"Kazuya, I told you once—if you didn't join us, I'd make you regret it."
"You may have won that sumr... but that was just a fluke. This ti, I'm going to correct that mistake!"
On the mound, Narumiya i's sharp eyes locked onto the batter's box. His expression was cold and focused—but the intensity in his eyes said everything.
...
"Heh... sorry, i, but this win's going to be ours again."
Genius pitcher versus genius catcher. A rivalry born back in Little League. Destiny intertwined.
...
"Runner on second. The batter is both skilled and powerful—the forr cleanup of Seidou. Or rather, the true cleanup."
"If we're careless, he'll score another run. But if we're too cautious, he'll read us like a book. As a catcher, he's probably the top high schooler in Japan right now..."
Behind the plate, Tadano looked warily at Miyuki. He knew exactly who he was up against—and what it would take to stop him.
...
"We win by capitalizing on i-san's strengths."
Tadano wasn't clueless. He knew his own shortcomings.
But he also knew his biggest advantage:
He was paired with the best left-handed pitcher in Japan.
No—perhaps the strongest pitcher in all of high school baseball.
...
"First pitch—forkball, down the middle! Let it rip, i-san! I'll catch it, no matter what!"
The signal was quick and decisive. Tadano's fingers moved subtly, sending the ssage loud and clear.
...
"Heh... this guy's really grown."
i acknowledged Tadano's evolution silently.
The fact that the freshman had developed such a keen feel for i's rhythm and intensity was the main reason the ace had started to accept him as a true partner.
...
With a powerful stride and a raised left arm, Narumiya unleashed his pitch.
Swoosh!
A blinding white flash tore through the air, heading straight for ho plate.
A fastball down the middle!?
Miyuki's expression tensed. He stepped forward sharply, bat slicing in a clean arc—
Swoosh!
Whoosh!
But the ball didn't stay true. It dropped suddenly, violently.
A forkball!?
Miyuki's bat swung through nothing but air. Off balance, he nearly stumbled.
Smack!
"Strike!!"
Damn it—first pitch forkball!?
Completely different from last ti... they changed the tempo right out of the gate?
...
Gritting his teeth, Miyuki cald his breathing and reset his stance.
Another fast white blur ca hurtling in.
Swoosh!
Ping!
Thud!
"Foul ball!"
So now it's a fastball for real?! These two...
"Third pitch—inside fastball!"
Maintain the aggressive pace. Don't let Seidou breathe. Dominate them—not just with skill, but with pressure.
This was the most vivid lesson yet—Tadano finally understood what it ant to call a pitch aggressively.
If a catcher's calls matched the pitcher's instincts perfectly…
Then without a doubt, they could bring out the pitcher's full potential.
Tadano might still be lacking in raw physical ability and refined technique for now—but when it ca to inner strength, pitch-calling instincts, and intelligence…
He had already proven himself to be a catcher worthy of standing beside Narumiya i.
Yes! This is it! This is the rhythm we need!
Itsuki, only with this mindset can you truly move forward. Only like this can you keep up with .
So co on—if you want my recognition... earn it!!
That towering fra. That upright stance.
His raised left arm.
The faint smirk playing on that handso face.
Swoosh—
Let it fly.
This is the brilliance of a prince.
This is the power of a king.
The blazing pitch whistled forward with regal might.
Ping—BANG!!
Miyuki swung with all his strength. The sharp, piercing sound echoed as his bat t the ball.
Tch...! He's overpowering ...!
Clenching his teeth, Miyuki tried to suppress the force with his body's twist and arm strength.
But—!
Thud!
His power wasn't enough.
The pitch was even stronger.
The ball slamd into the ground.
Shortstop Shirakawa slid effortlessly and fielded it cleanly.
Smack!
Over at first base, Yamaoka caught it with perfect timing.
"OUT!"
"Three outs! Change sides!"
...
A clash between geniuses—backed by the rising Tadano—allowed the prince to shine brighter than ever.
They had just taken down Miyuki!
"Nice pitch, i!"
"Knew you'd do it, Ace!"
"Let's go, Narumiya!"
"INASHIRO! INASHIRO! INASHIRO!"
The Inashiro bench exploded in thunderous cheers—for their team and for their ace.
...
"Damn, they totally played ..."
Miyuki took off his helt and muttered as he returned to the dugout.
"Even you can get fooled, huh, Miyuki-senpai?"
Eijun teased with a cheeky grin.
Miyuki just rolled his eyes.
---
Over at Inashiro's bench…
"i-san, I'm sorry for that missed catch earlier," Tadano said sincerely, his tone filled with regret.
"Hmph. Now you realize how far you still have to go? And you dare talk about keeping up with ? Being my equal?" i scoffed with a proud smirk and a theatrical shake of his head.
"No, I'll rember that mistake. And next ti—I won't drop it. I'll beco the catcher you finally recognize!"
Tadano's eyes shone with determination.
"Tch, yeah yeah, keep dreaming..."
"I will catch up!"
"Ugh... not again."
"These two…"
The teammates around them—Carlos, Yabe, Yamaoka—could only let out sighs and amused smiles.
But truthfully…
Having that kind of spirit and fire was more valuable than anything.
And maybe—just maybe—this was i's unique way of encouraging his battery partner.
As the second-years exchanged looks, a strange but undeniable thought ford in their minds all at once.
----------------
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