Chapter 15: A Step Forward

Eijun felt the familiar hum of excitement coursing through his veins as the team prepared for another intense match. Today's game wasn't just about winning—it was another opportunity for him to showcase his progress and prove that he deserved a starting spot. While Furuya was still Seidou's ace, Eijun had been consistently closing games and had caught the attention of Coach Katoka. His performance had been solid, but today, he had to be flawless.

As they huddled in the dugout, Coach Katoka began his usual pre-game pep talk. His words washed over Eijun, but one phrase stood out more than anything else: "Focus on execution."

That's what it would come down to. Not just heart or energy, but executing pitches with precision. Eijun knew he had to balance the passion that fueled him with the control he had been working so hard to master. He glanced over at Furuya, who was already warming up for the starting role, his fastballs cracking like gunshots into Miyuki's mitt.

The sound of Furuya's pitches echoed in Eijun's mind as he gripped his glove tighter. His time to start hadn't come yet, but he would be ready whenever it did.

The game started, and Seidou jumped to an early lead, thanks to a strong offense. But Furuya was struggling on the mound. He wasn't his usual dominant self—his fastballs weren't hitting the same corners, and his breaking pitches lacked bite. The opposing team was chipping away at the lead, scoring two runs in the third inning and making the game much closer than it should've been.

Eijun watched from the dugout, fidgeting with nervous energy. He could see the tension building in Furuya's shoulders, the slight hesitation in his movements. Furuya was getting rattled. Eijun's heart raced—he could feel the tide of the game turning against Seidou.

By the fifth inning, Coach Katoka stood up, looking toward the bullpen. His eyes landed on Eijun.

"Sawamura, warm up."

Eijun's heart leaped into his throat, but he quickly grabbed his glove and sprinted to the bullpen. His arm felt light, his body buzzing with excitement as he started throwing warm-up pitches. This was his moment, his chance to turn the game around. He had to stay focused. He had to execute.

As Eijun warmed up, Miyuki jogged over, squatting behind the plate and catching his pitches. "Stay calm, Sawamura. You're getting your shot, but remember, it's not just about speed. Control. Keep them off balance."

Eijun nodded, his expression serious. "I know, Miyuki-senpai. I've got this."

When the call finally came from the dugout, Eijun jogged to the mound, the noise from the crowd growing louder. His teammates clapped him on the back as he passed, giving him quick words of encouragement. As he stood on the mound, he took a deep breath, the weight of the game settling on his shoulders. This was what he had been waiting for—a chance to pitch in a high-pressure situation.

He glanced toward Furuya, who was walking off the field, his face unreadable. They locked eyes for a brief moment, but neither said anything. It was a silent exchange, a reminder that their competition was far from over.

Eijun wiped the sweat from his brow, focusing on Miyuki's signals. His first pitch would set the tone for his entire outing. He couldn't afford any mistakes.

The batter squared up, ready to swing, but Eijun didn't let the pressure get to him. He went into his windup and fired the ball toward home plate. It was a fastball, low and inside, catching the batter off guard. The ball snapped into Miyuki's glove with a satisfying thunk.

"Strike!" the umpire called.

Eijun felt a surge of confidence. This was it. He was in control now. With each pitch, he could feel himself settling into his rhythm. His fastballs had life, and his breaking pitches were sharp, keeping the batters off balance. He struck out the next two hitters, sending them back to the dugout without making solid contact.

As Eijun walked off the mound after the fifth inning, his teammates cheered and patted him on the back. His adrenaline was still pumping, but he knew the job wasn't done. Seidou was holding onto a slim lead, and he needed to pitch perfectly if they were going to win this game.

The eighth inning arrived, and Eijun was still on the mound. He had held the other team scoreless since coming in, but they weren't giving up easily. A couple of well-placed hits had put runners on base, and now Eijun was facing their cleanup hitter—a power slugger who could change the game with one swing.

Miyuki called for time, walking out to the mound. "Sawamura, you've been great so far, but this guy's dangerous. Don't let him get anything easy. Keep it low and outside, but if you need to go high, don't miss your spots."

Eijun nodded, but inside, he was feeling the pressure. One wrong move, and the game could slip away.

The first pitch was a fastball, just outside the strike zone, and the batter didn't bite. Eijun took a deep breath, adjusting his grip on the ball. He couldn't afford to walk him. The second pitch was a breaking ball, low and outside, but the batter fouled it off.

With the count at one ball and one strike, Eijun knew he had to make a decision. He couldn't play it safe anymore. He needed to go for the strikeout. Miyuki gave the signal—another fastball, inside this time. It was a risky call, but Eijun trusted his catcher.

He went into his windup, putting everything he had into the pitch. The ball flew out of his hand, cutting through the air with precision. The batter swung, but he was too late.

"Strike two!"

The crowd erupted, and Eijun felt a rush of adrenaline. He was one pitch away from getting out of the jam. Miyuki signaled for the same pitch—inside fastball. Eijun nodded, his focus razor-sharp.

He wound up and released the ball, his body moving with perfect synchronization. The pitch flew toward the batter, who swung with all his might. But the ball tailed just enough inside, hitting the edge of his bat and popping up into foul territory.

"Foul ball!" the umpire called, and the crowd let out a collective gasp.

Eijun wiped his brow again, feeling the sweat drip down his face. His arm was starting to tire, but he pushed the fatigue aside. He had to stay strong. Miyuki gave him the signal for a breaking ball, low and outside. It was time to change the tempo, keep the batter guessing.

Eijun wound up and released the pitch. The ball dipped just as it approached the plate, and the batter swung over it, missing completely.

"Strike three!"

Eijun pumped his fist in triumph as the crowd roared in approval. He had escaped the jam and kept Seidou in control. His teammates rushed to greet him as he returned to the dugout, their voices filled with excitement and praise.

The game ended with Seidou winning by a narrow margin, and Eijun was credited with the save. As he stood on the field, watching his teammates celebrate, he felt a surge of pride. This wasn't just a victory for the team—it was a step forward for him, a sign that he was getting closer to his goal.

Coach Katoka gave him a nod of approval as they walked back to the locker room. "Good job today, Sawamura. Keep working hard."

Eijun smiled, his heart swelling with determination. He had proven himself once again, but the ace number was still out of reach. There was more work to be done, more battles to be fought. But Eijun wasn't afraid. He would keep pushing forward, no matter how long it took.

His eyes were still on the prize.