Chapter 96: The Fall of the Elite, The Rise of the Dark Horse
An outstanding performance by Ichidaisan High in the top half of today's inning.
They fully exploited their advantages, leaving the spectators, including those from Seidou High, displaying a variety of expressions.
"Tch, a three-run homer in the first inning, huh? That guy sure has energy. Hard to believe he's in the same year as us," Isashiki, seated on the bench, clicked his tongue and muttered with an annoyed expression.
Beside him, Captain Yuuki Tetsuya seemed to be exuding something terrifying, as if the flames of his fighting spirit were invisibly burning, giving off an intimidating aura.
"So, we're just here to witness their strength, huh…"
"The next opponent is definitely going to be Ichidaisan High."
On the stands, the second- and third-year members of Seidou's first team all voiced similar thoughts. Seeing Ichidaisan take six runs in the first inning would make anyone think the same.
After all, Ichidaisan was already a powerhouse, having made it to the quarterfinals of the selection tournament.
But Eijun frowned and focused intently as he watched a certain figure quietly step into the on-deck circle and squat down.
This change in his expression was noticed only by the few people nearby, like Miyuki and Chris.
At this moment, Miyuki and Chris both had their eyes on the Yakushi player stepping up to bat and the one waiting in the on-deck circle.
It was a first-year cleanup hitter who had just been subbed in for today's game.
This particularly caught the attention of Miyuki and Chris.
The spectators in the stands shared the same sentiment as most of Seidou's players, thinking that this would be another predictable game.
The rest of the game would probably be a blowout, ending early by the fifth inning.
It wasn't surprising that people came to such a conclusion.
The only ones feeling something off were Chris, with his scouting notes, and Eijun, who knew the course of events.
Chris simply had an uneasy feeling as he watched Yakushi's dugout, his brows furrowed as if something unresolved was bothering him.
But everyone's thoughts froze in that instant, when the man stepped into the batter's box and swung.
BAM!
Whoosh!
After hearing a sound like thunder rumbling, it was as if a laser beam shot through the sky. In just a second, people saw a flash of white disappear into the trees behind the field, startling the birds in the forest.
The Yakushi first-year batter held his follow-through stance.
"Incredible! The ball suddenly swerved at the last second. This guy, baseball is so much fun!" Raichi shouted excitedly from the batter's box.
But no one paid attention to his boisterous side anymore. The sudden two-run homer had silenced the entire stadium.
The atmosphere froze. The stunned expressions on Seidou High's Coach Kataoka, Isashiki Jun, and Yuuki Tetsuya mirrored the disbelief on the faces of Ichidaisan's players, particularly their ace, Manaka, whose face had turned pale.
"This game is in trouble..."
Eijun said quietly, his words carrying deep meaning.
"Game over."
"Bow."
"Thank you for the game!!!"
The joyful Yakushi players and the tearful Ichidaisan players formed a stark contrast on the field.
At this moment, at Fuchu Municipal Stadium, the division between winners and losers became clear. 13 to 12, just like in the original story.
The force of fate was so strong that even Eijun couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy. The same start, the same process, the same injury to the ace.
The same defeat in a slugfest.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, a perfect comeback swing from the cleanup hitter—Raichi's second home run of the game—ended the match with a two-run homer.
Yakushi High won the game.
Ichidaisan High, a prestigious team, had fallen, paving the way for the emergence of this dark horse!
"They actually lost!!!" Isashiki Jun grumbled angrily, frustrated at their powerlessness.
His fierce expression made Eijun flinch.
In this regard, Isashiki was definitely the most delinquent-like member of Seidou's baseball team.
"Yakushi High..." Yuuki Tetsuya crossed his arms, a strange fire flickering in his eyes.
"Manaka!" Tanba clenched his fists as he watched his best friend weeping in the dugout, silently vowing to avenge him in the next match.
"Heh, this is going to be interesting, facing opponents like them." Ryousuke said with a smile.
However, Haruichi, who was familiar with his brother's personality, knew all too well that Ryousuke's smiling appearance at this moment did not reflect his true feelings. Deep inside, his brother was far more serious.
Yakushi's players, especially their cleanup hitter Raichi, had fully ignited a fighting spirit within every single member of Seidou High.
"It's great that the whole team watched this match. If everything goes as expected, we'll be facing Yakushi in the quarterfinals."
"Coach!"
At this moment, Coach Kataoka approached the Seidou team from behind, his expression solemn.
The Seidou players all nodded in agreement. If they faced Yakushi early on, it could spell trouble.
"Before our next match, we need to prepare a proper strategy."
"Yes," Chris nodded lightly in agreement.
"Everyone, get ready to board the bus and head back!" Coach Kataoka commanded in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir!!!" Everyone responded loudly. Ace Tanba stood on the stands for a long time, staring at his best friend's back.
"Tanba, let's go." Isashiki Jun and Captain Yuuki stood by Tanba's side, patting his shoulder and speaking in a low voice.
As teammates for two and a half years, they understood the connections between one another. They were well aware of the close friendship between Tanba and Ichidaisan's ace.
"In the next match, we'll prove ourselves on the field!"
"Yes!" Tanba responded with a firm nod.
After one last glance at Yakushi's dugout, he turned and strode off the field.
This game marked the fall of a prestigious school and the rise of a dark horse.
The shock reverberated throughout West Tokyo, and Seidou, the reigning powerhouse, had become deeply aware of the looming danger ahead.
A life-or-death battle was coming.
Seidou High could already feel the impending storm.
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