As a member of the team, Mitsuki frequently comes to practices and spends time with the team in various ways. He loves playing mini games and getting to improve his baseball skills. After arriving at the training facility and greeting his teammates, he often joins a group of players who take him through a personal training session. They begin with a stretching warm-up, play catch, practice their batting, and then finish with a small baseball game. Mitsuki loves this time with his teammates, and they love seeing his joy for the game. One of Mitsuki’s closest friends on the team is third-year Taiju Kawase, who also helped Mitsuki prepare for his first pitch of the match against Waseda on May 30. Along with some other teammates, Taiju and Mitsuki arrived early to the stadium that day, toured the facility, worked on Mitsuki’s first pitch together, and then took some awesome photos. In the moments before Mitsuki arrives at the training facility, Taiju bounces with excitement, eager to see one of his favorite teammates. 

　Taiju says, “Watching [Mitsuki] recognize his own progress and feel proud of himself is the most rewarding part.” When reflecting upon their time together as TEAMMATES, Taiju says, “As we get older, we often become stubborn and want to do things our own way. Watching Mitsuki has reminded me of the importance of staying open-minded and being willing to learn from others.” The close, long-term relationships in the TEAMMATES program between college or professional athletes and children with chronic illness are truly life-changing, not just for the children, but in a mutually impactful way for everyone involved. Athletes, like Taiju, gain valuable perspective that shapes them as holistic people, beyond their college careers. Teams find purpose beyond their own sport, and this unified motivation brings them together to compete at a higher level. Children, like Mitsuki, find belonging in a community with companionship that empowers them to live their childhood to the fullest. 

　　Taiju is always learning from Mitsuki. Taiju says that “Mitsuki’s passion has reminded me that the true value of sports is not just about performance, but also about having fun and enjoying the experience.” Taiju admires how carefully Mitsuki listens and tries to apply what he learns, and Taiju has noticed improvement in his own performance by following Mitsuki’s thoughtfulness. Taiju “loves seeing the smile on Mitsuki’s face,” no matter if it’s at a regular practice or on the big stage at Meiju Jingu Stadium.