Chapter Text
Eijun was eight when he got lost during a morning jog.
He had just started doing morning jog maybe around one or two weeks ago. Truthfully, saying that he started to do it is a bit misleading considering he just decided to follow Sho-san around during his own morning jog. The older man had only sighed and let the young boy to follow him around.
Looking back, Eijun realized that if he’s in Sho-san’s position he would’ve denied Eijun’s insistence on following around. After all, a child’s pace and stamina can’t be possibly compared to those of a grown man. Sho-san must have known this, that with Eijun tagging along, it would only make his jog less effective.
But that’s the thing with Sho-san. He never complained nor diminish Eijun’s childish excitement. He would always play along, encourage Eijun to still see the world with his own childish lens and yet at the same time, he too would always guide Eijun to a flowery path.
Back then, Sho-san merely sighed and ruffled his hair before he asked Eijun to follow him along.
“What are you waiting for?” he asked years ago. “You want to be a baseball star, right? This is only the first step.”
And Eijun had yelled enthusiastically, heart hammering and fully excited to follow his coach.
Starting from that day, he would always wake up at 6 before tagging along in Sho-san’s daily jog. It was fun and refreshing, letting Eijun to bask in the morning air while excitedly talked about baseball with the older man. Though of course, just like any other child, after a few weeks of doing that, Eijun thought that he’s big enough to do it by himself.
It was a bad idea. He should’ve realized it was a bad idea.
His jogging path is in the small track near a small forest in his town. It’s close to the city center as well as his house, but it’s not a track that he had ever use before he started his morning jog. EIjun’s mother had never allowed him to go there alone to play or to do his little adventures.
He will be lost, she had said. That there’s forest gremlins that loves to take children.
But Eijun is a stubborn kid. A stubborn kid that thought he’s mature enough to go and explore a forest alone during his morning jog. That’s why, in one particular day, he woke up earlier than usual and began his morning jog alone.
Spoiler alert, it’s a bad idea.
Eijun got lost in the middle of the winding forest. He can’t even see the track anymore after being distracted by a wild squirrel that he had decided to chase. He’s alone in the forest without any way out.
And so, just like any other kid, he cried.
He doesn’t know how long he cried. Maybe it’s a long time, maybe it’s a short time, who knows? All he knows is that his throat is hurt and eyes puffy when a familiar face appeared near him.
“Eijun!” Yelled Sho-san. “Eijun, where are you!?”
Upon the arrival of Sho-san, Eijun cried more, which makes the man more flustered than before.
It was an event that etched itself across Eijun’s core memory. After all, it was the first time that Sho-san got really mad at him.
The older man had always been patient. Never raised his voice or even let his temper to take over. It was something that he had questioned when he was younger, why is Sho-san is so calm and composed now? A completely different man from the blazing passion and fuery temper that he had shown during his MLB years.
(He had watched, the arrogant – and yet super cool – batflips that Sho-san did with his every homerun. How he loves to toy with the batters, how his fury would be displayed towards unfair call from umpires.
Eijun had seen it all and to him, there’s no one cooler than Sho-san.)
Even with the occasional sigh and chiding, that event marked the first time Sho-san to ever raise his voice towards Eijun.
“Do you know how worried me, and your parents were!?” Yelled the man as he hauled Eijun on his back. He could feel judging gazes from the passerby from that sudden outburst. “It’s early in the morning Eijun, for godsake! We don’t know what could happen to you!”
“Sorry,” he let out amidst the loud sob. “I’m so sorryyyy…”
“You better be!” let out the man. “I know you want to become a better baseball player, but there are things that you shouldn’t do! You’re eight for godsake!”
Eijun let out a hiccup at that, hiding his face at the back of Sho-san’s neck.
At this point, Sho-san seems to realize that there’s no point of him to continuously yell at the child as he too, calmed down. There is a lull of silence between the two of them as the older man carry the boy home.
Along the way, there are many neighbors who greeted Sho-san and Eijun. The older respon to most of it, though Eijun is far too out of it to even respond properly. Most of them seems to understand, considering one elderly couple even gave Eijun a candy to cheer him up.
It was not long before they stopped in front of Eijun’s house.
“We’re here,” mumbled the man before he put Eijun down.
Sniffling, Eijun nodded. Sho-san too, began crouching in front of him.
“Hey,” said the man, reaching across his hair. “You understand why I’m mad. Right?”
Nodding, he said, “Yeah…”
“Good,” muttered the man, had softly stroking his hair. “You’re a precious child Eijun, don’t worry me and your family again, okay?”
“Yeah…” he mumbled out, hand furiously wiping off the tears over his eyes. “I just… I just thought that- that I’m big enough…”
“Nah,” answered the man, trying to wipe off Eijun’s tears with his hands. “You are certainly big, but our usual jogging track… you’re not familiar with it.”
