Diamond No Ace: Echoes Of The Ace

Chapter 5: Seidou

Motivated by his friends' teasing, Eijun had no choice but to start taking his studies seriously.

Despite boldly declaring he'd attend the same high school as them, his grades were still stuck at a first-year middle school level.

With no time to rest, he spent his days attending study sessions with his friends at school and burning the midnight oil at home.

Watching his younger self work so hard, Older Eijun couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—touched by his effort but also amused by his exaggerated reactions whenever he encountered a problem he couldn't solve.

Tears and frustration made for a comical sight, but to Eijun, studying had always been a monumental challenge.

His determination, however, was genuinely moving and admirable.

Ironically, this same Eijun who had struggled so much academically would eventually get into college after high school, a feat that left his family, friends, teammates, and even his seniors in shock.

Some even came back just to check if he'd lost his mind from overstudying.

After all, everyone knew that Eijun had poured all his talent points into baseball.

As Older Eijun thought back to his third year of high school, his smile faded.

He remembered how happy everyone was when he got accepted into college.

Even Kuramochi-senpai, now a professional player in the second string but steadily gaining recognition, returned to congratulate him.

Kuramochi had talked and laughed with everyone before Eijun accompanied him to the station.

On the way, neither of them spoke much, but just before boarding, Kuramochi turned to him and asked, "Are you sure this is okay? You… you're not…"

Kuramochi trailed off, staring at Eijun's gentle, mature smile.

---The reckless, simple-minded kid who had always charged forward without a care—when had he started smiling like this? "Damn it," Kuramochi muttered before boarding, leaving Eijun standing at the station for a long time.

Eijun understood what Kuramochi wanted to say, but he knew he couldn't do it anymore.

His energy and spirit had been drained, and he didn't know how to replenish them.

College was his final choice, his last chance, but it still ended in failure.

Returning home in defeat, his family and friends said nothing, quietly accepting him back as if nothing had happened.

Standing in his childhood school, Older Eijun looked at his younger self and wondered:

---What if I never went to Seidou? Wouldn't that have been better? The thought sprouted like wild grass, growing uncontrollably. If I stayed, I could have played baseball with my childhood friends. I wouldn't have had to meet… them.

"Eijun," his grandfather's voice called from outside the room, pulling him from his spiral of thoughts.

When there was no response, his grandfather opened the door.

"Hey, Eijun, someone's here to see you."

Older Eijun noticed his younger self had fallen asleep and shook his head with a sigh.

He knew exactly who had come—Takahashi Rei, the vice captain of Seidou's baseball team, and the person who had seen through his potential in that small, rural town.

The younger Eijun woke groggily, drool still on his face, and upon seeing his grandfather, wailed dramatically. "It's over, Grandpa! Everyone's left me behind!"

Slap!

His grandfather's "loving" smack sent him sprawling onto the bed.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Wash your face and get to the living room! The person who's come to see you traveled all the way from Tokyo!"

"From Tokyo?" Young Eijun mumbled, rubbing his head as he stumbled to wash his face.

In the living room, his family sat neatly at the table. Eijun followed their gazes to see a beautiful woman sitting opposite them.

"Hello," she greeted, adjusting her glasses with a soft smile.

"Are you Sawamura Eijun?" she asked, introducing herself. "I'm Takahashi Rei, vice president of Seidou High School's baseball club. I'm here to invite you to join our team."

"Seidou High School…?" Eijun repeated, confused.

His grandfather suddenly lit up. "Seidou High? Isn't that the prestigious school that's competed in Koshien multiple times?"

"Is that… impressive?" Eijun asked, clueless.

The room fell silent as everyone stared at him in shock.

"You mean you play baseball and don't even know Seidou?"

"I don't!"

"You've seen all those pro players on TV, right? Most of them came from Seidou."

Hearing this, Eijun smiled innocently. "But playing baseball myself is way more fun than watching it on TV!"

Embarrassed, his grandfather gave him another slap.

Slap!

"Shut up!" he scolded, bowing apologetically to Rei. "I'm sorry for my grandson's lack of manners."

Rei waved it off awkwardly. "It's fine," she said, glancing at Eijun, now sprawled on the floor.

Curious, his grandfather asked, "Why would a prestigious school like Seidou come all the way here for him?"

"Because I saw his performance in the last game," Rei replied with a grin. "I believe Sawamura-kun has immense potential."

"But…" His grandfather hesitated. "He caused quite the scene after that game."

