26 Ace number

Tonight was the day the coach will announce the who will own the number 1 and also officialy telling them who's their Ace. Is it Tanba? the sophomore? or one of the tenth graders?.

'Good day everyone, today I'm gonna handing out the number for this summer tournament.'

'The decision was made after considering the ups and down of this matter and what's the best for the team. Every single player here was the reason for seido's existence.'

'Now, number 1. Fujikawa Mio, come and get your number.'

'GASPS'

Mio freeze. He never expect that the coach handed the ace's number easily. Even in the anime he let Tanba have the number. That show how he treat Tanba.

'Fujikawa aren't you going to take your number?'

Mio stood still. Questioning the coach's reasons. Honestly Mio was tempted to accept Mei's invitation but his attachments to seido keep his head straight. He walk slowly and take the number. He bowed to the coach but keep silent.

'..'

The announcement follow but Mio keep staring at the number absent mindedly. He go back to his dorm without any joy on his face. When Miyuki and Kuramochi see this they feel something off.

'Hey miyuki isn't his reaction a bit off?'

'Who knows, I'm not him'

*slap*

'That hurts you know!'

'Answer properly then'

*sigh*

'Yesterday night the coach call me, Tetsu-san,Jun-san,Ryou-san and Tanba-san .'

'Ehh he did? For what? Don't tell, the ace number!'

'Right. Coach call us what's our opinion about Mio.'

FLASHBACK

*knock knock knock*

'Coach what's the matte-?'

'What, Senpai your here too?'

'Miyuki come in'

'Today I call you all over something. What do you think about Fujikawa?'

'..'

'Tell me honestly'

They keep silent until Tanba expressed his mind

'He's talented. I don't know why he stuck here in seido when he can go to a better place'

'..'

'Is that why you call for us coach?' Captain yuki look into the coach's eyes. They all seem got the idea but as the saying goes, ignorance is a bliss. They try to shake off the feeling but it's seem the other way for the coach.

'Tanba tell me. Tell me honestly, you should know what I'm talking about.'

'..'

'I feel that you should let Fujiwaka-kun have the number coach'

'!!'

'Tanba! you know what you talking about?' Jun shout in horror.

'The past three years! isn't that's why you work so hard?! What do you mean by that? You work so hard only to give it up?!'

'Jun let's hear him out first' yuki assure him.

'hmph' All eyes on Tanba.

'I know that Fujikawa already show us how good he is. He was talented enough to have the ace number and above all he work harder than anyone else'

'!!' Tanba add.

'I woke up early to practice only to find him on the field doing warming up and practicing his pitch and batting. That moment it struck to me, he was talented but he never take it for granted. He work his way to where he is right now with his passion for baseball. Tanba clenched his fist tightly, squeezing his courage.

'Honestly I'm hopeful. I hope that after I fix my problems I can keep the ace number, I know I'm selfish to have such thoughts . But right now if you all insisted that I take the ace number, I feel ashamed. I'm not worthy to compete with him.' He gave a bitter smile. 'After all if we cannot go to koshien the summer is our last. I want to go to koshien with this team. If Fujikawa is the person that can bring us one step closer to our goal, then let him. Let him have that ace title so that my blood, sweat and tears didn't go waste.'

'I don't want my selfishness cost us the third year to bring an end to our dream. So please coach, take my opinion into consideration'

Jun, Yuki and Ryou never expect this kind of reaction from Tanba but they know how Tanba feeling so they keep quite. After that they stay for a while, discussing about Mio's pitches, batting, fielding and catching.