Chapter 10 Aftermath

The neon lights from the street outside cast a faint glow through the curtains of Shinjiro's room. He stood in front of the full-length mirror, examining his reflection. At 5'11 feet tall, his physique had visibly changed over the past few months. His muscles were more defined, a testament to the countless hours he had spent working out and honing his skills. Shinjiro couldn't help but wonder if his father's genes had finally kicked in.

As he flexed his biceps, he thought about how far he had come since he first started training seriously. The memory of the Koshien defeat was still fresh in his mind, but so was his progress. He had spent months perfecting his swings, working on his pitch, and pushing his limits. Now, as he prepared for the upcoming fall tournament, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.

In the school courtyard, Ryoichii and Kenji were hanging out, trying to distract themselves from the heavy thoughts of their team's recent loss. Their usual banter was subdued, their laughter replaced by thoughtful silence.

"I still can't believe we lost," Ryoichi said, kicking a pebble across the pavement. "We were so close, man. If I'd been there..."

Kenji, was unusually quiet. "Yeah, well, it is what it is, lets go hit some balls" he said, staring at the ground.

Kenji led the way to the batting cage, a spot they often frequented. The late afternoon sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the field. When they arrived, they saw Shinjiro, lost in the rhythm of his practice.

Kenji whispered to Ryoichi, "I told you he's always here. Dude's obsessed with getting better."

They watched from the sidelines as Shinjiro took swing after swing. His form was solid, his movements precise. Kenji's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, he's really leveled up. Check out his swing. He's not messing around."

Ryoichi nodded, his gaze fixed on Shinjiro. "Yeah, I see that. But maybe he's injured. He doesn't seem to be hitting as hard as he could." He shrugged. "Either way, he's nothing special. He's just another guy practicing alone."

As they turned to leave, Shinjiro, lost in his own world, continued to hit pitch after pitch. His mind was clear, focusing solely on the task at hand. Each pitch was a challenge, and he met it with a single thought: "See ball, hit ball."

Shinjiro's movements were precise, each swing perfectly timed to connect with the incoming pitch. He didn't notice Kenji and Ryoichi watching; his world was limited to the ball coming at him and the satisfying crack of the bat.

"Guess I'll show them what I've got," Shinjiro muttered to himself. "Tomorrow, I'll try out for the C-string and give it my all"

With a final, determined swing, he packed up his gear and left the cage. The setting sun cast long shadows over the field, a symbolic end to a day of hard work and a promise of new beginnings.

---

The baseball grounds were alive with the sounds of morning practice. Shinjiro, Denji, and Emiko made their way to the field, the crisp air hinting at the start of something new. Emiko's eyes sparkled with excitement.

As they approached the field, they saw the C-string players hard at work. The assistant manager, Yamato, a stern-looking man in his mid-forties with a permanent frown etched on his face, stood observing from the sidelines. He had a reputation for his no-nonsense attitude and a keen eye for talent—or the lack thereof.

"Dark times for Nehimon," Yamato muttered under his breath, "but Coach Nakamura always builds a strong team every year. Let's see what this new kid's got."

Shinjiro joined the C-string players, diving into the grueling drills that tested his stamina and fielding skills. His shirt was drenched in sweat, but his determination never wavered. Emiko, now enthusiastic about her new role as the team manager, took notes diligently, while Denji, who had decided to become a scout, observed with a critical eye.

Kenji, the team's captain, approached Shinjiro with a friendly smile. "Hey, it's about time you showed up! Heard you've been making quite an impression with your batting."

Shinjiro, catching his breath, managed a smile. "Yeah, I've been working hard. It's been a tough week."

Yamato, peering through with his keen eyes, frowned as he observed Shinjiro's fielding. "Fielding's average, his batting is above average," he thought. "Might be worth moving him to Team B, but let's not get ahead of ourselves."

As Shinjiro took a break, he overheard some of the C-string players gossiping. "Did you hear? This guy was awful in little league and quit baseball. Must've used connections to get a spot."

Another player scoffed. "He's probably just another washed-up player who got lucky."

