"You've got good taste," Miyuki said with a smirk.
Kanzaki Ryou only chuckled before turning toward Coach Kataoka.
"148 kilometers."
"Tch, only up by one kilometer," Kanzaki muttered, clicking his tongue.
The others couldn't even be bothered to respond to his self-deprecating comment.
"Kanzaki, throw a Changeup next," Kataoka ordered.
"Changeup? You can throw a Changeup?" Miyuki's eyes widened. Rei had told him about Kanzaki's incredible fastball, but he assumed that was all there was to it. After all, no matter how talented he was, Kanzaki had only just graduated middle school—most would be lucky to command a good fastball at that stage.
"Heh, Coach, you already know, don't you?" Kanzaki said with a grin. Even if it was supposed to be a secret, there was no way Chris hadn't mentioned it to the coach.
Behind Kataoka, Takashima Rei's eyes sparkled with anticipation. She already knew what was coming and could barely contain her excitement.
"Come on then, throw it already!" Miyuki squatted down, glove open, practically buzzing with impatience.
"Watch carefully," Kanzaki said, smirking. "And try not to scream in fear."
Hiding his hand inside the glove, he adjusted his grip to the Changeup. Then, as he took his stance, Kataoka gave a small approving nod.
Good form.
The delivery was identical to his fastball. Anyone watching wouldn't be able to tell the difference until the very last moment.
Miyuki stared intently, eyes sharp, every muscle tensed—
And then it happened.
The ball left Kanzaki's fingers.
But instead of the blazing speed Miyuki expected, it floated.
Slow. Way slower than anything he imagined.
What the—?
The pitch dropped sharply just before home plate, landing cleanly in Miyuki's glove.
Kataoka frowned at the radar gun.
"126 kilometers…" he said in disbelief. "That can't be right."
Miyuki blinked, stunned. Kanzaki, meanwhile, tilted his head back and laughed proudly.
"How was that? Surprised?"
"How did you even do that?!" Miyuki demanded.
The speed gap was massive—151 for his fastball, 126 for the Changeup. If he mixed those two up, any batter would be helpless.
"Maybe it's just… talent?" Kanzaki said with a teasing grin.
The smugness was unbearable, but the skill behind it was undeniable.
After a long moment, Kataoka glanced around, confirming no one else was nearby. Then his tone turned deadly serious.
"Kanzaki, this Changeup—don't show it in any official game. Not until we face a real powerhouse."
Kanzaki and Miyuki exchanged a look and nodded immediately. They knew exactly who he meant—Inashiro Industrial and Ichidai Third High.
Until those matchups, Seidou's existing strength would be more than enough. This pitch… could become the key to reaching Koshien.
Takashima Rei, watching from behind, felt her heart race. Kataoka's words made it clear—he already saw Kanzaki Ryou as the cornerstone of this year's team.
The Ace.
The short pitching session ended with both Kanzaki and Miyuki itching for more. But one stern glare from Kataoka was enough to shut that idea down.
Not long after, the two were running laps around the field as punishment.
"This is your fault!" Kanzaki snapped.
"Eh? You were the one who wanted to pitch too!"
"I wanted to pitch, but it's still your fault!"
In the end, Miyuki surrendered and promised to buy him ice cream later that night.
5 PM — Orientation Ceremony
What annoyed Kanzaki most was that the freshman representative turned out to be… Miyuki Kazuya.
Why him?!
While stewing in silent frustration, Kanzaki spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd—
Kuramochi Yoichi, restless as ever; Kawakami Norihiro, shy and quiet; Maezono Kenta, built like a gorilla… and several others.
Still, they didn't know each other yet, so Kanzaki stayed in his seat.
After the ceremony ended, he returned to his dorm. Opening the door, he was greeted by two familiar figures unpacking their luggage.
"Azuma-senpai. Chris-senpai."
Chris smiled warmly. "Long time no see, Kanzaki."
Azuma grinned, voice booming. "Kid, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you!"
"Azuma-senpai, you're making me blush," Kanzaki said with a laugh.
"I'm looking forward to your performance this year!" Azuma said with confidence.
The Next Morning — 6 AM, Field A
All the freshmen were already assembled for the first official practice.
Except for one.
"Is that idiot still asleep?" Kanzaki muttered, scanning the field. Miyuki was nowhere to be found. Late on the first day? Did that guy have a death wish?
Before Kanzaki could dwell on it, the sound of footsteps echoed. Coach Kataoka arrived, sunglasses on, flanked by Seidou's upperclassmen.
The atmosphere shifted immediately—tense, heavy, sharp.
The second and third years glared daggers at Kanzaki.
To them, he wasn't just a new teammate. He was the pitcher who had challenged Seidou months ago—
The enemy who dared provoke them.
Nearly a hundred players stood assembled. The difference between veterans and rookies was obvious—
The seniors stood like wolves; the freshmen, like startled chicks.
"Are these all the new recruits this year?" Kataoka asked, arms crossed, voice like thunder.
Takashima Rei stepped forward to respond, but paused as she noticed someone missing.
Her expression darkened.
"One's missing," she said grimly.
"Who?"
"Gomen, gomen~!"
Miyuki came jogging in, grinning, bowing a perfect 90 degrees before the coach.
"Sumimasen!"
"Late on the first day?" Kataoka's tone was sharp, though not furious. He wasn't truly angry—but the lesson had to be made.
"Run laps until morning practice ends."
"Yes, sir!"
Miyuki turned toward the freshmen, grinning as he spotted Kanzaki.
"Hey, partner!"
"Latecomers to the back!" someone barked.
"Well, don't say that," Miyuki teased. "You'll hurt my feelings."
"Don't get so close to me!" Kanzaki hissed.
"The two whispering!" Kataoka's voice boomed. "Run extra laps later!"
Kanzaki's face darkened immediately.
I swear, Miyuki, I'm going to strangle you one day…
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