Chapter Text
Another day in Seidou and the baseball fields were as busy as ever. Despite the team losing to Inashiro in the Summer tournament and their current third years retiring, that did not mean that the team's work was over. They have tasted bitter defeat and are now working harder than ever to reach Nationals yet again. Though they knew this would be a feat in itself as the team lost the third years and would soon receive some fresh first years. Miyuki himself was curious to know if that loud mouthed southpaw Rei brought in a while ago would be joining. His pitching was ugly to say the least, but interesting and Miyuki was always up for new challenges.
Dinner would be soon and players would be practicing after that like usual, but for some reason their Coach halted everything to call everyone at field A. The first string stood in front with their new captain Tetsuya right in the middle between Chris and Jun. Both the captain and vice captain looked at each in confusion though neither knew what was going on.
"Apologies for the sudden meeting. You can continue practice after, but I have an important announcement to make," Coach Kataoka said as he stood with authority in front of the whole team. Rei stood next to him with a small smile, already knowing what he was going to say. Seeing as he had everyone's attention the Coach continued. "Tomorrow morning, there will be a special guest arriving. I need all you boys to treat them with the utmost respect and hospitality."
This caused whispering and murmurs among the teenagers as the Coach never had meetings like this over people visiting. How important was this visitor if it had their Coach saying this?
Rei clears her throat as she continues, "As tomorrow is Saturday, there will only be an official practice in the morning to noon. The rest of the day will be a free day as most of us will be busy with the guest coming in. Of course, you are free to do your own individual practices if you so please. Managers," She turned to face the managers who were standing a couple steps behind the Coach and her, "We will be relying on you guys to welcome and show our guest around while practice runs. Is that alright?"
Takako, the new leader of the managers, gave a nod and a warm smile, "Of course. We will do our best."
Rei smiled at the girl before the Coach continued, "Yuuki, Isashiki," both boys who were called upon stood up straight, "Unfortunately, you will not be able to do individual practices after the official one is over. I would like you two to meet and get to know our special guest. This will be just for tomorrow. After tomorrow, we will proceed as we always do."
Tetsu nodded firmly but Jun furrowed his brows at this, not liking the fact he couldn't practice and for what? A guest? Just who was this special guest?
"Any questions?" Rei asked. Many people were muttering, but were too intimidated by their Coach's aura to even ask anything.
Not Miyuki though. He raised his hand, waiting for Rei to address him before he raised a brow, "Are we not allowed to know who this special guest is beforehand? Seems to me that they're pretty special yet we have no idea who they are."
Rei can't help but laugh quietly, the Coach crossing his arms across his chest, his mouth settling into a small frown, "Your focus will be thrown off if I tell you now, so no you may not know who this guest is. I will introduce them to you all, excluding the managers who will be with them throughout the morning, when they are here tomorrow to cause less of a ruckus."
Kuramochi raises his hand next, asking his question as soon as their Coach looks at him, "Is this like a one day visitor kind of thing or will they be staying around here for a couple days?"
The assistant coach answers this question, "Let's just say that they will be here for a couple days. So remember, make them feel welcomed."
With no other questions, Coach calls the meeting and off everyone goes to do their own thing except a few of the first string members.
"How special can this guest be? Is it like a scout or something?" Jun asks, irritated that his vice captain role has been deduced to practically babysitting a visitor.
"Can't be. Scouts usually come whenever they want and or during practice games or games," Chris hums as he taps his chin in thought.
"Whoever they are, we must do as Coach says," Tetsu says with determination filling his eyes, "We will make this guest feel right at home with our hospitality."
Ryosuke can't help but to snicker at his fired up friend, "Come on, let's get back to practice before dinner time."
______
Tomorrow arrived faster than later and as the boys practiced on, they had yet to see the special guest anywhere. Takako along with the rest of the managers were out doing their manager duties as well as if they weren't tasked to help the guest, though no one questioned it as their own Coach had yet to address it either.
It's not until noon when practice is finally called off and everyone is heading to the cafeteria for lunch when the guest is brought up.
"Rei," The Coach calls out, making the woman look over, "Can you go and see if they're ready now?" Rei nods as she leaves, some of the first string members overhearing this.
Tetsu steps closer to Takako whispering, "Hey... What's going on? Weren't you supposed to be showing the guest around?"
"Yeah, what's with that??? Don't tell me they bailed out on our Coach?" Jun asks, voice filling with irritation.
Takako though shakes her head no with a calm smile on her face, "Apparently they had some complications during their flight here so they barely got any sleep. Takashima-san said they were resting until practice was over.
"A flight???" Now that has Jun's curiosity, "This guest is so special they came here by plane?!" Takako ushers him to be quiet as they walk into the cafeteria, most people already seated and eating.
