Inside Seido's dugout, Furuya, another first-year, looked visibly frustrated as he watched Sawamura being given the chance to continue pitching.
This was already the semifinals. In the next game the finals it would undoubtedly be a showdown between Kanzaki Ryou and Narumiya Mei. That meant he likely wouldn't get a chance to play.
"Hey, hey… what are you thinking about?"
Kanzaki Ryou quietly walked over and stood beside him.
These rookies were easy to read. Whatever they were thinking was written all over their faces. If no one guided them, they'd just keep bottling things up.
"…Nothing," Furuya replied, shaking his head.
But Kanzaki noticed how tightly he was gripping the baseball.
Sigh…
"The reason Sawamura is staying on the mound is simple he's in great form today. The Coach just wants to see if he can carry a full game on his own."
Kanzaki paused before continuing,
"That doesn't mean he's stronger than you."
Furuya's grip loosened slightly.
"Opportunities are fair. It just depends on whether you can seize them."
Then Kanzaki added, his tone calm but firm:
"Don't forget… summer isn't over yet."
With that, he turned and walked back to sit beside Miyuki.
Furuya stood there, stunned.
Summer isn't over yet…
Koshien…?
Does that mean the Coach plans to use me at Koshien?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, his eyes sharpened. A surge of fighting spirit ignited within him so intense it almost resembled the aura of Yuki Tetsuya.
"This kid… you really fooled him with just a few words," Miyuki muttered, glancing over.
Kanzaki smirked.
"Isn't that a good thing? They're both talented. As long as they compete in a healthy way, it benefits both them and Seido."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"This time it's Sawamura. Next time, it'll be Furuya."
Miyuki smiled, then turned his attention back to the field.
Top of the Third Inning
Perhaps Maki Yosuke had finally found his rhythm.
He quickly struck out the eighth batter, Shirasu. As for the ninth batter, Sawamura this time, with proper preparation, he couldn't bunt his way on base.
With two outs, Maki used another curveball to force Kuramochi into a foul out, ending the inning cleanly.
"Sawamura, go."
Kanzaki gave him a light push toward the field.
"Mm!"
Step by step, Sawamura walked onto the mound.
But this time, the pressure he felt was far greater than in the first inning.
This opportunity… I can't mess it up.
That thought weighed heavily on him as he began pitching.
Bottom of the Third Inning
The first pitch—
Miyuki immediately noticed something off.
Too high!
Bang!
The batter smashed the ball toward center field. Fortunately, Isashiki Jun's laser throw held the runner at first. Kominato Ryosuke quickly received the ball and tagged him out.
The Sensen players groaned in regret. If he had stopped at first, he would've been safe.
Sawamura looked back, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"What are you staring at?" Kominato asked with a smile.
So scary…
Sawamura shivered and quickly turned away, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
Just then, the ball from Miyuki flew back toward him. He caught it instinctively, the impact snapping him back to focus.
Their eyes met.
Relax. Just pitch like before.
…Got it.
Their silent exchange was enough.
Sawamura spread his arms, took a deep breath, and reset himself.
In the stands, Wakana clasped her hands tightly, her eyes filled with worry as she watched.
Whoosh!
Sawamura threw again.
The control still wasn't perfect, but the batter was late on the swing. The ball bounced toward Kuramochi.
"Yah-ha~!"
With his usual odd shout, Kuramochi scooped it up cleanly and fired to first.
"Out!"
"Two outs!"
Encouraging voices echoed from behind:
"Sawamura! Take it slow!"
"Let them hit it!"
With two outs, the pressure eased slightly.
Bang!
A sharp line drive shot between first and second base. The batter reached first safely.
Miyuki sighed inwardly.
Sawamura's expression was still stiff clearly nervous.
But it wasn't a big issue.
Seido had a massive lead. Even if Sensen scored a few runs, it wouldn't matter. More importantly, this was exactly why the Coach left Sawamura on the mound to test his mental strength.
A pitcher couldn't stay in peak condition for an entire game. Being hit, giving up runs, or even the crowd's noise could shake them.
What mattered was whether they could recover.
Miyuki glanced at Sawamura.
He'll be fine. This guy's got a tough mindset.
Then—
He noticed Miyuki smiling.
What's he smiling about?!
Instantly, irritation flared in Sawamura's chest.
They just got a hit and this guy is smiling?!
Fueled by that frustration, Sawamura fired three pitches in a row—
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strikeout!
Even Miyuki was stunned.
Those were easily the best three pitches Sawamura had thrown all day.
Back in the dugout—
"You… what happened? Not nervous anymore?" Miyuki asked.
"Huh?"
"Nervous? Why would I be?"
Sawamura looked at him like he was an idiot.
Miyuki froze.
…Wait.
Did he seriously forget he was nervous… because he got mad at me?
That realization hit him hard.
That's… ridiculous.
Bottom of the Third – Seido Offense
Kominato Ryosuke and Isashiki Jun were quickly retired.
Then came Yuki Tetsuya.
After battling through four pitches, he drove the ball deep toward the outfield wall. However, the defense reacted quickly, forcing him to stop at first base.
Still—
With Yuki on base, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
Now, Maki Yosuke couldn't afford to intentionally walk the next batter.
Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box, casually taking two practice swings.
The feel was perfect.
Last at-bat: a grand slam.
This time?
If not for Yuki being on base, he would've been walked for sure.
Captain just handed me this opportunity… I won't waste it.
On the mound, Maki Yosuke clenched his jaw.
He wanted to walk Kanzaki.
He really did.
But he couldn't.
If he did, with runners on first and second, the next batter would be Miyuki Kazuya whose stats with runners on base were terrifying.
I can do this…
Among all Seido players—
The one he respected most…
Was Kanzaki Ryou.
And strangely—
When facing him, even his jealousy disappeared completely.