(Eijun's POV)
I'm standing on the outside again.
I really thought I'd finally proven myself—to them, to the team, to Boss… to myself.
But I guess that was just a dream, huh?
When our third year started, the ace number went back to Furuya. Even after I led the team to Koshien as ace last summer. I know I'm not perfect, but I thought—no, I believed—I was good enough to keep it. The number 1. The ace.
And now… I'm here again. Watching from the dugout.
Haven't even pitched once, and it's already the qualifier finals.
I tried, didn't I?
I gave everything I had for this team.
God, I pushed myself so hard I ended up getting the yips.
If I could do it all again… I'd do it differently. I swear I would.
"STRIKE THREE! GAME SET!"
…We lost.
The scoreboard reads 4–6.
Just like that, it's over.
Our last summer—gone. No Koshien.
It's just like Shishō's year… except this time, I didn't even get to stand on the mound.
I miss him. I miss Leader and the others. I got so used to having them around back then.
I let out a sigh, stand up, and follow the team to the bus.
Sliding into my seat, I stare out the window as the world blurs past.
"…I wish I could go back," I whisper. "Start over…"
My eyes grow heavy.
And before I know it—
I'm asleep.