Chương 9: Chapter 9: Unyielding Determination

The aftermath of the practice game left the team buzzing with new energy. Eijun's performance had silenced some of the doubts, and the friendly rivalry between him and Furuya continued to light a fire in Seidou's training sessions. Each player knew they had to bring their best effort every day, as the competition for positions grew fiercer.

But for Eijun, the lingering memory of the two hits he'd allowed weighed heavily on his mind. Even though the game had ended in Seidou's favor, he couldn't shake the feeling that he could have done more. In his heart, the hunger to become Seidou's ace burned brighter than ever, and with each passing day, the pressure mounted.

As the team prepared for their next official match, Coach announced the pitching rotation: Furuya would start, and Eijun would relieve him in the later innings. This was another test—a sign that Coach trusted Eijun to hold his own in high-pressure situations, but it also meant that Furuya had once again been chosen to take the spotlight.

"Furuya's starting again, huh?" Haruichi said quietly as he stretched beside Eijun on the field.

Eijun nodded, gritting his teeth. "Yeah. But it's fine. I'll show everyone what I can do when it's my turn."

Haruichi smiled softly, his quiet confidence calming the tension in Eijun's chest. "You always do, Eijun."

Miyuki, who had been listening nearby, strolled over with his usual smug grin. "Relax, Sawamura. You're getting better, but remember, pitching isn't just about starting strong. It's about staying strong until the end."

Eijun's eyes flared with determination. "I know that! I'm going to pitch better than ever this time, so you better be ready to catch my throws!"

Miyuki chuckled. "I'm always ready."

Game day arrived, and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. Seidou's opponent was a strong team, with a reputation for relentless offense. Furuya took the mound with his typical calm demeanor, and as expected, he dominated the early innings, mowing down batters with his powerful fastballs.

Eijun watched from the bullpen, studying Furuya's every move. Furuya was a machine—his pitches were fast, precise, and unyielding. But Eijun knew that being a pitcher was more than just about raw power. He was ready to show that he could outwit the batters with his variety of pitches, especially the slider he'd been perfecting with Miyuki's guidance.

By the sixth inning, Furuya was still going strong, but the opposing team's batters were slowly adjusting to his speed. With two runners on base and two outs, the pressure was mounting. The dugout was tense, and Coach was deep in thought, evaluating the situation.

Then, a crack echoed through the stadium as the batter connected with one of Furuya's pitches. The ball sailed into the outfield, just past the reach of the center fielder, and the crowd roared as two runs scored. Seidou still had the lead, but the momentum had shifted.

Coach signaled for a pitcher change, and Eijun's heart skipped a beat.

"It's your time, Sawamura," Coach said, looking directly at him.

Eijun nodded, adrenaline rushing through his veins. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

As Eijun stepped onto the mound, the weight of the game fell squarely on his shoulders. The opposing team's runners were still on base, and their best hitters were coming up next. Eijun glanced at Miyuki, who was already crouching behind the plate, ready to guide him through this critical moment.

"Focus, Sawamura," Miyuki called out, his voice firm but reassuring. "Let's shut them down."

Eijun took a deep breath, feeling the energy of the game pulsing around him. He couldn't afford to let his nerves get the best of him. With the crowd roaring in the background, he wound up and delivered his first pitch, a fastball that sailed cleanly into Miyuki's glove.

"Strike one!"

The umpire's call was like a shot of adrenaline, and Eijun's confidence surged. He knew he had to stay sharp, especially with the next batter—a seasoned cleanup hitter known for his ability to turn any mistake into a game-changing home run—standing at the plate.

Miyuki signaled for a slider, and Eijun nodded. He wound up again, focusing all his energy into the pitch. The ball spun out of his hand, breaking sharply as it neared the plate. The batter swung, but missed by a mile.

"Strike two!"

The crowd roared louder, and Eijun felt the pressure intensify. He could see the frustration on the batter's face as he stepped out of the box to reset. But Eijun wasn't going to let up. This was his chance to show that he could handle the heat.

For the final pitch, Miyuki signaled for another fastball, this time high and inside. Eijun grinned, his competitive spirit taking over. He wound up one last time, pouring every ounce of strength into the throw. The ball shot toward the plate like a bullet.

The batter swung—and missed.

"Strike three! You're out!"

Eijun's heart leapt as the crowd erupted in cheers. He'd done it. He'd escaped the inning without giving up any more runs, and his team remained in the lead. As he walked back to the dugout, his teammates slapped him on the back, congratulating him on a job well done.

But Eijun wasn't satisfied yet. There were still more innings to go, and he knew he had to keep his focus if he wanted to secure the win.

As the game progressed, Eijun continued to pitch with precision and determination. He mixed his fastballs and sliders, keeping the batters off-balance and preventing any solid hits. By the time the ninth inning rolled around, Seidou had extended their lead, but the game was still far from over.

The opposing team's final batter stepped up to the plate, and Eijun could feel the tension in the air. This was the moment where he would either cement his role as a reliable pitcher or crumble under the pressure.

Miyuki signaled for a slider, and Eijun nodded, focusing on the task at hand. He wound up and delivered the pitch, watching as it broke perfectly over the plate. The batter swung—and missed.

"Strike one!"

Eijun didn't let up. He threw another fastball, and the batter fouled it off. It was now 0-2, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats, waiting for the final out.

Miyuki signaled for the last pitch, a high fastball to finish the job. Eijun grinned, winding up with all the confidence in the world. He released the ball with pinpoint accuracy, and the batter swung with all his might.

The ball flew through the air—but it was too late. The umpire called it.

"Strike three! Game over!"

Seidou had won, and Eijun had secured the final out. His teammates rushed onto the field, celebrating their victory, and Eijun couldn't help but smile. He had proven himself in a critical moment, and for the first time, he felt like he was truly on the path to becoming Seidou's ace.

As the team gathered in the locker room after the game, Coach walked over to Eijun, a rare look of approval on his face.

"You've come a long way, Sawamura," Coach said. "Keep this up, and you'll find yourself on that mound as a starter soon enough."

Eijun's heart swelled with pride, and he gave a determined nod. "I won't let you down, Coach."

As the celebration continued, Eijun caught Furuya's eye from across the room. There was no animosity, no tension—just a mutual respect between two rivals pushing each other to be better. Eijun knew that the road ahead would still be filled with challenges, but for the first time, he felt like he was truly ready to face them.

With his team by his side, his rivalry with Furuya driving him forward, and his unyielding determination, Eijun knew that he was closer than ever to his dream of becoming Seidou's ace.