Success is unattainable without being tempered by challenges, and it is difficult to overcome adversity without remaining determined.
The coaching staff of the Seidou High School baseball team fully understands the meaning of these sentences.
What they need to do now is make these confident Seidou players understand what it means to be tested.
In fact, the team realized this by the second day.
They were so sore that they could barely get out of bed.
They were utterly exhausted!
Every bone in their bodies felt as if it were falling apart.
All their muscles seemed to be strained, and the pain was almost unbearable.
By the third day, none of the players could even manage a smile.
They mechanically repeated their training drills over and over again.
They had been completely worn out by the training; they followed whatever the coach said without question.
The training intensity lasted for three days straight.
After three days, Supervisor Kataoka returned, and everyone headed to the outer training camp together.
All their packed belongings were loaded onto the bus, which then departed.
As for the players, they naturally took Bus No. 11.
In other words, they ran on foot.
For the entire morning, by the time they reached their destination, no one could predict how far they had run.
This was the day's training schedule.
Thanks to his incredible recovery abilities, Sawamura managed to be the first to reach the destination despite not having enough stamina.
His performance proved that his Ace Pitcher title was well-earned.
However, by the time he arrived, he was completely exhausted.
The previous training load was so heavy that he had not had time to recover.
With such relentless physical consumption, no normal person could tolerate it.
After arriving at the destination, Eijun lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.
Coach Kataoka, wearing sunglasses, showed a hint of approval in his eyes.
But he still spoke sternly.
"Get up!"
With his body feeling like it was falling apart, Sawamura shakily got up.
At this moment, the second group, about ten minutes behind Sawamura, also arrived.
Miyuki, Maezono, Kuramochi, Shiratsu…
All were second-year students.
The gap between the first and second-year students was starkly evident at this moment.
During regular games, as the first-year players improved, the advantages of the second-year players became less apparent.
But this did not mean there was no difference between the two sides.
As seen now.
Sawamura looked at the four arriving players and felt a deep sense of emotion.
In terms of stamina, Sawamura Eijun might not have managed to hold out until now if it weren't for his ability to manage his physical strength.
This was very helpful during long runs.
But he was only ten minutes ahead of these second-year players.
If the third-year monsters were here, they would likely have exceeded Sawamura's speed.
Thinking this way, the training at Seidou was indeed terrifying.
After nearly another ten minutes, the third group arrived.
Kanemaru, Toujou, Kominato, Asou, Kawakami, Higasa…
Most were second-year students, with a few outstanding first-years.
All had arrived by this time.
Among the main team, the last to arrive was Furuya Satoru.
It was only an hour later after Sawamura that Furuya and the last few players showed up!
In terms of explosive power, Furuya was undoubtedly a top player at Seidou High School.
But in terms of stamina, he was lacking.
Perhaps it was because he was too brittle or for other reasons.
In terms of endurance, Furuya was among the bottom ten players in Seidou, including the second and third string.
Among the 18 players in the main team, he ranked first from the bottom in terms of stamina.
Once everyone had arrived, Superintendent Kataoka announced that today's physical training was over and that they would proceed with an in-team practice game.
The players were already exhausted, and their deficiencies would be even more apparent under these conditions.
After a brief rest at noon, all the members gathered at the training camp's field.
Upon arriving at the field, they saw several third-year players waiting there.
Ketsu, Masuko, Tanba, Isashiki Jun, Kominato Ryosuke…
"Although the farewell game has ended, that game was the third year showing their care for their Kohai. Today is the farewell game for the third year. Let's begin!" Coach Kataoka said coldly.
Standing there, the first- and second-year players felt despondent.
'Facing the quasi-Pro Senpais in this exhausted state,'
'Had coaching staff gone mad?'
Whether mad or not, the third-year seniors had sacrificed their precious vacation time to help them.
This kindness had to be appreciated.
Thus, a unique practice game began.
The three main pitchers of Seidou High School each pitched three innings.
Furuya's pitching lacked both speed and accuracy.
He was quickly overwhelmed by the third-year substitutes.
By the end of three innings, the score was a terrifying 6:0.
Next up was Kawakami, whose performance was not much better.
He allowed five more runs in three innings.
The score reached 11:0.
The final three innings were pitched by Sawamura, with all the main players of Seidou starting.
The opposing third-year players, including Yuuki, Masuko, and the others, did not hold back.
All their main starters were on the field.
The only exception was the catcher.
Since Chris-senpai had flown to the U.S. already,
The catcher position was filled by Miyauchi.
Other than that, all third-year main players were on stage.
They were ready to compete fiercely with their Kohai, Sawamura.
"Very good!"
In what seemed like an almost hopeless situation, Sawamura was excited to face such opponents.
He gripped the baseball tightly and threw it with all his might.
The continuous training had blurred his consciousness.
Not just Sawamura, but most of the defensive players were in the same state.
Yet they remained strong and stubborn.
Sometimes they wondered if baseball really required this level of effort.
But having persevered this far, they could not afford to give up.
Having come this far, how could they quit halfway?
Or so it was until Sawamura threw his most pathetic ball to date.
"Oh No!"
Ping!
***
In a state of daze, the hellish training at Seidou finally came to an end.
After the last round of carrying training, the members of the Seidou High School Baseball Club finally welcomed their vacation.
