"How was it?"
After the game, Yuki Tetsuya brought his family over to meet Ushijima.
The first person he asked was naturally his younger brother.
After all, Masashi had watched the entire match from the stands.
Masashi crossed his arms and maintained his usual cool expression.
"It was impressive."
Then he added seriously:
"But I think I can hit those pitches."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Yuki blinked.
Then he laughed.
"Haha! Then hurry up and enter Seidou next year."
"You can challenge your cousin yourself."
Masashi immediately replied:
"I want to do it now."
The moment he finished speaking, his competitive spirit exploded.
It was as if someone had turned on a gas stove at maximum heat.
The temperature around him seemed to rise several degrees.
His parents, aunt, and uncle instinctively took a step backward.
"Too hot."
"Way too hot."
"Somebody turn down the fire."
Masashi ignored them completely.
His eyes remained locked on Ushijima.
Yuki chuckled.
"Now?"
"Your cousin won't waste his time bullying you."
"If you want to hit his pitches, you'll have to wait until you join Seidou."
"Boom!"
The flames of competition instantly grew even stronger.
Masashi looked as though he wanted to challenge Ushijima immediately.
"Masashi."
Yuki's father sighed.
"Turn off the gas stove."
"You're about to burn your old man."
At that moment, Ushijima finally finished his interview and walked over.
The first thing he saw was his cousin standing there with a face full of unwillingness.
"What are you doing?"
Smack.
He casually tapped Masashi on the head.
The terrifying aura instantly disappeared.
The gas stove was extinguished.
Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Masashi looked up stubbornly.
"I want to hit your pitches."
His tone was serious.
Ushijima nodded.
"Then come to Seidou."
"When you get here, I'll throw as many pitches as you want."
"But right now?"
He glanced at his cousin.
"You're still too weak."
"Forget 150 km/h."
"I could strike you out with a 140 km/h inside Fastball."
Masashi's face immediately darkened.
The gas stove nearly reignited.
Unfortunately, Ushijima delivered another finger flick to his forehead.
The flames died once again.
"How long are Mom and Dad staying?"
Ushijima turned toward his parents.
His mother smiled.
"We're flying back tomorrow."
"We can't stay for Koshien."
"Your father still has work."
Ushijima nodded.
He had expected this answer.
However, his mother quickly added:
"But if Seidou reaches the Koshien Finals, we'll come back."
A smile appeared on Ushijima's face.
"Then I'll make sure you have a reason to come."
His father laughed loudly.
"Good!"
"That's the spirit!"
After thinking for a moment, Ushijima said:
"Since you're leaving tomorrow, let's have dinner at Uncle's house tonight."
"Yuki and I will ask Coach Kataoka for permission."
"We have about a week before Koshien begins anyway."
The adults naturally agreed.
"Good."
"Then we'll prepare dinner first."
"You boys handle your team's arrangements."
Soon afterward, Ushijima returned to the team bus.
The rest of Seidou was already waiting.
After boarding, he immediately approached Coach Kataoka.
"Coach."
"I'd like to request leave for tonight."
Coach Kataoka looked over.
"What is it?"
"My parents came all the way from China to watch the final."
"They're flying back tomorrow morning."
"Yuki and I would like to have dinner with them tonight."
After hearing the explanation, Kataoka nodded without hesitation.
"No problem."
"Then we'll move the celebration banquet to tomorrow evening."
"Thank you, Coach."
The two brothers immediately bowed.
When the team returned to school, another surprise was waiting.
The school administration had gathered at the entrance.
Teachers.
Staff.
School leaders.
Everyone was there.
After all, Seidou had finally returned to Summer Koshien after six long years.
The baseball club manager had even prepared celebratory fireworks.
As the players arrived, fireworks crackled across the campus.
Cheers erupted from every direction.
The third-year players looked especially emotional.
For many of them, this was the happiest moment of their high school lives.
That evening, Ushijima joined Yuki's family for dinner.
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
During the meal, Ushijima mentioned something important.
"This summer, I probably won't be able to come home."
July had been occupied by the Summer Tournament.
August would be occupied by Koshien.
There simply wasn't enough time.
His parents had already prepared themselves mentally.
His mother smiled.
"That's fine."
"Just focus on baseball."
"We'll watch your games from home."
His father nodded.
"Bring us a championship trophy."
The next morning.
4:10 AM.
Just like every other day.
Ushijima Wakatoshi was already running.
"Tch."
Back in the dormitory, Isashiki opened one eye.
"This guy is unbelievable."
"We just won the West Tokyo Final."
"Can't he rest for one day?"
From the neighboring bed, Shirasu replied calmly.
"Koshien hasn't started yet."
"Dare to slack off?"
"...No."
Isashiki immediately got out of bed.
When he stepped into the hallway, he discovered something interesting.
Masuko.
Kuramochi.
Sawamura.
Everyone was already awake.
The same situation was happening throughout the dormitory.
Nobody could sleep.
Not when Koshien was waiting for them.
When they arrived at the practice field, they exchanged knowing smiles.
Sure enough.
There was already a figure running laps.
The familiar silhouette.
The ace.
The person who had dragged all of them toward Koshien.
Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Meanwhile, Ushijima was examining something entirely different.
Yesterday had been July 31st.
The day of the West Tokyo Final.
And after defeating Inashiro, he had received a reward.
A Gold Treasure Chest.
Because of all the celebrations afterward, he had completely forgotten to open it.
Only now did he remember.
"Open."
[Ding! Treasure Chest Opened]
[Congratulations!]
[Gold Reward Obtained]
[Gold-Level Home Run (Wooden Bat)]
Ushijima's eyes widened slightly.
Then he immediately opened his status panel.
Name: Ushijima Wakatoshi
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 160 kg
Dominant Hand: Right
Off Hand: Left (Diamond)
Batting Stance: Switch Hitter
Stamina: Diamond
Speed: Gold
Control: Silver
Batting:
• Infield Contact (Gold · Metal Bat)
• Long Hit (Gold · Metal Bat)
• Home Run (Gold · Wooden Bat)
• Home Run (Silver · Metal Bat)
Pitch Types:
• Curveball (Silver)
• Screwball (Silver)
• Sinker (Gold)
• Two-Seam Fastball (Gold)
• Cutter (Gold)
• High-Speed Shootball (Gold)
• Four-Seam Fastball (Diamond)
• Forkball (Diamond)
• Slider (Diamond)
"A Gold-Level Home Run..."
Ushijima couldn't help smiling.
Then he immediately thought of Narumiya Mei.
"If I had opened this yesterday..."
He clicked his tongue.
"Narumiya probably would've given up at least two home runs."
What a waste.
Unfortunately, missed opportunities remained missed opportunities.
Still, another detail caught his attention.
"Wooden bat?"
His eyes narrowed.
"So this only affects wooden bats?"
"My metal-bat Home Run skill is still Silver."
That meant his power with wooden bats had now surpassed his power with metal bats.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
As he continued running, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Koshien hadn't even started yet.
Yet he had already become stronger again.
For everyone else, reaching Koshien was the end of a dream.
For Ushijima Wakatoshi—
It was only the beginning.