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The tension on the field was palpable the next morning, the kind of buzz that made everyone move just a little quicker and focus just a little harder. Seidou High's baseball team had a practice match scheduled with a local powerhouse team, and while it wasn't a critical game, the air around the team was serious. Everyone was out to prove something.
Eijun, brimming with his usual energy, noticed Asahi at the far end of the dugout, tying his cleats. He had been quieter than usual since their conversation the night before. Asahi's walls had cracked, but now, standing in the dugout with the team preparing for the practice match, it was clear that getting him back on the mound was going to take more than just words.
"You ready?" Eijun called out, tossing a ball up and catching it repeatedly. He was supposed to start on the mound today, but his mind kept drifting toward Asahi.
Asahi looked up, his eyes meeting Eijun's for a brief second before looking away. He wasn't quite ready to answer the question.
"Hey, don't zone out on me!" Eijun grinned, walking over and sitting next to him on the bench. "You'll get your shot out there soon enough."
Asahi's shoulders tensed. "I'm not pitching today."
"Maybe not today," Eijun replied, shrugging. "But you will."
Asahi remained silent, his fingers tightening around the laces of his glove. His mind wandered back to their conversation the previous evening. It had been years since someone challenged him the way Eijun did, and it brought back memories he wasn't sure he was ready to confront.
"I'll be watching," Eijun continued. "Just so you know. You've got the stuff of a pitcher, Asahi. You can't run from it forever."
The whistle blew, signaling the start of the match. Eijun grinned one last time before jogging toward the mound, his excitement tangible. Asahi watched him go, conflicted. The sight of the mound, the place he once ruled, still filled him with dread, but at the same time, there was a part of him small, buried deep that longed to stand there again.
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As the practice game got underway, Eijun's enthusiasm lit up the field. He was throwing with a mix of power and unpredictability, his unique style frustrating the opposing batters as usual. But despite his success, Eijun's mind wasn't entirely in the game. Every so often, he'd glance over at Asahi, who was standing in the outfield, his posture stiff and his expression unreadable.
By the fourth inning, Seidou was ahead, but not comfortably so. Their opponents had sharp hitters, and despite Eijun's tenacity, the cracks in his stamina were beginning to show. His pitches were starting to lose their bite.
In the dugout, Miyuki noticed it too. He glanced over at Coach Kataoka, who was watching the game intently. The team still had Furuya and Kawakami warming up, ready to take over if needed, but Miyuki's mind was on someone else.
"Kuroda," Miyuki called out, his voice cutting through the noise of the dugout.
Asahi turned to him, blinking in surprise.
"Get ready," Miyuki said, his tone serious. "I want you to be ready to take over in the outfield."
Asahi hesitated, confused. "The outfield?"
Miyuki's sharp gaze told him that wasn't the real plan. "Just trust me."
Asahi glanced at Eijun, still out on the mound, his form starting to show signs of fatigue. The ball came back to him slower now, and even Eijun's usual fire seemed a bit dimmer.
But Asahi couldn't do it. Not yet.
"I'm not—" Asahi started, but Miyuki cut him off.
"You've been avoiding this for too long, Kuroda. You think you're protecting yourself, but you're just holding back your talent. If you want to help this team, you've got to step up." His voice was calm, but there was an intensity to it that left no room for debate.
Asahi's heart raced. He could feel the familiar tension creeping up his spine. His hands itched to hold the ball again, but the fear of messing up, of hurting someone was still too strong.
But before he could argue, a sharp crack echoed across the field. The opposing batter had hit a solid line drive, and the ball soared toward the outfield.
Instinct took over. Without thinking, Asahi sprinted for the ball. He could feel the eyes of his teammates on him, the pressure mounting as he calculated the ball's trajectory. It was fast, but Asahi was faster. He reached out, his glove barely making contact with the ball before it landed in his hand.
Cheers erupted from the stands, and Asahi let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
But Miyuki wasn't looking at the catch. His eyes were on the way Asahi had thrown the ball back to the infield a perfect, precise throw with the speed and accuracy of a seasoned pitcher.
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As the innings dragged on, the game grew tighter. The opposing team was starting to adapt to Eijun's unorthodox style, and with runners on base, things were getting dangerous. Eijun's fastballs were slowing down, and it was clear he was nearing his limit.
Coach Kataoka signaled for a substitution. Furuya stood ready in the bullpen, but just as the coach was about to call his name, Miyuki spoke up.
"Let Kuroda pitch."
The dugout went silent. Asahi, who had just returned from the field, froze.
Coach Kataoka turned to Miyuki, his expression unreadable. "You're sure?"
Miyuki nodded. "We've seen him throw, Coach. He's got the control we need right now. And I think it's time we let him face it."
All eyes turned to Asahi.
"I—" Asahi began, shaking his head. "I'm not ready."
But Miyuki's gaze didn't waver. "You are. You just don't realize it yet."
Eijun, still panting from his time on the mound, walked over and clapped Asahi on the shoulder, his grin wide despite his exhaustion. "You've got this, Kuroda! I've seen the way you throw. You're a beast. Besides, it's just a practice match, right?"
Asahi looked around, his heart pounding. The pressure was mounting, but instead of the paralyzing fear he expected, there was something else—a small spark of excitement, buried beneath the anxiety.
He took a deep breath. "Alright."
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The mound felt foreign under Asahi's feet, yet strangely familiar. His heart raced as he stared down the batter, the crowd fading into the background. The weight of the ball in his hand was both comforting and terrifying.
Miyuki crouched behind the plate, signaling the first pitch. "Just breathe," he mouthed.
Asahi exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on the ball. His mind raced with memories of the past the accident, the guilt but Eijun's words echoed in his head. You can't let one bad pitch define you.
With a swift motion, Asahi wound up and released the ball. The fastball cut through the air with precision, slamming into Miyuki's glove with a sharp thud.
"Strike!"
The umpire's call rang out, and the tension in Asahi's chest eased slightly. He could still feel the fear, but alongside it was something stronger a determination to move forward.
Miyuki smiled behind his mask. "Welcome back, Kuroda."
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In this chapter, Asahi faces his first real test as he's called to the mound in a critical moment. Though still haunted by his past, he takes the first steps toward reclaiming his role as a pitcher, spurred on by Eijun and Miyuki's belief in him. This marks the beginning of Asahi's journey to overcome his fears, setting up the internal and external conflicts that will drive his character development throughout the story.
I will have mass release till i hit 10 chapters today after that were back at 1 chapter per day.