Just as the weather forecast had predicted, heavy rain poured down on the day of Seido's matchup against Teito.
Despite the miserable weather, the stadium was packed.
"Isn't this only the first round? Why are there already so many spectators?"
Reporter Owada Akiko looked around the crowded stands before turning to her senior colleague, Fujio.
Fujio glanced at the rain falling steadily from the grey sky and smiled.
"Because this isn't just any first-round game."
"During the summer, both the East Tokyo and West Tokyo representatives advanced to Koshien."
"This is the strongest showdown between the two districts."
"A clash like this was bound to draw a huge crowd."
His explanation immediately reminded Owada of something.
"That's right."
"The ace pitchers of both teams are first-years."
"Teito's ace, Mukai Taiyo, led his team to the Top 16 at Summer Koshien with his exceptional control."
"And Seido's ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi, pitched in four games, throwing with both his left and right hands while leading Seido to its long-awaited championship without allowing a single run."
"This is definitely one of the most anticipated games of the Autumn Tournament."
Owada rested a hand on her chin as she watched the players warming up below.
"Ushijima Wakatoshi has already reached the pinnacle of high school baseball."
"Since making his debut, he hasn't allowed a single run."
"He hasn't surrendered a single home run either."
"I've also heard he hit five more home runs during the preliminary rounds."
"That gives him twenty home runs in official games—and he's only in the first semester of his first year."
"What?"
"Already twenty?"
Owada's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Exactly."
"If he keeps this pace up, he could easily surpass one hundred career home runs before graduating."
Their conversation only fueled the excitement spreading throughout the stadium.
Among the spectators were two junior high school boys who had come specifically to watch today's game.
Meanwhile, inside Seido's dugout, Coach Kataoka announced the starting lineup.
"Leading off, shortstop—Kuramochi."
"Batting second, right fielder—Shirasu."
"Third, second baseman—Kominato."
"Cleanup, center fielder—Ushijima."
"Fifth, catcher—Miyuki."
"Sixth, left fielder—Toujou."
"Seventh, third baseman—Kanemaru."
"Eighth, first baseman—Maezono."
"Ninth, pitcher—Furuya."
As the lineup was announced, Maezono quietly clenched his fists.
He had been pushed all the way down to eighth in the batting order.
Not only had he lost his place near the heart of the lineup, but he had even fallen behind Toujou and Kanemaru.
Coach Kataoka turned his attention to Furuya.
"Furuya."
"I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on you."
"But remember this."
"As long as you don't let the game get out of control, keep pitching your game."
"However..."
"The moment a crisis develops, regardless of the reason, I'll move you to the outfield—or take you out of the game immediately."
"Our opponent is Teito."
"They're a Koshien-caliber team."
"This isn't the preliminary rounds anymore."
"We can't afford to leave you on the mound if things start falling apart."
Furuya nodded silently.
"I understand."
Today's defensive alignment also made Coach Kataoka's intentions obvious.
Although Ushijima was wearing the number one jersey, he had been assigned to center field instead of the pitcher's mound.
There was a reason for that.
The heavy rain would undoubtedly affect every pitcher's control.
During their special training over the past few days, Ushijima had also struggled to command water-soaked baseballs.
If he started the game on the mound, he would have to adjust immediately under difficult conditions.
Instead, Coach Kataoka wanted Furuya to start while Ushijima adapted to the rhythm of playing in the rain from center field.
Once he was fully accustomed to the conditions, he could take over on the mound if necessary.
"Let's go! Let's go! Teito!"
The cheers from Teito High's supporters echoed throughout the stadium.
On the opposite side, Teito's dugout had also received Seido's starting lineup.
"Their starter isn't Ushijima Wakatoshi?"
Teito's coach raised an eyebrow.
"They're starting their number two pitcher... the first-year flamethrower, Furuya?"
Mukai Taiyo smiled confidently.
"So they're underestimating us."
"That works in our favour."
The coach nodded.
"Exactly."
"Score as many runs as possible before Ushijima comes in."
"If we can build a lead first, we won't have to challenge him at the plate."
"We'll simply walk him intentionally whenever the situation calls for it."
Mukai understood immediately.
"I won't underestimate him."
"Anyone with twenty home runs deserves respect."
No team in high school baseball could ignore Ushijima Wakatoshi's bat anymore.
As Seido's starters took the field, murmurs spread through the stands.
When everyone saw Ushijima wearing the ace's number one jersey while jogging toward center field instead of the mound, the crowd erupted.
"What?"
"The ace is playing center field?"
"He's not pitching?"
Among the spectators, junior high school player Seto Takuma stared at the field in astonishment.
Beside him stood a quiet, expressionless boy.
The two were teammates who would enter high school the following April.
"Koushuu."
"If Ushijima isn't pitching, didn't we come all this way for nothing?"
Seto sighed in disappointment.
Okumura Koushuu kept both hands in his jacket pockets, his expression unchanged.
"In a game this important..."
"There's no way he won't pitch."
Seto's eyes lit up.
"You mean he'll come in as a reliever?"
"Yeah."
Okumura gave a slight nod before fixing his gaze on Ushijima in center field.
The reason he had come today was simple.
He wanted to watch Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Every serious baseball player had watched the Summer Koshien tournament.
Unless circumstances prevented it, no baseball-loving middle or high school student would have missed those games.
And after that tournament...
Ushijima had become the pitcher every catcher dreamed of working with.
As a catcher himself, Okumura naturally wanted to see him in person.
"Oh!"
"It's starting!"
"Teito's leadoff hitter is up!"
Seto leaned forward excitedly.
On the mound, Furuya took a deep breath before delivering his first pitch.
Whoosh!
A blazing fastball exploded into Miyuki's mitt.
Strike!
The batter hadn't even started his swing.
A few pitches later—
Strike Three!
The leadoff hitter went down swinging.
However, after the second batter stepped into the box...
Whoosh!
Thwack!
"Ball!"
The umpire's call immediately made Furuya click his tongue.
Another pitch.
"Ball!"
Consecutive balls began affecting his rhythm.
"Is this guy cursed or something?" Ushijima wondered as he watched from center field through the falling rain.
"Ball Four!"
"Take your base!"
The walk caused Furuya to lower his head in frustration.
Behind the plate, Miyuki calmly adjusted his signs, trying to settle his young pitcher down.
Then the third batter stepped in.
Crack!
The bat connected cleanly.
"Center field!"
Miyuki shouted the moment the ball left the bat.
But Ushijima had already reacted.
The instant he saw the high fly ball, he exploded into a sprint.
"Ohhh!"
"What incredible speed!"
The crowd gasped as Ushijima covered ground with astonishing acceleration across the rain-soaked outfield.
As he tracked the descending ball, he also glanced toward the runner advancing aggressively from first to second, already calculating his next move.
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