"Sendou, wasn't your grandson moving here today? As expected, you still can't do without your drinking buddy!" If Sendou had seen the speaker's hairstyle, he would have known that this was Sawamura Eitoku, Sawamura's grandfather. He did not sound like an old man at all.
"I had something on my mind, so I came to drink with you," Sendou Junichi, Sendou's Grandfather, said.
"Come on, I'll help you feel better. Whatever it is, just tell me!" Sawamura Eitoku said, thumping his chest.
"Just drink with me." Sendou Junichi only wanted to drink right then.
"Then let's drink first and talk later."
Evening.
"I'm home!"
"Oh, Eijun?"
"Grandpa, Sendou's Grandfather, just how much did you two drink?"
"Not that much. Urp!" Sawamura Eitoku said, letting out a burp.
"By the way, Eijun, you're in Class 4-2 too, right?"
"Too?"
"So, your class got a transfer student today, right? He's Sendou's Grandfather's grandson! He just moved here from Tokyo, while his parents went overseas to pursue their careers."
"Seriously? I was wondering why that surname sounded so familiar. So he's Sendou's Grandfather's grandson. But why are you telling me this?"
"Eijun, that child has been rather withdrawn since he was little. He doesn't have many friends and often keeps to himself. I'm worried about him, so I hope you can spend some time with him and change his life a little. Please," Sendou Junichi pleaded.
"Since Sendou's Grandfather has asked me like this, I'll do my best!"
Easygoing and gentle by nature, that was the fundamental reason no one could ever bring themselves to dislike Sawamura.
"By the way, Eijun, don't you play baseball? If you get the chance, invite him to play with you. It could be fun!"
"According to Sendou-san, he spent the past month learning baseball with a prestigious Little League team in Tokyo. Not long ago, after learning baseball for less than a month, he became that team's ace pitcher and cleanup hitter! Impressive, right?"
"Seriously? That's amazing! No matter what, I have to get him to join us. Youxia! It's decided!"
After saying that, Sawamura flashed his trademark toothy grin.
"By the way, Sendou-san, how about bringing Akila over tomorrow too?"
"Sure!"
Since the two of them were such close friends, they naturally hoped their grandsons would get along just as well.
An elite program? Damn, I want tomorrow to come already!
"Why do I have to go? I still want to read manga!"
"Come on, come with me. Sawamura and I are Close Friends, after all. We should at least meet him!"
"Fine! But let's go and come back quickly."
"I'm home!"
"Hey, welcome back, Eijun!"
"Sendou's Grandfather... Huh, you're Sendou? Sendou's Grandfather really brought you over?"
"Excuse me. What kind of expression is that?" Sendou asked, immediately stepping closer to Sawamura.
"I heard from Sendou's Grandfather that you were the ace pitcher and cleanup hitter for some prestigious Little League team in Tokyo, right?"
"So what if I was?"
"Come play with us!"
"I refuse!"
"Why? Do you think we're too weak?"
"No, your baseball is pretty interesting too."
"Then..."
"But I think manga is more interesting. The Going-Home Club is the best."
Watching Sendou calmly say something so otaku-like, Sawamura was temporarily defeated.
"We just have different hobbies. Then don't you play baseball because you like it?"
"Well..."
Sendou won their first clash completely! But at the time, Sendou never imagined that his grandfather had set him up, causing Sawamura to become exceptionally persistent with him.
A week later.
"Sendou, stop reading manga and come play catch with us!"
"Enough already! How many times has this been? What exactly are you trying to do?"
"I have an answer to what you said last time. I'm going to nationals with my friends in middle school!"
For a moment, Sendou did not know what to say. Should he call Sawamura broad-minded, or simply fearless because he knew nothing?
"Come to my house tonight!"
"Huh? Sure, but..."
"Come on, stop asking so many questions about everything."
"Here, this is for you."
"What is it?"
"It's for training arm strength. Hang this end on the wall, then do this. It can improve your arm strength. You're a pitcher, right?"
"Oh!"
"And this is the pitcher conditioning section from one of my old training routines." As he spoke, he took out a slip of paper and handed it over.
"Don't ask anything. I'm giving these to you. Please stop coming to see me."
"I won't give up. One day, I'll make you feel the charm of baseball."
"Sigh, fine, do whatever you want! None of that matters anymore." Sendou had already given up on communicating with him.
"Hahaha, Sendou, want to go play baseball together? It's really fun!"
"I refuse!"
"Damn it!"
"Why me? This guy is way too clingy. No wonder he drove Chris crazy."
What was this guy thinking? I'd already told him I didn't want to join any sports activities.
"Eijun, didn't he say he doesn't want to join any activities right now? Why do you keep asking him? He'll end up disliking you!"
"Seriously? But I won't give up! You know, this Sendou is Sendou's Grandfather's grandson, and he's a little withdrawn. His grandfather specifically asked me to look after him. Besides, he's really good at baseball!"
"Really? That Sendou's Grandfather? You really couldn't tell he had such a handsome grandson! Did Sendou's Grandfather say he was good at baseball too?" Wakaba asked.
"Probably? My grandpa said he was the ace pitcher and cleanup hitter for a prestigious Little League team in Tokyo! He should be really good, right?"
"Then he probably is. But why did he stop playing after coming here?"
"Who knows? But I'll keep inviting him tomorrow! Hahaha!"
The tug-of-war between Sawamura and Sendou, which would last for years, officially began.
After coming to Nagano, Sendou never joined any club and became a complete member of the Going-Home Club. However, he did not cut back on his training routine at all.
Though he was still a beginner when it came to baseball, his body had been trained exceptionally well. After all, Coach Nakanishi had used quite a few connections to obtain that training routine.
So although he did not join any clubs, his performances at the school sports festival were always astonishing. Especially in track and field—even without formal training, Sendou's speed kept increasing as his body began to develop. The school's track team constantly tried to lure him in, but they failed every time.
Sawamura similarly continued inviting him without giving up, though he was rejected every time.
But at heart, Sendou did not dislike Sawamura and the others. His so-called withdrawal merely came from having a mental age far beyond that of his peers.
Even Sendou could not bring himself to reject someone with Sawamura's universally lovable personality.
Since they lived in the countryside, Sendou often interacted with Sawamura's friends. Over time, they became fairly familiar with one another, though he was closer to Sawamura and Wakaba.
Strictly speaking, Sawamura's group of friends were all warm people. Perhaps it was the result of Japan instilling the concept of companionship and other positive values from childhood; they all treasured their companions and friendship with one another.
I'm still a little groggy, so I won't say much more. There won't be an update tomorrow—I'll be traveling all day again.
Before you continue