บท 70: [70] The Ownership of the Uniform Number
Chapter 70: The Ownership of the Uniform Number
Under the blazing sun, a gentle breeze swept across the earth, carrying the lingering heat of summer. This season was indeed the one dearest to the young athletes.
The heat wave enveloped the atmosphere, marking the season that the boys were most passionately dedicated to.
At Seidou High School, on Field A, on the morning of the opening day of the summer tournament, everyone gathered in the center of the field. The twenty members of the first-string team stood in two rows, with hands folded neatly behind their backs, each with a solemn expression.
On the other side stood the second-string team and other club members of Seidou High School, their faces equally serious. Among them, clear expressions of envy and longing were unmistakable.
The three leading figures of Seidou's coaching team—Coach Kataoka, Director Ota, and Vice Captain Takashima—wore equally solemn expressions.
This was Seidou High School's most solemn send-off ceremony before the summer tournament and was also a crucial occasion for distributing the team's uniform numbers.
"We will now announce the first-string uniform numbers. Please come forward when your name is called. The lineup and starting roster for each game will be announced before each match and are subject to change. Understood?" Coach Kataoka said with a calm tone as he stood before the twenty first-string members.
"Yes!"
All twenty members responded loudly with a grave demeanor.
Within the team, one figure unintentionally clenched their fists slightly, eyes filled with obvious anticipation, desire, excitement, anxiety, and a mix of emotions.
Staring intently in the direction of Coach Kataoka, they dared not blink, fearing they might miss an important moment.
"Number 1, pitcher, Koichiro Tanba." Coach Kataoka announced in a solemn voice after glancing over those present.
In that moment,Tanba, a third-year student, felt his pupils contract and his face lit up with excitement. His fellow third-year teammates, including Tetsuya, Isashiki, and Ryosuke, shared knowing smiles.
"Yes!" Tanba replied, his voice seeming to rise from the depths of his being. As he stepped forward with a firm stride, he appeared even more imposing and confident.
That was the posture fitting for an ace.
Among the crowd, Eijun watched Tanba's back with a calm gaze.
If he claimed he had no expectations at all, it would be a lie.
No pitcher doesn't yearn for the ace's number.
However, Eijun understood well that, in terms of skill, experience, and seniority, he couldn't compare to Tanba at the moment. The ace number rightfully belonged to Tanba.
Yet, as this moment came, Eijun suddenly realized that although he could face it with a peaceful mindset, there was still a faint trace of envy in his heart.
And at this moment, his longing for that number grew even stronger.
"Do not doubt yourself; this is proof of what you've achieved through your strength. Stand tall with pride," Coach Kataoka said to Tanba, with a rare gentle smile, as Tanba received the number from him.
This was a player he had personally nurtured over two and a half years, witnessing step-by-step his growth from a green pitcher to a determined ace.
"Yes!" Tanba replied, slightly emotional.
This was his director's recognition of him and the reward for his hard work and dedication.
The ace number!
"Next, Number 2, catcher, Kazuya Miyuki." Coach Kataoka called out loudly as he took the second number from Takashima's hand.
"Yes!"
Given the circumstances, Miyuki couldn't afford any playful expressions. He stepped forward with a serious demeanor to receive his number from Coach Kataoka.
He accepted it with both hands, a gesture of respect and honor.
"Number 3, first baseman, Tetsuya Yuuki!"
"Yes, I humbly accept this order!" Tetsuya, demonstrating a traditional style, stepped forward and solemnly accepted his number.
For his most prized pupil, Coach Kataoka gave a slight nod, a faint smile of satisfaction lighting the corner of his eyes. Some said that last year's Azuma was the strongest hitter Seidou had developed in recent years. However, in Coach Kataoka's view, this year's cleanup hitter, Tetsuya, was in no way inferior to Azuma in any respect.
Coach Kataoka held this belief with confidence.
"Number 4, second baseman, Ryosuke Kominato."
"Yes!"
"Number 5, third baseman, Tooru Masuko."
"Ooga!"
"Number 6, shortstop, Yoichi Kuramochi."
"Yahaha, yes!"
"Number 7, left fielder, Sakai Ichirou."
"Yes!"
"Number 8, center fielder, Isashiki Jun!!"
"Yes!" Isashiki replied with a voice several times more spirited than usual, striding forward with a sense of pride and taking his number from Coach Kataoka.
"Number 9, right fielder, Shirasu Kenjirou."
"Yes." A well-rounded hitter with above-average abilities in all areas, Shirasu Kenjirou stepped forward with his usual calm demeanor to accept his number from Coach Kataoka.
"Number 10, pitcher, Kawakami Norifumi."
"Yes!"
From his first year, Kawakami Norifumi was always a middle reliever or closer and had long known his place on the team.
In this situation, there was no sense of disappointment, as he had always had a clear understanding of his role.
"Pitch well; your skill is certainly enough for the national level," Coach Kataoka offered rare words of encouragement to the soft-spoken sidearm pitcher who quietly contributed to the team.
"Yes!" Kawakami replied with a hint of excitement, his voice ringing out loudly.
"Next, Number 11, pitcher, Sawamura Eijun!!!" Suddenly, Coach Kataoka loudly called out as he took the next number from Takashima.
In the crowd, Eijun raised his eyebrows slightly, a touch of surprise in his expression.
Number 11?
Wasn't this Furuya's number in the original storyline?
Though puzzled internally, Eijun didn't hesitate. He stepped forward firmly, respectfully accepting the number from Coach Kataoka.
"Your abilities are recognized by everyone. You are an indispensable asset to the team!!" Coach Kataoka's deep voice echoed in Eijun's ears.
"Yes!" A unique brilliance shone in Eijun's eyes as he responded loudly.
Afterward, Eijun returned to the lineup with his number in hand.
"Number 11? Such a prominent number?"
"Well, number 11 is typically for a pitcher, isn't it?"
"I thought it would go to Furuya."
"No, considering Sawamura's recent performance, getting number 11 is perfectly reasonable."
"That's true, indeed."
"Still, it's surprising that a first-year would make the first-string lineup in the summer and get such a prominent number."
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