Taniguchi Takao was a talented baseball player in junior high, but a broken finger ended his playing days. In high school he would often linger alone after class, staring sadly at the baseball field. Aiki, the captain of the soccer club, noticed him and invited him to join the team. Although Takao had never played soccer before, his athleticism and work ethic quickly made him a solid player, earning him a regular spot. Aiki also realized that Takao still longed for baseball, so he encouraged him to rejoin the baseball club. At first Takao struggled to adapt to the new surroundings, as the club’s easy‑going attitude was far from what he had been used to. However, being influenced by Takao’s…
