In the stands—
Wakaba tightened her grip on Aoba's hand.
The smile on her face returned to normal.
But this ti—
It wasn't calm confidence.
It was excitent.
"When did that guy get this strong…?"
Aoba stared blankly at the field.
The boy she knew—
Felt both familiar…
And completely different.
Even the pain in her hand had disappeared.
All that remained—
Was the shock.
Momiji, on the other hand, was much more straightforward.
Hands clasped near her mouth, she shouted at full volu:
"Kou! Do your best!"
Ichiyo smiled as well.
But her expression carried sothing deeper—
Relief.
As if she was finally seeing the result of effort that had once been absent.
On Seido's side—
"That fastball… crushed twice in one inning…"
Minister Ota muttered.
"And he wasn't intimidated at all. That lineup… it's like Osaka Kiryu's."
Coach Kataoka's gaze sharpened.
"…No."
His voice was low.
"Far stronger."
Chris adjusted his glasses, equally serious.
He didn't disagree.
On the mound—
Furuya Satoru stood frozen.
"…It got blasted again…"
His voice was barely audible.
That last pitch—
His best pitch—
The one he trusted most—
Had been sent flying.
Completely.
The impact of that mont—
Was heavier than anything before.
More than being isolated in Hokkaido.
More than being targeted by Akikawa.
More than being pulled from the mound.
This—
Was defeat.
No matter how his teammates called out—
Encouraged—
Tried to pull him back—
Furuya didn't respond.
His mind went blank.
The world around him—
Faded.
He lifted his arm chanically.
Released—
The ball slipped.
"Ball!"
It slamd into the dirt before reaching the plate, rolling weakly into Miyuki's glove.
"…He's broken."
From the Yakushi bench—
Todoroki Raizo grinned.
"Look at that hesitation."
"This is what happens when you underestimate us."
"…Coach."
Kitamura Kou pulled his cap down slightly, voice dry.
"That expression really does make you look like a villain."
"Shut up, idiot," Raizo muttered, his grin disappearing.
anwhile—
Coach Kataoka stood.
No hesitation.
He walked straight to the umpire.
Tiout.
No matter what—
They couldn't afford to give up any more runs.
Not now.
Not against this lineup.
Monts later—
The announcent rang out:
"Seido High School will make a substitution! Pitcher Furuya Satoru moves to left field! Pitcher Sawamura Eijun enters the ga!"
The crowd erupted again.
"He got pulled already?!"
"Yakushi crushed him in one inning!"
"That's brutal!"
"That's the lefty from the Akikawa ga, right?"
"Doesn't matter—Yakushi, keep hitting!"
Even those who expected Furuya to struggle—
Hadn't imagined it would happen this fast.
"I didn't expect that decision," Akiko Owada said.
Fujio Mine nodded thoughtfully.
"It makes sense. Furuya's clearly shaken."
"Moving him to left field gives him ti to reset."
"And Sawamura… he perford well last ga."
He paused.
"But the real question is…"
"How long can they hold Yakushi's lineup?"
"No one knows."
On the field—
Seido gathered around their new pitcher.
"Sawamura," Miyuki said seriously, "you saw it, right?"
"That lineup… one mistake and they'll crush you just like Furuya."
Sawamura paused.
Then nodded.
"…I get it."
His voice steadied.
"I'll throw everything I have into your glove."
"…Oi."
Kuramochi stepped forward—
thud!
—and kicked him from behind.
"Don't act all serious. That's not your style."
"And if you do sothing stupid…" Kominato Ryosuke added with a smile.
"…I'll kill you."
"Hahaha—that's terrifying!" Kuramochi laughed.
Sawamura instantly froze.
His eyes turned into panicked circles.
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Yuuki Tetsuya stepped forward.
"Don't worry about anything else."
"We've got you."
"Yes!!!"
Sawamura shouted, voice ringing with determination.
anwhile—
Miyuki turned to Furuya.
"The coach didn't take you out."
"He moved you."
Furuya blinked.
"You were in your best form today," Miyuki continued calmly. "That 153 km/h pitch proves it."
His tone softened.
"So don't lose confidence."
"You'll be back on the mound."
For a mont—
Furuya said nothing.
But—
His expression eased.
Just slightly.
"…Got it."
Yuuki raised his voice.
"Let's go!"
"OOOOOOH!!!"
Seido roared—
Regrouped—
Ready to fight back.
The ga—
Was far from over.
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