[125] A Joyful Pre-Game Atmosphere

Chapter 125: A Joyful Pre-Game Atmosphere

The teasing laughter from everyone turned Masuko's face beet-red. His lips moved, but he couldn't find the right words to say.

"I just grabbed the wrong blade for my razor this morning, that's all..." Masuko muttered weakly, trying to explain.

"Hahahahahaha!!!!"

Of course, no one was interested in Masuko's explanation. The laughter continued, filling the dining hall with a lively, festive atmosphere.

Especially with Isashiki Jun's antics, the excited expressions on everyone's faces made Masuko wish he could dig a hole and disappear. The embarrassment level shot up several notches.

Even though the group had already laughed once, the scene still made Eijun unable to control himself, and he burst out laughing again.

Even the typically stone-faced Furuya cracked a rare smile at the corner of his mouth. Only Haruichi felt a bit awkward, thinking that laughing like this at a senior didn't seem very respectful.

"Uh oh..." Masuko felt something ominous.

He turned around to see Coach Kataoka and Rei Takashima covering their mouths, stifling their laughter.

The suppressed chuckles showed clearly on their faces, making Masuko even more mortified. Even the always serious coach was laughing! How was he supposed to handle this?

"Ahem. It's fine for everyday life, but during the game, everyone needs to be careful not to make such obvious mistakes, understood?" Coach Kataoka cleared his throat, his expression turning solemn.

Just as Masuko thought the coach was going to save him from further embarrassment, that serious face delivered the final blow.

"Hahahaha!!"

"I can't... I can't take it anymore..."

"Coach, please... Ahaha..."

"My stomach hurts from laughing... Haha, I can't... I really can't!"

Masuko felt utterly defeated, his face a picture of awkwardness. Was this how things were going to be from now on?!

Masuko inwardly cried out in frustration!

On July 29th, this unexpected and comical incident with Masuko's bald head set a joyful tone for Seidou High School.

The team maintained this cheerful atmosphere leading up to the game.

On the bus ride to the stadium, the players' lighthearted banter added a touch of relaxation to their semi-final journey.

At 9 AM, in Shinjuku, West Tokyo, at Meiji Jingu Stadium—

After a half-hour bus ride, the Seidou team arrived at the stadium for the second time this summer, since the tournament's opening ceremony.

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!!!"

"Coach Kataoka!!!"

"Captain Tetsu! Isashiki!!!"

"Miyuki!!!"

"You've got to win this match, guys!"

"This year, you're definitely going to Koshien!"

The moment Seidou stepped off the bus, they were greeted by a chorus of enthusiastic cheers from supporters.

With Seidou's consistent victories in the summer tournament, their pitching rotation, batting lineup, and bench strength had all come together. These fans now had high expectations for the team.

They firmly believed that this year, Seidou would inevitably reach the sacred grounds of Koshien.

This year, the Kings of Seidou would finally redeem themselves, erasing six years of bitter history!

Not far away, the Sensen High players watched with mixed expressions, especially ace pitcher Maki, whose eyes glistened with envy, jealousy, and frustration as he looked at Seidou's team.

"What a ridiculous amount of support..." Yagi, the third-year catcher and Maki's partner, muttered softly.

"....." Maki took one last deep look at Seidou's team before stepping forward.

"Let's go, Yagi-senpai."

"Heh, yeah."

The commotion from Sensen High's players didn't particularly concern Seidou. They were focused on their own path.

In the original story, Sensen High's abilities are clearly portrayed as belonging to the second tier in West Tokyo.

Compared to Seidou High, their defense might not be too far behind, but their offensive power is on an entirely different level.

Moreover, while Maki's strengths are evident, so are his weaknesses.

In the beginning, he managed to keep Seidou's lineup scoreless, but that was partly because Seidou's players needed time to adjust to his pitching.

Additionally, Sensen's coach, Ugai, strategically avoided matchups with Captain Tetsu and Miyuki, allowing them to hold Seidou scoreless for the first five innings.

In summary, when it comes to overall strength, Sensen High isn't in the same league as Seidou High.

What's more, Seidou isn't underestimating them, which means the odds are clearly in Seidou's favor—at least an 80-20 split. That's reality!

"Jingu Stadium, huh?" Eijun muttered as he stepped off the bus, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the towering structure.

"This time, I'll step inside, and when I leave, it'll be as the only victor!" Eijun clenched his fists, determination coursing through him, and with steady steps, he walked toward the field.

As Seidou High and Sensen High's players entered the stadium and took their places in the dugouts, a scene was unfolding elsewhere in West Tokyo, just outside a train station.

A group of figures appeared, and one strikingly youthful and vibrant figure instantly caught the attention of nearby young men.

"Haha, we finally made it to Tokyo!"

"It wasn't that far, after all."

"Hehe, I wonder if Ei-chan will be surprised to see us?"

"What do you think, Wakana?"

The group consisted of none other than Eijun's childhood friends, Wakana Aotsuki, Shin, and the others.

Wakana smiled softly. "I thought we should let Eijun know we were coming, but you guys insisted on surprising him," she said, laughing.

"Hehe." Shin and the others scratched their heads and laughed sheepishly.

It had to be said—Eijun's friends were all pure-hearted and simple, just like him. After all, birds of a feather flock together.

"Uh-oh, it looks like the game's about to start," Shin suddenly exclaimed after checking his phone for directions to Jingu Stadium. His eyes widened as he noticed the time.

"What? No way!"

"Hurry up! Let's move!"

"Uh, how do we get there again?"

"Just start walking!"

As usual, the group was filled with lively banter.

Wakana shook her head with a smile and followed after them, excited for this first reunion since they'd parted ways.

They were all looking forward to seeing Eijun again.

Even more so, they couldn't wait to witness their hero shine on the field once more!

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