Inside the car, Mami pulled out a card from her bag and handed it to Kanzaki Ryou.
"This is?" Ryou asked, tilting his head.
"Dad prepared it for you earlier — two million yen," Mami explained. "It includes your school fees, first-year tuition, and living expenses."
"If you'd chosen to self-study, this money would've gone there instead."
Ryou took the card, feeling its weight in his hand. Just as he was about to say something, Mami cut him off.
"Don't even think about refusing. Consider it your allowance for the next three years — use it wisely."
"Got it," Ryou said with a faint smile.
Two hours later, after dragging their luggage out of the station, Mami turned to him with a teasing grin.
"Need me to take you to school?"
Ryou shook his head. "No need. The person picking me up is already here."
"Oh?" Mami followed his gaze — and saw a bespectacled woman waving at them from ahead.
"Tsk, tsk. Special recruit treatment, huh? You even get a personal escort?" she teased.
Ryou chuckled. "That's Vice-President Takashima of Seidou's Baseball Club. She's the one who approved my six-million-yen scholarship."
They walked up to Takashima Rei, and Ryou immediately introduced them.
"Long time no see, Vice-President Takashima. This is my older sister, Kanzaki Mamiko."
"Hello, I'm Kanzaki Mamiko. Please take good care of my little brother," Mami said politely, bowing slightly.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Kanzaki," Takashima replied with her usual composed smile. "It's our honor to have Ryou join Seidou."
After a brief exchange, Mami waved goodbye to her brother. She had her own first day of university to attend.
"Vice-President Takashima, let's go," Ryou said.
Takashima nodded, and the two walked to the parking lot. Ryou blinked in surprise when he saw who was behind the wheel — President Ota.
Both the Vice-President and President of Seidou's Baseball Club came to pick him up. Now that's VIP treatment.
"Ryou, I'll take you to the dormitory first," Takashima said, checking the time. "The opening ceremony starts at five. Don't be late."
"No problem. But, Vice-President Takashima," Ryou grinned, "you can just call me Ryou. I'm not used to being treated so formally."
Takashima blinked, momentarily taken aback, then adjusted her glasses.
"Then… I won't be polite, Ryou."
April 1st — the official enrollment day for Seidou High School.
New students filled the campus, exploring the grounds while club booths lined the main road.
Soccer, basketball, swimming, archery… even the brass band was performing cheerfully by the roadside.
Hearing the music, Ryou smiled faintly.
Euphonium, huh… Kumiko must be practicing right about now.
"What's wrong, Ryou?" Takashima asked.
"Nothing," he replied, shaking his head. "I just noticed — I haven't seen anyone from the baseball club recruiting."
Takashima lifted her chin proudly.
"The baseball club doesn't need to recruit."
She wasn't wrong.
Seidou High School's Baseball Club was one of the most prestigious in Japan. Even though they hadn't reached Koshien in recent years, their reputation remained unmatched.
For countless aspiring players across the nation, joining Seidou was a dream come true.
They didn't need to stand by the gates and hand out flyers.
Soon, they arrived at Seidou's Baseball Dormitory — the Seishin Dorms.
The building stood tall and solid, exuding a sense of quiet pride.
At the entrance, a tall figure leaned lazily against the gate. His cap sat slightly crooked, and his trademark grin revealed a mouthful of big teeth.
Ryou froze.
That face… those glasses… that annoying smirk…
Miyuki Kazuya!
That wicked man!
Ryou's guard went up immediately. If anyone in Seidou had a black heart, the consensus would be unanimous — Miyuki Kazuya.
"So slow," Miyuki called out with a grin. "What took you so long?"
"Miyuki, don't tell me you've been waiting here this whole time?" Takashima asked.
"Well, I heard you were picking up this 'monster pitcher.' How could I not come take a look?" Miyuki's eyes gleamed with curiosity and excitement.
Months ago, when Takashima mentioned that an extraordinary pitcher would join their year, Miyuki had asked the question every catcher would:
"How strong is he?"
Takashima's reply was brief — yet heavy.
"Not weaker than Narumiya Mei."
Those words alone had made Miyuki's blood stir. Every top player of their generation knew what that comparison meant.
"Since you're already here, Miyuki, why don't you take Ryou to his dorm?" Takashima suggested. "It's a good chance to get acquainted."
Miyuki smirked. "Ryou, huh? Rei-chan, you've never called me by my name before."
Takashima adjusted her glasses again, her tone perfectly cool.
"Letting you call me Rei-chan is already generous enough."
Miyuki chuckled. "Fair point."
Then he turned to Ryou, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, monster pitcher. I'm Miyuki Kazuya."
Ryou met his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting into a teasing smile.
"Kanzaki Ryou. From today onward, we're teammates."
Their hands met — pitcher and catcher — and Takashima couldn't help but pull out her phone to record the moment.
She had a feeling… this was the beginning of something historic.
For Seidou, this year's recruitment was nothing short of miraculous.
Standing before her were two generational talents —
A genius catcher she had scouted for years, already famous across Tokyo by middle school, and a self-made prodigy pitcher who'd appeared out of nowhere.
Truth be told, Takashima couldn't even take credit for Ryou — he was a 'free gift from fate.'
To call Seidou lucky this year would be an understatement.
And beyond these two, there were even more promising recruits —
A sharp, quick-thinking shortstop, and another pitcher with a nasty sinker whom Ota himself had brought in.
"You two chat," Takashima said, pushing up her glasses. "I still have some work to handle."
"See you tomorrow, Rei-chan~" Ryou said with a playful grin, waving exaggeratedly.
Takashima paused mid-step, pressing her hand to her forehead with a helpless smile.
This kid really picks things up fast.
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