Even Masuko pulled out a piece of paper with large words written on it:
"Sawamura, come quickly!"
"Even if you're just an apprentice," Masuko said, "you should still watch the game."
Sawamura, however, stood firm. His expression was serious—almost stubborn.
"I'm staying."
"At a time like this, I should train even harder. Otherwise, I'll never catch up to you guys."
Hearing this, Kuramochi and Masuko exchanged glances and said nothing more.
But Ushijima, standing nearby, mercilessly exposed him.
"You just like saying nice things."
"Isn't it really because once everyone leaves the field—"
"You'll be the only one left and can secretly take out a ball and pitch?"
Sawamura hadn't even thought about that.
But the moment Ushijima said it, his eyes lit up.
"Oh—right! How could I forget that?!"
Since joining Seido, the coach hadn't allowed him to pitch even once.
But if the field was empty now…
Wouldn't that mean no one would stop him?
"Hehe… hehe… hahahaha~"
Sawamura's grin widened uncontrollably, and he even let out a foolish laugh.
Then, with absolutely no shame, he denied it outright.
"No! No! How could I do something like that?"
"Hahaha I wouldn't! I really wouldn't! Wahahaha"
Kuramochi and Masuko looked at him with even greater disdain.
Your thoughts are written all over your face, idiot.
Ushijima shrugged.
"Work hard and catch up to me quickly."
"That way, I can finally give up the Number 1 jersey. It's too heavy."
Before Ushijima could even finish, Isashiki snapped back.
"Hey! Don't get arrogant, kid!!!"
"Since you've got the Ace number, you better perform well!"
"Don't you dare disgrace our dorm!!!"
Faced with Isashiki's roaring voice, Ushijima could only sigh helplessly.
But amidst the noisy banter and shouting, the team boarded the bus.
Once seated, Ushijima put on his headphones and leaned back.
He sat beside Yuki.
Neither of them spoke much, but when these two cousins stayed quiet, their presence alone was overwhelming.
Their combined aura was unmatched.
As music played softly in his ears, Ushijima gazed out the window.
After about twenty minutes, the bus arrived at the stadium.
Tokyo wasn't that big—traveling from Seido to the venue didn't take long.
Following the team inside, Ushijima entered the dugout as Coach Kataoka began announcing the starting lineup.
"First batter, shortstop—Kuramochi."
"Second batter, second baseman—Kominato."
"Third batter, center fielder—Isashiki."
"Fourth batter, first baseman—Yuki."
"Fifth batter, third baseman—Masuko."
"Sixth batter, catcher—Miyuki."
"Seventh batter, right fielder—Shirasu."
"Eighth batter, pitcher—Ushijima."
"Ninth batter, left fielder—Tanba."
When announcing the ninth spot, Coach Kataoka turned to Tanba.
"You'll start in left field."
"Ushijima is starting today, but if anything unexpected happens, you'll be ready to come in immediately."
"Yes!" Tanba replied.
Though unhappy, he had no choice but to accept.
Everything would be decided in this game.
How far could Ushijima Wakatoshi really go?
Coach Kataoka submitted the lineup.
But the moment the announcer read it out—
The stadium erupted.
"What?! A first-year pitcher starting for Seido?!"
"Ace Tanba is playing left field?! Is this a joke?"
"What kind of stunt is Seido pulling?"
The crowd buzzed with disbelief.
Ichidai San High was no less shocked.
In a rivalry match between two powerhouse schools—
Seido was sending a freshman pitcher to start?
"Hey, hey—aren't they looking down on us too much?"
"Starting a first-year? They really think we're pushovers?"
"Forget it—just blow him out in the first inning!"
"That's right! Blow him out!"
Ichidai San High's dugout burned with fighting spirit, like a raging flame sweeping toward Seido.
Even Ushijima, warming up, felt it and shivered.
"Oh wow…"
"That's some serious killing intent."
"I knew it—the pitcher position attracts hatred."
"It hasn't even started, and they already look like they want to eat me alive."
His muttering drew laughter from his teammates.
But the game had already begun.
Seido was batting first.
Ichidai San High took the field.
Kuramochi stepped into the batter's box, Kominato following closely behind.
Ichidai's Ace pitcher was Manaka Kaname—from the same middle school as Tanba.
Because of that, the two shared similar pitching foundations.
Manaka specialized in high-speed curveballs.
Tanba, on the other hand, used curveballs with massive vertical drop.
Simply put—
Manaka's curveball was faster.
Tanba's had a more dramatic arc.
Tanba's vertical curve, during practice, topped out at 121 km/h.
As for Manaka Kaname's high-speed curve—
Ushijima Wakatoshi was very curious to see it.
"Do you have a stopwatch?"
Standing in the dugout, Ushijima turned and asked.
"What do you need a stopwatch for?" Yuki asked curiously.
"To record Ichidai's Ace."
"From the moment he starts his pitching motion—"
"Until the ball enters the catcher's mitt."
Ushijima had his own reasoning.
After reading countless baseball materials, he understood that timing could reveal many things.
With accurate data, he could plan his own pitching tactics.
"Here."
Takashima Rei handed him a stopwatch.
"Thank you, big sister."
That single phrase made Rei stiffen.
"You… smooth-talking brat." She adjusted her glasses, clearly flustered.
Ushijima didn't notice.
His eyes were already locked onto the field.
Kuramochi, standing in the batter's box, wore a fierce grin.
"Hehe~"
Manaka Kaname stood on the mound, exchanging signs with his catcher.
Then—
He moved.
The instant Manaka began his pitching motion—
Click.
Ushijima pressed the stopwatch.