Most, if not all, are all eating when Coach Kataoka and Oota walk in, chatting amongst themselves. Though a few players almost choke on their food when their Coach calls for their attention after Rei walks in, whispering something to him before going back to stand near the door.
"Listen up everyone," Coach announces, arms crossed, "There were some slight setbacks, but our guest will now be introducing themself." The first string all sit up straight, impatient to meet this so-called special guest even as some continue to stuff food into their mouth. Coach looks over at Rei who nods before knocking on the door, a sign for the person outside to come in.
But it's followed by silence.
Rei knocks again but again— nothing. There's a small irk mark on Rei's temple as their Coach lets out a small sigh, Oota laughing in disbelief.
"I swear-" Just as Rei moves to open the door, the door slams open revealing a 5'8 girl with black hair and blonde bangs and light gray eyes, a nervous grin on her lips.
"Sorry, sorry!" She spoke in English as she stepped into the cafeteria, a cold can of juice in her hand, "I got thirsty and thought I had enough time to run to and from the machine before you called for me." Rei sighed as she shook her head before giving the girl a look. "What?"
Rei motioned to the room full of baseball players making the girl go, 'ah'. She moved to stand next to Coach Kataoka before speaking up.
"Good afternoon! My name is Izanami Kataoka and I will be staying here for a bit to see if I would like to transfer here for the remaining two years of my high school life," she spoke perfect English which would have been fine... if it wasn't for the fact that more than three quarters of the teenagers have no idea what she just said.
Coach cleared his throat, giving the girl a look making the girl raise a brow at him. "Japanese Iza."
The girl's eyes widened before saying 'oops' and looking at the group of teenagers again. "Sorry about that Coach, force of habit," She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck before both hands rested at her hips. People now noticed the cute beauty mark under her left eye, "Good afternoon! My name is Izanami Kataoka and I will be staying here for a couple days to see if I would like to transfer here. Thank you for having me!" With her hands in front now, she bowed politely before standing straight again, giving a gummy smile.
But the silence in the room was slowly making her uncomfortable.
"Uhm, oh yeah, I said my name wrong. My name is Kataoka Izanami, but please feel free to call me Nami or even Kat."
All the teenagers in the room were still dead silent, making Izanami look at Rei nervously.
"Did I say something wrong?" She whispered, but due to the silence, many still heard.
Coach shook his head before his eyes sharpened, his next words stern, "I wasn't aware that silence was a nice welcome."
Everyone felt a shiver run down their spine before Tetsu stood up, walking to the girl and extending his hand to her, "It's a pleasure to meet you Kataoka-san. I'm Yuuki Tetsuya, the new captain of the baseball team."
Izanami grinned again as she shook the captain's hand, "I've heard lots about you! Happy to finally meet you!" That comment alone made Tetsu's eyes slightly widen, but gave her a small smile nonetheless.
As Tetsu moved to sit back down, Coach spoke up again, "We have an unexpected school staff meeting to attend now, but I'm leaving her in your care for the meantime." Giving the boys a look, the adults start to walk out of the cafeteria as Rei talks to Takako in a hushed tone before leaving.
Izanami is left standing in the front near where the TV is, looking a little lost before the managers walk over, immediately introducing themselves and leading her to where the lunch ladies are happy to serve their guest food.
"Kataoka-san, if you're uncomfortable, we can go eat somewhere else," Takako said softly as Sachiko and Yui nodded in agreement, only making the other girl laugh.
"No no it's alright. I'm sorry if it seems that I'm uncomfortable. The jet lag has me all out of whack so apologies for seeming out of it. I swear I'm usually more confident and open, even for first meetings," Izanami chuckled as she sat at a table where the managers usually sat, Takako taking a seat next to her while Sachiko and Yui sat in front.
"We heard something happened during your flight here? Do you mind us asking what happened?" Yui asked, genuinely curious.
"God," Izanami groaned before taking a bite of her rice. Waiting until she was done chewing, she mumbled, "Oh, that's good rice..." Taking a few more bites, she stops to sigh dramatically, "My original flight here was supposed to be direct to make things easier, but something happened so I had to take the traditional way here which is through normal airports and connected flights. Well, my first flight got delayed because of a storm, but thankfully my second flight to here was all fine... until I landed here. They couldn't find my luggage! Can you believe that?? I've never had that happen before!" She pouts before eating some more.
"Anyway, with the mishaps happening, I couldn't sleep. One because I was excited to be here and two, I was nervous something else would happen. The time differences are kicking my body's internal clock too, but I just need a day or two to readjust for that is all."
"Wow..." Sachiko blinked, "Uhm, what did you mean by traditional way? Is that not usually how someone travels by plane?"
