Chapter 75: Extra: You Don't Need to Lose Confidence Because of a Useless Catcher
Kamiji stood before Shinomiya, who was in the middle of taking off his catcher's gear, and snapped through clenched teeth:
"What the hell did you mean just now!?"
"I'm the one wearing number one!"
"Your partner should be me—not some newcomer!"
Shinomiya smiled faintly, clearly in a good mood. He paused what he was doing, lifted his gaze to meet Kamiji's. His eyes were deep, unreadable, hiding who knew what thoughts.
"Kamiji-senpai…"
"That position won't be yours for much longer."
Though he spoke in polite form, there was no respect in it. If anything, his tone dripped with arrogance, as though he could decide someone else's path with just a passing remark.
His bearing was like that of a cold capitalist, stripping others without a second thought.
Sweat trickled down Kamiji's forehead. He forced out a dry, nervous laugh, his eyes wide with disbelief and fear.
He lunged forward and grabbed Shinomiya by the collar.
"Shinomiya!"
"You can't do this!"
"I'm this team's ace!"
"The ace!"
He practically screamed the word, spit flying in his fury.
Shinomiya's brows knitted. His hand shot up, seizing Kamiji's wrist with merciless strength. His gaze turned cruel.
"Kamiji-senpai…"
"I… only have one chance."
"There are many, many things I want to achieve—things I can't accomplish on my own."
"And those things… a mediocre player like you could never realize for me."
"Rinichi, though…"
"He's different."
"He'll make them happen. And I'll make sure he shines with the brilliance that belongs to him alone…"
"Even on the world stage—no one will be able to overshadow him."
Kamiji froze, releasing Shinomiya's collar, dazed.
The world…
The word echoed in his mind.
He's insane.
A harsh, unhinged laugh burst from Kamiji.
"Shinomiya… what makes you so sure that kid can do all that?! You've caught him for, what, a handful of pitches?"
"So he's got velocity—so what?!"
"There are pitchers everywhere in the world who throw hard!"
"Or are you saying that brat's got the potential to hit 170, 180 kilometers per hour?!"
Shinomiya fell silent, as if considering, then smiled again—gentle, but unreadable.
"…A feeling."
Kamiji's face twisted. To stake everything on something so vague—it was like being mocked outright.
"Don't joke with me!"
Blinded by rage, Kamiji moved to strike him.
But Shinomiya was faster. With fluid, practiced motions, he pinned Kamiji down, his right hand pressing hard against Kamiji's throat.
It was the movement of someone trained.
All warmth vanished from Shinomiya's face.
"Kamiji-senpai…"
"You really don't understand your own ability as a pitcher, do you?"
"I can say this with certainty: once you enter high school, even if you join a prestigious program, you won't even crack the starting lineup—let alone be an ace."
"And if you go to a weaker school, maybe you could be an ace—if you're lucky."
"But that would only be in a weak team."
"In short, Kamiji-senpai… you'll never even touch the gates of Koshien."
"A pitcher who'll never reach Koshien—what could you ever accomplish for me?"
"As for Rinichi…"
"Well… how should I put it… I can sense some vast, untapped potential still buried inside him."
"And even if all he has is raw velocity—that alone is enough to crush countless others."
Then his tone lightened suddenly, lips curling in a mild smile.
"Oh, and by the way—when it comes to judging potential, I'm a very good gambler."
His words carried a joking air, but the menace lingered.
Kamiji, staring at this version of Shinomiya, found himself sobering.
Gambling stones and judging people are two completely different things.
Grinding his teeth, Kamiji shoved him away.
"Do whatever you want!"
"I'm leaving this team!"
If he stayed on the same roster as Shinomiya, he felt he'd eventually go mad.
So what if Shinomiya had said he'd never become an ace anywhere else?
He'd prove him wrong.
He'd show him that arrogant judgment was nothing but a lie.
Shinomiya's eyes were filled with contempt.
A fool who can't even recognize his own limits.
Besides, summer was approaching. Other teams' ace pitchers were already set in stone. And Kamiji was in his final year.
"Well then, I'll thank Kamiji-senpai on Rinichi's behalf—for giving up the spot."
He watched Kamiji's retreating back, voice calm.
And when the figure vanished completely from sight, Shinomiya muttered under his breath, emotionless:
"Idiot."
It made no difference where he went.
The reality was the same everywhere: without talent, without strength—nothing changes.
Unless he sought refuge in a team so weak it was barely baseball at all.
....
The second time Rinichi came to the team, he wore an expression of disbelief, pointing at himself as if he hadn't heard correctly.
The slightly heavyset coach forced a stiff smile.
"Since Kamiji has left the team… Rinichi, would it be alright to entrust you with the number 1?"
There was a hint of flattery in his tone.
To Rinichi, it was like a prize falling straight from the heavens.
Mukai Taiyo glanced sideways at Rinichi, then at the coach.
This team… is strange.
Not only were the players odd, but even the coach gave off a strange vibe.
Altogether, Taiyo didn't like the atmosphere of this team very much.
But… for Rinichi, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing?
Rinichi hesitated for a moment, as though weighing whether he could truly live up to it.
But he didn't think long.
"Yes!"
His answer came firm, his gaze serious.
From the corner, Shinomiya smiled, as if things were falling perfectly into place.
The coach let out a long breath of relief.
If this kid had refused, everything would have collapsed.
Looking back on it, though… there was hardly a pitcher alive who could resist the temptation of wearing number 1.
His eyes drifted toward Shinomiya again.
The coach finally felt at ease. It seemed the "sponsor" was satisfied.
Once the announcement was made, the players split off for training.
Rinichi followed closely behind Shinomiya.
"You were originally a right-hander, weren't you? Why bother training your left hand?" Shinomiya suddenly asked.
Rinichi averted his eyes, answering calmly, "Because the catcher before… couldn't handle it."
Shinomiya: "…"
For most people, that kind of situation wouldn't make them think I should train my left hand instead.
Does this kid misunderstand how pitchers and catchers are supposed to work?
Still… having both arms was useful.
He crouched slightly, turning to face Rinichi with sharp eyes.
"Listen, Rinichi—there's something you need to understand."
"Catchers don't get to choose pitchers. But pitchers can choose their catcher."
(And in truth, he'd always looked down on that Kamiji senpai anyway.)
"As for catchers who can't handle your pitches? That's nothing but their incompetence."
"And it'll be the same in the future."
"If someone can't catch your ball, it's because they're useless."
"You don't need to lose confidence over an incompetent catcher."
Rinichi froze, staring at Shinomiya as those domineering words sank in.
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