"SWOOSH!!!"
Tetsuya Yuuki's unwavering yet thunderous swing once again cut through the air above ho plate.
But this ti—
There was no sound of contact.
No impact.
No resistance from the bat.
"…Did I miss?"
For the first ti, Tetsuya Yuuki's calm expression cracked. Confusion, disbelief, and frustration flickered across his face.
Smack!!!
A mont later, the sound of the ball hitting Akaishi Osamu's glove reached his ears.
"Strikes three! Batter out! Side retired!!!"
The umpire's voice rang out louder than ever, echoing through the stadium after the intense duel.
"A… change-up?!"
Yuuki stood frozen, staring blankly at Kitamura Kou, who was now surrounded by his teammates. It was as if he still couldn't accept what had just happened—like he wanted another chance at that duel.
"Hey, the inning's over."
Only after hearing the umpire again did Yuuki finally turn and walk away from the batter's box, shoulders heavy with disappointnt.
Seido High School's bench fell into complete silence.
Before the ga, they had expected a tough match—
But not like this.
After eight innings, they were still trailing by two runs.
Despite constantly applying pressure, those two runs now felt like an insurmountable gap.
A chasm.
They stood on one side—
Victory was on the other.
And between them stood the freshman pitcher.
Like an ancient god—or a demon risen from the abyss—
Barred fangs, untouchable.
"Are you satisfied now? Don't drag into it when Coach starts yelling at you," Akaishi Osamu said, glancing at Kitamura Kou as they walked back.
"Huh? But didn't you say you'd take the bla with ?" Kitamura Kou asked, stunned.
"Did I? I don't rember saying that." Akaishi replied casually, a teasing smile on his face.
"But your expression clearly said—"
Before Kitamura could argue further, Nakanishi Daiki rushed over.
"Kou! That was insane! All three pitches right down the middle! Hahaha!" he laughed, repeatedly slapping Kou on the back.
"No it's not." Kou said.
"Only three outs left! I can't wait! I wish the ga would just end already!"
"Hahaha…!"
Yakushi High School's bench was overflowing with excitent.
"Don't let your guard down!" Todoroki Raizo cut in sharply.
"Our opponent isn't weak. They will definitely launch a final counterattack. Don't get careless and throw this away at the last mont."
Then, softening slightly, he added with a smile:
"But before that—it's our turn to attack. Don't hold back. Go crush them."
The players, montarily startled, quickly regained their energy, eager to return to the field.
"So, Aoba… have you figured it out yet?" Tsukishima Wakaba asked teasingly.
But Tsukishima Aoba didn't respond.
She simply stared at Kitamura Kou—
Completely stunned by his bold performance.
"Yuki… he actually…" Manager Oota's voice finally broke the silence.
Tetsuya Yuuki had always been Seido's pillar.
Whenever the team faced crisis, he would step forward—his powerful swing turning the tide and leading them to victory.
And yet—
At the most critical mont—
He had been struck out.
How could they not feel shaken?
"The ga isn't over yet. Are you all just going to give up?"
Koichiro Tanba's voice rang out—firm, serious.
"Are you willing to let our sumr end like this?"
He clenched his fists.
"I won't. I refuse to let my high school baseball career end with regrets."
"In the top of the ninth, I'll shut them down."
"Then it's up to you—seize the last opportunity and turn this ga around!"
"Hmph! Who said we're giving up?! I'm not that kind of guy!" Jun Isashiki shouted imdiately.
"You did slightly better and now you're lecturing us?" Kominato Ryosuke said with a sly smile, returning to his usual teasing self.
"Haha, Kominato-senpai is as sharp as ever," Kuramochi Yoichi added.
"I'm sorry, everyone… I couldn't et your expectations," Tanba said sincerely.
"But I won't make the sa mistake on defense again. So—trust and pitch without hesitation."
"Ugh!" Masuko Toru added sothing incomprehensible as usual.
Furuya Satoru and Sawamura Eijun looked at Tanba with admiration, silently making a vow:
So cool… I want to beco an ace like him.
Seeing their fighting spirit reignited, Miyuki Kazuya's usual playful smile disappeared.
In its place—
Pure determination.
I won't let our seniors' sumr end like this.
Coach Kataoka watched them, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
No matter the result—
This experience would shape them.
Clapping his hands, he drew their attention.
"I'm glad to see this resolve."
"The ga isn't over yet."
"So go—play without regrets!"
The team smiled, forming a circle once more.
Hands stacked together.
"One! Two! Three!"
"Go Seido!!! Whoa—!!!"
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