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The roar of the crowd. The intense goosebumps. The fine play. This is what keeps you going. And you wouldn’t stop there. You continue to be great. You always do your best. The cheer of the crowd is what pushes you to do this. This is the point of your life where you are enjoying the most of it. You, standing on the field of your dream.
From the point where you first held your catcher’s mitt, in which you were smiling so brightly by the way, to you standing on your dream field, you have always stood out as a player. You showed people who you really are, whether on the field or how you are to your teammates on the dugout. People around you have constantly showed their annoyance towards your personality, but they can’t deny the fact that you are a valuable player on the team. Cheers on the bleachers have always been roaring whenever you are on the field. The fine play, the long batting, everything about you simply makes everyone admire you.
You discovered your love for baseball when you first held a baseball, and the love for the catcher position because of the difference of its glove from the others. Your father gave you a glove on one of your birthdays and you literally smiled brightly and widely, as if your mouth’s going to rip off. Completely indulged in the amazingness of its difference, you ignored your father calling out for you to eat your cake. The way you took care of it was incomparable. It is as if it was a pet, your beloved pet. You cleaned it everyday, gently wiping the dirt off so that it won’t worn out. But it wasn’t just because it is a catcher’s mitt, but also because it is a gift from your father that made you fall in love with the sport even more. And you couldn’t thank him enough for that.
Whenever you stand on the field, someone watching you would always get the feeling that the player that is enjoying the most is you. And amazingly, you inspire that someone. They who watches you having fun would like to get that feeling as well. You have a big grin plastered on your face whenever you face strong opponents. Some players would be shaking in fear when they are in a situation like that. But not you. You always take the challenge and the satisfaction of defeating them after that is beyond compare for you.
Entering high school was the most challenging as you have competitors on the catcher position. But you managed to be a starter. Who couldn’t be proud of you? You have always been so amazing. You showed people that you are a deserving starter. And once again, the crowd roars for you, giving you intense goosebumps because they are now louder than what you have been hearing when you were in middle school.
You have always drawn the best out of your pitchers. This is what makes them want you to catch for them. They have always been waiting for the session wherein you’ll get to teach them everything, what they need to improve, where they should focus on, despite your straightforwardness. You never cared for the feelings of other people, as long as you tell them your thoughts. Or at least what it appears to them.
You have always put in mind the wellbeing of each and every one on the team. You have always been on the lookout. Never in a million times has it ever slipped your mind to make menus for every player, to guide them on making a great play in each game, to motivate them to do their best for them to get into the roster, to tell those who didn’t make it that they are still part of the team, as if it was not for them, you wouldn’t get this far.
You have always thought of yourself as someone who is not reliable at all. You have always doubted yourself, even more when you became the captain of the team. You started to think why would Tetsu-san suggest you as a captain? You were blunt as hell and your teammates hated you for that. You appear as someone who likes perfect plays to the team. So why?
Apparently, everyone is seeing the reason but you. For Tetsu-san, you are the person who could bring the team to somewhere farther than what they reached. The team can go to Koshien with your leading. And you did. You made it.
The team were able to experience the pressure, good pressure, of the Koshien because of you. They were able to draw the best in them as a player because of you. You who leads the team and your teammates who never failed to amaze you. They have always lived up to your expectations, exceeded at that. If there is anyone who they need to be thankful for, it is you. As you managed to hit a 2-run home run, which was the winning run for your team.
And that was your last game for high school.
People who have been with you for the part three years were the people you really treasure the most. They accepted your banters. They know how to properly communicate with you so that you wouldn’t get into their nerves. Not Kuramochi, though. Whatever precautions he does, you always get into his nerve.
And now is the time to say goodbye. To the experience of high school baseball.
-------------------------------------------
The roar of the crowd welcomed you as you step out of the dugout. You walked to the home plate and the people screamed louder. You squatted and the audience cheered at the top of their lungs. Well, how can they not? When the best catcher of Japan is crouching on the home plate, about to give his best in this game.
Your first game as a player, starter, of Japan National Baseball Team.
The moment you stepped out of Seidou, a lot of scouts have flocked unto your feet. There were three people that came from the MLB to scout you. But you rejected all of them as your mind is fixated on being a player for Japan. You wanted to be a starter for your home country. And you did, as always.
Hearing the baseball hit your mitt sent shiver down your spine. It is like a music to your ears. It is common to your hearing but the sound of it was more than amazing. As you are standing marvelously on one of the great stadium for national baseball. Your dream field.
Tokyo Dome.
The roar of the crowd. The intense goosebumps. The fine play. This is what keeps you going. And you wouldn’t stop there. You continuously make the crowd be in awe whenever you are playing. You always make the world stare at you.
You, who shines brightly.
You, who enjoyed the sport more than anyone.
You, who made the catcher position very much interesting.
You, who made the baseball his life.
You, who made the field your comfort home.
And you, who continuously inspire young baseball players to put their heart on the sport.