Chapter 19: CH 19

Chapter 19: Persuasion

The opening ceremony was now over, and the students were walking to the main gate. Yoichiro and I had an errand, so we headed for the club room.

“Hey! Yoshizumi, Tanabe, we’ve been waiting for you! Please take a seat for now.”

In the club room, the retired vice-captain was waiting for us. Yoichiro sat down, talked about the condition of my leg, and were told that the former captain would be attending today’s meeting.

“Well… we third years will retire during the summer. I called you guys here today because I want one of you to be the new captain.”

Yoichiro and I, who were freshmen, were surprised. It was an unusual thing to request, so I asked him for the reason.

“We’re only in our first year, you know. Why not ask some of the second-years?” (Hiroto)

“It was the unanimous decision of all the first and second-year students, even including us third years. Yoshizumi and Tanabe have the best brains and potential in baseball. They can lead the team during games. And yet, you still take the initiative to prepare and clean up, and practice more than anyone else… all of us have been watching you guys. You are the right people for the job. And with the next summer being our last summer in the club, everyone really wants to go to Koshien. I know this is selfish of me to ask but, can you help us?”

“I’m going to be unable to participate in practice due to my rehabilitation. So I’d like to leave it to Yoichiro.” (Hiroto)

“Hey! Hiroto!

Yoichiro was saying something, but I continued talking.

¨Yoichiro was also the captain of the senior team that won the national championship. He’s the right person for the job. Of course, I’ll support him if he needs anything.”

“I see… can you do it, Tanabe?” (Vice-captain)

“Yes, I’ll do it. Hiroto, I want you to concentrate on your rehabilitation and practice, but I’ll need your support like before.”

“Let’s do it, Yoichiro.”

Yoichiro eventually gave in and had a resigned look on his face. Maybe I shouldn’t have forced it on him…

Yoichiro said, “Even when I was in middle school, you would always solve our problems, so I’m not worried about it.”

“I’m going to the hospital, so if you’ll excuse me. Yoichiro, give me the details when you finish taking over.” (Hiroto)

I left the school and headed in the direction of Saijo Station.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in front of a station like this. Saijo Station is the most prosperous station in Saijo City, and there is a large shopping mall in front of the station where many Saijo residents gather. I also frequent this place when I go shopping.

On the way to the station, I saw some students from Saijo High School who hadn’t left yet, and friends and couples enjoying themselves at convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

The Toko University Hospital is on the east side of Saijo Station and Saijo High School is on the west side, so I walked through the station to get to the hospital. As I approached the station, I saw students from other schools enjoying themselves.

As I was walking along the station, I saw a strange pair of people. I thought, “There are some interesting combinations,” but I felt that something was off…

The two had their backs to me, but the blonde guy seemed to be hitting on a girl from another school, and the girl looked troubled.  I thought, “Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t just walk away,” and I went to help.

“Sorry for being late, did you wait long? You’re going to take me to the hospital, right? We don’t have much time, so let’s go.” (Hiroto)

“Who are you-” (???)

“We promised to meet… what’s going on?” (Hiroto)

I called out to the man and asked him to leave. I was relieved when the man walked away without putting up a fight since I was wearing a cast and couldn’t really chase anyone.

“It’s okay now. I’m so sorry.” (Hiroto)

The girl turned and looked at me. I was surprised when I saw that it was actually Aizawa-san, who had a troubled expression on her face.

“Huh? It was you, Aizawa-san?”

“Oh! Yoshizumi-san… thank you.”

“I just didn’t want to ignore someone who was acting suspicious.”

“Thank you so much for your… help.”

“It’s fine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” (Hiroto)

I was about to leave for the hospital when I remembered about the cake.

“Oh! By the way, thank you for the cake. It was delicious.”

“I’m glad it was to your taste.”

I was relieved to see that Aizawa-san’s troubled face was gone and she was smiling. I was relieved to see her smile.

“Yoshizumi-san, the station is that way, okay?”

She seemed to be wondering why I was leaving the station and called out to me.

“I’m not going home, I’m going to the hospital.” (Hiroto)

¨I’m going to the hospital as well, I have to pick up some things from my Grandma.¨

“Oh, by the way, she’s about to be discharged.”

Aizawa-san talked as she accompanied me on my trip to the hospital.

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TLN: Had to switch to my laptop halfway and my document messed up and I had to restart…