Before the Game

Bored out of his mind, Sendou kept his promise and drowsily kept those two company until eleven o'clock that night.

Overall, Furuya was just bored after not touching a ball for several days, while Sawamura has indeed made great progress.

I've started to get a feel for Outside Corner Ball, and I'm hitting more good Ball Trajectory now. All I need is more practice.

Practice Match are the perfect opportunity.

When practice ended, Sawamura, like an idiot, shouted something about showing them what New Sawamura was all about.

After being tormented by those two jerks until midnight, the day is finally over. I took a nice, relaxing bath and am ready for the competition the next day.

To be honest, Sendou was actually quite worried about how he would perform...

The day finally arrived.

September 24th, Friday Friday, after school

Even Senior Takako, who hadn't shown up for a long time, came over dressed in the same clothes as the other female managers and wearing a Seidou hat.

A look of joy, like that of a long-awaited reunion, appeared on his face.

After all, unlike other third-year students, many of the third-year students who are active in Koshien have already received university invitations.

Only Captain Tetsu hasn't given the scouts a definite answer yet, but judging from Sendou's performance, he'll probably go back to Meishin University.

Just like Coach Kataoka coming to Seidou to take up a position, he followed in the footsteps of the coach he was supervising.

After all, it doesn't make much difference to go into your professional career a few years later; university training is already almost identical to professional training.

However, Senior Takako still needs to take the regular exams to advance to higher education. Although her performance in the club will give her a lot of points, her academic performance cannot be too bad.

(In Japan, performance and evaluation in clubs are highly valued for college entrance exams and job hunting, which is why clubs are so popular. Ordinary people also join clubs instead of starting to prepare for college entrance exams from the first year of high school.)

The atmosphere today is exceptionally lively, like it's Chinese New Year... but it seems like Chinese New Year isn't very lively in Japan.

"Huh? What's going on today?" The observer who came to watch the practice looked surprised at the atmosphere.

"Who knows! Red and White Battle?" Since it was Friday, most of the people watching the game were OBs who lived nearby.

Such observers are rare even nationwide. For example, none of the observers from Coach Ochiai's former school have shown up, let alone shown any concern for the team.

"I'll be the referee today, so you're in charge of leading the team!" Coach Kataoka was no longer as serious as he had been in recent days.

"Huh?" Miyuki was a little nervous when he heard this, wondering if he could do it well.

Don't overthink it!

Just do what you can.

"Coach Kataoka noticed Miyuki's expression and said with a smile, which was also addressed to all the first and second year students."

However, this huge contrast made the second-grade students' expressions light up, with one incredulous look after another.

"Everyone is wearing their team uniforms for the competition!"

"The scoreboard says third graders versus first and second graders!"

"Is this the time for the OB battle?"

"Baka! The third-year students haven't retired yet!"

"Isn't the national sports competition going to start in a few days?"

"Yes!

In other words, this is a serious showdown between the two sides!

Wow! It's so great that I came here today!

Such a fantastic match... it would be such a shame to miss it!

"A third-year team comprised of the core players of a championship team—just thinking about it is exciting!"

"Yes! The new team was in terrible shape while Sendou was injured and forced to leave!"

The main problem is that the mindset wasn't right.

Teams lacking experience in official competitions and a leader are indeed prone to problems!

"Depending on the specific situation, I will give Signals for short attacks and mandatory point takers, so please be prepared in advance!"

Also, be careful when you're using tactics. Sendou is eager to try, so don't let him discover your intentions!

"I don't need to elaborate on how brilliant that guy's mind is." Senior Chris third-year coach, gently instructed the players behind him.

"We want to use this competition to teach the younger generation something!"

The guidance we've received from our supervisors so far, as well as what we've recently learned from observing from an outsider's perspective, and the technical aspects.

"Let's convey something to them through this match!" Captain Tetsu said.

"Let's teach them a good lesson while we're at it!!!"

"I'm still angry about the previous match! You bastard!!!" Isashiki-senpai shouted.

"We have to give them a good beating!" Oni-san said with a beaming smile.

"Hello!!

Bring it on, you guys!

Even though it's during a major competition, we won't hold back!

We'll go all out! If you dare to slack off, we'll turn you into mincemeat!

"Jun-san!" Upon hearing Isashiki-senpai's call, Kuramochi Maezono and the others revealed awkward yet excited smiles.

Looking at Captain Tetsu, Furuya also began to burn silently.

"Oh right, Sendou!!!"

Go easy on your subordinates!

"Even though Tanba isn't bald anymore!!!" However, before they could react, Isashiki-senpai pointed at Tanba and said the most cowardly thing to Sendou...

"...!"

Sendou naturally understood Isashiki-senpai's lame joke: Tanba wasn't bald anymore, he couldn't give him a lenient reward.

"What a coincidence! Jun-san!"

"I happen to not know how to drain the water!" Sendou said with a smile.

"Then you just watch me leave, you bastard!!!"

If you beat my Non-Bald Ichiro into a state of depression, how will you take responsibility?

The national sports competition is about to begin!

Seeing how eager you are to try, don't think I don't know what you're thinking!!!

Of course, this was just a casual remark; neither side intended to go easy on the other, nor did they expect the other to go easy on them...

Sendou also felt a sense of familiarity with Isashiki-senpai's voice, knowing he wouldn't be able to hear it again!

"Finally, it's time to fight! Against these people!"

"I absolutely have to play!" Sawamura's Fighting Spirit was second to none, especially since his mentor was on the other side, and he wanted to use this match to repay him.

"Senior Chris...!"

To be honest, I was really happy to team up with my seniors as a pitcher and catcher and have a one-on-one showdown with the summer's starters!

That feeling of always thinking the same thing!

It's as if we are of one mind and one body!

That's the only good memory I have of being on the Pitcher's Mound as far as I can remember!

But having this kind of opponent is also quite good!

Can you read my mind? Or will I guess right?

I'm really looking forward to it!

Seriously! It was just a Practice Match!

That's so exciting!!!

Could it be that...

Am I starting to transform into a baseball-loving boy too?

"Really... really, it's not bad at all!" Before the match started, Sendou looked at Senior Chris was making various arrangements on the opposing bench, and felt a mix of emotions.

In the short few months since I enrolled, I may still appear to be the same willful person, but I have actually changed a lot.

It's only two thousand words, but it took me so long to write...

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