"Time!" - Kasuga's third batter requested from the umpire, trying his best to calm himself down.
The umpire granted the time, forcing Shun and Daigo to pause and wait.
"Tch! Now they're quiet..." - Ren muttered irritably from second base as he looked at the Kasuga crowd. Since the third batter had called for time, they had stopped shouting, allowing him to fully concentrate on his duel with Shun.
After a few seconds, the third batter stepped back into the batter's box while receiving encouraging claps from the Kasuga crowd. Shun stood calmly on the mound, watching the batter as he listened to the loud noise coming from the stands.
However, Shun wasn't nervous because of the noise or the pressure. He could feel his whole body easily, sensing an oddly light yet surprisingly powerful sensation. Daigo signaled for a vertical slider to end the duel, but for the first time in the game, Shun shook his head, refusing the sign.
(17)