Chapter 32: The First Practice Match
"One-two, one-two, one-two..."
After completing the scheduled training regimen, Eijun began his personal practice, following the instructions Chris had written down on the scroll he gave him. Chris had already discussed this with the coaching staff.
"In addition to strengthening my lower body, the focus is still mainly on muscle training. There's not much difference from the original story..." Eijun thought to himself as he carried out the exercises.
Muscle training would help him better control the strength of his arms, refine the feeling in his fingertips, and improve his control. At this stage, Chris's primary goal was to help Eijun refine the quirks of his pitching style and enhance his control.
However, knowing the original story well, Eijun understood that the ultimate evolution of his quirky pitches would be a series of different types of breaking balls, which in the original, first appeared during the fall of his first year and took form in the spring of his second year—the Numbers series. But Eijun was also aware that it was too early for him to attempt the Numbers pitches. His control wasn't developed enough, and his body and experience weren't ready to handle the strain.
If mastering the Numbers pitches were as simple as just changing his grip, Eijun wouldn't have struggled to perfect those pitches even by that stage in the original story.
For now, he needed to focus on building a solid foundation, improving his control, and addressing his current physical limitations. He aimed to sharpen his current weapon—the cutter—and make it more precise and deadly. Eijun was confident that by honing his existing skills, he could become an indispensable asset to the team by summer.
Additionally, there was the changeup—a pitch known for being highly compatible with his style, one that he could theoretically master overnight. He planned to start experimenting with it this summer, but only after further refining his control to confidently pitch to both inside and outside corners.
As Eijun trained, mentally planning his next steps, a calm but slightly warm voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Sawamura."
A quick smile spread across Eijun's face as he looked up at the person approaching.
With a bright smile, he greeted, "Good morning, Chris-senpai!"
"Morning. I'm here to inform you about something. Tomorrow, on Saturday, we'll be holding a doubleheader practice match. The first string will face Teito High, while the second string, where you'll be playing, will go up against Komashiro High. It's been decided that you'll be the starting pitcher and are expected to pitch four innings. Of course, depending on the situation, you might be taken out earlier or allowed to continue. This is your chance, so make sure you seize it."
In just three or four days of interaction, Eijun and Chris had already developed a much more pleasant relationship than in the original story. Although they hadn't fully resolved their issues, their ongoing interactions brought them closer. Chris was subtly influenced by Eijun's optimism and sunny disposition.
Moreover, Chris saw a reflection of his younger self in Eijun, which naturally fostered a sense of kinship between them.
Eijun could clearly feel the growing bond between them, and seeing that Chris's eyes no longer held the same emptiness but occasionally flashed with a hint of brightness, made Eijun even happier.
"Tomorrow, huh?" Upon hearing that there was a match, Eijun's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
The bright and eager look on his face caused Chris's lips to curve into a slight smile.
Noticing Chris's smile, Eijun felt even happier. This change in Chris was something Eijun was delighted to see.
Suddenly, an idea sparked in Eijun's mind."Chris-senpai, does that mean if I perform well, there's a chance I might pitch a complete game?" Eijun asked with a gleam in his eyes, his voice tinged with a slight urgency.
Chris couldn't help but chuckle at Eijun's childlike enthusiasm. With a light smile, he replied, "Heh, well, that depends on your performance."
Chris's smile left Eijun momentarily stunned, and a slight blush crept onto his face. Eijun scratched the back of his head, a trademark gesture of his.
"I'll be ready!"
"Good."
A practice match tomorrow, huh? It'll be my first game, the first time I step onto the mound representing Seidou High. Even if it's just with the second string, I can't afford to slack off. I'll face tomorrow's game with everything I've got!
Eijun subtly clenched his left fist, steeling himself with determination.
The next day, at Seidou High School's baseball field.
"Two practice matches today, huh?"
"Yeah, looks like the first string is going up against Teito High, while the second string is facing Komashiro High, right?"
"The second string? But isn't Komashiro pretty strong? Coach Kataoka is really taking a bold step here."
"Haha, well, we are still one of the three powerhouses in the West, you know. We almost took down Yokohama in the Kanto Tournament. Gotta have some confidence."
"Yeah, that game was really something. It's a shame I couldn't watch it live, but even the recording got my blood pumping."
"So, who's starting for the first and second strings?"
"The first string has Tanba starting, with Furuya likely coming in later. For the second string, it's Sawamura."
"Oh, Sawamura, huh?"
"Tsk tsk, sounds like both games are going to be worth watching."
"Definitely, definitely."
As the morning sun rose, both the A and B fields of Seidou High School were already packed with spectators. Being the weekend and with Seidou hosting two practice games—one against the East Tokyo powerhouse, Teito High—drew in even more of the local crowd.
On the B field, on the first-base side, within the Seidou dugout, Eijun was making final adjustments with today's starting catcher, Hiroshi Ono.
"Alright then, we'll go with these signals," Ono said with a serious expression. "Your quirky pitches can be tricky, but I'll do my best to guide you through it."
"Yes, Ono-senpai," Eijun responded with equal seriousness.
"Do your best, Eijun-kun," Haruichi Kominato said with a smile.
"Sawamura! If you walk the leadoff batter, I'll come down and deal with you myself!" Kenta Maezono, the starting first baseman, shouted loudly.
"Sawamura, don't rush it. Take it one batter at a time," Nakata Ataru advised softly.
"Haha, just take it easy and show us what you did during the Red-White game, right? Right?" Tadahiro Kaneda added with a playful grin.
"Yes, I'll do my best! Let's win this game together, senpai!" Eijun replied with a confident smile, his left hand clenched tightly in a fist as he shouted.
"Alright, let's go!!!"
"Yeahhhhh!!!"
On the third-base side, within the Komashiro High School dugout.
"Hmph, Teito gets their first string, and we're stuck facing the second string? Seidou's really got some nerve," the Komashiro catcher muttered, letting out a cold snort.
"And the pitcher is a first-year? They must really be underestimating us," the third batter and third baseman said, his face contorted with anger.
"King Seidou? They're really full of themselves," Komashiro's ace added, his eyes flashing with visible fury.
"If they're going to be that bold, then we should teach these guys a lesson they won't forget."
"Yeah!!!"
The summer heat had crept in quietly, signaling the final stretch of preparations and adjustments for all teams as they geared up for the upcoming season.
For Eijun, this was the beginning of his high school journey—the first game where he would finally step onto the mound in Seidou's colors!
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