Chapter 154: Inashiro Match - His Resilience
The soaring white flash.
The ever-changing field.
At this moment, every spectator's gaze was locked onto home plate, that small yet vast space, where a clash was about to unfold. Everyone's hearts were pounding with anticipation.
The gleaming ball flew towards the plate, meeting the fierce swing of the bat.
CRACK!!!
A thunderous sound echoed throughout the stadium, and in that instant, the crowd erupted with unstoppable cheers. The radiant ball shot into the sky, a brilliant white streak soaring over the infield and outfield.
Seidou's pitcher Eijun stood on the mound, his face drained of color, while the Seidou players looked on in disbelief.
BAM!
With a powerful impact, the ball smashed into the scoreboard in center field—a home run, two runs batted in. The game was tied.
"Incredible! In the bottom of the sixth, Inashiro's captain, Harada, seizes the chance and crushes Sawamura's fastball for a home run! That blast brings the game to a tie!"
"Go, Inashiro! Go, Captain!"
"Harada!!!"
"Absolutely amazing!"
"Harada!"
"Tied, tied, we're tied!!!"
Harada raised his right hand, his expression triumphant. At home plate, his powerful figure was seared into Eijun's memory. This was Inashiro's cleanup hitter—Masatoshi Harada.
The entire Inashiro dugout erupted in wild cheers, while Coach Kunitomo gave a small nod of approval.
It... went out… It actually went out…
Eijun looked up, watching the white ball disappear into the sky, his eyes filled with pain. He had given everything into that pitch, yet it was still crushed.
A sharp pang cut through Eijun's heart. This was the burden a pitcher must bear, carrying the hopes of the entire team. In this critical moment, on this grand stage, a home run had been hit, and he had to face the consequences.
Eijun had mentally prepared for this long ago. But when the moment came, the piercing pain of it still felt overwhelming.
"Eijun…"
"Sawamura…"
From the Seido bench, the cheering section, and all around the field, everyone's eyes were fixed on the solitary figure on the mound, filled with concern for Eijun.
Even Haruno and Wakana were watching him with their hands clasped tightly, worry etched on their faces, unable to hide their distress.
In the dugout, Coach Kataoka's face was more solemn than ever.
Miyuki, Ryousuke, Yuuki, Isashiki, Masuko, Kuramochi, and the rest of the Seidou players all directed their gaze at Eijun.
After enduring such a blow, could their young teammate hold on?
The inning wasn't over, and the game still had three innings to go.
At home plate, Miyuki's eyes flickered with a strange gleam.
Hah…
Eijun pressed his trembling left hand to the brim of his cap and exhaled deeply, releasing his breath slowly, even more slowly, gathering his strength once again, feeling it pool in his core.
What's done can't be changed. All that's left now is to look ahead!
I promised to take my teammates to Koshien.
I can't lose focus here.
How can I let myself fall apart now?!
Eijun raised his head, his eyes blazing with unwavering determination. This was the perfect embodiment of Sawamura Eijun's refusal to back down.
"Heh… Sawamura, you really are a natural ace!"
To be able to catch your pitches here—I might just be a lucky senior catcher after all!
As Eijun's unyielding spirit shone through to the entire stadium, everyone watched him in awe. This first-year left-handed pitcher, even in such a situation, stood tall and resolute on the mound.
Deep within their hearts, the spectators felt a stirring emotion, one hard to put into words. Seidou High School's number 11, first-year left-handed pitcher, Eijun Sawamura—at that moment, his presence was deeply etched into their minds.
This was a pitcher who, even without considering his potential, was already impossible to ignore.
"Batting fifth, pitcher, Narumiya-kun."
Little punk, you're too bold. As a first-year, just collapse and retreat like you're supposed to!
Narumiya strode into the batter's box with a fierce aura, his sharp gaze fixed on Eijun on the mound. Yet, the sight of Eijun's resolute, fearless expression only fueled Narumiya's inner fire.
This rookie wasn't displaying a single sign of weakness!
Narumiya swore that this time—this time—he'd show Eijun the brutal reality of high school baseball. If you don't want to step down, then I, the ace, will send you packing!
The tension escalated as the left-handed pitchers faced each other for the fifth time.
Neither side would hold back!
The first pitch!
Eijun's hands no longer trembled, his eyes steadier than ever.
His body moved, his arm swinging down.
Whoosh
A white streak shot forward.
Swish
Crack
A loud collision resounded.
Narumiya's eyes narrowed in surprise.
Thud
"Foul!"
Narumiya glared at the ball flying out of bounds, his grip tightening instinctively on the bat, before whipping his head back toward Eijun.
This guy!!!
"Nice pitch, Sawamura!"
"Stay sharp, Sawamura!"
"You can do it, you've got this, Eijun!"
"After enduring the sting of a home run, Seidou's first-year lefty, Sawamura Eijun, hasn't crumbled. But Inashiro keeps up the pressure!"
The second pitch—a changeup—had to be dead center, with no room for error.
Yes. Eijun nodded firmly.
He raised his hand.
Whoosh
Another streak of light shot forth.
Crack
Thud
"Foul!"
Finally, he aimed this pitch right here!
Whoosh
The ball flickered through the air, Eijun's face filled with fierce determination.
Victory would be decided here!
Damn brat, this stage is too big for you! Time to step down!
With a wild glare and seething fury, Tokyo's "Prince" Mei swung with all his might.
Swish
Swoosh
The bat sliced through the air, missing the ball entirely.
Pop!
"Strike three!"
"Batter out!"
An undeniable presence, a belief that refused to break.
His resilience—Seidou's ace—in that moment, shone brightly across the entire stadium!
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