"Just as expected, it was Seihō. They had that monster, Sano Shuzo." It was news they had already learned yesterday, yet he still put on a show while reading the newspaper today, like an old man using the morning news to draw his family's attention.
"Ah, that smile." Furuya still could not forget the smile of Osaka Kiryu's ace.
"So he really cried." Todoroki crying was not as terrifying as his smile.
With 67 home runs over his high school career, Sano Shuzo had blasted a massive home run off Osaka Kiryu's Todoroki and sent them straight home. Seihō possessed the most terrifying batting machine in high school baseball. At 10:30 the morning after tomorrow, Seido would face Seihō.
"Gulp." In the sudden silence, the sound of someone swallowing was especially loud.
Everyone immediately turned to look. It was Kawakami.
"Kawakami, don't be nervous. Seido relies on relay pitching, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Since discussing Seihō during meals might agitate the mentally fragile pitchers, everyone agreed not to bring them up while eating.
Kōshū, however, did not pay much attention to what was happening around him. Ever since watching Seihō's game against Osaka Kiryu, he had felt a deep sense of crisis. It was not that he believed he was the one who had to shoulder the burden, but rather that he could not help it. Especially after serving as the Closing Pitcher in several games, he had begun habitually placing himself in that role.
For that, Miyuki had grabbed his head and lectured him several times. "Being aggressive is good, but you're used to giving everything without holding back. If that goes on too long, you won't be able to adapt to being a starting pitcher. Managing your stamina is what matters most."
"Yeah, yeah."