Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, late April had arrived.
A few days earlier, the second string had played a practice match against Kokushikan High School. Due to Zaizen's injury, Kokushikan's overall strength had dropped significantly, and they were unable to mount any effective resistance against Seido's second team.
In that game, Sawamura Eijun and Chris formed a battery for the first time, and their performance was flawless.
Furuya Satoru also dominated on the mound, completely suppressing the opponent's batting lineup. At the plate, Arima Kazusa and Kominato Haruichi each recorded a hit. The outstanding performance of the four first-years left the coaching staff extremely satisfied.
That afternoon, after finishing defensive drills, Kanzaki Ryou was about to head to the bullpen for pitching practice when Fujiwara Takako jogged over.
"Ryou, Coach Kataoka is looking for you."
"Okay."
When Kanzaki arrived at the dugout, Coach Kataoka was talking with Coach Ochiai.
"Coach."
"Kanzaki," Coach Kataoka said, looking him over. "You've been focusing on batting practice lately, haven't you?"
Kanzaki nodded. "Yes. I've already gotten used to the weighted bat."
Hearing this, Coach Kataoka stepped forward and firmly squeezed Kanzaki's arm and bicep, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"You really have gotten stronger."
Then his tone changed.
"Starting today, suspend all pitching practice. Let your shoulder rest until the Kanto Tournament."
"Oh… okay." Kanzaki responded obediently.
Since the Spring Tournament ended, he had been maintaining daily pitching sessions, including live pitching against the first string's main batters. Even though he didn't feel fatigued, Coach Kataoka's expression made it clear—this wasn't a suggestion.
Patting Kanzaki's shoulder, Coach Kataoka continued, "During the second string's pitching practice later, when it's Sawamura and Furuya Satoru's turn, you'll step in to bat."
"…Me?"
Kanzaki was genuinely surprised. Batting against those two? Wasn't that a bit cruel?
"Sawamura and Furuya's pitching has improved rapidly," Coach Kataoka said calmly. "I want to see how they perform against strong hitters—and whether they dare to challenge them."
Kanzaki understood immediately.
This wasn't about results. It was a mental test.
"Boss," Kanzaki added after a moment, "should we also call Yuki over? One batter might not be enough pressure."
Coach Kataoka smiled faintly. "I've already informed him."
"…I see."
Coach Kataoka truly had high expectations for those two—throwing them straight into the deep end against Seido's strongest hitters.
"Should I hold back a little?" Kanzaki asked. "If we're too harsh, it might crush their confidence."
"No need," Coach Kataoka replied expressionlessly.
"If this is enough to break them, then Seido doesn't need pitchers with that kind of mentality."
Hehe.
Kanzaki was at a loss for words.
Little did Coach Kataoka know that without Kanzaki's presence, Seido would one day be forced to rely entirely on those two youngsters. Fortunately, with Kanzaki—and Kawakami, whose strength had steadily improved—Seido's pitching staff was more than secure for the foreseeable future.
Less than half an hour later, second string pitching practice began.
Kanzaki stepped onto the field, casually swinging his bat while waiting to be called.
"Kanzaki, try using this."
Yuki Tetsuya walked over with a smile and handed him a bat.
Kanzaki accepted it, then froze.
…Heavy.
"So heavy?!"
"Didn't expect that, did you?" Yuki chuckled.
"After hearing you and Miyuki were using weighted bats, I ordered one too."
This one was nearly three times heavier.
"Heh, Captain, your competitive spirit is terrifying," Kanzaki said helplessly, swinging it a few times. Surprisingly, it felt quite good.
"You and Miyuki are working so hard," Yuki replied. "It wouldn't be right if I didn't keep up."
"Well," Kanzaki smiled, "with your talent, Captain, if you keep this up, you'll definitely go pro."
Yuki only smiled faintly.
He hadn't really thought about life after graduation. University or professional baseball—either path came with its own weight.
Just then, Sawamura Eijun's pitching session began.
The young pitcher strode confidently onto the mound, but before he could say anything—
"Kanzaki! Yuki!" Coach Kataoka suddenly shouted.
"You two, get ready to bat."
"What?!"
Sawamura turned his head sharply, staring at Coach Kataoka in disbelief.
The second string erupted instantly.
"Wait, seriously? The Captain and Kanzaki?"
"Sawamura's finished."
"I'm calling it—three home runs! Three each!"
"Poor guy."
"What are you talking about? Anyone who gets this treatment should be proud. This means Coach Kataoka really values him."
...
Amid the chatter, Kanzaki and Yuki walked up together.
Almost instinctively, they raised their hands.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"I win!" Kanzaki grinned. "I'll go first."
Yuki shrugged indifferently.
Their relaxed attitude made Sawamura feel smoke rising from his head.
Are my pitches really that easy to hit?!
"Hehe, little Sawamura," Kanzaki said cheerfully as he stepped into the batter's box.
"Good luck."
"Aniki! I won't lose to you!" Sawamura shouted before jogging back to the mound.
He knew how terrifying Kanzaki's batting was.
Then why?
Why did Coach Kataoka want Kanzaki batting against him?
Could it be…
Was he already too strong for the second string?
Was this a test?
…Promotion?
His thoughts raced wildly.
And somehow—he guessed the truth.
Sawamura's excitement exploded. His grip on the ball trembled slightly.
First string… games… official matches…
Hehehe—
"What are you laughing about? Pitch already!"
Kanzaki raised his bat, waiting, while Sawamura stood on the mound grinning like an idiot.
"Oh—oh! Right!"
Snapping back to reality, Sawamura spread his arms, looked up at the sky, and took several deep breaths.
He was nervous.
The batter was Kanzaki Ryou.
And there was no catcher.
That uncertainty made his heart race.
Calm down… calm down…
His eyes locked onto home plate.
Inside fastball.
Chris had said it before—a left-handed pitcher throwing an inside fastball diagonally toward a right-handed batter's chest was extremely threatening.
That's it.
From Kanzaki's perspective, Sawamura slowly lifted his right leg. His arm followed smoothly.
Whoosh!
The ball exploded out of his hand.
Kanzaki's eyes stayed locked on Sawamura's left arm.
The release point was hard to read—very hard.
Though the velocity was under 140 km/h, combined with that delivery, the pitch felt far faster than it actually was.