Eijun nodded because he knows. He certainly knows!
He just thought-!
He just thought that Sho-san would look at him proudly if he can memorize the track already!
He’s not that good at baseball yet! He’s nowhere as cool as those guys in Koshien or in tv. His pitch is still shaky, and he still miss a lot of pitch during his batting. There are still so many things to do and so many things to improve before Sho-san can look at him proudly. Too many things and yet so little time.
He had hoped that his body would grow a bit taller, or his weight would increase a bit. He had wished for him to become bigger, so that maybe his pitches and bat could improve!
But Eijun is still the smallest in the team. He’s still the skinniest with too wide eyes and a too small face.
His train of thoughts was stopped as Sho-san put his hand on top of his shoulder.
“Tell me,” he said. “Why did you do that?” asked the man.
It was such a simple question. Something that is normal to be asked during this kind of situation. And yet, it seems it was something that Eijun wants to hear.
So, he told him.
About how he’s not good enough. How there’s so many people with better pitches than him on his team. Hos his skinny arms can’t bat with as much power as those with a heavier and taller body than him. How he sometimes thought that his bat is childish compared to other older kids who has a sleek black bats compared to his blue SpongeBob one.
How, Eijun, wished he could be good enough, mature enough, big enough, to be someone that Sho-san can be proud of.
How, he felt as if he’s losing the race against time.
Amidst all of this, Sho-san listened.
He didn’t interject anything nor does he current anything. He just crouched there, right in front of Eijun as he listened to all of the worries his eight-year-old self has.
Eijun only stopped when felt he has the need to take up a large breath after all of that rambling and tears. Golden eyes rimmed with red as he stared at the man in front of him with embarrassment coloring his face. A stretch of silence appeared between the two of them after this, something that was broken by the older man.
“You don’t have to hurry to achieve your goals, Eijun,” said the man after a while. His grip on Eijun’s shoulder tightened at those words. “You’re still young with so much potential. I know that you feel that you have to grow up fast, but believe me when I say your potential is far too great for you to rush things out.”
“But Sho-san-“ he interjected, only to be silenced by the man with a hush.
“I know you want to become an ace pitcher, wants to play in Koshien, become the best baseball player ever,” continue the man, listing all of his dreams. “But I will be with you for a long ass time, when you play in your first tournament, when you play in your first Koshien match, when you play your first match in MLB, I will always be there for you” he said, eyes unwavering. “So you shouldn’t hurry, whether you like it or not, I will be there and guide your no matter how old and cranky I’ve become”
Eijun sobbed at that.
“That’s why, please take your time, get it?”
It was a promise. A promise that means so much to young Eijun. A promise, that Eijun still held today.
An assurance that the man who had shown him how to play and how to love baseball will always be there to guide him through it. A sign, that Sho-san really does care for Eijun and his future. That he too, wants to see him not only as a baseball player, but a superstar in the sport.
MLB may had been a faraway dream to the eight-year-old Eijun who was still dreaming about playing in Koshien. The big leagues seem to be out of reach.
And yet, the unwavering faith that Sho-san has to him never falter the slightest.
The younger nodded, before he rushed towards the man, enveloping him in a hug.
“Thank you,” he said, a bit muffled from the older’s cloths.
Sho-san let out a chuckle at that, “Just my job as your coach.”
That incident was years ago, and now-
“WITH THAT AMAZING TWIST, SEIDO HIGH SCHOOL WINS THIS YEAR’S SUMMER KOSHIEEEENNNNN!!!”
Honestly, it was kind of unbelievable, at least it is to Masamune.
Though, isn’t that the beauty of baseball? That a small heroic act can change the course as well as the result of the game. That with just one batter, or with just one pitcher, a game can be changed so thoroughly.
Everything is all about timing, skill, and luck.
That what makes him loves baseball so much from the start. The thrill to play every game, the heart pounding moments that he got to witness.
He had managed to hold of Seido’s monstrous batters lineup for nine innings, only letting out one run. He had managed to perform with the best of his ability, to show the world his as well as his team capability for nine whole innings.
Hongo Masamune, the prodigious pitcher.
Hongo Masamune, who is said to be one of the country’s top pitchers.
Hongo Masamune, who let Sawamura Eijun to hit a homerun when the bases are fully louded.
It’s humiliating and embarrassing. It’s disappointing and gut-wrenching. He doesn’t know if he should laugh from how ridiculous this situation is or should he cry from how close they are from winning it all.
Most would say that a second place in Summer Koshien is not bad. That it’s a great result.
But no, second place is the first loser. The people who is so close from winning and yet fail to attain it at all.
How fucking humiliating-
A hand laded on top of his shoulder.
“You played good,” said Renji, appearing on his side. His expression is tight as he stared at the victory celebration that Seido is doing. “We played a damn good game.”
