This is indeed the biggest difference in this year's Autumn Tournant.
There are no designated seed schools.
In other words, it's entirely possible for powerhouse teams to clash right in the first round. A perfect example of this happened in the original Autumn Tournant when Teito High School faced off against Seidou High School in the opening round.
Whether the sa matchup will happen again this ti remains uncertain.
If fate once again follows the sa pattern, and Seidou ends up facing Teito in the first round, it will undoubtedly beco a hot topic.
After all, unlike in the original tiline, Seidou High School has now made it to Koshien this sumr and even conquered the entire nation, becoming the undisputed champions of the season.
In the original story, when Teito faced Seidou, many neutral spectators found it highly entertaining, with so players from other teams even gloating over the situation.
If they clash again this ti...
It would be a true blockbuster showdown.
Two teams that competed in Koshien now eting in the first round, with one of them inevitably getting eliminated—no matter how you look at it, it's bound to be a spectacle that excites the general audience.
...
Inside the bus, Eijun was in no mood to think about any of this at the mont. His face was plastered with an expression of pure dissatisfaction.
"Hmph."
"Co on now, don't be like that. Watching the lottery draw is fun, don't you think? There'll be a lot of people, it'll be lively, and you'll get to see plenty of familiar faces."
Sitting beside Eijun on the bus, Miyuki grinned as he casually slung an arm around his younger teammate's shoulder, completely unbothered by Eijun's obvious sulking.
"…"
Eijun simply pouted, his displeasure still evident.
Seriously, wasn't the lottery draw sothing only the team captain needed to attend? Why did two people have to go? In the original story, Miyuki didn't bring anyone along!
Eijun shot Miyuki a resentful look.
He had been in the middle of practice, his pitching rhythm feeling just right, when he was forcefully dragged away. And to make things worse, Coach Kataoka had actually agreed to it. Eijun couldn't believe it—this was totally out of character for their strict coach.
Besides, if Miyuki really wanted company, why not bring along a pretty girl? The team had female managers, after all.
Both Sakuragawa-senpai and Uhara-senpai would've been perfect choices!
"Cough, cough."
Eijun's resentful gaze had absolutely no effect on Miyuki, who remained as thick-skinned as ever.
Still smiling, Miyuki cleared his throat and continued, "Practicing every day can be exhausting, right? It's good to get out and move around a little."
"I was in the middle of a great pitching session, and you just had to drag out now? I want to pitch, Miyuki-senpai!"
Eijun practically gritted his teeth as he said those words.
"Heh."
Miyuki just chuckled, completely unfazed.
"I'm already here with you, so who would you even practice with? Don't worry, after the draw, when we get back in the evening, I'll catch for you as long as you want. How's that? Fair deal?"
He grinned even wider, acting as if Eijun was the one getting a great bargain.
Eijun rolled his eyes in exasperation.
He had never t anyone so shaless.
What do you an I'm the one benefitting from this?
I already lost half a day of practice ti for no reason!
Eijun fud internally but knew there was no point in arguing. Since he was already here, there was no turning back.
It was just his bad luck to have such an unreasonable senpai.
Still, he muttered under his breath, "You're not the only catcher on the team. If you ca to the draw, I could've practiced with Ono-senpai instead. His receiving skills are solid too."
"Huh? What was that, Sawamura?"
The mont those words left his mouth, Eijun suddenly felt a chill in the air.
It was as if winter had arrived early.
A cold sensation swept over him, making him shiver involuntarily. He cautiously glanced at Miyuki sitting beside him.
That ever-present smile on Miyuki's face now seed to carry a nacing edge, like he was baring his fangs beneath it.
Eijun's lips twitched slightly. He shrank back a little and forced a stiff smile.
With an awkward chuckle, he quickly corrected himself, "Uh, nothing! I didn't say anything, Miyuki-senpai."
In an instant, his tone changed completely, almost as if he was ready to swear an oath on it.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Winter ca swiftly, but it left just as quickly.
Miyuki kept his eyes fixed on Eijun for a few seconds, smiling as if nothing had happened. Then, as if he had lost interest, he turned away and spoke in an offhanded tone.
Eijun let out a silent sigh of relief.
That was close. Really close.
He ntally patted himself on the back for his quick thinking. If he hadn't reacted fast enough just now…
"The ace should always train with the starting catcher, don't you think, Sawamura?"
The playful remark whispered in his ear sent a shiver down Eijun's spine. His expression stiffened for a brief mont before shifting to a helpless smile. At this point, it seed like there was no other answer he could give.
He could only nod and reply, "Yeah… Miyuki-senpai is right."
Miyuki's expression didn't change at all—his smile remained ever-present—but the teasing glint in his eyes seed to fade slightly.
Winter had passed.
Spring had arrived.
Or at least, that's what it felt like. Yet, for so reason, it left Eijun feeling oddly unsettled.
Once again, it was proven—certain "authorities" within the team were simply not to be challenged.
Especially when under their command, sotis, you just had to bow your head and go along with it.
Keeping that thought in mind, Eijun clamped his mouth shut for the rest of the trip, choosing to behave himself.
He had no intention of getting completely caught in Miyuki's web of mischief.
Thank goodness they weren't roommates.
Compared to Miyuki, Kuramochi-senpai was actually quite lovable!
At the very least, his mind was simpler, and he was easier to trick.
As long as it wasn't about Wakana.
Ah… just thinking about it, Eijun found himself missing Kuramochi.
He sighed internally, picturing Kuramochi's usual expressions. Then, as if offering a silent prayer, he clasped his hands together in mock reverence.
Kuramochi-senpai, I promise I'll stop ssing with you so much in the future.
Really, I an it.
From now on, I'll only trick you three days a week.
No more than that!
A sincere smile spread across Eijun's face as he reached this "resolution."
Beside him, Miyuki gave him a strange look.
He smirked, slightly narrowing his eyes as he observed Eijun's expression.
Miyuki didn't say anything, but for so reason, he had a feeling he could more or less guess what was running through Eijun's head.
And that, in itself, was amusing.
The corners of the cunning captain's lips curled upward into a sly grin.
anwhile…
At Seidou High School, on Field A.
Kuramochi, who was in the middle of fielding practice, suddenly sneezed.
He frowned slightly and glanced up at the sky, puzzled.
"It's only September… why does it suddenly feel kinda chilly?"
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