No Outs, with a runner on second base.
Nishiyama's unexpected hit became the final straw, pushing Bunkyo to the edge of a cliff.
Despite the score still being 1:0, this one-run difference in baseball doesn't signify much. Even the leading team might not necessarily hold the advantage.
However, in today's game, that one-run gap loomed like a colossal mountain before Bunkyo High School.
The previous six innings of offense had shown them just how terrifying the man named Sawamura Eijun was! Although both teams were in the same division, the vast difference in skill had prevented them from ever facing each other. Therefore, their understanding of Sawamura Eijun was limited to second-party info, never having seen him in action.
Just hearing about him was already frightening!
At that time, most thought it was a mere exaggeration. In a country where Anime culture reigns, people often hype up individuals without any restraint.
Now, facing him in an actual game, they finally understood the horror of Sawamura.
Not to mention scoring runs off him; even getting a single hit felt like an insurmountable challenge.
In the catcher's position, Aoki glanced at Nishiyama on second base.
For some reason, the young man felt somewhat familiar.
Had he seen him somewhere?
Suddenly, Aoki recalled the Little League World Series he had watched earlier.
'It's him!!'
The pitcher who once led Japan's youth team to the finals achieved the runner-up as the Ace and the cleaner.
'The Kousoku, Nishiyama!'
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
'But why would such a player choose to join Seidou?'
Aoki was baffled.
Now, as he looked at Seidou High School's bench, his feelings grew complex.
'Seidou High School had even assigned such a formidable player to the ninth hole.'
'This was clearly a trap!!'
'Could it be that the opponent has been playing some kind of a grand plot?'
Aoki now regarded Seidou High School's bench with newfound suspicion.
And the game continued.
Kuramochi stepped into the Batter's Box with no intention of playing it safe.
Upon entering, he signaled to Nishiyama on second base.
Their blatant interaction did not escape Aoki's notice.
'There's a plan!'
While he couldn't decipher their signals, it was easy to guess what they were up to.
'Is it to draw attention to the batter while the runner steals a base? Or was there another scheme at play?'
'Perhaps the batter simply aimed to advance the runner to third base.'
'That possibility was quite high.'
Given Seidou's previous style, they always seized scoring opportunities decisively.
Now that five innings had passed, the score remained 1:0, and the situation was abundantly clear.
It was not impossible for Seidou to score at this moment!
Aoki quickly formed a judgment in his mind.
Though he couldn't be entirely certain, it didn't stop him from taking action.
In fact, given the predicament Bunkyo High School faced, they had no chips left to wait with.
'We could only gamble.'
Taking a deep breath, Aoki focused coldly on Kuramochi at the plate.
Every cell in his body was alert, a mix of tension and exhilaration flooding his heart.
Aoki savored this feeling as if he were submerged in cool water.
'Very refreshing!'
The tense rhythm of the game surged through his mind, yet Aoki felt astonishingly at ease.
These conflicting feelings blended within him, allowing him to truly relish the moment!
'This is how a game should be!'
His heart raced, blood flowing rapidly through his veins.
Aoki had never experienced such joy from baseball before.
Even his mind was sharper than usual at this moment.
'You are on!'
He was confident he could battle any opponent until the end.
Even against the mighty Seidou High School.
Bring it on!
He decisively signaled to pitcher Jack April on the mound.
'Do not care about any steal, so focus entirely on the batter!'
'If anything goes wrong, just leave it to me.'
At this moment, Aoki felt more reliable than ever.
"You finally get it, Sugi…"
Jack felt a wave of relief observing Aoki.
In the past, Aoki had put too much pressure on himself, nearly single-handedly carrying Bunkyo High School this far.
But was that necessary?
Baseball should be played joyfully.
Continue challenging powerful opponents and savor the experience.
Isn't that the essence of baseball?
Thinking too much was pointless.
With that thought, April fully committed, launching the ball from his hand.
He looked at Kuramochi with a challenging gaze.
'Let's have a showdown between men!'
In the Batter's Box, Kuramochi, initially in a standard stance, suddenly seemed to discover something intriguing.
His lips curled into a grin as he shifted to a bunt position.
Ping!
The ball struck and shot toward third base at incredible speed.
Seeing Kuramochi make contact, Aoki's face lit up with a smile.
'Good!'
He cheered internally!
Although the ball was well-placed, its speed was too fast.
The third baseman could easily field it and throw to first; no matter how quick Kuramochi was, it wouldn't matter.
Strangely, he wasn't the only one feeling triumphant.
Kuramochi also wore a grin as he ran to first base.
Now, back to Bunkyo High School's third baseman.
When he saw the baseball coming, he momentarily lost focus.
Though he quickly regained his composure and lunged for the ball, his movements were sluggish.
'What's going on?'
Aoki frowned, watching the third baseman.
