NOVEL NEXT Summer Tournament, Start!!
A ball was sent flying out the fence.
"As expected, that's probably why he was selected in the lineup"
"I'm so envious"
Discussed the players seeing the home run.
"Rei's full of baseball talent, but compared to you", said Chris and sighed looking at Sawamura next to him.
"Why are you sighing?", said Sawamura confused.
"Nothing", said Chris.
In Kataoka's Office.
"My pain has decreased significantly. Please let me join the practice, starting tomorrow", said Tanba.
"Wh-what are you saying, Tanba? It may not be swollen, but it's still cracked! I know how you feel, but don't push yourself!", said Director Oota.
"I don't want to hinder the team any more than I already have", said Tanba
"Come back by the quarterfinal, where we'll most likely face Ichidai third high. In your best condition. Everyone is fighting, believing you'll be back. So, you need to trust them too", said Kataoka.
Sawamura was celebrating that he barely passed all his tests. Furuya didn't pass his tests, he would have to take makeup tests.
Rei was happy because yet again he aced his test.
Rei's teacher couldn't understand how Rei could ace his tests and do good in baseball together. His teacher had seen Rei in Seido's matches. Which made him proud.
Morning on the field all the players were gathered.
"I'll be passing out your numbers. Come take your number as I call you. First, number 1. Tanba Koichiro", said Kataoka.
Tanba was not feeling like he should receive the ace number because he wasn't going to play with the team in the starting. Even though he felt like that he still went up and got his number.
"Let's continue, Number 2, Miyuki Kazuya", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Miyuki accepting his number.
"Number 3, Yuuki Tetsuya.", said Kataoka.
"I humbly accept", said Yuuki accepting his number.
"Number 4, Kominato Ryosuke", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Ryosuke accepting his number.
"Number 5, Masuko Tohru", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Masuko accepting his number.
"Number 6, Kuramochi Youichi", said Kataoka.
"Thank you!", said Kuramochi accepting his number.
"Number 7, Sekai Ichirou", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Sekai accepting his number.
"Number 8, Isashiki Jun", said Kataoka.
"Yeah!", said Jun accepting his number.
"Number 9, Shirasu Kenjirou", said Kataoka.
"I'll do my best", said Shirasu accepting his number.
"Number 10, Kawakami Norifumi", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kawakami accepting his number.
"Number 11, Rei Fujikawa", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Rei accepting his number.
"Number 12, Miyauchi Keisuke", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Miyauchi accepting his number.
"Number 13, Furuya Satoru", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Furuya accepting his number.
"Number 14, Kadota Masaki", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Kadota accepting his number.
"Number 15, Kusunoki Fumiya", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Fumiya accepting his number.
"Number 16, Higasa Shouji", said Kataoka.
"Aye, Sir", said Higasa accepting his number.
"Number 17, Tanaka Shin", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Tanaka accepting his number.
"Number 18, Endou Naoki", said Kataoka.
"Yes, Sir", said Endou accepting his number.
"Number 19, Kominato Haruichi", said Kataoka.
Kominato while blushing accepted his number.
"And lastly, number 20, Sawamura Eijun", said Kataoka.
"YES SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH", said Sawamura accepting his number.
"For scorekeeper. Chris, can you do it?", asked Kataoka.
"Yes, sir", said Chris.
"And managers, you've all been a great help", said Kataoka and he gave them special manager uniforms which made them cry.
"I'm sure you all understand, but there's no second chance in high school baseball. Our hard work and the sweat and tear we've shed have all been for this summer!", said Kataoka.
The team did a cheer making them fired up for their first match in the summer tournament.
The Summer Tournament.
"We will now begin the national high school baseball championship east and west Tokyo qualifiers", announced the announcer on the speaker.
All the teams were lined up on the field. All the teams waiting for the tournament to start in the hot weather.
Rei standing in his team's line was so impressed by the sight before him because in America when he used to play baseball in high school, he experienced nothing like this before.
260 schools in Tokyo. After 3 weeks, only 1 school each from East and West is chosen. The fierce battle to qualify for nationals is about to begin.
Outside the Summer tournament Field.
Inashiro and Seido met each other.
"OWAHHH, Tanba-san lost his hair because of the ball to his face!", said Mei hiding behind Harada.
"Don't hide behind me. It scared us back when it happened but looks like it wasn't too bad.", said Harada.
"Damn right it wasn't! Tanba-san's face is harder than iron! It's not going to lose to some baseball!", said Jun.
"Hard as rice crackers, even", said Yuuki.
"No those would crack", said Ryosuke chuckling.
Rei, Sawamura, and Haruichi came walking towards them while dragging Furuya because he had fainted due to his weak stamina.
"Oh, it's the arrogant prick", exclaimed Mei excitedly.
Rei ignored him because he didn't like his nickname. Who calls a person 'an arrogant prick'?
"Hey, he's the spy from Inashiro!", said Sawamura.
"Be thankful I closed your mouth, or you would have blabbed like a monkey, you baka", said Rei.
"M-Monkey, Me?", said Sawamura in disbelief.
"YAAHAA…Monkey", said Kuramochi laughing at Sawamura's new nickname.
"Wait…He looks like a monkey too", said Miyuki laughing. "My sides hurt", said Miyuki while holding his stomach.
"You guys had better not stumble before you play us", said Harada.
"Right back at ya!", said Jun
"At the final!", said Harada.
"Yeah. At the final", said Yuuki.
Evening Practice in Seido High school.
Furuya, Rei, and Sawamura were fielding well now.
Kawakami was having trouble with his pitching most likely because of pressure.
"We went to watch the game. Our first opponent is Maimon West", said Chris.
Kataoka nodded.
In the dorms at night.
In the meeting room. The team was discussing the players on the opponent's team.
"Uniform number 1, southpaw pitcher, Kikunaga Masaaki. His fastest pitch is a little under 130 Km. His breaking balls are a curve and a slider. He's a junior who's been chosen as an ace starting this summer. He was in the outfield last year. His ball control isn't very good. He's the second son in a group of 3 siblings, and his hobby is shooting pool. His brother also plays baseball. They bunt often, and they make very few errors on defense. They turn their chances into runs and defend the lead until the end. I would call them a defensive team.", said Chris.
"Okay, thank you", said Kataoka.
"The opponent is coming with momentum after a win. We must not underestimate them. No matter whom we play, play the best you can! If you do then victory follows you", said Kataoka.
"HAII", yelled the 1st string players simultaneously.
"As for the starting pitcher this game…Rei, we're going with you", said Kataoka.
Rei was happy that he was going to be the starting pitcher. His heart was beating in excitement.
"I know how important the first game is. But to get through this tournament, we'll need to cycle through pitchers. Kawakami. You need to be ready to go out at any moment of the game. You're the only one reliable enough to take this role", said Kataoka surprising Kawakami.
"If that's the case, Mr. Coach, should I also be ready to go out at any time?!", yelled Sawamura in frustration.
"Yeah…sure", said Kataoka.
"You don't sound sure!", said Sawamura.
Everyone was going back to their dorm, but Rei stopped, "you stay back" when Miyuki said this.
Maimon West High School
"Were people from Seido here today?", said the coach.
"Yes, they were recording the game", said the assistant.
"I bet they're looking down on us because we're a public school", said the coach.
"Coach Chiba, I'm not too sure about that", said the assistant.
"They are! I can already imagine their faces turning pale at the game. Never underestimate your opponent. With me, Chiba Junichi, leading the way, Seido high school is hardly a threat!", said the Coach.