After the Autumn Tournament, Seido High School spent some time recovering and adjusting their condition before heading into the Meiji Jingu Tournament.
Held every November, the Meiji Jingu Tournament is the final high school baseball competition of the year in Japan. Only regional champions qualify, making it one of the most prestigious national tournaments in the country.
Seido's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of dominant.
They advanced through every stage without stumbling and ultimately brought the championship trophy back to Seido once again.
As always, Kanzaki Ryou was the centerpiece of their success.
His pitching remained flawless throughout the tournament. Opponents from every region failed to score against him, while his batting continued to make headlines.
By the end of the tournament, his career home run total had reached an astonishing eighty-one.
The victory also secured an additional Spring Koshien berth for the Tokyo region.
As the runner-up of the Autumn Tournament, Inashiro Industrial automatically qualified for the upcoming Spring Koshien.
The remaining half-slot would be determined through additional regional competition.
With that, Seido completed the year undefeated.
A perfect season.
On December 20th, Seido entered winter break.
After packing his luggage and saying goodbye to his teammates, Kanzaki Ryou boarded the train home to Kyoto.
Waiting for him at the station were his older sister, Kanzaki Mamiko, and his younger sister, Kanzaki Kumiko.
"Sis, you bought a car?"
After hugging Kumiko, Kanzaki followed them to the parking lot.
Seeing the vehicle parked nearby, he looked at Mamiko in surprise.
"It's just a used car."
Mamiko smiled casually.
"Still, that's impressive."
Kanzaki nodded approvingly before opening the rear door.
"Come on, Kumiko. Let's sit in the back."
He gently helped his sister into the car before climbing in beside her.
"Ni-chan, it's been so long!"
The moment she sat down, Kumiko wrapped herself around his arm and leaned against him.
Kanzaki laughed and rubbed her head.
"You're already a big girl. Why are you still so clingy?"
"Hehe. Because I'm still a kid."
Kumiko showed absolutely no intention of letting go.
Seeing that resistance was futile, Kanzaki simply gave up and started chatting with her.
"It's a shame North Uji didn't win the gold medal this time."
"Hmph! Stupid brother!"
Kumiko immediately puffed out her cheeks.
At the recent national competition, North Uji had fallen just short of first place. The entire concert band had been devastated by the result.
"You'll win it next year."
Kanzaki smiled confidently.
"I know we will."
Kumiko nodded without hesitation.
Back home, Kanzaki spent time catching up with his parents.
After dinner, he often took Kumiko out for walks around the neighborhood.
The days passed quickly.
Before he knew it, January had arrived.
During the break, aside from spending time at home, Kanzaki frequently went out with Kumiko and Reina.
Soon afterward, he returned to Tokyo ahead of schedule.
Seido Baseball Club's winter training officially began.
Wrapped in heavy training gear, the players pushed themselves relentlessly despite the cold weather.
Although Seido had won both the Autumn Tournament and the Meiji Jingu Tournament, the coaching staff remained unsatisfied.
The batting lineup still had weaknesses.
Against elite opponents, the lower half of the order often struggled to contribute offensively.
After Coach Kataoka pointed out the issue, Coach Ochiai was tasked with improving the team's overall batting ability.
Since winter nights arrived early and temperatures dropped rapidly after sunset, training ended at five o'clock each evening.
One day, after practice, Coach Kataoka gathered every player together.
First-string.
Second-string.
Everyone.
Standing before them, he spoke calmly.
"It is now January 8th."
"There are only two months remaining before Spring Koshien."
The players immediately straightened.
"Starting today, all first-string uniform numbers will be recalled."
His gaze swept across the group.
"With the exception of Number 1, Kanzaki, and Number 2, Miyuki."
A stir immediately spread through the crowd.
Coach Kataoka continued.
"New uniform numbers will be assigned before Spring Koshien."
"During this period, every player has the opportunity to earn a place on the first string."
The announcement sent shockwaves through the team.
The current first-string players became visibly tense.
