Coach Kataoka, who had been standing nearby, was about to answer the question himself—
But Kanzaki Ryou spoke first.
"Yes."
…
The reporters froze for a moment.
Just one word?
"But Seiho High School is also one of the top teams in the nation. Aren't you worried they might seize the opportunity to catch up after you left the pitcher's mound mid-game?" the reporter pressed.
"No."
Again?
The reporter was visibly confused.
Can't you say a little more?
"Is it because you had already prepared in advance?"
"Yes."
Seeing no further information could be squeezed out of this line of questioning, the reporters quickly changed topics.
"Then regarding the upcoming semifinals—"
A few minutes passed as they interviewed Kanzaki Ryou, Chris, and Coach Kataoka in turn.
Chris and Kataoka answered normally.
But Kanzaki—
Consistently responded with short, blunt answers.
This left the reporters utterly perplexed.
He hadn't been like this in previous interviews.
"What's wrong with you today? Are you in a bad mood?" Chris asked after the interview, concern evident in his voice.
Even Coach Kataoka gave him a questioning look.
Kanzaki shook his head.
"No. Don't you think it's kind of fun?"
"Fun? What's fun? Talking to reporters?" Chris looked puzzled.
"Hehe. Being dominant and aggressive on the field, but quiet and reserved off the field—don't you think that kind of contrast would attract more fans?"
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"…Isn't it a bit late for that?"
Your personality had already been exposed a long time ago.
"Just having some fun," Kanzaki said with a grin. "Call it a sense of humor."
Chris and Coach Kataoka exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Yeah… that sounded exactly like something Kanzaki would do.
By the time the three of them reached the stands, the second game of the day had already begun.
After taking their seats, Kanzaki pulled out his phone and checked it.
No new messages.
So he casually opened a horse-training game and started playing.
"What are you doing? Not watching the game?"
Miyuki leaned over to peek at his screen.
"…Wait, is that Uma Musume? Since when did you start playing this?"
"Just a few days ago," Kanzaki replied casually.
Miyuki clicked his tongue.
"I've heard that game is really grindy. You should take it easy."
"Grindy? I just pay to win."
"…Right. Of course you do."
Miyuki gave up and turned his attention back to the field.
This match would determine Seido's next opponent.
Kanzaki played while occasionally glancing up at the game.
It wasn't that he underestimated them—
But honestly, neither team's batting lineup was particularly strong. Compared to West Tokyo's top teams, they fell short.
The only reason they had made it this far was likely due to favorable matchups.
On the field, the two teams traded blows back and forth.
The score climbed into double digits—
And finally settled at 14:13.
As the game ended, Kanzaki also finished his round and put his phone away.
Now—
It was time to watch the next match seriously.
Osaka Kiryu vs. Komadai Fujimaki.
As the game began, the entire Seido team focused.
They might not know much about Komadai Fujimaki—
But Osaka Kiryu was a powerhouse they couldn't ignore.
And then—
The result shocked everyone.
Komadai Fujimaki defeated Osaka Kiryu.
The stadium erupted.
Across the country, audiences were stunned.
Komadai Fujimaki…?
What kind of team was that?
Countless people immediately pulled out their phones to search.
A dark horse.
A true dark horse.
"You… already knew about Komadai Fujimaki?" Miyuki asked Kanzaki, disbelief written all over his face.
"Hehe. Of course. Didn't I say before that I had high expectations for them? You didn't forget, did you?"
Everyone paused—
Then remembered.
It was true.
They had even made a bet about it.
If Komadai Fujimaki reached the finals—
They'd owe Kanzaki a meal.
"Their pitcher relay strategy is extremely well executed," Chris said thoughtfully. "Each pitcher has distinct strengths, and none of them are easy to deal with."
"Especially their first-year, Hongo Masamune. His pitch speed rivals Furuya's, but his control is clearly superior."
"And the timing of their pitching changes is excellent," Miyuki added. "They constantly disrupt the opponent's rhythm."
The team continued discussing Komadai Fujimaki as the final game of the day began.
After all four games concluded, Seido returned to the hotel by bus.
In the blink of an eye—
It was the semifinals.
Their opponent this time was clearly a level below Seido, both in pitching and batting.
With Kanzaki Ryou anchoring the team, the game turned into a one-sided affair.
Final Score: 14:1
Seido advanced to the finals with overwhelming dominance.
The only run they allowed came off Kawakami.
Not long after, the other semifinal match ended—
Komadai Fujimaki vs. Hakuryu High School.
It was an intense battle.
Komadai's precise pitcher relay strategy clashed head-on with Hakuryu's aggressive base-running tactics—constant steals, hit-and-run plays, relentless pressure.
The crowd roared with excitement.
In the end—
Komadai Fujimaki emerged victorious.
The dark horse from Hokkaido had officially become one of the biggest highlights of this year's Koshien.
"You really called it. The finals are against Komadai Fujimaki."
"Are you secretly a fortune teller?"
"You're basically a prophet, Kanzaki."
"Hey, predict something for me—when will I get a girlfriend?"
With the finals matchup decided, the team gathered around Kanzaki, joking and laughing.
That night, on the eve of the final—
Kanzaki Ryou called his younger sister.
"Ni-chan, you have to win the championship tomorrow!" Kumiko said eagerly.
"You too. Good luck tomorrow—win the gold award and make it to nationals," Kanzaki replied.
For this final, Kumiko wouldn't be able to attend.
She couldn't even watch the broadcast.
Because tomorrow—
Was also the day of the Kansai Wind Orchestra Competition.
Brother and sister.
Competing in different places.
At almost the exact same time.
After chatting for about half an hour, Kanzaki hung up.
He picked up the detailed report on Komadai Fujimaki lying on his bed—
And read through it once more.
In terms of raw strength, this team wasn't overwhelming.
Their batting lineup was weaker than Osaka Kiryu and Seihou.
But—
Their strategy was exceptional.
Four pitchers.
Four completely different styles.
Different pitch arsenals.
Combined with a coach who specialized in pitcher rotation tactics—
Most teams, when facing them for the first time, struggled to adapt.
Their batting rhythm would be constantly disrupted.
The game would gradually turn into a pitcher's duel—
And eventually—
They would lose.