After attending the opening ceremony that afternoon, the team was dismissed early.
With the first game scheduled for tomorrow, the coach had ordered everyone to stop training and focus on maintaining their condition. No unnecessary practice—just rest and mental preparation.
That was why Ushijima Wakatoshi finally had time to visit his cousin's house for dinner.
"Yes, Yuki and I are heading over to Uncle's place now."
Holding his phone, Ushijima patiently explained the situation to his mother.
"You've been studying there for three months and still haven't visited your uncle's house?"
"No… I've been training the whole time. I really didn't have the time," he replied honestly.
"You child. No matter how busy you are, you should at least pay your respects. You've already finished a whole semester!"
His mother's tone carried clear dissatisfaction.
Ushijima understood her well enough not to argue. She also didn't mention that his cousin had never invited him before. There was no need to affect anyone's image in front of the elders.
Family dynamics were delicate. A nephew and a son were seen differently in the eyes of parents. Ushijima knew better than to speak carelessly.
He understood social balance more than people expected.
"You got scolded, huh?" Yuki teased with a grin.
"It was just a few words. She wasn't really angry," Ushijima said calmly as they approached the house.
He let out a quiet breath when they arrived.
Yuki's family lived in a house with a small yard—not far from Seido High School.
In Tokyo, owning a house with a yard practically meant you were wealthy. Japan had limited land but a massive population. Tokyo alone housed over 14 million people. The population density was staggering.
Housing prices reflected that reality.
The Yuki family was unquestionably well-off.
"Mom, I brought Ushijima," Yuki called out as they entered.
"Oh? You finally brought your cousin over?" his mother said as she came out from the inner room. "As the older brother, you really took your time."
After greeting her aunt, Ushijima changed his shoes and stepped inside.
His uncle was seated in the living room. Across from him sat his cousin—
Yuki Masashi.
"Cousin," Masashi said immediately, standing up the moment he saw him.
Ushijima smiled faintly and nodded.
"So, you've gotten strong?" he asked casually.
"Hmm."
Masashi had heard plenty about him.
Ace pitcher of Seido's baseball team.
Even his older brother had admitted that Ushijima's pitches were no joke. In practice alone, he had faced over 500 of her pitches.
Not a single home run.
That fact alone spoke volumes.
Masashi understood his brother's batting strength. For someone like him to fail repeatedly only meant one thing—
Ushijima's pitching was sharp.
"What are you doing?" Ushijima suddenly laughed in disbelief.
Masashi had already brought out a bat and was turning on the practice pitching machine in the yard.
The competitive blood clearly ran in the family.
Even his parents sighed helplessly. There he went again.
"I want to see your pitch," Masashi said bluntly.
"No time." Ushijima waved him off and sat down on the sofa.
"It's summer vacation. I have plenty of time."
"I don't. Summer Preliminaries start tomorrow."
"Oh…"
Masashi paused. Right. That was true.
"If you really want to understand my pitching," Ushijima continued calmly, "there are three ways."
"First—come to Seido and watch our training whenever you're free."
"Second—watch our games during the Summer Preliminaries."
"Third—enter Seido next spring. I'll pitch to you personally in a practice match."
He laid out the options clearly and left the decision to him.
Yuki's parents watched the exchange with amused smiles.
Just then, Yuki Tetsuya walked out from the restroom and glanced at his quiet younger brother.
"I have competitions this summer too," Masashi muttered.
"Then I definitely can't show you my pitching," Ushijima replied lightly. "If you see it now, you might lose your confidence."
"You know even your brother gets struck out by me."
"Really?" Masashi turned to his brother in disbelief.
"I've struck out before," Tetsuya admitted calmly, taking a seat. "But not often. He exaggerates."
Ushijima only smiled.
"I'm going to Seido," Masashi suddenly declared. "Will I be able to bat fourth?"
Tetsuya took a sip of water before answering.
"Whether you can become the fourth batter is hard to say."
"But one thing is certain."
"If you don't go to Seido… and instead choose any other high school in West Tokyo for your first or second year…"
"Forget about Koshien."
Masashi blinked. "Why?"
"Because you'll be entering high school next year," Tetsuya said evenly. "And your cousin still has two years left at Seido."
"Seido is in West Tokyo. As long as Ushijima is there, he'll be pitching."
"And no team in West Tokyo is getting a Koshien ticket past him."
"Only after he graduates will the other schools stand a chance."
The blunt truth left Masashi staring in stunned silence.
On the sofa, Ushijima quietly peeled an apple, an amused smile on his lips.
"Hey, let me do that," his aunt quickly said, taking the knife from his hands. "Your fingers are precious right now. What if you cut yourself? You won't be able to pitch."
"It's not that serious," Ushijima chuckled.
"Ushijima, listen to your aunt," his uncle added firmly. "Right now, your hands determine whether Tetsuya reaches Koshien."
"This is his last summer. Be careful."
Faced with their earnest concern, Ushijima could only nod.
Meanwhile, Masashi leaned closer to his brother, curiosity burning in his eyes.
"Is cousin pitch really that hard to hit?"