As You Shunshin stepped into the batter's box, information about Tanba immediately surfaced in his mind.
Curveball specialist.
Sharp break.
Relies on vertical drop.
He then glanced at Chris behind the plate.
Troublesome.
A catcher on the same level of game-calling intelligence as Miyuki Kazuya. Facing him would not be simple.
First pitch — high outside four-seam fastball.
You Shunshin stayed patient.
Observe first.
Thwack!
"Strike!"
Chris caught it cleanly and returned it with a light compliment.
After receiving the ball, Tanba saw the next sign:
High outside again — but this time, curveball.
Tanba nodded slightly and delivered.
The ball arced sharply toward the plate.
This time, You Shunshin swung.
Bang!
"Foul!"
Even with preparation, he barely made contact.
Tanba's curve wasn't ordinary — the break was larger and more deceptive than most pitchers'.
You Shunshin inhaled slowly.
Two pitches high and outside.
Naturally, the third pitch should move low and inside — a vertical drop curve to disrupt timing.
That would be textbook sequencing.
What he could predict…
Chris could predict as well.
Yet the sign was different.
High inside.
Tanba paused briefly — then understood.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He trusted his catcher and fired.
The moment the ball left Tanba's hand, You Shunshin swung.
Then his eyes widened.
It wasn't the expected drop curve.
It was a fastball aimed at his chest.
Thwack!
His bat sliced under the ball.
"Strike three! Batter out!"
You Shunshin lowered his bat and looked at Chris intently.
He anticipated my anticipation…
In the dugout, Kanzaki Ryou chuckled.
"He overthought it. Senior Chris used his intelligence against him."
If You Shunshin hadn't committed early, with his bat speed he could've handled that pitch.
But he guessed — and guessed wrong.
Kuramochi laughed.
"Akikawa's lineup is weak. This might be another five-inning mercy game."
Kanzaki glanced meaningfully at Furuya and Sawamura.
"Not necessarily. I think we'll play all nine today."
If the lead expanded enough, Coach Kataoka might give the first-years innings.
Tanba quickly retired the sixth batter.
By the end of three innings:
Kominato Ryousuke drove in a run with a clean single.
Isashiki struck out.
Yuki reached base.
Kanzaki stepped up again — crowd buzzing.
This time, standing close to the plate once more, he forced You Shunshin inside.
The result?
Boom.
Two-run homer to center field.
Score: 5–0.
Even after Chris and Masuko reached base, Seidou couldn't extend the inning further.
Top of the fourth.
Tanba exited.
Kawakami Norifumi took the mound.
"Senior Chris, weren't you going to test Tanba-senpai's forkball?" Kanzaki asked.
Chris sighed. "Didn't get the chance."
Kawakami dominated as well — slider, sinker, curve — all effective.
By the bottom of the fifth:
7–0.
Akikawa had tried everything — bunts, steals, aggressive baserunning.
Nothing worked.
Even when You Shunshin reached base, no one could bring him home.
After five innings, Coach Kataoka signaled again.
Kawakami left the mound.
Furuya Satoru entered.
Masuko and Kominato Ryousuke were subbed out.
Arima Kazusa and Kominato Haruichi entered.
Chris rested.
Kanzaki Ryou left the field.
Sakai Ichiro — rarely given opportunities — nearly cried from happiness at being sent in.
In the dugout, Kanzaki squinted at the blazing sun.
35°C.
"Tch. Furuya's in trouble."
Kominato Ryousuke smiled.
"He won't faint from heatstroke, will he?"
On the field, Miyuki watched Furuya closely.
The boy had fire in his eyes — but heat exhaustion ignored fighting spirit.
Akikawa's third batter stepped in.
They had studied Furuya.
Fastball — explosive.
Forkball — sharp.
Control — unstable.
Strategy?
Ignore edge pitches.
Wait for something hittable.
Under the scorching sun, Furuya's head throbbed slightly.
But he clenched his jaw.
Even if I'm not at full strength… trust the fielders.
He closed his eyes.
Took a slow breath.
The tension in his body eased.
Miyuki's eyes lit up.
He's learned to relax.
Good.
Now let's test it.
Outside fastball first.
Furuya nodded.
No unnecessary force.
He raised his leg high.
Hands above his head.
His presence was sharp — yet controlled.
Don't force it. Don't force it.
He delivered.
Whoosh—
Everyone froze.
The ball slammed into the dirt halfway to the plate and rolled weakly toward Miyuki.
Thwack.
Miyuki calmly blocked it.
Then he glared at the mound.
"You relaxed too much, you bucktooth!"