บท 11: Chapter 11: Rivalry Ignites

The victory from Eijun's first start as Seidou's pitcher gave him an immense boost of confidence, but it also fueled the fire of competition. Furuya's silent acknowledgment from the sidelines was more than enough to remind Eijun that their rivalry was still very much alive—and it was only growing fiercer.

As the team gathered in the locker room after the game, Eijun couldn't shake the feeling that his journey to the ace position had just begun. Every time he pitched, every inning he survived, he was proving not just to the team, but to himself, that he was ready to shoulder the responsibility of Seidou's ace. However, Furuya wasn't going to make it easy, and that made it even more exciting.

The next morning, the atmosphere during practice was thick with unspoken tension between the two pitchers. Furuya, usually silent and reserved, seemed more focused than usual. Every throw, every movement was sharp and precise, as if he were determined to remind everyone why he was the one who had held the starting position for so long.

Eijun noticed, of course. He felt it in the air, and it only made him want to push harder.

Coach called for a bullpen session to keep both pitchers sharp, and the entire team knew what that meant—a showdown of sorts between Furuya and Eijun, even if unofficial. One by one, the players gathered near the bullpen, pretending to go about their drills but keeping an eye on the pitching duels.

Miyuki was the first to catch for Furuya. The tall right-hander went through his pitches like clockwork: fastballs that whizzed past with a whoosh, breaking balls that had batters second-guessing themselves, and sliders that painted the corners with precision. The team watched in awe as Furuya hit one spot after another.

"Furuya's in top form today," Kuramochi muttered to Haruichi as they stretched nearby. "No mistakes. That's going to be tough for Sawamura."

"Yeah," Haruichi agreed softly, though his eyes flickered with concern as he glanced at Eijun, who was watching Furuya's every move with narrowed eyes.

But Eijun didn't waver. He knew Furuya was good—better than good, even. But that wasn't going to stop him. If anything, it made him even more determined to step up and prove that he could be just as dominant, if not more.

When it was Eijun's turn, Miyuki gave him a small nod as they met at the mound. "Don't let what Furuya just did get to you," he said with a grin. "This is your bullpen. Pitch your game."

Eijun clenched his fists, determination flooding his body. "I know. I'm not scared of him, Miyuki. I'm going to show everyone that I can be the ace too!"

Miyuki chuckled. "That's the spirit."

Eijun took his stance on the mound, the familiar feel of the ball in his hand calming his nerves. With a deep breath, he wound up and delivered his first pitch—a fastball, low and inside. The ball shot into Miyuki's glove with a satisfying thud.

"Nice," Miyuki called out as he tossed the ball back. "Keep that up."

Eijun nodded, focusing on each pitch. He unleashed his fastball with power, but mixed in his newfound breaking ball, aiming to keep Miyuki on his toes. The more he threw, the more comfortable he became with his rhythm. He felt the satisfaction of Miyuki's glove snapping around the ball, and the approving looks from his teammates only added to his growing confidence.

As the session continued, the tension between Eijun and Furuya grew more palpable. Every pitch Eijun threw was sharp, full of passion and intent. The onlookers couldn't help but feel the excitement as the two pitchers continued their battle, each trying to outdo the other.

Finally, Coach called an end to the bullpen, but the rivalry between Eijun and Furuya was far from over. As they walked off the mound, both pitchers glanced at each other, their gazes intense but silent.

The rest of the team watched with bated breath, waiting for what would happen next.

Eijun broke the silence first. "I'm not going to lose to you, Furuya."

Furuya didn't flinch. His expression remained as stoic as ever, but there was something different in his eyes—something more intense. "I won't lose either."

It was a simple exchange, but the weight behind their words was unmistakable. Both of them knew that only one of them could become Seidou's ace, and neither was willing to back down. The competition had officially begun in earnest.

That evening, the team gathered for a strategy meeting to prepare for their next game. Seidou's opponent was a strong school with a formidable batting lineup, and Coach had decided to keep Furuya as the starting pitcher. Eijun, despite his strong bullpen session, was given the role of a mid-game reliever again.

Eijun clenched his fists at the announcement but didn't argue. Deep down, he knew he still had a lot to prove before he could claim the ace number. Furuya's consistency and power made him a natural choice for the starting position. But that didn't mean Eijun was satisfied with sitting in the bullpen.

As the meeting ended and the players headed to their rooms, Eijun caught up to Miyuki, who was walking alongside Kuramochi.

"Miyuki," Eijun said, his voice tense with determination. "I want to pitch more innings in the next game. I need to show Coach that I can handle the pressure."

Miyuki stopped and turned to face him, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "You're doing well, Sawamura. But Coach's decisions aren't just about you or Furuya. It's about what's best for the team."

"I know that!" Eijun replied, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "But I can be just as good as Furuya! I just need the chance to prove it!"

Kuramochi, sensing the rising tension, sighed and patted Eijun on the shoulder. "Calm down, Sawamura. You'll get your chance. Coach isn't blind to your progress."

Miyuki, however, simply chuckled. "You're not wrong to want more innings. But if you really want to show Coach you're ready to be the ace, then you need to be consistent—every pitch, every game. One good bullpen session isn't enough. You need to show him that you can handle the pressure over and over again."

Eijun nodded, his resolve hardening. "I will. I'll show him, and I'll show you too."

Miyuki smiled, but there was a challenge in his eyes. "I'm looking forward to it."

The next game was a tough one. Furuya started strong, as usual, dominating the early innings with his fastballs and sliders. But the opposing team wasn't one to back down easily. By the fifth inning, they had started to figure out Furuya's rhythm, and with two outs and runners on base, Coach called for Eijun to take the mound.

The moment he stepped onto the field, Eijun could feel the weight of the game pressing down on him. This was another test—another chance to prove that he was ready for more responsibility. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was clear.

Miyuki crouched behind the plate, giving Eijun a small nod. "Focus. Let's shut them down."

Eijun nodded back, taking a deep breath. He wound up and threw his first pitch, a fastball that zipped past the batter for a strike. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Eijun's confidence surged.

He wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by.

With each pitch, Eijun controlled the pace of the game, mixing his fastballs and breaking balls to keep the batters off-balance. The more he pitched, the more in control he felt. And by the time the inning was over, Seidou had escaped without giving up any runs.

The game continued, and Eijun stayed on the mound, his determination unyielding. He pitched through the sixth, the seventh, and even into the eighth inning, keeping Seidou in the lead. His teammates rallied behind him, and the entire stadium seemed to pulse with energy.

When the final out was made, Seidou had secured another victory, and Eijun had solidified his place as a pitcher who could handle the pressure of the later innings.

As the team celebrated their win, Eijun caught Furuya's eye from across the field. They didn't say anything, but the message was clear: The competition for the ace position was far from over.

And Eijun was more determined than ever to win.