On the sa day Takashi led Aoba Private High into the quarterfinals, dia coverage of him completely flooded the next day's sports and entertainnt headlines.
The last ti he got this much press coverage was—well, the last ti.
"All greatness begins with a brave first step."
"The future star of Japanese baseball."
"The strongest pitcher in Koshien's 100-year history."
"A genius beyond even manga imagination—soone who surpasses Shohei Ohtani."
These stories about Takashi exploded in likes, comnts, and shares.
[JanDEasy]: After watching yesterday's match, I think even ani isn't dramatic enough.
[Reader721025898479]: What ani would dare write a story like this? The fans would tear it apart.
[1621]: Genius is just the entry point for Takashi.
[FlyingSaltedFish]: A lot of people don't understand what 166km/h ans. Let say this: the Guinness World Record for fastest pitch is 169km/h.
[HeartOfWilderness]: The comnt above is right. If you only watched the ga on TV or online, you might not realize just how fast that is. I was there—I couldn't even see the ball.
[VictoryScout]: I'm betting all my happy beans—Aoba's winning the championship! Who's with ?
[FallingWest]: I'm in. Lose and we et on the rooftop, win and we et at the party.
[OrangeCatPal]: Wait, hold up. You're betting on this?
[Reader721025898479]: Yeah, just that normal people can't find where to place the bets.
...
In the breakfast hall, Takashi was scrolling through the comnts while eating.
Compared to last ti's scandal and bad press, this ti it was all praise and admiration.
It felt like his image as a scumbag had been buried long ago.
But in truth, that was just a few days ago.
Takashi couldn't help but sigh at the terrifying power of the dia.
These days, people have no ability to judge the truth of news. Whatever the dia said—they believed.
Tens of thousands of dia accounts pushed the sa story, and that beca the truth. Even if soone tried to dig up your past, they'd be drowned out.
If soone wanted to find fault with you, there would always be enough negative material. Black or white—it all ca down to who had the louder keyboard.
Even the occasional clear-headed comnt would be buried by the mainstream narrative.
"Takashi-kun, finished eating?"
Anai Tatsuya walked over and asked.
"Yeah, senpai, what's up?"
Takashi put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Coach wants you to go to Kobe High School."
Takashi frowned. "Didn't I already ask for ti off?"
He felt like rest was more important than training right now.
After pitching a full nine and a half innings yesterday, his arm was still sore.
He wasn't about to joke around with his health.
Skipping today's team practice was a no-brainer for him.
Coach Amatani Kensuke had agreed too.
So why were they calling him in again?
Seeing Takashi's displeasure, Anai Tatsuya quickly explained, "It's not about practice—there's a reporter who wants to interview you."
"Reporter? Not eting them."
Takashi didn't hold much affection for journalists. He got up, ready to head back to his room and rest.
Anai Tatsuya also stood and followed him, speaking as they walked.
"You should go, just for a bit. A lot of TV stations have sent reporters hoping to interview you."
"Did I invite them? If they want to wait, let them wait."
Takashi continued walking back to his room without the slightest concern.
"One of the reporters said she knows you."
"What's her na?"
Takashi asked casually.
"One is called Nakano Ichika. The other is Hoshino Ai."
Hearing those two nas, Takashi suddenly stopped, as if pondering sothing.
"How about you just et them for a mont? There are quite a lot of fans waiting near Kobe High School," Anai Tatsuya suggested cautiously.
"…Fine."
…
Even though classes weren't over yet, crowds had ford in layers outside the gates of Kobe High.
The school entrance was completely blocked—like a festival was happening.
"Yada, don't you say Takashi Gege cos here every day? Where is he today?"
Inside the school, a girl with her hair tied in a bun—cute and slightly pretty—glared at the plain-looking, glasses-wearing boy with average build in front of her.
"Were you lying to ?"
"No, I wasn't."
Yada was sweating bullets as he explained, "Takashi really used to co every day."
"Takashi?! What gives you the right to call him by his full na?!"
The bun-haired girl grew furious at the disrespect shown toward her beloved Gege.
You think you're allowed to say his full na?
"My bad, it's my fault."
Yada apologized without hesitation, his tone extrely sincere.
He wanted to be assertive for once, but reality didn't allow it.
It had taken him ages to win this girlfriend over.
If he dared act up, she'd break up with him in a second.
Girls generally had it easier finding a partner than guys.
As long as a girl wasn't ugly, she'd never lack admirers.
The few who were still single simply had standards beyond their range.
For ordinary guys, chasing girls was genuinely hard.
Let alone when the girlfriend was even slightly good-looking.
Yada didn't even dare breathe too loudly when talking to her—every word was cautious, even a little ingratiating.
"Hmph."
The bun-haired girl scoffed and turned toward the school gate. "I'm leaving."
"Next ti your brother shows up, let know right away."
She wasn't even a student at Kobe.
She only ca here to see her beloved Takashi-gege.
"Ami, how about we grab lunch before you go?"
"No. I'm going shopping with my girlfriends today."
"I can co too. I can carry your bags."
"We're going shopping as girls. What fun could you possibly have tagging along?"
She walked, he chased. They soon reached the school gate.
Ami was just about to tell her boyfriend to stop following her when a wave of screaming interrupted her.
"Ahhhh!!"
"It's him! Gege is here!"
Ami imdiately turned around—and saw Takashi stepping off the school bus.
Today, he wasn't wearing his baseball uniform, but casual clothes.
A plain white T-shirt, black jeans, white sneakers, and a retro black-and-white plaid overshirt—this was Takashi's entire outfit.
Though simple, Takashi's tall figure, broad shoulders, and perfect proportions gave off a casually stylish aura.
Compared to how he looked on TV, he was even more handso and charming in person.
___
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