Chapter 18: Eijun's Debut
"Whoosh!"
"Smack!"
"Strike! Batter out! Three outs, switch sides!"
In the bottom of the second inning, the first-year team's offense was quickly shut down with three strikeouts. Tanba Koichiro and Miyauchi Keisuke showed no mercy, with precise fastballs and sharp-breaking curves that left the first-year hitters trembling at the plate.
Kanemaru Shinji, the cleanup hitter from Matsukata Senior League, was powerless against these pitches. His lingering hopes were shattered in his first at-bat of the inning.
The one-sided slaughter of the first two innings led the spectators to shake their heads, lamenting how the game was nothing more than a one-sided affair with no excitement. It was a tough day for the first-year players.
"Oh, they really have no ability to fight back," one spectator commented.
"There's nothing to be done. The gap in skill is just too great," another added.
"Well, this was expected, but I wonder if there's at least one outstanding first-year player," mused another.
"Ha, given this situation, it's a bit hard to tell," came the reply.
"Even the upperclassmen don't have much grace," someone laughed.
"Yeah, summer's coming up soon," another agreed.
The crushing defeat left the first-year players dejected, their spirits at an all-time low. On the field, they seemed like mere shadows of themselves, devoid of any vigor or spirit.
Coach Kataoka's eyes showed a hint of helplessness but quickly masked it.
In the top of the third inning, the first-year team made another pitching change.
This new pitcher showed some control and, in terms of resolve, hadn't completely lost his fighting spirit. However, it was only a temporary respite.
In the third inning, the first-year team still paid a heavy price, giving up four more runs. The high school team's impatience allowed the first-years to record three outs, but otherwise, the situation might have been even worse.
Seeing this, Eijun in right field was astonished. Was the original game this brutal?
Only three innings in and the deficit was fifteen runs? Was this some kind of joke?
Eijun couldn't believe it.
He knew he had a task to do.
Gripping his bat, Eijun stepped out of the dugout.
He took a deep breath as he gazed toward the mound, where Tanba stood.
Home run? Hit? Score? No, Eijun knew his current skill level meant his chances of getting a hit were less than one percent. But for that one percent chance, he was willing to give it his all.
After all, I'm aiming to be the ace.
"Boom!"
As Eijun walked toward the batter's box with steady steps, a visible wave of energy seemed to ripple through the air around him.
With a stern expression and focused eyes, he wanted to show these upperclassmen that among the first-years, there were players with determination too.
"Please give me your guidance!"
Standing in the left-handed batter's box, Eijun gave a slight bow. His determined gaze made Miyauchi Keisuke, behind home plate, stiffen slightly.
This feeling, this atmosphere, was completely different from the previous first-years.
Unmoving and steady, Eijun exuded a calm demeanor.
As he lightly swung his bat into position, his eyes locked onto the mound, meeting Tanba's gaze. Eijun's fearless and challenging eyes made Tanba tighten his grip on the ball instinctively.
The spectators around noticed the different aura Eijun was emitting at this moment.
This kid might be interesting.
Everyone showed a hint of interest, eagerly watching Eijun in the batter's box with scrutinizing eyes.
"Heh, it's that kid's turn now," Miyuki, who had just finished his own training and was nearby, observed Eijun stepping into the batter's box with a faint smile.
"Looks like it will be an interesting matchup," Miyuki mused internally.
"Hmph, it's all show. Don't worry about him, just go for a straight fastball inside. Control the angle a bit closer to intimidate this rookie," Miyauchi thought disdainfully, still giving Tanba the signal for the pitch.
Tanba nodded slightly, thinking to himself that there was no need to worry about a mere first-year rookie.
The first pitch left Tanba's hand, and a flash of white light shot toward the plate.
"Whoosh!"
Eijun's eyes focused as he tracked the flashing white ball, barely reading its trajectory. He swung his bat with all his might.
"Swish!"
"Whoosh!"
At the moment of swinging purely by instinct, the white ball whizzed past Eijun's side. Surprised, he staggered backward, losing his balance and nearly falling.
"Smack!"
"Strike!"
The forceful, intimidating pitch was a clear sign of the upperclassmen's attitude in baseball.
Eijun gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and tightened his grip on the bat, moving back into the batter's box with a posture that clearly showed he wasn't afraid of getting hit.
His defiant stance instantly drew displeasure from the upperclassmen on the bench. What right did this first-year kid have to be so arrogant?
Tanba on the mound didn't look pleased either.
Eijun's behavior also caused a flicker of irritation in Miyauchi's eyes.
This arrogant first-year kid!
"Well then, don't blame us upperclassmen for being harsh. Tanba, throw your best pitch next. Show this kid the real difference in skill!" Miyauchi signaled Tanba with an angry glare. Tanba nodded firmly.
Raising his right leg high and swinging his arm with force, Tanba's motion made Eijun feel an icy chill from behind.
As the arm swung and the ball was released, Eijun could see the straight white light coming toward him. Instinctively, he stepped forward, gripping the bat tightly and swinging with all his might.
On the field, the bright light of the ball and the whirling bat danced together.
The young figure of Eijun leaped into action.
In the next moment.
The bat made contact.
"Ping!!!"
A perfect sound resonated.
And a different tune began to play!
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