Izanami shook her head before taking a sip of her canned drink, "Not for me. I usually travel by private jet."
All three manager's eyes widened at this as Izanami just casually kept eating.
"P-Private jet?!" Jun yelled out from his table making Izanami look over with a raised brow.
Ryosuke immediately jabbed Jun on the side as he now made it known that they were listening in to the girl's conversation.
"You know, it's not nice to listen to other people's conversations~" Izanami teasingly sang as she looked over at the table where Jun was at, "Especially when I don't know any of your names besides your captain."
Jun's face burst in red, embarrassed as the girl gave him a challenging look. Thirty minutes ago he was ready to face their special guest, even scold them for being late, but all that fire was now gone. Not only was the special guest a girl around their age, but she was also apparently a Kataoko A.K.A she was family of their Coach, and that fact alone terrified the whole team.
The Coach never divulges the team with personal matters such as his family or such, but now all of a sudden, he brings this girl here? Their curiosity was eating them alive. Especially as this girl seemed nothing like their Coach. Their Coach was scary, intimidating in fact, but Izanami did not seem like that at all. She has been all smiles so far, something their Coach rarely does, and was very talkative. To them, she was intimidating just by being related to their Coach. They honestly didn't know how to behave despite her being a teenager just like them.
Takako rolled her eyes as the boys got all quiet again, "Don't be rude you guys. Introduce yourself."
Chris was about to stand to introduce himself, but Izanami quickly interjected.
"Ah! You don't have to be so proper with me," She reassures with a smile, "Besides, it's lunch time so you can stay seated to make things easier." Chris looked at her unsure for a moment before she motioned for him to continue.
Soon she learned everyone's names, apologizing in advance if she asks again later since the team was so big. She learned who were first years like her, second years who were soon to be third years and so on, making her nod as she took all the information in.
"I'm sure you all have a bunch of questions, seeing as I came out of the blue, but I swear I'll answer them all, if not most, but later okay? I'm starving right now. I've just been sleeping since I got here in the morning."
Takako smiled and motioned for the girl to eat before turning back to look at the group of boys, "We'll talk more after she's done eating."
Tetsu nodded at this, but the curiosity in all the boys only grew by the minute.
______
"Aw man that hit the spot~" Izanami happily hummed before resting her head on her arms, which were folded on the table in front of her. She looked about ready to nap right there and then.
She probably would have too if someone didn't come and sit at the table where the managers were. "Kataoka-san, can we ask some questions now?"
Izanami raised her head and saw a guy with brown hair and black-rimmed glasses looking at her, another guy with olive green hair sitting beside the other, "Oh, right! Miyuki Kazuya and... Kuramochi Yoichi, right?" Both boys nodded, making the girl grin, "What's up?"
Just as Miyuki opened his mouth to say something, Jun practically roared as he stomped over to the table as well, "I can't take it anymore!" The two girls sitting in front of Izanami moved over as Jun walked up to the table, hands slamming onto the table before pointing at the now blinking girl. "Are you Coach Kataoka's daughter?!"
"Isashiki-" Takako was shocked at his behavior, but she couldn't lie and say she wasn't curious about that as well.
"Talk about being straight forward," Izanami laughed before her laughter slowly died down, her face turning serious. With her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes glinted almost threateningly, "Indeed I am," Collective gasps, "Is there a problem with that?"
Jun's face was all red as he struggled to say something, "I-I... Y-You-!"
Immediately everyone started panicking. This girl was Coach Kataoka's daughter? Oh, they were doomed.
"If we so much as breathe in her radius, Coach is gonna kill us!"
"Did you see how she glared?! She's definitely a Kataoka!"
"How are we supposed to make her feel welcome when our lives are at stake?!"
Almost every guy was panicking except the first stringers, though most of them were just hiding their panic internally. As everyone started to talk ontop of each other, Izanami broke out in laughter again.
"Oh my god-" She laughed so free her stomach was starting to hurt due to the fact she just stuffed herself full, "Ouch, oh my god," Everyone stared at her, shocked and confused why she was dying in her seat with tears of laughter in her eyes.
"H-Hey!" Kuramochi shouts, "What's so funny?!"
Izanami takes a dramatic deep breath, patting her cheeks to try to calm herself down, "You guys are that scared of my uncle?" She shakes her head, smiling as she takes out her phone to quickly text someone.
"Wait a minute..."
Izanami puts her phone screen down on the table, resting her chin on her hand as she looks at her 'audience', "You heard me."
Kuramochi furrows his eyebrows, "Y-You're..."
"Yup~" Izanami grins, "I'm his niece."
And again, everyone's mind was frazzled.