In the bullpen, Nanjo Taishi delivered pitch after pitch under Coach Kataoka's sharp gaze.
"So that's how it is," Kanzaki Ryou said thoughtfully.
"Oh? You figured it out?" Takashima Rei smiled.
"Yes. Senpai's new pitch—you're planning to use it today, right?"
Takashima Rei nodded. "The Director has already given permission. We'll decide whether to use it depending on the game situation. Of course, the timing will be left to Tanaka and the others on the field."
"That's great. Our chances of winning just went up another notch," Ryou said confidently.
Rei raised an eyebrow. "And what about you? Are you ready?"
"Absolutely. I won't give up a single run!"
"It would be even better if i could pitch the whole game from start to finish."
Coach Kataoka turned his head at that, his tone firm. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Focus on your basic training first. Run more every day to build up your stamina, and you'll have plenty of opportunities down the road."
"Yes, Boss."
"And don't call me Boss," Kataoka added dryly.
By 10:30 AM, everyone in the baseball club had gathered at the stadium. The first-string players and managers boarded the bus first, followed by the rest of the club members.
Since this was the final, not a single person was absent.
Behind them came Seidou's brass band, cheerleading squad, and groups of students organized to watch the game live.
Ten buses in total rolled majestically out of Seidou.
Jingu Stadium
When Seidou's buses arrived, Kanzaki Ryou immediately spotted Kanzaki Mamiko waiting near the entrance, wearing a white dress and a wide-brimmed sun hat.
"So many people!" Miyuki tilted his head, peering out the window. The crowd outside was huge—fans of both Seidou and Inashiro, as well as a swarm of TV reporters.
"It's the finals, and it's against Inashiro," Ryou said. "If this were the summer prelim finals, the crowd would be even crazier."
"I know, I used to come here often to watch games," Miyuki replied proudly. As a Tokyo native, this was his turf.
Ryou slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Being a Tokyoite is no big deal. Let's get going, City Boy."
The bus door hissed open, and Seidou's players began filing out one by one.
Immediately, a wave of cheers erupted from the stands.
"Coach Kataoka!"
"Azuma! Hit a big one!"
"Tetsu!"
"Nanjo!"
"Ryou! Go get 'em!"
"Yo, looks like you've got quite a fanbase," Miyuki teased.
"Of course. I'm handsome, after all," Ryou said with a grin, striding toward the front.
"Boss," he called out suddenly.
Coach Kataoka stopped and turned.
"Boss, I'd like to take a few minutes off."
Ryou pointed toward his sister. Kataoka followed his gaze, then gave a curt nod. "Ten minutes."
"Thank you, Coach."
As Ryou jogged toward the beautiful woman waiting by the entrance, the other players' eyes widened.
Wait—what? They were here for a game, not a date!
"Girlfriend?" Nanjo Taishi whispered to the others.
"How should I know?"
"Probably not. She looks like a college student or maybe a working professional," Tanaka Wataru said.
"Sister-brother romance? Maybe Ryou's into older women?"
"What's wrong with that? She's, what, twenty at most?"
"No, maybe he's just a sis-con."
"You don't get it," another player snickered. "Sis-con's a sickness, but being into older sisters—that's true culture."
As the wild theories flew, Chris just sighed. He knew the truth—Ryou had both an older and a younger sister. This must be the older one.
Takashima Rei, who had already greeted Mamiko earlier, turned around and glared coldly at the gossiping players. "Enough nonsense. Get inside."
Chastened, the players quickly shut their mouths and obediently filed into the stadium.
"Nee-san, why are you here so early?" Ryou asked.
"I'm too excited! It's my first time watching a baseball game live!" Kanzaki Mamiko exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
Ever since Ryou entered Seidou, she and Kanzaki Kumiko had followed every bit of baseball news about him. Whenever Ryou appeared in a match, Mamiko would proudly brag about her brother to friends and classmates.
When she heard Seidou had reached the Tournament final, she bought tickets immediately—determined to see her brother play live and cheer him on.
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Ryou said, caught off guard by her sudden hug. A faint scent of her perfume drifted into his nose.
"It's a surprise! Aren't you happy?"
"Of course I am. It's a great surprise," Ryou said quickly.
Mamiko giggled and teased, "Still pretending? Kumiko must've already told you, right?"
"Uh… how did you know?" Ryou scratched his head awkwardly. He had been trying to cover for Kumiko.
"Hmph! You two think you can hide anything from your big sister?" Mamiko said proudly, tilting her chin up.
"Yes, yes, you're the best, Old One," Ryou joked, grabbing her hand. "Come on, I'll take you through the VIP aisle."
There were too many people outside, and he didn't even want to imagine what kind of rumors might start from this scene.
"Oh, by the way, where's your seat?"
"Area A, first row!" Mamiko said proudly, waving her ticket.
After escorting his sister to her seat, Ryou hurried back to the locker room.
The moment he stepped inside, he felt the chill in the air. The room went dead silent—every head turned toward him, eyes glinting like predators sizing up prey.
Ryou slowed his steps, uneasy. "Kazuya… what's with them?"
Miyuki smirked, turning his head with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Ryou. Was that your girlfriend earlier?"
Hmph!
A synchronized snort came from the team.
Ryou looked around at his seniors' piercing stares, then turned back and grabbed Miyuki by the collar. "You bastard!"
"Ah, sister-brother romance, how enviable," Miyuki continued, deliberately teasing.
"Sister-brother romance? You got that right," Ryou said smugly, releasing him.
"Huh?" Miyuki blinked in disbelief. "Wait, seriously?"
"Of course. Isn't my sister pretty?"
"Sister? Real sister?" Miyuki asked, stunned.
"Of course. What, you think I made her up?"
"Wait, I thought you only had a younger sister. You've got an older one too?" Miyuki said suspiciously.
"I've got both. Any problem with that?" Ryou replied casually as he began warming up. The game was less than an hour away, and even though he wasn't starting, everyone was serious about their prep—especially with Chris's situation in mind.
Just then, Takashima Rei clapped her hands sharply. "Alright, enough gossip. Focus and get ready for the game!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
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