Ball Game Tournament
The screen blinked before displaying three E class students walking down the main campus.
Sugino stretched and let out a content sigh and said, "The rainy season's finally over!"
"It's starting to get hot." Nagisa added smiling.
"This is the season for outdoor activities!" Sugino announced merrily. "How about we go have fun somewhere outside?" He suggested. "Sure ! What do you want to do?" The blue-haired boy tilted his head slightly. While Karma just stayed quite the entire time.
Sugino stopped, looking sideways, slight envy in his eyes. His two companions noticed and looked back. The End class boys had come about the baseball field. The darker haired boy turned a little and faced the fence.
One of the players threw the baseball which landed in the pitcher's glove.
"Nice pitch, captain!" Someone cheered. The baseball team captain, Kazuta Shindo respired, catching the ball with one hand and wiping the sweat off his forehead from his sleeve. He looked over to see Sugino.
"Well, if it isn't Sugino ! " Shindo said.
The said boy looked surprised at the sudden calling. Every head turned.
"Long time no see." He said not really enthusiastic.
"Really ?!" " Hey, Sugino!" "Hello !" Other team members started gathering.
Sugino felt slightly unnerved but he quickly masked his discomfort with a smile and said, "Hey !"
"What gives? You should come say hi once in a while," Machida said.
"Nah it'd be kind of awkward." The baseball geek let out a light chuckle. Nagisa smiled as Karma only narrowed his eyes at the team.
"But man, I envy you, Sugino."
"You're in the E class so you get to goof off every day," Kondo added.
Cerulean eyes widened and Sugino's smile vanished. He looked down as they continued. "We've got schoolwork andclub so we're running on fumes." When they noticed the change in atmosphere, they spotted the a certain Red Head was suddenly giving them horrified vibes.
"Knock it off. That's not nice." Shindo said. Everyone looked his way. "Only the chosen few can be expected to juggle both schoolwork and extracurricular at a prep school." He added proudly.
"Wow, that's incredible." Karma stepped forward and gave him a hard look. "You make it sound like you'reone of the chosen."
Sugino looked at both his sides, where Karma and Nagisa stood to back him up.
"That's right. I am." Shindo spoke confidently.
Nagisa and Sugino's faces turned grim as they glared at him. The captain's expression only darkened and he carried on. "Don't like it? Then how about we show you at the base ball tournament ?" The Team's smiles became sinister as they looked down on the E class. "There are those chosen to stand at the top, and then everyone else."
Shindo grinned , smugly along with his team but only a split second when it turned into fear. A dark purple aura soon tingled their nose and spread around thin air like toxic gas , Shindo looked around nervously to see what had cause it when he was greeted to the boy in front of him.
"There's no such thing as chosen." Karma gave them a shallow smile leaving deep pair of piercing eyes , visible. "We all slaughter our way to the top."
They jerk back in fear , cold sweat started to rolled down their forehead.
Shindo gritted his teeth , sweat rolling from his forehead. "Th-this guy.."
"W-what's....h..happening..? " Machida gulp up nervously and back away , trembling.
The dark atmosphere soon cut of like a tape when Karma let out a deep breath , he turned around to the other direction. "Always choose your word wisely before you decide to speak." he warned , looking straight ahead.Shindo tighten his fits. "You better wash that pretty mouth of yours with some soap next time." With that he walked away.
Sugino and Nagisa share a nervous glance at each other before catching up to the Red head.
The episode played with Koro-sensei looking into a paper while humming to himself.
"Mm-hm. An intra-school ball game tournament, is it?" He said perked up. "Cultivating healthy minds and bodies through sports... most excellent!" He chirped before a dramatic display of paper and a question. "However....why is Class E not listed among the bracket?!"
"E-Class doesn't get entered into the tournament," Mimura answered, head leaning on the back of one hand. "For the wonderful reason that it'd leave us with an odd number of teams." He continued sighing. "Instead." He carried on. "We have to play an exhibition game at the end."
"An Exhibition game?" Koro-sensei titled his head.
"Basically it's just a spectacle." He said dryly. "They pit us boys against the baseball team and the girls against the girls' basketball club while the whole school watches."
"I see. So the usual E-Class treatment." Koro-sensei said with a small sweat on his round head.
"Yep." Kataoka chimed.
The vice president, the class rep and their teacher as well the students turned their heads when they heard chairs being moved. Terasaka and his two friends had readied themselves to leave.
