Chapter 68: Jersey Number

The summer sun goes down very late.

It was already after six o'clock in the evening, but the afterglow of the sun had not completely set.

Under the sunset light, the 100 members of the baseball club of Seidou High School stood in neat lines.

Opposite them, Superintendent Kataoka, President Ota, and Deputy President Takashima stood in a row.

Kataoka holds the summer back numbers in his hand.

"The members for the team this summer have been determined, so I don't think our team's back numbers can be delayed any longer."

Kataoka said and swept across the faces of all the players of Seidou High School in turn.

"To be honest, I hesitated to make this decision. However, he proved himself with his strength. We are a team aiming to Dominate the Nation, so I believe my decision is not wrong."

"I intend to give the Ace's back number to Sawamura. I have discussed it with Tanpa before, and he told me that he will be fully prepared and ready to board the pitcher's mound at any time. Kawakami, Furuya, if the situation is necessary, or the situation allows, I will also let you play."

The four named pitching squad members have their own thoughts.

Sawamura's hand clenched tightly.

It was finally time for him to put on Seidou's Ace number.

"I will work hard!"

'Even if they no longer want to climb, I have to drag Seidou and climb to the Top.'

This is the oath of Sawamura's life.

"Number One, Sawamura Eijun!"

Kataoka took out the number one back number and gave it to Sawamura.

"Yes!"

Sawamura took the number with trembling hands.

"Don't be nervous, trust your teammates behind you. They all trust you and are willing to guard behind you."

After hearing Kataoka's words, Sawamura turned around and saw the seniors in the front row of the team.

Yuuki Tetsuya, Kominato Ryosuke, Isashiki Jun, Masuko Toru, Kuramochi Youichi, Miyuki Kazuya, Chris Yu…

His hands were no longer trembling, and Sawamura's eyes calmed down.

Yes, he is not the only one who wants to lead Seidou to the top of the nation, but also these reliable seniors and teammates.

'The more the merrier!'

The current Seidou is not comparable to the previous Seidou.

After the Ace was determined, it was time for number two.

No. 1 has long been without any disagreement, and everyone actually knows it.

But number two is different!

Seidou's No. 2, can be said to be the most suspenseful position.

"Number Two, Takigawa Chris Yu!"

Kataoka's voice was calm.

Chris looked at Kataoka in amazement, obviously, this result was something he didn't expect.

Miyuki looked annoyed.

"Ah, Chris!"

"Shisho!"

"Go get it, I can't wait to partner with you."

Chris didn't take the number immediately but looked at Kataoka hesitantly.

"Is it really okay?"

When he and Miyuki were competing for the number, they were almost at the same level of performance. If Tanpa is Ace, then Chris might still have a chance. But the Ace is Sawamura, and Chris's chances are actually not great.

After all, he has just recovered from his injury for three months.

This is a big hazard!

Unless his performance is way more eye-catching than Miyuki's, it is impossible for him to pull Miyuki down from his main position.

"It's okay, that's what Miyuki wants."

Kataoka said in a low voice.

"He asked me to ignore your injury and evaluate the two of you purely based on performance. With Sawamura, you are equally divided, but with Tanpa, you are obviously better. In the summer, Sawamura and Tanpa are the main forces in the competition. In this respect, you are indeed more suitable than Miyuki."

Kataoka's voice was not loud, but everyone could hear it clearly.

Unexpectedly, Miyuki, who is usually black-bellied, has such a bright side.

"Miyuki also promises that he will act as a substitute and will play with complete preparation at any time."

With two excellent catchers under him at the same time, Kataoka had a headache for a while. Miyuki taking a step back was a big help to Kataoka. Of course, he would agree to make Chris a catcher, It's also because Chris has really shown the strength to be the main catcher.

Moreover, Miyuki also mentioned an irresistible reason.

"Chris-Senpai has signed a contract with a Minor League team. If he can't play for the team, it will be a huge obstacle to Chris-senpai's future career."

"What about you?"

Of course, Kataoka knew the news, but he didn't follow Miyuki's train of thought. Instead, he stared at Miyuki seriously.

"I still have one year of opportunity, and I haven't given up fighting for the main force. I just ask you to not consider the factors of Chris-senpai's injury. I want to compete with Senpai for the position of the main catcher in an upright manner. Even if I am not chosen, I will be fully prepared, waiting to pull Chris-senpai from the position of the main catcher at any time."

