Chapter 12: Strength in the Shadows

The energy of victory hung heavy in the locker room after the game, but for Eijun, the weight of his personal goal loomed even larger. His solid performance in relief had proven his growing reliability to the team, but it wasn't enough. His heart craved the starting position, the title of ace. The unspoken rivalry between him and Furuya only heightened his desire to stand on the mound as Seidou's lead.

The next day at practice, the atmosphere was buzzing. The team had another important game coming up, but the spotlight on the pitchers—Eijun and Furuya—was more intense than ever. Furuya had started the last game, but Coach's decision on who would start the next one hung in the air like a storm cloud, waiting to burst.

As the team stretched, Eijun glanced over at Furuya, who stood quietly, eyes fixed forward. There was no arrogance or showmanship in Furuya's demeanor, but his silence spoke volumes. He was focused, determined to keep his position as Seidou's number one. Eijun clenched his fists, steeling himself. He couldn't let Furuya pull ahead without a fight.

"Hey, Sawamura!" Kuramochi called, jogging over with his usual grin. "Don't get too worked up, or you'll burn out before practice even starts."

Eijun forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed his inner fire. "I'm not burning out. I'm just ready to go all out."

Kuramochi chuckled. "Good. You'll need that energy if you want to keep up with Furuya."

Coach Katoka observed the two pitchers from the side, his sharp gaze assessing each throw, each movement. After the last game, he could see that Eijun was beginning to develop more consistency, but his biggest concern remained Eijun's stamina and control. As much as Eijun's passion drove him, the path to becoming the ace required more than raw emotion.

"Eijun's got spirit," Coach muttered under his breath, his arms crossed as he watched the bullpen session. "But it'll take more than that to unseat Furuya."

Miyuki overheard Coach's quiet observation and smirked as he squatted behind the plate, catching Furuya's fastballs one after another. He had noticed the same thing. Sawamura had a boundless energy that could be both a strength and a weakness. His passion was unmatched, but it needed to be harnessed with precision.

After Furuya finished his bullpen session, Miyuki stood up, stretching his arms. "You've been sharp today, Furuya," he remarked casually. "Keep this up, and Coach won't have much reason to switch you out."

Furuya nodded quietly, his face calm as ever, though there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. He knew what Miyuki meant—his consistency was his greatest asset, and he intended to protect it at all costs.

Eijun stepped onto the mound next, his heart pounding as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. He couldn't afford any mistakes. Not now, not when the battle for the ace number was so close he could almost feel it in his grasp.

Miyuki crouched behind the plate, offering his usual grin. "You ready, Sawamura?"

Eijun nodded, the fire in his eyes unmistakable. "I was born ready!"

He wound up and threw his first pitch—a fastball that hit the target with a satisfying thunk. Miyuki's glove absorbed the impact, and he nodded approvingly. Eijun threw again, this time mixing in his breaking ball, the one they had worked tirelessly on over the last few weeks. It wasn't perfect, but it was improving, and each pitch seemed sharper than the last.

As the bullpen session went on, Miyuki noticed something. Eijun's control was still a bit inconsistent, but his breaking ball had become more reliable. What stood out even more, though, was Eijun's newfound composure. He wasn't throwing wildly like he used to when he got emotional. He was more focused, more aware of the situation.

"Not bad, Sawamura," Miyuki said as he caught another breaking ball, this one dipping just below the strike zone. "You're getting the hang of it."

Eijun grinned, but there was a flash of determination behind his smile. "I have to keep getting better. I'm not stopping here."

Miyuki stood up after the session ended, resting his mitt on his hip. "You're doing well, but don't get too comfortable. Furuya's not slowing down either."

Eijun's face hardened. "I know. I'm not underestimating him. But I'll catch up to him, Miyuki. I'll surpass him."

Miyuki chuckled. "That's what I like to hear."

Later that evening, Eijun lay on his bed in the dorm, staring at the ceiling. His body ached from the day's practice, but his mind was buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming game. He knew Coach would decide on the starting pitcher soon, and he desperately wanted it to be him.

He glanced over at Furuya, who was sitting on his bed, reading quietly. They hadn't spoken much outside of practice, but the tension between them was undeniable. It wasn't animosity—more like a mutual understanding that they were each other's greatest obstacle.

Eijun sat up, breaking the silence. "Furuya," he said, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Furuya looked up from his book, his eyes calm but focused.

"I'm not going to let you keep that ace number without a fight," Eijun continued, his voice steady but full of fire. "I'll push myself as hard as I can. You won't get rid of me easily."

Furuya blinked, his face unreadable. For a moment, the room was filled with silence, and then Furuya nodded once, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not planning to lose either," he said simply.

It was a brief exchange, but the meaning was clear. The battle between them was intensifying with every game, every pitch. And neither of them was willing to back down.

The next morning, Coach Katoka gathered the team in the locker room for a pre-game meeting. The tension was palpable as everyone waited for the announcement of the starting pitcher. Eijun's heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his face calm, determined not to let his nerves show.

"Tomorrow's game is going to be tough," Coach began, his voice steady and commanding. "We're up against a strong team with a solid lineup, so we need to be sharp from the start."

He glanced over at Furuya and Eijun, his sharp eyes lingering on each of them for a moment. The room seemed to hold its breath.

"Furuya will be starting," Coach finally said, his decision firm. "Sawamura, be ready to relieve if needed. We'll need both of you to be at your best."

Eijun felt a pang of disappointment, but he quickly swallowed it down. He couldn't let this stop him. If anything, it only fueled his desire to prove himself even more. He would be ready—he had to be.

As the meeting ended and the players dispersed, Miyuki caught up to Eijun, clapping him on the back. "Don't take it personally, Sawamura. Coach knows what he's doing."

Eijun nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'm not giving up, Miyuki. I'll be ready."

Miyuki grinned. "Good. Because I'm expecting big things from you."

On the day of the game, the stands were packed with fans, and the atmosphere was electric. Eijun watched from the dugout as Furuya took the mound, his fastballs blazing past the opposing batters. Furuya was in top form, and the team rallied behind him with every out.

But as the game went on, Furuya began to show signs of fatigue. By the fifth inning, the opposing team had started to chip away at his control, managing to get a few hits. Coach called for a timeout, and Eijun felt his heart race as he stood by, ready to be called in.

And then, the moment came.

"Sawamura, you're up," Coach said, his voice clear over the roar of the crowd.

Eijun jumped to his feet, adrenaline surging through his veins. This was it—his chance to prove that he was ready to take on more responsibility. He jogged onto the field, the weight of the game settling on his shoulders. But he wasn't afraid.

As he stood on the mound, Miyuki gave him a nod from behind the plate. "Let's show them what you've got."

Eijun gripped the ball tightly, his determination burning bright. This was his moment.

And he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.