Everyone present had similar thoughts running through their heads—just like Eijun.
After all, it was the first ti Haruichi had been placed in the cleanup spot. A slight change in deanor was to be expected, and no one thought much of it.
At that mont, Eijun had already forgotten just how different Haruichi's reaction had been the first ti he was nad cleanup hitter in the original tiline. He had no idea how much the current Haruichi had changed.
As Eijun turned his eyes back to the front of the room, he didn't notice the side glance Haruichi gave him. Nor did he see the way Haruichi's hands quietly clenched into fists beneath the table.
"Eijun-kun… we will win this match—no matter what."
"Batting fourth, pitcher, Sawamura!"
When Coach Kataoka announced Haruichi as the third batter, everyone was already taken aback. But this ti, the announcent nearly made people bite their tongues in shock.
Kanemaru, Asou, Tojou, and the others looked completely dumbfounded.
Sawamura? Batting fourth? While also starting as pitcher?
Co on—was this so kind of joke?
Nearly 80 to 90 percent of the team wore looks of disbelief. Only a few people like Miyuki and Shirasu stayed calm—Miyuki already knew, and Shirasu was just naturally composed.
Even Eijun himself was stunned.
? Batting fourth and pitching?
Coach Kataoka's steady voice broke the silence:
"Since sumr, you've been leading this team with your pitching. And now, throughout the fall tournant, you've done the sa with your batting. That's how you've guided us to victory. And this ti will be no different. Sumr's karma… a fall rematch. Sawamura—this final match is yours. As the team's ace, defend our honor and take us to the top again!"
Coach Kataoka's piercing gaze and unwavering tone shook Eijun to the core.
In that mont, not just Eijun—but everyone—seed to understand the aning behind this change in the batting order.
This wasn't just so tactical switch. This was a decision made specifically for this one final.
It was ant to mirror the opponent—Narumiya, the ace and cleanup of Inashiro. The Tokyo Prince.
To face off against their royal pillar, Seidou would send out their own—Eijun, their dual-role ace.
The sa stage, the sa final, the sa rival.
Back then, it had been Eijun who took the crown from Narumiya's hands.
Now, fate called once more.
And Eijun felt it—felt the weight of destiny pressing into his clenched fists, the resolve burning in his chest, emotions welling like a rising tide—
"Yes, sir!!!"
He responded with a voice stronger than ever before.
He would win. No matter what.
Nearby, Miyuki turned with a soft smile toward Eijun.
Sumr was yours. This one, too—I'm counting on you, Ace.
The weight of expectation. The burden of being the ace.
Eijun carried it all.
But two people—only two—reacted differently from the rest.
Kurumochi and Haruichi.
Unlike the others, they didn't share in the joy or surprise. Instead, they exchanged glances filled with silent worry.
Because they knew.
A wounded ace.
A heavier burden.
A dangerous mix.
For a second, both looked as though they were about to stand up and speak out—
But they didn't. Not yet.
It felt as though so unseen force had held them back, stopping them from speaking out.
Kurumochi and Haruichi sat in silence, their mouths shut, only their eyes betraying their emotions—filled with concern, conflict, and a burning determination that grew deeper by the second.
That determination was simple:
Win. No matter what—win this ga!
...
"Batting fifth, catcher—Miyuki."
"Yes, sir!"
"Batting sixth, first baseman—Maezono."
"Yes, sir!"
Since Eijun was moved to fourth, Miyuki naturally shifted to fifth. That much made sense.
When Maezono heard his na in the starting lineup, he let out a visible sigh of relief.
He was still starting.
But the relief was short-lived.
Batting sixth…?
He imdiately realized—he had been dropped from the cleanup slot.
Maezono's expression twisted into one of dismay.
He'd been removed from the heart of the batting order.
Well… after thinking about how poorly he perford in the semifinals, he couldn't exactly complain. His lips twitched, and he could only sigh inwardly.
Still, he swore to himself:
This final—I'm going to perform. No matter what.
Forget the Tokyo Prince. Forget best left-handed pitcher or whatever.
I just… I just need to make sure I don't strike out every ti…
Maezono shrank a little under the pressure—because, honestly, facing Narumiya was really that intimidating.
...
"Batting seventh, center fielder—Tojou."
"Yes, sir!"
Tojou, the ever-consistent presence in the outfield, had long since accepted his role. Competing for the mound was no longer realistic with how stacked the pitching rotation was.
But Tojou was a resilient player. He'd adapted well.
His performance during the autumn tournant had been steady.
...
"Batting eighth, left fielder—Asou!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Finally.
He was finally in the starting lineup.
Tears almost welled up in Asou's eyes.
Despite wearing a first-string number, he barely got any chances to start during the fall tournant. But now—on the biggest stage—he finally had his chance.
He was going to give it his all.
This ti, he'd make that left field spot his. For real.
...
"Batting ninth, third baseman—Shoji!"
No surprise there.
Between Shoji and Kanemaru, Coach Kataoka chose the more experienced second-year to start.
Facing an opponent like Inashiro—an old, seasoned rival—everything had to be airtight.
In terms of defense and reliability, Shoji was just more stable. A safe and logical choice.
Kanemaru, sitting next to Tojou, finally let go of the tension in his shoulders. His face was tinged with disappointnt.
He had hoped to start in the finals.
Tojou gently patted his shoulder.
"They're strong, yeah. But we're not weak either.
This is going to be an evenly matched ga. That's how I see it. Let's go out there and show our best. Let's win this thing."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
The team roared in unison.
...
The morning light glimred softly through the windows.
Resolve t resolve.
The final battle of autumn was about to begin.
And the reigning kings took that final, unwavering step… toward the summit.
---------------
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