After the discussion about Haruichi's new hairstyle finally died down, the conversation naturally shifted to the new school year.
"Speaking of which, the first-years are moving into the dorms tonight, right?" Aso Takashi said between bites of food. "I wonder what our juniors will be like."
"What? Worried one of them might give you attitude?" Maezono Kenta teased.
Aso immediately rolled his eyes.
As if a seasoned upperclassman like him would be worried about something like that.
"Heh."
Kuramochi grinned wickedly.
"The kid assigned to our room is named Asada Hirofumi. Sawamura and I are already prepared."
His smile grew even wider.
"Tonight, we're going to scare him half to death."
The entire table fell silent.
Some traditions really deserved to disappear.
"This year's recruits should be pretty strong, right?" someone said. "We're the four-time consecutive Koshien champions. Anyone who chooses Seido now has to be a genius."
"Not necessarily."
Miyuki shook his head.
"At least not for pitchers."
Everyone immediately understood what he meant.
"That's true."
Kuramochi nodded.
"With Kanzaki here now, and Sawamura and Furuya taking over afterward, any genius pitcher who comes to Seido probably won't get much attention for at least two years."
Hearing that, Kanzaki nodded.
"Honestly, I hope the top pitcher prospects don't all come to Seido."
Everyone looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because it'd be a waste."
Kanzaki shrugged.
"There are only so many innings to go around. Some talented pitchers would be better off choosing schools where they can actually shine."
The room grew quiet.
No one could really argue with that.
A perfect example was Toujou.
Back in middle school, he had been a famous pitcher.
After coming to Seido, however, he had eventually switched positions due to the overwhelming competition.
"Oh, right."
Kanzaki suddenly looked toward Miyuki.
"Kazuya, the first-year assigned to your room should be pretty interesting."
Miyuki blinked.
"You know him?"
"Not really."
"Then how do you know he's interesting?"
Kanzaki grinned.
"You'll find out tonight."
Miyuki rolled his eyes.
Sometimes talking to Kanzaki felt like listening to a fortune teller.
After dinner, everyone returned to their dormitories and waited for the arrival of the new students.
Meanwhile, the incoming first-years were carrying their luggage toward Seishin Dorm.
"Hey! Yuki!"
Seto Takuma called out loudly.
"Answer me already!"
A tall figure jogged past them without even turning his head.
Seeing himself completely ignored, Seto immediately chased after him.
"What do you want?"
Yuuki Masashi finally stopped and looked at him coldly.
"You got here this early?"
Seto looked surprised.
"And you're already training?"
Yuuki nodded.
"My house is nearby."
"Then why are you running now?"
Seto asked curiously.
"Extra practice?"
Yuuki's expression became serious.
"My brother said that if I want Kanzaki-senpai to acknowledge me, I need to show the right attitude."
His shoulders drooped slightly.
"Otherwise, he won't pitch to me."
Seto almost laughed.
Before he could respond, another voice interrupted.
"So you guys came to Seido too."
The two turned around.
Seto's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yui!"
The newcomer smiled.
Meanwhile, Okumura Koushuu stood nearby with his usual blank expression.
Yuuki didn't seem interested in either of them and simply resumed his run.
"Yui Kaoru."
Seto looked excited.
"The main catcher from Mamiya Little League."
"The captain who led the team to the World Series title."
"You came to Seido too?"
Yui smiled confidently.
"Seido is the king of high school baseball right now."
"Choosing this school seemed natural."
"Fair point."
Seto nodded.
At that moment, Yui looked toward Okumura.
"Looks like we'll be teammates from now on."
"Please take care of me."
Okumura nodded.
"Mm."
That was all.
Exactly what everyone expected from him.
Seishin Dorm.
Kanzaki Ryou was leaning against the balcony railing while Arima Kazusa stood nearby.
"Arima."
Kanzaki suddenly spoke.
"When the first-year arrives, don't bully him."
Arima froze.
