Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

In the broadcast booth, Sakurajima Mai suddenly spoke to the guest commentator, Suzuki Ichiro. "Suzuki-senpai, Takashi-kun looks like he's in really bad shape."

Suzuki Ichiro had asked to join the broadcast team himself.

Normally, that wasn't allowed.

But rules are made by people—and what people create, they can also break.

Sakurajima Mai spoke respectfully to Suzuki Ichiro.

Even though she was currently one of the hottest A-list actresses, she didn't dare show any airs in front of him.

Because she knew that, at the end of the day, she was just another product on a supermarket shelf.

Something easily replaced.

But Suzuki Ichiro was different.

His presence was a milestone in the entire baseball world.

"Let any professional pitcher—even Shohei Ohtani—play two games in three days, and they won't make it through."

Suzuki Ichiro looked out toward Takashi on the field, a trace of pity in his eyes.

"Then will Takashi-kun win?"

Sakurajima Mai asked suddenly.

"Oh? Is Mai-chan starting to like the kid?"

Suzuki Ichiro grinned mischievously. "I know him. If you like him, I can introduce you."

His voice, amplified through the microphone, echoed through the stadium. 

Hitomi, Narii, Nagisa, Kotonoha, Momo, Hayasaka Ai, and even Kaguya all raised their heads and looked at him.

Suzuki Ichiro suddenly felt a chill, as if a giant red "DANGER" had appeared above his head.

"I wouldn't say I like him."

Sakurajima Mai shook her head.

Takashi's flirtatious nature was well-known. She didn't think she could fall for a guy like that.

"I just… don't want to see him lose."

Sakurajima Mai had watched with her own eyes as Takashi pitched complete games starting from the first round, throwing every pitch, never missing a beat, leading his team all the way to the semifinals.

Watching him was like watching Naruto slowly grow stronger.

"It's tough—almost impossible."

Suzuki Ichiro didn't spell it out completely. After all, Koshien never lacks miracles.

But without one, Takashi was doomed to lose.

As a professional himself, Suzuki knew very well: a schedule like Takashi's—full games, every game, back-to-back—was pure torture on the body.

In pro leagues, no one even dares try that.

Pitchers rotate. Even if they don't throw a full game, they rest four days before the next one.

If a team demanded one pitcher to throw five full games back-to-back, the pitcher would mutiny.

Only at Koshien—a high school tournament—do you see kids risking permanent injury for a shot at a dream.

Because at the end of the day, Koshien is just a bubble built by businessmen, using dreams as bait to lure in the masses.

Winning this game—what will it really change?

Will it make you rich overnight? Will it improve your life?

No.

When the joy of victory fades, you still have to face reality. Still have to line up at company interviews.

But these were words Suzuki Ichiro wouldn't say—and didn't dare to say.

Besides, as someone who had once been young and passionate like them, he knew even if he did say it, these kids wouldn't listen.

Just like how your teacher once told you to study hard and aim for a good school—and you ignored it—then one day you become the teacher and tell your students the same thing… and they ignore you too.

Time moves in cycles.

The ignorance of youth will one day destroy your future self.

"Ah!!!"

Suzuki Ichiro was lost in thought when a sudden uproar from the stadium snapped him out of it.

He looked toward the field and saw Takashi's right arm swinging loosely like a broken swing.

Dislocated!

Suzuki immediately understood and jumped to his feet.

"Yes!!"

"He's down! Takashi's down!"

"It's over! It's all over!"

"Aoba kids, go back and study! The Koshien crown was never something for honor students to dream of!"

Chukyo High's students erupted in cheers.

Some even hugged each other in excitement.

They were celebrating the fall of the Demon King.

Takashi was just too strong.

So strong he felt unbeatable. So strong he was terrifying.

As long as he pitched, you couldn't score.

"Plans have changed—it looks like our next opponent will be Chukyo High."

Horikita Manabu commented calmly to Tachibana Akane.

Strangely, both Akane and Horikita Suzune seemed visibly relieved by their president/brother's words.

Were they… afraid of Takashi?

The entire stadium roared in celebration—except for Aoba's students.

Each of them wore expressions of despair. At that moment, they froze in place.

It was as silent as a funeral.

No one said a word.

Some of the more emotional girls had red eyes.

The fire in the eyes of Aoba's players went out all at once.

Even the team captain, Katsuta Musashi, lowered his head.

It was over.

Everything was over.

Their summer had ended.

…

"It's over,"

Said Mrs. Yukinoshita from the VIP box, with a trace of regret in her voice.

She had brought her daughter here to cheer for Takashi—and to ride the wave of popularity.

She hadn't expected this to be his swan song.

"He did well just making it this far. Losing is inevitable sometimes."

Haruno, on the other hand, was more relaxed. After all, their father had already secured the No. 2 political seat in Chiba thanks to Takashi's popularity.

So their goal was already achieved.

"Let's go."

Mrs. Yukinoshita stood up.

Haruno followed suit, ready to leave with her.

"Yukino, aren't you coming?"

Haruno noticed that Yukino, who hadn't spoken since they arrived, wasn't moving.

"Why should I?"

"The match is over."

"It's not."

Yukino's answer stunned Haruno.

She smiled faintly and pointed at the Aoba team on the field. "You don't actually think that team can beat Chukyo High, do you?"

Even as someone with no knowledge of baseball, Haruno could tell the two teams were leagues apart.

"Aoba can't beat Chukyo High."

"Then why—"

"But Takashi can."

Yukino's tone was firm. "Sister, Mother—you don't understand Takashi at all."

"He's the kind of person who either does nothing—or goes all the way."

"He won't allow himself to fall here."

"Just watch. You're about to witness the most arrogant and most genuine side of Takashi, hidden beneath that humble surface."

Takashi and Yukino didn't get along at all—they were the people who disliked each other most.

But often, those who dislike each other most are the ones who understand each other best.

Come on, Takashi. Show the world that ambition of yours—the one that wants to make it kneel.

Yukino folded her arms and smirked. 

In her beautiful eyes a sense of anticipation shimmered.

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