"Well, we're not gonna stick around to be a laughingstock." The big boy said. "You guys can do what you like, see ya." After saying his part dryly, the three walked away paying no heed to Isogai's calling out for them to wait.
Isogai was having doubt about his strength but the others tried to cheer him up.
"Oh ! I'm So excited! So excited!" Korosensei nodded his head with a grin. The class blinked, taken aback by their teacher's antics.
"Nurfufufufu I've always wanted to be the fiery coach in a sports drama." He said his-currently white(for he was cosplaying a baseball) cheek- pink. "I won't smack you kids, around or anything, so instead, I'll flip the dinner tables."
Karma sighed and travel a hand through his hair , the darkness slowly swallowed the screen leaving pair of mercury eyes piercing on the view. "Uh oh...."
The screen blinked to bring to light a different scene. "Whoa-oh! A deep fly ball" The commentator, Araki, announced.
One of the Ball Game tournament's match was in its final moments. The students outside the fields cheered as he continued. "Center fielder catches it with ease! Game over , folks !" Several whistles blow. "The winner of the year 3 Baseball Tournament is A-class!"
"Lastly, we have an exhibition match between 3-E class and the baseball club."Araki stated.
The two teams stood face-to-face ready for battle.
"Only the elite with both scholastic and athletic ability can stand above others as one of the chosen. That's what it means to excel at both pen and sword." Shindo's sinister expression was directed to the former club member, Sugino. "You excelled at neither. No one chose you." He said walking away to his team.
Sugino stared at his back with a hardened gaze while the Shindo shouted,"Let's play a tight match!" To his team.
"Let's kill it!" Sugino pushed his fist up front. "Yeah!" The others E-Class joined.
Koro-sensei's smile grew , he is in charge of giving them a sign with his face color and stuff . "Now, let's give them a taste of baseball from hell infused with murderous intent and tentacles!"
"Now, top of the first-inning!"The commentator announced at last while they displayed the scoring board. "E class on the offence. Batter number one, third baseman, Kimura!"
The fielder caught the ball. "Strike!" The umpire shouted.
"But man, super junior-high pitch sure is fast," Tanaka said with a smirk with his arms folded.
"I hear he gets up to 140 kilos per hour." His snub-nosed friend recounted.
"140?!"
"That's right, up there with the pros."
"Amazing! The pitcher Shindo isn't known for his powerful fastball for nothing! At least swing the bat if you don't want to look like a loser." The commentator commented.
"Man, it totally feels like we're a visiting team," Kimura mumbled to himself, looking over the field to his Coach.
"One!" Red face.
"two!" Dark blue.
"Three!" Pink blushing face.
"Roger that. Alright, let's go!" Kimura nodded with a small smile.
"Whoa-oh! The batter is plenty fired up!"The commentator noted.
The Baseball club's advisor, Kiyoshi Terai let out a mocking grunt. "We'll get the first three batters out to end the part of first and in bottom, we'll score ten runs and get it called. You're a nobody."
"Now, here's Shindo, with his second pitch."The announcer stated. "And he throws."
When the ball hits the bat the players are taken by surprise. "Whoa! A bunting for a hit!" Kimura was already running.
"Kimura-kun's the second fastest runner in the E class ! "
Koro-sensei passed his own commentary. "As long as we catch them by surprise, he would easily make it to first base." He said to himself. And sure enough. By the time they caught the ball, Kimura was already at the post.
"He's safe! This is unbelievable! E Class, no outs, runner on first."Said the announcer.
E Class cheered while Shindo grit his teeth cursing to himself.
"Whoa! A push bunt!" Koro-sensei helped himself with a drink. "They may be tough but, they're still junior high kids. They can't handle bunts the way pros do."
"The third baseman moved up for it but it went by him and the ball goes bouncing. Shindo goes to cover him and picks up the ball but... Aw! He's got nowhere to throw! Unbelievable! No outs! Runners on first and second!"
"Wh-What?" Shindo was baffled.
"H-Hey, this game is starting to go in a weird direction." Tanaka's buddy mumbled.
"Impossible!" The advisor mumbled standing up. "Getting a fastball like Shindo's to go where you want is virtually impossible!"
"Hah! How do you like that!" Maehara cheered. "'We've' been practising against 'that' thing." He looked over the field to Coach Korosensei who had a menacing aura.
"Batter number three, shortstop, Isogai."
In the present, when Shindo threw the ball, Isogai was able to handle it easily, with a bunt.
"Whoa! Another bunt!"The commentator exclaimed."Right along the left field foul line!"
