Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 127: The Roster!

Furuya becomes the team's new ace.

The players of Seidou High School's baseball team weren't particularly surprised that Furuya was appointed as the new ace. With Tanba injured, Furuya was really the only one who could take on the role.

But what did surprise them was that Coach Kataoka didn't hesitate to give Furuya the prestigious number 1 jersey, seemingly without considering Tanba's status. This was so out of character for their coach, yet he had done it anyway.

The players had many thoughts about this decision, but in the moment, none of them said a word.

"A first-year player being the ace isn't all that unusual," Coach Kataoka reassured Furuya, handing him the number with a calm demeanor. "Don't overthink it. Just focus on your pitching."

"I'll do my best!" Furuya replied. His voice was quiet, but his words were filled with resolve.

Joining Seidou with the dream of becoming their ace, Furuya had mentally prepared himself for this opportunity, even though it had come sooner than expected.

Everyone on the team could hear the determination in Furuya's voice. No one spoke, except for Miyuki, who muttered under his breath, "Some people are just born to be the ace."

Unlike Sawamura, who openly expressed every emotion, Furuya was much more reserved. He understood what it meant to hold the number 1 jersey and the weight it carried. While others might feel overconfident or overwhelmed, Furuya remained composed and unshaken by the pressure.

Even when he steps onto the field, Miyuki thought, Furuya will probably be as calm and focused as ever.

Furuya's natural talent was undeniable—not just at Seidou, but across the country, where players with his level of skill were extremely rare. His potential could only be limited by his own sense of commitment and discipline. Without the right mindset, a player could never reach their full potential.

Miyuki believed Furuya's mindset was more than capable.

Just then, Miyuki overheard someone grumbling behind him.

"Why him? Aren't there still upperclassmen on the team? Fine, let him enjoy it for now, but I'll take that ace position sooner or later!"

It was, of course, none other than Sawamura Eijun, the other first-year pitcher.

Unlike Furuya, Sawamura wasn't one to give up easily. While other players like Kawakami had settled into their roles as rotation pitchers, Sawamura clearly had no intention of stepping back from the competition.

"Although it's unfortunate about Tanba-senpai's injury," Miyuki thought with a smirk, "it's actually pretty exciting to have these two around."

He couldn't shake the feeling that the upcoming summer tournament might just rely on these two first-years.

Miyuki's thoughts were interrupted when he heard Coach Kataoka call his name.

"Number two, Miyuki Kazuya!"

As the team's starting catcher, it was no surprise Miyuki received the number 2 jersey. Even though Chris might return after recovering from his injury, it was unlikely he would displace Miyuki from the lineup.

"Number three, first baseman, Tetsuya Yuuki!"

The captain of Seidou High School's baseball team is a classic introvert, often speaking very little in his daily interactions. However, his performance in the batting box is enough to rival the best hitters in the country.

Even his defense and base running are at the top level nationally. With him on the team, it feels as if Seidou has a solid foundation to rely on.

"From now on, it's up to you, Captain!"

"Yuuki-senpai!!!"

Yuuki Tetsuya is extremely popular among the team members. Even with the emergence of Furuya, if anyone were to be considered the face of the team at this moment, it would undoubtedly be Captain Yuuki.

"Number 4, second baseman, Ryousuke Kominato!"

A shorter player, grinning widely, walked up to Coach Kataoka to receive his number.

"Ryousuke-senpai, you look so cute when you smile!"

"Brother!!"

From the back of the group, a first-year player muttered softly. The two are brothers and play the same position.

"Number 5, third baseman, Touru Masuko!!"

The competition for the third base position on the Seidou High School baseball team is intense. After several rounds of competition, Masuko managed to secure the starting spot through his steady performance and impressive power.

"Masuko-senpai, great job!!"

His dorm mates, Sawamura and Kuramochi, raised their hands in support.

"Yes!!"

Masuko responded with a flexing pose, clearly thrilled with the announcement.

While several other players' starting positions were already established, Masuko's role was uncertain until the last moment. This is likely why he appeared so excited when the outcome was finally confirmed.

"Number 6, shortstop, Kuramochi Youichi!"

"Yes!!"

Following closely behind, another player from room 5 stepped up to receive his number.

The competition for the shortstop position on the Seidou baseball team was also fierce, especially with a standout third-year player in the mix.

However, Kuramochi's speed and his strong chemistry with Ryousuke made for a formidable second-base duo, allowing him to secure the starting shortstop role.

"Number 7, left fielder, Ichirou Sakai!"

"Thank you, Coach! Thank you, everyone!!"

A well-built player stood before the coach, his eyes misty with emotion as he received his number. Tears even welled up as he accepted the jersey, showing more excitement than the previous two players.

