As the team's most senior manager, one of Fujiwara Takako's responsibilities was to help the coaching staff record training data. Following Coach Kataoka and Takashima Rei, she also knew certain things that ordinary members didn't.
For example—
Sawamura Eijun and Furuya Satoru had already received special attention from the coaching staff.
"Hmm… once those two grow up, next year I'll finally be able to relax a bit," Kanzaki Ryou said with a light chuckle.
"You're only a second-year and you're already thinking about slacking off?" Fujiwara Takako covered her mouth and laughed.
Kanzaki shook his head.
"It's not slacking off. I just want to give the juniors more chances to shine."
"I don't believe that. You just like showing off."
"Hahahaha."
The two chatted casually by the field for a while before Fujiwara Takako suddenly asked:
"Kanzaki-kun… you're planning to go pro, right?"
Kanzaki nodded honestly.
"If nothing unexpected happens, then yes."
"…Then how about I become your agent?"
"Huh?"
Kanzaki turned to her in surprise.
"Is that not allowed?" Fujiwara Takako said calmly.
"I know I'm not qualified yet, and I'm not professional—but I can learn."
Kanzaki took a deep breath.
"Senpai, you don't have to do that."
Fujiwara Takako smiled softly.
"I like watching you play baseball. If possible, I want to keep watching—not just through a TV screen."
Kanzaki laughed helplessly.
"Then wouldn't I be hiring you in advance? Should I make you call me 'Boss' first?"
"Hmph. Not yet. Don't try to take advantage of me."
After saying that, Fujiwara Takako turned around and returned to her duties with the other managers.
Kanzaki shook his head.
Honestly… Reina-senpai and Fujiwara-senpai are getting way too obvious.
But—
I still like Kumiko the most.
…Alright, now's not the time to think about things like that.
Playing baseball well—that's the priority.
At 9 a.m., after breakfast, the entire first string assembled on the field. Seido's dedicated bus was already waiting at the entrance.
As Seido's first official match after Spring Koshien, Coach Kataoka took it seriously—but didn't burden the players with unnecessary pressure.
From a competitive standpoint, the Spring Tokyo Tournament wasn't the most important event.
And from an opponent standpoint—
Today's opponent, Rokkaku High School, was simply too weak. They hadn't even reached the Top 32 in years.
Seido's arrangements reflected that reality.
Aside from the first string, no other players were allowed to follow the team. Among the managers, only Fujiwara Takako came along.
This wasn't arrogance.
There was simply no need for a spectacle.
When they arrived at the stadium, the stands were only half full. Clearly, the audience didn't have high expectations for this match either.
After a brief warm-up, Seido's starting lineup took the field.
Batting Order:
Kuramochi Yoichi – Shortstop
Kominato Ryosuke – Second Base
Isashiki Jun – Center Field
Yuki Tetsuya (Captain) – First Base
Kanzaki Ryou – Left Field
Miyuki Kazuya – Catcher
Masuko Toru – Third Base
Shirasu Kenjirou – Right Field
Tanba Koichiro – Pitcher
Top of the 1st Inning.
Seido batted first.
Kuramochi Yoichi immediately laid down a perfect bunt—and relying on his terrifying speed, reached first base safely.
"Ya hahahaha~!"
Kuramochi's demonic laughter echoed across the field.
"Speed demon!!"
"Nice one, Kuramochi!"
The crowd finally showed signs of excitement.
Second batter, Kominato Ryosuke, stepped up.
The moment the bat swung—
Bang!
The ball pierced cleanly through the infield between first and second.
Kuramochi sprinted past second without hesitation, charging straight toward third.
"Safe!!"
Kuramochi stood firmly on third base.
A textbook hit-and-run.
The atmosphere around home plate instantly heated up.
No outs. Runners on first and third.
Isashiki Jun stepped into the box and smashed a sharp hit to right field.
Kuramochi crossed home plate easily.
Seido scores first.
Next, Yuki crushed a long drive, loading the bases with no outs.
"Scoring chance—Kanzaki!"
"It's up to you!"
"Ahhh!!"
Amid the roaring cheers, Kanzaki Ryou calmly stepped into the batter's box.
The opposing pitcher stared at him with despair written all over his face.
Bases loaded.
There was no escaping this confrontation.
Whoosh!
A straight ball—barely 135 km/h.
Kanzaki swung.
Bang!!!
The sound was explosive.
The baseball soared high into the sky.
A no-doubt—
Grand slam home run.
Four runs scored in one swing.
The game had just begun, and the score was already 5–0, with no outs.
The audience erupted.
After a brief celebration in the dugout, all eyes turned to Miyuki.
With no runners on base, Miyuki followed up with a home run of his own.
"This is brutal…"
"They're breaking the pitcher mentally."
"Why do I feel like Seido are the villains here?"
Even the fans couldn't help feeling sympathy.
The lineup went through one full rotation.
Masuko and Shirasu added hits.
Tanba grounded into a double play, finally giving Rokkaku a moment to breathe.
Kuramochi stepped up again, but this time the opponent was prepared. After two pitches, he was retired.
Phew—
The entire stadium exhaled.
If this continued, Rokkaku's morale would completely collapse.
Bottom of the 1st Inning.
Tanba Koichiro took the mound and efficiently shut down Rokkaku's batters.
The game progressed at a terrifying pace.
By the early end of the 5th inning—
Score: 27–0.
A mercy rule victory.
Kanzaki Ryou alone hit two home runs, bringing his total career count to 25.
Yuki, Miyuki, and Isashiki each added one.
Seido's overwhelming batting power filled the audience with anticipation for the upcoming summer.
Returning victorious, the Seido players showed little excitement.
For the first-years watching from afar, this seemed strange—but it made perfect sense.
This was only the third round.
For a team that stood at the summit of Tokyo—
Defeating an opponent like this was simply expected.