Chapter 162: The Final Stand
The air was filled with ecstatic cheers and wild shouts.
It was the most thrilling moment for Seidou High School.
However, this excitement was quickly overshadowed by the sight at home plate—a streak of blood running down the boy's forehead, the crimson trail dripping down his cheek.
Everyone from Seidou High School wore expressions of shock and anger.
"Sawamura?"
"Eijun?"
In the dugout, Chris, Miyuki, and the others went from joy to sudden alarm.
Coach Kataoka's pupils contracted sharply.
"Hurry, call the team doctor!!!"
"Yes... right away!!!!" Ota responded loudly and quickly rushed back to the rest area to get the doctor.
At home plate, Eijun stood there, his vision blurring as he staggered, almost losing his balance.
The umpire nearby immediately caught him, noticing the blood on Eijun's forehead. The umpire frowned.
"Time out!!!" The head umpire shouted without hesitation.
Is he really willing to go this far?
Harada quickly supported Eijun as well. Seeing the pale expression on Eijun's face and the blood on his forehead, Harada felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name.
He knew exactly how this injury had happened—during their collision, Eijun's face had struck Harada's mask.
Not backing down, even a single step.
In that moment, those golden eyes of Eijun's flashed in Harada's mind. He had to admit that, at that instant, the boy had overwhelmed him in spirit.
Just a first-year pitcher.
Maybe this run was destined to be lost.
You're really something.
This wasn't the first time Harada had thought this, but it was the most intense. It was a genuine feeling of admiration.
"Sawamura-kun..."
"Eijun..."
At this moment, the entire audience, after their wild cheering, noticed the sudden change at home plate.
The crimson blood on Eijun's forehead caught everyone's attention, pulling at their heartstrings.
Is he injured?
In the stands, nearly everyone showed expressions of concern.
Despite it being a competitive game with fans supporting different players and teams, this was a pure, passionate contest driven by the dreams of young boys, untainted by external motives or interests.
The audience held a deep sense of goodwill for every player giving it their all.
At this moment, Miyuki and captain Yuuki quickly appeared at home plate.
They took Eijun from Harada and the umpire, helping him back toward the dugout.
Given the player's injury, Inashiro had no objections. The umpire announced a 15-minute break to allow time for treatment.
"You don't need to hold me, Miyuki-senpai. It's just a little scrape," Eijun forced a smile, trying to appear relaxed.
In truth, the impact had left Eijun's head still aching faintly.
But he had to put on a brave face; otherwise, he could already imagine the look on Coach Kataoka's face when he got back to the dugout.
"Don't say anything. Let the doctor check you thoroughly!!!"
Miyuki's face was dark with a rare, intense seriousness. Gone was his usual laid-back demeanor; his solemn expression made Eijun shrink back, not daring to say another word.
Off to the side, Captain Yuuki shared the same stern expression.
Back in the dugout, Coach Kataoka's gaze was calm yet carried a sharp edge as he looked at Eijun.
"You arrogant brat. Go, let the team doctor check you out," Coach Kataoka huffed coldly, his tone strict.
"Uh, Coach, I'm fine, it's just a small scrape..."
"Hmph, whether you're fine or not is for the doctor to decide," Kataoka said without a hint of leniency. "Now, shut your mouth and let the doctor examine you."
Seeing Coach Kataoka's firm, non-negotiable attitude, Eijun had no choice but to obediently close his mouth. However, there were certain things he decided he would never say, no matter the situation.
As far as Eijun himself felt, although his head hurt a bit, it shouldn't be a big problem—it was just a minor scrape after all.
In the players' rest area, the team doctor, Yoshida, first disinfected and bandaged Eijun's wound, then performed a brief examination.
He nodded toward Coach Kataoka and said, "It seems to be just a superficial wound. The injury is not infected, though he appears a bit weak due to exhaustion. Personally, I recommend he sits out and rests."
What?
Huh!?
"No, Coach! I'm fine! There's only half an inning left—I can still play!" Eijun protested immediately after hearing the doctor's words. They had come this far; he couldn't let it slip away now.
No way, absolutely not. There was just one last half-inning left, and he had to be the one on the mound.
Eijun wasn't being boastful; he genuinely believed that only he could finish this game.
Yoshida, the doctor, remained silent after that.
He had said all he needed to; the final decision now rested with Coach Kataoka.
Of course, this was based on the fact that Eijun's injury wasn't severe.
If it had been a serious injury or carried any risk of long-term effects, as a doctor, he would never have allowed Eijun to play.
Coach Kataoka's deep gaze settled on Eijun Sawamura.
The atmosphere in the rest area grew heavy.
Chris, Miyuki, and the others stood by silently, awaiting the decision.
A stubborn expression crossed Eijun's face. He had already made up his mind—no matter what, he would take the mound. He was determined to seize this final moment and secure victory.
"Coach!!!" Eijun pleaded, looking into Kataoka's deep-set eyes with urgency.
After a long pause, Coach Kataoka finally spoke slowly, "Alright! I'm entrusting the end of this game to you."
His heavy words carried a sense of resolution, making everyone present adopt even more determined expressions.
A wide grin split across Eijun's face, forming a unique smile.
"Whoosh!"
"Bang!"
"Thud!"
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Out!!!!"
"Three outs! Switch sides!!"
As Eijun returned to the dugout, the game resumed after the temporary pause.
Narumiya, seemingly emotionless with eyes as calm as still water, managed to get Kuramochi out, stranding Shirasu on first base.
Seidou High School's attack in the ninth inning came to an end without them scoring any additional runs.
However, Narumiya's unusually quiet demeanor caused concern among the Inashiro fans in the stands.
They were well aware of how devastating that run had been for their ace.
Harada gently patted Narumiya on the shoulder. He opened his mouth, as if to say something.
"Harada-san, it's fine. The game isn't over yet, is it? I don't believe we've lost!" Narumiya's body trembled slightly, tears held back with sheer willpower.
The ace of Inashiro, even at the very end, still clung to his pride and determination.
"Yes, we haven't lost yet!!!"
In that moment, Inashiro's dugout exuded a powerful, defiant energy.
They gazed toward Seidou's dugout with determined expressions.
The bottom of the ninth inning—this was the final inning, the last chance to attack and defend.
It was the last stand of the reigning champions and kings.
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