The Entry of Thirteen mbers.
This marks the official formation of the new team at Seidou High. So were excited, while others felt a sense of loss.
Eijun especially noticed sothing subtle.
When Coach Kataoka announced the new roster, there was a slight reaction from Coach Ochiai when a few specific nas were ntioned. It was barely noticeable, to the point that most of the people in the room probably missed it.
But Eijun understood.
It was a small sign of dissatisfaction from Coach Ochiai.
Reflecting on what was ntioned in the original story from his past life, Eijun knew that Coach Ochiai had always been discontent with so players on Seidou's first string.
According to his coaching philosophy, Ochiai was a coach who focused on practicality, efficiency, and results.
He preferred nurturing talented players who could show quick progress.
This approach was completely opposite to Coach Kataoka's thod.
If it weren't for Eijun's arrival, he would have been one of the players Coach Ochiai would have dismissed right from the start.
Eijun couldn't help but feel a bit self-deprecating about that thought.
"Next, the jersey numbers will be announced. Those whose nas are called, co up to receive your numbers."
After announcing the new first-team players, Coach Kataoka made this statent, which imdiately grabbed everyone's attention.
Players like Maezono, Shoji, and Asou all revealed excited expressions.
This was the mont they had been waiting for, the mont they would officially receive their jersey numbers on the first string.
Years of hard work had led to this mont.
Even the most composed players couldn't hide their excitent.
And they were all still young.
Even Eijun's eyes shone brightly as he felt a surge of emotion in this mont.
After all, only when this mont truly arrives can one experience the deepest and most genuine emotions.
Eijun had always believed that Coach Ochiai had said sothing very true: for high school players, the attachnt to their jersey number is incredibly strong.
A jersey number often represents everything. While Eijun had already earned the status of the team's ace, the aning of his number was still different.
Deep down, Eijun still held onto a clear, original desire.
Seeing Eijun's excited expression, Miyuki, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"Number 1, Pitcher, Eijun Sawamura!"
Without hesitation or pause, Coach Kataoka called out Eijun's na and fixed his gaze on him. His expression was full of admiration, encouragent, and affirmation.
His calm voice conveyed the recognition that Coach Kataoka had for Eijun.
This was the mont where Eijun truly beca the ace, with the trust and expectations of everyone on his shoulders.
"Hiss... Hah..."
The words rang in Eijun's ears, and it was impossible to hide the rush of emotions surging within him.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, stepping forward with purpose. With each step, it felt as though he was crossing a century of distance.
Standing tall, with his eyes shining brightly, Eijun faced Coach Kataoka, who rare but genuinely smiled.
As he handed over the jersey number, Coach Kataoka patted Eijun's shoulder.
"This represents your strength. You've earned the trust and recognition of everyone. I look forward to seeing you use your abilities to lead this team forward."
In his low, serious tone, there was no mistaking the trust that Coach Kataoka placed in Eijun. At this mont, the coach had shown the greatest acknowledgnt and faith in his player.
Eijun accepted the jersey number with a serious expression, his hands steady as he received it.
With firm resolve, his words reflected his unwavering determination.
"Yes."
Only the highest peak is worthy of being claid—never giving in.
Though the jersey number appeared light in his hands, it carried the heavy weight of the team's hopes and responsibilities.
Eijun was determined to uphold the glory he had earned.
This was the duty and mission of Seidou High's ace—the responsibility of a true champion!
Eijun receiving the ace number was a result that everyone expected. No one at Seidou High was surprised. Of course, so of the second-year players privately hoped that Kawakami, also in his second year, would get the ace number.
But in the end, it was just a fleeting thought.
Whether it was Kawakami himself or Eijun's abilities and track record, the ace was always Eijun's, without a doubt.
As for Furuya, it goes without saying that his performance in the entire sumr tournant was far surpassed by Eijun's overwhelming advantage.
This was a scene completely different from the original story from his past life.
The onlookers around them showed expressions of acceptance, as if to say, this was expected.
"Of course, the ace is Sawamura."
"Haha, was there ever any doubt? After all, his strength speaks for itself. Winning the sumr tournant, Eijun's skills were indispensable. In that sense, his presence in Seidou now is monuntal."
"Mm, that's true."
"Sawamura, Miyuki, Kuramochi—their positions are definitely locked in. The real question is how Coach Kataoka will arrange the remaining spots."
"Overall, it's just a few positions left, right? Haruichi will replace his brother's spot, Maezono will take first base, and I'm guessing second-year Higasa will play third base."
"For the outfield, Asou and Naomichi are good picks."
"No, I don't agree. I think Yamaguchi Ken should take first base—his strength is really sothing. For third base, first-year Kanemaru isn't bad either."
Eijun's ace jersey number was the outco everyone expected.
However, as for the debate about the remaining starting positions, the onlookers had differing opinions.
It must be said that these different opinions had already been discussed a few days earlier between Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai.
The debate centered around players like Maezono, Asou, Higasa, and Kanemaru, regarding the starting positions.
The two coaches disagreed on the arrangents, but in the end, Coach Kataoka, using his authority as the head coach, made the final decision.
Coach Ochiai didn't see the need to argue further, knowing that he would have more opportunities in the future to prove the correctness of his views.
He wasn't in a hurry.
Of course, Coach Ochiai didn't anticipate that in the coming days, there would be monts where he would have to defend his coaching thods, and also monts where he would be harshly proven wrong.
The future was still long.
But now, Seidou High, the powerhouse of West Tokyo, the reigning champions, and their ace pitcher—Eijun Sawamura—had officially connected the dots.
At the sa ti, everyone had high hopes for this young ace.
Yet, in the midst of all this, there was one person who viewed Eijun's figure with a unique, special aning—Furuya, who, in the original story from his past life, had carried the ace title for Seidou during the autumn season.
At this mont, Furuya, who had originally just wanted to pitch and let Miyuki catch, found himself filled with a new longing for that top spot.
He wanted that ace number, he wanted to be recognized, trusted, and relied upon, and above all, he wanted to beco Japan's number one pitcher.
It was the most primal ambition of a player.
At this mont, this desire surged within him, pushing the powerful pitcher to step forward towards his own peak.
And so, one of the strongest pitchers of his generation in high school, Eijun Sawamura, was officially on his way to becoming the true ace!
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