Chapitre 16: Chapter 16: The Next Challenge
Eijun's arms were still buzzing from the game the previous day, but the victory only made him hungrier for more. The feeling of walking off the mound after securing the win was still fresh in his mind, but his gaze was already fixed on the future. Coach Katoka's words echoed in his head, "Keep working hard."
That's exactly what Eijun intended to do. His performance had been solid, but he knew it wasn't enough to secure the ace number. Furuya still held that title, and until Eijun could prove himself as a reliable starter, the number one jersey would remain out of his reach.
The next morning, the team gathered for their usual post-game analysis in the meeting room. Coach Katoka and the other staff members had put together clips of yesterday's game, and the atmosphere in the room was a mix of pride and focus. Everyone knew that there was still a long road ahead for Seidou, and the competition only got tougher from here.
Eijun sat with his arms crossed, eyes locked on the screen as they reviewed each inning, pitch by pitch. Coach Katoka paused on one of Eijun's relief appearances, where he had managed to strike out the cleanup hitter in a crucial moment.
"Good work on staying calm under pressure, Sawamura," Coach said, glancing over at Eijun. "But you're still relying too much on your fastball. You need to diversify your pitches more. It worked this time, but higher-level teams won't be as easy to fool."
Eijun nodded seriously, taking in the advice. He knew Coach was right. The batters at the national level wouldn't go down so easily, and relying on just his fastball wouldn't get him through every tough situation. He needed to expand his repertoire and improve his control even more.
Furuya's review came next. His performance had been shaky, and Coach pointed out a few mechanical issues in his delivery. Eijun watched quietly, knowing that even though Furuya had struggled, he was still a formidable opponent for the ace spot. The rivalry between them wasn't just about individual performances—it was about how well they could lead the team.
After the meeting ended, the team filed out onto the practice field. As the autumn sun beat down, the intensity of practice ramped up. Everyone knew that the tournament season was approaching fast, and there was no time for complacency.
Eijun threw himself into practice, pushing his body to the limit. He worked on his control, his breaking balls, and his endurance. Every pitch had to be perfect. Every throw had to be sharp. His muscles ached, but the fire inside him burned brighter than ever. He would prove to Coach Katoka that he was ready to be a starter.
Later that afternoon, as practice wrapped up, Eijun found himself in the bullpen with Miyuki once again. The catcher had a sharp eye for detail, and he had been helping Eijun refine his technique for weeks. Eijun trusted Miyuki's judgment implicitly; the bond between pitcher and catcher was crucial, and Eijun knew Miyuki wouldn't hold back any criticism if it would help him improve.
"You've been doing well lately, Sawamura," Miyuki said, crouching behind the plate. "But Coach is right. You can't just rely on speed. You've got to make your pitches less predictable."
"I know, Miyuki-senpai," Eijun replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I've been working on my changeup, but it's still not where I want it to be."
Miyuki smirked. "Well, let's see it then."
Eijun nodded, gripping the ball and taking a deep breath. He went into his windup and released the changeup, focusing on the placement more than speed. The ball floated toward the plate, but it didn't have the sharp break he had been aiming for. Miyuki caught it with a frown.
"Not bad, but it's too easy to read. You've got to sell it better—make it look like your fastball until the last moment. Otherwise, good hitters will pick up on it and crush it."
Eijun's shoulders slumped a little, but he nodded in understanding. "Right. I'll work on it more."
Miyuki stood up, tossing the ball back to Eijun. "Don't get discouraged. You've come a long way since the start of the season, and you're still improving. Just keep at it."
Eijun grinned, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I will! I'll keep working until that changeup is untouchable!"
"Good. You're going to need it if you want to compete with Furuya for that starting spot."
The mention of Furuya made Eijun's expression harden. The rivalry between them was as fierce as ever, but Eijun didn't hate Furuya. If anything, Furuya pushed him to be better. Every time Furuya took the mound, Eijun watched closely, analyzing every pitch, every mistake, and every success. He wasn't just competing with Furuya—he was learning from him, too.
As the days passed, the team's preparations for the upcoming tournament intensified. Each practice felt more crucial than the last, and the competition within Seidou was heating up. Eijun knew he wasn't the only one fighting for a starting position—other pitchers on the team were hungry for their shot as well.
Coach Katoka hadn't announced the starting rotation for the tournament yet, and the uncertainty gnawed at Eijun. He wanted to prove he could be a reliable starter, but every game was a new challenge. He couldn't afford any mistakes.
One afternoon, as Eijun was working on his pitching drills, he noticed Coach Katoka and the other coaches huddled together on the sidelines, discussing something. His heart skipped a beat. Were they talking about the starting rotation?
After practice, Coach Katoka called Eijun over. His heart raced as he jogged across the field, trying to stay calm.
"Sawamura," Coach said, looking him directly in the eye. "You've been working hard, and I've seen your improvement. I'm considering you for a starting role in the upcoming tournament."
Eijun's eyes widened, and his heart pounded in his chest. "Really, Coach?"
Coach Katoka nodded but held up a hand. "But you're not there yet. I need to see more consistency from you—especially with your off-speed pitches. You've got the fire and the energy, but we need control. If you want to be a starter, you've got to be able to throw more than just your fastball."
Eijun swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Coach's words. "I understand, Coach. I'll keep working on it. I won't let you down!"
Coach Katoka gave a small smile. "I know you won't. You're close, Sawamura. Just keep pushing, and when the time comes, be ready."
That night, Eijun lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His body was sore from practice, but his mind was racing with thoughts of the tournament and the opportunity that lay ahead. He was so close to his dream, but there was still more work to be done.
He glanced over at Furuya, who was already asleep in the bunk across the room. Their competition was far from over, but Eijun felt a surge of confidence. He was closing the gap, little by little, and soon, he would be ready to take on the role of Seidou's ace.
"I won't stop," Eijun whispered to himself, clenching his fist. "I'm going to be the ace, no matter what."
With that thought in mind, he closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. Tomorrow was another day, and he would be ready to face whatever challenges came his way. The journey wasn't over yet—it was just beginning.
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