Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 643 - 8: Farewell (2)

"Goodbye, buddy, wish you luck in the United States!"

"Guanglai, I hope everything goes well for you in the United States, just don't come back again..."

As Lin Guanglai's best friend in the Softbank Team, the eight-foot-tall Yanagida Yuuki even had tears in his eyes, "Guanglai, you're getting more amazing now. Remember to check things out for me in the United States, okay? If I go to New York to visit you, don't refuse me when you become a big star!"

Lin Guanglai laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around Yanagida Yuuki's shoulder, "Don't worry, Brother Yuuki— as long as I have a meal in New York, I won't treat you poorly when you visit me. I'll take you to Yankee Stadium to watch me play, hahaha..."

Their conversation amused the teammates around them, alleviating some of the farewell sadness in the locker room.

Wada Yu watched Lin Guanglai with the demeanor of a mentor, offering his valuable advice, "Be careful in the United States, Guanglai. Major League teams are not easy to deal with; every game, every pitch, and every hit requires you to give your all, especially with the Yankees."

As the only one in the current team with experience in the Major League, Wada Yu, who played for the Chicago Cubs for two years, certainly had the qualification to give advice— even though he achieved a sub-1 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball, he had to start from the minor leagues when he went to the Major League, only appearing in 21 MLB games during his four-year stint in the United States.

Upon hearing what his senior said, Yanagida Yuuki shouted from the side, "If things don't work out in the United States, just come back— even if Guanglai ends up with nothing, the Softbank Team will always be his home!"

Standing nearby, Nakagawa Seiichi gave Yanagida Yuuki a sideways glance and pulled him aside, "At a time like this, can you not say something nice? Don't jinx Guanglai."

Lin Guanglai nonchalantly waved his hand and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll definitely make a mark in the United States— if things really don't work out one day, I won't come back."

After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Lin Guanglai stood in the center of the crowd and began to make his final official farewell:

"Alright, guys, I really appreciate the time spent with everyone over the past four years. Whether it's the league victory or the memories of being Japan's Number One, they will remain in my heart forever. I've said everything I needed to, and I don't know what else to say... so I wish you all well in the future. My leaving doesn't matter; don't lose the championship next season— if I meet you again in the preseason warm-up games, I won't hold back!"

Someone timely booed, "Don't worry, Guanglai, neither will we— we'll crush you and show you our strength!"

Lin Guanglai laughed heartily, "Well, goodbye, everyone!"

After speaking, he turned and waved to his teammates who had fought alongside him for four years, then turned and walked towards the player tunnel at Yahoo Dome.

At the same time, all over forty thousand seats in Yahoo Dome were filled, yet the audience was not cheering and celebrating like on game days; instead, the air inside the dome was somewhat silent.

The season had long ended, the championship flag had long been hung high, fluttering above the dome, and the Softbank fans who came today did so specifically to bid farewell to their superstar.

The lights dimmed, leaving only a cold beam focused on the entrance of the player tunnel, illuminating the person walking out slowly.

Today, Lin Guanglai did not wear the formal attire used in ceremonies but donned his number 21 jersey; this attire, so familiar to the audience, instantly made many people's eyes water— over the past four years, Lin Guanglai wore this battle robe, conquering cities and winning championships for the Softbank Team.

Lin Guanglai walked slowly, scanning the stands with his eyes as they held support signs and banners, rapidly flashing scenes from the past four years before his eyes— in the darkness of the dome, the lit-up mobile screens on the stands turned into stars, as if the Milky Way had been brought to the earth.

Upon reaching the center of the field, where a simple standing microphone was set up, the staff wanted to bring a chair for Lin Guanglai, but he lightly raised his hand indicating refusal— for his last appearance at Yahoo Dome, he chose to stand facing his fans, just as he did every time on the pitcher's mound.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Guanglai spoke his first words of the day in his iconic voice:

"Hello everyone, I am... Lin Guanglai, player number 21 of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks."

"Aaaaahhhh———!!!" As soon as he finished speaking, a mountain and sea-like scream, crying, and applause erupted, mixed with countless repeated calls of his name, as if the dome's roof was about to be lifted off— pouring out from it was the love SoftBank fans couldn't express with words.

This roar lasted for several minutes before gradually subsiding, even making Lin Guanglai's eyes a bit red.

Adjusting his emotions, trying to steady his voice, Lin Guanglai finally spoke, "I'm standing here, the ground under my feet is soil I'm very familiar with from the past four years— I still remember the first time I set foot on it, I was a high school graduate who knew nothing, just relying on brute force and dreams."

"It was you, with applause, who accepted that version of me. It was the SoftBank higher-ups, supervisors, coaches, seniors, those present, and not present teammates who taught me how to become a professional player. It was you, fans of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who spent four years accompanying me through this most magical journey of my life."

"In return for your silent trust, I won every award and completed the remarkable feat of three consecutive championships with the team— the foundation of all this is you, your every cheer of 'Go,' your applause even after I let the opponent walk, your cheers after I hit a home run that shook all of Fukuoka, kept me full of strength always!"

In the stands, many were already crying uncontrollably, with numerous young and old glasses wearers vigorously wiping their foggy lenses.

"Many people asked me why I chose to leave now— staying in Japan, we can create bigger miracles, even the Giant's V8 dynasty isn't impossible... because of SoftBank, with everyone's company, I have done everything I can think of, but in my heart, there's a dream that's been burning all along."

"I want to test my limits, want to see how brightly Dual Swordsmanship can shine at the peak of baseball!"

Lin Guanglai's words revealed a candid sincerity, raising the applause even higher once again.

"Yes, I'm going to New York, to the Yankees— I know, there's a harsher media, fiercer competition, a heavy history waiting for me to bear; some say it's a harder path, where you might end up wounded and shattered."

"But precisely because of Fukuoka, with your affection and support, I've gathered enough courage and strength to dare choose that more difficult path— it's you who gave me the 'greedy' right to pursue the next dream!"

"I hope in the future, when I'm at Yankee Stadium on the other side of the Pacific and pitch a good ball or hit a solid shot, people in Fukuoka might occasionally think— 'Ah, that guy was once our ace.' That would be enough!"

"SoftBank Hawks will always be my home; black, white, and yellow have already fused into my bones— no matter where I go in the future, when someone asks where I'm from, I'll proudly say: 'I'm from the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks!'"

"Finally," Lin Guanglai stepped back, deeply bowing towards the stands in all directions at a perfect ninety degrees, not rising for a long time.

When he lifted his head again, he shouted the last sentence with all his might:

"Over the past four years, truly— thank you so much! My dearest SoftBank Hawks fans!! Goodbye!!!"

The dome's lights suddenly lit up completely, and on the outfield stands, the Eagle's Vision began playing the farewell documentary that the SoftBank Team made specifically for Lin Guanglai—

In the night of Fukuoka, a great era has come to an end.