68 The Ace Number
The Next Day, In Kataoka's Office.
"We have to decide the lineup for the Fall Tournament now", said Kataoka.
Takashima and Ochihai nodded.
"All the other positions have mostly been decided for a while now but all that's left now is the ace position. Should It go to Rei or Furuya", said Takashima.
"What do you guys think?", said Kataoka nodding.
"Furuya", blurted Ochihai.
"Rei", blurted Takashima.
"It seems like you both have different opinions", said Kataoka.
"I would raise Furuya as the ace he has the skills and the attitude to be one", said Ochihai.
"I disagree because I think Rei should be ace. You cannot deny that he definitely has the skills to be an ace and he gets along well with his teammates", said Takashima.
Kataoka was in thought while Ochihai and Takashima waited for his decision.
"We will give Furuya the ace number and have Rei back him up when needed", said Kataoka.
"But—", said Takashima.
Kataoka glared at her silencing her.
During Evening Practice.
Everyone lined up since Kataoka had to make an announcement.
All the players were anxious since they thought that the announcement was probably about the fall tournament lineup. They knew this because Kataoka always decides the lineup last minute.
"I'll be passing out your numbers. Come take your number as I call you. First, Number 1. Furuya Satoru", said Kataoka.
This one sentence shocked everyone since they expected someone else.
"What are you doing? Come up here, Furuya", said Kataoka.
Furuya nodded and went up to grab his number.
Rei scoffed witnessing this scene.
Even Miyuki was shocked since he knew Rei was better than Furuya.
"Let's continue, Number 2, Miyuki Kazuya", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Miyuki accepting his number.
"Number 3, Maezono Kenta.", said Kataoka.
"I accept", said Maezono Kenta accepting his number.
"Number 4, Kominato Haruichi", said Kataoka.
Blushing Haruichi accepting his number.
"Number 5, Higasa Shoji", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Higasa accepting his number.
"Number 6, Kuramochi Youichi", said Kataoka.
"Thank you!", said Kuramochi accepting his number.
"Number 7, Asou Takeru", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Asou accepting his number.
"Number 8, Tojo Hideaki", said Kataoka.
"Yeah!", said Tojo accepting his number.
"Number 9, Shirasu Kenjirou", said Kataoka.
"I'll do my best", said Shirasu accepting his number.
"Number 10, Rei Fujikawa", said Kataoka.
Rei nodded accepting his number. He didn't want to cause a scene, so he reluctantly accepted the number.
"Number 11, Kawakami Norifumi", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kawakami accepting his number.
"Number 12, Ono Hiroshi", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Ono accepting his number.
"Number 13, Seki Naomichi", said Kataoka.
"NA!", said Seki accepting his number.
"Number 14, Yamaguchi Ken", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Yamaguchi accepting his number.
"Number 15, Kanemaru Shinji", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kanemaru accepting his number.
"Number 16, Kijima", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kijima accepting his number.
"Number 17, Kawashima Kengo", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kawashima accepting his number.
"Number 18, Sawamura Eijun", said Kataoka.
"YES, SIR!", said Sawamura Eijun accepting his number. Even though he couldn't become the ace he will work hard until he could.
"Number 19, Kaneda Tadahiro", said Kataoka.
Yes, Sir", said Kaneda accepting his number.
"And lastly, number 20, Mimura Ryota", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Mimura accepting his number.
"I'm sure you all will understand the lineup. If you have any problems, come discuss them with me in my office", said Kataoka.
At Night, In the Cafeteria.
Furuya, Sawamura, Kawakami, Miyuki, Haruichi, and Kuramochi were sitting at the same table eating their dinner but for some reason, the atmosphere surrounding the table wasn't cheerful despite them getting their numbers successfully.
"I can't believe Kataoka coach made this kind of decision", said Miyuki.
"I'm still shocked", said Kuramochi.
"There must have been a reason", said Haruichi.
"I think so too but I don't think anything else matters. Just look at Rei's skills compare to Furuya it's completely on a whole another level. If we made it further in Koshien I bet, he would have been scouted for other colleges already. Even though he's only a 1st year", said Kuramochi.
'The mound Is mine and nobody more than me deserves it', thought Furuya eating his dinner. Even though he thought this way he was feeling guilty.
"Wait, guys…I don't see Rei anywhere", said Haruichi dumfounding everyone at the table.
"Don't tell me—", said Kuramochi.
"He went to the office!", said Kanemaru joining them.
"ANO BAKA!!", said Miyuki frustrated. He didn't know what was going to happen in the office, but he did know that Rei had a temper, and it was going to worsen his reputation in front of Kataoka and Ochihai.
20 Minutes ago, outside Kataoka's office.
**Knock** **Knock** Rei knocked on Kataoka's office.
"Come in", said Kataoka.
Rei entered the office.
"I was expecting you", said Kataoka.
'Obviously, you would', thought Rei scoffing.
"Let me get straight to the point. Why am I not the ace? Clearly, I have better skills than Furuya and even the whole team thinks that way", said Rei.
"I think you are not suited for the role and even the assistant coach Ochihai agrees", said Kataoka.
"Stop beating around the bush and straight up tell him", added Ochihai coach from the side.
"I don't need an arrogant brat like you in my team", said Kataoka bluntly glaring at Rei trying to intimidate him.
"And you think Furuya fits the ideal role of Seido's ace", said Rei.
Ochihai and Kataoka nodded.
"HAHAHHA…F****** S*** C***", cursed Rei as he walked out of the office.
Takashima, Ochihai, and Kataoka were left stunned inside the office.
In Rei's Dorm.
'I think it's best that way', thought Rei as he had come to a decision that will change his future.
The Next Day, Morning Practice.
Every player was either running or practicing on the field since 4 days from now was the fall tournament.
"Where's Rei?", wondered Sawamura lapping around the field.
Kataoka who was observing the practice took notice that Rei was nowhere to be seen on the field.