"Stop being so pathetic; you earned this through your own efforts! Hold your head high, you idiot!" Isashiki Jun, who sported a small mustache, chastised his teammate for his behavior. Despite his robust appearance, Sakai's personality was surprisingly shy.

"I..." Sakai froze for a moment, realizing that his emotional display might have been a bit embarrassing.

But there was no way around it.

He was simply too excited. His heart was practically pounding out of his chest.

"Number 8, center fielder, Jun Isashiki!!"

Before the mustached senior could say anything else, Coach Kataoka called his name.

This was another unquestionable choice.

The current third-year players of the Seidou High School baseball team had faced heavy criticism when they first joined. In middle school, their records weren't remarkable at all.

But that wasn't even the most discouraging part.

The truly disheartening thing was that after joining the team, they initially didn't stand out in any way, causing the seniors at the time to have little faith in them. Spectators even dubbed them the "missed recruitment year," which was a huge insult to these players.

Yet no one anticipated that this seemingly average group would grow at such an incredible pace over the next two years.

By their second year, they were already securing spots as starting players, and now they had become the pillars of the team.

With them standing tall, every player on the Seidou High School baseball team—and even their most devoted fans—felt reassured.

The players, starting from Furuya at number 1, lined up in a row. Each held their new jersey and number, proudly displaying them to the rest of the team.

"Number 9, right fielder, Shirasu Kenjirou!"

The moment this name was called, one of the younger players widened his eyes in surprise.

"Who is that?"

Sawamura had been part of Seidou's first string for a while now. Though he wasn't close with everyone, he was generally familiar with the team members. But this name, Shirasu, sounded completely unfamiliar.

As he looked at the figure stepping forward, Sawamura grew even more puzzled. He didn't recognize this player at all.

"Is he really part of our team?"

Sawamura kept his doubts to himself, so this minor distraction didn't affect the team's overall focus.

The nine first-string players stood together before everyone.

Coach Kataoka paused briefly, allowing the team to take a good look at them.

This was Seidou High School's main lineup for the year. With these players, even with Tanba's injury, Coach Kataoka was confident they could take on their fiercest rivals.

"You may go now!"

After introducing the nine starting players, it was time to announce the substitutes.

"Number 10, Tanba Koichiro!"

Though Tanba didn't receive the ace's number, he was given the first number among the substitutes.

Tanba hardly realized how he made his way from the lineup to stand in front of Coach Kataoka. He moved almost like a shell of himself, receiving the number with a vacant expression.

"It's unfortunate, but according to the doctor, you'll need one to three months of rest. Our team can't afford to pause just for you alone. But I have no doubt that this challenge won't break you."

Huh?

Hearing his coach's words, Tanba's head shot up.

Could it be that his coach still had expectations for him?

"I believe you'll come back stronger. This team needs your strength!"

We need you!

Those words jolted the nearly lifeless Tanba back to life.

So, the team hadn't given up on him after all?

Of course—if they had, they wouldn't have given him a number. They wouldn't have saved him a spot.

Hearing their coach's stirring words, the entire Seidou High School baseball team couldn't help but applaud.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!!!"

The scene became quite lively.

Watching this, Furuya gave a subtle scoff. "Not surprising, coming from someone who teaches literature. His way with words is something else!"

With just a few lines, Coach Kataoka had defused the tension surrounding the ace number.

Next, he called out numbers 11 to 18, nearly completing the Seidou High roster. There wasn't much suspense for these spots—this was a solid team that had just won the Kanto Tournament. Every player contributed in their own way, and with such a well-performing team, the roster wasn't likely to change much.

This left only two spots, but seven players competing for them.

Among the contenders were third-year Chris, second-year Maezono, first-year Sawamura, Haruichi, Kanemaru, a third-year pitcher, and a second-year outfielder.

The other names were expected, but as the final two spots approached, tension visibly increased.

Coach Kataoka recognized the intensity but didn't hesitate as he called out the next name.

"Number 19, first-year, Haruichi Kominato!!"

Haruichi Kominato? The rookie was chosen over the third-year pitcher and second-year slugger Maezono?

The players exchanged sharp glances.

"Number 20, first-year, Eijun Sawamura!!"

Another first-year choice, though this one was more acceptable to the team. Of the two pitching candidates, Sawamura and a third-year pitcher, Sawamura's growth had been remarkable. Once a second-string player, he'd quickly become the ace of the second-string and now found himself promoted to the first string.

With Tanba injured and the team short on pitchers, Sawamura's selection made sense to everyone.

But Haruichi Kominato?

The players looked at Maezono, then at Chris, feeling a sense of regret.

"Wait!!"

Sawamura didn't step forward to accept his number. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, staring at Chris in disbelief.

"What about… Chris-senpai?"

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