"Why are you so scared of him?" Sendou teased as he watched Sawamura focus intently, recalling how he had reacted to Okumura earlier.
"Who's scared of him?!!" Sawamura loudly retorted.
"And that Little Wolf Cub is just too scary!!"
Isn't that exactly what being scared means? Asada grumbled inwardly.
However, with the Little Wolf Cub barging in, Asada and Sawamura's relationship had improved by leaps and bounds.
Asada, who had not understood Sawamura before and found him frightening, had already come to realize what Sawamura was really like.
"Just leave that guy alone for now. That Black-bellied Glasses will handle him," Sendou said afterward.
"The captain?"
"After all, they're roommates! You just need to focus on pitching! Your form has been great lately. Even Sunglasses Uncle won't overlook it! You... really have gotten stronger!!" Looking at Sawamura and recalling everything that had happened over the past year, Sendou could not help sighing with emotion.
"Heh!" Sawamura could not stop himself from blushing.
"I know! Sendou!"
"Hmm?"
"Kasuga One's ace this year became the ace after starting out as the number two pitcher, right?"
"That's true!"
"Then... I..."
"Do I have a chance?" Sawamura asked somewhat shyly.
"You only need to focus on your pitching. Have you forgotten what Senior Chris said? There's a saying in China: haste makes waste! The more desperately you want something, the more likely you are to miss out because your mind is in turmoil!"
"I know! I haven't forgotten what Senior Chris said, either. But..." As Sawamura spoke, he lowered his head slightly.
It was clear that the kid was unwilling to accept it.
"You only need to focus on your pitching." Sendou placed a hand on top of his head.
Feeling the warmth on his head, all he heard was still that same