Chapter 447: A Familiar Feeling
Of course—
That doesn't mean that just because a batter can see the release point, they'll always be able to read the pitch.
You have to understand—among all the high school pitchers in Japan, the only known player who can hide his release point due to exceptional joint flexibility is Eijun.
Other pitchers simply can't do it.
But that doesn't mean every other pitcher's throws are easy to read.
So no, it's not that simple.
It's just that being able to see the release point can give batters a bit more time to react and make judgments.
But when it comes down to each individual case—
It still depends on the pitcher's skill.
And more importantly, the batter's ability.
After all, the moment of release lasts less than a second. Even for elite hitters with sharp dynamic vision, the most they can do is see it a bit more clearly.
Thinking you can read a pitch just because you see the release point?
That's wishful thinking—pure fantasy.
So there's really no need to worry about Eijun using a standard, visible release point. It's not a weakness. Nor does it mean batters can guess what he's throwing.
Eijun only switches between his two pitching styles occasionally—
Because it suits the pitch, or simply feels more natural.
It's not like—
Each pitch has to be thrown from a specific delivery.
And if any team or batter really believes that's Eijun's weak point—
Seidou's golden battery, the Ace of Diamonds, Sawamura Eijun, will be more than happy to teach them the harsh truth—
The difference between idealistic dreams and cold, hard reality.
Why are the flowers so red?
"Yeah, I understand, Chris-senpai. When it comes to controlling height, I've already talked it through with Miyuki-senpai. I'll try to match the release point with my fastball and changeup as much as I can."
Eijun nodded seriously as he replied to Chris.
"Good."
Hearing that, Chris nodded, visibly reassured.
And it's no exaggeration to say—
That Miyuki and Eijun's battery is the best Chris has ever seen in his entire baseball journey. Just a little...
Just a little bit of regret lingers.
While Eijun wasn't looking—
A faint trace of that emotion flashed through Chris's eyes.
To not be the catcher working with you…
To not stand with you and chase the championship...
Chris's gaze reflected Eijun's tall, determined figure. He let out a small sigh in his heart, quietly thinking—
"That's the one thing I couldn't reach."
"Chris-senpai, I'm thinking of working on my changeup next. And my cutter too—is that alright?"
That youthful energy bursting out.
That bright, infectious smile.
The sharpness and radiance—like the sun rising on a new day.
That confident grin, that gleam in his eyes.
Chris's heart stirred for a moment.
"Alright."
To be able to catch this junior's pitches—
Was already a blessing.
And even if he couldn't take the mound with him, he was still witnessing the highest peak of high school baseball—just from a different role.
There was nothing to regret anymore.
Chris crouched behind the plate.
"Bring it, Sawamura."
"Yes, Chris-senpai!"
Such soft and fluid receiving hands.
That ability to let pitchers throw freely and comfortably.
Compared to Miyuki's strong and controlling style…
Chris-senpai's catching style leaned more toward the gentle and composed side.
In that sense—
Among the new generation of Seidou's golden rookies, the young wolf cub, Okumura Koushu, shared a similar style.
Both had the ability to draw out a pitcher's true potential, to help them perform at their best.
Given Sawamura's current personality and mindset—
or to put it more subjectively—
if Sawamura were allowed to choose his own battery partner, there's a good chance he would pick Chris-senpai over Miyuki-senpai.
Both Miyuki and Chris could sync perfectly with Eijun's intent as catchers.
Both could bring out his full strength on the mound.
But even so, Eijun couldn't help but feel—
that the sound of the ball snapping into Chris's glove, the presence of Chris standing calmly in front of him,
the atmosphere he brought to the field—
All of it made pitching with him feel… just a little more comforting.
Whoosh.
Pop!
Another sharp cutter—Eijun's modified version.
To Chris, it posed no trouble at all.
With a slight turn of his body, he caught the pitch cleanly in his mitt.
The crisp pop of the ball hitting leather echoed through the facility.
Eijun's eyes lit up with joy.
"Yep—Chris-senpai's glove still sounds the best."
He looked toward Chris without even trying to hide how he felt.
Those clear blue eyes were full of sincerity.
The honesty in his words made Chris blink, slightly caught off guard, before a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"You really are something."
He looked at Eijun with the fondness of someone gazing at his own child.
Unlike the famed "Golden Battery" that everyone praised, Eijun had always believed that he and Chris-senpai could've also dominated the field together.
"Heh… looks like our ace has a few complaints about me, huh?"
Just as the warm, peaceful atmosphere filled the indoor training space—
a teasing voice suddenly rang out.
Eijun's cheerful expression instantly froze.
That familiar voice, followed a second later by an all-too-familiar figure stepping into view, made his heart sink.
No way. When did he get here?
And why did it have to be now, of all times?
Seriously, what are the odds? You stalking me or something, Miyuki-senpai?
Eijun stared at Miyuki, who had appeared at the entrance, completely speechless.
The smirk on Miyuki's face was absolutely devilish.
It made Eijun's heart beat just a little too fast.
He was one of the "Four Legendary Troublemakers" from their first year, and now one of the "Terrible Two" among the second-years.
Those titles weren't just for show.
"Damn it… talk about bad timing."
Eijun groaned internally.
"A-Ahaha! Miyuki-senpai, you must've misheard! I'd never complain about you! Total misunderstanding! Yep, total misunderstanding!"
He laughed awkwardly, desperately trying to play it off.
Sure, it was the equivalent of covering your ears and pretending you didn't hear the alarm.
But hey—better than saying nothing at all, right?
"Oh? Is that so?"
Miyuki stepped forward slowly, the smile in his eyes deepening into something unreadable.
Eijun's heart thudded harder.
Is this guy turning into another Kuramochi-senpai?
Did he pick up his violent tendencies too?
As Miyuki's smile widened and he came even closer—
The look on Eijun's face grew more and more awkward.
"R-really! Really! Really!"
He nodded rapidly like a chick pecking at rice, his big round eyes blinking with exaggerated sincerity.
As if to say:
"Look how honest and innocent I am!"
Miyuki couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Off to the side, even Chris shook his head in exasperation.
These two… what a pair of clowns.
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