At 12:30 p.m., the game ended, and Seido claimed victory.
As the spectators quickly dispersed, news of Seido's pitching lineup spread with them. That evening, no matter who their opponents were the next day, the managers of powerhouse teams across the Kanto region had the latest game footage in hand.
Next year... I wonder what kind of hell West Tokyo will become. By then, we'll be able to meet on the field, won't we? Even if we'll be enemies. From the distant stands, Hayakawa only rose after Seido's dugout had become completely empty. Seeing his former best partner shine brilliantly under someone else's guidance made his hands itch as well. He had to take out a baseball and hold it in his palm before he felt settled.
Hayakawa had not reported to Inashiro early, not because of his own wishes, but no one had forced him otherwise either. It was simply the unspoken duty of being the eldest son in a large family. His parents habitually assumed that their eldest son would look after the two younger children during spring break, so their arrangements never mentioned anyone watching them. Hayakawa listened carefully without pointing it out, silently crossing out the option of going to Inashiro early.
"Want to go to our usual spot?" A week after their middle school graduation ceremony, Hayakawa texted Kōshū.
"Sorry, our housekeeper is taking the week off."
More than a week later: "Want to go to our usual spot?"
"Sorry, today probably won't work. We're all out. I'm heading to Seido in March, and Lang Zhi insisted on dragging me to a bookstore to stock up on manga. Want to come?"
"No. I still have to cook later." Hayakawa closed his phone, then contacted an Inashiro teacher the next second to ask whether he could