Cheers echoes throughout the stadium, Mio scan the venue and tilt his head. Thinking that the audiences seem more than he had expected.
"What, you're nervous?"
Miyuki suddenly appear besides him. Before Mio can rebuke him, Miyuki make a rare thoughtful expression on his face.
"Well everyone has been waiting for this moment. For Inashiro this is basically another match to prove that they're unbeatable with their genius ace, Mei-san. Meanwhile for us, it was a high wall that we need to surpass in order to be free from this so called cage"
"..."
"From what I've observe so far it's seems that today match was packed more than usual though. But that's not important, what truly matters was, I'm counting on you ace"
Miyuki grinned and offer his fist for a click. Mio was caught off guard causing his usual poker face to crack.
Both of them didn't notice this, but everyone on the team seemingly busy on the surface but they actually paid a close attention towards their conversation.
A silent agreement between the team hearing Miyuki's talk with Mio.
***
Mine Fujio and his fellow journalist Oowada Akiko sat on the bleachers ready to take note about today's game when suddenly a man in black suit sit down next to Mine Fujio.
They greet each other before the man in black introduce himself while handing out his business card.
"My name is Souta Takumi, currently the Head coach for Japanase Baseball team"
Both of them got surprised because it was rare for a highschool baseball to get such attention from a higher level organization early on.
"Such a surprise Mr Souta, this may be rude of me but perhaps are you coming for Narumiya Mei?"
Oowada can't contain her curiosity and blurted out a question, probing Mr Souta's objective
"It was undoubtedly everyone's eyes is on Narumiya Mei as he deserves it but unfortunately I'm coming for a different person this time"
A small smirk appear on his usual stern face.
"Perhaps are you referring to the rumored genius first-year?"
"Genius? Well we'll see that "
Just as theirs' discussion reached it peak the the sportscaster announcement indicating the games will start soon cut their conversation short and the three of them start to focus on the game.
***
"Alright ladies and gentlemen today you're going through this game with us, let me introduce myself I'm Takumi Hayama and I'm Daichi Morita"
"Today match is between Inashiro Industrial lead by coach Kunitomo Hiroshige and Seido High lead by coach Kataoka Tesshin."
"Today game was the most anticipated match because with Inashiro being the previous West Tokyo's representative to the Koshien, they are the favorite to win this match meanwhile Seido High with determination want to break free and take a step closer to their long awaited dreams. Now it's seems that each team have gotten their own turn."
***
Captain Yuki come back with a crestfallen face.
"How did you fare this time Tetsu?"- Jun
"I bet he lose again"- Miyuki
"What do you expect from him?"- Kuramochi
"Tetsu-san?"- Ryosuke
As soon as he come back from settling their turn, Yuki was bombarded with bunch of nonsense.
"Are you looking down on me that much?"
*Glared*
*Eikkkk*
Just as the senpais bickering amongst themselves, Mio interrupt them with his statement.
"Doesn't matter what kind of turn we've got, we're gonna win this"
"…."
"What?"
"Look how confident our ace! Then we're counting on you!"- Miyuki
"Heh! So you have grown cocky now huh?"- Jun
"Might as well let him do something he fear if he concede even one run??"- Ryosuke
*grinned grinned*
Mio got goosebumps all over his body seeing his senpais uniting to mess with him.
Mio feel crisis for the first time that he subsequently trying to run away.
"Well it seems that the game will start soon, might as well starting to warm up"
Mio with his flustered back grabbed Furuya by his hand and run away from the dugout.
Mio heaves a sign of relief. Seeing Furuya stand like a wooden block next to him make Mio awkwardly scratch his head.
"I'm sorry for suddenly dragging you here Furuya"
"…"
"Can you help me?"
"….y-yes"
Mio and Furuya start to play catch but the atmosphere doesn't feel right because of their lack of communication.
Just as Mio contemplates how to break the silence, the team called him to get ready on the dugout.
"Well i gotta go, thank you"
"..i'm not gonna lose Mio"
Furuya clenched his fist and staring intently towards Mio's number one back. He doesn't want to back down yet. Furuya know that Mio was out of his reach.
Someone whose talent defies the norm but that didn't stop his motivation to be a better pitcher. His relationship with Mio was actually an awkward one because Furuya come to seido for Miyuki but he never thought that 'Fujikawa Mio' exist.
At one time Furuya often contemplated that he should be wary of Mio as a rival but he just can't. Right now he was filled with admiration for him. Either as a pitcher, fielder or as a catcher, Mio always shine brightly on the field.
Furuya take a deep breath and shout loudly for the first time ever.
"I got your back Mio! So go wild out there"
Furuya smiled and extended his clenched fist. Mio stopped on his track and smile. He just wave his hand and continue to walk towards the field.
'A good rivalry huh?'
"Woahhh woahhhh what is thattt?!!!!!Furuya got his bazooka out!"
"Eijun-kun lower your voice"
"Harucchi that's not the main point! The point is-vxjskqnskdcahdjakabsvbs"
Before sawamura can finish his sentences Haruichi covered his mouth mid-sentence.
Meanwhile the small episode of Sawamura and Haruichi doesn't affect the game at all.
Both team starts to take their own position.
With the umpire ready, everyone eyes on the mound as Mio walk there. And with that the official showdown between these two powerhouse schools start.