Kumiko! Why are you here?
Hehe, I missed you.
Kumiko lifted her head, her chin resting on her brother's chest.
With her big, adorable eyes glistening, Kanzaki Ryou set his sister down, one arm around her slender waist, the other gently stroking his long-missed sister's soft head.
"Are you here to watch tomorrow's final?" Kanzaki Ryou asked.
"Uh-huh, my sister's treating us, you know," Kumiko said.
"Hmph, so you still remember me, your sister."
Mami, standing nearby, feigned unhappiness.
Kanzaki Ryou then released his sister, letting Kumiko tightly hug his arm. "Sis, you brought Kumiko here, but you didn't even tell me beforehand."
"This girl said she wanted to give you a surprise. So, is it surprising enough?" Mami said with a smile.
Kanzaki Ryou looked down at Kumiko, whose small face was flushed, her eyes full of longing for her brother. "Yes, it's a super surprise."
"Hehe, big brother is the best!" Kumiko rubbed her head against her brother's shoulder, feeling it wasn't enough, then took a deep breath. "Mmm, it's Ni-chan's scent."
Patting his sister's head, Kanzaki Ryou turned to Takashima Rei and said, "Rei-chan, you must have known already, right?"
Takashima Rei pushed up her glasses and smiled. "I only just found out myself."
Saying that, Takashima Rei looked closely at Kumiko. "This must be your sister, she's really cute."
Hearing this, Kumiko released her brother's arm, bowed politely, and said, "Hello, I am Kumiko."
"Hello, Kumiko, I am Takashima Rei, the Vice Director of Seido High School Baseball Club. I've heard a lot about you, you know," Takashima Rei said with a mischievous smile.
Huh? Kumiko looked at her brother in confusion.
Kanzaki Ryou quickly turned his head away. Immediately, Kumiko understood the reason. She shyly scratched her hair. This damned Ni-chan… he always exposed his sister-complex wherever he went.
"Rei-chan, I'll take them around," Kanzaki Ryou said.
Takashima Rei nodded. The first team's training had already finished for the day; it was their rest time. Besides, letting this hentai sister-complex enjoy some time with his sister before the final might have an unexpected positive effect.
Takashima Rei excused herself and left; she still had work to do. After Koshien, starting from the end of next month, she would be traveling again to scout for promising talent.
"Let's go, I'll show you around," Kanzaki Ryou said.
"Okay!" Kumiko said, tightly holding Kanzaki Ryou's arm.
After touring the school, Kanzaki Ryou returned to the dorm to change clothes, then accompanied the two sisters to a nearby mall for several hours, returning to school only after dark.
"Ni-chan, see you tomorrow! I'll be cheering for you from the stands," Kumiko said, reluctantly leaning into Kanzaki Ryou's embrace before they parted.
"Hmm, where's your seat?" Kanzaki Ryou asked.
"Hehe, I won't tell you," Kumiko laughed.
Kanzaki Ryou shook his head, helplessly pinching Kumiko's soft cheek. "Even if you don't tell me, I'll find you."
After saying goodbye at the school gate, Kanzaki Ryou returned to Seidou Dormitory. There was a pre-game meeting that evening where Coach Kataoka would finalize tomorrow's starting lineup and tactical arrangements.
That night, during the meeting, Coach Kataoka announced tomorrow's starting lineup amidst the expectant gazes of everyone on the first team.
First batter, Shida Shota, Shortstop.
Second batter, Kominato Ryosuke, Second base.
Third batter, Yuki Tetsuya, First baseman.
Fourth batter, Azuma Kiyokuni, Third base.
Fifth batter, Kanzaki Ryou, pitcher.
Sixth batter, Tanaka Wataru, Catcher.
Seventh batter, Isashiki Jun, Center fielder.
Eighth batter, Araki Keita, Rght fielder.
Ninth batter, Yoshikawa Junpei, Left fielder.
Kanzaki Ryou's batting order was moved from 9th to 5th, a core batting position, in order to strengthen Seido's scoring ability. For this, the pitching-catching combination of Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki was split.
Setting up such a batting lineup could greatly enhance the continuity of Seido's offense, ensuring Seido could score more runs.
As for defense, there would be no problems with the cooperation between Kanzaki Ryou and Tanaka Wataru; they had also partnered in previous games.
Early the next morning, before dawn, a large number of fans and spectators had already gathered outside Jingu Stadium to watch the game.
Seido High School versus Ichidai Third High.
Such a showdown between powerhouses—especially in the Summer Tournament final, a life-and-death battle for the West Tokyo Koshien spot—attracted an absolutely massive crowd. Everyone wanted to know which team would stand victorious and represent West Tokyo at Koshien.
"It's Seido!"
"Ichidai Third High!!"
The game hadn't even started, but the fans outside the stadium had already begun their rivalry.
Supporters from both sides argued fiercely, each advocating for their favored team.
However, from the perspective of professionals, Seido High School had a greater chance of winning this final. Whether from pitching or offense, Seido's record over the past few months had been superior to Ichidai Third High's. The predicted outcome was 70–30.
Regarding such comments, Ota—Director of Seido High School Baseball Club—initially felt proud, but after realizing the pressure such expectations created, he grew worried.
If, if Seido lost…
All these praises and expectations would turn into sharp arrows aimed directly at them.
With such anxiety, Ota couldn't sleep all night. When the team assembled the next day, everyone saw his deep dark circles.
Arriving at Jingu Stadium by bus, the eagerly awaiting fans enthusiastically held up banners to welcome the Seido players. Amid the fervent cheers, the 20 first-team members, led by Seido's four giants, entered the venue.
"There are too many people today, I'm a bit nervous," Kuramochi Yoichi muttered, looking around.
"What are you nervous about? You're not even playing today," Kanzaki Ryou said mercilessly.
Kuramochi immediately deflated like a frost-bitten eggplant.
Hehe—Kanzaki Ryou chuckled to himself. Miyuki, standing nearby, shook his head. He thought he was already bad, but it seemed there was someone even more ruthless.
Fifteen minutes before the game started, both teams entered the field.
First came Ichidai Third High, followed by Seido.
As soon as they appeared, the Seido cheer squad erupted in full force—gongs, horns, drums, and girls in short skirts waving pom-poms energetically—followed by the band's performance.