Chapter 12: CH 12

POV: 4 members from Saijo [TLN: Hiroto’s baseball team from the first few chapters]

“Toko University was really strong…”

Takuma muttered as he changed clothes after practice.

Toko University lost in the top eight at Koshien, and although they didn’t win the championship, the games they won were crushing victories.

“Haha… they’re too strong.”

“It was like they were used to playing in Koshien, after all.”

Yoichiro followed, and the brothers’ Sho and Tsubasa Yamazaki nodded.

‘’We did manage to push Toko to the edge, though.”

The team had been practicing hard for Fall to get rid of the disappointment of losing.

With a training camp and expedition coming up soon, the new team was just waiting for their hospitalized ace to return.

“How’s Hiroto?”

“He seemed to be doing fine the last time I saw him.”

“Are we going to visit him now?”

“Yeah, Toko just came back from Koshien. Should we invite Kazuya?”

“That guy came back from Koshien yesterday and said he had two days off until training camp.”

“Huh? You’re in the stands, right? Take a day off from practice.”

I called my middle school buddy, Kazuya Morishita, who went on to Toko University, and left the club room to meet up with him.

“Ah~! It’s the guys from the baseball team!” (Senior)

They were seniors from other clubs.

“How is Yoshizumi-kun doing?” (Senior)

A lot of the students had watched the game in which they had cornered Toko University in the summer preliminary round. As a result, many were worried about Hiroto and his current condition.

“He’s still in the hospital, but he seems to be doing well. We’re going to visit him now.”

“What? We want to go too.” (Senior)

“Yoshizumi-kun… is in Honors Class, right? He’s tall, athletic, and has a nice face.” (Senior)

As the first-year ace of the baseball team, Hiroto stood out even in the large number of students at Saijo High School, and for some reason, he was very popular with the girls, but he was unaware of that.

“Well, he’ll be out of the hospital by the new semester, right? We still have club activities, so we’ll see you around.” (Seniors)

The seniors waved and left.

“We should go too.”

“Hiroto, why are you always so popular with the girls? I want a girlfriend too!”

Takuma ran towards the main gate, shouting, “I’ll meet you in front of Saijo Station, right?”

“Takuma ran off…”

“I’m meeting Kazuya at Saijo Station. Just leave Takuma alone”

Toko University High School and Saijo High School had the same nearest station. Saijo Station was the most prosperous station in the city, and exiting from the central ticket gate side, Toko High School was on the “east side” and Saijo High School was on the opposite direction, on the “west side”.

As I was waiting at Saijo station, Kazuya came running.

“Hey, Kazuya! Long time no see.”

“Kazuya, you’ve got a great tan. Is it from practice or from cheering on the bench?”

“Shut up! There’s too many of us in the club!” (Kazuya)

“Calm down, calm down. Did you guys enjoy Koshien?”

“In the stands…. but Saito-san was amazing.”

Kazuya went to a different high school, but the five of them talked as before as they headed to the hospital.

“Huh? Morishita-kun?” (Aya)

“Oh, Nishikawa-san.” (Kazuya)

Kazuya was spoken to by a girl who seemed to be from the same school.

“Morishita-kun, doesn’t the baseball team have a day off today?”

“We’re on break until tomorrow. So I’m with my friends from junior high school today.”

“That’s nice. We’re going to do some shopping and then go home.”

The four students from Saijo High School were just watching Kazuya and Aya.

“Oh, I’m sorry. She’s Aya Nishikawa from the track and field club. In other words, she’s too energetic.”

“What’s that? Ah! Hello!” (Aya)

“Aya-chan… we’re running out of time.”

A voice came from the girl behind Nishikawa-san.

“That’s right! Morishita-kun, I’m sorry to leave you and your friends, but we have to finish our shopping.”

“You’re finally back, Nishikawa-san.” (Haruka)

Nishikawa-san waved and walked off, while the other girl just left with a “Bye”.

“Who’s that? That girl!”

“You’re Kazuya’s friend?”

“I envy you, Kazuya!”

Sho’s eyes lit up along with Takuma and Tsubasa, and Yoichiro smiled at the three of them.

“Ah, Nishikawa-san and Aizawa-san from the same class.”

“That other girl! She’s so cute!”

Takuma was excited.

“Aizawa-san is very popular at school.”

“I’m sure she is…”

“I’ve heard that she’s received many confessions at school… and I’ve also heard that she hates men. I’m in her class as well, but I’ve only exchanged greetings with her.”

“All the time. When she talks to girls she laughs and stuff, but when it comes to guys she doesn’t talk much.”

[TLN: I have no clue who’s saying what at this point]

The five of them were on their way to Hiroto’s place, having a silly conversation along the way.