The results had been posted early in the morning. Kanemaru Shinji stood in front of the crowded bulletin board outside Seidou's administrative building, his heart pounding in his chest. Dozens of students were gathered around, all trying to get a glimpse of their future. The air was thick with anticipation, nervous whispers, and hopeful glances.
Kanemaru's hands were sweating as he pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning the long list of names on the board. His heart was in his throat. Please, please, please...
He finally found his name—Kanemaru Shinji—in neat black print, right where it should be.
"I passed..." he whispered, staring at it in disbelief. Then louder, "I passed!"
The relief hit him all at once, like a tidal wave. "I actually did it," he said, almost laughing from the sheer joy of it. After all the late nights studying and worrying about the entrance test, it was over. He was in.
Seidou High School: The First Day
The next few days were a blur of paperwork, orientations, and settling in. Kanemaru could hardly believe it—he was actually a student at Seidou High School. Everything felt surreal, from walking the campus grounds to seeing the iconic baseball field that had shaped the futures of so many legendary players.
As Kanemaru walked through the gates of Seidou, the school that had only existed in anime for him before, he couldn't help but marvel at the difference between seeing it on screen and now standing on its grounds. As expected, seeing Seidou in real life is on another level. The sprawling fields, the dormitory, the pressure of being part of this legendary school—it was even more impressive in person. The weight of expectations settled on his shoulders, but it only made him more excited for what lay ahead.
The Dormitory: Meeting His Roommates
Kanemaru entered his dorm room without much surprise. He already knew what was coming. His mind had already pieced together what his roommates would be like, thanks to the original series. Sitting at the desk was Chris Takigawa, the third-year catcher with an infamous reputation for his insight and no-nonsense approach.
Chris didn't even look up when Kanemaru entered the room, instead offering only a brief nod as he continued working through a stack of papers. "You're the new first-year," Chris said without any emotion in his voice. "Chris Takigawa."
Just as I expected, Kanemaru thought to himself, unfazed by Chris's aloofness. Having Chris as a roommate was a stroke of luck. Kanemaru knew from the original series that Chris was a wealth of knowledge when it came to baseball, but he also knew Chris wouldn't offer his guidance easily. Cold now, but I know there's more to him than this.
The second-year in the room, lounging casually on his top bunk, was a contrast to Chris. Toyama Kosaku had a laid-back demeanor, smiling when he saw Kanemaru. "Welcome, Kanemaru. I'm Toyama. Don't worry about Chris too much. He's like this with everyone at first."
Before Kanemaru could respond, a loud thud followed by a shout of surprise echoed from outside the door. Kanemaru tensed, confused, but Toyama just laughed.
"Ah, Room 5 at it again," Toyama said with a grin. "It's tradition. They scare the freshmen every year. I wouldn't be surprised if you hear a few more screams tonight."
Kanemaru raised an eyebrow but relaxed, knowing it was all part of the experience. He could hear the commotion continuing outside, likely someone playing a prank on the new students, and it brought a small smile to his face. The Seidou dorm life, just as chaotic as I imagined.
Settling In
Kanemaru began unpacking his things, all while Chris remained focused on his work, barely acknowledging his presence. The silence in the room wasn't awkward—more like a test. I need to prove myself before Chris will even bother with me, Kanemaru thought, knowing that Chris valued hard work and dedication more than anything else.
Kanemaru glanced at Chris a few times, hoping for a spark of conversation, but Chris remained absorbed in his papers, his cold exterior firmly in place. Just like in the series. He'll open up eventually, but I have to work for it, Kanemaru reminded himself.
Toyama, on the other hand, seemed far more approachable. He watched as Kanemaru unpacked and settled in, offering occasional tips about the dorm and what to expect. "Life here's not too bad, but you've got to keep up with everything, especially the schedules. Chris will keep you in check for that," Toyama said with a grin.
Kanemaru smiled, grateful for Toyama's easygoing attitude. "Thanks for the heads-up," he replied. "I'll try not to be too much trouble."
Toyama waved him off. "Don't worry about it. We've all been there."
The First Night: A Quiet Conversation
That night, the dorm had quieted down after the pranks and noise from Room 5, leaving the halls peaceful. Kanemaru lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about how different everything felt now that he was actually here. Seidou wasn't just a dream anymore—it was his reality.
He glanced over at Chris again. The third-year still hadn't said much beyond the initial introduction, but that didn't surprise Kanemaru. In the series, Chris was cold toward new students because of his injury and his internal struggles. He's not unfriendly for no reason, Kanemaru thought, remembering Chris's arc. He's focused on his own recovery and dealing with a lot of frustration.
But knowing that didn't make it any easier. Kanemaru would have to be patient. If I want to learn from Chris, I'll have to prove myself. That's just how he works.
Toyama had already drifted off to sleep, his light snoring filling the room. It was just Kanemaru and Chris awake now, though Chris was still occupied with whatever he was reading. After a long pause, Chris finally spoke up, his voice low but clear.
"Tomorrow morning. Freshmen are expected to be up by 6 AM for practice," Chris said, his tone still detached. He didn't look up from his papers as he spoke, but the message was clear—there was no room for slacking off.
Kanemaru nodded, grateful for the heads-up but understanding that it wasn't an invitation for a conversation. Chris had done his part by passing on the information, but it was up to Kanemaru to follow through. 6 AM. First day of practice. Got it.
"Thanks," Kanemaru said quietly, knowing that this was how things would be for now. Chris wasn't going to offer more than necessary until Kanemaru earned it.
A Moment of Reflection
Later that night, after everyone had settled in, Kanemaru found himself standing outside the dorms, looking up at the darkening sky. The stars twinkled faintly overhead, but his mind was elsewhere—on the baseball field, on the future that lay ahead.
It's just like I imagined it in the series, he thought, his heart racing with excitement. But being here is so much better.
The reality of Seidou had exceeded his expectations. He could feel the weight of the school's legacy on his shoulders, but it didn't intimidate him—it motivated him. Kanemaru knew that the road ahead would be tough, but he was ready for it. He'd trained for this moment, and now it was time to put everything he had into making his mark.
"I have to step up," Kanemaru muttered to himself. "There's no turning back now."
He thought about his roommates again. Toyama's easygoing attitude made him feel more comfortable, but Chris was the one who intrigued him the most. He's going to be a challenge, but if I can earn his respect, I'll be in a good place.
Kanemaru knew from the original series that Chris wasn't just another upperclassman. His insight, his strategy, his ability to see the game from angles no one else could—that was what made him special. If I want to improve, I need to learn from him.
But it wasn't going to be easy. Chris was distant, cold, and focused on his own goals. Until Kanemaru proved himself, he wouldn't get much from Chris. And that was fine. I know how this goes. I'll show him what I can do.