Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

After two consecutive wins on Saturday and Sunday, Seidou High School's rhythm was finally returning.

In particular, the issues each player had realized during the finals stage were gradually being improved in these two practice games.

Haruichi's strength and technique were being used with greater finesse.

Maezono Kenta was learning better control of his power.

Shirasu was showing more balance in his batting.

And whether it was fielding or hitting, the other players were also finding directions for improvement—or in some cases, already showing solid progress.

After the two practice matches, Eijun, absent for a week, officially rejoined training.

The swelling in his left arm had completely gone down.

At last, he could happily return to the team.

"Man, this feels amazing—really amazing!!!"

Inside the bullpen, Eijun clutched a baseball in his left hand, savoring the familiar feel of its seams. His heart swelled with a sense of fulfillment that made him grin with joy.

As a baseball player.

As a pitcher.

This was what felt right.

That week of "abstinence" had nearly driven him crazy.

"C'mon, hurry up, hurry up, Miyuki-senpai! Let me throw a few pitches already!"

Ball in hand, Eijun looked at Miyuki with a face full of impatience and eagerness.

"Hey, hey, calm down. Don't forget—the swelling may be gone, but your ban hasn't been fully lifted. You're only cleared for some basic training, not pitching. You're still on at least two or three weeks of no throwing, remember?"

Miyuki, just finishing putting on his catcher's gear, shook his head helplessly.

Their ace was great in many ways—except for this.

"Naa, naa, it's fine. Just a few pitches, it won't be a problem."

Eijun flexed and opened his left hand, feeling its warmth, and grinned.

"If Coach catches you, you're dead."

"Heh, but Takashima-san isn't here, right? No problem, no problem. Just a few pitches, Miyuki-senpai. We'll keep it secret. As long as Takashima-san doesn't know I'm—"

"Oh? As long as I don't know what?"

A cold, sharp voice cut him off from behind.

The instant he heard that chillingly familiar tone, a shiver ran down Eijun's spine.

That voice.

That aura.

Eijun froze, his expression worse than crying. Slowly, with robotic stiffness, he turned his head.

There stood Takashima Rei, elegant as ever, adjusting her glasses with that frosty expression. She stepped gracefully toward him.

"Well then, Sawamura-kun. Tell me—what is it you don't want me to know?"

Her voice was sweet, her smile gentle.

But behind it, hidden blades gleamed.

Eijun's lips twitched. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Miyuki smirking behind his glove.

Damn it, Miyuki, you set me up again! You four-eyed, black-hearted senpai!!!

No one could be more of a demon than Miyuki. Even Kuramochi-senpai looked like an angel compared to him.

What karmic sin from a past life made him end up with this senpai in this one?

And to make things worse, Miyuki noticed Eijun's glare, deliberately spread his hands innocently, as if to say: "What? Not my fault. You started it."

Eijun was nearly in tears.

"Well? Tell me, Sawamura-kun. What exactly don't you want me to know?"

Argh, Takashima-san, could you not smile like that?

Your glasses are literally reflecting light—it's terrifying!

Eijun forced a stiff grin, shuffling back a step.

"N-no, there's nothing I wouldn't want you to know, Takashima-san. Hehehe…"

Each word came out weaker than the last.

He could feel his confidence draining away.

"Hmph. Sawamura-kun, how many times have I told you? Absolutely no recklessness. Did you not listen? Do you understand what condition you're in right now?"

"Have you understood our intentions at all?"

"You need to realize, for a player, what matters most. Your arm only just recovered from swelling…"

"The doctor told you not to throw for a whole month, didn't he? Did you forget?"

"Sawamura-kun…"

"Sawamura-kun…"

"Sawamura-kun!!!"

"Have you remembered that or not!!"

Takashima Rei's extended lecture made Eijun's face twist like he was chewing bitter melon.

Ahhh, it's starting again…

Nearby, Kawakami-senpai and Ono-senpai both chuckled at the sight.

Even Furuya's lips tugged into a faint smile.

But without realizing it, even Furuya, Miyuki, and the others quietly took a few steps back.

All of them instinctively created distance from Takashima Rei.

"Never—EVER—get on Takashima-san's bad side."

That thought seared itself deeply into everyone's minds.

Her "nagging mode" was far too terrifying.

Even Ochiai, who had been standing by the bullpen just moments ago, pretended to look nonchalant as he stroked his little mustache and casually strolled away.

Mm, I'm just going over to check on how the players are doing with free batting. Yes, really—that's all.

With that excuse in mind, Ochiai sauntered off toward the B-side field.

"Did you get that, Sawamura-kun?"

"Yes, I got it, Takashima-san…"

Eijun answered with a thoroughly bitter face, nodding his head hard.

"That's good. For today, just running and endurance training. All other training is suspended. And the ball—absolutely do not touch it. Understood?"

Takashima Rei's expression was extremely serious as she laid down the order.

"Uh, well, I think maybe—"

"Un-der-stood?"

Takashima repeated slowly, word by word, her smile perfectly pleasant—but carrying an unmistakable edge.

That sharp aura forced Eijun to swallow back all his words. His head bobbed up and down like a pecking chick, his expression the picture of obedience.

"Yes, I understand, Takashima-san." He replied with the utmost caution, voice almost squeaky.

"Mm, that is the right answer." Takashima gave a satisfied nod before shifting her gaze to Miyuki nearby.

"Miyuki-kun, you understand too, don't you? You mustn't let Sawamura-kun touch the ball. As the main catcher, captain, and senior—you understand, yes?"

"Yes! I'll absolutely keep it in mind, Rei-chan!"

Miyuki responded instantly, louder and more obedient than ever.

So fast, so eager to comply—it almost made Eijun mutter inwardly in disbelief.

Geez, this guy's acting even more obedient than me…

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