Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 3: Gradual Changes

Having made his decision, there's no room for hesitation.

From the start, Eijun had never really hesitated. Going to Seidou was his dream and obsession, a drive born from both his previous life and this one. It was not merely a lingering hope or aspiration for Eijun, but a fixed goal deeply rooted in his heart.

For Eijun now, his previous self's yearning for Seidou, for Miyuki, and particularly for the senior members of that year, was an unchangeable conviction. Going to Seidou was a predetermined course of action.

When Takashima Rei received Eijun's call, she was clearly surprised. She had anticipated that even if Eijun made up his mind, it would take several days. She hadn't expected a call just the day after his return.

After confirming the necessary arrangements, Takashima Rei informed Eijun that he would need to go to Seidou in mid-March of the following year and then ended the call.

"March, huh? That will be during spring break, around the time of the Spring Koshien," Eijun murmured after hanging up.

There was much to be done in this period.

Though the time was not long, it was still substantial—almost seven months. Eijun knew he had to make significant progress. He couldn't help but shake his head at the thought of his lackluster debut at Seidou in the original story; it was truly unimaginable.

"Defense and pitching, huh? I need to devise a detailed training plan. And I've been recommended to focus on training without worrying about exams for the rest of the time," Eijun mused to himself, his brow furrowing briefly before he relaxed.

In his previous life, Eijun had been an amateur baseball enthusiast, consuming numerous videos and tutorials on the sport. Additionally, he was well-acquainted with the future development of his character from the original story, knowing what steps to take at each stage.

What should he focus on now?

The answer is straightforward yet crucial: the fundamentals of being a pitcher and a baseball player.

[Pitching Mechanics, Control, and Defense]

What about training velocity, mastering breaking balls, or hitting practice? Those are important, but they aren't the immediate priorities before entering school.

[Control] is paramount. It requires consistent, long-term effort. Poor control can be partially offset by a good moving ball initially, but against top-tier lineups, poor control can quickly become a major disadvantage, making it easy for skilled batters to exploit it.

Therefore, developing control is an essential and immediate task that needs to be pursued rigorously.

Next, Eijun needs to refine his unique pitching style, which is made possible by his joint flexibility. The original story detailed this aspect extensively, so he plans to follow those methods, adjust based on practice, and perfect this technique over the next seven months. This should be feasible and turn into a reliable weapon for him.

Additionally, [defensive practice] is crucial. As Eijun aims to become the ace of the team, having outstanding batting ability is a bonus but not essential. For an ace, being able to handle left field effectively is significant.

Eijun's current goal is modest. Within these seven months, he aims to at least achieve reliable fielding in the outfield. He won't focus on advanced plays or high-flying catches, as he doesn't have the time or capability for those at the moment. Mastering the basics is sufficient.

Otherwise, the state of his defensive performance in the original story's practice and warm-up games was quite disappointing.

Eijun didn't want to imagine such disappointing scenarios. His bottom line was to become a competent outfielder, capable of reliable fielding.

"Fortunately, my crossing over hasn't erased my original traits..." Eijun thought, clenching his left hand. It's worth noting that he was originally left-handed in his past life.

Becoming a left-handed pitcher posed no problem.

"Morning will be dedicated to practicing pitching mechanics and control, afternoons to defensive drills, and evenings for personal training. Also, I need to discuss with Mom about changing the usual menu. I remember seeing a baseball-specialized program before—perhaps I could consider their suggested menu and then adjust it based on real-life needs... Next is..."

Back in his room, Eijun sat at his desk, took out a piece of paper and a pen, and meticulously outlined the tasks he needed to tackle in the remaining time.

He rubbed his forehead; there were so many things to do.

He could only tackle them step by step, without rushing. Biting off more than he could chew wouldn't help...

"From tomorrow onwards, I'll start working towards my future. Seidou, Miyuki, and Furuya... This time, I'll grasp the ace competition with even more determination."

Eijun's eyes sparkled with renewed vigor. His inner excitement for the jersey number and his current beliefs—Seidou, the ace, victory—were all things he needed to achieve.

In the stillness of the night, with a tranquil atmosphere all around, the young man's inner cries and resolute vows marked a new beginning and starting point in this world—his most determined step towards shaping his future.

As the days went by, after Eijun shared his decision with his friends, they, just like in the original story, were deeply reluctant to see him leave but outwardly showed genuine happiness for him. Their heartfelt joy and blessings made Eijun even more determined to cherish these friends from his past life—or rather, his dearest friends in this lifetime.

True emotions, whether familial love, romantic affection, or friendship, are the most precious treasures in life.

With the support of these friends, Eijun's training routine gradually fell into a proper rhythm, with no one questioning or doubting his self-imposed training plan.

As their leader and captain, it was entirely normal for them to accept and support his decisions.

Yet, there was one exception. When the bright, star-like eyes of this individual focused on Eijun, the warmth, familiarity, and a hint of confusion in that gaze made Eijun feel a twinge of unease deep within.

--------

If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.

Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky