The bottom of the fourth inning—Inashiro Industrial was back at bat.
Yoshida, Seidou's ace, had just taken the mound and was in top form.
He quickly took two outs, stabilizing Seidou's defense.
The crowd roared with approval from the stands.
That's when Inashiro's third batter stepped up to the plate.
Unlike the first two, this batter had a deep familiarity—and respect—for Seidou.
He knew exactly what they were facing.
"This is a national-level opponent."
Every player on Seidou's roster—whether at bat or on the mound—had strength worthy of Koshien.
His eyes sharpened, eagle-like, locking onto Yoshida.
Yoshida's pitches had bite.
Especially when he was in form, the late movent on his pitches was brutal.
Even if Inashiro made contact, hitting it well was another story.
"Then I'll just overpower him."
This wasn't arrogance. This batter was Inashiro's core hitter, a force at the national level.
He had the confidence—and the skill—to et power with power.
Yoshida understood the danger.
He clenched his jaw, repeating in his mind:
"Stay precise. Stay sharp."
This was no ordinary matchup. Against a hitter of this level, even in top form, he had to give it everything.
He inhaled deeply, focused all his strength into his fingertips—
And then he unleashed.
"Whoosh!"
The ball left Yoshida's hand like a missile.
It reached the plate in an instant.
Even the players in Seidou's dugout stirred—this was that kind of pitch.
Chris, behind the plate, nodded with approval.
"Zhou Hao hasn't just boosted our rotation.
He's lit a fire under Yoshida too…"
What once felt impossible for Seidou was happening now—an ideal situation unfolding before their eyes.
But the mont didn't last.
"Boom!"
The batter launched a full-power swing, his eyes blazing with intensity.
In that instant, he beca a suicidal warrior, charging without fear.
"Ping!"
The bat struck solidly.
Even with Yoshida's late movent, the batter forced the ball into flight with sheer power.
It soared into the sky.
Inashiro's dugout leaned forward. Their fans surged with hope.
"It's a hit!"
Even without knowing where it would land, they breathed easier just seeing the clean contact.
"Maybe even an RBI..."
Despite everything, Inashiro would not concede.
Seidou's ace was tough—they admitted that. But so were they.
The stronger their opponent, the harder they would fight.
"It has to land!"
The white baseball arced beautifully, then began to fall.
Far enough for a potential double or triple.
Just as everyone in the stands braced for the bounce...
They saw sothing unbelievable.
A figure was already standing at the spot—waiting.
"What…?"
Inashiro's players and fans froze.
If soone had sprinted from the outfield and caught it, it would be easier to accept.
But this wasn't that.
He was already there.
As if he'd known all along.
"Snap!"
The ball dropped straight into the glove.
"Out!"
Three outs. Inning over.
Four innings complete.
Score: 3–0, Seidou leading.
Even with Zhou Hao off the mound, Inashiro couldn't score.
They couldn't even get a single hit.
"Zhou Hao!!"
And the cause of all this chaos—standing out in the field—yawned casually.
Inashiro's fans were on the verge of exploding.
"How the hell…?"
"How did he know exactly where to be?!"
They couldn't understand it.
But Seidou's players could.
They'd seen this sort of thing from Zhou Hao ti and again.
"He's just too well-rounded!"
"Nice catch!"
As Zhou returned to the dugout, the third-years clapped him on the back.
He looked bashful.
"Just luck... pure luck."
But no one believed that.
When Zhou first joined the outfield rotation, there had been concerns about his lack of experience.
Now?
He was a golden talent, shining no matter where he played.
He had never let anyone down.
With the top of the fifth inning beginning, it was Seidou's turn at bat.
Even though Inashiro was a powerhouse...
If Seidou could widen the lead now, victory would be in their grasp.
------------
Support at patréon com/DaoOfPeeking
User Comments
0 comments from readers