Ten minutes later, in the parking lot, Kanzaki Ryou shoved a notebook straight into Sawamura's arms.
"Go back and read it carefully," Kanzaki said. "I'll be waiting for you at Seido."
"Huh? What's this?" Sawamura opened the notebook in confusion. Takashima Rei leaned over as well.
"…A training plan?" Takashima Rei's eyes widened. She turned to Kanzaki. "You made this?"
"Of course," Kanzaki replied, lifting his chin slightly. "Pretty impressive, right?"
Takashima Rei nodded slowly. She hadn't expected him to invest this much effort into something she had merely asked in passing.
"You worked hard."
"It's nothing," Kanzaki waved it off. "Everything for Seido."
Takashima Rei smiled. With an Ace like this, how could Seido's future not be bright?
"Oh, and Rei-chan," Kanzaki added, pulling out another notebook. "Please help me deliver this to that kid in Hokkaido."
"You even prepared one for him…" Takashima Rei couldn't help but marvel.
Kanzaki really spares no effort.
She silently decided that the next time he wanted time off, she would definitely speak up for him.
Kanzaki smiled, waved once more at Sawamura, and turned to leave.
On the train home, after saying goodbye to Takashima Rei, Sawamura sat by the window, absentmindedly flipping through the notebook Kanzaki had given him.
"Shi—ge…"
He read it line by line. Every training detail was meticulous to the point of being frightening.
"…My pitching form is wrong? It needs to be like this?"
Sawamura suddenly stood up and moved into the aisle.
"Imagine there's a wall in front of you… your arm should whip out like a lash, not stiff… the landing of the pivot foot should be—"
He placed the notebook on an empty seat and followed the instructions seriously, mimicking the movements one by one.
Time passed quietly.
Before he realized it, January of the following year had arrived.
Winter break.
Kanzaki Ryou spent a peaceful New Year with his family.
"Ni-chan~"
The door to his room opened, and his sister Kumiko poked her head in.
"Let's go out for a walk! I want ice cream!"
Kanzaki was typing at his desk. Over the past few months, Sawamura had been sending him training videos almost daily—especially early on, when he was correcting his pitching form. Just watching them was exhausting.
In contrast, Furuya Satoru, after receiving the notebook Takashima Rei sent, had only added Kanzaki's contact, said thank you once, and never contacted him again.
"Ice cream?" Kanzaki glanced outside. "In winter?"
Even so, he had already closed his laptop and grabbed a jacket.
"Winter is best," Kumiko said smugly. "You can eat it slowly."
She looped her arm through his.
Kanzaki chuckled and gently patted her head. "Alright. Big brother will treat you to a super-sized one."
"Hehe, Ni-chan is the best!"
After putting on scarves and shoes, the siblings stepped outside. A sharp gust of icy wind carrying snowflakes swept past them, making both shiver.
"It's so cold…" Kumiko instinctively buried herself into Kanzaki's arms.
"Now you know?" Kanzaki laughed.
"I just wanted ice cream!" Kumiko pouted.
Kanzaki pinched her nose lightly. "Careful. Eating too many sweets will make you gain weight."
"No way!" Kumiko immediately retorted, then suddenly fell silent, her face full of worry.
Almost a year had passed since entering high school… and she still hadn't grown much.
"What are you thinking about?" Kanzaki asked.
"N-Nothing!" Kumiko flushed.
Kanzaki shook his head helplessly.
Teenage girls really do have too many thoughts.
Soon, each of them was holding an ice cream, strolling along the snowy street.
Kanzaki suddenly glanced at an indoor baseball training facility across the road.
"Kumiko," he said casually, "want to try playing baseball?"
"Eh?" Kumiko blinked. "But I don't really have athletic ability…"
"Just for fun," Kanzaki smiled. "We've got nothing better to do anyway."
With no choice, Kumiko hurriedly finished her ice cream, and the two entered the training facility together.
After paying, Kanzaki led her to an indoor batting cage.
Even in winter, the place was lively—mostly children practicing.
"Come here, Kumiko."
He placed a helmet on her head. Even though it was just a pitching machine, Kanzaki didn't want to take any risks with his sister.
"Go on, try it."
"Mm!"
Wearing a glove and holding the bat, Kumiko felt strangely cool—just like her brother.
Kanzaki set the pitching machine to 80 km/h, a straight ball.
"It's starting," he reminded.
"I'm ready!"
Whoosh!
The ball shot out.
Kumiko swung with all her might, spun around like a top, and landed squarely on her rear.
"Pfft—"
Kanzaki immediately covered his mouth.
A good brother shouldn't laugh…
"Hmph! Just laugh if you want!" Kumiko stood up indignantly.
"I'm not laughing," Kanzaki said seriously, pointing at the machine. "The second ball is coming."
Whoosh!
Bang!
This time, Kumiko actually hit it.
"Ni-chan! Did you see that?!" she jumped excitedly.
"Amazing," Kanzaki praised warmly. "Our Kumiko is the best."
They played for a while longer. As more people arrived, Kanzaki was inevitably recognized—it was a hotspot for baseball fans.
"Shhh!"
"Keep it down!"
He hurriedly motioned for the girls asking for photos to stay quiet. If this got out of hand, today would be impossible.
After photos—under Kumiko's murderous glare—Kanzaki suddenly felt an urgent need.
Bathroom. Now.
While Kanzaki was away, some people noticed Kumiko struggling with the pitching machine.
"That's Kanzaki Kumiko."
"I heard Kitauji won silver at Nationals this year."
"Both siblings are incredible."
"They're siblings?"
"That makes it even better!"
…
Kumiko dropped the bat and ran off immediately.
When they returned home, they happened to meet Kosaka Reina, standing at the Kanzaki family's door with her trumpet.
"Reina?" Kanzaki pretended to be surprised. "Why are you here?"
Since winter break started, this girl had been visiting every few days—supposedly to practice with Kumiko. Everyone in the household knew the truth.
"To practice," Reina replied smoothly.
"Mhm, come in," Kanzaki smiled.
The three entered together. Kanzaki sat in the yard, sipping tea, watching snow fall while listening to Kumiko and Reina's music drift through the house.
Before he knew it, late January arrived.
Winter break ended.
Kanzaki Ryou returned to Seido with his luggage.
After two more months of intense training, his first year at Seido High School came to an end—
And he officially stepped into his second year.