Losing their numbers meant they would have to fight to earn them back.
Meanwhile, the second-string players were overflowing with motivation.
If they performed well enough over the next two months, they could earn a first-string spot and play at Koshien.
No opportunity could be greater than that.
Two days later, under clear skies, a group of familiar faces returned to Seido's field.
The retired third-years.
Led by Yuki Tetsuya, the former seniors formed a team and challenged the current roster.
The annual retirement game had begun.
Out of respect for their seniors, Kanzaki only pitched a single inning.
The remaining innings were handled by Kawakami, Sawamura, and Furuya.
Even so, the game remained competitive until the very end.
When the final out was recorded, Kanzaki's team emerged victorious.
By just one run.
A scoreline respectful enough to preserve the seniors' dignity.
More than a month of winter training passed in the blink of an eye.
The new first-string roster was finalized.
Then March arrived.
Spring Koshien.
Once again, Seido stood at the very top.
They defeated every opponent in their path and lifted the championship trophy.
Their fourth consecutive Koshien title.
A feat that further cemented their dynasty.
Following Spring Koshien, the baseball club received a rare one-week break.
When classes resumed, Kanzaki Ryou had officially become a third-year student.
As one of the greatest high school players in the country, professional teams immediately began making their moves.
NPB organizations contacted both him and Seido.
Major League teams also expressed serious interest.
The offers were generous.
Some were even astonishing.
However, Kanzaki had no intention of making a decision yet.
He still had a full year remaining.
There was no reason to rush.
April arrived.
A new school year began.
As a third-year student, Kanzaki once again walked through Seido's gates.
At the opening ceremony, the school even added a special segment celebrating Seido's latest Koshien championship.
Under the gaze of the entire student body, the baseball club's first-string members received flowers and thunderous applause.
That afternoon.
Seishin Dorm Cafeteria.
"Speaking of which..."
Miyuki sat down beside Kanzaki with his lunch tray.
"We ended up in the same class again."
Kanzaki immediately looked pained.
"You're haunting me."
"That's harsh."
Miyuki grinned.
"Isn't it great that we're together?"
"Exactly."
Kuramochi appeared beside them.
"Three years together. That's fate."
"Hehe."
Kanzaki only laughed helplessly.
At that moment, the cafeteria doors opened.
A familiar pink-haired figure walked inside.
The entire room froze.
Then—
"Oh my God!"
"No way!"
"This can't be happening!"
Cries of despair erupted throughout the cafeteria.
Everyone stared at the newcomer.
"Haruichi...?"
"What happened to your hair?"
"Why did you cut it?"
Standing in the doorway was Kominato Haruichi.
His bangs were gone.
For the first time, his eyes were completely visible.
The new hairstyle made him look surprisingly mature.
In fact...
He looked frighteningly similar to Kominato Ryousuke.
Especially when Sawamura immediately started circling around him while talking nonstop.
The moment Haruichi turned and spoke—
Even Kanzaki briefly felt as if Ryousuke had returned.
"I'm a second-year now."
Haruichi took a deep breath and gathered his courage.
"I'm not the same player I used to be."
"My performance at Koshien wasn't good enough."
"My batting average was low."
"My on-base percentage was low."
"The new first-years will be arriving soon."
"As a senior, I need to show my determination."
He spoke loudly in front of everyone.
A rare display of confidence.
Unfortunately, the moment he finished speaking, his face immediately turned bright red.
"Very good."
Kanzaki raised a thumb.
"I support it."
"This is what they call a fresh start."
"NO!"
Sawamura suddenly screamed.
"Haruichi, change it back!"
The cafeteria echoed with his tragic cry.
A vein appeared on Haruichi's forehead.
Then he smiled.
A very familiar smile.
His eyes narrowed.
"Eijun-kun~"
The temperature around Sawamura instantly dropped.
"That's him!"
"It's Ryousuke-senpai!"
"The Kominato bloodline is terrifying!"
Sawamura jumped back in horror.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
His miserable howl echoed throughout the entire cafeteria.