This man's batting could always be trusted when there were runners on base.
Even though he was only a first-year, Kanzaki Ryou believed that Miyuki Kazuya would deliver at this critical moment.
Hearing Kanzaki's loud cheer from the dugout, Miyuki didn't turn around.
He simply adjusted his helmet, shouldered his bat, and strode toward the batter's box with his usual calm confidence.
Manaka Kaname's fastball topped 140 kilometers per hour, and his best weapon was a high-speed curveball. When he was in good form, he could place his pitches precisely in the corners of the strike zone — a pitcher not to be underestimated.
All that information flashed through Miyuki's mind.
He knew Manaka well — Ichidai Third High's second-year ace.
His arsenal was limited, but his mental toughness was remarkable. Even after being pounded by Seidou's lineup, he still managed to stay composed and hold things together.
But Miyuki's eyes sharpened.
It ends here. I'll knock you out completely.
Kanzaki's earlier dominance had already lit a fire in him. There was no way he'd let his friend — or rival — outshine him. Especially since Kanzaki would never let him live it down afterward.
At least get on base. A single will do.
From observing Ichidai's previous pitching patterns, Miyuki noticed that against Seidou's core batters, they tended to rely on outside high-speed curves, mixing in the occasional bad pitch to earn a strike count.
With runners on first and second and no outs, Ichidai Third High needed a double play to escape the crisis.
If he were the catcher, how would he call it?
Miyuki began to read the game from the opponent's point of view.
Meanwhile, Ichidai's catcher was studying him carefully.
They knew all about Miyuki Kazuya — the "genius catcher" who had once been invited to join their very own team. When he'd rejected their recruitment offer without hesitation, Coach Tahara had been disappointed. And now, that same first-year stood before them wearing Seidou's uniform.
They couldn't take him lightly. To be trusted in such a crucial game meant Seidou had immense faith in him.
The Ichidai catcher signaled to his pitcher — treat him like a cleanup hitter.
After a brief exchange of glances, Manaka Kaname began his motion.
Whoosh—
A high-speed curveball came flying toward Miyuki — curving late toward the inside corner.
If your nerves weren't steady, it was the kind of pitch that looked like it would hit you square in the ribs.
Even for a catcher as sharp as Miyuki, it took a split-second adjustment. He instinctively stepped back to avoid the pitch, letting it pass.
"That's a gutsy pitch…" Miyuki muttered, smacking his lips.
He'd expected an inside ball — but not a high-speed curve. A little "warning shot" for the first-year, huh?
From Seidou's dugout came a loud, obnoxious voice:
"Hey! What're you dodging for, Miyuki?! Take it with your head!"
The corner of Miyuki's mouth twitched. "That idiot…"
He reset his stance, eyes locked on the pitcher.
That first pitch had been effective. The Ichidai catcher knew it — he could use that fear of the inside corner to his advantage.
After signaling, Manaka Kaname nodded, wound up, and fired.
The ball cut through the air — fast and fierce — headed straight toward Miyuki's chest again!
Perfect, thought the Ichidai catcher.
The memory of that curveball still lingered. If he threw another inside ball, Miyuki would probably flinch again.
But Miyuki didn't move. His eyes gleamed.
You really think I'd back down twice?
Crack!!
The sharp sound echoed through the stadium. Ichidai's catcher froze, his pupils shrinking. What?!
The ball sailed high, soaring over second base and dropping neatly into center field.
Miyuki tossed his bat aside and sprinted toward first.
By the time the outfielder recovered, Yuuki Tetsuya, Azuma Kiyokuni, and Miyuki Kazuya had all advanced safely — the bases were loaded.
Breathing hard on first base, Miyuki looked toward home plate and smirked.
"Good call," he murmured to himself. "Too bad I predicted your prediction."
"Incredible! Seidou's rookie, Miyuki Kazuya, continues their offensive with a clean hit — bases loaded, no outs! What a performance from this first-year!"
The commentator's voice rang across the stadium.
"This Miyuki's pretty good."
"He hit Manaka's pitch on the first try."
"Was it luck?"
"Or did he just guess right?"
The audience was divided. In the Seidou stands, a few began chanting his name, but his fame hadn't yet spread like Kanzaki's. Most only now realized who this first-year catcher was.
In the dugout, President Ota clapped excitedly.
"Now this is a great chance! I didn't expect Miyuki-kun to have such hitting power!"
Coach Kataoka nodded slightly. "Miyuki's batting is among the best of the first-years. But the real reason he connected with that pitch is his understanding of the game."
"Understanding?" President Ota tilted his head. "Ah… I think I get it… maybe."
Kataoka just smiled faintly and didn't elaborate.
Across the field, in the Ichidai Third High dugout, Coach Tahara clenched his fists.
Should he pull Manaka out? His heart raced. He watched his ace carefully — any sign of doubt, and he'd be replaced immediately.
Losing in the Spring Tokyo Tournament semifinals would be regrettable.
But if it meant toughening their ace for the summer, it might still be worth it.
Manaka… hold strong!
Manaka Kaname spread his arms and looked up, exhaling deeply.
He understood the trust his coach was placing in him. Not being replaced after giving up so many runs meant Tahara still believed in him.
The pressure was crushing.
He couldn't let them down. Not his coach, not his team.
"Focus on the batter!" the catcher shouted.
Manaka nodded, stepping back onto the mound.
Bases loaded, no outs.
Seidou's next batter — Isashiki Jun — stepped up full of energy, swung mightily three times…
…and went down swinging.
Strikeout.
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