It is a damn good game. Something that Masamune had not experienced for a long time. Seido, had given him more than a challenge. Though, it doesn’t change the fact that Komadai Fujimaki lost to Seido during the finals of Koshien.
Masamune scoffed. “Who cares if I played good?” he hissed out, face hidden by the shadow of his hat. He doesn’t know what expression he should use right now. How can he even look at his seniors after that humiliating display? “We still lost.”
“I know,” said Renji as his grip on his shoulder tightened. “I know that a loss is unbearable… especially when we have come this far.”
The finals of Koshien. The very pinnacle of high school baseball. Many legends in the baseball world had started their story here. This is the tournament that everyone coveted, the tournament that everyone shed their blood, sweat, and tears for.
To him, this tournament is a mountain that he must conquer for him to go to the next steps. He failed to do that.
“Just one more win,” he hissed out, hand tightening. “Just one more win and we’ll-!”
At this moment, Renji stopped his mumbling, “Masamune, look at the dugout,”
He doesn’t want to. Honestly, he really doesn’t want to. He’s afraid of the disappointed gaze from his seniors or the heartbroken faces that they would wear. He’s afraid to face the reality that Komadai Fujimaki really lost because of his lack of skill.
He-
“You damn child,” said a gruff voice. “No one is disappointed at you.”
The familiar voice of his coach jolted him out of his own mind. He doesn’t know when did the elder arrived in front of him, though the stern gaze that he gave Masamune is a clear sign that he really should stared at his team dugout. And so, he did-
And see his seniors smiling at him.
Amidst the loud celebratory yells of Seido baseball players and their school anthem playing across the stadium, he could see what his seniors mouthed towards him.
‘We’re proud of you.’
For the first time, Seido High School made their mark as the winner of Summer Koshien.
Spearheaded by their new ace, Seido High School managed to make their first appearance in five years a memorable one. The team had successfully struggled past both highly competitive tournament – the West Tokyo District Tournament as well as Koshien – to finally able and claim the title of the winner.
This achievement is one from many that they will achieve in the coming years.
“Smoking is bad you know.”
Shouta didn’t even blink at the new voice, merely grinding the death stick that he’s holding towards the metal railings in front of him to stop it from lighting. A light snicker could be heard at that before a new presence joined him in the balcony.
Eijun stood beside him, hair ruffled and a large smile upon his face. He’s not wearing the now increasingly familiar Seido’s baseball uniform. The white shirt is now replaced by a dark colored band t-shirt and casual sweatpants. An outfit that shows how relaxed the teen is currently. Behind them, the celebration that’s being held over Seido’s win in Koshien is happening in a full swing. The coaching team had decided to treat them with an all you can eat dinner at their hotel, completely disregarding their healthy diet and night workout for pieces of delicious meat.
In truth, Shouta is a bit confused if he’s even allowed to be here. Considering by extension, he’s merely a family member of one of the players. Plus, he’s not even a Seido alumni and graduated from the school’s biggest rival in baseball. Though, despite all of that, the woman that scouted Eijun, had invited him to attend their small celebration.
And well, Shouta had never been someone who rejects an offer for free food.
“You’re not going back?” asked the man, throwing his cigarette towards the trash bin near them. “It sounds really lively inside.”
“I thought you will be too lonely here, Sho-san,” grinned the pitcher. “Might as well accompany you for a bit.”
“Eh,” he let out. “You make me sounds so antisocial.”
“But you are?”
He ruffled the top of his head, making Eijun’s already messy hair became even messier. The younger had yelped at this, trying to retaliate as he struggle with his hand, but alas, it’s a pointless endeavor.
Watching him like this really bring a lot of memories. From when he first saw the small child that had infiltrated his garden to the teen who had taken the mound during the final match of Summer Koshien. Of the child who had begged to be taught baseball to the baseball superstar in the making.
Sometimes he likes to wonder if he had settled down earlier, if he had not been married to baseball during his earlier years, would he have a child like Eijun? Someone who looks up to him with stars on his eyes. Someone who share his love for the sports. Someone that he has become so unbearably fond of.
His relationship with Eijun is a bit peculiar.
While it’s true that he’s his baseball coach, but their relationship had always been closer. He likes to think that Eijun is his child, though at the same time, he doesn’t want to steal that role from Eijun’s actual dad. Maybe the fun uncle? The one that always spoil their nephews and nieces with their money. Or maybe a big brother? One who has a large age gap.
Shouta doesn’t really know, nor he understand. It had always been like that. Relationship between people had always something that he struggled with. Growing up, he had grown up with baseball. His best friend is the ball, his hobby is baseball, and his other hobby if he’s not playing baseball is watching baseball. Some of his teammates had jokes that if the law allows it, Shouta would have been married to baseball for years at this point. That’s how much he dedicates his life for baseball.
