The days leading up to the interhigh tournament were filled with grueling practices and intense focus. Seidou's players were determined to secure their spot as one of the top teams in the country, but the road to victory wasn't going to be easy.
Kenji Takahashi had earned his place on the first-string roster, but that didn't mean the challenges were over. The competition within the team had only grown fiercer. Even with his natural talent and overwhelming reflexes, he still had to prove himself, not only to the coaches but also to his teammates.
The first-string lineup was set.
The announcement came after a particularly brutal practice session, where everyone had been pushed to their limits. Kenji's name was among the first to be called, a sign of his hard work paying off.
"Takahashi," Coach Kataoka said as he looked over the clipboard, "you'll be taking the spot at cleanup. Show us you're worth it."
Kenji nodded, his face impassive. Cleanup was a significant role — the team was depending on him to drive in runs, especially when the bases were loaded. The pressure wasn't lost on him, but he was more than ready for it.
Days blended together.
Each practice seemed to stretch on forever, with the focus shifting to teamwork and strategy. The first-years, including Kenji, had learned quickly that this wasn't just about individual brilliance. Seidou was a team. They needed to operate as one. And that meant trust. Trust in the pitcher, the catcher, the batters.
Kenji was getting better at understanding the flow of the game. He wasn't just focusing on his swing anymore — he was studying the pitcher's patterns, the fielders' positioning, the opposing team's weaknesses.
He could hear Miyuki's voice in his head, guiding him like a tactical mastermind.
"Read the game, Kenji. Always know what the pitcher's thinking. Make your next move before they do."
The week passed in a blur, and the day of their first official interhigh match finally arrived.
Seidou's opponent was a lower-tier team, but Coach Kataoka made sure the players knew not to underestimate them. Every game was a stepping stone. Every game mattered.
The stands were packed with Seidou supporters, all eyes on the diamond. The tension was palpable. Everyone knew that the interhigh was the proving ground. This was their chance to shine, to show the world what Seidou could do.
Kenji stood at the edge of the dugout, his bat resting on his shoulder. His mind was clear. He wasn't thinking about the game itself, but rather about what lay beyond it — the teams like Inashiro, the teams that would test his limits.
The game started with Furuya on the mound, his fastballs cutting through the air like bullets. The opposing batters were no match for his power and precision. Seidou quickly took a 3-0 lead by the third inning.
Kenji's turn came in the fourth. He stepped up to the plate with his usual calm demeanor, feeling the weight of the bat in his hands. The pitcher was already on edge, knowing full well that Kenji had been tearing up the practice field.
First pitch — a fastball right down the middle.
Kenji's bat swung with precision, the ball launched into deep right field.
CRACK!
The ball sailed over the fielder's head, bouncing off the warning track. Kenji rounded first, eyes locked on second base.
It was a clean double. No hesitation.
The game continued. Seidou was unstoppable. By the end of the seventh inning, the score was 6-1 in their favor, and Kenji had racked up another RBI and a couple of solid plays in the field. The victory was secure, but that didn't mean Kenji could relax.
As the game ended, Seidou's players were elated, celebrating the win. But Kenji couldn't help but feel the weight of the tournament still pressing down on him.
"One step closer," he muttered under his breath as he packed his gear.
Later that evening, as the team sat together in the locker room, Coach Kataoka addressed them.
"We won today, but this is just the beginning. The interhigh isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. There will be stronger teams ahead. You have to keep improving."
Kenji sat silently, but he was focused on one thing: the next match.
The team celebrated in small groups afterward, but Kenji kept his distance, knowing he needed to stay in the right headspace. He had always been an outcast, but this time it didn't matter. He had his own path to walk.
As he walked back to the dorms that night, his thoughts turned to Narumiya Mei once again.
Mei hadn't shown up during the game, but Kenji knew their rivalry wasn't over. Mei would be watching.
And when their paths finally crossed, Kenji would be ready. He had no intention of letting Mei or any other pitcher stand in his way. Not now, not ever.