The B team had just finished a long practice session, and the locker room buzzed with the usual chatter. As the players changed out of their sweaty uniforms, the conversation turned to the new addition, Shinjiro.

Riku, leaning against his locker, said, "Hey, have you guys heard about Shinjiro? I heard he's got quite the backstory."

Kai, adjusting his bag, shrugged. "Yeah, I heard something similar. Supposedly, he was pretty bad in Little League. Got so discouraged that he just quit baseball for a while."

"Yeah," added Hiro, tying his shoelaces, "I don't get it. If he was so bad before, why's he here now? Seems like a fluke."

Kaito, overhearing the conversation, chimed in, "Maybe he's just one of those guys who's had a late growth spurt or something. Still, I wonder if he's really as good as they're making him out to be."

The group continued discussing Shinjiro's past, their skepticism mixed with curiosity. As they spoke, the sounds of Shinjiro's batting practice filtered in from the field, a stark contrast to their doubts and whispers.

Shinjiro, despite hearing the whispers, focused on his practice. The next day, the A team arrived for the scrimmage, and Shinjiro was assigned to left field. The tension was palpable as the teams prepared to face off. Yamato stood on the sidelines, his eyes narrowing as he watched the players.

Coach Nakamura, a seasoned and wise figure, observed the scene with a thoughtful expression. He had seen many players come and go, and he knew that true talent often emerged under pressure.

As Coach Nakamura stood on the field, overseeing the warm-ups and drills, he couldn't help but overhear the whispers circulating among the players. They were talking about Shinjiro's family, mentioning that his grandfather was a renowned baseball player. The gossip was tinged with skepticism, suggesting that Shinjiro's spot on the team was more about his family connections than his own abilities.

Coach Nakamura's gaze grew thoughtful. He was a man who valued talent and effort above all, and he had seen enough to know that true skill often defied initial impressions. He knew the name Sasori from the legends of the game—a name that had commanded respect and admiration. Shinjiro's connection to such a legacy could either be a powerful asset or a heavy burden.

Nakamura's mind raced as he processed the rumors. "So, Shinjiro Takumi is the grandson of Sasori," he murmured to himself. "I've heard tales of his grandfather's prowess on the field. Let's see how good your grandson is. If you're half as talented as Sasori was, you might just prove these doubters wrong."

He turned his attention back to the scrimmage, where Shinjiro was now taking his position in left field. The A team was gearing up, their competitive spirit evident in their focused expressions. Nakamura watched closely as Shinjiro moved into position, his every action scrutinized.

---

Starters:

1.Kenji Tadeka - Center Fielder (Captain, 2nd Year)

2. Ryoichi Kuroda - Starting Pitcher (Ace, 2nd Year)

3. Kaito Nakashima - Shortstop (2nd Year)

4. Shota Iwata - Left Fielder (2nd Year)

6. Kazuki Yamashita - Right Fielder (2nd Year)

7. Shunichi Watanabe - Second Baseman (2nd Year)

8. Koji Nakamura - Third Baseman (1st Year)

9. Daiki Matsuda - Catcher (2nd Year)

10.Haruto Suzuki - First Baseman (2nd Year)

Bench:

1. Taro Mori - Utility Player (1st Year)

2. Aoi Sato - Outfielder (1st Year)

3. Renji Ito - Infielder (2ndYear)

4. Kohei Yoshida - Relief Pitcher (2nd Year)

5. Minato Shimizu - Catcher (1st Year)

6. Naoto Senju - Middle Relief Pitcher (2nd Year)

7. Yuto Hayashi - Pinch Hitter (2nd Year)

8. Kazuya Tanaka - Relief Pitcher (1st Year)

9. Shinya Fukuda - Outfielder (1st Year)

10. Daiki Matsuda - Catcher (2nd Year)

Coach:

Masaru Nakamura - Head Coach

Tetsu Yamato - Assistant Coach

Managers:

2. Aoi Takahashi - Assistant Manager (2nd Year)

3. Emiko Satoru - Assistant Manager (1st Year)