Chapter 1: For Them Too!

Mimura, Kawashima, and Nakata!

Three third-year players were eliminated when they were just one step away.

After the list of selected players was announced, Coach Kataoka told everyone else to leave and then thanked the third-year players who had been eliminated.

"Thank you very much for sticking with me until the end. I hope that in the future, you will continue to be my pride and joy, now and forever."

After saying this, he bowed 90 degrees to his third-year students.

The players all burst into tears, some even had their voices loud like children.

Kawashima immediately knelt on the ground, and Mimura looked utterly dejected. Even the intelligent and composed Watanabe was crying.

It has been a while now, but they had actually already sensed that this would be the final result.

But hearing these words from Coach Kataoka still made them feel incredibly bitter.

Their efforts over the past three years came to an end at this moment.

It was over; everything was over.

Nakata and Mimura, although feeling very sad too, had relatively less reluctance in their hearts.

After all, they had already been to Koshien with their teammates and dominated the national competition together.

That was an amazing peak for their Youth!

So it was enough…

Yet for some reason, their eyes still filled with tears.

Tears fell like pearls breaking free from their string.

Whether they were second-year or first-year players,

Although they felt sad when facing elimination, their hearts didn't die.

After all, they still had a chance. When the third-years graduated, they could step into their place.

But the third-year players were different. Their elimination this time meant the end of their high school baseball careers.

Thinking back to when they first joined the team, full of vigor, and then comparing it to their current state,

Deep down, no player could say they didn't have any thoughts at all.

However,…

Although this conclusion wasn't perfect for them personally, their hearts were full of sadness and bitterness.

But strangely, they didn't regret it!

The players of Seidou High School's baseball team had no regrets for their efforts.

In Seidou High School's baseball team, they underwent the most formal and strict training. In this difficult training, they didn't choose to avoid it, but instead, they gritted their teeth and persevered.

To be stronger, to be better players, to be a better people…

This is something that would follow them for the rest of their lives.

The players who left were all silent. In such an atmosphere, it seemed inappropriate for anyone to speak.

Lee-Hyun hid behind the door, he didn't know what to do.

Because they had trained together, he knew very well that these seniors who had been eliminated were all stronger than him.

Now that they were eliminated, he had taken their spot.

This feeling made Lee-Hyun uncomfortable as if he had stolen someone else's opportunity.

He even felt an impulse to go talk to Coach Kataoka or Coach Ochiai about it.

But this impulse was fleeting. If he really had to say something, he found himself unwilling to do so.

Deep down, Lee-Hyun was very willing to stay in the first team and participate in the summer competition.

Before joining Seidou's baseball team, he wasn't so eager.

At that time, it was only because of the program's request that he cooperated.

But since joining Seidou, his thoughts had unconsciously been influenced and even assimilated by those around him.

As a result, he started practicing extra hours at night, just like everyone else.

The environment's influence on a person is something unimaginable for the average person.

Even now, Lee-Hyun didn't know if his strong desire to participate in the summer competition was because he truly liked baseball, or if it was because he had been influenced by those around him.

Sometimes, he himself felt lost.

After everyone finished eating, they quietly left.

Instead of going straight back to the dorms to rest, they followed their usual habits, training in pairs or small groups.

Even the eliminated third-year players did not change.

Although their high school baseball careers were over, their habits couldn't be changed overnight.

Perhaps they had never thought about changing.

For them, baseball had become not just a club activity, but a passion and a lifestyle.

Now, there was still some time until the official competition, and everyone couldn't afford to relax.

Whether or not they were qualified to participate in the summer competition, everyone showed tremendous effort.

Those who qualified for the next competition wanted to improve their skills as much as possible before the event.

Those who weren't qualified for the summer competition were looking farther ahead.

After the summer competition, Seidou's baseball team would be reorganizing.

If they didn't take advantage of this time when the official players were playing, and working to improve their skills,

How could they compete for a spot in the first team?

Under the dark bridge, even the light couldn't reach.

It had been a long time since Takatsu had come here to swing his bat.

Since he joined the first team, he has been training with them. Even extra practices had been more systematic and organized.

But now, he had been dropped from the first team.

Takatsu didn't want to continue training with the first-team players.

So, he found his old spot here and continued to swing his bat.

His eyes still held traces of unshed tears.

"You're here!"

Takatsu had only just arrived when another player showed up.

This person was a second-year player named Oka Kenichi.

Now, he was the main leadoff batter for the second team and was once Takatsu's inseparable friend.

Before Takatsu joined the first team, the two of them often practiced together there.

Now, as old friends reunited, Oka Kenichi acted as if nothing had happened.

Takatsu nodded but didn't stop swinging his bat.

"Feeling down?"

Oka asked.

The list announced today, although somewhat unexpected, was actually the best choice at this stage upon closer examination.

There seemed to be a surplus of new catchers, especially with Miyuki and Ono already there. Why would they need more catchers?

