Chapter 45: Catch

"Seidou's new rookie batter!"

"No. 19, named Yuuki Masashi, he hit a Grand Slam!"

"That's the one!"

"There is also the pitcher!"

"Nishiyama Kibo, yes exactly that Nishiyama! The Little League runner-up Pitcher."

After the game, all the scouts who came to watch Seidou High School's match called back to their schools.

To sum it up, it meant the same thing: treat Seidou High School as their biggest competitor.

Even the Coach of Sensen, who might face Seidou High School next, shared the same view.

"The team's Ace sat comfortably in the dugout, not even playing. The third-year players provided great leadership, and the team's batting lineup was explosive. Even the two freshmen who played showed extraordinary talent…"

"Just looking at the game's content, Seidou High School already has the performance of a Champion!"

"To be honest, we're quite unlucky to be in the same group as a team like this!"

That said, there was no sign of fear in the Coach's eyes.

In the past six months, especially during the offseason, their players had made significant progress.

"No matter how tough it gets, we won't admit defeat!"

After expressing this opinion, Ugai Kazuyoshi—the Coach of Sensen Academy— turned and left the stadium.

With Seidou High School's game over, it was their turn next.

They couldn't afford to give up either!

After the game, the players from Seidou High School thanked the audience and exited the field.

Once the last two spots on the first string were finalized, the team would no longer force additional practice.

Just like now, they had a half-day break after the game.

Whether to rest during that half day was up to the players.

In fact, apart from those participating in the game, most players couldn't rest at this time.

The competition within Seidou High School is insane, one of the most intense in high school.

Those who had already made it to the first string, especially those in established key positions, were determined not to be replaced before the summer competition.

Meanwhile, the freshmen and promising players from the second string were eyeing those first-string spots.

In such an atmosphere, no one would truly relax.

Even Sawamura, who was in the most stable position, seemed greatly stimulated.

After the game, he took the initiative to invite Miyuki.

"Do you have anything planned for the afternoon?"

Miyuki looked up at him.

"Want to pitch?"

As cooperative partners, Sawamura's words immediately made Miyuki understand his intention.

"Of course! You'll only be on the team for five more months. During this time, I want to hone my fourth-level breaking ball as much as possible."

"Sounds good!"

Miyuki readily agreed to Sawamura's proposal.

"Don't you want to try for level five?"

"Honestly, during high school, that seems tough. Even if I could master a fifth-level breaking ball, who could catch it?"

Talking about this topic, Sawamura's tone carried a hint of sentimentality.

His biggest regret was probably not being in the same grade as Chris and Miyuki.

"You have to believe in our Kohais! Besides, didn't you say your Kohai can catch any ball?"

"That's true, but he only caught my softball pitching…"

Sawamura didn't say more, but Miyuki understood what he meant.

Sawamura and Matsumoto's partnership still lingered at last year's level. Over the past year, since Sawamura started using a hard ball, his strength had surged.

Compared to a year ago, he was a completely different player.

It was just that because his starting point was so high, it was difficult for ordinary people to notice. But that didn't mean Sawamura's strength hadn't grown.

As someone who spent every day with Sawamura, Miyuki could clearly see his progress.

'Ball speed, control!'

'Not to mention on the breaking ball, in those two fundamental aspects alone, Sawamura had shown significant improvement.'

"Can you catch my ball this afternoon?"

At some point, Furuya had come up behind them.

He asked directly.

Miyuki's expression changed unpredictably, and he eventually shook his head.

"I've had enough of your pitches today! You are like a wild horse running out of control. Against this kind of opponent, it's fine, but if you really face a strong batter, you'll be at a disadvantage."

Furuya's expression darkened.

Sawamura felt a bit awkward standing to the side.

He understood what Miyuki meant and the care behind his words.

It was just that being so direct could be hurtful.

If it were anyone else, they might not handle it as well.

"Not to mention I don't have much time; you see, our Ace, his majesty the Demon King, is bored. So I have to entertain him!"

Sawamura, who had been observing, didn't want the flames to spread to him.

Immediately, his whole demeanor soured.

He didn't care about Furuya's fiery gaze; it was Miyuki's scheming that bothered him.

"You don't have to use the nickname! And the way you are saying is so disgusting!!"

'But we can make something out of this.'

On second thought, Sawamura felt this might be a good opportunity.

