"Ha… haha… hahaha…!"
Inside the batting box, the coach laughed.
He had clearly been provoked, but instead of anger, there was excitement in his eyes.
In all his years coaching Seido's baseball team…
this was the first time a player had dared to challenge him so openly.
How bold.
Around the field, Assistant Coach Ota, Manager Takashima Rei, and every single player stood frozen.
Only one person remained standing.
Ushijima Wakatoshi.
And he was actually provoking the coach.
"Then let's go!"
Bang!
The bat cracked.
The ball shot deep into the field.
Ushijima instantly gave chase. When he realized he couldn't reach it in time, he threw himself forward—
Slide—grab!
Dust flew.
He caught it.
"Didn't you eat today, Coach?!" he shouted.
Everyone swallowed.
Another pitch.
Bang!!
This one flew even farther.
Ushijima sprinted like a beast, then dove—
Thud!
Caught again.
"Is that all you've got?!"
The field went silent.
Third ball.
Bang!
Catch.
"Getting old already, Coach?!"
At this point, the entire team was numb.
This wasn't calm confidence anymore.
This was outright rebellion.
Who talks to their coach like that?
Didn't you eat?
Is that all?
Getting old?
Each sentence was basically asking to be hated.
Yet Ushijima kept going.
"If this isn't working, find someone else! Don't waste my time!"
Everyone's brains short-circuited.
Too arrogant.
Too crazy.
Too fearless.
"Heh… heh…"
Coach Kataoka was breathing heavily now after nearly three straight hours of batting.
But instead of anger—
He smiled.
This kid…
He really was something else.
The first high school player he'd ever truly admired.
He turned his gaze.
"Yuki. How about you? Still holding on?"
"Your cousin still provoking me. What about you, Captain?"
Yuki Tetsuya lowered his head.
Memories flashed through his mind.
Being appointed captain.
The trust of his seniors.
The responsibility of leading this team.
A captain should inspire others.
But today…
His cousin had done it for him.
What kind of captain was that?
His trembling legs slowly straightened.
He forced himself up.
Eyes sharp.
Unyielding.
"One more, Coach. I can do it."
Seeing him stand—
The others followed.
Isashiki gritted his teeth.
"How can a first-year steal the spotlight…?!"
He stood.
Masuko stood.
Kuramochi, Shirasu, Kominato Ryosuke—
One by one.
All seven.
Every single one radiating stubborn willpower.
"COME ON!!!"
Their combined shout shook the field.
Even the coach grinned.
Now this… this was Seido baseball.
Behind them, Furuya and Sawamura stared in disbelief.
"They're too strong… these upperclassmen…"
"They're the ones guarding behind us…"
As pitchers, they understood.
A strong defense meant security.
And security meant confidence.
Chris spoke calmly beside them.
"See that? Ushijima isn't just a pitcher. His defense is just as terrifying."
"Don't rush. Focus on fundamentals. Learn more pitches. Improve control."
"With him anchoring the defense, Seido won't fall easily."
The two silently clenched their fists.
They had to catch up.
"Last ball! Don't slack off!" the coach roared.
Bang!
The final hit.
Training finally ended at 7:30.
Everyone collapsed where they stood.
If they could, they'd sleep right there.
But they still had to shower.
Dragging their exhausted bodies, they headed back to the dorms.
Inside the bathhouse, everyone soaked like lifeless corpses.
"…Oh right," Ushijima suddenly said, "we have a practice match in a few days, don't we?"
"Yeah," Yuki replied.
"You pitching?"
Ushijima shook his head lazily.
"Better not. I'm dead tired lately. I'll just play outfield and relax. It's only a practice game."
Instant protest.
"Then you definitely pitch," Isashiki snapped.
"Why?!"
"If you pitch, we don't have to move," Kominato said with a grin.
"Yeah," Kuramochi added. "Strikeouts mean we can just stand there."
Even Yuki nodded.
"Less work for us."
"…You guys are shameless," Ushijima sighed.
Shirasu laughed.
"Then maybe don't act so cool provoking the coach earlier."
"Yeah, you're pitching. We're resting."
Ushijima clicked his tongue.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. Don't blame me later."
The bath filled with tired laughter.