CHAPTER 23

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Thank you for the game!" Both team said to each other as they lined up in the field. A splendid show of sportsmanship.

Jiro was talking with Miyuki when both of them notice ichidaisan ace coming up to them. The battery just look at him as they made his way to them.

"Congratulations, you're really a first year right?" Ichidaisan ace ask Jiro with a complicated look on his face. He just wanted to confirm himself if the guy is really just a first year as he finds that really hard to believe on the field.

Jiro laugh softly when he heard what did the ace of opposing team just said

"Sorry I can't help but laugh a little since I wasn't expecting that and yes I really am just a first year." Jiro answered the teen.

"I see, I'll get going then, thanks for answering my question genius boy.The next time we face Seido we'll pay you guys back for today" Ichidaisan ace said and he immediately turn his back without further ado.

"As long as I stand on that mound, I'll let no one beat Seido" Ichidaisan ace managed to hear what the young pitcher just said with confidence on his tone.

"We'll see about that when the time comes" Manaka muttered to himself.

"Yhahaha I like what you said brat!"

"Our kohai is as cheeky as always ehh"

"I like your arrogance this time pretty boy!"

The first string players said to Jiro as they happen to hear the conversation between their monster first year and the opposing team ace.

They didn't think that their kohai is arrogant as they know that Jiro is just that confident at himself infact they liked it as the boy just said that no one could beat Seido.

Miyuki can't help but agree to what his pitcher just said as he too thinks that if his pitcher guy standing on the mound is Jiro he's confident that they won't lose to anyone else.

"Let's thank our supporters now" Yuki said as he lead his team towards the stands where Seido supporters is seated.

"Thank you for supporting us!" Seido baseball team was lined up bowing to their supporters.

"Make sure to make it to Koshien this time!"

"We'll come support you guys again next time!"

When everything is done they all head towards their team bench now to go pack everything they need in order to go back to seido.

Everyone have a smile on their face as they walk there way towards seido bus because of the victory in todays game against their rival school ichidaisan high.

They're all happy but not contented as they took knew that the real battle is in the summer tournament.

Jiro's POV

*SWISHHHH

*SWISHHHH

We are now back at Seido now and I was currently outside doing my extra batting practice tonight at the back of our school buildings. I happen to found this place when I was looking for a practice place last time which is pretty convenient as it was away from people's eyes.

"Aren't you gonna take a rest Jiro-kun? You just played a game earlier" I heard Haruichi beside me said.

"DAMNN I'M SO JEALOUS OF YOU JIRO!" Sawamura being a loudmouth as usual shouted swinging his bat with frustrations.

"Eijun you're too loud" I heard Furuya complained while silently doing his batting practice at the side.

"EHHH?!"

"Shut up sawamura!" Kanemaru said shouting at sawamura "but Haruichi is right, aren't you supposed to be resting Jiro?"

"No need to worry about me" I said to them smiling.

"I know my body best, overworking myself is the last thing I would do. I wasn't that tired from earlier game so I'm good" I said to them so they can stop being so overly worried about me.

My pitch count wasn't really that high earlier to begin with and add to that my body fast recovery rate? When I rested for a couple of hours earlier I've already fully recovered from today's game.

We always do our extra practice here every night, This place is peaceful as there isn't anyone here around other than us so we just stick to this place since the beginning for extra practice.

"You just have to be strong enough to be promoted to first string sawamura" I said to the whining loudmouth over there "That applies to everyone here, having enough strength is always the solution if you guys want to be promoted , we've still got 3 months before the summer tournament so everyone should work harder to improve yourselves" I added

'If I want to achieve my goals then I need to work harder than anyone else, I can't slack off now' I thought to myself as I continued my practice.

I closed my eyes as I imagine a ball coming at me then swinging my bat when I think the time is right. I repeated this cycle until I'm done with my 500th swing.

After our practice session everyone have separated to go to our respective rooms now to rest. It has been an enjoyable day for me so I'm in a good mood especially tonight.

I've already wash up after our extra practice so I'm now headed towards my room to get rest myself. I always ensure that I've got enough of sleep daily so I avoid staying up late.

"Ohh Isashiki senpai and Higasa senpai aren't back yet" I said to myself as I saw their beds empty when I walked inside. They're still probably doing their extra practice out there too. This is what I've come to love about this place, Everyone here pretty much love baseball like I do and they all works hard for the sports too.

I made myself comfortable at my bed and started browsing my phone as usual waiting for sleep to consume my entire being as always.

"Oops I almost forgot to send a text message to mom and dad" I thought to myself as today has been too much fun for me that it slip my mind.

I always sent them a text message atleast once a day to tell them how I've been doing here daily, I promised mom of that after all.

I've searched my contacts for dad's name on my phone to tell him that I've had my debut today hahah I'm sure both of them would be happy knowing that.

To: Dad

Hey dad, I almost forgot to sent you guys a text message today hehe. ( Don't tell mom, okay?) I'm resting now as I've had too much fun earlier. Guess what happened? I made my debut today! Earlier at spring tournament quarterfinals as I replaced my senpai on the mound in the 5th inning we are up against ichidaisan high school too, u know them?anyways I played a perfect game as I hasn't allowed any hit and struck every batter out, Ohh I made 2 home runs too lol. Your son is great right? Make sure to tell mom the news. I'll go to sleep now so goodnight to you guys, I love you both.

I've reread my message once again before hitting the send button with a smile on my face.

'I can't wait for the summer tournament to start' I thought smiling as I fall asleep.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

At the Seido club office there is three figure that stood there having a serious discussion among themselves.

"We'll be having our intrasquad game between the first years against the second and third years the day after tomorrow" A mascular man wearing his shades said. Coach Kataoka of Seido.

"Ehh isn't it too soon?" A short and a little chubby guy wearing a hat said surprised. He's Mr. Oota the assistant coach of the team.

"Today's game show us the current state of the team, Ichidaisan High wasn't at their best state today but managed to push us this far"

"If it weren't for Tsubayoshi Jiro earlier I'm not sure how would the game is going to played out" the coach stated.

"I agree, so we are going to test the players through this intrasquad game to see who is ready to go up then" A beautiful woman in a formal suit said pushing her eye glasses gracefully. She's Takashima Rei also a part of the seido baseball team.

"Yes, Tsubayoshi is strong but he can't pitch every single game alone. We need more pitchers to help him carry the burden of pitching in the games we are going to have in the future"