'Kuramochi-senpai hit it!'
'Show them how the cheetah duo of seido works'
Shout and encouragement echoed throughout the stadium. It's a no secret about Kuramochi speed and batting ability. In the previous year he even the lead-off man for seido. Kuramochi look down and kick the soil to stablize his standing. He gripped his bat tightly and remember his conversation with Mio.
'Senpai why are you a switch hitter?'
'Because it's fun?'
'But did you know that you have a high chance hitting the ball with your right hand?'
'..'
'I'm not trying to be rude but it's suit you the best senpai. If your hitting improve, with your speed you'll be unstoppable'
'Then why did you switch pitching?'
'I find it interesting and above all I want to learn everything about baseball'
'I understand'
'Ah! one more thing, wanna be a speed duo?'
'!!'
'Well you already achieved the keystone duo, not that bad if you add one more title'
Seeing Mio's sincere smile and advise, Kuramochi start to pondered about many things. He practice and at the same time he's searching for an answer. What's his purpose? Of course it's baseball.
'STRIKE! '
Kuramochi adjust his grip. When Mio said that he feel that he's betraying Ryou-san but then when he saw how much effort Mio spend on his practice his opinion falter.
'STRIKE! '
'come on kuramochi don't just stand there!'
'You got this Sanada-senpai!'
Ryou-san watch kuramochi and mutter under his breath.
'Hit it'
Then when Sanada set his motion, Mio take off heading for home.
'Steal!'
At the same time kuramochi swing his bat and pull it off towards the shortstop. The shortstop catch it but unfortunately he dropped the ball. With only a small error Kuramochi speed towards second base and Mio head home.
'A RUN SCORED! SEIDO IS THE FIRST TO BREAK FREE FROM THE TENSION'
'Woahh, how can they be that fast?'
'With that player they basically outrun the entire team!'
'Crazy!'
'What the heck was that?'
The Yakushi's coach roar angrily. He held a little bit of hope, defeating Seido. Practically it's impossible but he never give up even there's a slight chance but seeing Seido's dominance from the beginning his resolve start to waver.
***
Top of second inning, Furuya is having a hard time to hold the the batter after a fierce battle with the top lineup on the first inning. Even though they also racked quite a bit score in the first and second inning it's still hard to defend against them. Just when Furuya start to crumble the coach sign for a pitcher change.
'PITCHER CHANGE! COMING FOR FURUYA IS TANBA!'
'!!'
'Finally seido take out their previous ace'
'It's not even half of the game but he's subbed out?'
'Considering the score Seido of course don't want Yakushi to catch up with them'
'The score?...
'4-2'
'..'
Tanba walk on the mound.
'Furuya just rest, this isn't your role alone.'
Furuya look frustrated but eventually complied. He know that he only stand on the team way.
'Tanba-san let's go!'
'Tanba we'll let you have one run ceded if it's exceed let's settle it after this!'
The senpais are delighted that Tanba take over the mound. Even if Tanba isn't the ace anymore in their heart he is the one. Not that they didn't acknowledge Mio, it's just part of their bond. They took their respective position and get ready to face the next batter.
*hufff*
Tanba take a deep breath. It's his first official game after Mio take the ace number but surprisingly he didn't resent it. Instead he's relief that someone competent get the number. Now he will do his best without the ace number and be one of the pillar that take seido to koshien.