Rinichi gave the hardball in his hand a squeeze.
He couldn't help but think—hardballs really do feel better.
Then, he tossed it toward Okumura.
Okumura caught it and tossed it back.
"Senpai, have you decided which high school you're going to?" Okumura asked as he caught the ball.
"Yeah, I've decided on Seidou."
Okumura looked a little surprised. "Wasn't there a better option?"
"That might be true, but I just feel like Seidou is more my style."
"Just a feeling?"
"Yep. A feeling," Rinichi said with a smile.
"Senpai, you're really reckless—deciding something like that based on a feeling."
Rinichi's smile stiffened. "You're really not a cute junior at all, huh?"
He took off his baseball glove and turned to leave. "That's enough for today."
"But we didn't even finish warming up…"
"Are you mad, Senpai? Sorry," Okumura said, realizing something and sounding apologetic.
"No!"
To prove he wasn't angry, Rinichi stopped in his tracks.
He turned back, put on his glove again.
"Let's go!"
After throwing a dozen or so pitches to Okumura, Rinichi stopped.
He flexed his left arm. "As expected, I can't throw too many yet. I really need to get used to it."
Okumura stood up. "Senpai's pitches were a bit wild at first, but they got better toward the end."
Rinichi nodded. "Once I've adjusted, it shouldn't be a problem."
"It's getting late. Let's head back."
After that, the two of them went to the locker room to change into their uniforms.
Rinichi waved a hand and turned his head slightly.
"See you tomorrow, Okumura."
Okumura was caught off guard, and just as he was about to reply, Rinichi had already shut the door behind him.
With one strap over his shoulder bag, both hands in his pockets, he walked into the classroom and noticed a few people still inside—though they were all girls.
"Kamishiro-kun, you're back!" one girl called out, and the others quickly gathered around him.
"You've been working so hard in training, Kamishiro-kun!"
Then, in perfect unison: "Thanks for your hard work!"
"…" Although he was speechless, Rinichi still wore a polite smile.
It wasn't even that tough today…
After finally getting away from the girls, he grabbed his books, picked up his bag, and left.
When he got home, he saw only his brother's shoes in the entryway, and his gaze dimmed slightly.
After changing his shoes, he passed by the kitchen and stopped.
"Dad's not coming back today either?"
Ryuichi looked up from the kitchen and gave a quiet response.
Rinichi murmured almost to himself, "I see."
Then he went upstairs.
His brother was in high school, and their father was busy with work—so much so that he only saw him a handful of times a year.
As a result, it was his brother who looked after him now. As for their mother, she had divorced their father when Rinichi was still in elementary school.
He was used to it—but that didn't mean he liked it.
Every day came with a sense of emptiness—
He tossed both of his bags carelessly on the floor and collapsed onto the bed, covering his eyes with his arm.
Anyway, he'd be living in the dorm once high school started. He wouldn't have to care about all this anymore.
At least, that's what he told himself.
In the blink of an eye,
Rinichi had already graduated from junior high.
Around him, some people were joyful, others emotional.
After taking the graduation photo and gathering his things, it was time to go.
When Rinichi arrived at the school gate, he saw Okumura and Seto already waiting there.
They were clearly waiting for him.
Rinichi smiled helplessly.
Still, he walked up to the two of them.
"Okumura and Seto both came to see me off? That just makes it harder to leave," he said, pretending to tear up.
Obviously, he was faking it.
Okumura and Seto: "…"
Rinichi dropped the act and cheerfully patted their shoulders. "Do your best. Who knows, we might be rivals in high school."
But Okumura replied with a serious face, "No—we won't be. If Senpai goes to Seidou, then I'll go to Seidou too."
As for Seto, he didn't really have a choice—wherever Okumura went, he followed.
"Me too!" Seto echoed.
Rinichi was slightly surprised. "Is that so?"
He raised his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and for once, wore a serious expression. "Then I'll be waiting for you both at Seidou."
Okumura and Seto both bumped fists with him.
"I hope the three of us can make it to Koshien together," Rinichi said with a small smile. "But I'm going on ahead to check out the view from Koshien first!"
Not long after, Takashima Rei called to confirm once again whether Rinichi was really going to attend Seidou.
It was just a confirmation call—
But it showed how much they valued him.
"Please be prepared, Kamishiro-kun. You might be joining the First String as soon as you arrive."
Rinichi was a little surprised. "Huh? Seriously?"
"Of course, the coach still needs to see you pitch before making a decision."
"Feels like I'm getting in through the back door."
"Then let's just say you are."
"…Alright, I got it."
Just as he hung up the phone, Ryuichi suddenly appeared. "So you've finally decided where to go, Rinichi?"
Clearly, he'd been eavesdropping from the corner for quite a while.
"Seidou."
"I decided a year and a half ago." He had simply never told his family.
He didn't think it was necessary.
"You decided that early? Why didn't you tell me?"
Ryuichi never tried to interfere with his younger brother's school choices. He knew Rinichi was someone who made his own decisions.
So when schools came to scout Rinichi, Ryuichi didn't ask. He thought it was too early, assuming Rinichi would choose in his final year of junior high. But to his surprise…
"Then I'll let Dad know."
"Whatever. It doesn't matter whether he knows or not—it makes no difference," Rinichi said coldly.
Whether he really didn't care was hard to tell.
Back in his room, Rinichi started packing.
First-year students were supposed to join spring training early.
But suddenly moving out to live in a dorm—it made him feel uneasy.
After all, this would be his first time living away from home.
During dinner, he finally brought it up: he'd be leaving for Seidou early.
"So sudden? Have you packed everything? Are you missing anything?"
Rinichi picked up a dish and put it in his mouth. "I've got everything ready. You don't need to worry."
"This is your first time staying in a dorm. If anything comes up, make sure to call me."
"Got it."
"I should've told Dad earlier. Then maybe you could've seen him before leaving for school."
Rinichi's fingers tightened around his bowl. His lips parted slightly.
"I've already gotten used to him not being around. Whether he comes home or not doesn't matter anymore."
With that, he set down his chopsticks.
"I'm done eating."
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