DNA: Under The Sun

Second batter, Shirakawa, gritted his teeth—another first pitch, directly into Rinichi's glove.

By this point, the spectators understood: those previous outs weren't just luck.

But all they could see was that Rinichi's pitches looked easy to hit—beyond that, they couldn't figure out anything.

Many were confused.

"Does Kamishiro have some kind of trick to his pitches?"

"It's gotta be luck. Those balls look way too hittable. No way you can't make contact unless luck's involved."

Still, only two pitches—two outs.

Most people thought it was unbelievable, even absurd—some even joked that Seidou must have paid Inashiro off.

Rinichi exhaled slowly.

"Third batter, third baseman, Yoshizawa-kun."

Yoshizawa Hideaki adjusted his helmet as he stepped into the batter's box, his mind echoing the descriptions Carlos and Shirakawa had given of those pitches.

It must've been a type of fastball.

You couldn't hit it at all… what a pain. But at least the velocity seemed on the lower end.

With those thoughts, he shortened his grip and locked his eyes on Rinichi, who was already in his windup.

Thinking it would be just like the previous pitch, Yoshizawa was caught off guard and swung late.

"Strike!"

His pupils trembled.

That pitch… it felt like it just appeared right in front of him!

"Strike!"

His expression tightened.

He couldn't keep up at all!

Gripping the bat tighter—he swore he'd make contact with the next one, even if it was just a foul.

He readied himself, focused—swung with all his might… and missed.

A sharp, diving forkball.

Even though he'd seen this pitch in video footage before, the way it dropped in real time—it was on a whole different level. It felt impossible to hit.

"Strike three! Batter out!"

Only five pitches—and the inning was over, as if by magic.

Cheers erupted from Seidou's side.

"Great pitching, Kamishiro!"

Shinomiya smiled faintly. "Looks like he's not just riding the adrenaline."

Change of sides.

Leading off the second inning for Seidou was Miyuki Kazuya.

But he wasn't able to hit well—probably because he kept expecting a changeup and misjudged his swing.

He grounded out, unable to get on base.

Rinichi stood, picked up his bat, and headed to the right-handed batter's box.

From the mound, Narumiya Mei saw him and smirked with a touch of arrogance.

Now then… how should I scare little Rin?

With that mischievous thought, he delivered the first pitch.

Rinichi's pupils reflected the ball's path—calm and cold, like the surface of a winter lake.

He gripped the bat tightly—and swung hard.

The force and speed of the swing shocked both catcher Harada and Narumiya Mei on the mound.

The ball soared, climbing higher—over the outfield wall.

"Homerun!"

The crowd roared.

Narumiya Mei fumed as Rinichi jogged the bases leisurely.

How aggravating.

Yet Rinichi ignored his glare completely.

Which only made Narumiya even more furious.

Shinomiya chuckled. "So he finally decided to use that brain of his."

Takashima Rei adjusted her glasses silently.

"For him to hit it on the first pitch… he must've studied the footage over and over again to figure out exactly how that pitcher-catcher combo worked. It's rare to see him put in that much effort," Shinomiya said with genuine surprise.

Just as Rinichi crossed home plate, he sneezed.

Might be coming down with something, he thought.

Back in the dugout, his upperclassmen showered him with praise.

Mine Fujio sat in silence for a moment, then muttered:

"He's truly an incredible player… I've got a feeling, over his three years of high school—he's going to shake up the entire landscape of Japanese baseball."

"There's probably no one who can overshadow his brilliance, right?"

Owada Akiko glanced toward someone in the back, jotting something down in a notebook, then shifted her gaze back and said,

"Yeah. Right now, even pro scouts are eyeing Kamishiro."

An ace, consistent pitching, speed, power hitting...

To be this strong as just a first-year... More than the Rinichi of now, the scouts are likely more excited about what kind of brilliance he'll display two years from now.

If nothing unexpected happens over his three years in high school… he's guaranteed to go pro.

Bottom of the second inning.

Inashiro's heart of the lineup was up.

"Fourth batter, catcher—Harada!"

A troublesome hitter.

"Foul ball!"

Rinichi was a bit surprised.

He actually managed to touch the high-spin fastball?

But Harada thought to himself: Even then, I still swung too slow...

And Kamishiro is just a first-year.

Second pitch—Harada reflexively dodged.

"Strike!"

It was a sharp inside pitch, with plenty of power behind it.

To throw something with that kind of angle—this first-year really dares.

With two strikes, the batter was cornered.

Third pitch—Harada's expression changed as he swung—and missed.

"Strike! Batter out!"

A fast forkball...

Even though he had mentally prepared himself for it, seeing it from the batter's box felt different—it felt downright impossible to hit.

That's Rinichi's fast forkball.

"Fifth batter, pitcher—Narumiya!"

Everyone thought the matchup between these two would be something special.

First pitch.

Narumiya blinked in surprise at the ball—swung—and missed.

Narumiya: "..."

"Strike!"

That pitch was way too low, wasn't it?!

"Foul ball!"

Another low ball, brushing the strike zone—and inside again.

Come on, throw me something cuter. I'll definitely hit the third one!

Swing—and miss.

"Strike! Batter out!"

Narumiya: "..."

Damn it!

A fast forkball!

How is anyone supposed to hit that kind of pitch?!

He stomped back to the dugout, fuming.

Soon after, the umpire's voice rang out again.

"Strike! Batter out!"

Another three-pitch strikeout.

"Not a single one got on base!"

"Kamishiro's incredible!"

"Kamishiro!"

The momentum was completely on Seidou's side.

"On such a big stage, and against a championship favorite like Inashiro, Kamishiro's performance is flawless. There's not even a hint of inexperience. He's like a born ace!"

Even the commentator's voice was getting fired up.

With all the momentum swinging toward Rinichi, the pressure began to weigh heavily on Inashiro's side.

As for why so many spectators were now rooting for Seidou—it was because Rinichi was only a first-year and already the ace.

And Seidou hadn't been to Koshien in six years. To them, he had the makings of a manga protagonist, and they were all hoping to see him overwhelm Inashiro, the team that last made it to Koshien.

Back in the dugout, Rinichi took off his cap and sat down. At that moment, Haruichi handed him a cup of water.

Rinichi looked up and smiled, "Thanks."

In front of a TV, a group from Daikyo Youth Baseball was watching.

"As expected of Rin-senpai. Straight to ace status in high school, and he's about to make it to Koshien."

"He's amazing—everyone's cheering for Rin-senpai now."

But Okumura Koushuu didn't look too happy, and something seemed to be burning quietly in the air around him.

No one dared say anything.

Seto Takuma: "..."

Koushuu still really wants to catch Rin-senpai's pitches... He wants to stand beside him again...

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