"Toujou-senpai!
Isn't Sendou-san usually pretty slow?
There was no need to..."
Kuki asked the senior in front of the vending machine.
"So that's how you see Sendou?
Honestly, even I can't tell whether he's busy or free!
That guy isn't the type to express what he's thinking!
But don't worry!
If he agreed, it means he still has time!
Don't be fooled by how Sendou usually acts. If there's something he doesn't want to do, he'll refuse it without hesitation!
Like in manga, using phrases like “aru”!"
"Oh!"
Seeing Kuki lower his head, Tojo went over to the vending machine to buy some drinks.
It also gave him time to gather his thoughts.
"Why was I able to make the second string?" Kuki asked dejectedly.
He had none of the unbreakable spirit he showed on the field. His shoulders drooped like those of a defeated rooster.
"You aren't happy about it?" Tojo was surprised.
He hadn't expected that to be the reason. He had thought Kuki was struggling with something else!
"Because... I allowed eight runs in total!" Kuki continued gloomily.
"As a pitcher's attitude...
Could it be because you stuck to that?"
Tojo handed Kuki a can of juice.
Kuki raised his head at Tojo's voice.
"Actually, a lot of those runs came from bad judgment or mistakes!
All the fielders were stiff at the beginning too!
In a situation like that, unless the battery can strike out batters one after another...
Or find another way to raise everyone's spirits, it's hard to turn things around!"
Tojo paused midway, thinking of that unconventional Sawamura...
"Last year, I allowed twelve runs in the first inning!" Tojo said, seemingly mocking himself with a bitter smile.
"Huh?" Still feeling low, Kuki even wondered whether he had misheard.
"In the end, I couldn't