Chapter 463: A Blazing Opening Under the Spotlight
"Up next is the first semifinal match: Seidou High School versus Seiko High School. On the first base side is Seidou, who will bat second, while Seiko takes the third base side and bats first. The starting lineups for both teams are…"
As both Seidou and Seiko ramped up their final preparations during the last hour before battle, a sweet voice from the stadium broadcast echoed through the air, announcing the key information for the eagerly awaited match.
...
In the stands.
On the right side of the stadium sat Yakushi High School's team.
Coach Raizou still wore his signature laid-back expression.
Beside him, Raichi, munching on a banana, stared intently at the Seidou bench where Sawamura Eijun was talking with Miyuki, a menacing red gleam flickering in his eyes.
"Sawamura Eijun!!"
Beside them, Sanada leaned casually on the railing, looking calm and composed, but focused.
...
On the left-side stands, Inashiro Industrial had also taken their seats.
These two teams weren't just here to defeat each other in the upcoming match—they were also here to observe.
More specifically, they had come to closely evaluate Seidou High School's performance in this crucial match.
Huh? What about Seiko?
Well, sure, they were being scouted too—
But deep down, both Yakushi and Inashiro were convinced that Seidou was going to make it to the final.
After all, if Seidou didn't make it…
Who were they supposed to get their revenge on?
That bitter sting of summer defeat still lingered.
And in this fall tournament, both teams had been sharpening their blades to reclaim their pride.
From a purely practical standpoint—
Whether it was Coach Raizou or Coach Kunimoto from Inashiro, both believed Seidou had the edge.
Why?
Because of the golden battery:
"Sawamura Eijun — Miyuki Kazuya."
That terrifying pitcher-catcher duo.
In the summer, both Yakushi and Inashiro had personally felt how fearsome that combination could be.
...
Over on the left stands—
There sat the "Prince of Tokyo", Narumiya Mei.
His eyes were fixed on the Seidou dugout, a strange expression on his face, and a gleam of something intense flickered in his gaze. His hands clenched tightly over the railing.
"Hmph… if you lose here, I swear I'll mock you for the rest of your life, Kazuya! And that bastard Sawamura too… only I, the true ace, get to defeat you both!"
...
"BZZZZZZZ—— BZZZZZZ—— BZZZZZZ——!!"
A sharp, blaring tone cut through the tension.
The stage was set. The atmosphere burned.
The spotlight match of the tournament—
Was about to begin.
"Now it's your stage. Every swing, every defensive play—every pitch you make carries the weight of your baseball beliefs. Don't hesitate. Every step you take is one carved out by your own will. With your hands, with your bats—go and claim your victory!"
Coach Kataoka stood firmly outside the dugout, his voice strong and resolute.
"Yes, sir!!"
Eijun, Miyuki, Maezono and the others responded in unison, their voices full of spirit.
"Teams, line up!"
The umpire's loud command rang out.
"Let's go!!"
"OOOHHHHHH!!!"
"Bow!"
"We look forward to playing with you!!"
Their shouts echoed through the air—youthful, passionate, and burning with determination.
The Tokyo Fall Tournament semifinals, Game One: Seidou High vs. Seiko High.
Under the gaze of thousands, the battle was about to begin.
...
"How are you feeling today?"
On the mound, Miyuki asked casually, glancing at the serious-looking Furuya.
"Hmm. Normal." Furuya replied calmly, nodding.
"Not in a great mood, are you?" Miyuki suddenly added, catching Furuya off guard with a look of surprise in his eyes.
"All that shock and doubt about you being the starting pitcher—the skepticism—it doesn't feel good, does it?"
Miyuki's eyes pierced into Furuya's heart like he could see right through him. Furuya instinctively clenched his right hand.
"No fame like Sawamura. Not the same level of trust. And last time you started, you really blew it. Sawamura had to clean up after you. It's no wonder people don't have much confidence in you—especially against a lineup that smashed three home runs off Maki and averages over ten runs a game."
He spoke freely, seemingly oblivious to Furuya's increasingly dark expression.
But in the next moment—Miyuki's tone shifted.
"But hey... wouldn't it feel amazing to shut those people up? To make them stare in shock at your performance?"
A faint smirk tugged at Miyuki's lips. The light gleaming in his eyes snapped something awake inside Furuya. His eyes widened, and an overwhelming aura surged from him like a physical force.
Shut them up.
Shock them—with my pitching.
Yes… I once fell here. Then now— I'll rise again, on my own. With my pitching!
"Furuya—go out there and make this entire stadium yours." Miyuki gently tapped Furuya's chest with his right fist, steady and sure.
"Understood, Miyuki-senpai." Furuya's eyes blazed with blue fire, his spirit ignited.
....
This is a pitcher's battlefield. And neither side will yield.
The powerful-armed ace,
Furuya Satoru—steps up.
...
Far out in left field, Eijun quietly gazed toward the mound. The aura radiating from the two figures there made him narrow his eyes for a moment before letting his expression relax.
That fighting spirit… or maybe… the will of an ace?
He whispered to himself, and a subtle smile appeared on his lips.
Maybe today… Furuya will surprise us.
...
"Go, Furuya! Shut down their leadoff batter!"
"Take them out one by one!"
"You've got this, Furuya—show them your grit!"
"We've got your back—attack boldly!"
...
Top of the 1st inning. Seiko High is at bat.
First batter: catcher, Masu-kun.
With calm, confident steps, Masu Shinichirou approached the plate.
A composed expression. Unwavering steps.
As the core of Seiko's lineup—his presence was irreplaceable.
...
"Which also means… if we take him out, we seize control of this game right from the start. Don't hold back, Furuya—give it everything you've got and crush this batter."
Behind the plate, Miyuki crouched with a solemn look.
And on the mound, Furuya nodded sharply, his body tensing like a drawn bow.
The battle had begun.
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