But considering the team's actual situation, this choice was understandable.

After all, when the third-year players graduated, Seidou's baseball team would face a major issue with the catcher position.

Yui and Okumura each had their own strengths.

Although Okumura had performed better in the recent practice games,

Yui's experience and personality undoubtedly suited Seidou's baseball team more at the moment.

In a tough situation where it was hard to choose, having both of them on the team to train and guide was only logical.

As for the other three new players, they were clearly more suited for the team than the older ones.

In this situation, it wasn't hard to understand why Takatsu, originally the most likely to stay, was eliminated.

Understanding it is one thing, but it still feels hard when it's you who's involved.

"Don't worry about me, I'll definitely make it to the first team!" Takatsu said firmly.

This selection process made Takatsu truly understand one thing.

To stay on the first team, he must become an indispensable part of the team.

Compared to others, he is still too weak.

So, he will get stronger! Stronger than anyone else!

Only then can he stay on the first team, representing the team to compete with others.

Looking at his friend's clear eyes, Oka knew that Takatsu had truly understood.

That's good!

On the other side, in dormitory No. 5, Sawamura was guiding his two Kohais, Hirota and Matsumoto.

"This failure doesn't mean much. Honestly, your progress has surprised me! Yuuki, Nishiyama, Yui, and Okumura have been playing baseball since they were young, showing their talent with big clubs. You guys have only been practicing for a short time, yet you're already comparable to them. This is a huge improvement!"

"Keep it up, solidify your foundation, and success will come soon."

Sawamura's approach with his Kohais was focused on encouragement.

They weren't formally trained and only started playing baseball after entering middle school.

People like them, who started late, tend to lack confidence, and if they're too harshly criticized, they could lose all hope.

That's something Sawamura couldn't allow.

Therefore, he focused on encouraging and educating these two younger Kohais.

The two young guys were now beaming.

When they first learned that they were eliminated, they were disheartened.

They even doubted whether they really had what it takes.

But after being comforted by their mentor, they suddenly felt a sense of clarity.

Yeah, how long have others been practicing baseball? How long have they been training?

Compared to that, having the opportunity to participate in the first team selection was already a rare achievement.

"Keep pushing forward, don't slack off! Even though you didn't make the first team this time, when the third-year seniors graduate, you should be able to take their place. Just don't let those who join after you surpass you!"

"Understood!"

Sawamura nodded with satisfaction before sending the two kids off.

Nishiyama, who was standing nearby, looked at them with envy.

It was truly lucky to have such a strong support system at school.

For baseball players, mindset is crucial. And having a big brother who can help adjust your mindset is an incredible blessing.

Asada was also deep in thought.

In the special environment of Dormitory No. 5, it would be impossible for him to not have thoughts about the first team spot.

After all, everyone in the dorm, except for him, had already made it to the first team.

But everyone here was so strong!

Even Hirota and Matsumoto were eliminated.

The same situation can be viewed differently depending on who's looking.

For the first-team players of Seidou High School, the elimination of Hirota and Matsumoto was the natural outcome.

But for the first-year students who haven't made it to the first team yet, it was a catastrophic forewarning.

If even Hirota and Matsumoto can't make it, what chance do they have to make the first team?

At 8 PM, the lights in Coach Kataoka's office were still on.

Downstairs, Lee-Hyun had been wandering for a long time. Eventually, he gritted his teeth and decided to go upstairs.

Just as he took his first step, someone suddenly grabbed him from behind.

"Sunbae!"

Seeing Kuramochi in front of him, Lee-Hyun's gaze avoided his.

"What are you planning to do?"

Kuramochi's voice was cold.

"I... I..."

Lee-Hyun stammered, struggling to find the words.

Lying in his bed, Lee-Hyun felt like everyone in the world was pointing fingers at him.

He clearly wasn't as skilled as others, yet he managed to stay on the first team.

This feeling made Lee-Hyun very uncomfortable. He wanted to speak with Coach Kataoka.

He hoped that the coach wouldn't show him any special favor just because of the program.

After hearing Lee-Hyun's words, Kuramochi let go of him.

"You're underestimating our Coach too much. Do you really think you stayed on the first team because of the exchange program's special treatment?"

Lee-Hyun was somewhat confused.

"The Coach is not like that! Seidou High School isn't like that! You're on the first team because your value to the team is greater than the other players."

"Don't overthink it, and don't feel sorry for the third-year students who were eliminated. Your sympathy will only make them uncomfortable. If you really want to do something for those who were eliminated, when you get a chance to play in the games, do your goddamn best for them too!"

"This is how we fight in Seidou!"

Kuramochi Youichi's personality made it difficult for him to explain things patiently, but since Lee-Hyun was his Kohai, Kuramochi made an exception for him.

On this night, everyone was unsettled.

But the new Seidou High School baseball team set sail.

…