Chapter 319: First Match Meeting
"So comfortable…! Baths really are heaven."
After rinsing off, Sendo slipped into the hot spring as he wished.
And of course—it was a milk bath.
According to Sendo, it would make his skin whiter…
Though nobody knew if that was actually true.
"Indeed."
"Come to think of it, Tetsu-san, you always bat early."
"Got used to it. The supervisor always baths late.
Back in first year I bumped into him once—I didn't dare move the whole time. Almost got boiled alive.
So I formed the habit."
Natural-airhead Tetsu didn't even spare his own embarrassing stories.
"Makes sense. That sunglasses-uncle likes that timing."
"You're the only one not afraid of him. You intentionally go late just to bathe with the supervisor."
"Well, sometimes. Talking with that sunglasses-uncle is fun."
"Talk about what?"
"Baseball. That uncle was a baseball idiot when he was active too. We talk batting orders, tactics. I like schemes, but new sign codes are too much work."
"Supervisors loves talking to you about that."
"Well, normally only Rei-chan can toss him one or two ideas—but tactics aren't her thing. So I guess he's been bottling it up."
"You're the only one who'd dare joke about the supervisor."
For some reason, Sendo suddenly imagined the supervisor barging in right now saying:
"What jokes about me?"
Tetsu would probably freeze like ice.
Sendo chuckled inside. His mood improved.
"Good expression." Tetsu commented.
"Just thought of something funny. What do you think would happen if the supervisor walked in right now?" Sendo took a sip of cola.
"That's not funny at all." Tetsu sighed.
"Not funny?!"
At that exact moment—Kataoka walked in.
"Cough—!" Sendo nearly drowned in cola.
This timing was unreal.
"Supervisor!" Tetsu greeted immediately.
"Talking about me, huh, Sendo? Gossiping behind my back again?"
"How could I? Also—why 'again'? I've never talked behind your back!"
"Didn't you discuss my coaching pros and cons with Takashima?"
"That wasn't gossip!"
"Relax. I was joking. I appreciated the honesty."
"…Uh."
Even Kataoka had gotten sharper after spending too long around Sendo.
Tetsu stared at the two of them—almost doubting reality.
"Stop being weird—people will die of shock." Sendo waved.
"I've got things to tell Yuki. You go bathe somewhere else."
"Oh! Perfect! I wanted to try the red wine bath.
Oh—by the way, sunglasses-uncle."
"Hm?"
"Nakanishi the old man called earlier. He said he has a friend around here—middle school supervisor. Their school went on break, so the field and equipment are ours to borrow."
"Really? That's a huge help. We're lucky to have you."
Kataoka knew how impossibly rare that was—unless you were a local representative, nobody had access to a field for routine defense drills at Koshien.
"No need to thank me. Both you and the old man want us to win anyway. I'm off!"
Sendo vanished instantly.
"Good grief." Kataoka muttered, then turned to Tetsu.
Tetsu's body stiffened.
Normally he could talk freely with Sendo nearby—even on the night before facing Inashiro.
But this time's topic involved Sendo—and wasn't confirmed yet—so he needed him gone.
Also—the milk bath only fit two. The universe handled the rest.
Sendo on the other hand drifted through the different baths—tried the red wine bath—then went out to the open-air bath to stare at the stars.
…
August 7 — Koshien Opening Ceremony
When Seidou entered, the broadcast announced:
"Returning to Koshien after six years, bearing the ambitions of reviving a powerhouse and conquering the country. Magazines from the baseball kingdom have praised their batting lineup as the strongest in Japan. Whether true or not—it is certainly something to look forward to!"
Then last year's champions returned the flag.
Fortunately they made it this year—else only the captain would have been forced to return it alone under the scorching sun, which would have been cruel.
The heat was brutal.
Team after team marched in.
Pledges and speeches dragged on.
It felt endless.
"Hot…" Furuya fainted again—falling onto Sawamura.
"Furuya! Damn it stand up!" Sawamura struggled to hold him.
Haruichi rushed over too.
Sendo simply rested his head on Miyuki's back.
"Hey—you okay? Don't tell me you're heat sick too?" Miyuki felt the weight shift.
"No. Too hot. Taking a break."
"…What." Miyuki stared.
Brazen didn't even begin to describe it.
"When we get back I'm drinking two—no, three ice colas." Sendo looked spiritually dead.
"You don't get like this during games…"
"Standing here doing nothing is boring. Boredom makes heat worse."
Even in his wildest dreams, Miyuki wouldn't have guessed that was the reason.
"Rest then. Tonight—"
"No."
"I didn't even say it."
"Don't need to."
"You're using my back as a pillow you know?"
"Shouldn't have stood in front of me then."
"You—!"
"Shut up!" Isashiki barked.
"Opening ceremony, idiots!"
The third-years were the most composed—It was their dream.
The fact they weren't crying was impressive.
When it finally ended, Sawamura and Haruichi carried Furuya away.
Chris stayed behind with two players to film the afternoon game.
That was a powerhouse school for you—Chris's workload recently had become terrifying.
Ever since the bracket was announced, he partnered with Sendo and started researching opponents.