"Therefore if it's just bunts, it's possible to become amply proficient at it." Coach Koro carried on in the present.
"F-Fair ball !! It's come to a dead stop right on the line!" Three fielders stood there, shook. "Isogai makes it on the base safety ! Th-The bases are loaded!No body's out!"
Shindo's jaw hung open.
"M-Maybe Shindo's not feeling well or something ?"The commentator stuttered.
"Batter number four, pitcher, Sugino."
"Sugino!" Shindo hissed through gritted teeth as he prepared himself.
"One!" Light blue.
"Two!" Green.
"Three."Shadowed face with shining and menacing red eyes. "Play ball!" Umpire shouted.
"Now, the game resumes."The commentator said. "Whoa-oh! He's shaping up to bunt too ! " Shindo's eyes widened and he stilled, sweat forming on his forehead as he prickled with anxiety. Sugino's stance almost looked like he was wielding a gun, ready to shoot.
"Wh-What? What's up with these guys!'His heart racked against his chest. 'Is what I'm playing right now.." he felt more than one gun pointed at his head. "....really baseball ? "
"Sorry Shindo-kun. Now do you get what I meant slaughter ? " Karma grinned , looking at the club's player with a sinister look.
'The ball again struck the bat and hit a shot.
"He hit it!Line drive into right center filed ! Second baseman , go left ! Left !"
"N-No way..." Shindo's eyes were wide from disbelief.
"The hitter Sugino also makes it all the way to third ! He's cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple !
"Alright!" Sugino cheered.
"Wh-What the heck is this? This isn't how its supposed to go ! E class has put the first runs up on the board ."
"This is bad..." The advisor looked worried.
"Batter number six, centre fielder, Okajima."
"You've got to be kidding me! You can't get by that with a bunt !" Okajima looked over the field to his coach. "What are we going to do, Coach Koro ? "
"One!" White.
"Two!" Nervous white
"Three!" Tentacles covering the face while he openly despaired.
Okajima's eyes nearly popped out. "THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ?! "
"Strike three! Yer out !" Announced the umpire. Chiba and Okajima were both out. "Three outs! Switch!"
As the role switched , Karma suddenly went up to Sugino. "When you throw the ball , throw left as a fake movement and then curve it to the right." Karma instructed as Sugino rose an eyebrow but nodded.
"Batter number 1, left fielder, Hashimoto-kun." The baseball club was at the offensive.
"Sugino of class E, first pitch. And he throws. Strike!" The commentator declared. The girls cheered.
On the field where Karma stood. The red head was breathing both heavily and unstable , thick sweat began rolling in his forehead. He looked paler then before but no one seems to noticed when suddenly the ground popped up the head of his dear coach.
"Karma-kun." The head in the ground whispered.
"Unbelievable! He's struck two batters in a row!"The announcer carried on.
Karma looked at his feet and sweat-dropped. "Don't show up right at my feet, Coach Koro." He said breezily. "You looking to get stepped on?"
Koro-sensei laughed. "You're leading off the next innings. How about we try shaking up with some provocation from ? Karma-kun. "
"Now, top of the second inning! Still going with impregnable defence!" Commentator rooted.
"Batter number 8, left fielder, Karma Akabane."
But the boy didn't even move.
"What are you doing?" Shouted a teacher. "Hurry up and go into the batter's box."
"Hey!" Karma turned to the principal. "Isn't this playing dirty, Mr. Principal? They're taking up defensive positions that clutter up the field and the umpire hasn't given them any warnings."
Then he turned to the audience." Don't you guys think its weird too ?" Karma laughed coyly.
"Oh, I get it. You guys are morons so you don't understand defensive positions and such , do you?" The audience instantly flared up throwing up poisonous remarks.
"Quit whining about the little things, E class!" Someone said.
"Its 'exhibition' match! Quit trying to dispute the defense!"
"If you've got a problem then produce real results!"
While they kept booming, Karma put on his helmet and stuck his tongue out.
Karma steps up the defense , he position himself with his cap covering his eyes. Shindo felt his stomach twist as he gawk the boy with his eyes carefully. Suddenly Karma twist the bat ,sending the ball fly into the air shocking everyone in the field.
Nagisa was amazed. "Woah ! "
"K-Karma-kun ?! " Nagisa snapped off his daze when he heard Meahara scream in panic.
The crowd snap their head towards to see Karma starting to run to the third base...thick blood started running down from the right side of his eyes as they watch the boy wipe away the red liquid that stain on his cheek.
