章 2: Chapter 2: First Steps on the Field

The buzzing energy of Seidou High filled the air as Goro—now Eijun—navigated the corridors, following a map he'd picked up from the front office. The school was larger than he'd expected, with wide hallways and an atmosphere brimming with a sense of possibility. But even as he absorbed his surroundings, his mind was racing ahead to what mattered most: finding the baseball field. His pulse thrummed at the thought of it, the vivid memories of past games mixing with the unfamiliar stirrings of his new identity.

"Eijun!" A familiar voice called out, breaking his concentration. He turned to see a group of students heading his way, one of them giving him a huge wave and a broad grin. Recognition stirred in him. It was a girl from his new class who'd introduced herself as a fellow baseball fan. She had a certain infectious energy that seemed to match his own. "You're going to the baseball field, right?"

"Yeah!" he replied, giving her a thumbs-up, trying to keep his enthusiasm in check. "Where is it?"

"Come on, I'll show you! You can't get lost with me around." She led him confidently through the maze of hallways and staircases until they finally spilled out onto a sprawling open area behind the school. The baseball field lay before him, its dirt and grass perfectly manicured, the sunlight glinting off the metal fences that surrounded it.

Goro felt his chest tighten. His eyes roamed over the field, taking in the pitcher's mound, the bases, the dugout—all familiar, yet somehow new. His fingers twitched, itching to feel the seam of a baseball in his grip again, to let his muscles remember the perfect release of a fastball.

As he stood there, rooted to the spot, a voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"You a first-year too?" A boy a few inches taller than him appeared, his eyes scrutinizing Eijun with curiosity. He had a certain calm confidence about him, and Goro guessed he was no stranger to the game.

"Yeah," Eijun answered, trying to keep his voice steady. "I heard Seidou has a strong team. I'm a pitcher. Here to prove myself."

The boy raised an eyebrow. "We've got some serious competition for the pitcher's spot. You might want to watch yourself."

Goro's chest filled with that familiar feeling of defiance. He hadn't come this far just to watch from the sidelines. Reincarnation or not, this was his chance to throw like he used to—or even better. "Guess we'll see who's left standing," he said, holding the boy's gaze.

The boy smirked, intrigued. "I'm Miyuki Kazuya, catcher. Third-year. Show me what you got, 'pitcher.'"

Miyuki led him to the bullpen. Goro's steps were steady, his eyes locked onto the mound as if the entire field had narrowed down to that one spot. He stood on the mound, gripping the baseball as memories flooded back. The feel of the stitches, the weight of the ball, the sense of anticipation—everything came rushing back, as though he'd never left.

"Ready?" Miyuki called, squatting down behind the plate, his eyes sharp and focused.

Eijun took a deep breath. His body was lighter, younger, and the movements came more easily, but his heart was the same. He felt the rush, that fierce energy he'd missed so much, and as he threw the first pitch, he knew: this was his second chance.

The ball flew across the plate, a bit wild but fast, faster than most new pitchers could manage. Miyuki's mitt snapped as he caught it, and he shot Eijun a look of surprise.

"Not bad," Miyuki said, his voice calm but impressed. "A bit all over the place, but you've got power. Try it again, this time with more control."

Eijun grinned, bracing himself for the next throw. This was exactly what he'd been waiting for. And as he threw pitch after pitch, he felt the old rhythm coming back, his muscles remembering the patterns he'd practiced over a lifetime. But he was different now—there was a steadiness, a maturity, that hadn't been there before.

With each pitch, he noticed Miyuki's eyes narrowing, evaluating him. Finally, after the seventh or eighth pitch, Miyuki held up his hand, signaling a pause.

"You've got potential, Sawamura," he said, using the name with an ease that still felt foreign to Goro. "We'll work on that control, but you might just have a chance."

Eijun nodded, hiding the thrill that surged through him. It wasn't Goro Honda's name that had been complimented—it was Sawamura Eijun's. This life, this team, this field—it all belonged to him now, and he was determined to make the most of it.

As they walked off the field together, Miyuki gave him a sideways glance. "You've got a unique pitch style. I'm guessing you're new to high-level training?"

Eijun considered the question, an odd smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I've been around the game long enough."

Miyuki snorted. "Then don't get too comfortable. Seidou's competitive, and there are other pitchers who'd kill for the ace spot. You'll have to work harder than ever to stand out."

Eijun's heart raced. This was exactly what he wanted. He wouldn't back down from a challenge; in fact, he'd thrive in it. Baseball had always been his life, and now he had a second chance to rise to the top.

"I'll take that challenge," he replied, his voice steady.

Miyuki smirked. "Good. I look forward to seeing you prove it, Sawamura."

As they parted ways, Eijun watched the team go through their drills on the field, feeling a quiet resolve settling within him. This was his world now. He was no longer Goro Honda, the boy with a heavy legacy; he was Sawamura Eijun, a rookie with a fierce drive, and his journey had only just begun.