Eijun's words clearly made Miyuki show a disbelieving expression.

After all, they were calling each other by name now—

and it had only been, what, half a year since they first met?

From the West Tokyo summer finals until now,

their acquaintance was still so recent.

Of course, this might also have to do with Eijun's roots.

For people from his country, calling someone by their given name wasn't that big of a deal.

As for Narumiya Mei… well, in this regard—better not to comment.

....

"Speaking of which, the atmosphere feels different today."

Eijun glanced around the cafeteria at everyone present.

His eyes curved into a faint smile as he remarked.

"Well, tomorrow we're facing the third-years. Of course the atmosphere's going to feel special."

Miyuki chuckled softly in agreement.

"True enough. Honestly, I'm even starting to feel excited myself."

Eijun nodded.

That was right—tomorrow, Sunday, at the year's end,

the long-anticipated graduation match would finally be played.

The third-years—captain Tetsu, Isashiki-senpai, Chris-senpai, Ryousuke-senpai—they had all been itching for this for weeks.

Just three days ago, after practice, Coach Kataoka had officially announced it to the team.

....

This year's match would abandon the usual "fun event" style.

Instead, it would be played like a proper official game.

Hearing that, players like Maezono, Shirasu, and Kuramochi were both excited and nervous.

Because these were the third-years—the seniors they had admired, respected, chased after, and dreamed of catching up to.

Now they would stand opposite them on the field.

For the current first and second years, this match carried an undeniable, special meaning.

....

"Not just for fun, but because there are things we want to pass down to our juniors."

That's what Chris-senpai and the others had told Kataoka when requesting the match.

It was the will of the seniors.

A message of spirit and conviction to be handed down to the next generation.

"Tomorrow will definitely be an interesting day."

"Yeah, it will."

Eijun and Miyuki exchanged glances and laughed.

This would be Seidou High's final battle of the year.

A match that filled them with both excitement and anticipation.

....

The next morning, as the first light of dawn touched the school grounds, Seidou's field was already swarming with people.

Fans of Seidou baseball, from across Tokyo, had gathered.

They had heard of this special "Red vs. White" game days earlier, and since it fell on a Sunday, the crowd was enormous.

Everyone wanted to witness the clash between Seidou's new core and its graduating stars.

For them, too, the match carried extraordinary meaning.

Their excitement was palpable—no, their blood was boiling.

Though just an internal scrimmage, this game meant something entirely different.

....

"Third-years versus the underclassmen… this is going to be a real clash of dragons and tigers."

"The seniors are starting with Tanba and—wait, is that Chris?!"

"What, Chris is starting?"

"Yeah, apparently his condition's improved. Should be fine for a few innings."

"And for the current team, it's Furuya starting. Sawamura's been moved to the outfield for now."

"Probably three innings each for the main pitchers, huh?"

"Yeah. At least one turn through the lineup each.

It's the perfect chance to measure their current level against the seniors."

"Haha, call it special tough love from the seniors.

Sawamura, Kawakami, Furuya—they'd better be sharp today."

Even before the first pitch, the atmosphere among the spectators outside the field was already boiling over.

....

On the first-base bench sat the current team.

On the third-base bench sat the retired third-years.

And overseeing the seniors, naturally, was none other than Seidou's former catcher—Chris-senpai.

The pressure radiating from each senior, the cold sharpness in their eyes, all conveyed the same message to the underclassmen:

Today, the seniors were deadly serious.

"Be ready for it, Miyuki! Kuramochi! Sawamura!!!"

Before the game even began, Isashiki-senpai, always the team's morale enforcer, roared his challenge, overwhelming the stadium with his presence.

On the first-base side, Eijun, Miyuki, and Kuramochi all stiffened.

This was a real game.

At least, their seniors were dead serious.

"The senpai look like they mean business,"

Maezono muttered, tightening his grip on the bat.

"Yes, that's why we have to work even harder—to answer our senpai properly!"

Miyuki said as he finished strapping on his catcher's gear.

"Haha, now the tension's through the roof!!!"

Kuramochi laughed loudly.

Standing a little off to the side, Eijun looked at the third-years not far away— each of them with solemn expressions, as if they were about to play a real, official championship game.

He licked his lips unconsciously.

"I can't wait to get on the mound!!!"

....

The starting lineup for the current players was more or less as expected.

Just as the spectators had guessed: Furuya would start, Kawakami would pitch in the middle, and Eijun would be the closer.

The third-years, however, looked stacked—their lineup practically glittered with star power.

1st batter, shortstop: the team's pretty boy, Kusunoki Fumiya-senpai.

2nd batter, second baseman: the devilish big brother, Kominato Ryousuke-senpai.

3rd batter, center fielder: the roaring watchdog, Isashiki Jun-senpai.

4th batter, first baseman: the immovable core, the former captain, Yuki Tetsuya-senpai.

5th batter, third baseman: mysteriously slimmed-down Masuko Tooru-senpai.

6th batter, catcher: the once-prodigy and brain of the team, Chris-senpai.

7th batter, left fielder: Sakai Ichirou-senpai.

8th batter, right fielder: Kadota Masaaki-senpai.

9th batter, pitcher: the team's former ace, Tanba Kouichirou-senpai.

The aura was overwhelming—the sheer pressure radiating from the third-years made it clear how formidable they were.

....

"Line up!!!"

Just standing opposite them, feeling the heat in their eyes, the younger players could sense the oppressive weight of Tetsu and his generation.

"Salute!!!"

"Please take care of us!!!"

The voices of both sides rang out loudly across the field.

This was the battle between seniors and juniors.

A special exchange unlike any other.

The old guard versus the new blood.

A passing of the torch.

The strength of the seniors.

The vitality of the juniors.

This OB match was unlike any graduation game before—a true battle, and a special one.

And on this cold winter's day, the fight was about to begin!!!

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