Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

After circling around in daily routines, the weekend arrived quickly once again.

It was the sixth day since the final game.

On this Saturday, the swelling and redness in Eijun's left arm had mostly faded.

Under normal circumstances, basic training would have been fine. But in Takashima Rei's words—there could be no carelessness. The doctor had clearly said the first week required strict rest.

So rest it was, and thorough at that.

Not to mention, the doctor had advised he must not pitch for at least a month.

Naturally, that meant not only no training, but also—for the first time ever—Eijun found himself reduced to nothing more than a spectator for the two weekend practice games.

If not for Kataoka's permission, Takashima Rei would have gladly banished him back to the dorms to rest, forbidding him even from setting foot on the field.

This made Eijun sigh inwardly again.

No doubt about it—Takashima Rei was the very definition of Seidou High's "team mom."

Her concern for the players' health was absolute.

Part of it was Seidou's humane style of management, part of it was Rei's personality itself, and part of it was because of Chris-senpai's case not long ago.

That living example was still fresh in everyone's minds.

There was no way they would allow a "second Chris" to appear.

That was why Rei had been so furious at Eijun's recklessness, and why she now kept such strict watch over him.

Since this was Seidou's first practice match after the tournament, the stands were filled with spectators.

Many came just to see Eijun's condition. After all, his injury exit in the finals had spread across the entire Kanto region.

For the Summer Koshien Champion Pitcher, it was no exaggeration—all of Japan was watching him now.

Every move he made tugged at countless hearts.

...

"Eh? Sawamura-kun isn't pitching today?"

"His injury hasn't fully healed yet. It wasn't too bad originally, but the finals—pitching and batting—aggravated it. The swelling in his left arm probably needs another two or three days to completely fade."

"Yeah, I heard from the third-years—Sawamura-kun will likely need two to three weeks of rest. Supposedly he's forbidden to touch a ball for at least a month."

"Whoa, that serious?"

"Well, not exactly serious. Strictly speaking, in a few days he could return to normal training. But just to be safe, they don't want him throwing with his left arm yet."

"Makes sense. After what happened with Chris, Seidou's probably going to be extra cautious."

"Of course. They can't risk another Chris. And right now, Sawamura-kun is Seidou's key to dominating the nation."

"Mm, true."

"So then, who's starting today?"

"Kawakami."

"Ohhh!"

"The sidearm pitcher from the second-years, huh?"

"Feels like it's been a while since we last saw him pitch."

"And today's opponent is Kuroba High?"

"Yeah, and they just finished their own autumn tournament last week, too."

"Kuroba made it as Kyoto's representative, right?"

"That's right."

"Whoa, then this game is going to be good."

"Time to see how Kawakami performs."

"Definitely."

...

First base side: Seidou.

Third base side: Kuroba.

"Hah, so their ace really can't pitch," Kuroba's starting catcher said with a grin, arms folded across his chest.

"I heard the injury's pretty bad?" their ace added.

"Seems like it. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be out after a week." Their captain nodded.

"But no matter who Seidou puts on the mound, our job doesn't change—give it our all. We're already set for Koshien. Facing Seidou, the summer champions, makes for the perfect benchmark. Let's use them as our stepping stone."

Coach Oda of Kuroba spoke firmly.

"Yes, sir!!!"

...

On the Seidou bench, Kataoka addressed the team.

"Kuroba High is one of Kyoto's powerhouses. Having already secured their Senbatsu berth, they're a formidable opponent. That makes them perfect for us to test our condition. Give it everything you have—crush them!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Miyuki, Maezono, and the others roared back in unison.

"Miyuki, Kawakami. Their hitters, thanks to their height, have very long arms. They excel at hitting outside pitches. Keep that in mind when calling the game."

Before they went out, Kataoka made sure to stress the point.

"Yes, sir."

Both Miyuki and Kawakami nodded firmly.

"Good luck, Kawakami-senpai!"

From the dugout, Eijun flashed his trademark grin, bright white teeth showing as he cheered.

"Yeah!" Kawakami replied with determination.

...

"Line up!"

"Salute!"

"Please take care of us!!!"

Seidou's first practice game after the autumn tournament had begun.

The batting order:

1. Kuramochi

2. Shirasu

3. Kominato

4. Miyuki

5. Maezono

6. Tojo

7. Kanemaru

8. Specially selected—first-year left fielder, Takatsu Hiroomi!

9. Pitcher Kawakami.

"Takatsu-kun, huh?"

From the dugout, Eijun's eyes turned toward the left field.

Standing there was a classmate of his, radiating an aura oddly reminiscent of Tetsu-senpai.

On his face, Eijun wore a thoughtful look.

In the original manga, this guy only appeared in the second part, after the Spring Koshien.

But in this life, he had shown up much earlier.

If he remembered correctly, today's starting nod was probably thanks to Ochiai's suggestion.

Eijun's gaze shifted to where Ochiai stood beside Coach Kataoka at the front of the dugout.

When it came to choosing players, Ochiai's eyes were razor-sharp, almost inhumanly so.

Takatsu Hiroomi might very well grow into a powerful addition to Seidou's new batting lineup.

And then—there were also next year's freshmen.

Eijun silently made a note of it in his heart.

Lately, with too much free time on his hands, he had chatted with Takashima Rei about recruitment.

After all, autumn was precisely the time when all the powerhouse schools went scouting among the junior leagues.

Eijun himself had been spotted by Rei around this same time last year—and invited to join Seidou.

Naturally, this fall was no exception.

So, half out of curiosity, half out of unease, Eijun had subtly asked Rei a few questions about recruiting.

After all, a part of him still worried—would his arrival change the "original plot"?

Fortunately, the heavens hadn't played that kind of cruel joke on him.

The players destined to come to Seidou were still all coming, not a single one missing.

Whenever Rei talked with him about these topics, her expression was full of joy and relief.

Because this summer, Seidou's performance had been nothing short of spectacular—they were the national champions.

Too many talented players now wanted to come to Seidou.

Pitchers were drawn by Miyuki.

Catchers were drawn by Eijun himself.

This "golden battery" of the new era—Miyuki and Sawamura—was enough to attract the very best middle school talents on its own.

Not to mention, Seidou was now the reigning Summer Koshien champion.

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