(Eijun's POV)
I wake up to my alarm blaring at 5:30 a.m., groaning as I reach over to shut it off. My body's still heavy from yesterday, but I drag myself out of bed anyway. After brushing my teeth and splashing some cold water on my face, I throw on my training clothes and head downstairs.
I grab a glass of orange juice and a piece of toast, eating quickly before heading out to the fields. The air's still cold, and the ground's damp beneath my shoes, but it feels kind of refreshing.
I start with a 5km run, my legs burning halfway through. Then it's on to 50 push-ups, 50 burpees, 50 ten-meter sprints dragging a tyre, and 50 pull-ups. By the end, my arms are trembling and my lungs feel like they're on fire.
I still have to finish with 30 minutes of ballet and 30 minutes of yoga — and by the time I'm done, every part of me aches like hell.
When I walk back into the house, Okaasan is cooking breakfast, Ojiisan's reading the newspaper, and I can hear the shower running upstairs — probably Otoosan.
"Morning, Okaasan, Ojiisan!" I say cheerfully, grinning.
"Morning, Eijun," Okaasan replies without turning from the stove.
I sit down at the table and ask, "Okaasan, when's Takashima Rei coming to pick me up today?"
"She should be here around 8 a.m., Ei-chan." She looks over her shoulder at me. "And take a shower before you leave — you're all sweaty. You don't want to give a bad impression."
I grin sheepishly. "I know, Okaasan. I just didn't want to skip my morning routine. I did less than usual — the rest takes another two hours. Normally it's four, so I split it in half or I'd finish at 8:30. Anyway, what's for breakfast?"
"Chōshoku — I felt like keeping it simple today."
"I bet it's going to be amazing, Okaasan."
The shower stops, and a moment later Otoosan comes downstairs.
"Otoosan!" I grin. "You took so long — did you leave any hot water?"
He laughs, shaking his head. "Yes, Eijun, I left enough hot water."
We all eat together, and after breakfast, I head upstairs. I take a warm shower, get dressed in a tracksuit with a white shirt underneath, brush my teeth again, and lie down on my bed.
*Jack, stats menu.*
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STATS MENU
Attribute Points: 0
Stamina: D (50/100)
Speed: D- (41/100)
Agility: D- (57/100)
Strength: E (63/100)
Flexibility: C (90/100)
Control: E (47/100)
Batting: E (18/100)
Bunting: B (71/100)
Fielding: E (48/100)
Base Running: E+ (25/100)
Mentality: B (55/100)
Baseball IQ: C+ (55/100)
Non-Dominant Arm: E (39/100)
Skills: 6 (tap for more info)
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*Jack, it's looking better, right? I even did the mission — that's how I got Hitter's Eye for batting.*
The voice replies, *It is better than when you were at Seidō the first time. So yes, it's an improvement.*
*Honestly? That's good.* I nod to myself and head downstairs.
Sitting at the table, I glance toward Okaasan. "Hey, Okaasan, can I talk to you about something?"
"Yes, Ei-chan. What's on your mind?"
I scratch the back of my head. "I already know I'm going to Seidō. It's the one school that'll take me on scholarship, so it won't cost much. I mainly wanted to go today to see it first, but… since I've decided, I want to take baseball seriously. I want to go pro after high school. To do that, I need to buy a couple of things." I look at her with my best puppy-dog eyes.
She sighs. "How much are we talking, and when do you want to get it?"
I grin. "Well, I need a pitching machine, a net, a new glove, and hard baseballs — about 50,886.29 yen. I was thinking I could ask Takashima Rei to take me to the shop after the tour." I look away, pretending to whistle.
She sighs again. "Alright, I'll send 50,886.29 yen to your card."
I jump up, laughing and hugging her. "Thank you, Okaasan!"
The doorbell rings, and I sprint to answer it. Rei-chan's standing there, smiling.
"Morning, Takashima Rei!" I say with a grin, bowing.
"Morning, Sawamura-kun."
Okaasan joins me at the door. "Good morning, Takashima Rei. I have a favor to ask — this one," she says, ruffling my hair, "wants to buy some baseball gear, and I don't know a thing about it. Could you take him to a shop after the tour? He has the money."
Rei-chan smiles warmly. "Of course, Mrs. Sawamura. I can take him after the tour."
"Yes!" I pump my fist in the air, bowing again. "Thank you!"
Rei-chan chuckles. "You ready, Sawamura-kun?"
I nod quickly. "Bye, Okaasan!" I grab my stuff and head out with Rei-chan to her car.
As we drive, she glances at me. "So, Sawamura-kun, what are you planning to buy?"
I turn from the window. "A pitching machine, a net, a baseball glove, and hard baseballs," I say with a grin.
"Why those specifically?"
"Well, the pitching machine's to improve my batting — I want to be an ace who can help both on defense and offense. The net's for pitching practice, the glove because I found out you can buy ones for both hands, and the baseballs because I only have one that's regulation size for high school."