Some would think that it’s a sad way to lead your life. To sacrifice so many things for the sport. And yet, Shouta can’t bring himself to regret his decision to be this dedicated to the sport.
After all, his greatest joy came from baseball. His greatest achievements came from baseball. His greatest triumph came from baseball. There is no regret for him towards the sport.
Maybe at the start he had regretted his decision to reject the managerial position that the Dodgers had offered him upon his retirement. After all, there’s so much of his life that has been dedicated to baseball. After his retirement, and far away from the sport that he loves, he felt a bit empty.
Though, that regret had been short lived as he completely forgets about it when he first met Eijun.
The sunshine child that could’ve been his own child.
“Are you going back tomorrow, Sho-san?” asked the teen, turning his head towards him.
He hummed. “Yeah,” he said. “Early train and all.”
“It’s going to be lonely,” whined Eijun, leaning towards the metal railing. “You should coach in Seido!” enthused out the younger with a bright smile.
“How about I coach in Inashiro instead?”
Eijun blinked.
Shouta merely stared at the night sky silently.
“Eh?” echoed the pitcher. “What did you say?”
Turning his head towards the pitcher, he raised an eyebrow. His own dark eyes met Eijun’s golden ones. “Coaching in Inashiro,” he repeated. “If that were to happen, do you like it?”
The younger gaped at him. “Is this- Is this one of those ‘What ifs’ question or are you going to actually coach at Inashiro!?” he yelled out, hand grabbing Shouta’s shoulder before he started to shake him. “Sho-san are you betraying me!? For Inashiro!?”
“Ugh, you’re making me dizzy,”
“Sho-san!”
“Stop shaking me-“ Eijun stopped at that. “And Inashiro is my alma mater you know, honestly I thought that this kind of offer would come at some point of time.”
Because that’s the truth. Upon his retirement, he had thought that some way or another, Inashiro would start calling him to take up a coaching position in the school. And it did happen, many times, over the years. Though, back then, he had rejected all of it. Choosing to focus on Eijun’s training as well as taking up the part time coaching assistant in Akagi Middle School.
It was only this year that he had thought about the offer seriously.
But of course, he would only take up that position if Eijun agree on it.
The teen continues to stare at him silently, wide eyes left unblinking. He can almost hear the gears on the younger head started to run. Making sense on Shouta’s statement and the future possibilities that statement can bring. He could see the bustling street below them as well as the flickering lights. The Koshien excitement still high in the air.
“Do you want to, Sho-san?” asked the younger.
Shouta let out a hum. “They’ve been offering me some kind of position for years,” he said. “It’s the first time that I’m actually considering it.”
Eijun nodded at that and there’s another stretch of silence between the two of them.
The older let Eijun thinks silently, letting him to take all the time that he needs. Ever since he was a child, no matter how loud he is, Eijun seems to always thinks best when he’s surrounded by silence. A jarring contrast considering how bright and loud he is.
“Is it selfish if I say no?” said Eijun after a long time. “I really don’t want you to coach another team…”
“Nah,” shrugged Shouta. “It’s valid.”
Because Eijun had always been a greedy child that coveted many things. Had always been someone that’s possessive on the things that he has. Friends, family, food, winning, you name it. Shouta thinks it’s because how competitive he is. That that feeling of wanting to protect everything that he has come from how scared he is to lose it all.
So it doesn’t surprise him by the slightest that Eijun doesn’t like the thought of his coach – his personal one, the one that had guide him in baseball since childhood – to coach in a team without him.
“But I also don’t want to restrict you, Sho-san,” said Eijun. “Cause like… I know you love your alma mater and you sort of have a talent in coaching, so you wanting to coach for Inashiro is a no brainer it’s just-“
“It’s just Inashiro is your biggest rival?” guessed the older.
Something on Eijun’s face changed. “Well, yeah,” grumbled Eijun. “They’re really hard to beat back in the Tokyo Tournament.”
It’s no secret that Eijun considers Narumiya Mei as his biggest rival. From the way the blond beat him during middle school, to the solid challenge that he had posed for Seido during the Tokyo Tournament. Narumiya Mei, had always been someone that Eijun will always want to beat.
The fated rivalry that had been chosen by the heaven.
He also didn’t miss the loud declaration of “I’m going to beat you!” from Narumiya when Seido beat Inashiro.
Shouta let out a snicker at that. “And yet you won in the end though?”
“It’s cause the senpais are amazing,” grumbled the younger. “But the senpais is going to graduate from the team after this tournament and I don’t know if the team will be ready to face Inashiro during the fall tournament.”
The majority of Seido’s heavy hitters came from their third years, and Shoura knows Eijun is aware of that fact. He knows that the current second- and first-years roster – while they’re really good – can’t be compared with the amazing batting lineup that the third years possessed. While the catcher is a damn good batter and the buzzcut one too can land a hit here and there, Eijun’s reasoning is a valid one.
