Bab 14: Chapter 14: Eyes on the Prize
Eijun could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins long after the game had ended. The victory was sweet, a hard-earned win that left Seidou riding high. But even as the celebration continued, the reality of his situation was sinking in. Furuya had started the game, and though Eijun had closed it out in spectacular fashion, he knew that the ace number was still out of his reach.
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was riding the high of the win, their voices filled with excitement as they recounted the game. Eijun was no different, smiling and laughing with his teammates, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his chest—a yearning that wouldn't go away. He wanted more. He wanted to be the one starting those games, not just coming in as a reliever.
"Hey, Sawamura!" Haruichi called out, walking over with a smile. "Great job out there. You really shut them down."
"Thanks!" Eijun grinned, the praise lifting his spirits for a moment. But it was only a temporary relief from the fire still burning inside him. He glanced across the room at Furuya, who was sitting quietly at his locker, changing out of his uniform. Furuya hadn't said much after the game—he rarely did—but Eijun could feel the weight of their rivalry hovering between them.
Kuramochi, ever observant, sauntered over and slapped Eijun on the back. "You thinking about that ace number again?"
Eijun blinked, caught off guard. "What? No, I mean… maybe a little." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, but there was no point in denying it. Everyone knew about his obsession with becoming Seidou's ace.
Kuramochi grinned. "Relax, man. You're doing great. You'll get your chance. Just keep pushing."
Eijun smiled, appreciating the support, but he couldn't help but feel like time was slipping away. Every game was a chance to prove himself, and while he had performed well in relief, he hadn't had the opportunity to start. He needed to show Coach Katoka that he was ready for more.
Later that evening, after the excitement had died down and the team had settled into their dorms, Eijun lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds of the quiet night filtered in through the open window, but his mind was anything but calm. His thoughts kept circling back to the game, to the pitches he had thrown, and to the gap that still remained between him and Furuya.
He turned his head slightly, glancing across the room at Furuya, who was already asleep. Eijun's eyes narrowed as he watched his rival, the quiet, almost stoic presence that had been a constant since he joined Seidou. Furuya was talented—there was no denying that—but Eijun didn't believe that raw talent alone was enough to hold onto the ace number. He had something that Furuya didn't: passion, heart, and an unrelenting drive to succeed.
"I'm not going to lose," Eijun whispered to himself, his hands clenched into fists. "I'll catch up to you, Furuya. I'll surpass you."
With that thought firmly in his mind, Eijun rolled over and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. Tomorrow was a new day, and he would be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
The next morning, Eijun woke early, slipping out of bed while the rest of the team was still asleep. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden light over the field as Eijun jogged toward the bullpen. His body still ached from the previous day's game, but he pushed the discomfort aside. He needed to work harder, push further, if he wanted to stand a chance at becoming the ace.
He spent the next hour practicing in silence, the only sound being the thunk of the ball hitting the glove he had set up. His pitches were sharp, but something still felt off. He wasn't satisfied with just being good. He wanted to be great, to be unstoppable on the mound.
As he threw another fastball, the ball cut through the air with precision, but Eijun's mind was already racing ahead. He needed to improve his control, his stamina. He couldn't just rely on his energy and passion alone. If he was going to become the ace, he needed to refine every aspect of his game.
"You're up early."
The sudden voice startled him, and Eijun turned to see Miyuki standing nearby, arms crossed and a smirk on his face. The catcher had a knack for showing up when Eijun least expected it.
"Miyuki-senpai! What are you doing here?" Eijun asked, lowering his arm.
"I could ask you the same thing," Miyuki replied, walking over to where Eijun stood. "But I guess I already know the answer. You're still gunning for that ace number, huh?"
Eijun nodded, his face serious. "I have to keep improving. Furuya's not going to stop, so I can't either."
Miyuki chuckled. "Good. That's the attitude I like to see." He paused for a moment, watching Eijun with a thoughtful expression. "But don't forget—being the ace isn't just about being the best pitcher. It's about being reliable, consistent, and leading the team. Furuya might have raw talent, but you've got something he doesn't. Use that."
Eijun blinked, surprised by Miyuki's words. "Something he doesn't?"
"Heart," Miyuki said simply. "You've got heart, Sawamura. And that's something you can't teach. If you can control that fire and channel it into every pitch, you'll go far."
Eijun felt a surge of determination, his chest swelling with pride at Miyuki's encouragement. "I won't let you down, Miyuki-senpai. I'm going to keep pushing until I'm the ace!"
Miyuki grinned. "I'm counting on it."
As the season continued, Eijun's resolve only grew stronger. He pushed himself to the limit during every practice, every bullpen session, determined to close the gap between himself and Furuya. His control improved, and he worked tirelessly on his stamina, knowing that he needed to last deeper into games if he wanted to start.
The team noticed his efforts. Even Coach Katoka had begun to take note of Eijun's progress. But despite his improvements, the starting position still eluded him. Furuya remained the ace, and Eijun remained in the shadow, waiting for his chance to step into the spotlight.
But Eijun didn't let the disappointment drag him down. He knew that his time would come. He just needed to stay patient, keep working, and be ready when the opportunity presented itself.
One afternoon, during a rare break from practice, Eijun found himself sitting on the edge of the field, watching as Furuya threw his usual blistering fastballs in the bullpen. The power behind Furuya's pitches was undeniable, but Eijun wasn't intimidated. If anything, it only fueled his competitive spirit.
"Watching Furuya again, huh?"
Eijun turned to see Haruichi standing beside him, his bat resting casually on his shoulder. "Yeah," Eijun replied, his gaze still locked on Furuya. "I'm going to surpass him, Haruichi. I'm going to be the ace."
Haruichi smiled softly, his eyes filled with quiet support. "I know you will, Sawamura. You've got what it takes."
Eijun smiled back, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He wouldn't stop, not until he had that ace number stitched onto his jersey.
No matter how long it took.
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