I Thought I Was Dead After Getting Stabbed While Protecting a Girl From a Random Attacker, but a Goddess Gave Me a Special Reward and Brought Me Back to Life in My Original Body—Now, All These Girls Are Coming on to Me!?

Chapter 19: Going on an Expedition

The tests ended safely, and today was the first practice after the exams.

The preparations progressed smoothly, and if things continued this way, I couldn’t help but hold faint hopes for the summer tournament, maybe even making the bench.

“Gather up!”

“Yes!!”

With only a little practice time left, the coach called for a gathering.

Our coach was a so-called professional coach, not a teacher.

In his active days, he played for a corporate team, then got a coaching license and became the coach of our baseball team, a true baseball professional.

“Alright, tomorrow starts the final expedition before the tournament, and I’ll announce the members now.”

Yes, starting tomorrow, our baseball team planned to have practice matches with three strong schools from the neighboring prefecture. We would stay overnight and play about four matches, which would likely be the last big practice match opportunity before the tournament. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the results of these matches would decide the summer tournament members.

In other words, if someone didn’t get picked for these practice matches, their chances of being called for the summer tournament would be extremely low.

“Even if you don’t get chosen, switch gears and support the members properly. Now, I’ll announce the names.”

…It was a tense moment.

To begin with, the chances of a first-year like me getting picked were low, but I still wanted to play in the matches if I could.

It was the same in middle school, but no matter how many times I experienced this moment, I never got used to it.

“Nogata, I’m counting on you as captain.”

“Yes!”

“Makabe, support the team.”

“Leave it to me!”

The third-year seniors got selected as expected.

Also, a second-year pitcher senior got called.

One of our team’s weaknesses was the thin pitching lineup, but since a second-year pitcher got picked, I, also a pitcher, probably wouldn’t get called…

Or so I thought.

“Lastly, Minase.”

“…! Yes!”

“As a first-year, you’ll face a lot of new things, but do your best.”

“…Thank you very much!”

What, I got selected…!

Of course, this didn’t mean I was guaranteed a spot in the summer tournament.

Still, being among the candidates was certain…

Come to think of it, this must be what Makabe-senpai meant before…

Then, couldn’t you have said it a bit more clearly, senpai…!

“The selected members, come to me later for the public absence forms, fill them out today, and submit them to me before leaving.”

“Understood!”

“Alright, that’s it for today. Prepare for tomorrow and keep self-training moderate. Dismissed.”

“Thank you very much!”

“Wow! Expedition member!? That’s amazing!”

“Does this mean you’ll play in the prefectural tournament?”

“No, it’s not confirmed yet. It’s more like, if I can get results in this expedition.”

Because I started late, I haven’t played in real games with the current team yet, so it’ll feel like jumping right in, and from here on, it’s the real challenge.

“Still, that’s amazing! Our baseball team is pretty strong, right?”

“Just being a candidate for a regular as a first-year is enough.”

“Haha, thanks, both of you.”

After school, on the way home with the two as usual, I reported to them that I got selected for the expedition team.

“But, that means we won’t see each other for three days starting tomorrow…”

“With the power of the newspaper club, maybe we can tag along…”

“I think that’s impossible for practice matches…”

Sure, getting picked for the expedition team made me happy, but not seeing the two of them felt a bit, no, quite lonely.

“…Then, I need to stock up on Ryu-kun energy now!”

“No fair, I’m clinging too.”

Saying that, both of them latched onto my arms.

I felt embarrassed, but I also strongly wanted to ease the loneliness of not seeing them, even just a little, right now. The gazes of people passing by bothered me, but I decided to accept it.

However, fun times passed quickly, and before I knew it, we arrived at my house.

“…Should I walk you to the station?”

“No way. You need to rest properly for tomorrow, right!”

“No, just going to the station and back…”

“I appreciate the thought, but if you don’t perform well tomorrow because of this, I’ll regret it.”

Both of them stood firm, not budging.

When they got like this, nothing could move them…

Alright.

“Got it. I’ll part ways here obediently today.”

“That’s right! Take care… huh?”

“Ryu, Ryu…?”

I pulled out my trump card, hugging both of them close.

Then, I leaned in and kissed Makoto first.

“Fwah… nn…!”

I let our lips touch a bit longer than last time.

Makoto wore a blissful expression, responding to my actions.

When I pulled away, she looked reluctant but understood what I wanted to do and slowly moved her face back.

Next was Kanade.

I placed my hand on her cheek and slowly pressed my lips to hers.

