"Damn it, how is this guy reacting so fast?!"
In the dugout, Kuramochi gritted his teeth as he stared at Narumiya Mei.
Kominato Ryosuke's last hit had already exceeded expectations. Inashiro clearly hadn't been fully prepared for it. If not for Narumiya Mei's lightning-fast reaction, Ryosuke's chances of reaching base would have been high.
"What can you do? That's baseball—anything can happen."
"Exactly. And Inashiro today won't let us get on base easily. We can't rely on luck."
"Next up is Isashiki."
"Isashiki is strong at pulling to the right. There's no way Inashiro doesn't know that, so they won't give him an easy outside pitch," Miyuki said calmly.
"Mm. Masatoshi Harada is cunning. If Isashiki isn't careful, he'll fall right into the trap," Kanzaki Ryou added seriously.
The moment he said that, everyone turned to look at him.
"You calling someone else cunning?" Miyuki smirked.
"What? I'm not allowed?" Kanzaki rolled his eyes.
Despite having no runners on base, the Seido dugout remained relaxed.
Top of the First — Two Outs
At home plate, Harada carefully observed Isashiki Jun.
His stance—gripping the bat long—clearly showed he was aiming for an outside pitch.
And he's aggressive on the first pitch…
Harada quickly gave the sign.
On the mound, Narumiya Mei nodded.
No rushing. No mistakes.
After a brief stare-down, Mei lifted his leg slowly.
In the batter's box, Isashiki's eyes sharpened.
Come on… inside!
Whoosh!
The pitch came in tight—
Just what I wanted!
Isashiki swung with full force.
But—
The ball slid outward.
Slider!
His pupils shrank, but his body reacted instantly. He adjusted mid-swing, lowering his center of gravity and making contact.
Bang!
The ball soared high into the air.
Seido fans felt a twinge of regret—no runners on base, and Inashiro's outfield was positioned deep.
The center fielder settled under it easily.
Out!
End of Top 1st — Three Up, Three Down
Narumiya Mei completely shut down Seido's lineup.
Cheers erupted from the Inashiro side.
"This guy is way stronger than before," Kanzaki Ryou said quietly.
"It's not just his pitching. Mei's grown mentally too," Miyuki replied, sounding oddly proud.
Kanzaki shot him a look.
"You… secretly on their side or something?"
Miyuki laughed as he picked up his gear.
"Let's go. Time to remind him who he's facing."
"Exactly."
Bottom of the First — Inashiro's Offense
As Kanzaki stepped out, he casually spoke to his teammates:
"Just relax and rest behind me today. I'll handle this."
Everyone froze.
"…That's a bit much."
"Too arrogant."
"You want us to just stand here and roast in the sun?!"
Kanzaki only smiled and walked to the mound.
On the Mound
Cheers thundered across the stadium.
"Tyrant! Your turn!"
"Kanzaki! Strike them out!"
"Don't give them anything!"
Kanzaki stood calmly, tossing the ball lightly before fixing his gaze on the batter—
Carlos.
Fast. Skilled. Powerful.
But…
Weak against inside pitches.
Carlos stepped in closer to the plate, clearly trying to force outside pitches.
Miyuki signaled:
Inside high fastball.
Some Seido players were startled.
That close—and still going inside?
But then—
Kanzaki shook his head.
Everyone was stunned.
Miyuki paused… then smiled.
I see.
The sign changed.
First Pitch
You want outside?
Then we'll give it to you.
And crush you at your own game.
Boom!
The pitch exploded toward the plate.
Slap!
"Strike!"
An outside low fastball—
And Carlos didn't even swing.
Carlos' Realization
What…?
That was exactly the pitch he wanted.
So why didn't he swing?
Carlos looked at Miyuki—
And froze.
He understood.
They're baiting me.
They were deliberately throwing what he wanted.
If he failed—
The momentum would completely shift to Seido.
Carlos clenched his teeth.
You think I'll fall for that?
Fine.
If you dare throw it—
I'll crush it.