Coach Koro once again appeared at Karma's foot. "K-Karma-kun ! Your eyes—"
"Don't worry sensei." Karma immediately cut him off. He stare down at Korosensei who watch him worried. "I'm fine. Now what's the plan ?"
"I think we have no other choice but to walk Shindo." Sugino said hopelessly.
"Hey!" Karma says getting his team attention."Instructions from the coach."
They were about to question about his eyes but Karma brush it off saying that now it wasn't the time.
"Now, the game resumes."The commentator began. "But-" Isogai and Karma were right at the front of the batter. "Th-these an unusually tight defence positions!" He cried out.
"We're clearly defending in positions that would disrupt the batter's focus," Karma said. "But I didn't hear any objections from the umpire when you guys did it earlier."
The umpire was stunned.Karma wore a coy smile as he looked at their principal. "You've got no problems with this, right, Principal?"
"I see now. You have thought this through but this is just a clever trick." The principal grinned."Feel free." The adult said. "Mere changes in defence will not faze the chosen."
"Wow, tough words," Karma said slyly dragging his words. Isogai glance at Karma nervously but E-Class knew they can trust him. "Then we'll take you at your words."
Isogai and Karma moved closer.
The audience gawked. The two were too close for comfort.
"T-Talk about close!"The announcer stuttered."Forget about tight defense, this is point-blank range defense! He could hit them with his swing!"
The previous darkness and focus evaporated from Shindo and he blanched, blinking trying to understand the situation.
"Don't mind us- just swing away, superstar," Karma said with a hint of his signature mischief. "We won't get in the way of the pitch."
Sugino pitched. Shindo hesitated but swung his bat. They blockers easily avoided getting hit.
Strike !
"They barely moved to dodge him..." Mr. Asano watched , eyes wide and no longer smiling.
"In terms of steel and their dynamic visual acuity, they're the top of the E class." Coach Koro commented while mixing ice cream. "Simply dodging the bat is easier than bunting for them." He said as he took a spoon full.
Shindo was sweating profusely.
"A slow swing like that won't cut it," Karma said velvety. Shindo's eyes widened. "Next time,"The wind swayed his hair but Karma's gaze on Shindo remained deadly. Karma bloodlust devoured his body , demonic eyes stare back at him. Dark crimson red wing appear behind his back and half of his face were form to demonic angel like. Shindo ebbed backwards as Karma came closer to his prey. Shindo ground his teeth to keep himself from screaming. And then, Karma spoke a few words and completed his sentence. "try swinging like you're going to kill us."
Nagisa looked over , absolutely horrified. "IS THAT K-KARMA KUN BLOODLUST ?! "
Korosensei grew nervous.
"The same feeling as before... " Chair man felt lump in his throat , eyes narrowed at the red head,
Panicking, Shindo failed to hit the ball properly. It was easy to catch, which Karma did.
"Nagisa-kun!" Karma passed the ball to the fielder. He hit the base.
"Third base!" Isogai shouted. Justice caught the ball.
"Kimura! First base next!" Sugino shouted. Shindo's knees gave in and he fell. "The runner hasn't run so no rush." Sugaya caught the ball at the base. "Out!"
"A t-triple play....Game over !"
The E-Class unfreeze and ran out of the field circling them and cheering. Sugino smiled when his eyes landed on Karma who stood at the middle , not moving. He watched the blood continuing dropped down his cheek.
Everything around him were blurry , it seemed like the time had slowed down. Tension grew on his face , his breathing become more rapid , more shallow. He heard names calling him - no answer. Karma's eyes scanned to the crowd , but was met with blurry figures with no faces.
The thoughts are accelerating inside his head. He want them to slow down so he have a chance to breathe but they won't. Karma felt his breaths come in gasps , his heart is hammering inside his chest like it belongs to a rabbit running for its skin and the pain on the back of his head , all the way down his lower back came striking in again.
The world would spins and he's trying to catch a breathed, trying to make everything slow to something his brain and body can cope with but it seemed like an impossible mission. Karma feel so sick. He don't know what to do , he heard people shouting but it was getting fainter and fainter each seconds , who is calling him, too far away, he's gone, he went, breathe, gone, where is he, too far away... blackness... creeping blackness... Karma found himself fading , body become heavy yet lighter. Stop it , what's going on , the piercing ringing rattle beside his ears.
The imagine of frantic Sugino followed by the others , blurred his vision.
Slow motion of spinning...blackness...he's gone...
The screen turn black.
"K—KARMAAA !!"
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