Chapter 88: Seidou vs Teitou (3)
Seto Takuma knew what kind of person Rinichi was, but even so, he couldn't help being a little surprised.
"As expected of Rinichi-senpai. Even after the rain delay, his rhythm hasn't been shaken at all."
Beside him, Shinomiya just smiled silently.
Of course… Rinichi has always been the one who sets the rhythm. And if it ever breaks, he just creates a new one himself.
On Teitou's side, the atmosphere was heavy.
"Honestly… Seidou's ace is just too reliable. The rain delay didn't affect him at all—his focus on the mound is terrifying."
And not only that, the only run Seidou had so far was also thanks to their ace.
A power pitcher, a power hitter, and solid defense in the outfield…
A true three-sword style.
Mine Fujio tapped the brim of his cap with his pen.
"So far, neither pitcher has thrown a single mistake."
Akiko nodded in agreement.
"Leading off, shortstop—Kuramochi Yoichi."
Kuramochi strode into the batter's box with his bat on his shoulder.
Right now, their one-run lead was entirely Rinichi's doing. Even the defense was locked down by him alone.
If things kept going like this, wouldn't it make the rest of them look useless?
Exhaling sharply, Kuramochi readied his swing.
On the mound, Mukai Taiyo narrowed his eyes.
Aside from Rinichi… there's nothing to be afraid of.
"Foul ball!"
Kuramochi gritted his teeth.
"Ball!"
"Ball!"
Not bad at picking pitches…
Taiyo's eyes narrowed further.
"Foul ball!"
"Foul ball!"
…
"Ball four, take your base!"
Seidou's cheering section erupted in excitement.
Next up was the second batter, Kominato Haruichi.
On the very first pitch, he swung—and connected.
The ball sailed just over the shortstop's head.
Kuramochi sped past second and made a dash for third.
"Throw it to third!" someone from Teitou shouted.
Too late—
"Safe!"
Seidou's dugout roared again.
Now it was no outs, runners on second and third.
"Third batter, first baseman—Maezono!"
By then, Rinichi was already eagerly slipping on his helmet.
Everyone else: "..."
Maezono's target zone was clear: just above the belt.
Unfortunately, he got under it, popping the ball straight up.
An easy flyout.
Rinichi lifted his bat.
Huh?
So Taiyo knows the batters won't chase the low pitches and are waiting for strikes… so he's deliberately challenging them high?
But he really dares, doesn't he? One mistake, and it could've been a big hit that pierced through the defense.
Rinichi's gaze shifted to Miyuki Kazuya stepping ahead of him.
He opened his mouth to say something—but swallowed the words before they came out.
Fine… runners on second and third. Even if Miyuki-senpai doesn't get a hit, I'll make sure the team scores this inning.
Rinichi pulled his gaze back and walked toward the on-deck circle.
What he didn't expect was for Miyuki to crack a bases-clearing double.
Rinichi: "..."
Figures. Having men on base really makes all the difference.
"Good… home run, home run…"
He stepped into the batter's box and swung.
Rinichi: "..."
It turned into a near-out double, but Miyuki crossed the plate to bring in another run.
The next batter, Shirasu, connected too—
—but it was bad. A double play.
Rinichi: "..."
His mind went blank, the words "double play" echoing in his head. He swayed slightly.
Everyone: "..."
"Uh… you okay there…?" Even Miyuki was at a loss.
Rinichi grabbed Miyuki's jersey and muttered over and over: "Double play… double play… double play…"
His eyes were lifeless.
He'd never once considered that he might be caught up in a double play.
From a distance, Shirasu: "..."
Miyuki: "..."
Can he even pitch in this state…?
"Don't worry about it… Look, Rinichi, you did hit a double."
"Yeah, yeah! If not for you, Miyuki wouldn't have scored that run!"
A few teammates jumped in to comfort him.
Miyuki, faintly offended: "..."
I hit a double too, you know.
Rinichi seemed somewhat consoled, but before he could fully react, someone took his bat, helped him strip off his helmet and gloves, shoved a glove and cap into his hands, and pushed him straight onto the mound.
Rinichi: "..."
Full-service treatment. Not bad.
Confused spectators: "What's going on with Seidou's ace? Did he have a fight with his teammates and refuse to pitch until they forced him?"
Shinomiya watched with amusement.
"Rinichi-senpai really hasn't changed at all…" Seto Takuma muttered.
This was always a headache in the past.
Even if the double play wasn't entirely his fault, Rinichi still took it as half his responsibility.
Back then, they either had to waste time coaxing him—or just swap him out for Mukai Taiyo.
But this kind of simple, rough "just shove him onto the mound" approach? This was the first time Seto, Okumura, and Taiyo had ever seen it.
The three of them: "..."
Well, that's new.
It felt like being handed candy, then shoved straight into chores.
Strangely familiar.
Rinichi: "..."
Everyone silently wondered if this might cause him to throw badly.
Kanemaru, the mastermind behind the "full-service push," looked uneasy: "..."
"Strike!"
Because of the rain, bunts barely rolled, so unless necessary, no one attempted them.
Catching that first pitch of the inning, Miyuki instantly knew Rinichi's state of mind.
One look at Rinichi's scowling face said it all.
Miyuki: "..."
Well… he's pissed, but he's still pitching properly.
"Strike!"
Better to keep it crisp.
"Strike three, batter out!"
…
"Strike three, batter out!"
No pressure at all—he shut the inning down.
Kanemaru exhaled in relief.
On the way back to the dugout, Miyuki jogged up with a grin.
"How's that, feel better now?"
Rinichi felt refreshed but wouldn't admit it, glancing away.
Miyuki: "..."
"Nice pitching, Rinichi!"
"Beautiful work!"
…
"Feels like… he really loves the inside corner. Low inside, high inside… then outside next. Very few breaking balls," Akiko observed.
Mine Fujio nodded.
"Yeah, and every breaking pitch he has thrown was in a clutch spot… Plus, back in the top of the fourth, Rinichi broke out pitches we'd never even seen from him before—looked like a forkball-flavored knuckleball."
"And when he threw it… he didn't use rosin. He wet the ball with rainwater instead."
"True, the rain had made the rosin useless…"
"Didn't think he'd adapt and create a pitch like that."
He lowered his pen.
"A genius pitcher who can throw any pitch, huh…"
Not just velocity—he had gifts beyond that.
Terrifying, really.
Akiko's eyes widened.
Any pitch at all…?
Her gaze toward Rinichi shifted.
Rinichi sat quietly, but nearly every pair of eyes in the dugout was on him—because it was obvious his mood had improved.
------------------
If you want to read 20 chapters advanced.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Shu_21