After returning to school, he directly gathered three freshmen catchers, along with Nishiyama, who had pitched impressively earlier.

Then he called over Kawakami and Ono.

The team's Ace had some respect; no matter what, everyone would humor him.

Soon, these players assembled, and even the detached Okumura came over without complaint.

In this regard, Miyuki, his Senpai in the same dorm, was very displeased.

"When I called that guy before, why wasn't he that eager?"

Sawamura shrugged helplessly.

"It's probably a matter of charisma!"

"Who are you saying lacks charisma?"

"Whoever feels like they are lacking it!"

The two exchanged playful jabs until neither could claim victory.

The matter concluded.

"Sawamura-senpai, did you gather us for something specific?" asked the cheerful Yui Kaoru.

"Actually, there's nothing major. I just want to ask if you guys are interested in catching for us?"

Interested in catching for us?

To the new students, that was equivalent to nonsense.

Of course, they were interested—very much so.

As soon as they heard Sawamura's words, their eyes lit up with excitement.

As soon as Sawamura Eijun posed this question, the atmosphere in the room became strangely tense.

No one expected him to bring this up. Everyone was clearly taken aback; they exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

Sawamura shrugged helplessly.

"It's been over a week since you arrived at school, and you haven't even practiced properly in the bullpen yet. Don't you want to use that mitt of yours?"

The bait Sawamura dangled was undeniably tempting.

The expressions of several freshmen shifted.

Miyuki frowned, observing Sawamura as he played the newcomers, perplexed by what he was trying to achieve.

"I want to try catching!"

Surprisingly, the first to step forward wasn't the cheerful Yui Kaoru, but the usually silent Okumura. He stood up first, his gaze fixed on Sawamura.

It was clear that although he had not yet been promoted, his ambitions were already aimed at the first string.

"I want to try too!"

Yui Kaoru shared the same eagerness.

Both were focused on one target: Sawamura Eijun.

"The current freshmen are truly impressive!"

Miyuki looked on, amazed. He understood the significance of their actions—they were all aiming to take his hea-I mean number.

"I want to catch Furuya-senpai's pitches. Is that possible?"

Interestingly, it was Matsumoto, Sawamura's own kohai, who did not look to his Senpai but instead focused on Furuya.

"Hey, what's your game plan here?"

No matter how hard he tried to figure it out, Miyuki couldn't understand why Sawamura was doing this.

Sawamura smiled mysteriously but offered no further explanation.

"Great! Let's form groups. Nishiyama, you'll pair with Ono-senpai. You are now in the first string, so have him catch for you and show us all what you have."

"Really?"

Nishiyama's tone was calm, devoid of any bravado.

"Don't worry! I'm your Senpai, after all."

Ono's energy was strong as he punched his catcher Mitt, eager to see what Nishiyama could do.

Today, watching from the sidelines, he felt fired up and had long wanted to witness Nishiyama's pitching. How could a ball that didn't seem fast have such an impressive effect?

After arranging tasks for Ono, it was time to face the three freshmen catchers.

With the veteran catcher entertaining the new pitcher, the Senpai pitchers naturally had to give the younger catchers their due attention.

"And what about me?"

Miyuki looked at Sawamura, immediately grasping his plan.

At this point, he couldn't even guess what Sawamura was up to.

It seemed he was about to be sidelined.

This was unacceptable.

He could endure it, but as the main catcher, he absolutely had to participate.

"You are an old bone who is half a step to the grave. Just stand aside and watch closely. Let's see how long our dear kohai can last!"

The remaining three pitchers were Sawamura, Furuya, and Kawakami, while the new catchers were Yui, Okumura, and Matsumoto.

"Let's do a wheel battle and decide the pairs with rock-paper-scissors."

"Rock-paper-scissors!"

After the quick game, the pairs were established.

First up, it was Okumura and Kawakami!

Second was Sawamura and Yui!

The last pair was Furuya and Matsumoto.

"I will be going all out, can you handle it?"

Before the training officially began, Furuya made it clear.

Matsumoto looked nervous but nodded firmly.

"I can handle it, please don't hold back!"

Despite his anxious demeanor, he left no room for retreat with his words.

"This guy is quite confident!"

Miyuki noted Matsumoto's demeanor.

His appearance was weak, resembling a typical model student rather than an athlete, yet he stood strong against the fastest pitcher in the country.

Once the groups were set, the players returned to their respective positions to begin practice.

…