After reviewing the information on Komadai Fujimaki, Coach Kataoka looked toward Kanzaki.
"This team is interesting… but since you brought them up, did you notice something?"
All eyes turned to Kanzaki Ryou.
He simply smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing specific. Just a feeling… I think they might make it to the finals."
Silence.
Then—
"Hey, since when did you start telling fortunes?" Miyuki scoffed.
"Did that concert scramble your brain?" Kuramochi added with a grin.
"Maybe he just didn't sleep well," Kominato Ryosuke said calmly.
"Yeah, Kanzaki probably needs pudding."
…
Amid the teasing, Kanzaki remained unfazed.
"How about a bet?" he said casually. "If Komadai Fujimaki makes the finals, each of you treats me to a meal. If they don't—I'll treat all of you."
Everyone froze.
"…That's huge."
"You're treating everyone?"
"You rich or something?!"
"Secret heir?"
"Wait, I saw him hugging a girl at the school gate, wasn't his sister either!"
"Who said that?! Stand up!"
"He's panicking!"
…
The room burst into chaos.
But amidst the noise, Coach Kataoka quietly stared at the screen.
Unlike the others—
He took Kanzaki's words seriously.
A hunch from this guy… isn't something to ignore.
He made a mental note to gather more information about Komadai Fujimaki.
Knock, knock.
Coach Kataoka tapped the table, silencing the room.
"That's enough. You've all seen the teams from each region. No matter the opponent, the most important thing is maintaining your condition and staying composed."
His gaze sharpened.
"Our goal remains the same—championship."
"Yes, Coach!!"
"The draw is on the 4th. Opening day is the 7th. Rest well. No extra training tomorrow morning. Assemble at 1:30 PM after lunch—we depart for Nishinomiya."
"Understood?!"
"Understood!"
"Dismissed!"
August 3rd, evening.
Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The Seido team bus pulled up in front of a high-end hotel near the stadium.
Everything had been arranged in advance by Takashima Rei.
Not just the baseball team—
The cheer squad, brass band, and support members were all staying there.
All expenses?
Covered by the school.
Seido truly had deep pockets.
One special detail—
Kanzaki Ryou had his own room.
Everyone else? Double rooms.
The reason?
Miyuki snored.
And Kanzaki refused to suffer.
Even swapping roommates wasn't a solution—there was no guarantee others wouldn't snore either.
So in the end—
Both Kanzaki and Miyuki got single rooms.
(Yes, Takashima Rei paid extra.)
"Rei-chan, a kind and beautiful woman like you… I wonder who'll be lucky enough to marry you someday," Kanzaki said dramatically.
Takashima Rei almost hit him.
Behind him, Miyuki glared.
After sharing a room for over a year—
Now he's being accused of snoring?
Heartless.
This guy definitely wants to do something shady alone tonight.
That evening, just as Kanzaki picked up his phone to make a video call—
Knock knock.
"Seriously? Who is it at this hour…"
He opened the door—
Four grinning faces stared back.
Bang!
Door shut.
"Senpai, open up."
"Open the door…" Furuya mumbled.
"Aniki! Let us in!"
Only Kominato Haruichi stood awkwardly at the back.
Bang!
The door flew open again.
A hand shot out—
And dragged Sawamura inside.
"Coming here late at night instead of sleeping—looking for death?"
"Wrong! I was wrong! Never again!!" Sawamura howled as Kanzaki locked him in a brutal hold.
The others froze at the doorway.
That could've been us.
Kanzaki finally released him and sat down.
The four first-years obediently knelt on the floor.
"Speak. What do you want?"
His tone softened slightly.
In the end, Coach Kataoka had chosen to keep all four first-years for Koshien—
Cutting two third-years instead.
It was a harsh decision.
But necessary.
The future of the team mattered.
"Senpai…" Arima began carefully, "since there's still time before the games… can we visit the stadium tomorrow?"
Kanzaki narrowed his eyes.
"You came all this way… just to ask that?"
Arima panicked.
"To get familiar with the field! It's our first time—we're nervous!"
"Yeah, nervous!" Sawamura echoed.
Kanzaki ignored them and looked at the other two.
"You two?"
Furuya stayed silent.
Haruichi nodded.
"…Nervous."
Kanzaki sighed.
"Fine. Tomorrow's the draw ceremony—we don't need to attend. I can take you to see the stadium."
The four lit up instantly.
"But—"
"…But what?"
Kanzaki smirked.
"Do you have money? You're covering all expenses."
"Yes!"
"I've got some too!"
"Same!"
"Great," Kanzaki said, leaning back. "Tomorrow—Koshien day trip."
"Ohhh!!!"
The four happily left, as if they'd just secured treasure.
"Brats…" Kanzaki muttered, smiling.
He picked up his phone and messaged Takashima Rei.
We're going out tomorrow.
Permission was needed.
He wasn't actually all-powerful—
Despite what they thought.
A reply came quickly.
"Approved. Be back early."
"…I really can do anything," Kanzaki muttered smugly.
After enjoying that feeling for exactly three seconds—
He leaned back by the window and started his video call.