The game ended.
Seido 7 — Kiryu 0.
A complete shutout.
For Osaka Kiryu, the result was unacceptable.
But for Seido—
it was the reward for countless hours of brutal training.
Coach Matsumoto approached Kataoka with a wry smile.
"Coach Kataoka… it seems I owe you an apology."
"I underestimated your first-year pitcher."
"That 'freshman' completely shut us out today."
"We finally got a few hits in the sixth inning… but still couldn't score a single run."
Kataoka's chest swelled with pride.
But his face remained as stern as ever.
"As long as you understand his strength, that's enough."
Matsumoto chuckled.
"Then… let's meet again at Koshien."
"…Yeah."
Next time—
they would settle it on the national stage.
After the match, Ushijima finally exhaled.
A complete game shutout wasn't easy.
Even for him.
But before he could properly rest—
the afternoon practice match lineup was announced.
"In the scrimmage against Inashiro," Kataoka said,
"Kawakami, you're starting. Pitch the whole game."
"Yes, sir!"
Kawakami's eyes lit up.
Finally, his chance.
After lunch, the team prepared.
Because this was only a practice game, the first string wouldn't start.
Catcher: Miyauchi.
Pitcher: Kawakami.
Then—
Kataoka turned to Ushijima.
"You pitched a full game this morning. You don't need to throw."
"If you want, play center field."
Ushijima understood immediately.
The coach wasn't resting him.
He was testing him.
Testing something else.
Batting.
Specifically—
against Inashiro's ace.
"If Narumiya Mei takes the mound," Ushijima said calmly,
"sub me in."
"I want to see how strong the so-called 'King's' pitching really is."
"And if he doesn't show up… forget it."
Kataoka nodded.
"…Alright."
The game started.
But Kawakami was overwhelmed.
Inashiro's lineup crushed him completely.
While the match dragged on, Ushijima stepped away to the restroom—
and ran into Sawamura.
Who was currently being cornered by two Inashiro players.
"…So what you really want to know," the tall catcher sighed,
"is whether Ushijima's fastball is faster than yours, right?"
"Shut up! Stop exposing me!" Narumiya snapped.
"I'm just curious, okay?!"
Then he noticed Sawamura.
"Hey, junior. Tell me."
"That first-year ace of yours… is he really that good?"
"He struck out thirteen against Kiryu?"
"…Yeah," Sawamura nodded.
Narumiya froze.
"…Seriously?!"
"Why ask this wild child?"
A calm voice cut in.
"Wouldn't it be faster to ask me directly?"
Everyone turned.
Ushijima stood there casually, hands in his pockets.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Calm.
Even Harada blinked.
"…He's taller than me…?"
"Who're you?" Narumiya asked.
Ushijima smiled faintly.
"Funny."
"You're investigating me, but you don't even recognize my face?"
Narumiya's eyes widened.
"Wait— you're Ushijima Wakatoshi?! That overseas transfer guy?!"
"Nice to meet you," Ushijima said politely.
Sawamura exploded.
"Oi! Who are you calling a wild child?!"
Ignored.
Completely.
Narumiya stared up at him.
"So you're Ushijima…"
"That's me. Ask whatever you want."
"You'll answer honestly?"
"…Maybe."
Narumiya twitched.
"…Fine."
"I heard you struck out all thirteen of Kiryu's batters."
"Yeah."
"…Tch."
Ushijima tilted his head.
"Senpai hasn't done that before?"
"…Guh—"
"Oh. Sorry. I thought the invincible Inashiro ace could easily do it."
"Guess I overestimated you."
"STOP NAGGING!!!"
Narumiya's face turned red.
"That's just because we never got the chance!"
"Ahh… because you pitched too many games at Koshien last year?"
"…!"
Direct hit.
Critical damage.
"So what about Seido?" Narumiya fired back.
"Did you even make the Summer finals?"
Ushijima shrugged.
"That has nothing to do with me."
"I wasn't at Seido last year."
Narumiya froze.
"…Then you still won't make it this year."
"Oh?"
"If I fail, it means I'm not good enough."
"But if you fail…"
Ushijima smiled lightly.
"Even after gathering all those star players and forming your little super team…"
"…that'd be pretty embarrassing, wouldn't it?"
Silence.
Then—
"I heard you personally recruited half your lineup last year."
"And you even tried inviting our Miyuki-senpai."
"But he rejected you."
Narumiya's face cracked.
Like someone stabbed his pride repeatedly.
Each word—
a dagger.