"Phew~"
Letting out a long breath, Takashima Rei carefully studied the young man standing before her.
Short chestnut hair, handsome features, tall and straight posture—he looked confident, composed, and strikingly dashing.
His physique was lean but powerful, clearly honed through constant training. In his right hand, his long fingers still gripped a baseball tightly.
"Kanzaki," Rei began, adjusting her glasses slightly, "you said you want to become the best pitcher in Japan. I'd like to know—what makes you think that?"
Ryou answered immediately. "My strength."
"But I've never heard of you before," Rei said bluntly.
As Seidou High's Vice-President and scout, she always kept an eye on promising middle school players—especially pitchers.
But this name, Kanzaki Ryou, had never crossed her radar.
"Baseball isn't a one-man sport," Ryou replied calmly.
"Are you implying your middle school teammates held you back?" Rei asked, narrowing her eyes with interest.
"I like my teammates very much," Ryou said seriously, "but their lack of strength is a fact."
Rei's lips curved into a faint smile. "So, Kanzaki, you came all the way to Seidou. Are you planning to take the entrance exam?"
"No."
"Huh? Then… you don't want to join Seidou?" Rei blinked, a little surprised. Why else would he come all this way?
"I do," Ryou said without hesitation, "but I don't have money."
Rei blinked again. "Money?"
"Taking Seidou's exam means paying tuition, dorm fees, textbooks, application fees… all that stuff. Way too expensive," Ryou said bluntly, crossing his arms. "I don't plan to pay a single yen."
Rei's smile deepened. "So, you want a special recruitment spot?"
"Yes," Ryou nodded. "I want to join Seidou through special recruitment."
Her interest sharpened. If he was that confident, perhaps his claim wasn't empty boasting. Maybe his middle school team had simply been too weak to support his full potential.
"Still," Rei said, testing him, "what makes you think you deserve it?"
Ryou turned toward the field. "Words are cheap, Onee-san. If you allow it, I'd rather show my ability on the mound."
Rei's eyes gleamed. "Of course. I'm looking forward to it."
Even if he was exaggerating, part of her truly hoped his confidence was real. Seidou needed pitchers—desperately.
"Come with me. Let's see the Director first. You'll need his permission before stepping on the field."
"Yes!"
As Ryou followed her to the field, countless eyes turned toward him.
He recognized many familiar faces—Yuki Tetsuya, Isashiki Jun, Kominato Ryosuke, even Takigawa Chris Yu.
Ryou maintained a polite smile as he and Rei approached the dugout.
Coach Kataoka Tesshin, who had been observing the players, turned his head after being prompted by President Ota.
"Director," Rei said respectfully, "this is Kanzaki Ryou, a third-year middle school student from Kyoto."
"Kanzaki," she added, "this is Seidou's Director, Coach Kataoka Tesshin."
Ryou stood tall, back straight, and said clearly, "Hello, Director!"
Kataoka crossed his arms, sunglasses glinting in the winter sun. "Hmm. Speak for yourself."
Rei stepped aside with a knowing smile—curious to see whether Ryou had the guts to say to Kataoka what he'd boldly said to her.
Ryou blinked, briefly speechless. This woman's darker than she looks.
But there was no backing down. Kataoka's sharp gaze bore into him.
"You're Kanzaki Ryou, right? What are you doing here?" Kataoka's deep voice rumbled.
Rei felt a hint of nervousness. Would this middle schooler freeze under that pressure?
But to her surprise, Ryou took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and shouted with conviction—
"I'm here for three things!"
"First—to earn a special recruitment spot and join Seidou!"
"Second—to lead Seidou to victory at Koshien!"
"And third—to become the best pitcher in Japan!"
His bold declaration rang across the entire field.
Every player froze, eyes wide, bats and gloves hanging midair.
"Hey, hey, did you hear that?" Isashiki Jun said to Yuki Tetsuya, half laughing.
"An impressive statement," Yuki said with a faint smile.
"Pretty gutsy, saying that to the Coach," Kominato Ryosuke added, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Cool kid," Kusunoki Fumiya murmured, stroking his chin. "What do you think, Chris?"
Chris chuckled softly. "Very interesting."
Their murmurs were quickly silenced as Kataoka turned and roared, "What are you all staring at?! Who told you to stop training?!"
Everyone instantly scrambled back into motion, resuming practice with renewed panic.
Kataoka looked back at Ryou, his expression unreadable. Ryou's heart pounded, unsure whether the coach was impressed—or furious.
"Kid."
"Yes!"
"I don't dislike people who take initiative," Kataoka said gruffly. "In fact, I admire your courage."
"Thank you, sir!"
Rei exhaled softly in relief. At least the first impression went well.
"Hmph. I hope you can back up those words," Kataoka said, turning toward the field again. "Once the current pitcher rotation ends, you'll get your chance."
Ryou froze for a second before grinning broadly. "I won't disappoint you, Boss!"
Rei couldn't help it—she burst out laughing. "Boss," huh? That was new.
President Ota stared blankly. A self-recommended kid and a Director who just agreed? Are they serious?
Kataoka's mouth twitched slightly at the nickname, but deep down, he was intrigued. The boy's fearless attitude had already made an impression.
"Takako, get Kanzaki a training uniform," Rei instructed Fujiwara Takako, the team manager.
"On it!"
"Height and weight?" Takako asked briskly.
"178 centimeters, 75 kilograms."
With that, she hurried off to the equipment room.
Ten minutes later, as pitcher practice wrapped up, Kanzaki Ryou—now dressed in Seidou's winter uniform—stood by the dugout, stretching and warming up. His expression was sharp, his body brimming with fighting spirit.
From the shadows, Kataoka watched him quietly, nodding to himself.
Then he raised his voice. "Yuki! Isashiki! Kominato! The three of you—come here!"
"Yes, sir!"
The trio exchanged glances, each already guessing what was coming.
After all, with that confident newcomer standing there in Seidou colors—and his outrageous declaration echoing in their ears—how could anyone not guess what was about to happen?