Narumiya Mei threw a signal to his catcher, and the pitch that followed left everyone with surprised expressions.
Not quite high, not quite low—just hovering in a spot that looked extremely difficult to hit.
Rinichi observed, scanning the senior players' reactions before quietly raising his hand.
"I can throw that, I can throw that!"
That has nothing to do with whether you can throw it or not.
Miyuki pressed Rinichi's head down with one hand. "Yeah, yeah, we know you can throw it. Keep it to yourself."
Rinichi instantly disrupted the mood, but that didn't stop the seniors from getting fired up.
"Miyuki, let's warm up," Tanba said.
Miyuki was a little surprised by that.
"Let's check the condition of my pitches in the bullpen. That way you can call the game better."
With that, Tanba walked off ahead.
Rinichi thought to himself, Huh… maybe those two don't dislike each other as much as I thought.
By the fifth inning of the Seidou vs. Shuhoku match…
Shuhoku hadn't scored a single run. Seidou had racked up nine.
Which only proved how strong Tanba-senpai really was.
Rinichi stretched lazily.
Shuhoku? Weren't they supposed to be a rising power in East Tokyo?
Didn't look like much now.
They hadn't been able to get anything going since they stepped onto the field—what a boring opponent.
At the end of the fifth inning, Tanba returned to the dugout to rest.
Miyuki approached him. "Tanba-senpai, I think the opposing batters have probably locked in on which pitches to attack."
"I'm going to ask you to throw some forkballs in the next inning."
Forkballs? When did Tanba-senpai learn how to throw those?
Rinichi shifted slightly and tried to sneak a glance.
"One of the goals today is to pitch a complete game," Miyuki continued. "Your pitch count is still under control. Let's keep dominating."
"The real game begins in the second half," Miyuki added.
Tanba raised his eyes. "I thought the reason you never called for a forkball was because you were afraid you couldn't catch it."
"Try me if you think I can't handle it."
Whoa… didn't expect Tanba-senpai to be this intense.
Well, it was clear he wasn't fond of Miyuki.
Rinichi thought, I'd never get into it with my catcher.
In the next inning, Tanba's forkball caught almost everyone off guard.
Not only did the Shuhoku batters not expect it—barely anyone on Seidou knew Tanba even had a forkball.
The sudden use of the pitch threw Shuhoku completely off.
For a team that struggled even to hit Tanba's fastballs, it was hopeless.
But if Shuhoku managed to land a hit, Tanba's mental game might start to crack.
Seeing Tanba pitch such a sharp and composed forkball, Rinichi began to worry.
"…So maybe the ace position isn't so guaranteed after all."
After all, Tanba was a third-year. If he kept this up, Coach would surely keep him as the ace through the summer.
Would Rinichi really have to wait until Tanba graduated to get the ace number?
He didn't dare keep thinking about it.
By the end of the sixth inning, back in the dugout, Tanba wiped his sweat and said:
"Miyuki, for the next three innings, call more forkballs."
"Huh? That pitch worked great just now. But the guys from Inashiro are watching from the stands. Shouldn't we hold back a little?"
Miyuki clearly didn't approve. "Your velocity drops late in the game. I don't want you using a grip-heavy pitch like the fork too much."
"The forkball is just to bait hitters. I still think we should rely mainly on fastballs and curveballs."
Tanba stood firm. "No—I want to lead with the forkball. There aren't many chances left to test it out in a real game."
The atmosphere turned tense immediately.
These two really don't get along, Rinichi thought.
"Tanba," Coach Kataoka spoke up, "Are you making that call as the team's leading pitcher or just as a selfish player?"
He turned his head, sharp eyes locking onto Tanba.
"If this is a selfish move, I won't give you the ace number."
Everyone understood what that meant—if not Tanba, then Rinichi would get it.
Tanba clenched his fist. Deep down, he hated the idea of losing to a first-year.
"…I'd say it's both."
"Tanba, what are you saying…?" Club president Ota looked panicked.
"I know I'm likely to collapse in the later innings," Tanba admitted. "And I know Miyuki's calls take that into account."
"But if I don't overcome this weakness on my own, I'll never have the confidence to stand tall on the mound."
"To truly be the ace, this is something I have to face head-on."
Tanba spoke with clear conviction.
"I understand. If that's the case, then I'll fully cooperate with you, Senpai." Miyuki finally gave in. "When a pitcher shows that much resolve, how could I just ignore it?"
Isashiki Jun let out a light laugh. "Rare to see you talk big . But if he gets rocked, you're taking full responsibility."
He pushed up his bangs. "I'm shaving your head clean—completely bald!"
Rinichi instinctively reached up and touched his own hair.
"Great idea. I support it!" Kominato Ryousuke chuckled.
Even Yuuki Tetsuya joined in. "Count me in."
"If he gives up one run, shave his head. Two runs, shave his eyebrows too. Let's make that official,"
Chris said, already pulling out a notebook and pen.
"Three runs? He has to grow out his hair."
Suddenly, the tense atmosphere turned playful and bright.
Just then, the umpire called out for the next batter to step up to the plate.
Man… so much for me becoming the ace.
Looks like I'll just have to wait until Tanba-senpai graduates. Rinichi thought.
"Do your best, Tanba!"
"Or it'll mess up your pitching!" That last one was clearly Kominato Ryousuke.
It sounded like encouragement, but everyone probably assumed Tanba wouldn't get a hit.
Rinichi's eyes drifted toward the pitcher's mound—Shuhoku's pitcher looked completely exhausted.
Well, yeah. Against such a powerful batting lineup, who wouldn't be?
But something about his delivery made Rinichi uneasy.
On the very first pitch, the ball hit Tanba Kouichirou square on the head.
His helmet flew off and he collapsed to the ground.
Everyone froze. The seniors were the first to rush over, followed by Coach Kataoka.
"Director Ota, please bring the car over!" Takashima Rei called out.
"Someone get a stretcher—quick!"
The scene was tense, but not chaotic.
Last year it was Chris, this year it's Tanba—
Shuhoku apologized, but the game had to end then and there.
If you want to read 20 chapters advanced.