"Let's play baseball!"
When I opened the door, the person standing there was... who?
No, I knew who it was. I recognized her immediately. We were always together, after all.
But something was strangely off. This person wasn't the type to do something like this, nor would she ever say those words.
She must be exhausted, I told myself. A lot had happened during the Magics Chevalier.
Wanting to maintain my composure, I quietly closed the door.
"What's wrong, Ray? Aren't you going for your run?"
"No... it might be some kind of hallucination... perhaps a magical attack... an illusion? Could it be Carol's Herrschaft? Is her 'My Very Carol-able In Wonderland' technique active? But I don't see any of the signs..."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"No. It must just be my imagination."
I opened the door once again.
"Let's play baseball!"
Yes. The person standing there was, unmistakably, Amelia.
But her behavior was bizarre. She was wearing her school uniform as usual, but she had a baseball cap perched on her head and was giving me a firm thumbs-up.
She really must be tired.
Thinking that, I tried to close the door again, but Amelia lunged forward to block it.
"Wait! Wait a second!"
"Hmm. I see. You're the real one... So, it isn't Carol's handiwork."
"Of course I'm the real one!"
"So, what's with the outfit?"
"Let's play baseball! All of us!"
"Wait, please. I need you to explain this in order."
"You're right!"
Amelia, who was in an unusually high state of excitement, began to detail exactly why she was inviting us to play baseball.
"The truth is, Rebecca-senpai asked me for help."
"The President did?"
"Yeah. It turns out the Baseball Club has been unfairly hogging the grounds lately, so Rebecca-senpai went to give them a warning in her capacity as Student Council President."
"I see."
"But the Baseball Club members were apparently incredibly disrespectful. Sera-senpai, who was with her, got really angry."
"Uh-huh."
"And for some reason, they ended up deciding to settle the matter with a baseball match. But since so many students have already gone home for the break, Rebecca-senpai and the others are having a hard time finding enough people... I happened to overhear them and volunteered to help recruit! Of course, you and Evi are in, right?! By the way, the match is tomorrow!"
"...So she says. What do you think, Evi?"
"I don't mind! I've played before!"
"Hmph... Baseball, huh? Very well. Evi and I are in."
"Yay! Okay, next let's go invite Elisa and Clarice!"
For some reason, we were now going to play baseball. I had experience with baseball—and most other sports—from my time in the military, so it wasn't a problem. There was even a period when Master was obsessed with throwing breaking balls, and I spent all my time acting as her catcher. Naturally, I could also pitch, since she had taught me various grips.
Still, gathering a full roster was the first priority. Including me, Amelia, Evi, the President, and Sera-senpai, we had five people. That meant we needed four more.
"Okay, Clarice's room is here!"
The three of us walked until we reached Clarice's door. Since there were very few students left on campus, visiting the Girls' Dormitory wasn't being scrutinized much. Amelia had come to the Boys' Dormitory without issue, after all. Apparently, Sera-senpai had told her where our room was; she had visited me once before for Gardening Club business, so she likely remembered.
Amelia, still wearing her cap, knocked triumphantly... but there was no response. It was seven in the morning. She might still be asleep.
Just as I thought that, a sound came from inside and the door slowly creaked open.
"Mmm... I'm Clarice Cleveland... I'm awake... mmm..."
Clarice emerged, looking incredibly drowsy. She was wearing a nightcap and pajamas, clutching a stuffed animal in her arms. Her speech was slurred, and her head swayed as she struggled to keep her eyes open. Unlike her usual style, her twin tails were undone, and her beautiful, glossy hair flowed down near her waist.
I see, she looks lovely with her hair down as well... Just as the thought crossed my mind, Amelia moved.
"Let's play baseball!"
"Mmm... see you later..."
Amelia gave her a smile and a thumbs-up just as she had to me, but she was immediately shut down by Clarice's sleepy mumble. The door began to slowly swing shut.
"Wait! Wait, Clarice, it's me! Amelia!"
Amelia pounded on the door until Clarice reappeared.
"Eh...? Wait! Amelia!?"
"That's right! It's me!"
"Ray and Evi are here too?! Wait for me, I'm going to change!"
The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of frantic scurrying. Five minutes later, Clarice stepped out, huffing and puffing. Her elegantly styled twin tails were back in place, suiting her perfectly. Her mind seemed fully awake now, and she spoke in her usual tone.
"So, what's this about?"
"Let's play baseball!"
"Hey, Ray, Evi. Is this really Amelia? Isn't her character totally different?"
Ignoring Amelia for a moment, Clarice turned to us.
"She wants to play baseball with everyone. That's the gist of it."
"...I see. I mean, I don't mind... but I'm a total beginner. Is that okay?"
"It's fine! I'll teach you!"
"Do you even have experience, Amelia?"
"I've spent a lot of time doing wall-ball and practice swings! So that I could play with friends one day!"
"Ah... okay."
"It'll be fine, Clarice. We're experienced," I added.
"I see. Then I guess it's okay..."
With her added to the group, we headed toward Elisa's room while catching Clarice up on the details.
"Oh? What are you all doing together?"
"Let's play baseball!"
"A-Amelia-chan...?"
Elisa had the exact same reaction as everyone else, but she agreed just as readily.
