章 22: Chapter 22: The Calm Before the Storm
The locker room buzzed with excitement and relief after Seidou's dramatic victory over Inashiro. Laughter and cheers filled the air, echoing through the walls as the team celebrated their hard-earned win. Eijun sat in the middle of the room, still basking in the thrill of the game. He had faced one of the toughest opponents in the country—Narumiya Mei—and had come out on top.
But even in the midst of the celebration, a part of Eijun's mind couldn't stop thinking about what lay ahead: the finals. The hardest part of their journey was still in front of them.
"Oi, Sawamura!" Kuramochi called out, playfully messing up Eijun's hair as he walked by. "Don't get too full of yourself! We've still got one more game to win."
Eijun grinned, shaking off the teasing. "I know, I know! But today was a huge step! We took down Narumiya!"
Furuya, who had been watching quietly from the other side of the room, suddenly stood up and walked over to Eijun. His eyes were intense, more focused than usual. He wasn't smiling, nor was he joining in the post-game chatter.
"Congratulations, Sawamura," Furuya said, his voice calm but serious.
Eijun blinked, surprised by Furuya's tone. "Uh… thanks?"
"But don't think it's over," Furuya continued, his gaze not wavering. "The finals are going to be even tougher, and I'm not planning on sitting on the bench."
Eijun's grin faded slightly as he met Furuya's stare. The rivalry between them had always been simmering beneath the surface, but now it felt more intense than ever. Both of them wanted to be Seidou's ace. Both of them wanted to lead the team to victory in the finals.
But only one of them would get that chance.
"Don't worry," Eijun said, standing up to meet Furuya at eye level. "I'm not planning on giving up the mound."
For a moment, the two pitchers stood face-to-face, the air thick with competitive energy. It wasn't hostile, but there was no mistaking the fact that they were rivals. They respected each other, but neither was willing to back down.
Before the tension could escalate, Miyuki stepped between them, clapping a hand on both of their shoulders. "Easy, you two. We've still got some time before the finals. Let's focus on resting up and getting ready for whatever comes next."
Eijun and Furuya both nodded, though neither one took their eyes off the other.
Later that night, as the team settled into their dorms, Eijun found himself lying awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The rush of adrenaline from the game had faded, leaving behind a mixture of excitement and nerves. The finals were so close now—just one more game, one more challenge to overcome. He could almost taste victory, but the pressure was weighing on him.
In his mind, flashes of Narumiya's pitches played over and over, the sheer power and control he had displayed on the mound. Eijun had faced him down, but the finals would bring new challenges, new opponents who were just as strong, if not stronger.
"What's the next team going to be like?" Eijun wondered aloud, his thoughts racing. He knew the finals would be against a team with as much talent and drive as Seidou. Would they face another pitcher like Narumiya? Or maybe a team with incredible fielders and dangerous batters?
Suddenly, the door to his room creaked open, and Miyuki stepped in, his usual smirk on his face. "Can't sleep?"
Eijun sat up, blinking in surprise. "Miyuki-senpai? What are you doing here?"
Miyuki leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "I figured you'd be overthinking things again. It's written all over your face."
Eijun frowned. "I'm not overthinking! I'm just… trying to prepare for what's coming next."
Miyuki chuckled, walking further into the room and sitting on the edge of Eijun's bed. "Look, it's good to think about the next game, but don't let it get to you. The finals are going to be tough, no doubt about it, but you've proven yourself. You've earned your spot in the starting rotation. Just stay focused on what you do best, and don't let the pressure mess with your head."
Eijun let out a deep breath. "I know, but… what if I mess up? What if I'm not good enough in the finals?"
Miyuki raised an eyebrow, his smirk softening into a more serious expression. "You didn't mess up today, did you? You held your own against Narumiya Mei—one of the best pitchers in the country. Do you really think the finals are going to be any different?"
Eijun bit his lip, unsure how to respond. Miyuki always made things sound so simple, but the truth was, he still had doubts.
"Look," Miyuki said, leaning in slightly. "The finals aren't just about one player. It's about the team. Furuya, Tanba, Kuramochi, Kominato—they're all going to be there, too. You're not carrying this team on your own."
Eijun's eyes widened as Miyuki's words sank in. He had been so focused on himself—on his own performance, his rivalry with Furuya, and his desire to be the ace—that he had almost forgotten that this was a team effort.
Miyuki stood up, patting Eijun on the head like he was a little kid. "Relax, Sawamura. We're going to win this, together."
Eijun couldn't help but grin, his confidence returning. "You're right, Miyuki-senpai. We're going to win this!"
Miyuki laughed, heading toward the door. "Good. Now get some sleep. We've got practice in the morning."
The next day, Seidou resumed their regular practice, but there was a renewed sense of purpose in the air. Everyone knew what was at stake. The finals weren't just any game—it was their chance to win the national championship, to prove that they were the best team in Japan.
Eijun threw pitch after pitch in the bullpen, pushing himself harder than ever. His fastball was sharper, his breaking ball more precise. Each time Miyuki caught one of his pitches, the catcher would offer a brief nod of approval.
Furuya, not far away, was doing the same. His powerful pitches echoed through the field as he worked with the coaches, each throw like a thunderclap.
The rivalry between Eijun and Furuya was still as strong as ever, but there was a mutual respect there. They both wanted the same thing—to stand on the mound as Seidou's ace in the finals. But no matter who got the nod, they knew that the team's victory was the most important goal.
As practice came to an end, Coach Kataoka called the team together for a final pep talk. "The finals are just days away," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "This is the moment we've been working toward all season. You've all grown as players, but more importantly, you've grown as a team."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "It doesn't matter who stands on the mound. What matters is that we fight together as Seidou. Play your game, trust each other, and leave everything you have on that field. If you do that, the championship will be ours."
Eijun clenched his fists, feeling a surge of excitement and determination. The finals were coming. The ultimate test was just ahead.
And he was ready.
As the team began to disperse, Furuya walked up beside Eijun, his usual stoic expression in place.
"We'll both be ready," Furuya said quietly, his eyes focused on the field ahead.
Eijun nodded, a fierce grin spreading across his face. "Yeah. We'll win this, no matter what."
The storm was coming. But Seidou was prepared.
The countdown to the finals had begun. And for Eijun, Furuya, and the rest of Seidou, this was their chance to claim their place in history.
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