Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

Hirota and Okumura were promoted to the First String, and Matsumoto Jun was also granted permission to practice with the First String pitchers.

At this point, the roster for Seidou High School's summer competition was starting to take shape.

Unless something unexpected happens during this period, it can almost be concluded that the 20 spots for Seidou High School's Summer Competition will inevitably be filled from these 25 players.

There was also considerable disagreement among the coaching staff regarding Okumura's promotion.

Seidou High School has already undergone significant changes and is no longer what it once was. Their player selection standards have improved a lot.

Even though Okumura is a formidable player, Seidou High School still had some reservations about promoting him to the First String.

"This player seems to have some issues with his willpower," President Ota said, rubbing his hands together hesitantly.

Don't underestimate the ability of Seidou High School's baseball coaching staff. They never overlook observing any player, especially those they value highly.

Okumura Koushuu.

As one of the top three catcher candidates among the freshmen, he could even become a pillar of Seidou High School in the future.

The coaching staff paid particularly close attention to him.

They quickly discovered Okumura's current emotional issues, which may also explain why he was unable to compete with Yui Kaoru in the position battle earlier.

While a player's individual strength is important, baseball powerhouses like Seidou High School are not only concerned with personal skill but also pay great attention to the player's mental state.

From this perspective, Okumura has some significant flaws.

Even Coach Kataoka took this issue very seriously.

After thinking about it carefully, he asked Miyuki Kazuya for his opinion.

"You're in the same dorm and play the same position. What do you think about this situation?"

When Coach Kataoka asked Miyuki, Sawamura hadn't left yet.

He suddenly felt that Coach Kataoka's question sounded familiar. It seemed to be in the same tone as when he had asked Hirota about him earlier.

For some reason, Sawamura felt that the suspicious atmosphere had become even more obvious.

Miyuki obviously didn't expect Coach Kataoka to directly bring up this question.

Having stayed in the same dorm and played the same position, Miyuki is a third-year senior and captain of the team, while Okumura is a first-year freshman catcher.

On the surface, they are in direct competition.

But if you think about it a little, it's clear that the two staying in the same dorm could actually be seen as a form of mentorship.

The relationship should have been very good.

But in reality, it wasn't.

The little wolf cub often eyed Miyuki aggressively.

The relationship between the two wasn't harmonious. Miyuki would occasionally try to talk to his Kohai, but Okumura was uncooperative…

If it were anyone else, with such a poor relationship between the two, it would be impossible for Miyuki to speak up for Okumura.

But Miyuki wasn't just anyone.

He was wholeheartedly focused on the team. Even if his relationship with this kohai wasn't harmonious, as long as Okumura was sincere about the team's well-being, Miyuki didn't mind helping him.

"Although there are some issues with his mentality, maybe he had some kind of stimulus in middle school. But whether it's in practice or games, he's performed very well. Isn't that enough?"

No matter what he thinks inside, as long as he can do everything he needs to do, that's enough.

Miyuki's reason was very strong, and no one could refute it.

Coach Ochiai was also a strong supporter of Okumura.

After hearing the opinions of the two, Coach Kataoka didn't hesitate any longer and made the decision to promote Okumura.

After Sawamura and Miyuki left, Sawamura specifically asked Miyuki.

"You seem to be very optimistic about Okumura?"

Where did Miyuki get his confidence?

You have to know, among the three freshman catchers, Okumura didn't have much of an advantage.

On the contrary, Yui Kaoru and Matsumoto both had clear strengths.

"That guy looks at me aggressively. Even though I was unruly in my first year, compared to him, it's nothing."

"Just because of that?"

Sawamura looked at Miyuki in disbelief.

He really didn't expect that the reason Miyuki supported Okumura was because of the rebelliousness he saw in his eyes.

It was simply incomprehensible.

"Isn't that enough?"

Miyuki smiled.

Being in the same dorm as such a junior, he believed he wouldn't be bored during this time.

