Chương 5: Chapter 5: Finding His Rhythm
Eijun's heart raced as he took his place on the mound, the rest of the team watching from the sidelines. It was a scrimmage day, and Coach had finally given him a shot to pitch in a game scenario. His fingers flexed around the ball, and he took a deep breath, focusing his mind. This was the chance he'd been waiting for.
Miyuki crouched behind home plate, signaling for a fastball. Eijun nodded, channeling the rhythm he'd been honing over the last few weeks. He wound up, pushing off the mound with explosive energy, and released. The ball sped through the air, landing perfectly in Miyuki's mitt with a satisfying pop.
"Strike!" the umpire called.
A grin spread across Eijun's face. This was it. His control was getting better, and every pitch felt sharper, more precise.
But just as he was finding his groove, his next opponent stepped up to bat: Furuya. His tall frame and calm, determined stance radiated confidence as he adjusted his helmet and bat, eyeing Eijun from the batter's box. The two locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them.
"All right, Furuya," Eijun muttered, gripping the ball tighter. "Let's see what you've got."
Miyuki called for a breaking ball, and Eijun took a deep breath, channeling his focus. He wound up, releasing the ball with a flick of his wrist, watching as it spun toward the plate with a tight, sharp break. But Furuya reacted faster than expected, his bat slicing through the air with precision. The crack of the bat echoed through the field as the ball sailed into the outfield, landing just shy of the fence.
Eijun's jaw tightened as Furuya raced around the bases, reaching second before the ball made it back to the infield.
"Nice hit, Furuya!" one of the upperclassmen shouted, and Eijun could feel his cheeks burning. He wanted to be happy for his teammate, but a fierce competitiveness simmered beneath the surface.
Miyuki jogged over, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't let it shake you, Sawamura. Focus on the next batter. Furuya's a strong hitter; you just have to learn to anticipate."
Eijun nodded, shaking off his frustration. Furuya's strength was undeniable, but Eijun wasn't about to back down. He turned his attention to the next batter, reminding himself of Miyuki's advice to stay calm and focused.
The game resumed, and Eijun fell into a steady rhythm, keeping the batters on edge with his fastballs and mixing in his breaking pitches. He felt himself improving, pitch by pitch, finding the balance between power and control. As the innings progressed, he managed to strike out several players, and his confidence grew with each out.
After the scrimmage ended, the team gathered around Coach, who was assessing everyone's performance.
"Well done today, everyone," Coach said, his voice steady. "This team has a lot of potential, and I'm seeing improvements across the board. Sawamura, your control's looking better. Keep that up, and you'll be a valuable pitcher for us."
The praise sent a surge of pride through Eijun. He glanced over at Furuya, who stood silently, his expression unreadable. There was no animosity, but the rivalry was clear. Both of them had their sights set on the same goal—the ace position—and neither was willing to give an inch.
Later that evening, as the team filed out of the clubhouse, Eijun found himself walking beside Furuya. The two were silent for a few moments before Furuya finally spoke, his tone calm and measured.
"You're getting better," Furuya said, not looking at Eijun directly. "But don't think that means I'm going to let up."
Eijun chuckled, surprised by the unexpected compliment. "Wouldn't have it any other way," he replied. "I'm not backing down either."
They walked in silence for a while, the weight of their unspoken rivalry hanging in the air. Despite their differences, there was a strange respect building between them. Eijun could see that Furuya was serious about baseball, that he shared the same unrelenting drive to be the best.
As they neared the dorms, Miyuki appeared, looking between them with an amused smirk. "What's this? The two star rookies bonding?"
Eijun rolled his eyes, while Furuya just shrugged. Miyuki's gaze flicked between them, his tone turning serious. "Both of you are talented, but remember, this team isn't just about individual talent. The ace isn't just the best pitcher—it's the one the team can rely on in any situation. Keep that in mind."
Eijun nodded, his determination hardening. He wanted the ace position not just for himself, but to prove he could carry his team, to be the one they could count on.
Furuya's quiet response echoed the same resolve. "Understood."
The following week, practice grew more intense. Coach scheduled another scrimmage, but this time, Eijun and Furuya were split into opposing teams, each given the chance to pitch and lead their squad. Eijun felt the thrill of the challenge pulse through him as he took his place on the mound, facing off against his rival in an unofficial battle for dominance.
Miyuki was behind the plate for Eijun, and as he crouched down, he flashed a knowing grin. "Ready to show them what you're made of?"
Eijun returned the grin, his eyes glinting with fierce determination. "You bet."
With Miyuki calling the shots, Eijun unleashed his arsenal, mixing fastballs and breaking balls to keep the opposing batters on their toes. His pitches were sharper, more precise, and he could feel the progress he'd made. The game felt electric, each out driving his confidence higher.
But Furuya was on the other team, pitching with equal intensity, and Eijun's team struggled to score against his overpowering fastballs. It was as if Furuya had an answer for every strategy Eijun's team tried, and Eijun could feel the frustration building as they failed to break through.
By the final inning, the score was tied, and Eijun's team was up to bat. The weight of the game rested on his shoulders—he had one last chance to prove himself, to show everyone that he could rise to the challenge.
Eijun stepped up to the plate, facing Furuya as his opponent for the first time. Their eyes met, a silent battle raging between them. Furuya wound up and fired a fastball with blistering speed, but Eijun was ready. He swung, his bat connecting with the ball in a perfect arc, sending it soaring into the outfield.
The crack of the bat echoed, and the crowd of teammates erupted into cheers as Eijun sprinted around the bases, the thrill of victory flooding through him. He reached home plate, his teammates slapping him on the back, and he caught Miyuki's approving nod.
The game ended with Eijun's team victorious, and he looked over at Furuya, who simply nodded, acknowledging the hit with a look of begrudging respect.
As they left the field, Eijun felt a sense of accomplishment settle over him. He still had a long way to go, but this was a step in the right direction. With Furuya as his rival, and the unwavering support of his team, he knew he'd keep pushing forward, aiming for the ace position with every ounce of strength he had.
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