"Run!"
The players in the Seidō dugout only reacted after a brief moment of stunned silence.
What should Takumi be doing right now?
He should run without hesitation, giving it his all.
His speed was already on the slower side, and if he didn't seize every moment, a run that could have been scored might be lost.
Nanamori was a strong team overall.
Their players positioned themselves relatively far forward—not quite at the edge of the infield. So even if they couldn't stop the ball immediately and had to retrieve it from deep in the outfield,
that didn't mean he necessarily had plenty of time.
Fortunately, the Seidō players' worries were unfounded. His speed was only relatively slow; he wasn't a turtle.
It took him just one second longer than the average Second String player to run from second to home plate.
With such a narrow margin, no matter how capable the Nanamori players were, they couldn't get the ball back from the farthest reaches of the field in time.
"Safe!"
"Seidō High School scores first."
Score: 1-0.
Back in the dugout, the Second String players swarmed around Takumi, eager to congratulate him as he returned.
"Well done," one praised warmly.
"Your speed's still too slow; you've got to train harder. Not every hit will give you this much time," another urged firmly.
"We're counting on you from now on," a third encouraged with determination.
Those third-year seniors had already recognized his boundless potential. Yet they themselves knew, given their own skills, that their chances of promotion were slim to none.
Under these circumstances, they had only two goals.
The first was to secure a decisive victory today.
The second was to pass down their experience, empowering more capable juniors to chase their dreams in their place.
That was precisely why everyone spontaneously gathered around him, pointing out his current weaknesses.
Looking at him, surrounded by admiration, Yōichi's eyes burned with envy.
Not long ago, he had been one of the most promising players among their freshman class.
In just a few days, his once-obscure friend had become the center of everyone's expectations.
"As expected of Takumi-kun, I can't afford to fall behind," he murmured with resolve.
Takumi seemed to command the spotlight on the field.
But in truth, the biggest contributor to this run wasn't him—it was Kadota Masaaki, who had just delivered the hit.
Kadota, as always, remained low-key.
Though he hit a double and helped the team score, he also advanced into scoring position himself. His performance was outstanding, and everyone witnessed it.
Yet, despite this, when people talked about the game, their focus still remained on Takumi.
That's the inherent charm of a player.
It's something inborn.
The game pressed on.
Two outs, runner on second base.
Seidō's fifth batter stepped up.
"Catcher, Miyuki Kazuya!" someone called out sharply.
Kazuya, glasses perched on his nose, exuded a refined air when not smiling.
As he entered the batter's box, both Second String and watching Third String players eagerly cheered his name.
"Hit it, Kazuya-senpai!"
"Watch closely, there's a runner on second now."
"Show the Nanamori players what you've got!"
…
Some unfamiliar with Miyuki, watching the lively scene, couldn't resist asking with curiosity, "Is this player really that famous?"
Hearing this, all the first-year players exchanged knowing eye rolls.
"Of course he is—he's Miyuki Kazuya," one replied with a hint of pride.
"Even before joining Seidō's Baseball Team, he was the best catcher in our class," another added firmly.
"Not to mention, he was promoted to the First String immediately after joining," someone emphasized.
For the first-year rookies at Seidō, Miyuki was an undisputed legend.
No one could hold a candle to him.
Even though Takumi's recent performance was dazzling, if placed side by side with Miyuki, all the Seidō first-years would back Miyuki without hesitation.
This was his status among Seidō's first-years.
Amid the buzz of widespread attention, Miyuki Kazuya lifted a single finger.
"Wow!" someone gasped in awe.
"Is that a prediction of a hit?" another whispered excitedly.
"So cool! He radiates such confidence!" a voice exclaimed.
These murmurs only stoked the fans fervor.
Even the Nanamori players were affected.
They had initially been displeased to learn they were facing Seidō's Second String.
Even if the opponent was a nationally renowned powerhouse, how strong could their Second String be?.
Besides, Nanamori was one of the top four teams in West Tokyo.
Yet, barely into the game, they had been struck several times in quick succession.
First, the opposing pitcher sent a strong warning. Then, a seemingly frail batter hit the ball beautifully again.
Now, they'd even scored a run.
Judging by Seidō's determination, they had no intention of settling for just one run.
They hungered for more.
"Dream on!" someone sneered defiantly.
"Midori-san, show them what you've got! Give it everything you've got!" a teammate urged passionately.
Fueled by their encouragement, the stout pitcher on the mound steeled himself and summoned his resolve.
"Alright!" he declared, his voice still muffled but several times louder than before.
Midori's large, fleshy hand clenched the ball tightly. Once Miyuki Kazuya was ready, he took a stride and unleashed the pitch.
Boom!
From the bystander's perspective, the Seidō players could vividly feel the immense power behind the pitch.
Yet Miyuki Kazuya, standing calmly in the batter's box, curled his lips in a subtle smirk as he eyed the ball.
"Come on!" he muttered under his breath.
It was as if he had been anticipating this very pitch all along.
As the ball drew near, he swung with unwavering decisiveness.
Also a first-year rookie, he didn't appear physically robust.
But his swing was worlds apart from Takumi's.
Beneath his clothes, well-defined muscles rippled.
Even a powerful curveball couldn't stop him.
Ping!
The Nanamori players' eyes widened at the sight.
Again?
Their once-dominant pitcher seemed to have turned into a harmless child facing Seidō's Second String batters.
The ball bounced upon landing.
The Nanamori third baseman dove but still couldn't reach it.
In the end, they could only watch as the ball rolled into the outfield.
"Safe!"
Miyuki Kazuya, at bat, bypassed first base and sprinted to second.
Meanwhile, Kadota Masaaki, originally on second, dashed home.
"Seidō scores their second run, 2-0."
"Wow!!!!"