Chapter 175: A Victorious First Battle
A One-Sided Slaughter.
Today, as spectators at Koshien watched the first game between Seidou High and Nanagamari Tech, one thought unanimously echoed in their minds: total domination.
A quick glance at the scoreboard was enough to illustrate the vast gap in strength between the two teams.
At the end of the fifth inning, the score stood at 13-1.
Seidou High had completely overwhelmed their opponents with their formidable offensive power.
Perhaps considering fatigue, Coach Kataoka decided to change pitchers after the fifth inning.
Despite Eijun eagerly waiting in left field, hoping for his turn to pitch, Coach Kataoka denied him the opportunity.
In the top of the sixth inning, Furuya stepped down, and the team's official ace, Tanba, took the mound.
For many who had watched Seidou's regional tournament, and even within parts of Seidou High itself, there was a belief that Tanba was merely a nominal ace.
To them, the true ace was Eijun, the first-year left-hander whose stellar performance in the regional finals had left a deep impression.
However, Tanba was well aware of this perception.
On the day of the finals, he realized it too. Though he remained silent, he resolved within himself to prove that he deserved the ace number on his back.
In this game, where Furuya had performed brilliantly, Tanba felt an intense drive as a senior and as the ace to show his worth.
The regional finals had deeply affected Tanba, especially Eijun's unwavering determination on the mound.
Eijun's desperate push in the ninth inning, where he gave everything to secure victory for the team—even ending with bloodied determination on his forehead—left a lasting impact.
It wasn't just Tanba; everyone vividly remembered that moment. It was the embodiment of an unyielding obsession with victory.
If a first-year could display such resolve, how could a third-year senior like Tanba afford to falter?
From that moment on, Tanba's pitching sharpened.
This external challenge had spurred his growth, a change that Coach Kataoka had keenly observed.
When Tanba took the mound in the sixth inning, his presence was electrifying.
Nanagamari Tech's batters found themselves suffocating under the pressure.
Tanba's fastballs grew sharper, his curveballs showed even greater depth, and his forkballs perfectly deceived the batters, leaving them swinging at air.
His pitching was now worthy of the ace number he wore.
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Strike three! Batter out!"
Finally, in the top of the ninth inning, Tanba struck out Nanagamari Tech's last batter, sealing Seidou High's first victory.
The final score: 19-2, an overwhelming win for Seidou High.
"Buzz—buzz—buzz!"
"Line up!"
"Thank you for the game!"
The sound of applause echoed throughout the stadium as Seidou High began their Koshien journey with a dominant victory.
As the game concluded, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. Regardless of the outcome, the players of Nanagamari Tech fought valiantly until the very end.
At the same time, the spectators witnessed the arrival of a true powerhouse. Seidou High's absolute dominance left little room for doubt.
Many in the audience were convinced that this year's Koshien would see Seidou High sweeping through the competition like a raging storm.
Following this match, teams that were already wary of Seidou High would undoubtedly be even more cautious.
Even Asahi Shimbun had declared Seidou High as the top contender for the championship.
If Eijun were to hear this, his reaction would surely be entertaining.
After all, in his previous life, who didn't know about the infamous "curse" of Asahi Shimbun's predictions? It seemed as though no team blessed by Asahi Shimbun ever escaped its downfall.
...
On the other side, the players of Nanagamari Tech were filled with mixed emotions: disappointment, sorrow, and pain, but also a sense of relief. For them, this year's Koshien had been a nightmare.
Not only were they eliminated in the first round, but they also suffered an enormous defeat with a 21-run differential.
The overwhelming pressure in every inning left them drenched in sweat, fearing every ball that came their way.
By the ninth inning, the match had become a torment for the players of Nanagamari Tech.
When it finally ended, the predominant feeling among them was relief. Even Coach Sakata couldn't hide his sigh of resignation, shaking his head in the dugout.
...
On Seidou High's side, however, the mood was jubilant. Their first match and their first victory at Koshien marked an excellent start to the tournament.
Both pitchers—Furuya and Tanba—allowed only a single run each, delivering near-perfect performances.
However, Tanba couldn't shake his frustration.
He believed the run he allowed in the eighth inning stemmed from his own mistake: a four-ball walk that let the leadoff batter reach base.
Miyuki, observing this, felt both amused and pleased. A pitcher's competitive spirit was music to a catcher's ears. For Miyuki, it meant greater opportunities to mold them.
"Hmph, perfect," Miyuki thought smugly. "That little guy's been getting cockier lately. As a senior and the primary catcher, I need to establish my authority."
Suddenly, Eijun sneezed. He felt a chill down his spine, as if something ominous was looming over him. Instinctively, his gaze drifted toward Miyuki, who was chatting with Chris not far away.
Eijun had a gut feeling that this unease likely stemmed from Miyuki.
"Hmph, I need to stay on guard against him," Eijun thought to himself.
Having read the original manga in his previous life, Eijun was deeply impressed by Miyuki's cunning and black-bellied nature.
Anytime he sensed something amiss, Miyuki was always the first suspect, followed by Kuramochi and Jun Isashiki—or perhaps even Ryousuke Kominato?
In any case, these seniors were all the type to show their "affection" for juniors in their own peculiar ways.
In short, Eijun trusted his instincts. He would have to remain vigilant against Miyuki. Little did Miyuki know, his mere thoughts had already been detected by Eijun's sharp intuition.
Some things, like fate, are just inexplicably connected.
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