章 14: [14] The Eve of the Red-White Match
Chapter 14: The Eve of the Red-White Match
The Red-White Match was scheduled for the weekend.
The first-year students would form one team, while the second- and third-year students would form another. Every first-year student would have the opportunity to play, and most of the regular starters from the upperclassmen wouldn't participate. Those who performed exceptionally well could be promoted to train with the second string, and if they truly impressed the coaches, joining the first string wasn't out of the question.
After Seidou High School narrowly defeated Ichidaisan High School in the Spring Tournament, a piece of news quietly spread throughout the Seidou baseball team that night. Almost all the members soon became aware of it: the specific details of the upcoming weekend's Red-White Match.
As this news swept through the baseball team, the atmosphere around them shifted noticeably. Eijun, along with everyone else, felt the change, whether it was during practice or while eating in the cafeteria.
The looks that the second- and third-year students gave the first-years were unsettling, almost like needles pricking their skin, making it hard to stay calm. To put it bluntly, the upperclassmen seemed to be eyeing the first-years like prey. The usual excitement and enthusiasm among the first-years had been replaced by a heavy sense of dread. The seniors' attitude—or perhaps just the feeling they exuded—made the first-years vaguely realize that this Red-White Match might not be as straightforward as it seemed.
After witnessing their seniors' performances in the Spring Tournament and some of the second string's scrimmages, the first-years couldn't shake their unease, even knowing that the original first string starters wouldn't be participating.
The atmosphere in the cafeteria was thick with tension.
On the evening before the Red-White Match, after the coaching staff had officially announced the match, most of the baseball team members gathered in the Seidou High School cafeteria. Unlike usual, the atmosphere was silent, almost oppressive. The second- and third-year students sat mostly expressionless, while the first-years were quiet and reserved.
It felt as if the confrontation had already begun.
Eijun sat in his usual corner, eating his dinner quickly, casually observing the expressions of his fellow first-years and the upperclassmen. He couldn't help but shake his head internally. No wonder the first-years got thoroughly beaten in the Red-White Match. It wasn't just that the second- and third-year students were far more skilled, but the first-years' current state—nervous, worried, and some even showing faint traces of fear—meant that they'd be lucky to perform at half their potential.
They were practically destined to be overwhelmed.
After finishing his meal and cleaning up, Eijun left the cafeteria early. He still had some things to discuss with Kariba about the Red-White Match tomorrow. Although in the original story, Kariba was Eijun's battery partner for the match, there was always a chance things could deviate slightly. What if, tomorrow, his catcher turned out to be one of the other first-year players? What then?
So, it's essential to be thoroughly prepared. After all, tomorrow marks his first big stage, and he absolutely can't let it slip away easily!
At Seidou High School, in the Seishin Dormitory, Room 5, it was 9 PM.
Due to the Red-White Match tomorrow, Eijun had not practiced late into the night. After doing some key drills and adjusting with Kariba, he returned to his room early to rest and recharge. This was a crucial part of pre-match preparation.
It's worth mentioning that Kariba had gradually adapted to Eijun's pitching style. Eijun couldn't help but marvel at Kariba's skill; he truly lived up to his reputation as Eijun's top catcher in the original story.
With such skill, Kariba could handle Eijun's moving ball. Additionally, Eijun's efforts to develop a new pitch were showing initial success. Though if it missed, it would turn into a sweet, straight pitch right down the middle—especially at Eijun's current 130 km/h speed, which made it an easy pitch to hit.
However, when executed correctly, it became a sharp, decisive pitch. For Eijun's current skill level, it was an excellent way to enhance his abilities—a secret weapon he had been preparing for key moments. Kariba had managed to catch a few of these pitches with some difficulty.
If tomorrow's catcher wasn't Kariba, Eijun might not be able to use this pitch effectively. After all, judging by his experiences over the past three weeks, the first-year catchers—aside from Kariba—were not up to the mark. They could be summed up in four words: "Not up to par!"
"Well, tomorrow's Red-White Match will be a good chance to see your progress compared to six months ago," said Kuramochi, who had returned to the dorm after him. He saw Eijun already lying in bed, and as he took off his training gear, he smiled and spoke.
"Six months ago?" Eijun's expression grew a bit distant. It wasn't his memory, but rather fragments of recollection in his mind.
He recalled the first time he partnered with Miyuki, striking out the formidable Azuma. That final pitch's sensation, even now, remained vividly imprinted in his memory.
"Hey, kid, why are you trying to act all deep? It doesn't suit you at all, you idiot, Sawamura." Kuramochi aimed a heavy kick at him.
"Ouch! Kuramochi-senpai, that really hurts!!!" Eijun gasped in pain, grumbling in frustration. This guy, that's the one thing about him—he's always so rough, and damn, he really doesn't hold back.
"Serves you right for pretending," Kuramochi said with a shrug, not caring much.
"I'm not pretending!!!" Eijun yelled in response.
"Haha, if the coach wasn't benching us tomorrow, I'd definitely beat you to tears! Hmph." Kuramochi put on a fierce expression, shaking his fist at Eijun.
"Who's going to beat who is still up in the air," Eijun muttered under his breath.
"Huh? What did you say!?" Kuramochi instantly glared at him, looking menacing.
"Uh... no... I meant... please, senpai, go easy on me..." Eijun hesitated for a moment, then quickly corrected himself.
Only then did Kuramochi smile in satisfaction, as if saying, "Good, you know your place."
A wise man knows when to back down. Yeah, I'm not going to argue with this gorilla.
Eijun thought to himself.
"Well, anyway, good luck tomorrow, future ace," Kuramochi said with a different kind of smile, lightly patting Eijun on the shoulder and chuckling.
Eijun was taken aback for a moment, but then a faint smile appeared on his face as well.
"Yes, Kuramochi-senpai!!!"
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