Even if the only available footage was semifinals and finals—it was a massive task.
And they also brought footage from previous years.
Bracket scouting only mattered until quarterfinals—after which there was another draw.
The plan: Round 1–2 → research entire block
After Best 8 → detail analysis
This was a powerhouse method—Never underestimate an opponent.
Prepare for everything within reach.
Seidou even kept archives of past Koshien teams.
Useful for tracking player turnover and tactics.
Old footage from years they failed to qualify became "trash"—but this year it became gold for Chris's intel unit.
Video alone couldn't identify bench players—nationals or regionals didn't matter.
Chris's notebook was built off generations of Seidou OBs who contributed intel.
Kataoka was no Sakaki—he didn't have that privilege where tape always came to him.
Meanwhile, nearly a hundred Seidou players boarded a bus to the middle school Nakanishi arranged—
Mikuni Middle School.
Everything was Koshien-centered: starting roster trained others assisted.
Balls were Seidou's own.
The middle school field was smaller—single diamond, unlike Seidou's split field—but perfect for fielding drills.
Finally—Seidou had properly settled in.
After returning, the first-years' impression of Koshien was: Big field. Big crowds.
And the shock of standing on a national stage was definitely there.
For the next few days, Seidou repeated more or less the same training routine: batting lineup adjustments, fielding, and free batting.
Their first opponent's match—Yokohama Kouhoku Academy vs. Issho—was watched by Seidou's main roster.
Before the game even started, Chris had already said that unless something unexpected happened, Yokohama would advance. Issho was a typical regional qualifier team—ordinary strength, ordinary performance—without any dark horse qualities.
His conclusion came from fast-forwarding through two of Issho's qualifiers.
If Issho somehow won, Seidou would only be happier.
Reality proved Chris exactly right: Yokohama Kouhoku won 5–2 and advanced smoothly.
"Well… that team's still the same. No major improvements. The backup pitcher's growth was unexpected, though." Sendo commented after watching.
"Today they just had their ace close the game. Probably saving him to deal with us. Fastball's a bit quicker—averaging around 140 km/h. Pretty much a power pitcher, but the control's still so-so." Miyuki added.
"Our preferred type then—weak batting, decent defense."
"Yeah. But don't get careless. They beat us in the spring tournament, remember."
"As if I'd forget? Debts must be repaid—tenfold."
"Didn't think you actually cared about that match."
"I don't. But not caring doesn't mean I won't make them pay. Debts are debts. Day after tomorrow, we'll send them home crying."
"Yeah."
In single-elimination—either you cry, or the opponent cries.
Naturally, Seidou chose the latter.
…
That night, in one of the hotel halls—
"Based on today's match and their regional semifinal and final, their batting hasn't improved much. But their baserunning and hitter-runner coordination is better than in the Kanto tournament. Pitching—ace Ino. Average fastball around 140 km/h. Control slightly worse but still roughly four-square-zone accuracy. Slider and curve have improved, making his forkball much harder to hit as a finishing pitch."
Chris summarized the analysis in broad strokes, and detailed batter sheets were distributed to everyone.
"Match in two days—Kuramochi."
"Yes!"
"Your job is still to reach base any way you can.
Then aggressively steal the next bag."
"Yes!"
"Same for the rest of you—do not miss hittable pitches. Don't chase drops or tricky borderline breaking balls. First pass through the order—we probe. But don't forget—our baseball is still aggressive."
"Yes!"
"Sendo."
"Hm?"
Since the summer qualifiers, this was the first time Kataoka called his name directly.
"Aside from hittable pitches—use foul balls to wear him down if possible. Only you can do that. No matter the pitch, you won't make an easy out. The lineup behind you will bring you home."
"…Understood."
Kataoka wasn't wrong.
Even Onii-san would sometimes lose a foul-ball war and get out.
Only Sendo could do it against anything—including borderline balls.
"First pass—secure the lead. Then apply pressure on offense and defense until they crack. Once they show an opening—finish them."
"Starting pitcher in two days—Furuya. You're up."
"Got it!"
Furuya answered with booming confidence, immediately radiating intensity.
Tanba lowered his head slightly—first match was important, and as ace, he couldn't help being a little disappointed.
Sawamura first froze in shock—then frustration—then narrowed into sharp cat-eyes.
"Tanba."
"Yes."
"Kawakami. Sawamura. All of you must be ready.
This summer we'll be using a relay system. Koshien's schedule is too dense. I may switch pitchers early to preserve stamina for the final. Understood?"
"YES!!"
Kataoka wasn't saying this without basis.
Koshien's third round onward—especially for teams playing the last game of the day—often meant one game per day.
In the original history, Inashiro used a two-man system during the Round of 16 vs. Seihou—Narumiya went complete game.
Next day (Round of 8) he pitched again—unknown innings.
Then semifinal—vs. Yuurou—he showed fatigue instantly, giving up two runs in the first inning and still threw seven.
Only in the eighth did Iguchi finally relieve him.
Three straight days of pitching.
Then immediately the marathon final vs. Komadai—14 innings.
By the time they reached the final, they were exhausted.
A four-pitcher relay system could keep multiple arms at peak condition at the same time.
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