The next day marked Seido's first game in the Tokyo West District qualifiers.
As a seeded team, Seido High School had received a bye in the first round, just like Inashiro Industrial.
Their opponent—
Mishima High School.
"The second-round match between Seido High School and Mishima High School is about to begin…"
The stadium announcement echoed across the field.
Both teams began entering the stadium.
Coach Kataoka stood before his players, lineup sheet in hand.
Before announcing the starters, he glanced at Ushijima Wakatoshi.
"Do you want to pitch today?"
Ushijima paused.
"Today's opponent isn't particularly strong," the coach continued calmly. "We could have Furuya start."
That was exactly what Ushijima had been thinking.
Mishima wasn't considered a powerhouse. Even if something unexpected happened, adjustments could be made in later innings.
If possible, resting during the early rounds would be ideal.
"Yes. That was my thought as well," Ushijima replied honestly.
Coach Kataoka adjusted his glasses.
"But since this is still the qualifiers… I want you to take this opportunity to work on your sinker. Improve its control in a real-game setting."
As expected.
It wasn't about saving strength, it was about sharpening weapons.
Ushijima nodded without hesitation.
"Understood."
Following the coach's decision without complaint that was part of being an ace.
"Starting pitcher: Ushijima."
"Starting catcher: Chris."
"…Huh?!"
The team froze.
"C-Coach… Chris-senpai… his shoulder—"
Everyone knew.
Chris had been injured. During a Second String match in May, he had partnered with Sawamura and performed brilliantly but it had also made clear that his shoulder had not fully healed.
Coach Kataoka's voice remained steady.
"I am aware of Chris's injury."
"But I also know this may be his last summer as a third-year."
Silence fell over the group.
"The qualifiers have only just begun. The opponent is not strong."
"With Ushijima on the mound, the defensive pressure will be minimal."
"If we prevent runners from reaching base, Chris won't need to make difficult throws."
"He only needs to receive."
The logic was cold.
Precise.
As long as there were no base runners, the catcher wouldn't need to fire bullets to second base.
Just frame, guide, and receive.
Chris clenched his fist slightly.
"To be honest… I'm extremely nervous right now," he admitted with a small smile.
"This might be the most nervous I've ever felt playing baseball."
His eyes shone not with fear, but anticipation.
"Today is the first time I'll officially receive Ushijima's pitch in a game."
Miyuki blinked.
"Wait… Chris-senpai has never caught for Ushijima?"
Chris shook his head gently.
"I've watched him during training."
"From April until now, three full months."
"He averages around 150 pitches a day."
"Ninety days… that's nearly fourteen thousand pitches."
"And sometimes, he throws close to two hundred in a single day."
Chris laughed softly.
"Watching his control improve… his pitches sharpen… I've wanted to catch for him countless times."
"But there was never a chance."
There was faint bitterness in his tone.
Because Ushijima and Miyuki were too in sync.
During practice, Miyuki received most of Ushijima's bullpen sessions. Miyauchi handled batting practice. Chris had simply watched from the side.
Miyuki scratched his head awkwardly.
"Then… is this my fault?"
"Ugh!" Miyauchi snorted loudly.
Ushijima smirked and glanced at Sawamura.
"Sawamura. I'm taking Chris-senpai from you today. Jealous?"
"You bastard! Don't say things like that!" Sawamura exploded.
"Miyuki is your partner! Chris-senpai is mine!"
"Oh? Then forget it," Ushijima said casually. "I won't partner with you anymore."
"W-What?! Chris-senpai, you can't abandon me!"
The dugout burst into laughter.
But Ushijima's expression soon turned serious.
"With your current pitching… can you guarantee no one gets on base?"
Sawamura froze.
"I…"
"You can't."
His voice wasn't cruel just factual.
"If you're not strong enough, you can't protect what you want."
"If you're not strong enough, you won't stand on the mound."
"And if you're not strong enough, you can't even ensure that partnering with Chris-senpai won't worsen his shoulder."
Sawamura's fists trembled.
"Why do you think I keep telling you to improve your control?"
"When you're strong enough, you can carry part of the burden."
"And then, whoever you partner with—will be the perfect battery."
Silence.
This time, Sawamura didn't argue.
He understood.
Strength wasn't pride.
It was responsibility.
Coach Kataoka lifted the lineup sheet.
"Today's starting lineup."
"First: Kuramochi."
"Second: Kominato."
"Third: Isashiki."
"Fourth batter: Yuki."
"Fifth: Ushijima."
"Sixth: Masuko."
"Seventh: Chris."
"Eighth: Shirasu."
"Ninth: Furuya."
"Take the field!"
"OH!!!"
Seido roared as one and charged out of the dugout.
Miyuki would not start today.
But he didn't mind.
More than anyone, he understood Chris's ability.
If Chris had never been injured—
There would have been no debate.
He would have been Seido's undisputed number one catcher.
And today—
For the first time—
The ace and the forgotten genius would form a battery.