Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 219: Post-Match Interview

In the end, apart from Sano, no one from Seihou High could truly decipher Eijun's pitches.

Eijun allowed only a single run throughout the game.

Watching Sano remove his cap at first base, his expression a mix of disappointment and calmness, Eijun shook his head silently.

Deep down, he felt a tinge of regret.

He couldn't help but admit it—he had lost to this batter.

Perhaps one day in professional baseball, he'd get the chance to settle the score.

You're really strong, Sano-senpai.

Three at-bats, and you crushed two of them. You truly live up to the name of "high school monster batter" and a strong contender for the title of the best hitter.

Reflecting on this, Eijun thought about Narumiya Mei, who had struck out such a monster three times in a row in the original story.

Just how overwhelmingly strong must Narumiya Mei be to achieve that?

Eijun couldn't help but marvel.

The fact that Seidou High once managed to defeat a team with a pitcher as terrifying as Narumiya Mei now seemed even more incredible.

"Salute!"

"Thank you for the game!"

The boys' youthful passion and burning spirit filled the air.

The second game of the third round ended with Seidou High defeating Seihou High 6-2. Seidou emerged victorious, securing their hard-earned win and becoming the second team to advance to the quarterfinals after Komadai Fujimaki High.

From here on, the quarterfinals would shift to a pure elimination format.

With the draw determining their next opponent, the question remained—could Seidou achieve three consecutive wins and claim the championship, or would they fall before reaching the summit? Only time would tell.

"Sano-senpai!" Eijun called out impulsively after the teams shook hands. "One day, I'll defeat you!"

To some, it might have sounded like a victor mocking the defeated. But to Eijun, it was a declaration born from sheer determination and stubbornness.

Sano's steps paused briefly. Turning back, he flashed a faint smile, exuding a sense of carefree composure.

"Alright," he replied simply, raising his hand in acknowledgment before walking away.

That image—Sano's retreating figure—was etched deeply into Eijun's mind.

Next time, I'll face him at my strongest and completely overwhelm him with my skill.

The stadium erupted with cheers and applause as Seidou returned to the stands.

"Well done, Seidou! Three consecutive wins!"

"You beat Seihou—now go for the top!"

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"

"Sawamura, great pitching out there!"

"Eijun, keep that momentum and aim for the championship!"

"Furuya, you pitched well too!"

"Furuya-kun!!!"

"Making it to the quarterfinals is just the beginning. There are three more games—win them no matter what!"

"We'll support you to the very end!"

Under Coach Kataoka's leadership, Seidou's first-string players bowed deeply to the stands, expressing their gratitude.

"Thank you!"

Afterward, the team began packing up their gear to leave the field.

As they exited the stadium, someone called out, "Sawamura-kun, come over here. There's a post-match interview."

At that moment, Rei Takashima approached Eijun, waving him over.

This left Eijun momentarily stunned. "Huh? An interview?" He paused to process this.

Indeed, in his previous life while reading the original story about the spring Koshien, Furuya had undergone a post-game interview.

However, Eijun had never imagined that he would one day find himself in the same position, being interviewed by the media.

The realization brought a mix of surprise and excitement.

"Why are you standing there like an idiot? Get moving, brat!" Isashiki smacked Eijun on the back of the head with a hearty laugh.

"Alright, I'm going!" Eijun rolled his eyes at the older player. Seriously, Isashiki-senpai, could you hit a little lighter? That hurt!

Near the interview area, several reporters were already gathered around Coach Kataoka.

They were likely asking about the game, strategies, and the team's outlook for future matches.

Naturally, Coach Kataoka answered with poise, knowing exactly what to say and what to avoid.

On their way over, Rei Takashima had given Eijun a brief rundown on what to expect.

This helped calm his nerves somewhat.

During the interview with Coach Kataoka, one reporter asked, "In the top of the fourth inning, you decided to change pitchers. Was that due to a lack of trust in Furuya after the home run in his first at-bat?"

"No, the pitching change was part of our team's strategic plan. We've always prioritized using the right player at the right time. Nothing more," Coach Kataoka responded calmly.

Another reporter followed up, "Then why didn't you substitute Sawamura Eijun after conceding a run and walking Sano in his third at-bat? As far as I know, your team has two more pitchers available, one of whom is a third-year. Does this suggest an excessive level of trust in Sawamura? After all, he ended up issuing a walk to Sano."

Even in the world of student baseball, sharp questions from reporters were not uncommon.

"The main reason was the score difference and the context of the game," Coach Kataoka explained. "By the ninth inning, with one out and no runners on base, the risk was minimal. A pitching change wasn't necessary. Of course, trust in the player is a fundamental factor, but it's not about excessive trust. Our school's principle is to field the players in the best condition, regardless of their year."

Coach Kataoka's steady demeanor remained unshaken, his responses measured and composed.

After all, he was accustomed to such interviews, both from his time as a student-athlete and now as Seidou's coach.

Perhaps satisfied with Kataoka's answers, or noticing Eijun's arrival, the reporters shifted their attention to him.

They asked about Eijun's personal experiences, game performance, and thoughts on various moments.

Being mindful of Eijun's status as a student, the questions remained within reasonable boundaries, avoiding anything too difficult.

Even so, Eijun found himself sweating nervously.

Every response required careful consideration—after all, this was his first-ever media interview.

Finally, a reporter asked, "One last question, Sawamura-kun. What is your goal for this tournament?"

"My goal?" Eijun hesitated for only a moment before answering with unwavering determination. "That's simple—winning the championship. Since we've made it this far, we're here to win. Our team's belief has always been to aim for the top, to dominate the nation. That's the mindset we'll maintain."

This was the one question Eijun didn't hesitate to answer. His words, full of conviction, reflected the purest desires of his heart.

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