On Sunday of Training Camp, this day is a double match. Inami, Seido, and Xiubei compete in a cycle.
In the morning match against Inomi, Seido was a rare full substitute. After Senior Nanmu came on the field, he recommended his junior Kōshū, who is in the same dormitory, as the third base instructor.
"Ah, has that person decided to give up being a pitcher?" Eijun searched around and finally found Kōshū who was "not doing his job properly" on the field.
"Eijun, lower your voice, didn't you hear the supervisor's arrangements this morning?"
"Ah, so that's what it means."
"Also, Kōshū said that if you make any big noise today and let him hear it, he won't teach you how to pitch when you come back." Haruichi specifically pointed to Furuya on the side. "I will only teach Furuya then."
"Why, why, it's not fair!" Haruichi was grabbed and shaken by the anxious Eijun.
"... Sound, sound, Kōshū is about to hear it."
Eijun quickly shut up and squatted down, as if there was some wild beast patrolling outside and asked, "How is it? He has turned his head."
Haruichi looked at Eijun who was squatting down. The anxiety on the child's face was not fake at all. For some reason, he understood the meaning of Kōshū's special instructions today. "...Eijun, you can stand up now. Senior Kuramochi has arrived at third base. How could the third base instructor be distracted by Dugout's affairs at this time..."
"Indeed."
Kōshū's method successfully reduced the decibel level in Seido Dugout by half, but by the eighth game, Eijun finally couldn't bear it anymore.
In the second half of the eighth inning, Kawakami, who was extremely tired, was hit one after another, and the score on his account increased by 5 points in one inning. The original 3:3 situation instantly tilted towards Inami.
"Kōshū, why don't you save Kawakami Senior?"
"Huh? When you say rescue, do you mean letting me come on to replace Kawakami Senior?" Kōshū glanced at Eijun next to him and answered indifferently.
"Yes, Kawakami Senior can't stand it any longer. Isn't there anyone to help him at this time?" Indeed, Kawakami, who was being beaten out one after another, looked as if he was walking through a swamp and was exhausted.
"Well, have you given up on being the ace?" Kōshū suddenly said something that seemed to go off topic, but this sentence suddenly stunned Eijun, "Why do you think I can save you, instead of yourself? It's only been two months since school started, and you are already so dependent on me?"
"This..." Eijun sat slumped next to him. The words he just said revealed a topic that he had not thought about for a long time, 'I want to be the ace'.
'Yes, it's been two months since that day.' The tears of his hometown friends before they left, and the declaration of being an ace when he first entered high school. After being hit hard by reality over and over again, they became the thoughts at the bottom of his box. Even he himself hadn't read them for a long time. It was just his efforts every day. Training, outside the wall that became taller the more he got to know him, he accumulated bricks and tiles, looking for ways to surpass him. But unknowingly, even his own heart began to agree with the view that 'Maybe he can't surpass Kōshū in high school, and maybe he can't be the ace'.
The field was still noisy, and Kawakami, who had been comforted by Miyauchi Senior, finally resumed his pitching intensity. Kōshū's mind was drawn to the pitching duel. At this time, a rare and determined voice came from the side. "No, I have not given up on becoming an ace, carrying the tears and expectations of my teammates. No matter when, I will not give up this wish. This is not just my own business."
"Huh?" Kōshū looked to the side in surprise. Eijun's face, voice, and even his clenched fists were filled with very rich emotions. It was as if the pool water at the bottom had turned into a sea with huge power. Yoichi said, 'This child is serious about this matter. '
"That's good," he patted the kid on the shoulder. After the exchange of offense and defense, Kōshū was about to play, "But I have to go first."
The morning match ended with Seido's defeat.
After the game, Eijun and others cleaned up the field. Kōshū waited outside Dugout and looked at the person coming. "Yo! Senior Narumiya."
"You guys, you didn't tell me personally when you came to Seido. If it wasn't for Hayakawa, you don't know when you would have let me know." Narumiya Mei came over without noticing anything, "Hey, will the Fastball pitcher in your team play this afternoon?"
"Why didn't you ask me?" Kōshū, because of his height, could look down at his senior. "I'm really looking forward to the showdown with senior Narumiya."
"Huh? Didn't you appear yesterday?" Narumiya Mei, who always despises others, obviously understands Kōshū's movements very well.
"... Senior Narumiya, have you peeked at my communication with Hayakawa again?" Hayakawa was placed in Narumiya's dormitory. According to the description of the client, he felt very comfortable, as if he were home. The level of effort Narumiya had by himself was comparable to that of two restless younger brothers in adolescence, allowing him to feel at home without having to go home.
"Tch." Narumiya's eyes glanced at the group of people behind Kōshū, "Hey, that thin bamboo pole, let me ask you, who is Furuya?"
"Skinny... thin bamboo pole?" Furuya himself said that it was the first time he was slandered in person like this, and he felt a little overwhelmed.
Eijun was about to have a seizure next to him, but Haruichi skillfully covered his mouth. This action caught Narumiya's attention. "Could it be you?"
Narumiya Mei was still continuing to mess around, but Kōshū had already passed him and communicated with the calm senior behind him. "Miyabi? Hayakawa has mentioned it to me many times, senior, you have been of great help to him."
"No, it's because he has worked very hard. Now he can stably serve as the rotation catcher at Second String, but he still needs another year of solid study."
"Well," Kōshū finished the greetings and immediately grabbed Narumiya Mei who was about to move forward. "Senior Narumiya, just walk over here. My children are very afraid of people."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Narumiya was very dissatisfied. He felt that Kōshū treated him as some kind of beast. "Then tell me, how many kilometers can that guy named Furuya do? How does he compare with me?"
"I'm kidding. It's been a long time since I've seen senior Narumiya's pitching with my own eyes. It must be even more amazing. How can we first graders compare to it? Don't listen to other people's nonsense. I'm looking forward to your pitching this afternoon, senior!"
"Then what do you say about your 11K?"
"Ah, if senior was here, there would definitely be more than that! After this year, senior's pitching should be even better."
Narumiya Mei Although he was not in high spirits, he was said to be very comfortable. Unexpectedly, the prickly boy who said "I am a bench player, it's a pity that you can't give me a touch ball" would also admire him so much. "I didn't expect you to become so polite and reasonable now. Of course, I am Inashi's ace now. I will let you see my strength this afternoon."
"Hey, Ming." The catcher looked at the trumpeted ace from behind and easily revealed the afternoon's plans.
"What's wrong! I can't even say a word to my lovely junior." Narumiya turned around. "Hey, tell me secretly, who is pitching this afternoon?"
Kōshū showed a troubled expression. "Senior Narumiya, don't embarrass me. How could I know the supervisor's arrangements?"
"Stop lying -" Narumiya Mei wanted to continue asking, but was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Ah, isn't this Ming? Why are you pestering our first grader here?"