Music began to ring out in the stadium from the marching band at the same time as the line began to inch forward slowly. The teens began fidget in anticipation of stepping onto the field.
"Sendai"
As the team continued to inch forward, Ken listened for the school names ahead of them. Since they had entered the tunnels from behind, he could only see the teams that were close by.
"Shinjuku"
His grip intensified on the flagpole after hearing the most recent school name. It was their first opponents that they'd have to face, and Ken's first big test since he'd regressed.
Would he be able to overturn fate? He wasn't sure, but he was certainly going to give it his all.
"Osaka Toin"
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd at the announcement of the next team, startling a few players. Since they were currently in Osaka, this team could be classed as having home field advantage.
Of course this wasn't actually their home field since it belonged to the Hanshin Tigers.
Upon hearing his brothers team, Ken couldn't help but smile knowing Daichi was not far from him right now.
In his past life they had attended Nationals together, yet this time they were on different teams. It was a little surreal, but he wouldn't change anything even if he had the opportunity to do so.
'I wanna play a game…'
After around 15 minutes, Yokohama could finally see the light shining in from the field into the tunnels. They were the second last team that would take the field.
"Yokohama High"
As the announcer called their name, the lady in the blue dress walked forward first, prompting the rest to follow. Ken adjusted his hat quickly before stepping onto the field.
Koshien stadium revealed itself to him in that moment, alongside the blinding summer sun which sent waves of heat to all beneath it.
Whatever thoughts were in Ken's mind before had now suddenly vanished. He looked around at the scenery in wonder, feeling a great sense of awe wash over him.
Despite seeing the stadium hundreds of times in his Image Training, there was nothing that could compare to the current scene that was unfolding before his eyes.
It was only now that his achievement seemed to have sunk in.
'I… I made it back.'
"Ah, There he is!"
Yuki and Naomi were sitting inside of the bakery, their attention tuned into the medium sized television which had been moved downstairs. The two were pointing at the screen with excitement as they watched Ken and his team enter the field.
"He looks so handsome Yuki-chan. How about I introduce him to my granddaughter."
At these words, Naomi glared at the elder woman who was a frequent customer of her bakery and looked as if she wanted to incite violence.
"Oi, he's already got a girlfriend. My Daughter."
Yet the grandma didn't seem to want to back down, ignoring Naomi completely.
"Yuki-chan, should we set up the meeting?"
Yuki couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She liked the fact that her son was suddenly so popular, however she shook her head.
"I have another son that's just as handsome, he was on the TV before as well. If she's cute I'll introduce them." She sent a wink to the grandma.
"Oh she's cute. Here have a look."
With that, the grandma pulled out her purse and handed a small photo to Yuki. Her face then turned smug as she turned her attention to Naomi.
Yuki grabbed the photo and almost dropped it from shock.
"O-Oh yeah she's cute grandma. But my other son is currently living in the dorm's in Osaka for High School. I'll let you know when he is back in town okay?" She gave a stiff smile and handed the photo back to the grandma politely.
"I'll look forward to it." She said with a smile.
Without another word she placed some money onto the counter and left with a bag of bread, not even acknowledging Naomi.
After the older woman finally left, Yuki couldn't help but let out a pained smile. Seeing her expression, Naomi spoke up with an amused tone.
"She couldn't have been that bad right?"
Yuki paled, "I don't think my poor Daichi would ever forgive me if I set up a date with her granddaughter."
"Hahahaha."
While the two were having a great time watching the opening ceremony, Ken and his team finally came to a stop after performing a lap around the field. They ended in a single file next to all the other teams in the center of the field.
Once the final team came into line, the music came to a stop and the next proceedings took place.
"Please stand for the National Anthem."
In the next moment the whole of the stadium rose to their feet before the band began. Hearing the fully packed stadium sing at once was a rare and wonderful thing, sending chills down one's spine.
Once the anthem finished and the crowd sat back down, the announcer introduced the next speaker.
There was a podium on the opposite end of the field where the chairman of the High School Baseball Federation stepped up to begin his speech.
Since Ken was at the front of the pack, his tall figure blocked out the view for all of his teammates, something that they hadn't thought of until this very moment.
However, the sound of the chairman's voice echoed around the arena as he began his speech. While the speech lasted for around 10 minutes, there wasn't too much content in it.
Ken was slightly amazed how much a single person could talk without saying anything too substantial. Though it was obvious by these thoughts that he'd never listened to a politician speak in person.
"Thank you all for attending this years Nationals."
Once the 10 minute speech was over, the music from the band began to play once more, filling the stadium with pleasing and celebratory music. Then in an orderly fashion, the blue dressed ladies marched the teams off in groups of 4 off the field.
Ken and his team were the last one's to leave the stadium, returning to the tunnels and finally reuniting with their coach.
"You guys did well out there, I'm very proud." He said with a grin.
"The first game starts in 30 minutes. Since we're not playing today we can either go and check in at the hotel or we can stay and watch the games."
It was a pretty unanimous decision all around.
"Let's scope out the competition."