Rei laughed. "That slap he gave the umpire was certainly… memorable. But it shows his passion, doesn't it? Very fitting for a pitcher!"

The family gasped in unison, their expressions ranging from shock to disbelief.

"This is a great opportunity, Eijun," his father said.

"Say yes before she changes her mind!" his grandfather added.

"Looks like we'll have to make red bean rice tonight," his mother chimed in, smiling.

Eijun climbed to his feet, visibly reluctant. "Wait a minute!"

"Wait for what?"

"You're saying I have to go all the way to Tokyo just to play baseball? Honestly, I don't want to play in such a boring place," Eijun said, pouting. His words left everyone stunned.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Do you even know what this opportunity means?"

"This is a huge chance for you!"

Despite his family's earnest persuasion, Eijun seemed a bit dejected.

"Well, if it means I don't have to take exams, it doesn't sound too bad. But honestly..." He paused, rubbing his nose and smiling. "I'd rather go to Koshien with my friends here."

Hearing Eijun's heartfelt confession, Takashima Rei and his family were touched.

"Eijun..."

Takashima adjusted her glasses and softly said, "I see, that's how it is."

Eijun, grinning triumphantly, thought he had won, but then Takashima added, "So, when would be a good time for you to come visit our school?"

The Sawamura family was completely floored. "What?!"

Eijun scrambled back to the table, pointing at Takashima. "Wait, you—"

"I'll be getting quite busy soon, so I hope you can come as soon as possible," Takashima continued nonchalantly.

Eijun stared at her in shock, unable to form a proper response. She's not even listening to me!

"Baseball fields," Takashima said with a smile, "are like mirrors that reflect a player's true self. The real you is always there on the field, Sawamura-kun."

"The... real me?" Eijun repeated, her words striking a chord.

"In that last game, during the ninth inning with two outs and the bases loaded, just one solid hit would have ended the game. But that final pitch you threw—it was completely different."

"Your hesitation was gone, your right leg lifted high with perfect balance, and your form was flawless. It was a pitch born out of instinct and pride as a pitcher—a pitch made with everything you had, focused entirely on the batter."

"You mean... my last pitch?" Eijun asked, confused. "That pitch was just a wild throw!"

"It was in that moment," Takashima said with certainty, "that I saw your potential as a true pitcher."

Seeing Takashima's almost mystical expression, the Sawamura family immediately huddled together for an impromptu family meeting.

"What is she even talking about?"

"Something about slapping and pitching?"

"Is she really from Seidou High?"

"She's kinda suspicious!"

The family's hushed whispers, though meant to be discreet, were loud enough for Takashima to hear.

She began to sweat.

---I can hear everything, you know…

Clearing her throat, she continued, "In any case, Sawamura-kun, you should at least come and observe one of our practice sessions. From what I've seen, Akagi Middle doesn't have proper coaching or anyone who can truly challenge you to improve."

"What?!" Eijun's anger flared at her blunt criticism of their cherished baseball team.

"If you're serious about going to Koshien, there's no harm in seeing what a top-tier national-level practice looks like."

Koshien.

Takashima's words struck a nerve.

Her condescending attitude and dismissal of their team brought back memories of the ridicule they faced in their last game.

Eijun clenched his fists tightly, the mocking laughter of their opponents ringing in his ears.

Then, with a strained laugh, he said, "Fine. I'll see just how amazing your so-called national-level practices are!"

That night, Eijun's frustration boiled over as he sat in his room, clutching his head and groaning.

"Why are you so noisy, Eijun?!" his mother called from downstairs. Moments later, Eijun came thundering down the stairs. "I'm going for a run!"

"At this hour?" she asked, bewildered, as he dashed out the door.

Under the night sky, with cool wind brushing his face, Eijun ran through the fields.

Gradually, the crisp air calmed his turbulent thoughts.

Slowing his pace, he turned back to look at the distant lights of his house, warm and inviting against the dark countryside.

Time to go home.

Exhausted from his run, Eijun quickly fell asleep.

Older Eijun watched him from the side, his thoughts tangled with emotion.

---Tomorrow, everything will change. Who can stop it?

Leaning against the bed, Older Eijun slowly drifted off as well.

At some point, his arm brushed against his younger self's shoulder.

The peaceful expression on young Eijun's face suddenly twisted, his brows furrowing as if caught in a nightmare.

---------------------

If you want to read 20 chapters advanced.

Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Shu_21