Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

On the same day Takashi led Aoba Private High into the quarterfinals, media coverage of him completely flooded the next day's sports and entertainment headlines.

The last time he got this much press coverage was—well, the last time.

"All greatness begins with a brave first step."

"The future star of Japanese baseball."

"The strongest pitcher in Koshien's 100-year history."

"A genius beyond even manga imagination—someone who surpasses Shohei Ohtani."

These stories about Takashi exploded in likes, comments, and shares.

[JanDEasy]: After watching yesterday's match, I think even anime isn't dramatic enough.

[Reader721025898479]: What anime would dare write a story like this? The fans would tear it apart.

[1621]: Genius is just the entry point for Takashi.

[FlyingSaltedFish]: A lot of people don't understand what 166km/h means. Let me say this: the Guinness World Record for fastest pitch is 169km/h.

[HeartOfWilderness]: The comment above is right. If you only watched the game on TV or online, you might not realize just how fast that is. I was there—I couldn't even see the ball.

[VictoryScout]: I'm betting all my happy beans—Aoba's winning the championship! Who's with me?

[FallingWest]: I'm in. Lose and we meet on the rooftop, win and we meet at the party.

[OrangeCatPal]: Wait, hold up. You're betting on this?

[Reader721025898479]: Yeah, just that normal people can't find where to place the bets.

...

In the breakfast hall, Takashi was scrolling through the comments while eating.

Compared to last time's scandal and bad press, this time it was all praise and admiration.

It felt like his image as a scumbag had been buried long ago.

But in truth, that was just a few days ago.

Takashi couldn't help but sigh at the terrifying power of the media.

These days, people have no ability to judge the truth of news. Whatever the media said—they believed.

Tens of thousands of media accounts pushed the same story, and that became the truth. Even if someone tried to dig up your past, they'd be drowned out.

If someone wanted to find fault with you, there would always be enough negative material. Black or white—it all came down to who had the louder keyboard.

Even the occasional clear-headed comment would be buried by the mainstream narrative.

"Takashi-kun, finished eating?"

Anai Tatsuya walked over and asked.

"Yeah, senpai, what's up?"

Takashi put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Coach wants you to go to Kobe High School."

Takashi frowned. "Didn't I already ask for time off?"

He felt like rest was more important than training right now.

After pitching a full nine and a half innings yesterday, his arm was still sore.

He wasn't about to joke around with his health.

Skipping today's team practice was a no-brainer for him.

Coach Amatani Kensuke had agreed too.

So why were they calling him in again?

Seeing Takashi's displeasure, Anai Tatsuya quickly explained, "It's not about practice—there's a reporter who wants to interview you."

"Reporter? Not meeting them."

Takashi didn't hold much affection for journalists. He got up, ready to head back to his room and rest.

Anai Tatsuya also stood and followed him, speaking as they walked. 

"You should go, just for a bit. A lot of TV stations have sent reporters hoping to interview you."

"Did I invite them? If they want to wait, let them wait."

Takashi continued walking back to his room without the slightest concern.

"One of the reporters said she knows you."

"What's her name?"

Takashi asked casually.

"One is called Nakano Ichika. The other is Hoshino Ai."

Hearing those two names, Takashi suddenly stopped, as if pondering something.

"How about you just meet them for a moment? There are quite a lot of fans waiting near Kobe High School," Anai Tatsuya suggested cautiously.

"…Fine."

…

Even though classes weren't over yet, crowds had formed in layers outside the gates of Kobe High.

The school entrance was completely blocked—like a festival was happening.

"Yada, don't you say Takashi Gege comes here every day? Where is he today?"

Inside the school, a girl with her hair tied in a bun—cute and slightly pretty—glared at the plain-looking, glasses-wearing boy with average build in front of her.

"Were you lying to me?"

"No, I wasn't."

Yada was sweating bullets as he explained, "Takashi really used to come every day."

"Takashi?! What gives you the right to call him by his full name?!"

The bun-haired girl grew furious at the disrespect shown toward her beloved Gege.

You think you're allowed to say his full name?

"My bad, it's my fault."

Yada apologized without hesitation, his tone extremely sincere.

He wanted to be assertive for once, but reality didn't allow it.

It had taken him ages to win this girlfriend over.

If he dared act up, she'd break up with him in a second.

Girls generally had it easier finding a partner than guys.

As long as a girl wasn't ugly, she'd never lack admirers.

The few who were still single simply had standards beyond their range.

For ordinary guys, chasing girls was genuinely hard.

Let alone when the girlfriend was even slightly good-looking.

Yada didn't even dare breathe too loudly when talking to her—every word was cautious, even a little ingratiating.

"Hmph."

The bun-haired girl scoffed and turned toward the school gate. "I'm leaving."

"Next time your brother shows up, let me know right away."

She wasn't even a student at Kobe.

She only came here to see her beloved Takashi-gege.

"Ami, how about we grab lunch before you go?"

"No. I'm going shopping with my girlfriends today."

"I can come too. I can carry your bags."

"We're going shopping as girls. What fun could you possibly have tagging along?"

She walked, he chased. They soon reached the school gate. 

Ami was just about to tell her boyfriend to stop following her when a wave of screaming interrupted her.

"Ahhhh!!"

"It's him! Gege is here!"

Ami immediately turned around—and saw Takashi stepping off the school bus.

Today, he wasn't wearing his baseball uniform, but casual clothes.

A plain white T-shirt, black jeans, white sneakers, and a retro black-and-white plaid overshirt—this was Takashi's entire outfit.

Though simple, Takashi's tall figure, broad shoulders, and perfect proportions gave off a casually stylish aura.

Compared to how he looked on TV, he was even more handsome and charming in person.

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