Chapter 4: First String
The self-introductions for the new students began.
Rinichi absolutely hated this part the most.
He glanced sideways, sneaking a look at the coach.
It didn't seem like the coach had any intention of making him introduce himself.
Rinichi thought maybe he could avoid it altogether this time.
But in the end, after everyone else had finished, Kataoka looked at him and said, "You too. Introduce yourself."
"…," Rinichi was speechless.
There probably wasn't anyone in the world who disliked self-introductions more than he did.
"I'm Kamishiro Rinichi, from the Daikyou Senior Baseball Team. I'm aiming to be a pitcher and hitter."
He just said it the same way everyone else had—as if reading from a script.
"A guy from Daikyou actually came to Seidou?"
"That's the ace pitcher from the national champions!"
"Wow… and he chose to come to Seidou?"
"Huh? Daikyou? Shouldn't he be in Kanagawa?"
Among them, the most surprised were Tojou Hideaki and Kanemaru Shinji.
Whether first-years or upperclassmen, the room filled with murmurs.
But that was the end of it.
Training began, and the group split up.
"Miyauchi," Coach Kataoka called.
"Here!" Miyauchi Keisuke quickly responded.
"Didn't Coach also call for Miyuki earlier?" Kuramochi asked Masuko beside him.
Masuko raised a sign with the words: "They're both catchers."
"You'll catch for Kamishiro," Coach Kataoka said.
As expected.
The second- and third-years immediately understood what this was about.
"Yes, sir!"
With Miyauchi's response, Kataoka looked down at Rinichi. "Let me see your pitching."
"Everyone else, resume training!"
Rinichi's expression remained calm.
Time to show what he could do.
After a quick warm-up, he entered the bullpen.
Miyauchi was a little nervous inside.
The coach had originally wanted Miyuki to catch for Rinichi, hadn't he?
If it hadn't been for Miyuki being forced to run laps due to being late, Miyauchi wouldn't have gotten this chance.
And honestly, unless something unexpected happened, this Rinichi guy would probably go straight to the First String and wear the number "1."
If Miyauchi could catch for him now, it might increase his own chances to play.
He had to make it count!
Rinichi gripped the ball and looked up—right at Kataoka standing behind Miyauchi.
Left hand gripped the ball, body turned sideways, right leg raised high—his entire presence shifted. His right foot stepped forward.
The ball flew from Rinichi's hand.
Miyauchi broke into a sweat. His pupils shrank.
It looked like the pitch was dipping slightly downward, so he lowered his glove a little.
But the ball deflected off the edge of his glove!
Takashima Rei, standing nearby with the radar gun, showed a subtle change in expression. "145 km/h."
Rinichi exhaled and flexed his left hand slightly.
Still a little rusty—but the feel was decent.
All four of them fell silent.
Miyauchi Keisuke's expression toward Rinichi completely changed.
If he hadn't adjusted his glove just now, he probably would've caught that pitch cleanly.
"Approved. Starting today, you'll be joining First String training."
Even though Miyauchi had mentally prepared for this, hearing the coach say it still sent a jolt through him.
Coach Kataoka's sharp gaze stayed fixed on Rinichi. "Run two laps."
"Yes, sir!"
Miyauchi was surprised—only two laps?
Rinichi removed his glove, and Takashima Rei walked over. "You did great."
"Well, even if I came in through the back door, I'd still need some skills to make it in, right?"
"It's just that I was a little rusty earlier. Otherwise, the velocity should've been over 145, maybe just under 150." Rinichi lifted his eyes. "Anyway, I'll go run now."
But Rinichi had underestimated things. The real nightmare came after.
At Seidou, breakfast required everyone to eat at least three bowls. Required.
He was stunned.
If he had run more laps, he might not have even made it to the second bowl.
Luckily it was still early, his stomach was empty, and the two laps had warmed him up just enough. He barely managed to get through the three bowls.
There was a lot of rice, and a ton of side dishes.
Rinichi: "…"
After finishing, he staggered out of the cafeteria, his stomach bloated and uncomfortably full.
Every step felt like a challenge.
His expression was pale, and he gripped the chain-link fence with trembling hands.
All that echoed in his mind was: "I'm gonna die."
No other thoughts remained.
He stood there for a while before finally straightening up to watch the upperclassmen train.
He had no idea how they could eat that much and still move so fluidly.
"All first-years: we'll now begin testing your skills at your desired defensive positions. Change into your cleats and meet at Field B."
"Yes, sir!"
Rinichi touched his belly.
Well, he'd already been assigned to the First String.
No way he needed to take part in this evaluation.
After all, the coach had said—starting today, he was training with the First String.
First String training, huh?
He felt like he wasn't in the best shape right now…
Yeah—because his overly full stomach was dragging down his performance.
"Miyuki! Kamishiro!" Kataoka suddenly called out both of their names.
All eyes turned toward either Miyuki Kazuya or Kamishiro Rinichi.
"To the bullpen."
It was a command that allowed no refusal.
"Yes, sir!" they both responded in unison.
Rinichi and Miyuki walked off together.
"That's pretty impressive—getting into the First String after just one morning practice," Miyuki said, still clearly surprised.
"Thanks," Rinichi replied, glancing sideways at the grinning guy showing his teeth.
If he remembered correctly, Coach Kataoka had called this guy's name right after his.
Probably meant to have him catch his pitches.
And now he himself was in the First String.
By that logic, this Miyuki-senpai must be part of the First String too.
"What kind of pitches do you throw?" Miyuki asked.
Rinichi was caught off guard.
What kind of pitches...?
His mind went completely blank for a moment.
Then he started counting on his fingers, "Fastball, knuckleball, cutter, change-up—"
Seeing that Rinichi looked ready to rattle off every pitch in existence, Miyuki cut him off, "Wait, are you saying you can throw everything?"
"No, just the ones I mentioned... I guess," Rinichi replied.
"I guess?" Miyuki thought Rinichi sounded incredibly unreliable.
Rinichi's gaze sharpened. "Can you catch my pitches, Miyuki-senpai?"
The question stunned Miyuki for a second—then he burst out laughing.
"You really are an interesting guy."
Thinking that was a compliment, Rinichi quickly said, "Thank you."
Miyuki just laughed even harder.
When he finally calmed down, his eyes grew serious. "Whether I can catch them or not—just throw and we'll find out."
He sounded oddly mysterious about it.
Before either of them could respond, they noticed Coach Kataoka glaring at them from a distance.
Rinichi and Miyuki froze—only then realizing how far they'd drifted from the coach.
As if on cue, the two of them instinctively broke into a jog to catch up with Coach Kataoka.
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