When Coach Kataoka announced that all training had concluded, Sawamura excitedly threw Furuya off his back.
Finally!
Although he was too exhausted to smile, and his body was completely worn out, it felt like a prisoner suddenly being freed.
The feeling of regaining freedom and life filled Eijun's heart.
Sometime in the future, Sawamura might look back on this period of ten days of hellish training and remember it as a good memory.
But as he feels now, no matter how many times he recalls it, he still has to say:
"I never want to go through this kind of training again!"
Most of the Seidou High School Baseball Club members shared this sentiment.
"Bad for you, you still have one more camp of this." Miyuki stayed true to his character and teased.
"…Miyuki-senpai, I hope you never get a girlfriend ever."
"Oi!!!"
"Pfft~!"
"Heh."
Lying on the ground, many of those who heard them laugh a bit, even when they are tired.
On December 30th, the hellish special training at Seidou High School ended.
After taking a shower that evening and sorting out his belongings, the next day, the members of the Seidou High School Baseball Club went home to be with their families.
They couldn't wait to enjoy the few days of vacation they had.
Baseball players had a vacation about ten days later than regular students and had to start school nearly a week earlier.
Originally, they had about 20 days of vacation, but the time they could actually enjoy was less than ten days.
Considering that after the third semester ends, they will face the Senbatsu tournament and will have special training for it, they probably won't get to enjoy the vacation of the third semester.
So, this ten-day vacation might be their only break for the entire year.
No matter how strict a person is with themselves, they need to go home and see their family.
Thus, the players boarded the train to their hometowns.
Toujou and Kanemaru, being from Tokyo, didn't need to take a long-distance train like the other players. They only had to take the bus.
On the bus, Kanemaru, holding onto the bus handle with one hand, asked Toujou next to him, "Do you have any plans for the holidays?"
"With high school baseball, there's no turning back. Time is tight, so I'd like to use the remaining time for some training," Toujou replied.
In the team, Toujou's position was relatively stable but not the core force. Therefore, it was natural for him to engage in extra training.
If he got sidelined after the Koshien starts, where could he complain?
Kanemaru nodded with a smile. "I'll join you!"
He struck a batting pose and continued, "During the special training, I felt my hitting wasn't smooth enough. Could you help me correct my form?"
Toujou nodded his head. He pulled out a small white ball and began tossing it up and catching it.
"I want to pitch again, will you help me."
'Pitching!' Kanemaru looked surprised at his friend and then smiled. "That sounds good!"
As teenagers, it's natural to be willful and pursue one's dreams, even if they seem somewhat unrealistic.
Since Toujou is willing, Kanemaru can also chase his own dream, even if it seems a bit impractical at the moment.
With modern transportation being incredibly efficient, the players were back in their hometowns within a few hours.
When Kominato Haruichi arrived home, he saw his parents and his brother there.
"Wow! So many people!"
Haruichi showed a cheerful smile. He casually placed his wooden bat in the corner of the room and asked his brother, "Has the university situation been settled?"
Of the original main team at Seidou High School, only three players were confirmed to enter the draft, and Kominato Ryosuke wasn't among them.
Fortunately, he didn't pursue a professional career but used his Koshien experience to get into a good university.
His future prospects were promising.
"You don't need to worry about me!" Kominato Ryosuke said, closing the book he was holding and looking at Haruichi.
"You were quite a mess during practice games!"
15:3!
That was the score between the third-year seniors and the main team of Seidou High School.
Sawamura, who came in at the last moment, was targeted at his weak points and was beaten up continuously.
First, Kominato and Tetsu's cooperation led to Eijun losing a point.
In the final inning, Ryosuke, Isashiki, and others successfully reached base.
Tetsu hit a game-ending home run, expanding the score to 15 points.
Fortunately, after Sawamura came in, Tanba's stamina was almost depleted, and there was still a chance to fight back.
Sawamura and Miyuki seized the opportunity and scored the first point.
Maezono and Shiratsu followed with the second point.
At the last moment, Sawamura also ended the game with a home run, scoring a total of three points and saving some dignity for the Demon King.
Except for Sawamura, the other first-year players didn't get a single hit throughout the game.
This included Furuya and Haruichi.
After their stamina reached its limit, they couldn't maintain their previous excellent performance.
This was inevitable.
Now, with Ryosuke's sudden comments, Haruichi felt uncomfortable.
Fortunately, he was no longer the obedient junior he used to be.
Smiling, Haruichi responded, "Next time we play, we'll win."
"Huh?"
Ryosuke looked surprised at his brother and then walked over, ruffling Haruichi's hair with a smile.
"What's this?"
Kominato Haruichi, now a young man, uncomfortably dodged his brother's affection.
"You've really grown up," Ryosuke said with relief, then playfully punched his brother in the stomach. "But don't get too cocky. You still have a long way to go."
"Aniki!"
Ryosuke's smile was unexpectedly familiar.
At almost the same time, the other members of the Seidou High School Baseball Club also returned to their respective hometowns.
Kuramochi, just back home, was devouring his meal with gusto. The previous training had been so intense that he needed to replenish his energy.
His mother, while bringing food to him, asked with a smile, "You've made it to Koshien again, right? Have you become popular at school? Any girls interested in you?"
...