It will take time for Seido to rebuild their batting lineup to be as strong as it is now. They will need time to reconstruct a team around their Koshien winning ace once again. A team that can guarantee more wins for the school.
He let out a hum. “If you don’t like it, I’m not going to coach Inashiro,” he said.
“You should, if you want to,” frowned Eijun. He leaned forward towards the metal railing in front of them, arms crossed. “I’ll be upset. Really upset for a while, but that’s whatever.”
“It’s not ‘whatever’” replied Shouta. “I don’t see the need to coach other teams if it’s not for you, Eijun.”
Because isn’t that the truth? At this point, he had become so invested in Eijun’s career as a baseball player. He had coached Akagi baseball team because he knows that Eijun will need a team that can make him shine. A team that can brought him the attentions of many powerhouses baseball school.
He had considered to coach at Inashiro so that they can give Eijun more challenge. To guarantee, that Eijun’s thirst for winning and challenge will continue to grow in high school. It was something that he has to do to make sure that Eijun is not bored over baseball. To make sure that Eijun still have the motivation to continuously improve himself.
(Shouta believes that he’s going to die alone at this point.)
“Ugh,” groated the teen. “You’re too nice! It’s making me hard to think!”
“How is that even related?”
Eijun huffed at that, eyes narrowing. “It’s hard! I obviously don’t want you to coach other teams without me in it! Especially Inashiro,” said the younger in a heated tone. “But at the same time I want you to do whatever you want! I know living in the countryside can be kinda boring and with Akagi closed down, you don’t have any side gig anymore but i-“ he stopped at that.
And it that moment, all Shouta see is the child that begged him to play baseball with him.
In front of him is not Seido’s new beacon of light. It’s not this year’s Summer Koshien most valuable player. Not the prodigious pitcher that already guarantee himself as a soon to be baseball superstar in the future. A hall of famer even.
This, right at this moment, is the crybaby that he raised.
“I don’t want you to have any more students,” said the pitcher in a low voice. “Like for Akagi I get it, I was also in the team, but Inashiro-“
Ah, is that a sniffle?
“I get it, you don’t want me to find another favorite student, right?” said the older man, slinging his arm around the pitcher in an attempt to comfort the younger. It’s a small gesture that Eijun always appreciate when he’s getting way too emotional or worked up. “How old are you anyway? Seven? Why are you even crying?”
“I’m not!” Yelled Eijun, full of indignation, though there’s a red tint on his eyes. “I’m not crying! It’s just that-Ugh!You’re my coach Sho-san! You said you’re going to watch me into the big leagues! The MLB!”
Shouta let out a chuckle at that. “I did say that.” He mused out, remembering his promise. He makes a lot of those. Promises. Something that he really looks forward to in the future.
“And, if you found another favorite student then-“
“I’m not going to find another favorite student,” said the older man, not finishing Eijun’s sentence. “My favorite student is obviously my first student.”
Eijun furrowed his brows at that. “You sure?” he grumbled, sounding as if he doesn’t believe what he had just said. Which is, okay, a bit valid.
“Real sure,” drawled out Shouta.
“Whatever,” pouted Eijun as he rests his head on his hands. “Go coach other teams for all I care.”
The older man let out a snicker. “Don’t sulk.” He chided, ruffling the younger’s hair affectionately. “It’s unbecoming for Koshien’s most valuable player to sulk over such things.”
“I’m not!”
“Yeah, sure.”
Another set of silence descent between the two of them. It’s clear that Eijun is still sulking as he stubbornly stared at the street below them. The hustle and bustle really is a deep contrast with how silent the balcony is. Seido baseball club is still partying inside, though their loud voices and music can’t be heart from where they both stood. Shouta let it be like that for some time before he broke it.
“It’s only for one tournament,” he said. “I will only be coaching Inashiro for one tournament.”
Eijun shuffled besides him. “Huh?”
“Next year summer tournament,” he said once again. “Is that enough time for Seido to rebuild the team?”
Eijun stared at him, brows furrowed.
Shouta too, cocked his head sideways, waiting for his reaction.
Summer next year. He thinks it’s the perfect time to do his part time gig in Inashiro. It will give Eijun time to adjust to his role as an ace and enough time for Seido to build a team centered around Eijun. It’s also the perfect time to give his student a challenge that he needs to overcome in order to make it to the summer Koshien.
He didn’t say any of that, though it seems Eijun understands his intention perfectly.
“It is,” said the younger pitcher, finally. “It’s enough time.”
“Well, good for you then.”
“Sho-san don’t cry when Seido beat Inashiro again next year!”
“I won’t.”
Because at that time, he knows that Eijun can shine brighter than he is now.
“One summer tournament for Inashiro and then I will be back as your personal coach,” he continued almost absentmindedly. “Again.”
“… My personal coach again?”
