"Don't belittle yourselves. Our seniors have, after all, one or even two more years of training than us. It's only natural that their stamina is stronger. They've put in far more sweat," Arima Kazusa said as he comforted the two.
Kominato Haruichi, who was sitting nearby, also nodded in agreement. His eyes remained fixed on Kominato Ryosuke on the field.
Compared to his older brother, he still had a long way to go.
On the field, Coach Kataoka swung the bat with full force, sending ball after ball flying. The team members struggled to chase and catch each one.
As time passed, players collapsed one after another, until only Yuki and Kanzaki Ryou remained standing.
Kanzaki Ryou was still upright mainly because he had fielded relatively fewer balls. This kind of catching drill carried significant risk for a pitcher. Neither the Coach nor the others would deliberately send too many balls his way—if his fingers were injured, it would be disastrous.
Yuki, however, was different.
He had persisted purely through willpower.
As the team's Captain, Yuki wasn't good with words. He wasn't skilled at motivating others through speeches, nor was he adept at managing interpersonal relationships. Yet no one in the team had ever questioned his leadership.
Because whether in training or competition, Yuki always led by example.
At crucial moments, he could always step forward and create opportunities for the team.
Again and again.
Now, with everyone else having fallen, Yuki had to stand tall and show the first-year newcomers what Seido Baseball Club truly meant.
This was not a place where anyone could survive with a complacent attitude.
To achieve something here, talent alone was not enough.
One needed an unyielding heart.
"Yuki! Can't you stand up?"
After two more balls were hit, Yuki managed to catch one and immediately collapsed onto the ground. His heavy breathing stirred clouds of dirt beneath him, and for a long while, he couldn't rise.
Hearing Coach Kataoka's voice, Yuki clenched his teeth and forced his arms against the ground, slowly pushing himself upward.
His exhausted body felt as if it were filled with molten lead.
The first-years watched in shock.
He's already like this… and he still refuses to fall?
"I… I can, Coach! One more ball!"
Barely standing, Yuki bent forward, one hand pressing against his violently heaving chest as he shouted hoarsely.
On the sideline, Ochiai Hiromitsu felt a chill run down his spine, goosebumps rising on his arms.
With a team like this…
How could they possibly fail?
Another ball was launched.
Yuki threw himself forward with his final shred of strength and caught it.
Coach Kataoka wiped the sweat from his forehead. After hitting so many balls, even he was completely spent.
"Training over! Everyone, rest early tonight!"
The entire field froze.
No extra running?
Surprise spread across everyone's faces.
Then Coach Kataoka suddenly added,
"Miyuki, Kuramochi! No rest until you finish your run!"
The two who had been secretly celebrating instantly stood at attention.
"Yes!"
"Haha, you idiots—stunned, aren't you?" Kanzaki Ryou laughed mercilessly.
"Temee! You're still laughing?!"
Kuramochi rushed over and grabbed Kanzaki Ryou by the collar, ready to give him a scissor kick.
"Ya hahaha! You guys take your time running. I'm heading back to rest."
Kanzaki Ryou grinned, slipped free, and sprinted out of the field.
A week of brutal training quickly passed.
The team finally returned to a more normal training rhythm.
The following evening, after practice ended, Coach Kataoka gathered everyone.
"Tomorrow, we will have a practice game."
"Our opponent—Osaka Kiryu."
"What?! Osaka Kiryu?!"
"No way, with our current condition?"
"This is interesting…"
Whispers erupted across the field.
Kanzaki Ryou, however, remained calm.
A practice game against Osaka Kiryu meant nothing to him.
He knew he wouldn't be pitching.
The purpose of this match was to test the team's combat effectiveness under fatigue.
Among the pitchers, the ones truly being tested were the others—especially the first-years.
Sawamura Eijun.
Furuya Satoru.
Even in his current condition, Kanzaki Ryou was confident he could still throw above 145 km/h.
Coach Kataoka wasn't testing him.
Not yet.
Miyuki leaned over. "Hey, did you know about this already?"
"Isn't this standard procedure?" Kanzaki Ryou replied casually. "What's so strange?"
"I mean Osaka Kiryu."
"Oh. That? Yeah. Found out last night."
After training ended yesterday, Takashima Rei had called him to the Coach's office and informed him.
"You always get news first. The Coach is way too biased," Miyuki complained.
"Heh. You'll probably be playing tomorrow. Let's see how you perform."
Miyuki rolled his eyes and didn't respond.
For Sawamura, Furuya, Arima Kazusa, and Kominato Haruichi, excitement burned in their eyes.
This would be their first appearance as first-string members.
Back in the dorm, seeing Arima Kazusa's eager expression, Kanzaki Ryou smiled faintly.
"Good luck tomorrow, kid."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Arima turned his head, confused.
Kanzaki Ryou shrugged and didn't explain.
Arima was currently both physically and mentally exhausted.
His batting accuracy would drop.
His defense would also suffer.
Performing well tomorrow would be extremely difficult.
Almost impossible.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Sawamura stuck his head in.
"Aniki! Miyuki wants you to come play games!"
Kanzaki Ryou sighed.
"Eijun, Kazuya is your senior. At least call him 'Miyuki-senpai.'"
"No way! That guy's too mean!"
"Alright, let's go. Arima, you too."
Miyuki's room was already packed.
Even Chris was there.
"Chris-senpai, you play games?!" Kanzaki Ryou exclaimed.
"Of course. My skills are just… slightly lacking."
As he spoke, Chris instantly KO'd Miyuki's character.
Kanzaki Ryou's mouth twitched.
Kuramochi lay on the floor reading manga.
Beside him, Furuya knelt, looking exhausted, massaging his shoulders.
"Hey, hey, that's going too far," Kanzaki Ryou said.
"Heh heh, feels great. Wanna try?" Kuramochi grinned.
"Okay."
Kanzaki Ryou sat cross-legged.
Arima Kazusa immediately came over and started massaging his shoulders.
"Kanzaki!"
Yuki sat behind a chessboard, holding a black flag, eyes shining.
"Come play."
"Captain, aren't you tired? Chess is mentally exhausting too."
"This is exactly when cultivation is needed. Kanzaki, let us battle three hundred rounds!"
Left with no choice, Kanzaki Ryou agreed.
He then proceeded to lose three straight games.