(Edited)
Hello everyone! This is the last part for the Seidou Third Years X Senior! Readers, thank you so much to the person who requested this! I know you probably weren't expecting it to be 3 chapters 😅
Anyways, Christmas is coming up! And I was actually supposed to post something for it but maybe I'll do it next Monday, I still have to reread and edit it anyway
That's all for this a/n stay safe and happy holidays everyone!
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Every first years eyes were wide as they stare at the scoreboard, still unable to process the fact that their strong and reliable seniors actually lost the game
What more is that they couldn't handle watching the sight of everybody they look up to crying and weeping at the thought of another failed attempt to join Koushien
Including you
They all watch as you cry along with the other third years, everybody could tell you were trying to stop them from falling but the tears continued to flow down your face like a waterfall
"Senpai, we'll handle this." Takako offers worriedly but you shake your head before wiping the tears away from your face
"Don't worry, I can still work." You smile at them reassuringly but still, your eyes were still glistening and it was obvious that you can break down at any moment but you tried to remain strong for them
"We should give this to the players, they played a long and hard game." You nod, voice slightly breaking as you carry the food to the players who all had their heads down, silently crying at the bleachers
"Hey cap, here's your lunch." You say before showing him the box full of their food
"Give it to the others first, they might need it." He says
"You need it too." You say softly before handing him his favorite, "You did your best, I hope you know that." You smile at him
"But it still wasn't enough for us to get into Koushien."
"Just because we didn't make it doesn't mean you should forget about all your hard work." You remind him, "And don't bother saying sorry." You add just as he opened his mouth, "There's nothing to be sorry about." You say before moving to the other players
Admittedly, you still feel down and you knew for yourself that the moment you get into your room, you would break down but you still had your responsibility so you first have to fulfill it
"Senpai, I-I'm sorry." Azuma cries but you shake your head
"Don't say sorry, everybody knows you tried your best." You try to lift his spirits up, but you know the loss was still fresh in his mind
You move along with the managers, icing the players' shoulder, giving them food or water
Once you enter the bus you look out the window and stare at the stadium, eyes filling up with tears once more at the thought that it was your last time entering that place as the head manager of the Seidou Baseball team
Before you knew it, you were crying again, the tears you were holding back earlier coming back and flowing down your eyes like a waterfall
"Se—" Isashiki was about to ask if you were alright but immediately stops once he sees you crying, he just decides to look down before walking to the back of the bus, his hands forming into a fist
The others followed, all unable to look up and see every senior they respect cry
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"I guess this is the last time I'll be entering this place as a manager." You say softly as the other managers look at you with tears in their eyes
"Senpai, don't say that!" A second-year manager says as she wipes her eyes
"Hey don't cry," You say as you rush to hug all three of them, "I'm not leaving, I'm just not going to be going here as often." You remind them but they just continue to cry
"Thank you for guiding me, senpai," Takako says gratefully as she wipes her eyes
"Thank you for working with me and supporting the team." You say, using your towel to wipe her tears
"I know that with you three, I can leave the team without any fear." You began, "You're all ready to support the team and I know after the months we all worked together that you have the dedication and ability to handle everything here." You smile at them, "So don't cry alright?"
"Yumi, you'll be the new head manager, I already talked with Rei-san and coach Kataoka and we all agree that you can lead these two and the future managers." You say
"Hara, you'll be with the team on the bench during games." You say and hand her the scorebook, "You have the knowledge to help us strategize."
"And Takako." You turn to her as she stiffens, not expecting anything, "This is for you." You say softly before handing her a notebook, "I keep that to keep track of the players' growth and all our achievements." You say as she accepts it with wide eyes, "It's refillable if that's what you're wondering." You scratch the back of your neck as they all look up to you once more before jumping in to hug you
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You look out the field, you weren't graduating just yet, but somehow the thought of 'graduating' from the team makes you feel down
"Still finding it hard to accept that you won't be coming here as a manager anymore?" The captain asks as he stands beside you
"As if you're not the same." You reply simply, watching as the sun sets down
"I'm in no place to deny anything." He shrugs after a few minutes, "Although I think that even though you won't be the manager anymore, you won't have a relaxing last year here in Seidou."
