Chris watched Ushijima on the mound with shining eyes.
"…Sometimes, I'm honestly jealous of Miyuki."
"Partnering with a pitcher like that… for a catcher, that's pure happiness."
His blunt envy made Coach Kataoka and the others nod silently.
Anyone could see it.
Catching for Ushijima Wakatoshi…
Was a privilege.
On the mound—
Ushijima stared at Taichi Hiromi calmly.
That near-150 four-seam…
It definitely left an impression on you, didn't it?
Now you know I can throw strikes above 145.
So next time… you won't dare let one go by.
He analyzed quietly.
Most pitchers simply followed the catcher's signs.
But Ushijima didn't believe in pitching blindly.
A pitcher had to think.
Had to plan.
Had to hunt.
His eyes met Miyuki's.
Just one glance—
Signals exchanged.
Intent understood.
No words needed.
Right-handed pitcher… left batter's box…
Taichi smirked.
"No way he throws a two-seam inside."
"Outside corner, right?"
He was already guessing.
Ushijima twisted his body.
His arm cracked forward like a whip.
The ball tore through the air—
Not as fast as before…
"Inside fastball!"
Taichi reacted instantly and swung.
Perfect timing.
Perfect angle.
The bat was about to connect—
Then—
The ball kept running inside.
More.
More.
Almost brushing his stomach.
"Bang!"
It slipped past the barrel, drifting sharply sideways—
And dropped straight into Miyuki's glove.
"Strike!!"
Taichi froze.
What…?
A two-seam.
Against a right-handed batter.
Inside.
That was insane.
Most pitchers would never dare.
Because if it drifted too much—
It could hit the batter.
But Ushijima?
He aimed right at the edge.
Started it in the zone—
Then let the natural tail drag it out.
A bait pitch.
Swing and miss.
Deadly.
Kiryu's bench went silent.
"Taichi… missed twice…"
"One 149 four-seam… then that nasty two-seam…"
"This guy's fastball combo is disgusting…"
Even Kiryu's coach frowned.
"…That's not all he has."
"There's more."
Third pitch.
Ushijima didn't hesitate.
WHOOSH—
"So fast!"
Taichi's eyes widened.
Same speed as the first pitch.
He's going to overpower me—
No choice.
He swung with everything he had.
But—
The ball suddenly sliced away diagonally.
Like it vanished.
Air.
Nothing but air.
"Bang!"
Caught cleanly.
"Strikeout!!"
Silence.
Then—
Explosion.
"What?!"
"He struck out the fourth batter?!"
"Three pitches?!"
"That's Kiryu's ace!"
Isashiki pumped his fist.
"Nice one, you brat!!"
Kuramochi grinned.
"That's filthy."
Kominato chuckled.
"Three pitches… three strikes… against their cleanup? Ridiculous."
Masuko roared in excitement.
"oga! oga!"
Even Shirasu smiled from right field.
"Nice pitch, Ushijima!"
The crowd outside erupted.
"They crushed Kiryu's fourth batter!"
"Three-pitch strikeout?! That's brutal!"
"That two-seam was evil!"
"First-year, right?! That's terrifying!"
"No wonder he replaced Tanba!"
"The kid's way too stable!"
"And his chemistry with the catcher is perfect!"
"If he keeps throwing like this… Seido might really reach Koshien!"
Behind the plate—
Miyuki tossed the ball back lazily, grinning.
He really is fun to catch.
Because with Ushijima—
Every pitch wasn't just power.
It was a trap.
A calculation.
A weapon.
An unfathomable pitch.
And for the batter?
By the time they realized it—
It was already too late.