“…!”

She stiffened for a moment but soon relaxed, entrusting her body to me.

I felt her trust in me, and my chest grew warm.

After kissing her like I did Makoto, I slowly pulled away.

Kanade looked down, her face bright red. Cute.

“Not seeing each other feels lonely for me too, you know.”

“…I love you.”

“No openings… no gaps…”

…Any more, and my rationality might explode, so I stopped.

The two, with bright red faces, recovered after a while and headed to the station with wobbly steps, occasionally stumbling over nothing.

…I might have overdone it. Wait, will they be okay without me following them in another sense…?

Well, they’ll be fine together. I should finish packing and rest soon.

“Alright, once you’ve packed, warm up on the field; the match starts soon!”

“““Yes, sir!”””

Today began my first high school inter-team matches.

We just arrived, but two matches were scheduled for today.

I was set to be on the bench for both matches.

The managers carried bats, balls, drinks, and other items, but it looked tough for just five people to handle the luggage of over 20.

As the only first-year in the expedition team, I was obviously the lowest rank, so I should take the lead in helping.

“I’ll help!”

“Oh, Minase-kun. It’s fine, you’re on the bench for the next match, right?”

“We’re headed to the same place, and it’s good warm-up.”

“Really? Then I’ll leave it to you.”

The one I spoke to was Madoka Kuroki, a third-year manager.

She was a mature woman with long black hair, glasses, and a mole under her eye.

I shouldered a bag full of drinks and headed to the field where the match would take place. This was insanely heavy. I couldn’t thank the managers enough for carrying stuff like this for every match.

“Oh, Ryu. You’re helping out?”

“Captain, good work.”

“You’ve got a good junior, Koki.”

“Right? But I won’t let Madoka have him!”

“Well, that depends on Minase-kun, doesn’t it?”

Saying that, Kuroki-senpai shot me a suggestive glance.

It suited her mature appearance perfectly.

“Minase, if you’re in trouble, rely on Madoka.”

As everyone probably guessed, Captain Nogata and Kuroki-senpai were dating.

I heard that at last year’s prefectural tournament, the captain asked her out if he hit a home run, and when she nodded, he hit two, starting their relationship. Like a manga.

“Minase-kun, we can handle the rest, so prepare for the match.”

“Got it. Please take care of it.”

“Thanks to you.”

I didn’t know if I’d get to play, but I should warm up properly in case my turn came.

Getting picked for the team and then getting injured right away would be pathetic.

For this practice match, three other schools joined us. All were regular top performers in the prefectural tournament, so if we aimed for Koshien, we might face them again. Thinking that, I got fired up for the matches.

In the first match, our starter was Captain Nogata.

His winning slider, honed since last year, was razor-sharp. Despite facing a strong school, he pitched eight innings with 13 strikeouts.

Our batting lineup, led by Makabe-senpai’s three hits, saw every starter get a hit, scoring eight runs.

The result was an 8-0 victory.

The second match turned into a pitchers’ duel.

A second-year senior, also new to the bench like me, used his tricky left-handed sidearm crossfire to shut down the opposing lineup.

Meanwhile, the opposing starter threw mid-130s fastballs, hitting the corners.

We got hits but couldn’t score in key moments, staying scoreless into the late innings.

“Minase! Get ready!”

“…! Yes!”

In the tight game, the coach called me.

…Finally, my first high school game… I’m pumped…!

Aiming for nationals, this was the last chance to face national-level teams from other prefectures. Our team missed nationals by a hair last year, so the players’ determination was intense.

Phoenix High School, our current opponent, hadn’t been to nationals but consistently reached the prefectural top four in recent years, making them a strong team.

In the previous match, last year’s ace, Nogata-kun, dominated, and the batting lineup, led by main gun Makabe-kun, was solid.

However, as last year’s scouting noted, their pitching strength remained a concern.

The second-year pitcher throwing now had good stuff but had thrown over 80 pitches in five innings, sweating buckets on the bench.

Nogata-kun likely wouldn’t pitch again, so would the second-year continue…?

“Coach! The opponent’s changing pitchers!”

A change was expected, but who was pitching?

Would Nogata-kun come back?

Looking at the mound, I saw an unfamiliar player. A first-year?

He was pretty tall. From his warm-up pitches, his speed looked decent.

Hmm. A promising first-year, but putting him against us might crush his confidence, no?

This inning, we had our top lineup, so sorry to him, but let’s hit hard and build momentum! Swing with all you’ve got!

Now, the pitcher wound up, threw…