit her ball, Akari!

Akari : Nod...

---

Hagumi : Akari--! You can do it--!

Kanon : Do your best--!

Referee : Strike! Batter out!

Kokoro : Ara... But, Akari's swing is also wonderful! She'll definitely manage to hit it, next time!

Kaoru : Aaa... I can feel her soul, just by seeing her swing.

Hagumi : Hmm...? 

Misaki : What’s wrong, Hagumi?

Hagumi : Somehow, I feel like Akari's swing just now has less power than usual. Usually, her usual swing is more bolder and harder.

Kanon : Maybe she’s nervous. That's the opponent that she never managed to beat after all...

Kaoru : Possibly. When I stood at the batter box, I understand one thing, that place is just like the center of the stage...

Kaoru : You become the center of attention, in front of you is the opponent that you want to beat, and you want to show the result of your training---... Right now, Akari is just like an actress who can't act because of the pressure.

Hagumi : What should Hagumi do? Hagumi doesn't want to see Akari suffer like that!

Kaoru : Even if you cheer for her it won't end well. It'll only create unnecessary pressure for her... if you want to soothe her, then there is only one way of approach.

Hagumi : What is it? Hagumi will do anything for Akari's sake!

Kaoru : You see. You must enjoy the stage to the fullest and created a warm atmosphere to soothe her nerves.

Kaoru : If you do that, then Akari will definitely be able to bring out her true power!

Hagumi : I see, I understand! Then Hagumi will enjoy it to the fullest!

Misaki : (Enjoy it to the fullest...)

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