Looking at Miyuki enjoying himself, Sawamura shook his head helplessly.

He felt his friend was a complete maniac.

"Whatever, as long as you're happy!"

Fortunately, Sawamura wasn't someone who liked to overanalyze.

As long as Miyuki was happy, Sawamura Eijun wasn't going to question his actions.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Friday afternoon.

At noon, Miyuki started packing.

Kimura Masahiro, the second-year student in the same dorm approached him.

"Are you leaving this afternoon?"

Miyuki answered while packing his things.

"There will be a meeting in the afternoon for everyone to get to know each other. The real practice will be tomorrow morning, and in the afternoon, we'll have a practice game with college students."

The schedule for the entire exchange competition was very tight.

On Friday afternoon, everyone gathered just to introduce themselves and had no time to practice.

On Saturday, they would practice, integrate the team, and conduct tactical drills.

In the afternoon, there would be a practice game with college students.

The real exchange game with the Los Angeles team would take place on Sunday.

The whole thing would only last a two and half days.

If they didn't meet up Friday afternoon, they might not even have time to get acquainted.

"It's really hard work!"

Kimura sighed sincerely.

Meanwhile, Okumura also came out.

He usually didn't communicate much with Miyuki, so when he approached now, it surprised Miyuki.

Miyuki looked up in surprise.

He didn't understand why Okumura had come to talk to him.

"Will you be paired with Narumiya?"

Miyuki hadn't thought about that question.

"To be honest, I don't know either. It depends on Coach Kunitomo's arrangement."

After packing at noon, after class in the afternoon, he and Sawamura would head to Inajitsu together.

Meanwhile, in Room 5, Sawamura was also packing his things.

What he needed to bring was far less than Miyuki's.

Apart from a change of clothes, he didn't bring anything else.

Soon, he finished packing and stopped.

"You're done already? Why don't you bring more clothes?"

Kuramochi came over and asked with concern.

"It's only two days. Two sets of clothes are enough. Too many clothes would be a waste."

Anyone who travels frequently knows that it's impossible to pack a lot of luggage.

That's not travel; that's making yourself uncomfortable.

"I didn't expect our team to get two invitations," Nishiyama said with some emotion.

The two main pillars of the team were both gone now.

The four practice games on Saturday and Sunday had become more unpredictable.

But for them, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Especially for Nishiyama Kibo, the departure of Sawamura was a rare opportunity.

"After we leave, the team will be in your hands."

After finishing his packing, Sawamura looked at Kuramochi good-heartedly and said.

On Saturday and Sunday, Seidou High School would play four games, two of which would be against national-level giants.

Even with Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya there, they couldn't afford to be careless.

Now that the two were leaving, it would be a major test for the remaining players.

"Don't worry, brat. I don't intend to stop our winning streak!"

The Kuramochi now was different from before. He was much more confident and charismatic.

Sawamura gave him an approving thumbs up.

Kuramochi's progress compared to his past self was already worlds apart.

Maezono and Shiratsu might not be stronger than they were before his regression, but they definitely weren't weaker either.

They were originally on par with Kuramochi.

Now, Kuramochi had gradually pulled away from them.

This was the most noticeable progress of Kuramochi.

"You too, keep working hard!"

After advising Kuramochi, Sawamura patted Nishiyama on the shoulder.

Nishiyama, startled, nodded.

"Don't worry, I will."

Sawamura smiled and nodded at him.

After school in the afternoon, Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya finished packing and headed for Inajitsu High School.

At the same time, recommended players from more than a dozen high schools in Tokyo were also starting to assemble.

…

T/N: Well, That's it for now.

Btw, This Volume and the next Volume are completed in pater0n!

You also can check my Patre0n for extra Chapters.

https://www.patre0n.com/ColdColt

There are +160 Chapters there.

Anyway, Thank you all for reading!!

And I hope you all have a nice day!