And so, my first week as the manager passed.
The great scorpions kept losing and losing.
「Five to one against the Farmer Union’s Golden Spike, four to one against the Adventurer’s Guild’s Sword Star, no wins in the past week……」
「It has always been like this. It’s not the manager’s fault.」
Shiida said those words to comfort me as I shrugged my shoulders on the bench at the practice field while reading the baseball newspaper.
Thanks……for that.
When people are kind to me, it makes my own inadequacy sink in even more.
The biggest reason for our loss since I took over as the manager was the absence of key players such as Roast, Mince, and Vongo, who were away on business but it is the manager’s job to do something that will patch that loss.
I looked up as if to shake off my sinking heart, folded up the baseball newspaper, and put it under my baseball helmet beside me.
「I had announced that we were going to have a night practice starting today and……this is all that showed up. 」
In the practice area of Torquiva dyed by sunset, the shadows of the six were sparing(catching balls) in their plain clothes, including Shiida.
「Everyone’s exhausted from work during the day so it’s already great that there are six of us here.」
When I was in my 20s, I gathered a troupe of young actors for a festival commemorating the 400th anniversary of independence and no matter how tired they were during the day. Those I didn’t invite even came……
No, let’s not think about it.
It’s the old man’s vice of pining for the past and lamenting the present.
As Shiida said, it was already great that I managed to gather six of them.
「……I have a great idea. Everyone! Gather at once!」
「Gather!」
Shiida’s voice echoed through the practice field and the five of them gathered after lazily walking.
It can’t be helped.
Effort without result is painful so it’s understandable that they won’t get into it.
I hope that what I’m about to tell them will cheer them up a little……
「In fact, I have something good to tell you all today.」
「What is it?」
「Did you read something good in the paper?」
「I know you all do your job every day but I think it must be somewhat difficult for you to work during the day and practice at night. Because of that, I have a suggestion……would you be willing to work for me without a day job on practice days?」
「…………」
As Sawadi Slayra once said, the biggest weakness of the scorpions is that there’s no fixed players.
No matter how strong the players are, if they can’t compete, it wouldn’t matter.
My proposal was intended to solve this problem.
However, the players looked somewhat puzzled and eventually looked at me anxiously.
Are they worried about their lives? However, they don’t need to worry about that.
I’m not Sawadi Slayra but I have enough capital to support a baseball team or two.
「Of course! The salary will not be different from what you’re making right now. I’m giving you benefits as long as you focus on baseball instead of your job…….what? Shiida?」
I was interrupted by Shiida, who shook her head in annoyance. Then, I realized there was something wrong with the atmosphere.
I looked around calmly and saw that the players all had the same troubled look on their faces. And they seemed to be somewhat hunched over.
「Manager, your suggestion will just cause everyone trouble.」
Shiida said so and the others nodded.
Why is that?
I think it’s a very good suggestion for these girls since they will be able to play the baseball they love without having to worry about their daily lives……
「Why?」
「You really don’t know?」
「I don’t, so tell me.」
「Ano, you know we’re slaves, right? If we were treated in a special way and just play baseball, we would feel sorry for our master who gives us jobs and for everyone else who always makes time for us so we can play. We wouldn’t have guts to face them.」
「That’s right.」
「Baseball is fun but we have to work for a living.」
I see, so that’s how it is……
「……I’m sorry for saying something without considering everyone’s situation.」
「…………」
I bowed my head with sincerity.
Thinking about it, this is the first time I’ve been involved with people with social positions as slaves.
I don’t know anything, no, I didn’t even bother knowing.
I just ran ahead with my ideal, further undermining the little trust they originally had in me.
「………」
The players’ silence made my shoulder heavier.
To run forward unknowingly is a sign of motivation.
However, to start running unknowingly without even trying to know is a failure of courtesy.
I’m already over sixty but I’m still a greenhorn to make a mistake of a teenage boy……
Shiida’s hand gently tapped my shoulder, which even felt heavier with dejection.
「Well, I’m sure everyone makes a mistake or two. Next time, please consult me first.」
「……yeah, I’ll do that.」
When I looked up, I saw the smiling Shiida trying to cheer me up with her right thumb up.
……what does that mean?
Somehow, I don’t think it means anything bad……
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