Diamond Ace's Passionate Swing

"There are still two spots left for the first team." Izashiki crossed his arms, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Who will the coach bring up?"

"They're definitely ready to use right away," Kuramochi chimed in, a confident expression on his face. "After all, the Summer Tournament is not to be underestimated."

Even if you're on the first team, there's no guarantee you'll be a regular starter.

Isashiki raised her chin arrogantly, "The hardest part is yet to come."

Yes, you're right.

"The hellish training camp before the Summer Tournament is the only part that you can't escape even if you want to."

After Izashiki finished speaking.

Suddenly, he became passionate, his eyes flashing with determination.

It seemed as if they were already prepared to meet the challenge.

"I'll see how long Lin Xiao can hold out then," Izashiki said with a wicked grin as he looked at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao watched the match between the two teams with everyone else, his mind filled with many thoughts.

He already knew the outcome, and he knew that those who work hard will eventually get the results they deserve. Lin Xiao was just curious whether Chris could actually advance to the next tier.

Yuki glanced at the time and said, "There's no time to worry about others right now."

"Go back and practice on your own."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They dispersed, preparing to immerse themselves in intense training.

......

At dusk.

Department Head Ota looked at Coach Kataoka with a surprised expression and asked, "Have you already decided on the members to bring in for the first team?"

Coach Kataoka nodded slightly, a hint of determination in his eyes.

He then issued the order to assemble: "All players, assemble immediately."

Soon, the first and second teams, as well as the temporarily non-regular members, gathered at the indoor practice court.

Everyone stood in neat rows, their eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness.

Coach Kataoka stood at the front of the team, his gaze sweeping over each player, and slowly began to speak: "After several days of practice matches and assessments..."

"I am going to announce the list of players who have been promoted to the first team."

"I've made up my mind."

Kominato nervously looked ahead, thinking, "First team! I'm so nervous."

Sawamura hadn't reacted yet.

"The two selected."

"We must understand the responsibilities of being a representative of the school team."

"And the players who were not selected."

"One month before the summer competition."

"We need to provide proper assistance to the first-team players in their training."

"The player promoted to the first team is..."

The entire indoor practice court was silent; everyone held their breath, and you could almost hear your own heartbeat.

Sawamura and Kominato reacted the most strongly, their bodies leaning slightly forward.

His eyes were fixed on Coach Kataoka, filled with anticipation.

"First-year student Kominato Haruichi, and first-year student Sawamura Eijun."

"Report complete!" Coach Kataoka's voice echoed in the room.

A hush fell over the scene, and a somber atmosphere instantly enveloped the area.

The team members who were not selected looked disappointed, especially the third-year students, who knew this might be their last chance, and now their dreams were shattered, filling them with resentment.

It's surprising that Chris wasn't selected; it's probably because Miyuki was chosen.

Or perhaps Coach Kataoka hopes Chris will fully recover from his injury.

Hopefully, his athletic career will last even longer.

Lin Xiao looked at Sawamura, who was standing beside him with his head down, and hesitated to speak.

He knew that it would be more appropriate for senior students to offer guidance in this kind of situation.

After all, only those who have experienced similar things can truly understand Sawamura's feelings at this moment.

Those who weren't selected were extremely disappointed, especially the third-year students who missed their last chance.

This means that their high school baseball journey has come to an end this summer.

......

"The third-year members who weren't selected by the contestants."

"You've all worked incredibly hard these past two years. The training has been arduous and rigorous, and the competition for starting positions has been fierce."

"We believe that you all must be feeling very sad and resentful."

"You have shown us that we never give up and never get discouraged."

"They always followed my instructions."

"I hope you will continue to be my pride in the future." After saying this, Coach Kataoka bowed deeply to the third-year students present.

The third-year students were already in tears after listening to the coach's speech.

"Although I was mentally prepared."

"He just wasn't selected for the first team."

"We have never regretted it."

"But..."

"I'm still very unwilling to accept it..."

"Our summer has come to an end."

Seeing everyone like this, Coach Kataoka felt bad too. His gaze fell on Chris, who was standing there, and he said, "Chris."

"As long as your wounds heal."

"I believe you have the opportunity to continue down the path of a baseball player."

"So I would like to ask you to focus on recovering from your shoulder injury."

"In the summer tournament, I served as an instructor to Miyuki and several catchers, including Miyauchi, and observed the pitching lineup."

"May I?"

Chris lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before slowly replying, "Am I capable of this?"

"My guidance style might be..."

"They might be even stricter than the coach's requirements."

Coach Kataoka smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

Then, he said to the third-year students, "As members of Seido, you should also help the first-team members."

The third-grade students answered loudly, "Yes, that's how it should be."

On the other side, Sawamura leaned against the doorway, muttering to himself:

Why...?

"Why am I the only one..."

"My pitching skills are what they are today, all thanks to Chris..."

"He's the really capable one..."

"It was senior Chris who brought out my potential..."

Yuuki spoke up, a serious look in his eyes, "What do you want to do inside?"

"A player who wants to give up being a first-team player?"

Sawamura stopped in his tracks upon hearing Yuki's words.

"No matter what others say..."

"The coach has acknowledged your abilities."

"It has become one of the baseball team's key players."

"You are like this now."

What can I say to the players who weren't selected...?

Yuuki said seriously, "The only thing we can do right now is..."

"Let's work together, taking their share as well."

"To become stronger..."

Yuki's words.

Sawamura listened, but his inner turmoil didn't lessen at all.

As Miyuki was leaving, he said, "By this time..."

"There's no turning back..."

"The only option is to keep running forward as fast as you can."

"It's not just me, it's you too, Sawamura."

Sawamura raised his head, looking at Miyuki and Yuuki, his eyes gradually hardening.

He knew he couldn't let down the coach's trust, nor could he disappoint the players who weren't selected.

He wants to carry everyone's dreams and carve out a place for Seido High School baseball team in the summer tournament.