Takashi had thought things would be over after accepting the flag and the plaque. He hadn't expected an interview.
As he recalled what he was about to say next, he couldn't help it—"Pfft!"
A laugh slipped out.
Sakurajima Mai tilted her head curiously at him, not understanding what was so funny.
Was her question that amusing?
Takashi adjusted his expression and leaned seriously toward the microphone that Mai held out.
His voice was low and steady:
"Everyone knows how important this championship is—not just for Aoba, but for us."
The moment he spoke, the noisy stadium fell completely silent, like a military drill.
Shinomiya Gan'an's murky eyes narrowed meaningfully at the sight.
A single word or action that could affect tens of thousands— the last person with such influence was Takuya Kimura.
The scariest part? Takashi had done all this without any marketing gimmicks—just pure personal charisma.
That was what made him truly terrifying.
"Aoba has waited a long, long time for this championship."
"We gave everything we had to get here."
Momodani Kaname glanced at his right arm.
Otani Shota instinctively touched the spot on his head where he'd been hit by a baseball.
By the end, they were all pushing past their limits.
To say it didn't hurt would be a lie.
Of course, most eyes were on Takashi's right arm, still slung and wrapped in ice packs.
"Losing to him… suddenly doesn't feel that bad."
Kabei Kota stared at Takashi's arm and finally let go of his regret.
"Senpai, take it easy. Is losing to Takashi really something to be ashamed of?"
Furusu Ryota had the most open mind about it.
He had admired Takashi from the beginning.
Especially after Takashi led Aoba to the championship—his admiration only grew.
As a pitcher himself, he understood better than anyone how incredible Takashi truly was.
It's no exaggeration to say that no pitcher from any other team could have reached Takashi's level.
So losing to Takashi wasn't shameful—in fact, it was honorable.
After all, which of the schools that reached Koshien this year didn't lose to him?
They hadn't lost to Advanced Nurturing—they lost to the champions.
Advanced Nurturing lost to Aoba. So did we. By that logic, Chukyo University is the real runner-up. What's wrong with that?
"Compared to us, the runner-up title probably feels like a hot potato to Advanced Nurturing."
Shiyo smiled shamelessly.
Takashi may have beaten them, but not without sacrificing an arm.
They were the only team that actually traded blows with Aoba evenly.
As for Advanced Nurturing?
Give me a break. Once Takashi stepped onto the field, they couldn't even score a single run.
If you can't beat a half-broken Takashi with your full team… are you even trying?
If they'd been in the finals instead, maybe they could have actually beaten Aoba.
At the very least, they respected their opponent. They didn't underestimate or look down on them.
Advanced Nurturing had handed away the championship they had in their grasp.
"Fortunately, in the end, the result didn't betray all the effort we've poured into this."
"Do you see that crimson-blue flag?"
He pointed to the one Otani Shota was holding, then turned toward the camera and made a finger-pointing-up pose before shouting:
"Private Aoba—This Is For You!"
Otani Shota: "???"
Ichiro Suzuki: "???"
Big guts!
Not only are you imitating the Human Emperor, you're also modifying his lines!
And we're at Koshien, not the national basketball finals!
You're using a basketball celebration line in baseball—this is like using the previous dynasty's sword to behead the current government's minister!
Takashi , your arrogance knows no bounds.
"I finally get why he couldn't stop laughing earlier."
Ichiro Suzuki leaned over and whispered to Otani Shohei.
Otani Shohei nodded vigorously in agreement.
All that buildup… just for this punchline.
When Takashi shouted, "Private Aoba, This Is For You!" the stadium—quiet as a Stanford library just moments before—erupted into wild cheers once again.
"Takashi !"
"Takashi !"
"Takashi !"
The fans at Hanshin Koshien Stadium screamed his name over and over, unrelenting in their excitement.
Sakurajima Mai turned her head to look at the radiant boy standing on the field. His youthful spirit seemed to shine through every inch of his being.
In a corner of her heart she hadn't realized existed, a quiet, uncontrollable love had begun to bloom.
…
"Big sis, Takashi-nii is so cool!"
In the VIP section, Katsura Kokoro held her sister Kotonoha's hand. Her eyes sparkled with so much admiration for Takashi it was almost visible as floating pink hearts.
"I know."
Kotonoha understood Kokoro's feelings perfectly.
Her affection for Takashi wasn't just love at first sight—it was also about the vibrant, rebellious energy he carried.
Her own life had been far too rigid and quiet. Her youth, too calm. So she envied his wild, free-spirited energy—admired the blazing freedom in his soul.
Only when she was with Takashi did Kotonoha feel truly alive. Only he could stir ripples in the stagnant pond of her existence.
"I'm going to marry Takashi-nii when I grow up!"
Kokoro declared loudly.
"No way!"
Kotonoha shot her down without hesitation.
"Eh? Why not—"
Just as Kokoro was about to argue, she saw her always gentle, ever-patient sister's eyes suddenly turn dangerously sharp.
As if to say: say one more word and I'll cut you open.
…
In the VIP section, Maki stared intently at the boy on the field and said to Nagisa, "I suddenly understand why you like him."
"He really is… addictive."
Takashi burned with wild passion, like a flame raging freely—a flame people couldn't help but want to get closer to.
That kind of personality was irresistibly attractive to noble ladies raised under strict discipline.
The life they were living now wasn't necessarily the life they wanted.
They were just walking the paths predetermined by their elders.
But then Maki turned serious: "But Nagisa, don't forget—you have a boyfriend!"
"Maki, you like Tanuma-kun, don't you?"
Nagisa stared longingly at Takashi as she spoke.
"Wha—what are you saying?"
Maki's voice faltered slightly.
"Maki, let's make a deal."
"A deal?"
"I'll give you Tanuma-kun, and you give me Kitahara Takashi. Deal?"
Nagisa turned to her, eyes sincere, tone honest.
She didn't want to lie to this naive girl anymore.
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