"Huh?"
He pointed at himself.
"Senpai, do I really seem like that kind of person?"
Kanzaki only smiled before returning to his room.
Less than ten minutes later, footsteps approached.
Knock. Knock.
The dorm room door rattled gently.
Outside, Yui Kaoru stared at the nameplate.
Third-Year: Kanzaki Ryou.
Second-Year: Arima Kazusa.
His heart immediately started racing.
He had actually been assigned to the Ace's dormitory!
Images of catching Kanzaki's pitches instantly filled his imagination.
Just then, the door opened.
"You must be the new first-year."
Arima smiled.
"I'm Arima Kazusa."
Yui immediately straightened.
"Hello, Arima-senpai!"
He bowed a full ninety degrees.
"My name is Yui Kaoru."
"Relax."
Arima stepped aside.
"Come in."
Yui carried his luggage into the room.
The moment he entered, he spotted Kanzaki sitting at his desk.
Reading.
Or at least pretending to read.
Kanzaki didn't turn around.
Didn't speak.
Didn't even acknowledge his existence.
The atmosphere suddenly became suffocating.
Yui felt his palms growing sweaty.
This was Seido's Ace.
The undefeated king of high school baseball.
When Kanzaki intentionally acted serious, the pressure he radiated was honestly terrifying.
Arima sat down beside his bed, completely speechless.
Didn't you just tell me not to bully the junior?
What exactly are you doing right now?
Finally, he coughed loudly.
"Ahem."
The message was clear.
Stop playing around before the kid dies from nervousness.
"Hahaha!"
Kanzaki suddenly spun around in his chair.
"Were you scared?"
The abrupt change nearly made him fall out of it.
Yui's eyes widened.
His expression looked as though he'd just witnessed a ghost.
The legendary Kanzaki Ryou...
Was actually a comedian?
"Ahem."
Kanzaki crossed his legs dramatically.
"Welcome, little Yui Kaoru."
"My name is Kanzaki Ryou."
"The team's invincible super Ace."
"And your future captain."
Yui stared blankly for a moment before quickly bowing again.
"Please take care of me, Senpai."
"Good, good."
Kanzaki waved his hand.
"Everything before was just a joke."
"You don't need to be so formal here."
"Our dorm doesn't really care about strict senior-junior hierarchy."
"Just relax and be yourself."
He opened a drawer and tossed something over.
Yui instinctively caught it.
A pudding.
"Limited edition."
Kanzaki looked proud.
"Took me great effort to get it."
Yui immediately held it carefully.
"Thank you, Senpai."
Kanzaki nodded in satisfaction.
Then he turned toward Arima.
"Arima."
"Get your violin."
"Huh?"
"Play something."
"We need music to celebrate our new roommate."
Two minutes later.
A beautiful violin melody echoed throughout the room.
Kanzaki sat with his eyes closed, completely immersed in the performance.
Then—
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A miserable scream suddenly erupted from somewhere outside.
Kanzaki didn't even open his eyes.
He already knew what had happened.
Kuramochi had found his new victim.
Again.
The next morning.
4:30 A.M.
As Kanzaki quietly prepared to head out for his usual run, a voice suddenly came from the lower bunk.
"Senpai?"
Yui sat upright instantly.
"You're already awake?"
Kanzaki looked surprised.
Yui rubbed his eyes.
"Are you going running?"
"Yeah."
Kanzaki nodded.
"You can go back to sleep."
"No!"
Yui immediately jumped out of bed.
"I want to come too!"
The sudden burst of energy startled even Kanzaki.
At the same time, another bed creaked.
Arima slowly sat up.
Seeing the first-year eagerly preparing to follow Kanzaki for an early-morning run, he immediately felt a sense of crisis.
A dangerous sense of crisis.
Originally, he had been the only one training alongside Kanzaki every morning.
Now there was competition.
And thus—
Without realizing it—
Arima Kazusa had been dragged into the race as well.