The situation on the field turned critical in an instant — runners on first and second base, no outs. Ichidai Third High was in danger of conceding runs at any moment.
"Manaka, your expression's too stiff."
From the first-base dugout, Coach Tahara of Ichidai Third High frowned as he watched his ace, Manaka Kaname, struggle on the mound.
If Manaka didn't calm down soon, this inning could become the turning point of the entire game. In a clash between powerhouses, victory often hinged on a hair's breadth.
"Jun! It's up to you!"
"Blast it out!"
"Home run!"
Isashiki Jun, Seido's sixth batter, stepped into the box to a roar of cheers from the stands. The fans' voices echoed across the stadium, filled with energy and faith.
Bowing respectfully to the umpire, Isashiki straightened and suddenly turned toward the mound with a fierce shout.
"Ha!!"
In the bullpen, Kanzaki Ryou chuckled. "Isashiki-senpai's habit of bowing first and then yelling—definitely one of a kind."
Beside him, Miyuki Kazuya caught the thrown ball and smirked. "Yeah. But that's what makes him so him."
The two turned their eyes to the field, tension building. With runners on first and second and no outs, it was Seido's best scoring opportunity yet.
Bang!
Manaka Kaname's full-force curveball, aimed for the outside corner, was crushed mercilessly by Isashiki's swing.
"Run!!"
Seido's dugout erupted in shouts as the ball soared into the sky. On the mound, Manaka froze, disbelief written all over his face.
Three straight Seido batters had hit him cleanly. Even with Manaka's usually steady nerves, his confidence began to crack.
"The ball's out! Home run!"
"Three runs! Bottom of the second inning — Seido's lineup explodes, breaking through Ichidai Third High's defense!"
The commentator's voice was brimming with excitement. No one had expected such a scene today.
"Isashiki! Great hit!"
"You nailed it, Isashiki!"
"MVP of the inning, no doubt!"
As Isashiki and the other runners returned to the dugout, their teammates greeted them with cheers and laughter. Isashiki grinned wide, basking in the celebration.
Across the field, the Ichidai Third High cheering section fell silent. In just one half-inning, their powerhouse team had been pushed to the brink.
"Manaka! Don't worry, it's only the second inning!"
"Focus on the outs!"
"Let him hit — we've got your back!"
His teammates' shouts broke through the fog clouding Manaka's mind. Slowly, he exhaled and looked around at the faces behind him.
"Manaka!"
The catcher's voice was calm, steady.
"Next pitch."
"...Phew."
Manaka took a deep breath and refocused. Now wasn't the time for self-blame. What mattered was getting outs.
And with his teammates' support, he managed to retire Seido's lower order, finally escaping the inning.
Back in the dugout, Manaka sat down heavily, his mood dark.
"Don't dwell on it," Coach Tahara said without turning around. "This is baseball. Anything can happen out there. Get your head back in the game — it's far from over."
The words hit home. Manaka clenched his fists and nodded silently.
Top of the third inning.
Ichidai Third High's turn to bat.
"Alright, boys! Attack aggressively! Show some spirit — the game's just begun!" Coach Tahara barked.
"Yes, Coach!" the players shouted.
"Manaka, watch this! We'll get those runs back right now!"
"It's only three runs — don't sweat it!"
"Let's go!"
Ichidai's batters strode to the plate, their morale reignited.
Across the diamond, Seido's players stared them down, eyes sharp and determined.
"The game's still on," said Coach Kataoka, voice firm. "Ichidai Third will fight back with everything they've got. We can't let our guard down — not for a second. Hold on until the very end!"
"Understood!" the Seido players shouted in unison.
Compete in spirit?
They weren't about to lose in that department.
In the bullpen, Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki paused their warm-up, glancing toward the diamond. The tension between the two elite schools was electric, unlike anything they'd felt in previous matches.
"The pressure's insane," Kanzaki muttered.
"Yeah," Miyuki agreed. "This is what it feels like when monsters collide."
The third inning was a seesaw of emotion. Ichidai Third mounted a fierce counterattack, and despite Nanjo Taishi's best efforts, Seido's ace surrendered two runs.
But before Ichidai could celebrate, Seido struck back in the bottom half — stealing a base to score another run, keeping the game close.
The momentum swung wildly again in the top of the fourth. Ichidai's lineup connected with a series of clean hits, plating four runs in one go and overtaking Seido — 6 to 4.
Nanjo came off the mound in silence, jaw tight. Just one inning had undone all his work — a flurry of hits and two walks had left his confidence shaken.
Fortunately, Seido's offense remained blazing. In the bottom of the fourth, they fought back with two runs, tying the game at 6–6.
"Today's match has turned into a slugfest!"
The commentator's voice rang through the stadium.
"Neither Seido nor Ichidai Third is giving an inch! Can both teams' aces last until the end? That might decide the outcome!"
In both dugouts, the two pitchers — Nanjo Taishi and Manaka Kaname — sat grim-faced, knowing the truth of that statement.
"Kanzaki," Coach Kataoka called out suddenly.
The bullpen went still.
"Get ready."
The young pitcher froze for a heartbeat, then nodded, eyes sharpening.
"The outcome of this game," Coach Kataoka continued, "depends on whether you can suppress Ichidai Third's lineup. Do you have confidence?"
The air grew heavy. Everyone's gaze turned to Kanzaki.
"C-Coach…" President Ota's face went pale. He swallowed hard. Wasn't this too much pressure?
Usually, first-years were sent out only in safe situations — never at a time like this. Even if Kanzaki's skill was acknowledged, strength alone wasn't enough. It was about mentality — about withstanding the storm.
Even Seido's current ace had wavered under the weight of that pressure. And now they were asking a rookie to take that burden?
The second- and third-years exchanged tense looks. The stakes were too high.
If Kanzaki faltered here, if Seido lost because of him…
Would the kid ever recover?
Coach Kataoka, how merciless could you be?
Even Azuma couldn't help but exhale sharply, his usual grin fading.
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