Chapter 169: The Time of Opening
"Tanba, Kawakami, be ready to jump in at any time. From here on out, we'll need the combined strength of our entire pitching staff to win each game. Understand?"
"Yes, sir!" Tanba and Kawakami responded immediately.
Starting Furuya was an expected choice. It had already been decided that the opening team would need to make a strong impression.
Currently, within Seidou High, the one with the best skills, mindset, and complete-game experience is Eijun.
But if we're talking about intimidation…
There's no denying it: Furuya is the undisputed number one.
Eijun could already imagine the scene at Koshien in a few days, with the crowd gasping in awe during the opening game.
Once again, that guy would be in the spotlight.
Eijun smirked inwardly.
A blazing fastball of 150 km/h – that kind of entrance is definitely flashy and awe-inspiring.
Eijun had to admit he felt a bit envious of Furuya's natural speed.
After all, speed is every man's passion, and his current fastball speed lags behind Furuya's by at least 15 km/h.
And honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if this guy reached 160 km/h in the future.
To Eijun's dismay, Coach Kataoka even called out Tanba and Kawakami by name, which clearly meant he expected Eijun to stick to left field next year and not think about the pitcher's mound.
Eijun's heart sank with a hint of resentment.
Coach Kataoka is playing favorites, isn't he?
"And finally, batting ninth, right fielder, Shirasu."
"Yes," Shirasu replied in his usual calm manner.
"In the next few days, keep up your training to stay in form and maintain your rhythm, but don't overdo it and risk fatigue. We need to secure the first game. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Their spirits soared, and the fire of determination burned brightly.
At Hanshin Koshien, the champions, Seidou High, were ready to take the stage!
That morning, the temperature was refreshingly cool.
Due to Nishinomiya City's higher latitude, if the game was scheduled as the first in the morning, the temperature was still within an acceptable range.
Even before today's game had started, spectators were already steadily streaming into the stadium.
Of course, since it's only the early rounds, unless it's a highly anticipated match-up between nationally renowned powerhouse schools, Koshien rarely reaches full capacity at this stage.
Before the game began, the crowd was buzzing with chatter.
"Isn't the first game today between Seidou High and Nanagamari Tech?"
"Seidou, huh? They used to be a powerhouse, but they've been quiet for a few years. I wonder how strong they are now."
"Heh, they're definitely a top-tier team. Seidou High's chances of winning this game are high."
"Eh? Why do you say that?"
"Are you clueless? Seidou High had to beat two powerhouse schools to make it to Koshien."
"Exactly. With the top left-handed pitcher in Kanto, and having defeated powerhouse Inashiro Industrial last year and Ichidaisan High, a Spring Koshien quarterfinalist, this year – Seidou had to outperform those two to become the representative of West Tokyo. That alone proves their strength."
"In the finals, Seidou High managed to suppress Inashiro Industrial. That game was incredible."
"Huh? You actually went to watch the game?"
"Heh, I watched the recording yesterday. I have to say, that first-year pitcher, Sawamura Eijun, was amazing. Not only did he pitch a complete game, but he held Inashiro's lineup to just three runs. It was incredible."
"Yeah, it was really thrilling. Too bad that left-handed pitcher isn't the ace yet."
"A first-year? Three runs? A complete game? Are you sure you're not joking?"
"Tch, if you don't believe me, just check it out later. He'll definitely be on the field in today's game."
"Really?"
"No joke. Number 11, left-handed pitcher, Sawamura Eijun. Just remember that."
"All right, keep your eyes peeled."
Among the spectators, those who had watched the West Tokyo regional finals vividly remembered that game, especially Eijun's impressive performance, which earned him widespread praise.
Naturally, this left many spectators who hadn't followed the West Tokyo games exchanging puzzled looks.
After all, this was the final—against a powerhouse like Inashiro Industrial, no less. And yet, Seidou started a first-year left-handed pitcher who went on to pitch a complete game?
And he performed outstandingly?
Forgive them, but they needed a moment to process this.
Amid this excitement, the players of Seidou High and Nanagamari Tech took the field at Koshien Stadium, igniting the crowd in thunderous applause.
For these top teams from across the country, the fans offered their most enthusiastic cheers.
On the third-base side was Seidou High; on the first-base side was Nanagamari Tech.
Eijun stood before the bench, doing his warm-up exercises while gazing at the vast Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The thrill of the moment was unmistakably evident on his face.
"So, this is Koshien. The view, the atmosphere… it's intoxicating," Eijun murmured in awe.
Though it might have sounded a bit dramatic, this was genuinely how Eijun felt at that moment.
This was the ultimate sanctuary for high school baseball players in Japan!
It wasn't just Eijun; even the third-year seniors showed expressions of deep excitement.
This was the sacred ground they had dreamed of reaching. After three years of hard work in high school, they were finally here, and their excitement was palpable.
"Furuya, remember to keep your pitches low," Miyuki, decked in his catcher's gear, reminded Furuya, still wary.
"Hm," Furuya responded with a calm, indifferent expression.
Miyuki shook his head slightly. Once the game started, he'd have to keep this kid in line; if Furuya got overly fired up, it'd be hard to keep him under control.
"Any team that makes it to Koshien is never weak. Go all out to crush them, and don't let me see any unnecessary mistakes. Understood?" Coach Kataoka said sternly in his pregame pep talk.
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, on the first-base side, Nanagamari Tech.
"They're starting a first-year pitcher?" Nanagamari's coach, Sakata Ichisuke, murmured as he glanced at Seidou's starting lineup with a frown. "Is this the one known for his speed? But just because he throws fast, they're starting him?"
Coach Sakata cast a doubtful glance toward Seidou's dugout nearby.
It was a natural reaction—after all, when Furuya had debuted in the regional games, every high school had their doubts.
Even though a first-year could have immense potential, he was still a first-year. Coach Sakata, even as a seasoned coach of a prestigious school, understandably had his reservations.
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