Furuya's usual problem was that he couldn't stand the heat. Unexpectedly, the weather gods had been so accommodating, giving them a heavily overcast day for the final game of Spring Koshien.
Spring Koshien finals. Kōshū rolled the phrase over between his teeth. This was the Spring Koshien final, yet he most likely wouldn't be taking the field.
Yesterday, the coaches had thoroughly checked his body again. As expected, the effects of pitching a complete game were still there. After a night of lactic acid buildup, the right side of his body ached faintly. Still, it was only soreness in his flesh and muscles; there was nothing wrong with his bones or tendons.
Especially his shoulder, which had been injured twice before. The coaches examined it with particular concern. "Does it feel different when I press here?"
"No."
"What about when I pull here?"
"No."
By the time he saw the coaches out, Kōshū's lucky thought of maybe I can pitch an inning tomorrow had completely vanished. Seeing how cautious they were, there was no way they would let him take part in the final. Pah, pah, pah. Why did I believe what the catcher said?
"Sei! Do! Will! Win!" The cheers snapped Kōshū back to himself. It suddenly occurred to him that his family would not get to see him play in person today, either. For reasons he couldn't talk about, he had firmly refused to let Shen Qing and the others come to watch the semifinal, saying they could come if they made the final. Yet yesterday, he had personally called home and persuaded them not to come to Koshien after all, because he would not be playing.
"Huh? I've noticed that sometimes you're a little too focused on yourself, Kōshū. Can't we come watch Lang Zhi play? Besides,