It had been three weeks since Aj arrived at Seido, and these three weeks had been very fruitful for him. He found great interest in all kinds of basic training.
During this period, he not only gradually adapted to the rhythm of high school Baseball but also watched a regular high school tournament—the Spring Tournament. Seido's batting lineup left an even deeper impression on Aj!
This was his first regular step on the path to becoming a formal Baseball player!
Aj clearly understood the gap between himself and his peers. This was not the time to be overly ambitious about whether he could displace the second and third-year Senpai to join the Summer roster…
Because if he couldn't make up for his shortcomings and leverage his strengths and advantages, how could he stand out among the first-years, let alone surpass those second and third-year Senpai?
After all, those players had been training for one or even two years in the brutal world of high school Baseball, unlike these youngsters who had never experienced its harshness…
This was especially true for Aj, who hadn't even played in a regular game, let alone anything else…
In Philippines, let alone middle school, there weren't even proper Baseball teams in high school. Only universities might form amateur Baseball teams, then seek out other school teams for friendly matches, or regional competitions arranged by certain areas…
And these were all things Aj had no way to participate in…
It could be said that these three weeks here had been incredibly fulfilling for Aj; everything in his life revolved around Baseball! For Aj, everything here was fantastic!
"Hah! Ha!" Aj was drenched in sweat, swinging his bat. After coming here, Aj consciously adjusted his previous training plan, formulating a training regimen suitable for himself based on Seido's arranged training schedule.
Tomorrow, tomorrow would be his first opportunity. Of course, this so-called opportunity wasn't about making a spectacular debut and immediately being noticed by Kataoka and joining the first string. Aj had a good sense of self-awareness. No matter how much Seido's Ace was disparaged by others, no matter how weak-willed the second-year substitute Pitcher senpai was…
To Aj, they were both truly monumental figures. Aj, with no experience in formal games, never believed he could hit a ball from either of them the moment he arrived at Seido…
Tomorrow's Red and White Battle, for Aj, was more about testing himself, a trial to help him understand his current standing more clearly…
Feeling the atmosphere of high school Baseball was extremely important in Aj's opinion!
Whether it was the Red and White Battle or a formal game! He would give his all! What? No chance to play? Well, young man, you're thinking too much, don't worry. Coach Kataoka solemnly said that all first-years would have a chance to play…
As long as you can perform! Let Coach Kataoka see that you have potential for development! That's enough!
"Phew." Aj glanced at his watch; it was nearly 11 PM. He picked up the towel beside him, gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, shouldered his bat, and headed towards his dormitory room…
When Aj returned to the dormitory, Miyuki was, as usual, at his desk, meticulously examining something resembling an account book. Aj had been here for over three weeks, and this seemed to be what Miyuki did every night after completing his self-training…
Hmm, Aj later found out that thing was called a scorebook. Generally, catchers needed to understand scorebooks. To be honest, Aj just glanced at it and had no idea what it meant…
A catcher is a player who not only focuses on the field but also needs to pay attention to players off the field.
"Oh, you're back. You seem a bit late today. Is it because you're excited about tomorrow's Red and White Battle?" Miyuki tilted his head slightly and chuckled at Aj, who was changing his clothes.
Aj pouted and snorted softly: "It's my first official debut, isn't it? It's just a pity that you won't be playing tomorrow, Miyuki senpai!"
Two days ago, when the Coach announced the Red and White Battle for this weekend, Aj learned from Miyuki that the first string regulars would basically not be playing. Of course, two former first string regulars would appear in the Red and White Battle: one was the Ace—Tanba!
The other was the former Third Batter Masuko Toru!
"Oh, quite confident, aren't you? It seems you're really looking forward to tomorrow," Miyuki paused slightly, then a cunning smile, in Aj's opinion, appeared on his lips as he spoke.
"Confident? No matter who the opponent is, I just do my best!" Aj chuckled, turned his head, looked at Miyuki with a serious expression, and said solemnly to him. Then, he picked up his toiletries, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Watching Aj's departing back, Miyuki rubbed his chin, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, and his eyes flickered with something like sparks…
The next morning, on the field, the entire first-year group was on First Base side, while the second and third-year active members were on Third Base side. Many spectators gathered near the field, mostly local Baseball enthusiasts and Seido's OB members…
These people would come to Seido every weekend to watch the active members' training, and they certainly wouldn't miss something like the Red and White Battle…
"So many people! I can't believe we're facing the Senpai after only three weeks!" Kanemaru looked at the intimidating second and third-year Senpai opposite him with a hint of nervousness, let out a slight breath, and said with a slight tremor in his voice.
"Oh no, my stomach hurts a bit!"
"Ah, I was so nervous I didn't sleep at all last night."
Almost all the first-year students present looked listless, with only four remaining calm. No, it should be three calm ones and one with shining eyes, laughing foolishly.
These four were Aj, Furuya Satoru, Kominato Haruichi, and that naive protagonist—Sawamura Eijun.
Aj silently wiped his bat with a white cloth. His goal for this Red and White Battle was extremely clear: to test his own strength!
At this moment, a tall figure appeared in front of all the first-year students. His large sunglasses glinted slightly in the dazzling sunlight.
"Now, I will announce the first round of first-year players."
"First Batter, first baseman…."
"Third Batter, Pitcher, Tojo Hideaki!"
"fourth batter, Third Baseman, Kanemaru Shinji!
...
"Ninth Batter, left fielder, Aj!" Originally, Aj didn't expect to play in the first round, as almost all the names called were guys who had achieved success in middle school, and the Third Batter and fourth batter were those two guys from Matsukata Youth Baseball.
But he didn't expect his name to be called last…
Aj looked up slightly. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion or what, but Aj felt that Coach Kataoka seemed to have given him a deep look before turning and leaving after calling his name.
Aj smiled slightly.
The stage is set, so let's go on stage! Aj held his bat, a confident arc curving slightly on his lips!