Under the arrangents of Matsubara Nao, as Ugumori High School fully entered into a state of battle-readiness, Seidou High School was also almost done with their own preparations.
This included Watanabe's data collection, as well as the strategic planning and lineup decisions made by Coach Kataoka and others.
In other words, Seidou High School's preparations were proceeding thodically and systematically.
However, at this critical juncture, an unexpected internal conflict erupted, causing a crack in Seidou's otherwise well-oiled machine.
This event led to the surfacing of internal tensions among the players.
The incident unfolded in Seidou's team dormitory cafeteria, where players typically gathered for als.
"Damn it! Is this how you behave? As the captain, you actually said sothing like that!? Do you even think you're qualified to be captain?" Suddenly, the loud, furious voice of Maezono rang out, disrupting the calm atmosphere of the cafeteria.
This outburst occurred during the players' regular alti, catching everyone off guard. All heads turned toward Maezono, who was restrained by Kuramochi and Shirasu. Standing before them was Miyuki, his expression icy and aloof.
"Damn, I totally forgot about this," muttered Eijun, who had just taken a bite of his food.
Initially startled by Maezono's shouting, Eijun soon showed a hint of frustration, realizing what was going on.
"It was his choice. I have no right to interfere with soone else's decision, do I? Besides, we're not here just to play around; our goal has always been that ultimate peak. We don't have ti for frivolities. He chose to leave of his own accord. All I can do is respect that decision. How is that wrong?" Miyuki responded, his usual playful deanor replaced by a calm, collected tone.
But his words only served to further enrage Maezono. With a sudden burst of strength, he broke free from Kuramochi and Shirasu's grasp and lunged at Miyuki as if to tear him apart.
"So you're certain that he definitely wanted to leave? Couldn't it be that he was hesitant and ca to you for advice? Is this how a captain should behave?" Maezono roared, grabbing Miyuki's collar and yelling in his face.
"Calm down, Maezono."
"Maezono, let go of him. If the coach sees this, he'll definitely be furious."
"Kenta, don't act so rashly."
"The ga is tomorrow. Let's discuss this calmly—there are so many underclassn watching, Maezono."
Kuramochi, Shirasu, and other teammates like Yamaguchi stepped in to separate Maezono once again, pulling him away to the side.
Most of the people in the cafeteria were left stunned and bewildered, their faces frozen in disbelief.
What exactly just happened?
Among those who knew the backstory, the second-year players exchanged knowing looks, while Eijun—aware of this event due to his unique perspective—watched with a pained expression. To him, this was nothing more than a farce.
Maezono's reckless outburst, where he vented his anger without considering the consequences, seed immature.
Miyuki, although appearing calm and composed, was clearly expressing his own dissatisfaction.
This left a bad impression as well. Ultimately, this situation stemd from differences in personal values, character, and perspective, making it a matter of individual interpretation.
Had it not been for his position as a junior player and the heated atmosphere, Eijun might have stepped in to say sothing. But now was not the ti to intervene.
Sitting next to Eijun, Haruichi looked worried. "Eijun-kun, should we do sothing?"
"Relax, Haruichi. Kuramochi-senpai, Shirasy-senpai, and the others are already handling it. Don't worry about it," Eijun replied in a nonchalant tone, although his calmness stemd more from knowing how the event would resolve itself in the original story.
"Mm." Haruichi also understood the awkwardness of their position. Since senior players were already involved, first-year students like them could only watch from the sidelines.
After a few minutes of commotion, Maezono reluctantly cald down under the others' persuasion.
However, just because he didn't resort to violence anymore didn't an he was ready to let go of the issue. In his eyes, this was a matter of principle.
"Damn it! With that attitude, you don't deserve to be our captain. Miyuki, you're just the worst!" Maezono shouted, storming out of the cafeteria in a huff.
He had decided to handle this matter in his own way. Maezono refused to accept leaving the team just like that. If it did happen, in his eyes, it would all be Miyuki's fault.
For Maezono, the right thing to do now was to correct what he saw as a mistake.
After Maezono stord out, the cafeteria fell into an eerie silence. Miyuki adjusted his glasses, his expression seemingly calm and composed.
"Miyuki, Maezono might have overreacted, but I can't say I agree with you on this one," Kuramochi said plainly, casting Miyuki a level glance before pocketing his hands and leaving the cafeteria.
Kawakami started to say sothing, but Shirasu gently patted him on the shoulder, and the two also walked away.
As the second-year students directly involved in the matter departed, the others present began to let out sighs of relief.
The heavy tension that had blanketed the room finally lifted. The atmosphere had been so oppressive that no one dared to speak or even eat.
With Maezono's earlier outburst, he had seed like an enraged gorilla ready to lash out at anyone, but the storm had passed at last.
Still, just in case, everyone hurried to finish their als and leave the cafeteria quickly—after all, the other major figure in this incident was still sitting there.
Unlike the others, Eijun remained calm, taking his ti to finish the last bite of his food.
Under the watchful gazes of his teammates, who looked at him as though he were a daring hero, he approached the expressionless Miyuki.
Wearing a cheerful smile, he broke the silence.
"Hey, Miyuki-senpai, want to go play so catch?" he said lightly, his voice breaking the stillness of the cafeteria.
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