Chapter 458: Coach
"So, what do you think of our school?"
After the game ended, outside the field, Takashima Rei stood beside a boy dressed in a traditional school uniform.
Wearing a confident smile, she asked with a light laugh.
"As expected of a team capable of winning the summer tournament."
"Even without your ace, this team is still extremely strong—especially that pitching rotation."
The boy replied with a voice full of maturity uncharacteristic for his age.
"So then, Masashi... what's your decision?"
Takashima pushed her glasses up and asked calmly.
"Mm. I'll be coming to Seidou."
"This team is strong—so strong that it's practically a given they'll win their regional title."
"But even so, they still have one flaw."
"They lack a true, decisive power hitter like my brother once was."
"I'll be the one to fill that gap."
"Next year, I'll join Seidou High School's baseball team."
The boy said firmly, a look of confidence and certainty in his eyes.
"I'll be excusing myself for now."
He gave a small bow to Takashima, then turned around with his hands in his pockets and walked away.
"He talks as if he's the only choice that matters,"
Takashima chuckled quietly as she watched the boy's back.
"Yuuki Masashi—he made quite a name for himself back in junior high. And now, he seems even more confident than his brother."
Folding her arms with a faint smile, she added softly:
"Next year... will be something to look forward to."
...
"You all did very well in today's Red vs. White match."
"But what impressed me even more was how well you understood the true purpose of this game."
"I'm sure you've all gained some self-awareness—identified areas for improvement."
"Let this match serve as a foundation for your growth, and move forward toward a greater future!"
"Yes, Coach!!"
"Alright then, today's training ends here."
"Anyone who still wants to practice tonight—keep it moderate. We're still in the middle of the tournament, and the semifinals and finals are coming this weekend."
"Know your priorities. Understood?"
"Yes, Coach!"
In front of the dugout, Coach Kataoka wrapped up the day's instructions and then walked off the field with Ochiai, heading toward the control room.
The Seidou players began packing up their gloves, bats, and the scattered baseballs around the field.
"You really didn't hold back today, huh? You were going full throttle out there," Miyuki said with a laugh as he walked over.
"Come on, Miyuki-senpai, don't pretend like you don't know the other reason Coach had for organizing this match."
Eijun replied with a dramatic eye roll while packing up his gear, not even looking back.
"Hahaha."
Miyuki laughed heartily and didn't press the point further.
But just as he was about to say something else—
The atmosphere on the field suddenly shifted.
Everyone, including Miyuki, turned their eyes toward a figure stepping out of the control room—
their faces filled with shock and respect.
The moment that elderly man appeared, over 90% of the Seidou players recognized him instantly.
Eijun, noticing the sudden silence, looked up—
his eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the man.
Even his hands froze mid-motion.
Because the man who had just appeared before them—
was someone who held immeasurable significance to Seidou High School.
A legendary coach—Sakaki Eijirou.
The man who once led Seidou to national glory.
The one who raised and mentored Coach Kataoka.
A cornerstone in Seidou's baseball history.
Calling him the greatest contributor to Seidou High's baseball program was no exaggeration.
Coach Sakaki was a name known across the country.
Under his leadership, Seidou High School became a regular visitor to Koshien during those years.
Though they never took the championship, they finished as Koshien runners-up and even made the Top Four on other occasions.
Summer Koshien, Spring Koshien, Jingu Tournament—
as long as it was a national-level event, Seidou was almost always the representative team from West Tokyo.
Back in that era, Inashiro Industrial and Ichidaisan High were constantly being overshadowed by Seidou.
Only once in a while, when Seidou's team chemistry was still developing, would Inashiro or Ichidaisan manage to sneak a win—
but Seidou would always take their revenge in the very next tournament.
Those six to seven years marked Seidou's golden era—
not just in Tokyo, but as a dominant force in the entire Kanto region.
The only regret? That he never managed to lead them to a Koshien championship.
Eventually, after Kataoka graduated from college, instead of going pro, he returned to Seidou to coach—
and it was then that Coach Sakaki stepped down from the position of head coach.
Even so, the many years Sakaki spent coaching at Seidou left a deep legacy.
Many of the star players he developed are still active in professional baseball today.
He truly is a coach with a legacy of success and mentorship.
...
"Wasn't it in the original story that Coach Sakaki returned to challenge Coach Kataoka?"
"Hmm… yeah, I think that's how it went."
Eijun glanced over at the four figures in conversation not far away, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Let's go, Sawamura. We've got a team meeting tonight. Don't forget the time."
Miyuki called out after finishing packing up.
By now, Kuramochi, Maezono, Kominato, Tojo, and the others had already packed their things and were heading back to the dorms in small groups.
Eijun had the impulse to stay behind—
to maybe go up and greet Coach Sakaki.
After all, the man was a legend.
But on second thought, he figured it would be too awkward to just walk over out of the blue.
Right then, Miyuki's voice called him back to reality.
He quickly grabbed his glove and bat, and followed after Miyuki, leaving the field as well.
...
"That's the rumored first-year ace, isn't it?"
As Eijun walked away with Miyuki, he didn't know that behind him, Coach Sakaki was watching with interest.
"Yes, a first-year lefty—Sawamura Eijun," Coach Kataoka replied respectfully from beside him.
"A fine pitcher indeed,"
"He reminds me of you in your early days. And that other right-hander—he's got a fastball over 150 km/h, right? He's a first-year too?"
"Yes. Also a first-year—Furuya Satoru. He just enrolled this year."
"Haha. That kid's got a lot of potential too. Ironheart, you must really be enjoying the process of developing these two, huh?"
"Just as you say."
"Once you get older, you want to do something that stirs your blood again... If there's still strength left, you want to get back in the game."
"...Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
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