"Mom!"
Just as Kanzaki Ryou was explaining that he wasn't injured, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
Ryou turned around—and froze.
Huh?
Wasn't this the kid who had just been playing so well on the field?
The one he had been planning to scout?
The boy was around 172 cm tall, with a well-built, athletic frame that clearly showed years of training. His facial features were sharp, and he looked surprisingly handsome.
"Mom, why are you here?"
The boy hurried over, supporting the woman, while casting an unfriendly look toward the two masked figures.
Suspicious people lurking outside a baseball field late at night…
From his point of view, these two clearly didn't look trustworthy.
"Kazusa, I'm fine," the woman said gently with a smile.
"Mom was just walking too fast and accidentally bumped into someone."
Hearing this, the boy's face immediately flushed red.
"So—so it was Mom's fault…"
He quickly bowed deeply.
"I'm very sorry!"
Ryou could only smile bitterly.
"It's really fine," he waved his hand. "No need to worry."
Then his eyes lit up.
"By the way—your baseball is pretty good," Ryou said casually.
"What's your name? What school are you from? And what grade are you in?"
The rapid-fire questions stunned both the boy and his mother.
After a brief pause, the boy answered honestly,
"My name is Arima Kazusa. I'm a third-year in junior high."
"Oh?" Ryou's interest deepened.
"How long have you been playing baseball?"
"Seven years."
"Not bad, not bad," Ryou nodded in satisfaction.
Arima Kazusa hesitated before asking cautiously,
"Um… may I ask—are you scouts?"
In his eyes, these two suspicious people had been watching the game intently and asking pointed questions. They fit the image perfectly.
"A scout? No, no," Ryou shook his head.
At that moment, Miyuki Kazuya tugged at Ryou's sleeve.
"That's not how you scout someone," Miyuki muttered.
"You should at least introduce yourself first."
"Oh—right!" Ryou suddenly realized.
Across from them, Arima Kazusa's eyes lit up.
Scouting? Me?
This was Koshien—scouts were everywhere.
If a powerhouse school noticed him, special admission wasn't impossible.
Given his terrible grades, baseball might be his only chance.
The woman beside him clearly understood the situation and stepped forward politely.
"My name is Arima Kaoru. I'm Kazusa's mother."
"Kanzaki Ryou, Seidou High School," Ryou replied.
"Kanzaki Ryou?!"
"Shh!"
Ryou instantly covered Kazusa's mouth, glancing around nervously.
Only after confirming no one was paying attention did he breathe out in relief.
"You want reporters swarming over here?" Ryou whispered.
Kazusa nodded frantically.
"Th-Then… this is?" He turned toward Miyuki.
"Miyuki Kazuya," Miyuki said with a smile.
Kazusa's eyes sparkled.
"Then—are you really here for scouting? Seido High School? I—can I—?!"
"Kazusa," Arima Kaoru interrupted gently.
"This is something we need to discuss with your father first."
Ryou nodded immediately.
"Of course. We're not official scouts," he said honestly.
"But Kazusa has real potential. If he plans to continue baseball in high school, Seido is definitely worth considering."
Arima Kaoru smiled.
"We're from Tokyo as well. Kazusa is actually a Seido fan."
"Yes! Kanzaki-senpai, can I please get an autograph?!" Kazusa asked eagerly.
"Of course."
Both Ryou and Miyuki signed for him.
At that moment, another man approached.
Judging by their reactions, he was clearly Kazusa's father.
After introductions, Ryou learned his name.
"Arima Kousei."
Miyuki's eyes widened.
"Wait—that Arima Kousei? The famous pianist?"
"And then… does that mean—"
Miyuki looked at the woman in shock.
"—you're Kaoru Miyazono, the genius violinist who retired over ten years ago?!"
Ryou's brain exploded.
Those names sounded painfully familiar.
"…Why can't I remember?"
He yanked at his own hair in frustration.
Two musical geniuses… and their kid plays baseball?
Did his talent points get allocated wrong?!
After exchanging contact information, the Arima family left.
"Ryou," Miyuki said thoughtfully,
"Should we tell Rei-san about Arima Kazusa? He has real potential. A solid third baseman."
"Of course," Ryou replied without hesitation.
"He's talented, from Tokyo, and a Seido fan. If we don't grab him, someone else will."
"…But then our sneaking out tonight will be exposed."
"Hiss—!!"
After wandering around a bit longer, the two returned to the hotel.
Just as they reached their floor—
Click.
A door at the end of the hallway opened.
Takashima Rei stood there, arms crossed, staring at them coldly.
Ten minutes later.
Inside the room, Ryou and Miyuki were thoroughly lectured.
"Rei-chan, have some water," Ryou said ingratiatingly.
"Hmph!" Rei snorted.
"If you sneak out again, you'll be punished!"
"…Actually," Ryou quickly said,
"We found a promising prospect tonight."
"Oh?" Rei immediately perked up.
Ryou explained everything about Arima Kazusa, handing over Kousei Arima's contact information.
"…Interesting," Rei murmured.
"After Koshien ends, I'll contact them personally."
"Hehe… then about us sneaking out—"
Rei rolled her eyes.
"Rest properly. Stay in peak condition. And don't do anything unnecessary."
"Yes, Rei-chan!"