"Of course, I won't! I have to study for college entrance exams." You say as a matter-of-factly
"Not that." He rolls his eyes, "I meant them." He motions behind you as you follow his gaze to see the first years all staring at you and the captain from a distance
You chuckle before waving at them
A minute passes before they all run toward you at full speed
"And that's my cue to leave." The captain says before running away
"Hey, you-!" You call after him before you were pulled into a bone-crushing hug
"Masuko, can't breath!" You say, hitting his arm lightly as he puts you down
"Senpai, are you really retiring?" Tanba asks
"That's the rule." You sigh
"Can't they make an exemption for you," Isashiki grumbles
"Even if they did, I won't accept that." You reply, "That's not fair to everybody who had to retire even though they don't want to."
"But—"
"Don't look so down!" You try to laugh as you mess their hair up, it was slightly wet from sweat but you didn't mind
"Even though I'm not the manager, that doesn't mean I'm not your senpai." You smile brightly, "If you ever need anything or just want to talk then know that I'm always open." You nod as their faces immediately lighten up
"We can still have late-night snacks?"
"Yep!"
"You'll help us with our studies?"
"Mhm!"
"We can visit you any time we want?"
"No, let's not disturb anybody even before the sun goes up, okay?" You say nervously, remembering that one instance when you had to wake up at 4 in the morning because one of them was knocking on your door
"But aside from that, yes. Nothing would change, you're still my adorable juniors." You coo before pinching Yuki's cheek (Which he seemed to enjoy)
And that's what happened, even when you weren't on the team anymore they would still talk to you (Sometimes going to the third years' floor which got them a scolding from the other retired third years), and even when you graduated they still messaged you frequently, just asking about life and college stuff
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"Are you nervous about the game against Inashiro?" You ask them as they follow you like some lost puppies as you walk around the familiar baseball field
"A bit." Fumiya admits, "That win is going to be our ticket to koushen."
"Well, that's understandable." You laugh softly
"Are you watching the game, senpai?" Chris asks you as you hum and nod
"I've been going to most of your games actually." You admit as they all look at you with wide eyes before shouting
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"We could have gotten you better seats!"
"That's why you always send a congratulation message in the group chat!"
"Because I want you to focus on your games." You shrug just as Isashiki stops in front of you
"Senpai, we'll make sure to win and make you proud in the next game!" He says loudly before bowing
Tetsu follows and soon enough the others do the same thing
You look around and saw almost every other first years and second years staring at you
"Thank you for believing in us when no one else was!" Tetsu says loudly as your eyes widen, tears suddenly fill your eyes
"Here, senpai," Takako says behind you before handing you a towel
You let out a laugh before using the towel to wipe the tears away
"Stand up properly, all of you." You say as they all follow you
"I'm glad that I had you as my juniors as well." You say sincerely, "Watching you grow from those little determined boys to these current strong men is a privilege." You smile at them, "Don't worry, whatever happens in the next game, I will always be proud of you." You say as they beam at you before Takako hugs you and soon enough the others follow
"Your juniors are watching, you know." You whisper before motioning to the other players who were openly ogling at you
"Don't worry senpai, we know how to handle them," Ryousuke reassures you
"Jeez, you guys really did grow." You sigh, "You sound so reliable now." You shake your head, "I feel like I'm a mother watching her children grow up." You tease them
"We're even bigger than you now senpai!" Someone comments as you scowl
"Who said that? Come here and I'll show you what happens when you disrespect your senior!" You yell out jokingly as they all laugh
"Well, they won't probably leave her alone until she has to go home." Rei chuckles, watching you and the current third years with a fond smile
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And we all know how that game with Inashiro ends 🙃