Her eyes widen. "Wait, both hands?"
I nod. "Yeah, my left arm's my main pitching arm, but I've been training my right too. It's not the same, but if my left shoulder ever gives out in a game, I can switch."
"That's… surprisingly well thought out."
"Yup!" I grin, bouncing my leg slightly.
When we arrive at Seidō, I hop out of the car. "Takashima, honestly? I've already decided to come here, but I wanted to look around before I said yes."
She smiles. "Okay, thank you for telling me, Sawamura-kun."
She takes me on a full tour, and eventually, we reach the baseball field.
*Clang*
"KAWAKAMI! PITCH PROPERLY OR GO HOME TO YOUR MUMMY!"
"Yes, senpai!"
*Whoosh*
*Clang*
"AGAIN!"
I glance at Rei-chan.
"That batter is Azuma Kiyokuni, a third-year," she explains. "Fifty-four home runs to his name. He's already been drafted, so he's going pro next year."
I frown. "Takashima, I don't care about that. I care that he's berating his teammate who's doing his best." I look back at the field. "Let me pitch against him. I can strike him out."
Azuma turns toward me, glaring. "Oi, brat!"
I stare right back. "I mean it. I can strike you out."
Rei-chan hides a smirk. "Azuma-kun, show this kid how it's done. He's from the countryside — he doesn't know the real world."
I laugh internally. *Rei-chan, you're wrong. I've been in the real world more than he has. I went to Koshien three times.*
"Alright," Azuma smirks. "I'll show him."
"But if I strike you out," I say, pointing to Nori-senpai, "you apologize to him."
"Deal."
Miyuki Kazuya walks up, smiling. "Rei-san, can I catch for him? He seems interesting."
"Sure, Miyuki-kun," she says.
I nod. "Nice to meet you, Miyuki-senpai." *Oh god, I can't believe I'm calling Miyuki Kazuya senpai.*
"Likewise."
"Takashima-sensei," I tell Rei-chan, "I don't need to change — I can pitch in this."
She nods.
"Oi, Miyuki-senpai, let's warm up. I'll tell you my pitches." I stretch my shoulders as we walk to the mound.
"Oh, such a nice kōhai," Miyuki teases as I help with his gear.
"Shut up, Miyuki Kazuya. Even if it's temporary, you're my battery partner — I take care of my catchers."
He smirks. "Where'd the 'senpai' go?"
"You're not acting like one, so I'm not calling you one." I tighten the last strap. "Done."
He chuckles. "So, what pitches you got, Sa-wa-mu-ra?"
I glare. "Oi, it's Sawamura. I've got a moving fastball and a four-seamer for now. I'll trust your calls."
Miyuki taps his mitt against my chest. "Alright, let's go… partner."
"Alright." We bump mitts and warm up with a few throws.
When Azuma steps into the box, I take a deep breath. *His swing's terrifying, but nothing compared to Raichi's. I'll be fine.*
(Miyuki's POV)
Honestly, this guy's interesting. Helped me with my gear, refuses to call me senpai, and has a moving fastball. He'll be fun to catch for.
But then I see his eyes — sharp and locked on me like a predator's. Never mind. He's not nervous at all. He's focused.
"PLAY BALL"
I call for an inside high — Azuma's favorite spot — and sign for the moving fastball. Sawamura smirks and winds up. His motion's perfect. Foot down — wait, where'd his arm go—
*Whoosh*
*Bang*
I blink down at my mitt and smirk. "That's a strike, right, senpai?"
Azuma clicks his tongue. "I was just making sure he could throw a strike."
I throw the ball back and call the same pitch again.
*Whoosh*
"DON'T MESS WITH ME!"
*Cling*
"That's a foul, senpai."
Now let's test his control. I set up low and outside, sign for a four-seamer. He nods.
*Whoosh*
*Swish*
*Bang*
Azuma swings and misses. Three pitches. Strikeout.
(Eijun's POV)
Last time, it took me eleven pitches. This time — three. I throw my arms up. "Yosh, yosh, yosh!"
People are whispering, "He just struck out Azuma-senpai in three pitches, right?"
I walk over to Miyuki, grinning. "Thanks for helping, Miyuki Kazuya."
"Yeah, no problem, Sawamura. You did well."
I grin wider. "Say that again."
He deadpans. "No."
"Oh, come on! One more time!"
"No."
Rei-chan walks over. "Sawamura-kun, we should get going if you still want to visit that baseball shop."
"Oh yeah!" I bounce once. "Let's go!"
She glances at me. "So, what do you think of Seidō now?"
"Honestly? I wanted to come before, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure — I didn't want to leave my friends. But—" I glance at Miyuki beside me "—I'll come. It felt good throwing to a catcher who can handle my pitches and call the game the way I like."
Rei-chan smiles. "Alright, let's go then."
I nod, turning to Miyuki. "See ya, Miyuki Kazuya!" Then I run after Rei-chan, grinning like an idiot.