Given their third baseman's skill, he should have easily made the play and thrown to first—why the slow reaction?
Snap!
The baseball bounced out of the mitt.
By the time the third baseman retrieved the ball and sent it to first base, Kuramochi was already comfortably at first.
Snap!
"SAFE!"
Kuramochi reached first base without a hitch.
But it wasn't over yet.
Nishiyama, originally stationed at second, noticed the third baseman's actions and seized the moment.
As the third baseman picked up the ball, Nishiyama quietly crept toward third base.
When the third baseman threw to first, he didn't even consider returning to third base.
Without hesitation, Nishiyama sprinted to third.
"SAFE!!"
While Kuramochi reached first, Nishiyama safely made it to third.
The situation shifted to no Outs, with runners on first and third.
Seidou's chances of scoring skyrocketed.
Now at-bat was the second batter, Kominato Haruichi.
Following him were the core third and fourth batters.
The entire Seidou lineup was magically connected.
Bunkyo High School faced the biggest crisis since the game began.
For the players of Seidou High School's baseball team, however, this was a tremendous opportunity!
It was their chance to crush the opposition in one fell swoop.
Kominato Haruichi approached the Batter's Box, wooden bat in hand.
He had no time to ponder the feelings of Bunkyo High School's players.
For him, the task was straightforward: defeat the opponent decisively.
"Time!"
Aoki called for a timeout.
He wanted to slap himself in frustration.
Too absorbed in the showdown with Seidou High School, he had unknowingly overlooked something crucial.
His teammates were not all exchange students.
Under the leadership of the exchange students, they had steamrolled their opponents.
But once faced with a balanced tug-of-war against Seidou High School, the remaining four teammates had no experience whatsoever.
During the game, players from Bunkyo High School frequently glanced at the electronic scoreboard. The sight of the score left them utterly enthralled. It wasn't just the regular players; even their captain, Aoki Sugi, couldn't escape the charm.
Though these academic achievers masked their emotions well, traces of their excitement were evident.
Since the first day of high school, he had fantasized about this moment.
One day, he would lead his teammates to challenge Tokyo's strongest team.
His former imagined rival was Inashiro Industrial High School, but now it was undoubtedly Seidou High School.
Aoki Sugi often envisioned this moment: after nine grueling innings, they were evenly matched...
They had to go into extra innings, and in the 15th inning, he personally hit the goodbye home run.
If others knew about Aoki Sugi's thoughts, they might mock him for daydreaming.
But dreams are just that.
When they seem unattainable, no one pays them any mind. But when they appear within reach?
Then it's time to give it everything and enjoy the journey.
Aoki was in that state right now.
All his teammates gathered on the pitcher's mound.
Several exchange students occasionally glanced at the recently error-prone third baseman.
According to their previous values, whoever caused the mistake should take the blame. That last hit had at least 90% of the responsibility placed on the third baseman.
"What were you thinking just now?"
Their blatant attitude couldn't be overlooked, even by Aoki Sugi.
He could only ask in as neutral a tone as possible.
The third baseman of Bunkyo High School looked utterly ashamed. After mumbling for a while, he didn't manage to voice a single word.
How could he say it?
Before the defense, he had specifically checked the electronic scoreboard.
The score of 1-0 felt like a towering mountain, pressing down on him.
He was acutely aware that he absolutely couldn't let any runs score. If they did, everything would be over.
With just a one-run difference, although they hadn't figured out how to tackle Sawamura yet, they still had a chance.
However, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
The nervous expression of Bunkyo High School's third baseman was caught by Kuramochi.
For someone who has been through street fights, what's most important in a brawl?
It's crucial to pick on the easy targets first; otherwise, if you start with a tough opponent and it becomes a stalemate, the original easy targets will also join in.
Kuramochi's vast battle experience had unknowingly honed a skill that seemed almost supernatural to others.
He could easily identify who was more vulnerable.
On the baseball field, he could instantly see who was most likely to make a mistake and who the opposing team's biggest weakness was.
The third baseman from Bunkyo High School was stiff in his movements, his face showing clear signs of tension.
Where could he find a better target?
Originally, Kuramochi hadn't planned on using a bunt with the opposing team employing a defensive shift, but without hesitation, he executed a bunt.
He nudged the ball toward third base.
This would allow for a quick, perfect double steal with Nishiyama.
"Well done!"
"Kuramochi!!!"
"Truly deserving of the title Cheetah."
Hearing the praises from those around him, Kuramochi couldn't help but be very elated.
The hot-blooded young man clearly liked to show off.
But putting that aside, back to the game.
The situation shifted to no Outs with runners on first and third.
At this point, Seidou High School was up next with their core second batter.
For the players of Bunkyo High School, this was a life-or-death moment.
Team captain Aoki keenly sensed this and called for a timeout.
…