Chapter 102: Batting Center

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Translator: Soafp

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They passed through a slightly dim underground passage and came out behind the station. The batting center was just a short walk from there.

Though tall buildings had sprung up all around it, this place alone seemed left behind by time. A rusty bench sat in front of an ashtray, and even on a bright summer evening, the lighting somehow cast shadows that attracted bugs.

The peeling paint on the walls and the newly repaired roof looked terribly mismatched. Several bicycles were parked haphazardly by the building, some with enamel bags carelessly stuffed into their baskets.

“This place always looks run-down. I mean, that roof… repainting it was fine, but why yellow?”

“Ooh, it's got a good vibe. Makes me wanna see how it looks in winter—quiet, a bit gloomy. Ginji, mind if I look around a little?”

“Huh? Sure, go ahead. But it's just a dump.”

“Rust and faded colors are the merging of man-made and natural—evidence of a convincing history. This pointless construction… it’s good. Really good! It feels decadent but somehow lively… maybe it’s the bikes. They make it feel bustling. This contrast… I'm all in!”

It seemed Sora had completely fallen for the retro batting center. She wandered around with uncertain steps, and Ginji followed with a wry smile.

After circling the building and returning to the entrance, Ginji pushed open the door. It opened smoothly, probably because it had been oiled. This was an indoor batting center with a simple setup—nets hung from the ceiling and walls.

Each batting box was divided by wire mesh, and behind each was a panel to insert money. In the front box, a group of middle school boys were using it, laughing loudly.

“Oh, it's not crowded today. Lucky us.”

With one hand in his pocket, Ginji smoothly inserted some coins.

“This place is popular? You seem used to it. Can you go first and show me?”

“Sure, gotta impress my girl, right?”

With practiced hands, Ginji operated the old panel and pressed the fastball button at the end.

“You're going for fastballs? You sure?”

“Even if it's a fastball, it's still a soft ball at around 130 km/h. No big deal. Alright, I'm up.”

Ginji stepped into the box and gripped the metal bat, ready. The noise of the middle schoolers felt more distant as he focused. The pitching machine powered on, its distinct sound echoing. When it launched the ball, it slammed into the net—startling Sora with its force.

From a tense stance, the bat swung in a smooth arc, making a sharp ping as the ball carved a white line through the air.

“…Wow.”

As if his body remembered the rhythm between pitches, Ginji calmly reset his stance without rushing.

“Alright, time for my ‘so-embarrassed-I-wanted-to-die-because-you-heard-that' batting technique!”

“…So you're still embarrassed.”

Taking advantage of the empty adjacent box, Ginji shouted and slammed another ball.

He hit all fifteen pitches cleanly—or at least it looked that way to Sora. As he stepped out of the box and exhaled, he spoke,

“Couple of those jammed a bit. Those would've been outs.”

“Really? It looked amazing! So cool! I could see how your weight shifted and turned into power… it was beautiful!”

“Beautiful, huh… Heh, that's a very Sora way to put it. Well, I've been coming to this place since forever. No big deal. Wanna try?”

Sora waved her arms, mimicking Ginji's swing, then froze.

“Um… the ball is really fast… kinda scary. But I'll do my best.”

“That's the spirit. Start with the medium speed—around 90 km/h.”

“Shouldn't I use the slowest setting?”

Sora hesitated in front of the panel and looked to Ginji, who patted her head.

“The slowest ones are really slow—meant for practicing breaking balls. Medium speed is actually the easiest to hit. Just trust me. It's fine if you miss. Get in the box first and I'll show you some tips.”

“Okay… so this is what it feels like…”

Sora carefully stepped into the box and lifted the bat.

“Now get in your stance.”

“Um… like this?”

“…Seriously?”

Though their sizes were different, Sora's stance was almost a perfect imitation of Ginji's.

“This'll be quick, then. That posture’s tough, huh?”

“Yeah, my thighs are… shaking.”

“You can stretch your legs more. Just find a comfortable position. And don't swing the bat—just bring it to where the ball will pass. Swing a bit early—earlier than you think. Step back a bit from the plate too. It's scary at first. Try a practice swing.”

“Here goes!”

With a surprisingly solid stance, she swung slowly—so soft it seemed like it might go flump.

It didn't compare to Ginji's swing, but he clapped his hands.

“Nice start. Just stay there. Let's begin.”

“Wait, I'm not ready!”

“You'll be fine. Just watch the first pitch, then swing on the second.”

Though she panicked, the machine started up mercilessly.

A low whooshing sound.

“Whoa—ooh, that robot's so cool…”

She was clearly nervous, but after observing the machine and ball path in her head, she reset her stance. She swung at the second pitch—miss.

“It went somewhere different this time…”

“That's how it is. Your timing's good—keep at it!”

Ginji encouraged her from behind the net. Sora tightened her lips and focused. After four missed swings, she made contact on the fifth pitch—a weak grounder straight to the pitcher—but she turned around with a big smile.

“I hit it! Ginji!”

“Nice one! Watch out, next one's coming!”

“I'm not stopping now!”

She managed to hit three more grounders before her first batting center experience came to an end.

“I did better than I thought. But I've got no strength left.”

They high-fived as she stepped out of the box.

“For your first time, that was more than enough. I bet with a few more tries, you'll hit them easily.”

“Wow… I didn't expect it to be this fun! I wanna come again!”

“Right? It's good stuff. I'll treat you to a drink. Let's grab one and head home.”

They bought some rare canned sodas from the vending machine inside and sat on the bench.

“Can you open this for me?”

“Sure… you okay? I mean, will it mess with your drawing hand?”

“Of course not. I thought it'd sting more, but I'm totally fine. Just a bit sore from nerves and swinging the bat… I don't move much, you know?”

Sora sipped her juice in small gulps, holding the can with both hands.

“I figured it'd be fine—kids do it too. But it's my first time bringing a girl here, so I got a little worried. If anything feels off, say something. I know a good doctor.”

“First time with a girl, huh… Ehehe.”

“What are you giggling about?”

“Just… I'm your first girlfriend, and your first time coming to the batting center with one. That makes me really happy.”

“…”

“You're blushing.”

She noticed Ginji's red ears as he turned away, and leaned into him, arms folded.

In the end, the two missed their train.

That night. When Tetsuya came out of the bath, Ginji was sitting at his desk.

He seemed to be working on something, but had just finished tidying up.

“You were doing maintenance, huh? That smell… brings back memories.”

“I went to the batting center with Sora today. It reminded me of middle school. Anyway, I'm taking a bath now.”

Ginji got up and left the room. Tetsuya looked at the desk, eyes narrowing slightly before slipping into his own bed.