Diamond no Ace: I Am Kitamura Kou

The day after the final—

Yakushi High School's baseball field was as lively as ever.

Although no training had been scheduled, the players still showed up out of habit.

Ever since Todoroki Raizo became their coach, they had grown used to an intense training routine. Missing even a single day left them feeling restless, so without any prior arrangement, they all gathered at the field.

"Strike!"

Smack!

"Nice pitch, Junpei!"

On the field, the battery that hadn't taken the mound during the final—Sanada Shunpei and catcher Watanabe Tatsuya—were currently engaged in a practice duel against Mishima Yuta.

"Damn it, Sanada-senpai!" Mishima shouted after missing his swing. "I'll hit the next one for sure—bring it on!"

"Hey, Mishima! If you can't handle it, get out of the box and let me go!"

"Yeah, yeah! You already struck out—our turn!"

A long line had already formed behind his, the waiting players glaring impatiently.

Not wanting to become public enemy number one, Mishima obediently stepped out and went to the back of the line.

Yamauchi Yutaka stepped into the batter's box, his expression serious.

Yesterday… I couldn't get a single hit off Narumiya.

I contributed nothing to that victory.

Even with Koshien just ahead, he knew there wasn't enough time for drastic improvement.

But—

Even a little progress is enough.

Next time… I'll definitely support Kou.

He raised his bat and roared:

"Bring it on, Sanada!"

Sanada understood exactly how he felt.

Because those thoughts—

Weren't just Yamauchi's.

They belonged to almost everyone on the team.

Including himself.

If I hadn't been injured…

If I were stronger…

I could've eased Kou's burden.

He wouldn't have had to carry the entire game alone.

His eyes sharpened.

Then—

He unleashed everything into his pitch.

"Strike!!!"

Smack!!!

Yamauchi's full-powered swing—

Didn't even graze the ball.

"Hahahaha! Amazing! This is incredible—I'm getting excited just watching!"

Todoroki Raichi practically radiated energy, his face glowing with excitement.

Even though he had managed only one hit against Narumiya Mei in the final and had been completely suppressed otherwise, he wasn't discouraged at all.

After all—

Since Kou joined, he had long gotten used to being shut down at times.

Compared to before, he had already improved a lot.

Well… except for his defense.

At that moment, Kitamura Kou arrived—and took in the lively scene before him.

"Wow… not bad at all," he said with a smile. "Sanada-senpai's gotten even better. That cutter just now had great speed and movement."

Beside him, Nakanishi Daiki casually licked his ice cream.

"Isn't that a good thing? Makes things easier for you, Kou."

Akaishi Osamu shot him a glance.

"Nakanishi… you really never learn. Looks like the coach went too easy on you yesterday—you didn't even have to run back."

Nakanishi shrugged, unconcerned.

"What's there to worry about? The coach isn't here, and I'm still growing. I'll burn this off in a few swings."

"…Oh? What did you just say?"

A chilling voice suddenly came from behind him.

Nakanishi froze.

Behind him stood Todoroki Raizo—

Eyes blazing.

Face twisted with a terrifying smile.

"Nakani… shi," the coach said slowly. "I must be getting old. I didn't quite hear that. Mind repeating it for me?"

Nakanishi's entire body trembled.

The ice cream in his hands dropped to the ground.

He turned stiffly, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"C-Coach… if I say I didn't say anything… would you believe me? Hehe…"

Raizo's expression shifted instantly into a sinister grin.

"What do you think?"

Nakanishi's fat wobbled as he laughed nervously.

"Haha! Coach, I suddenly feel like doing some swing training! I won't waste your precious time—I'll go train now!"

And with that—

He bolted.

At incredible speed.

Completely at odds with his size.

"You brat! Get back here!"

Raizo grabbed a bat and gave chase, roaring.

"This time I'm not letting you off!"

His speed—

Was no slower than Nakanishi's.

Watching the scene, Kou chuckled.

"So that's how Nakanishi got so fast."

Akaishi smirked.

"Serves him right. He never listens. Coach should've taught him a lesson long ago."

Meanwhile, the rest of the team noticed Kou and the others arriving and greeted them.

After exchanging a few words, Kou turned toward Sanada with a smile.

"Sanada-senpai… mind if I join in?"

Sanada froze for a moment.

Then—

An even stronger aura burst from him.

"I'd be happy to!"

His eyes gleamed.

"But don't blame me if you get hit. I'm not holding back!"

Not long after, Raizo returned, panting slightly, bat still in hand.

Apparently, he hadn't managed to catch Nakanishi.

Hearing their conversation, his irritation flared up again.

"You two are just as troublesome!"

He glared at them.

"Do you even know what time it is? Koshien is about to start!"

"What if one of you gets injured?!"

He waved his hand decisively.

"Since you're all so full of energy—everyone, go do shadow swing training!"

"And then run ten kilometers around the field!"

The players' excited expressions instantly collapsed into misery.

But no one dared to disobey.

With sighs, they dragged themselves off to train.

"And that fat idiot hiding over there—"

Raizo added sharply, glancing toward a corner.

"If you don't join them, your distance will be doubled!"

A chubby figure instantly sprang out—

And hurried to catch up with the others.

Raizo rubbed his temples, watching his chaotic team.

"…Managing this bunch really isn't easy."

For a moment—

He wondered if his salary was worth it.