As an obscure, lower-middle-tier team, it was quite difficult for Asuka High to reach this stage, and their greatest contributor was their pitcher. His pitching level was ordinary, but his batting was very strong.
Although it was partly because they hadn't faced strong opponents in the first three rounds, Asuka High's pitcher had indeed contributed significantly with his bat.
At this moment, Nanjo stood on the mound. With already two outs secured, he looked at the opposing team's third batter—who was also their pitcher.
Good eyes, but… to hit my ball, you're still a bit off! Nanjo Taishi thought.
A high-speed slider flew to the outside corner—fast, accurate, and sharply angled. The batter's swing was one beat late.
"Strike!"
Miyuki caught the ball cleanly. The batter clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.
The pitching rhythm remained quick. Miyuki didn't give the opponent time to think—he tossed the ball back, squatted, signaled, and Nanjo delivered another high-speed slider for the second Strike.
For the last pitch, Miyuki called for a cutter.
Strikeout.
The game reached the fourth inning with the score 11–0. Seidou's batting lineup once again showed its national-level strength, and Asuka High's pitcher had been shelled since the first inning.
Among them, Yuki and Kanzaki Ryou each hit a home run. Azuma Kiyokuni was unlucky—just barely missing his own.
In the top of the fourth, Coach Kataoka replaced Nanjo with the second-year ace substitute, Tanba Koichiro.
As the strongest pitcher among the second-years, Coach kataoka placed high expectations on him.
Standing on the mound, the 11-run cushion made Tanba feel incredibly secure. Even if he pitched terribly, there was no way to lose.
With this mentality, Tanba's pitching ability was fully unleashed. He quickly struck out the first batter—reminding everyone of the "Civil War Phantom God."
Bang!
Against the second batter, Tanba's inside pitch was caught and launched high into the air.
"Left field!" Miyuki shouted.
In left field, Kanzaki Ryou, who had been quiet for several innings, finally had a play.
Watching the soaring baseball, he ran early, tracked it carefully, adjusted his position, and—
Snap!
A clean catch. The opposing batter was out.
"Tanba-san!" Kanzaki Ryou held up the ball and shouted.
Tanba saw this, smiled, and raised his arm in acknowledgment.
The game continued. Although Tanba couldn't suppress the lineup as overwhelmingly as Kanzaki Ryou could when pitching, with strong team defense behind him, Asuka High couldn't score even when players reached base.
After five innings, the game ended early.
Seidou won 14–0, advancing to the Top 16 of the summer preliminaries.
On the bus ride back—
"Kazuya, you must've enjoyed today, right?" Kanzaki Ryou asked, sitting beside Miyuki.
In the 5-inning match, Miyuki caught from start to finish, coordinating seamlessly with both Nanjo and Tanba.
"It was alright," Miyuki replied.
Others wouldn't have noticed, but he himself felt a constant sense of incongruity when working with Tanba. Something felt off.
Seeing Miyuki's gloomy expression, Kanzaki Ryou smiled. This guy… can't he relax even after winning?
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
Miyuki considered for a moment. "…I have a feeling."
"What feeling?"
"Tanba-senpai seems to dislike me."
"Huh?"
"Seriously. Even though Tanba-senpai followed my calls during the game, I could feel resistance every time the ball entered my glove."
Upon hearing this, Kanzaki Ryou's brow twitched. The catcher's sixth sense? Too accurate…
In the original timeline, Tanba indeed disliked Miyuki—especially his sudden promotion to the first string and his way of speaking.
If not for the coach, Tanba would never choose Miyuki as his catcher.
"Maybe. Do you want to try changing the way you talk?" Kanzaki Ryou asked.
Miyuki turned, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Your mouth is too sharp—you offend people easily."
"Really?" Miyuki looked doubtful. He was only speaking the truth!
"You have zero self-awareness…" Kanzaki Ryou sighed.
Back at school:
As soon as they got off the bus, Miyuki walked straight toward Tanba Koichiro.
"Tanba-senpai."
Tanba turned around mid-conversation with his teammates.
Miyuki looked him directly in the eyes. The surrounding players noticed and quickly watched.
"Tanba-senpai, do you dislike me?"
"Oh my god…" Kanzaki Ryou squatted down and covered his face.
Tanba froze solid—then his face turned red.
Why are you blushing?! Kanzaki Ryou was speechless.
Tanba felt shame, irritation, and frustration. Yes—he didn't exactly like Miyuki. Not him, nor Kanzaki Ryou.
Although both were strong, in Tanba's mind, players who skipped the usual selection process to enter the first team couldn't truly resonate with the others.
Even if he didn't say it, he still felt resistant to interacting with them.
Now Miyuki pointed it out directly—making Tanba dislike him even more.
Miyuki continued:
"Senior, personal feelings shouldn't be brought into the game. That's very unprofessional."
Hissss—!!
Everyone watching was stunned.
This kid is too bold! Who talks to a senior like that?
Miyuki was dead serious. Tanba felt his anger rising, about to speak—
—but Miyuki cut him off:
"I think we should communicate more. If Senior is willing, I'll catch for you during tomorrow's self-practice."
Tanba froze.
His words were stuck in his throat… and swallowed back down.
So annoying… He didn't even give me a chance to respond…