After giving Miyuki the resident loudmouth a proper lecture, Kanzaki Ryou headed to the dugout and chatted briefly with Coach Kataoka. After being fussed over by several of Seido's "big shots," he picked up his bat and began his individual training.
By the afternoon, the relaxed warm-up period ended, and the real training began.
The first-years had raised the pitcher's mound on Field A by about ten centimeters.
"Alright, who's first?" Kanzaki Ryou called out from the mound after finishing his warm-up.
"Kuramochi, you're up! Everyone else, follow the batting order—three pitches each! After one round, Tanba will take over with curveballs," Coach Kataoka instructed.
"Hahaha! I'm first! Kanzaki, bring it! I'm hitting this out!" Kuramochi shouted from the batter's box.
Kanzaki let out a cold chuckle.
With the raised mound and his pitching on top of that, Kuramochi actually thought he could hit it? Bold.
Without a word, Kanzaki picked up a ball and fired it toward home plate.
Whoosh!
"Ha!!" Kuramochi roared as he swung.
He missed completely.
The bat didn't even come close the gap between bat and ball was at least two ball-widths.
"Damn it! This is impossible to hit!" Kuramochi shouted after whiffing, experiencing for the first time a fastball thrown from such a high release point.
"Again!" he demanded, unwilling to give up.
Kanzaki didn't indulge him. Two more fastballs—both nearing 150 km/h—flew past.
Strikeout.
Next up, Kominato Ryosuke stepped into the batter's box.
"Kanzaki, don't throw too fast. Otherwise, it won't be good practice," he said calmly.
Kanzaki nodded and adjusted his speed to match Maki Yosuke's level.
First pitch—miss.
Second—foul.
Third—clean contact.
"Impressive, senpai. Your technique is incredible," Kanzaki praised.
Kominato Ryosuke smiled faintly. "Even if I know you're flattering me, I still enjoy hearing it."
Kanzaki chuckled. He knew better than to fully trust the words of this smiling "tiger."
Next came Isashiki Jun, loudly announcing his presence as usual. He connected with one out of three pitches—and it was a long hit.
Not bad at all.
Watching both of them make contact, Kuramochi grew increasingly irritated.
This is targeted harassment! Why were his pitches so much faster?!
Bang!
Just then, Yuki, batting fourth, smashed the ball straight into the fence.
"Whoa—home run! Yuki-san, that's insane," Kanzaki said, giving a thumbs-up.
Even with reduced speed to imitate Maki, this was still a completely unfamiliar release angle—and yet Yuki handled it perfectly.
Honestly, this version of Yuki was at least a full tier stronger than before.
"It was nothing," Yuki replied modestly, though a hint of pride showed in his eyes.
After him, Chris and Miyuki stepped up one after the other.
Comparing their swings, Chris clearly had the edge.
Miyuki only managed to connect once and walked off looking slightly dejected. As a catcher, he saw himself as Chris's equal—but in batting, he still had some catching up to do.
After one full round, Kanzaki stepped down from the mound.
There were nineteen other first-string players. At three pitches each, that made fifty-seven pitches—not much. He could easily go another round.
"Tanba-san, your turn," Kanzaki said.
Tanba nodded and took the mound.
Meanwhile, Kanzaki put on his batting gloves, picked up his bat, and joined the line.
That day's first-team training ended after Kanzaki and Tanba each pitched two rounds.
After dinner, back in the dormitory, Kanzaki sat comfortably, eating pudding he had "borrowed" from Masuko Toru while scrolling through his phone.
Behind him, Sawamura, Furuya, Arima Kazusa, and Kominato Haruichi knelt obediently on the floor, listening to Chris and Miyuki's impromptu theory lesson.
"Is this it?"
Kanzaki slipped on his headphones and played the song Angel's Meeting.
Hmm… not bad.
The lead singer's voice was surprisingly cute.
The next day, training intensified further.
Not only did Kanzaki and Tanba pitch again, but toward the end, even Coach Kataoka stepped onto the mound.
"I'll pitch now. Anyone who strikes out will run five laps around the track," Coach Kataoka announced coldly.
"What?!"
"No way!"
A chorus of groans erupted.
Everyone knew that Coach Kataoka had once been a Koshien runner-up pitcher. His ability was unquestionable.
Even with their current batting skills, who could guarantee they wouldn't strike out?
"Hahaha! I'm first!" Kanzaki grabbed his bat and stepped forward—
—only to be yanked back by Kuramochi.
"Hey! I'm the leadoff hitter, right?!" Kuramochi protested.
Kanzaki turned his head. "This is practice, not a game. We go by jersey numbers."
"Don't give me that! It's always been batting order!" Kuramochi shot back.
"Heh. Doesn't matter—I'm going first. And don't even think about stealing it. Unless you want me to stop pitching to you in the future."
Kanzaki flashed him a half-smile.
Kuramochi froze.
"…Tch."
Instantly deflated.
Trying to fight me? Not happening.
Kanzaki strode confidently to the batter's box, set his stance, and shouted:
"Boss! Don't hold back!"
Coach Kataoka's mouth twitched slightly.
Hold back?
Even in his prime, he wouldn't dare hold back against a batter like Kanzaki Ryou.
This brat…
A surge of long-lost passion rose within him.
It had been over ten years since he felt this way.
Adjusting his form, he threw.
Whoosh—!
Fast!!
Kanzaki's pupils shrank.
That pitch had to be close to 150 km/h—
He swung.
Missed.
"Sinker?!" Kanzaki exclaimed in surprise.
Wait… weren't they supposed to be preparing for Maki Yosuke?
Why was the coach throwing a sinker?!
He had expected a fastball.
Looking at Coach Kataoka, Kanzaki suddenly felt a heavy pressure.
No way…
Did this just awaken the coach's pitcher instincts?
He wants a real showdown?
A grin slowly spread across Kanzaki's face.
Interesting.
If that's what you want, Coach… I'll play along.
He knew that Coach Kataoka once had the ability to go pro, but chose to return to Seido out of loyalty—to his mentor and to the school that raised him.
That decision must have left behind some regret.
Even if he never spoke of it.
Now that he finally had a chance to rekindle that fire—
There was no way Kanzaki Ryou would ruin the moment.