Chapter 8: Talent
"Did you hear Tanba-senpai got pulled from the starting pitcher spot?"
"For real?"
"But we won the game…"
"It's all thanks to that first-year Kamishiro. After he took the mound, Ichidaisan didn't score a single run."
"I didn't expect Kamishiro to be this strong."
"With less than three months left until summer, if Tanba-senpai isn't starting, the one to take over has to be Kamishiro. His ability speaks for itself."
Miyuki let out a few amused chuckles. "They're all praising you."
Rinichi didn't even look at him, eyes fixed on his food. "So what? What am I supposed to do with that?"
"Besides, that outcome was only natural. Nothing to get excited about."
"You really are something…" Miyuki was at a loss for words.
...
A brand new day.
Rinichi sat in a corner, secretly sucking on a lollipop, watching the first-string players run through their individual drills.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to—turns out you were slacking off."
Rinichi looked up to see Miyuki.
He casually pulled the lollipop from his mouth without a trace of guilt and glanced away. "Didn't Coach Kataoka go to observe the first-years' training?"
Miyuki was speechless.
He'd never met anyone who slacked off with such confidence.
Then, as if something occurred to him, Miyuki gave a mischievous grin. "I heard there's another really talented first-year pitcher."
"Is that so?" Rinichi didn't sound the least bit concerned.
"There's going to be a red-and-white game between the first-years and the upperclassmen—to see who can actually perform in a real game."
Rinichi calmly looked up at Miyuki. "What's that got to do with me?"
"…"
"New topic. Want to catch for me?"
That threw Rinichi off for a moment, then he gave a stiff nod.
"Let's go to the indoor bullpen. I'll catch for you."
But Rinichi didn't move right away, hesitating.
He wanted to pitch, but couldn't be bothered.
Probably no lazier pitcher existed than him.
"If you don't go, I'll tell Coach Kataoka you've been slacking."
"I'm going!" Rinichi jumped up instantly. "Let's go right now!"
...
Whap.
The ball landed firmly in Miyuki's mitt.
"Your fastball's quick and has late movement, but it's a bit slower than it was during yesterday's game."
"Your velocity's inconsistent."
Rinichi picked up another ball from a bin beside him.
He didn't deny it. "Yeah. Depends on how my hand, waist, and arm feel. Usually, the more I throw, the better the feel."
"But even then, it only hits 148 km/h. I only get 149 or 150 when I'm really in the zone."
Miyuki raised an eyebrow. "You're keeping such detailed records?"
"Of course. I've been measuring it all along."
Miyuki chuckled. "Looks like you've been working hard."
"…" Rinichi clearly didn't like being called hard-working.
"By the way, I want to try a splitter."
Miyuki blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Alright, let's do it."
He crouched and got ready.
Splitters are tricky—if not thrown right, the pitch can go wild, and the catcher's left digging it out of the dirt.
Rinichi adjusted his grip, lifted his leg, and stepped into the pitch.
The ball slid out of his hand and dropped sharply as it neared the plate.
Success.
It caught Miyuki completely off guard.
"You already knew how to throw that?"
"I saw someone else do it once. This is my first time trying it myself," Rinichi said flatly.
"Let's see if it's consistent—throw a few more."
Rinichi nodded.
He threw around ten more splitters—all stable.
Miyuki was stunned by Rinichi's talent. His eyes turned serious, and he gave a helpless smile.
"How about learning a slider or a curve too?"
"No."
The rejection came swift and firm.
"…"
Miyuki had already figured out Rinichi's personality over the past few days. "So, when are you planning to start learning new pitches?"
"Depends on my mood."
"…"
...
Rinichi chewed his food slowly, then swallowed.
"Feels like everyone's really tense."
"It's because the first-years are playing against the second and third-years tomorrow," Miyuki explained. "And ever since you joined, there are only two spots left on the First String."
Rinichi looked slightly puzzled. "But strong players are the ones who should be on the First String, right? Is there really a need to be this depressed?"
That comment immediately stirred some dissatisfaction among the upperclassmen, but no one spoke up.
Rinichi had already proved his skill during the game against Ichidaisan. As a first-year who was already on the First String, it was only a matter of time before he became a starter—maybe even the next game.
Even Miyuki felt a little nervous for him. "You really shouldn't say things like that out loud—"
Halfway through his sentence, Rinichi cut in. "Got it. Sorry."
He apologized quickly, though Miyuki had a strong sense that Rinichi didn't feel the slightest bit remorseful.
"Um, can I sit next to you?"
Rinichi and Miyuki both looked to their left.
Rinichi immediately understood the new arrival wasn't here for him—it was for Miyuki.
"Sorry to intrude," said Furuya as he sat down beside Miyuki.
"Miyuki-senpai, in tomorrow's game, I won't let anyone hit my pitches."
That statement caught Rinichi's attention.
"And when the time comes… will you catch for me?"
He called Miyuki "senpai," which meant he was a fellow first-year. Rinichi noted this silently.
Other than that, he didn't think much of it.
However, those words caused a group of second-years nearby to boil over.
They swarmed in, clearly looking for trouble.
Each one of them looked aggressive.
"Hey, rookie. You think no one can hit your pitches? Do you even know where you are?"
With so many guys closing in, even Rinichi felt like the air around him was getting thin.
Better eat quickly and get out of here, he thought, and started picking up his pace.
"If you want Miyuki to catch for you, then prove yourself first."
"This is ridiculous," said a sudden voice—Tanba.
Immediately, the tension dropped.
"Tanba-senpai!"
"Here, we only talk based on performance."
"…Yes, sir."
Rinichi hadn't expected the second-years to respect Tanba-senpai that much.
Seeing how fired up they all became, he paused with his chopsticks for a moment.
The group scattered.
Rinichi finished his last bite, picked up his tray, and said, "Miyuki-senpai, I'm done eating."
Without waiting for a response, he walked off.
On the way back to the dorm, Rinichi found himself thinking about that other first-year.
He said no one would be able to hit his pitches…
Maybe he really is talented.
Oh well. Doesn't matter to me.
Rinichi didn't believe anyone else could possibly be above him in skill.
So there was no point caring about it.
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