<77> The First Encounter with Narumiya Mei

Chapter 77: The First Encounter with Narumiya Mei

The match concluded, and Seidou High School's baseball team smoothly advanced to the finals of the Kanto Tournament.

Even though many expected this outcome, the moment the game ended, Seidou's die-hard supporters felt enveloped in happiness.

It's hard for others to truly understand the emotions of these loyal fans of the Seidou High School baseball team.

As the most faithful supporters, they had witnessed Seidou's journey from glory to decline.

In the past, Seidou was a pinnacle team, even amongst national heavyweights, standing at the apex of the pyramid.

Every year, they sent numerous players to professional teams, and their achievements at Koshien and the Kanto Tournament were ever-popular topics among fans.

Back then, being a fan of Seidou High School's baseball team was incredibly rewarding...

However, once Seidou struggled to make it to Koshien, everything seemed to change dramatically.

As time went on, these core supporters felt the impact even more.

They truly understood the sorrow of a fallen giant.

Seidou High School's baseball team remained steadfast in maintaining their grand stature.

Yet, their supporters seemed unable to hold their heads high.

The bitterness of it all could likely be felt only by these devoted fans.

While the Kanto Tournament finals might not hold the same prestige as Koshien, in terms of influence, it stands right behind it.

Achieving a top finish in the Kanto Tournament may have been nothing extraordinary for the Seidou team of the past.

But for the current team, it signified the beginning of their true resurgence.

"Seidou! Seidou!!!"

Even after the game ended, the cheering from the stands didn't stop.

It seemed like it would continue indefinitely.

This was the best feedback the loyal supporters could give to the players they cherished.

Sawamura might've felt a bit different. Though he had joined Seidou, the short time there meant he couldn't yet fully empathize with the seniors.

But for Seidou's second- and third-year players, it was a different story. They could truly connect with the fans.

Therefore, the gratitude in their hearts was even more genuine.

During their thank-you wave to the audience, several of Seidou's second- and third-year players had tears glistening in their eyes.

"We won't let everyone down!" the seniors promised earnestly.

Meanwhile, in the stands.

"Let's go!"

The players from Inashiro Industrial High School stood up and departed.

The finals were just two days away.

Barring any surprises, they expected to face Seidou High School's team in that final match.

Until then, they planned to avoid meeting Seidou's players.

They believed that the game would undoubtedly be a spectacle.

The Western Tokyo derby.

Just thinking about it was exciting.

The players of Inashiro Industrial had everything planned out.

They intended to leave early, knowing that Seidou's players had many matters to attend to post-game.

By the time Seidou's players came out, they would be long gone.

However, things didn't go as planned.

Before Inashiro Industrial High School players could leave, they found themselves surrounded by fans.

In particular, Inashiro's ace, Narumiya, was swarmed by several enthusiastic young fans eager to take photos with him.

Sometimes, being too popular can be a hassle.

Like these players from Inashiro Industrial High School—due to their team's fame and their own reputations, their popularity often brought unexpected challenges.

While the other players were eager to break free, Narumiya had no intention of leaving in a hurry.

He cheerfully flashed a peace sign, posing for photos with the young fans surrounding him.

When his teammates urged him to hurry, he had the perfect excuse ready.

"We can't disappoint our fans!"

The players of Inashiro Industrial High School, hearing their ace's words, felt like sitting on him to shut him up.

He sure had a way of being infuriating.

After finally freeing themselves from the fans, they were swarmed by a group of reporters with camera equipment.

Facing their longtime rivals' resurgence, these reporters were eager to know Inashiro Industrial players' thoughts.

Familiar with the media due to their regular presence at Koshien, Inashiro Industrial players weren't strangers to dealing with reporters.

Frankly, the players from Inashiro Industrial High School were experienced.

The reporters weren't going to trip them up easily.

Including Narumiya, their ace, all responses were poised and appropriate.

Once they were done with both groups, by the time Inashiro Industrial High School players exited the stadium, more than twenty minutes had passed.

The stands were empty, and even the stadium entrance was deserted.

"Sigh!"

Though they didn't end up facing Seidou as they initially planned, this wasn't how Inashiro Industrial players had envisioned it.

They made a few jokes about their predicament and prepared to leave.

However, just as the Inashiro Industrial players were about to depart, a group of people emerged from the stadium.

They had evidently been delayed by reporters as well, which explained their timing.

The moment they laid eyes on each other, the players of Inashiro Industrial instinctively straightened their posture.

They clearly didn't want to seem less confident than the other team.

Facing them, Seidou High School's players were equally surprised.

They hadn't expected to bump into Inashiro's players here.

It's true what they say—fate works in mysterious ways.

The players from both teams were complete opposites but similar in their tenacity.

When they didn't face each other, it was fine, but once they did, neither team wanted to back down.

Narumiya wore a sly smile, as if his plan worked perfectly.

With perfect timing, he reached out with a friendly wave to the Seidou players.

"Well, if it isn't our friends from Seidou of West Tokyo! Long time no see!"

Narumiya initiated the greeting.

Seidou High School couldn't just leave him hanging.

After exchanging glances, they all turned their eyes toward Miyuki.

If there was anyone suitable to respond, it was definitely Miyuki.

"Fate is indeed mysterious; I didn't expect you guys to still be here," Miyuki said with a grin, as casual as if they were old friends chatting.

"I'm not really here for you, Miyuki. Where's that monster first-year of yours? I hear he's pitching over 155 km/h—I'd like to see that for myself!"

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