Clap. Clap. Clap.
Miyuki was the first to raise his hands and applaud.
Soon, the third-years followed.
Then the second-years.
The sound of applause gradually filled the entire indoor training hall.
Some of the third-year seniors had already reddened eyes.
Tanba Koichiro, in particular, turned his head away, shoulders trembling.
Chris stepped forward, his eyes glistening.
"Coach… I…"
"This is what you deserve," Coach Kataoka said firmly.
"Before Miyuki arrived, you carried Seidou's battery alone. After your injury, you never stopped supporting the team from behind the scenes."
"Now that you've fully recovered, and your ability is no worse than anyone else's…"
He looked straight at Chris.
"I want you to seize this chance."
"In this summer, stand on the field as Seidou's catcher."
In the end, Coach Kataoka still chose to give this opportunity to Chris.
Chris had talent.
Chris had strength.
And more than that—
he had waited too long.
Chris's hands trembled as he accepted the jersey.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
He bowed deeply to Coach Kataoka.
Then turned and bowed deeply to everyone.
Coach Kataoka continued.
"Number 3!"
"Yuki Tetsuya!"
Yuki stepped forward calmly.
"Keep leading this team," Coach Kataoka said.
"Yes." Yuki nodded heavily.
"Number 4! Kominato Ryosuke!"
"Number 5! Masuko Toru!"
"Number 6! Kuramochi Yoichi!"
"Number 7! Sakai Ichiro!"
"Number 8! Isashiki Jun!"
"Number 9! Shirazu Kenjiro!"
"Number 10! Tanba Koichiro!"
"Number 11! Kawakami Norihiro!"
"Number 12! Miyuki Kazuya!"
"Number 13! Miyauchi Keisuke!"
"Number 14! Kusunoki Fumiya!"
"Number 15! Maezono Kenta!"
"Number 16! Endo Naoki!"
Coach Kataoka paused.
"Number 17!"
"Arima Kazusa!"
The hall stirred.
A first-year.
Already number seventeen.
Arima froze in place.
"Go forward," someone whispered.
Arima hurriedly stepped out.
"Work hard and prove this choice right," Coach Kataoka said, handing him the jersey.
"Yes, Coach!" Arima bowed deeply.
"Number 18!"
"Kominato Haruichi!"
Haruichi's face flushed bright red.
He instinctively looked at his older brother.
Ryosuke smiled.
Haruichi grinned and stepped forward.
"Your batting and defense are solid. Gain experience and grow quickly."
"Yes!"
"Number 19!"
"Furuya Satoru!"
Furuya stiffened.
So… he made it.
He stepped forward silently.
"Your pitching has power. Keep polishing it."
"Yes."
Finally, Coach Kataoka picked up the last jersey.
"Number 20—"
"HI!!!!!!!!"
Sawamura shot forward like a rocket.
"..."
Coach Kataoka stared at him.
"That was fast."
The team burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! He didn't even wait for his name!"
"Idiot!"
"Single-celled organism."
Sawamura hugged the jersey tightly.
"Thank you, Coach!!!!!"
After the laughter faded, silence returned.
Twenty players.
Twenty jerseys.
Coach Kataoka spoke again.
"Third-years who were not selected, stay."
"Everyone else, leave."
Kanzaki Ryou clenched his jersey and walked out.
Outside the hall, the first-string members stood quietly.
From inside—
low voices.
Suppressed sobs.
Dreams ending.
No one spoke.
Even the first-years who had just made the roster lowered their heads.
Yuki broke the silence.
"We carry their hopes too."
"So we must win."
"Win everything."
"Yes!!!!"
That night, in the dorm room.
Kanzaki placed his No.1 jersey on the table.
He looked at Arima.
"Number seventeen. Highest among the first-years."
Arima smiled nervously.
"I… didn't expect this either. My mom will be really happy."
"Then don't mess it up," Kanzaki said lightly.
"I won't!"
The door opened.
Chris walked in.
Kanzaki smiled.
"You talked with Miyuki?"
"Yeah."
Kanzaki stood up.
He looked straight at Chris.
Serious.
Sincere.
"I've been waiting for this day."
For a moment, Chris was stunned.
Then he smiled.
"…Me too."