Diamond No Ace: The Strongest Hitter

Chapter 13: The Beginning of Fate

"Brother Junichi, hasn't your grandson just moved here today? Seems like you still can't do without your drinking buddy!" If Sendo saw the speaker's hairstyle, he would immediately recognize him as Sawamura's grandfather, Sawamura Eitoku, who spoke nothing like an old man.

"I have some things on my mind, so I came to drink with you!" Sendo's grandfather, Junichi, replied.

"Come on, let me help you unwind. Whatever it is, just tell me!" Eitoku said, patting his chest.

"Just drinking with me is enough!" Right now, Junichi just wanted to drink.

"Alright, let's drink first, and then you can tell me."

...

Evening.

"I'm back!"

"Oh, Eijun?"

"Grandpa, and Grandpa Junichi, just how much did you two drink?"

"Not much. Err!" Eitoku said, letting out a hiccup.

"By the way, Eijun, you're in Class 4-2 as well, right?"

"Also?"

"Well, a transfer student joined your class today, right? It's Junichi's grandson! He just moved here from Tokyo because his parents went abroad for work."

"Really? No wonder the name sounded so familiar. So, he's Grandpa Junichi's grandson. But why are you telling me this?"

"Eijun, that child has been quite solitary since he was young, not having many friends and often keeping to himself. I'm worried, so I hope you can reach out to him and help change his life. Please," Junichi pleaded.

"Since Grandpa Junichi is asking such a favor, I'll do my best!"

Sawamura, being so open-hearted and gentle by nature, is exactly why it's impossible for anyone to dislike him.

"By the way, Eijun, you play baseball, don't you? If you get the chance, invite him to join you; it'll be fun!"

"I heard from Sendo that just a month ago, he was playing baseball with a prestigious Little League team in Tokyo, and within that short time, he became the ace and fourth hitter of the team! Isn't that impressive?"

"Really? That's amazing! No matter what, I've got to bring him along. Alright! It's decided then!"

With that, Sawamura showed his trademark smile, baring his teeth.

"Hey, Junichi, how about bringing him over tomorrow?"

"Sure thing!"

With such a good relationship between them, it's only natural to hope for a similar bond among their grandsons.

"A prestigious team, huh? Man, I can't wait for tomorrow to come!"

...

"Why do I have to go? I wanted to read my manga!"

"Alright, alright, just come with me. As close friends with the Sawamura family, we should at least meet him!"

"Okay! But let's make it quick."

....

"I'm back!"

"Oh, welcome back, Eijun!"

"Grandpa Junichi, hey, is that really you, Sendo? Grandpa really brought you along, huh?"

"Sorry to intrude. What's with that face?" Sendo asked as he immediately approached Sawamura.

"Grandpa Junichi said you're the star pitcher and cleanup hitter for a prestigious Little League team in Tokyo, right?"

"So what if I am?"

"Come play with us!"

"I refuse!"

"Why? Do you think we're too weak or something?"

"No, your baseball seems interesting too."

"Then…"

"But I find manga much more entertaining. The go-home club is the best."

Seeing Sendo nonchalantly speak like an otaku, Sawamura was momentarily defeated.

"We just have different interests. Don't you play baseball because you enjoy it?"

"Well…"

In their first encounter, Sendo had the upper hand! However, Sendo had no idea at the time that his grandfather had set him up, leading Sawamura to pursue him with tenacity.

....

A week later.

"Sendo, stop reading manga and come play catch with us!"

"Isn't this enough already? How many times is this going to happen? What exactly do you want?"

"I've decided on the answer to what you asked last time. I want to go to Nationals with my teammates in junior high!"

…

Sendo didn't know what to say, wondering if Sawamura was just carefree or simply ignoring the risks.

"Come to my house tonight!"

"Hmm? I suppose, but…"

"Alright, stop asking so many questions."

…

"Here, take this."

"What is this?"

"It's for strength training. Attach this end to the wall and do this. It'll help you build your arm strength. You're a pitcher, right?"

"Oh!"

"And this is a training regimen from my old practice notes for pitchers." With that, he handed him a note.

"Don't ask anything; these are for you. Please don't bother me again."

"I won't give up. One day, I'll show you the magic of baseball."

"Sigh, fine, do what you like. It doesn't matter anymore." Sendo had given up on arguing.

…

"Hahaha, Sendo, want to join us for some baseball? It's really fun!"

"I refuse!"

"Ugh!"

"Why me? This guy is so persistent; no wonder Chris got tired of him."

"What's he thinking? I've told him I don't want to join any sports," Sendo thought to himself.

"Eijun, he said he doesn't want to join any activities right now, didn't he? Why keep asking? It might make him dislike you!"

"Really? But I won't give up. You know, Sendo is Grandpa Junichi's grandson, and he has a bit of a solitary nature. His grandpa specifically asked me to reach out. Besides, this guy is really good at baseball!"

"Is that true? That Grandpa Junichi? Who would've thought he has such a handsome grandson! And good at baseball, too. Did Grandpa say that as well?" Wakana asked.

"Probably? My grandpa said he was the ace and cleanup hitter of a prestigious Tokyo Little League team! He should be really good, right?"

"So it's true, but why did he stop playing after moving here?"

"Who knows, but I'll keep inviting him tomorrow! Hahaha!"

Thus began the prolonged tug-of-war involving Sawamura and Sendo over several years.

Since moving to Nagano, Sendo has not joined any clubs and has effectively become a full-time member of the "go-home club." Despite this, he hasn't slacked off on his training regimen.

Although he remains a novice in baseball, his physical conditioning is excellent, thanks to the training schedule that coach Nakani went to great lengths to obtain.

So, even without participating in any clubs, Sendo's performance in the school sports day was astonishing, particularly in track and field events.

Even without formal training, his speed increased significantly as his body started to develop, catching the attention of the school's track and field team, who attempted to recruit him repeatedly but failed.

Similarly, Sawamura continually invited him to join the baseball games, although all his attempts were declined.

Fundamentally, Sendo does not reject Sawamura and his friends. His so-called reclusiveness is mainly due to a significant maturity gap between him and his peers.

With Sawamura's universally likable personality, even Sendo couldn't refuse getting along with him.

Living in a rural area meant frequent interactions with Sawamura's group of friends, so he wasn't entirely unfamiliar with them. His relationships with Sawamura and Wakana were somewhat closer, though.

Strictly speaking, Sawamura's group is full of warm-hearted individuals, possibly a result of the positive values instilled in them from a young age in Japan, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and friendship.

They genuinely cherished their bonds with each other.

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