After Kataoka weighed, he gave Chris the main position. Although he actually trusts Miyuki more in his heart, after all, over the past year, Miyuki was the core of the defense of Seidou.

However, Chris's performance during this period was indeed no worse than Miyuki's.

The main force can be given to anyone.

"Yes, I will do my best!"

Facing Miyuki's kindness, Chris did not shirk.

Getting the No. 2 back number doesn't mean that Chris will be able to secure the position of the main catcher.

He still needs to work harder, and he believes that Miyuki will not give up the fight that easily.

Sawamura held the number 1 jersey and looked at Miyuki blankly.

To be honest, he really didn't expect Miyuki to have such mature thinking.

If he cares about the overall situation like Miyuki, he should actually give his number to Tanpa.

However, Sawamura was unwilling to do so from the bottom of his heart.

He didn't force himself to do it, he really didn't want to.

His number was not obtained by tricks but was won by his own strength.

Holding the number tightly in his hand, the expression on Sawamura's face became firmer.

The back number that was as light as anything in his hand also became heavier. He also remembered that it was also heavy when he got it for the first time.

And sadly the only time ever.

'This is the Ace!'

After the announcement of No. 1 and No. 2, there is nothing to say about the rest.

"Number Three, Yuuki Tetsuya!"

"Yes!"

The Captain is still the main first baseman.

"Number Four, Kominato Ryosuke!"

"Yes!"

Kominato Ryosuke defeated his little brother and kept his main position.

After getting the number, he glanced at the Kominato Haruichi behind him.

That means as if to say, you are still a long way off.

"Number Five, Masuko Toru!"

"Ugahh."

"Number Six, Kuramochi Yoichi."

"Hyaa-ha-haa."

"Number Seven, Sakai Ichiro."

"Yes!"

"Number Eight, Isashiki Jun."

"Yes!"

"Number Nine, Shiratsu Kenjiro."

"Yes!"

This is Seidou High School, the new main force of nine.

Then came the bench.

"Number Ten, Tanpa Koichiro!"

This is nothing to say, as a backup Ace, his number must be closely behind the main force.

"Yes!"

Tanpa Koichiro said seriously.

Superintendent Kataoka had specifically talked to him before, and he was not surprised by the result.

Seidou, who aims to dominate the whole country, will definitely choose the stronger side.

"Keep it up! You are your Ace of the third year, don't lose to Sawamura."

"Yes!"

Tanpa agreed loudly.

"Number Eleven, Kawakami Norifumi!"

"Yes!"

"Number Twelve, Miyuki Kazuya!"

Miyuki was replaced by Chris and could only be ranked No. 12.

After entering Seidou, this was the first time he wore a two-digit number.

"It's amazing!"

Miyuki felt this way when he was looking at Kataoka. Watching the game from the bench is really a novel feeling for him.

'Chris-senpai is Chris-senpai. After only three months of recovery, his performance has caught up with me!'

'However, I will not give up. Before Koshien, you will be dragged down from your main position'.

"Number Thirteen, Kadota Masaaki."

"Yes!"

"Number Fourteen, Kusunoki Fumiya."

"Yes!"

"Number Fifteen, Higasa Shouji."

"Shu shu!"

"Number Sixteen, Tanaka Shin."

"Yes!"

"Number Seventeen, Endou Naoki."

"Yes!"

"Number Eighteen, Furuya Satoru."

"Yes!"

Furuya Satoru's position was adjusted to No. 18. This number was very mysterious, indicating that even if he entered Koshien, Supervisor Kataoka planned to take him with him.

"Number Nineteen, Miyauchi Keisuke."

Miyauchi was selected in the main force as a substitute.

"Yes!"

From the nose, two lines of gas spewed out, showing the extraordinary fighting spirit of Miyauchi.

"Number Twenty, Kominato Haruichi!"

The last place was given to Kominato Haruichi, one of the three second string.

The two brothers have finally entered the big list.

Yamazaki and Kuwata have been dropped from the original 20 and only Maezono who participated in the joint training, returned to the Second String.

He will be in the Second String to meet the New Coach.

…

T/N: We finally reached this point.