Shouta hummed. “MLB is a rough journey you know,” he said, grinning. “And considering how bad your English is, you really need a translator,” he continued. “Count yourself lucky Eijun, I don’t think there’s any translator in the world that has baseball knowledge as much as I am-“
He doesn’t even finish his sentence when he found himself being engulfed in a hug.
And it’s almost like the ten years between the two of them didn’t exist. That Eijun is still a child looking at him for guidance.
“Thank you,” muttered the teen. “I really mean it.”
The older let out a chuckle. “I know.”
Isashiki Jun was in his third year of high school when he won Koshien.
It was surreal, it was unbelievable, it’s a bit shocking to experience. It was as if, all his life, all the years that he spent on playing baseball, everything was for this moment.
The rush of ecstasy and thrill that thrummed under his skin as he watch Sawamura hit a homerun out of Hongo was addicting. How his body moved uncounciously towards the mound as he and the rest of his teammates yelled and celebrated their victory together. How he can hear Seido’s school anthem playing across the air as the announcer announced their win amidst the loud roar of the stadium.
Everything is addicting and he wants to feel that kind of emotion once again.
“Where’s Sawamura?” he said, skimming his eyes throughout the room. He really wants to thank the teen for that beautiful swing that he made in the ninth inning after all.
Chris, who was sitting in front of him, silently pointed his finger towards the balcony, directing his attention towards it. And yeah, there’s Sawamura, standing outside in the balcony with Nakatani-san.
(Having Nakatani Shouta here having dinner with them is still so fucking surreal.)
“So,” he started again, turning his head towards the rest of the third years. “How does it feel to be a Koshien winner?”
Ryo laughed at that. “Amazing,” he said. “And unbelieveable.”
Tanba too, nodded his head at that, fully agreeing on that sentiment.
“I agree,” muttered Tetsu as he chewed on a piece of meat. His eyes are intense as if he’s already thinking about something beyond today, and knowing Tetsu? He probably is. “It’s an achievement that not everybody can have after all.”
“One winner and 3.999 losers,” said Chris, letting out a smile. “It’s something special.”
And fuck, now that he mentioned it that way, it sounds way more fucking unbelieveable. Isashiki Jun who was a struggling first year in Seido. Isashiki Jun who had to switch his position from a pitcher to an outfielder. Isashiki Jun who was once dubbed hopeless and one of Seido’s worst generation.
Isashiki Jun who know won Summer Koshien with his teammates.
“I don’t want this day to pass,” he mumbled out. “Everything is perfect already and I just want to continue to play baseball with the rest of team…”
Ryo let out a chuckle at that. “Well, it would be easier if it’s like that, no?”
All of them nodded their head, agreeing. Though, they all fell into silence after that.
It was not a comfortable one. On the contrary, Jun doesn’t mind the prolonged silence between all of them. After all, at this moment, all of them are trying to face the looming reality before them. Namely, their retirement from the team.
All of them realized that this tournament will really be the last. That the last chance for them to play baseball in Seido will over in this year’s Summer Koshien. After this, they all will moved out from their baseball dorm to the normal dormitory. After that, they will study and study in order to get into a good university.
While of course there is a chance for them to immediately go pro after this – something that has been more and more possible recently – Jun thinks that it’s not something he will pursue. His parents want him to go to university first before pursuing his career in baseball more seriously. For everything that they had done for him, it’s the least that he could do.
After all, it’s only for four years. He can still play college baseball before entering the NPB draft after his graduation. The chance for him to play baseball professionally is still more than likely.
“… Are you guys going to university?” he asked after much thought.
The third years exchanged glances at that.
“I am,” said Tanba, after a beat. “I was looking for a sport scholarship for university,” said the teen again.
Ryo too nodded his head. “Me too,” he said. “I was thinking to enter the draft after I graduate high school, though considering that I was absent for most of Koshien, I think I should play baseball in college first before pursuing it professionally.”
Jun nodded at their answer. More or less, it’s the same to him.
“I’m going to the states,” said Chris after a moment of silence, shocking all of them.
“The states?” asked Tetsu, eyes widening.
“Yes,” confirmed Chris. “My injury is almost healed at this point, I was thinking to pursue a professional career there, in baseball.”
All of them stared at the catcher. Truthfully, it shouldn’t shock them this much. After all, Chris is half-american and his dad used to play in MLB back in the days. It shouldn’t be a surprised for them that Chris wants to skip playing in Japan and straight towards his home country. Though, really, hearing it directly is still a bit unbelievable.
“So the MLB?” asked Masuko, breaking the shocked silence between all of them. “You’re going straight to the MLB, then?”
Chris chuckled at that. “Well yeah, that’s the ultimate goal,” he said, smiling. “Though I will have to play in the minor league for a while.”
“But that’s great,” said Tetsu, looking at Chris with a large smile. “You’re going straight towards the pinnacle of our sport!”
