Chapter 106: No Longer The Same Perspective
In the Dugout, the first-year players watched in astonishment.
During the morning game, each of them had been writhing in pain.
Yet these seniors appeared utterly unfazed.
One had to wonder: are their bodies made of flesh like humans? Not a reinforced steel?
On the field, Kuramochi—who intercepted that ball—did not find the play as effortless as his underclassmen might have imagined.
He grimaced internally.
"That really hurts!"
At that moment, Sawamura Eijun happened to overhear and couldn't help but roll his eyes.
'Damn it—who doesn't feel the pain in such a situation?'
"I'm sore too, you know!"
Having just endured a hellish training session, every player taking the field dragged their utterly fatigued body out there.
How could anyone possibly be at ease?
It's just that, compared to the freshmen, the upperclassmen have a higher threshold, a stronger foundation, and more resilient willpower.
Especially the third-year players—for them, this is their final chance.
Even if it costs them their lives, they absolutely refuse to be deserters.
The roster of main players hadn't been finalized yet, so how could they possibly give up?
Despite being completely exhausted and feeling every ache in their body,
Fortunately, the Seidou High School baseball team's players had gradually adapted to this state.
They could still grit their teeth and endure.
And they could still score!
In the fourth inning, with a coordinated effort between Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya, they managed to notch the first run.
From that point on, the dynamics in the field shifted.
Although Sawamura conceded one hit, he did not allow any Kyujou High School player to score.
Not a single runner even advanced to second base.
On the other hand, as the Seidou High School baseball team gradually adapted to their opponents' rhythm, they began to score.
The second run came from Kuramochi's base running; he successfully stole second and third bases in succession, ultimately returning safely to home plate to give his team the second run.
The third and fourth runs came courtesy of Miyuki and Maezono.
After Sawamura Eijun was Walked, the two managed to hit consecutively!
A 4–0 score persisted until the ninth inning.
As the game was nearing its end, Furuyanator's blind canon exploded!
BUUUUUUZZZZZZ!!!!
PAAANG!!!!
Accompanied by a tremendous whooshing sound, the baseball was struck hard by the bat.
The small baseball soared straight up, eventually landing beyond the outfield wall.
A crisp, clean home run.
This helped the team secure a 5–0 victory over the nation's top powerhouse, Kyujou High School.
When the game ended, even the bearded Coach from Kyujou High was dumbfounded.
The level of performance that the Seidou High School baseball team had just demonstrated was far beyond what one would expect from a high school team.
Keep in mind, that this was all achieved under conditions of utter physical exhaustion.
Imagine, then, what they might be capable of if they were in top form!
"Truly worthy of the title 'King Seidou'!"
~~~
All four practice games have been completed.
King Seidou—four wins in four games!
They completely trounced Kashiwagi High School!
And a 5–0 resounding victory over the powerhouse Kyujou High!
The remaining two games, although not as significant as the first two, were also undeniably decisive wins.
In one game the score was 11–2, with Kawakami on the mound.
In another, the score was 9–0, with Furuya pitching.
Seidou High School's first team fielded four pitchers—each pitching in one game—and every one of them delivered an outstanding, self-sufficient performance!
Especially Furuya: in one game he racked up 17 strikeouts, issued only three Balls, and allowed just two hits.
Even when opponents managed to get on base, he remained remarkably composed.
In the end, not a single run was surrendered!
Moreover, he recorded three home runs and two extra-base hits.
His performance was simply jaw-droppingly outstanding.
Privately, many were already saying that Furuya was challenging the Ace's uniform number.
In comparison, Sawamura's home runs and hits were far fewer.
Of course, no one would underestimate Sawamura because of that—after all, in these three games, he was issued seven Walks.
Under these circumstances, expecting Sawamura to notch more home runs or hits than Furuya is simply impossible.
After a week of hellish training camp, the members of the Seidou High School baseball team are now preparing for their final exams.
The exams will last two days—Wednesday and Thursday—leaving them with little time to review.
While having breakfast, Sawamura noticed many people studying with textbooks in hand.
Even though gaining entrance to Koshien does not depend on academic grades, being in school does.
That is why everyone studies diligently.
It is a realization that only comes after reaching a certain level.
The champion team of Koshien—the legendary hegemon that might even achieve a three-peat—has turned the Seidou High School baseball team into the very face of Youth.
They have unwittingly labeled themselves as role models.
Though the responsibilities that come with this status may feel constraining, they are willing to bear them—just as once one achieves success and fame, one naturally begins to mind one's words, conduct, and even one's fashion sense.
Of course, there are always those who refuse to put on airs no matter their position, but such people are exceedingly rare.
While eating, Sawamura and a few friends gathered together—Miyuki, Kuramochi, Sawamura, Furuya, and Kominato.
"Hey, Ono, Okumura, Yui, Matsumoto—right now there are as many as five catchers on the first team. They'll probably cut two of you, and if we make it to Koshien, maybe another one will be let go." Kuramochi said this to Miyuki.
On this point, team Captain Miyuki was even more aware than Kuramochi.
"Not necessarily," Miyuki replied. "After the summer, Ono and I will be leaving the team. The Coach is likely to focus on developing Catchers—maybe they'll even keep an extra one."
Mindful of everyone's feelings, the group lowered their voices.
But at that moment everyone in the cafeteria was busy eating or reading—the room was deathly quiet, and their conversation was naturally overheard by those nearby.
Okumura! Yui! Matsumoto!
The three rookie catchers—all first-year students—grew sullen.
Regardless of whether they had any real hope of making the first team before, they now all had mixed feelings.
With only one final step left, they could soon represent the Seidou High School baseball team in the Summer Tournament—wearing the team's uniform and dominating nationally from their very first year.
The very thought of it is incredibly exhilarating.
At this point, who would be willing to give up?
The situation for everyone else is similar.
To remain on the first team is, without a doubt, a meteoric rise; being cut from it is an entirely different story.
At that moment, someone could no longer contain himself—he dropped his book and headed off for extra practice.
"Don't worry so much—you're far luckier than we are," Takuma said, his face turning pale as he looked at a friend, offering kind consolation.
But Okumura didn't take any of it in.
Before joining the first team, he could maintain a calm attitude.
Whether or not he could represent the Seidou High School baseball team in the Summer Tournament was something he could accept.
But after joining the first team and experiencing what it means to be on the world stage, the thought of being relegated to the second team even for less than a month is simply unthinkable.
Compared to the training and challenges of the first team, those faced in the second team are mere child's play.
'There is simply no comparison.'
In any case, he must remain on the first team.
This is Okumura's truest thought at present.
…
T/N: This Volume will be completed tomorrow, but that's it for now!
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