Diamond Ace: No Regrets Chapter 264

In Komoto Haruichi’s memories, his older brother, Komoto Ryosuke, had always been a very confident person.

Despite often being questioned by others due to his height, he never wavered in his belief in baseball.

Back then, to realize his baseball dream, Komoto Ryosuke resolutely left Kanagawa Prefecture alone and chose to enroll in Seido High School in Tokyo.

Even though Seido High School’s baseball team’s performance hadn’t been outstanding in the past few years, in Komoto Haruichi’s heart, Komoto Ryosuke was still that omnipotent older brother.

When Komoto Haruichi looked at Komoto Ryosuke with doubtful and puzzled eyes, Komoto Ryosuke completely understood what his younger brother was thinking.

They, the third-year students, had never been lax about Inashiro Industrial, a formidable opponent, and had been closely monitoring their movements.

However, as their understanding of Inashiro Industrial deepened, they realized more and more that if Seido High School wanted to defeat this powerful opponent, they really needed a bit of luck.

Even with Furuya Satoru, a player of outstanding ability, standing on the pitcher’s mound for Seido now, there was no guarantee that they could defeat Inashiro Industrial.

After all, compared to Narumiya Mei, the ace pitcher of Inashiro Industrial, Furuya Satoru, this younger schoolmate, was behind in both game experience and personal physical fitness.

Or perhaps it could be said that in the hearts of these third-year students, they were very clear that it was precisely because Seido now had Furuya Satoru that they truly had a chance to compete with Inashiro Industrial.

If it were in the past, even though everyone shouted slogans loudly, if Seido were to face Inashiro Industrial head-on, neither Yuuki nor Komoto Ryosuke believed that Seido would have much chance of winning.

One to nine, had always been their very conservative estimate!

However, Komoto Ryosuke didn’t explain much of this to his adorable younger brother.

After all, even if his younger brother had achieved considerable success as a pinch hitter, this year, the responsibility of attacking the pitcher’s mound of Inashiro Industrial still fell on them.

Komoto Ryosuke stood on tiptoes, reached out, and gently touched his younger brother’s head, as if this simple action could convey endless comfort to Komoto Haruichi.

Komoto Ryosuke hoped that through his actions, the anxious heart of his younger brother Komoto Haruichi, which had been stirred by his words, would gradually calm down.

However, Komoto Haruichi didn’t seem to fully understand his brother’s intention. He suddenly looked up, looking at Komoto Ryosuke with firm eyes, and said.

“I want to go to Koshien with you, brother.”

Komoto Ryosuke couldn’t help but be a little surprised. He stared at his younger brother standing in front of him, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“This is the first and last time we brothers have the opportunity to go to Koshien together.”

In Komoto Haruichi’s voice, there was a kind of unwavering determination.

Komoto Ryosuke was silent for a moment, then snorted and muttered in a low voice.

“Hmph! Together? You’re the one who should be worried! You little idiot!”

After saying that, he slowly withdrew his hand from his younger brother’s head, turned, and walked past Komoto Haruichi, continuing to move forward.

Leaving Komoto Haruichi standing there alone, thoughtfully watching his departing figure.

“Worried? Me?”

Komoto Haruichi quickened his pace, chasing after the figure in front of him, successfully walking side by side with his brother.

“Brother!”

Komoto Haruichi said, panting.

Komoto Ryosuke glanced at him and said faintly.

“There are only eighteen spots to represent the team in Koshien. Your number is twenty. If you can’t perform better, how are we going to Koshien together when you get eliminated?”

Although Komoto Haruichi also understood in his heart that with his current status in the team’s first-string twenty-man roster, it wouldn’t be easy to stand out.

But he always believed that his strength was no worse than anyone else’s, and his batting technique could definitely compete with anyone.

“I will definitely make the final roster and represent Seido High School in Koshien!”

Komoto Haruichi said with firm eyes.

Komoto Ryosuke didn’t say anything more. The two continued to walk side by side, enjoying the rare tranquility of this night.

The next morning, the sun hadn’t yet risen, and the sky had just begun to show the first light.

On the Seido High School’s baseball field, there were already some figures faintly visible in the hazy light.

These figures belonged to the first-string players of Seido High School.

They seemed to be accustomed to getting up early, and they arrived at the field one after another before five o’clock.

Although Manager Oota had arranged training mainly for recovery for the summer tournament, these players still came to the field early and began to do simple warm-up exercises.

After the morning practice, the first-string members went to the baseball team’s exclusive cafeteria to prepare to enjoy breakfast.

The cafeteria was filled with the aroma of food, and everyone chatted while enjoying the delicious food.

However, in a corner of the cafeteria, Tanba Kouichirou sat alone, silently eating the food in front of him, chewing it mouthful by mouthful, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.

Anyone could see that Tanba’s mind was not on this meal at the moment, and the expression on his face was a bit solemn.

Recalling the previous match against Yakushi High School, Tanba’s performance on the pitcher’s mound was not stable.

Yesterday, when he learned that he would be the starting pitcher for the match against Senshin High School, his heart was full of joy and anticipation.

However, after a night of reflection, Tanba’s mood had changed.

Now, his heart was full of apprehension and unease.

He began to worry about whether he could perform at his best in the game, and whether he could lead the team to victory.

These worries lingered in his mind, making it impossible for him to relax as usual.

What if I don’t pitch well?

What if my pitches are hit?

What if Seido loses the game because of me?

Will I have to retire with the others?

“Tanba!”

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the seat next to Tanba, and Tanba’s body trembled violently, as if startled by the sudden sound.

Tanba subconsciously turned his head, his eyes quickly scanning the seat next to him.

At this moment, he was surprised to find that Chris had already sat down next to him at some point.

The moment Tanba’s eyes met Chris’s, the chaotic thoughts in his heart were smoothed out by a mysterious force.

It felt like a small boat drifting in a storm had suddenly found a quiet harbor, making him feel extremely at ease.

In Director Kataoka’s arrangement, Tanba and Chris would become a battery pair in the match against Senshin High School.

For Tanba, Chris was not just a teammate, but also his former pillar of support on the field.

In fact, for the third-year students of Seido High School, Chris was their core and their pillar.

In this so-called “lean year,” their overall strength was not as strong as in the past, but Chris was the only one among them who could match the status of a regular first-string player of the prestigious Seido High School.

If he hadn’t been injured later and had to leave the team alone to receive treatment elsewhere, Chris would undoubtedly have become the well-deserved captain of this team.

His strength, leadership, and performance on the field made him the leader among that year’s players.

Seeing that Tanba had finally come back to his senses, Chris nodded with satisfaction, and then continued.

“The match against Yakushi High School is over, and there’s no point in regretting it. The most important thing is your performance on the pitcher’s mound next.”

“I know!”

Listening to Chris’s words, Tanba nodded solemnly.