“Yeah,” said Jun, smiling widely. “You’ll do great there!”
The catcher laughed. “Thank you for the encouragement, guys.”
It was silence again between the third years before Tetsu decided to speak.
“I’m going pro,” he said, voice unwavering.
Jun stared at him. “You’re already set on that?” he asked.
Said captain nodded his head. “Yes, scouts had been approaching me and contacting Seido,” he explained, eyes turning towards Coach for a second before staring at all of them. “They said I have the potential; I was thinking to enter the next draft.”
That’s great. That’s a great news. Something that Jun should’ve expected for their captain who had been obsessed with baseball for the longest time. It was as if that decision is the most rationale decision for someone like Tetsu, the star batter of Seido.
Truth to be told, some scouts also had approached Jun. Some had expressed their interest on him now while some had expressed their interest for his future. Coach and Takashima-san had even spoke to him about it, on how he should decide his future career path. Back then, he had been set to go to college first before pursuing the sport professionally.
But now? after hearing Chris’s grand MLB dream and Tetsu’s unwavering faith on his decision?
He’s not sure anymore.
“What about you?” asked Ryo, tilting his head as he directed the question towards Jun. “What are you going to do after all of this?”
Jun opened his mouth and yet, not a single sound escaped him.
It doesn’t make sense. He already has his plan set didn’t he?
Go to university, get a sport scholarship, play baseball. That’s the deal right?
He stared at both Chris and Tetsu. The two pillars during their first year in Seido. The two pillars to the team even now. The two people that already set their mind to play baseball in a professional level almost immediately.
“I-“ he started, before stopping. “I… don’t know.”
It is time for the third years to set their future path.
Truthfully, Eijun would really want to celebrate his win in Koshien more. Like maybe eating more expensive meats or just talking and laughing with his teammates until late and not sleeping. He just really wants to just soak up the victory that the team finally achieves, especially after that heavy heart to heart talk with Sho-san.
Because honestly! Why did the man even think that that moment is the correct one to tell him the news!? Let him celebrate more at least!
Knowing Sho-san will coach in Inashiro next year really dampened his mood for a bit. Eijun knows that the coaching gig is only temporary – only for one tournament! – though, the man promises to accompany him to the MLB at least brightened him up for a bit. In the end, after all of that talk, the pitcher decided that he needs to stop with all the moping and go celebrate their win in Koshien.
But well, this world doesn’t revolve around him.
He was about to join both Harucchi and Furuya on their table, a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“Wha-“ Yelped Eijun, shocked, as he turned his head around. Immediately his eyes zeroed on Sho-san’s dark ones. “Sho-san what’s the meaning of this!”
The older snorted, hand tightening on his shoulder before he yanked Eijun back. “Your coach asked me some favors,” he said, dragging him away. “Namely forcing you to sleep.”
“Huh!?” Yelled Eijun. “But we just win! In Koshien no less!” he protested, shooting a ‘pleasehelpme’ look towards Harucchi and Furuya’s general direction. The both of them are helpless at the clear warning sign that he’s giving them as well as Takashima-san’s glare.
“I know, I watched,” deadpanned Sho-san.
“So why-“
Miyuki-senpai, who was also dragged besides him spoke up. “Ah,” said the catcher. “The U-18 tournament.”
Turns out, the both of them will be immediately shipped off to Tokyo tomorrow morning to attend the U-18 training camp. It’s a tight and grueling schedule, considering they had just finished an almost one-month long championship.
Truthfully, Eijun would have preferred if the tournament starts not this close to the end of Summer Koshien, but alas, there’s not much time frame that the committee can wiggle the tournament in. With the Summer Koshien during the summer, the fall tournament, and the Spring Koshien, it’s hard for them to find the perfect date for the tournament so that it doesn’t clash with any of the big tournaments.
Both Eijun and Miyuki-senpai is still exhausted, especially after playing the entire summer as the main pitcher and catcher. Though, the coaching team seems to have taken that into consideration considering for the first three days, both he and Miyuki-senpai, as well as the representative from Komadai Fujimaki will only do light training.
“And pitching will be forbidden for a while, Sawamura-kun,” explained Takashima-san on the bus as the four of them alongside coach made their way to Tokyo the next day. It’s still early in the morning and the sun is not even up yet. “You will be allowed to pitch during the friendly game on the 23rd, but not a full game.”
“Eh!?” whined Eijun. “Why!?”
Miyuki-senpai nudged him. “You’re basically Seido’s go to pitcher for the summer,” he said. “The coaching team doesn’t want you to get any potential injuries.”
“I can’t believe that!” But okay, valid.
“And I can’t believe that we’re in a bus going to another training camp when we just finished Koshien yesterday,” muttered Miyuki-senpai, already settling back on his seat. There’s a sleep mask situated over his head, a clear sign that the catcher is ready to catch some sleep soon. “Don’t disturb me when I’m sleeping, Sawamura.”