That brought our total to seven. We needed two more, and just as I was wondering where to look, I had a flash of inspiration.
"I have an idea for the remaining members."
I led them to the campus gym. My targets were exactly where I expected them to be.
"Albert. Club President. Good morning."
"Ray, is it? What's the matter?"
"Actually..."
Once I explained the situation, the Club President gave his consent.
"I see. Very well. I have experience with the sport."
By the way, Albert had no memory of his kidnapping; he was back to focusing on his physical training. He claimed his loss in the semi-finals was due to a lack of muscle, so he was currently being mentored by the Club President in the gym.
"Baseball, huh? That sounds good."
"Do you have experience, Albert?"
"I've played in the outfield before."
"I see, that's reassuring."
Albert was assigned to the outfield. Meanwhile, the Club President had experience as a catcher, so that was settled. Finally, we met up with Rebecca-senpai and Sera-senpai in the Student Council Office.
Now that all nine of us were gathered, we were ready to take on the Baseball Club!
"Argh, seriously! I'm definitely going to force that Baseball Club to disband! I won't be satisfied until we crush them!"
"Now, now, Dina-san. Please calm down."
"How can I be calm?! They insulted Rebecca-sama! That is a capital offense!"
We all gathered on the grounds, fully dressed in uniforms and holding gloves. Even though this was sudden, the fact that the Club President had uniforms and equipment for everyone suggested he truly was a member of the Kingdom's intelligence organization...
However, the news that they had mocked Rebecca-senpai was something I couldn't ignore.
"Sera-senpai. What exactly did they say?"
"Ray, listen to this. Those Baseball Club guys told her, 'Unlike you, we're actually getting results.' Bringing up the Magics Chevalier like that... I'll kill them!"
"Was that a jab at the President for finishing as the runner-up?"
"Yes! Just because they've been on a winning streak lately... I'll kill them!"
"I see... that is indeed unforgivable."
"So, everyone. What about the positions and batting order? Most importantly, who's going to pitch?"
"I'll take the mound," I volunteered.
"You, Ray?"
"Yes. And the Club President has experience as a catcher."
"Hmm. For now, let's see what you've got. Listen, we are going to seriously crush them, okay? I'm expecting great things."
"Of course. I will make sure they atone for the sin of mocking the President."
I made my declaration to Sera-senpai and Rebecca-senpai, though the President herself was busy staring intently at me in my uniform.
"Is something wrong?"
"Ray-san... I have to say, those are some exquisite muscles."
"You can tell?"
"Yes. All the men here have very well-trained physiques; it's wonderful reference material. Hmm, hmm..."
"Now that you mention it, you said something similar on the first day of the tournament. Are you interested in training as well, President?"
"Ah! No, well... ahaha... it's nothing! That's right! Please make sure to properly avenge my grievance, Ray-san!"
"As you wish..."
With that, I headed toward the mound. Everyone else stood behind the net as the Club President approached, equipped with catcher's gear. He was likely here to confirm my repertoire.
"Ray. What can you throw?"
"Fastball, curve, slider, shoot, two-seam, cutter, sinker, change-up, fork, splitter, palmball, knuckle, knuckle-curve, and I can throw a vertical slider."
"..."
"Is something the matter?"
"No... can you really throw all of those?"
"Yes. Master drilled them into me. She said that as a sorcerer, I should have at least this many pitch types in my arsenal."
"I see... that sounds like Lydia-san. Then, let's use these signs."
We shared the signs we decided on the spot, and the Club President took his stance behind the plate, holding up a large catcher's mitt. Because of his massive, muscular frame, I found it very easy to aim for him.
I wound up and delivered a fastball right down the middle.
"...Eh?"
The ball, thrown with all my strength, slammed into the glove. It made a sharp thwack! and let out a faint shhhhh as it settled.
I see, as expected of the Club President. He completely killed the ball's momentum and caught it perfectly. Furthermore, his massive body made for a great target. He was truly reliable.
"Wait! Time out, time out!"
"Eh? Is there a problem?"
Sera-senpai ran over to me, shouting.
"Ray! How fast was that!?"
"I'm not sure... I believe it was over 150 kilometers per hour. Once I'm properly warmed up, I can probably hit 160."
"You're not using Inside Code, are you?"
"No. Magical Physical Reinforcement is forbidden, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Hehe... this will work! For now, throw every breaking ball you have!"
"Understood."
I threw every pitch in my repertoire. The Club President caught every single one of them securely. Some of them lost control and bounced, but his large frame allowed him to block the ball and keep it in front of him. In particular, forks and splitters are prone to being passed balls because of how sharply they drop, but with him, we would be fine.
"Yes! Yes! Ray, it's perfect! You're the best!"
"Thank you, Sera-senpai."
I gave a small bow, and the rest of the group gathered around. Clarice stepped forward, her voice raised in disbelief.
"Ray! Wait a minute!"
"What is it, Clarice?"
"Are you a pro?! Even an amateur like me can tell that was insane!"
"Well... Master trained me, after all."
"You're seriously out of this world..."
We dedicated the rest of the day to practice. I could not forgive the Baseball Club for insulting Rebecca-senpai. I intended to go all out.
Tomorrow, we would face them in the match.
President, I will certainly avenge your honor!