Chapter 30: The Next Step Forward

Are suitable practice opponents really that hard to find? I wonder if they even exist.

Upon hearing Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai's dilemma, Yuuki came up with an audacious idea.

Honestly, deep down, he imagined playing a match against Miyuki, Sawamura, and the others as opponents.

The mere thought made his aura explode into Super Saiyan 2.

But there's another issue here: the third-year players' actions aren't his alone to decide, especially when it comes to a match against the freshman team.

It's not just about the main team; it's also about the substitutes.

If Seidou High School's baseball team plays now, it might somewhat overshadow the third-years' cherished final memories together.

He decided to act on it. Since he couldn't decide alone, he gathered everyone to discuss it together.

"I heard those guys have become quite cocky. They've won all three practice games by more than ten points."

"So what? They've only beaten weak teams. Such victories mean nothing even if they get them."

"I wouldn't say that. The players are really in good form. Maezono and the others are starting to shine."

As expected, when Yuuki returned to the team, everyone was already discussing the new team.

"Are you guys interested in playing a practice match against the current Seidou team?"

Yuuki's proposal immediately captivated everyone.

Just the idea of playing a practice match against the current freshman team and facing Sawamura again had everyone excited.

"Just this way, won't it cause trouble for the existing team?"

Chris, as the third-year acting coach, naturally took a more comprehensive view.

"It seems the coach is quite keen on it now."

The Beard-senpai's insight was sharp. Unlike Yuuki, he enjoyed gossip and eavesdropping. Some Kohai had already reported to him about the team's current challenges.

"Well, then there's no problem!"

"No, there are still issues. Do you really have confidence facing Sawamura and Miyuki?"

Yuuki looked seriously at his teammates in front of him.

Everyone answered with their determined expressions.

The main squad issue was resolved, and the substitutes were not a concern at all. Being able to contribute a bit to Seidou High School's current team as the seniors made them happy.

This is Seidou's spirit.

After the discussion, Yuuki immediately went to see Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai.

At that time, President Ota was also in the coach's office.

Upon hearing Yuuki's plan, President Ota was the most surprised.

"Are you sure you want to play a practice game? You know, the farewell match is specially prepared for the third-year players. It's to let the players have good memories of their last school game, mainly for the third-year players. If it's a practice game..."

"A practice game is fine. Make it a proper game: Third-years versus the new Seidou High School baseball team."

Yuuki, as the third-year captain, was very firm in his decision.

"But, but..."

'But you might lose.'

President Ota didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.

In his subconscious, he had considered that the current third-year players could lose.

If the opponent is Sawamura Eijun, the Ace of Koshien, even a third-year player...

"We won't lose," Yuuki said.

"Are you really sure?" Kataoka asked.

"Absolutely!"

"To be honest, this could really help the current team. But for you guys..." Kataoka was conflicted.

'What better team to test yourself against than the winners of Koshien, but this isn't the purpose of the farewell game….'

"This is everyone's collective wish. And we have our own motives too."

"Huh?"

Yuuki's answer clearly exceeded Coach Kataoka's expectations.

"We want to use this game to make a decision for ourselves."

Yuuki's gaze was very determined.

Four of them had received invitations to the professional baseball draft.

Everyone faced almost the same choice.

Should they go into professional baseball or go to college?

They also wanted to use this practice game to gauge their own abilities.

"Okay, since you've made up your minds. Let's set it for this Saturday. The sooner the game starts, the sooner we can identify problems and make adjustments more quickly."

The time was set for Saturday. The new Seidou High School team would face off against the third-year seniors in a match, which was about to begin.

When Sawamura and the others heard the news, it was already the next day.

"Play against the seniors!"

"No way!"

"How could we possibly win?"

Their initial reaction was that it was impossible to win.

Just thinking about the terrifying strength of those seniors made them feel powerless.

"I wouldn't say that. Our pitcher is Sawamura, and their pitcher should be Senior Tanpa. If we really play the game we do have a chance."

"Sawamura won't play, right? If he does, then the third-years..."

"It depends on the coach's decision."

Their first impression was that if Sawamura Eijun won't participate, there was no point in playing at all.

The strength of the third-year Senpais was at a monstrous level. After their baptism at Koshien, the main senior players had grown exponentially.

There were four of them being scouted for the draft alone.

There was no doubt that these four had the level of professional players.

Against them as opponents, without a major weapon like Eijun, the players would indeed feel inadequate.

"Don't be so dejected. We represent Seidou High School now. Regardless of how the coach arranges it, all we can do is do our best. As long as we do our own thing well, the rest will be left to see."

Maezono's bravery and spirit during this time far exceeded that of an ordinary person.

Every player will experience a period of rapid growth, and now is the time when Maezono is growing the fastest.

He had progressed rapidly, and he himself had extraordinary awareness.

"Well said!"

"As expected of Maezono."

Kuramochi and Miyuki were teasing.

Sawamura, on the other hand, was absolutely confident that Coach Kataoka would definitely let him play in this match.

If he didn't play, then there would be no point in this game.

The seniors who had experienced Koshien were no longer comparable to those before his regression.

From Sawamura's point of view, it was clear that their strength had increased.

To put it bluntly, if Sawamura did not appear in this game.

The freshman Seidou High School baseball team would have no qualifications to compete with their opponents.

So, he would definitely play.

But even if he played, it wasn't certain that this game could be won.

"Fate is really persistent!"

Even though he had changed so much in this life, this farewell match still stubbornly arrived ahead of schedule.

It's just that Sawamura Eijun of the past was struggling with one of his strongest setbacks in his life, he could only play a supporting role in this farewell match.

But even then, it was one of the moments he cherished dearly. As it was then that he learned something that shaped his character and persisted with him until this moment.

'No matter how difficult it is, no matter how hard it is, I can always pick myself up again and start moving forward.'

He was thankful for this lesson as with it he wrestled with a lot of difficult times he faced after.

Now that his Senpais were deciding their next step forward, and the new team wanted to establish themselves. He too will work hard.

However, he won't play the supporting role this time.

Now, he's going to be the protagonist!

…

T/N: That's it for now.

As always, thank you guys for reading!

And I hope you all have a nice day!

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