Eijun snorted at that. “Be more excited Miyuki Kazuya!” he said. “We’re going to the U-18 camp!”
“I fucking know that…” grumbled the catcher.
“Boys, focus,” cut off Takashima-san, gaining their attention. She had a stern look on her eyes, making the both of them gulp. “We’ll be one of the last team to arrive, the rest had already started their training today while Komadai will depart from Osaka this afternoon.”
At the mention of Komadai Fujimaki, Eijun nodded his head. Without even looking at the official list, he can almost guess who will be the representative of that school.
“So, we’re on a tight schedule, please follow the itinerary that I had set for the two of you,” said the woman, stressing out the word please.
Eijun nodded at that, giving the woman a big thumbs up. “Sure!”
“And considering we’re one of the last one to arrive, please adapt quickly to the training pace. I know both of you have a lot of rivalry with other players, but please refrain from riling them up, or even, fighting, okay?” said the woman again, which is a bit ridiculous. Eijun doesn’t fight with people. He’s a perfectly friendly and good player!
“It’s cause other teams didn’t make it into the finals,” snickered Miyuki-senpai. “Bet they want to be one of the teams to arrive last too.”
Eijun let out a laugh at that, fist bumping with the older catcher over that statement. In retaliation, Takashima-san shot them a stern look.
“This is what I’m talking about,” she said, massaging the spot between her eyebrows. “Please don’t do that during the camp.”
“Sure,” drawled the both of them as they exchanged glances. Takashima-san looks like as if she doesn’t believe them.
“Here is the training schedule that the coaching staff had distributed,” said the woman as she gave each of them a thick stack of papers, ignoring their halfhearted attempt to sound convincing. “They expect the both of you to familiarize with all the pitchers and catcher in the U-18 roasters as soon as possible.”
Miyuki-senpai nodded his head. “Do you have the U-18 team list?” he asked, flipping open the papers.
“It’s in the first third page,” said Takashima-san as she also opened her own papers. “There are names that the both of you are already familiar with.”
Eijun grimaced at that, because there sure is a lot of names that they’re familiar with. “Ugh, there’s Narumiya,” he said, spotting the blonde’s name in the pitchers list. He can already imagine how annoying the other pitcher will be. He’s already been annoying before Inashiro lost to Seido and adding that loss now?
Almost unbearable certainly.
( Narumiya Mei stood before him with his hand on his hips. He realized that the blonde’s eyes are red, and there’s something wet on his cheeks. Eijun didn’t even realize that the other teen was crying, with his face being covered by his hat when both teams were lining up earlier.
“Narumiya” he said.
“Yeah, me” grumbled out the pitcher. “You better win Koshien you hear me!?”
The first year blinked, a bit confused at that declaration.
“Wait no- don’t win for all I care!” Yelled the blond. “But you just defeated us, me, the number one pitcher in Japan, Inashiro, the number one school-“
“I don’t think Inashiro is number one-!”
“We’re number one!” huffed out Narumiya. “You just beat us and you guys better don’t embarrass West Tokyo and us for losing to you, and got eliminated on the first round!”)
“There are a lot of names from the Tokyo district,” muttered Miyuki-senpai, eyes scanning up and down. Moreso on the catcher and the pitchers list. “And Harada-san is playing?”
Eijun was a bit surprised at the news. After all, it was expected for the third years to retire after the summer. For Harada-san to play, it seems the U-18 coaching unit really values him as a player.
Takashima-san nodded. “It seems the U-18 coach attended a lot of the Tokyo Tournament matches when they were scouting. It’s not a secret that our district is the most competitive one, with so many powerhouses clustered in one place, it’s no wonder that they pick a lot of players from there.”
Miyuki-senpai let out a low whistle at that. “Kengo Inui is the catcher from Teito, right?” he asked again. “We didn’t encounter them in the West Tokyo Tournament and in Koshien. Do we have recordings of their latest matches?”
“We have,” answered the female. “I will send it to both of your email, please watch it and examine it properly.”
“Roger that,” said the second year as he gave the female a halfhearted salute.
Eijun too, nodded his head, closing the roster list.
“I hope the both of you will get plenty of rest in the bus, we don’t have much time to adjust later, and we just finished a tournament, so please, rest instead of goofing off,” said Takashima-san as she gave them a pointed look before retreating back towards her seat.
The pitcher knows that of course. Keeping his body healthy is one of the most important things on his to do list. That’s why, he immediately slumped back on his seat, intent on catching up some sleep and releasing some of the pent-up fatigue from the day before.
Besides him, Miyuki-senpai already has his sleeping mask covering his eyes, a sign that he does not want to be disturbed.
The rest of their ride went like that, with the both of them sleeping. After hours of bus ride, they arrive at Tokyo.