บท 93: [93] A Moment of Explosion
Chapter 93: A Moment of Explosion
"Strike!"
As the umpire's loud call echoed behind him, Eijun's expression shifted dramatically.
This was bad—he was being pressured!
Eijun felt a jolt of panic inside. He was now in a disadvantageous position. Didn't that guy care at all about using a forced scoring strategy!?
Unable to help himself, Eijun glanced over at You Shunshin and inwardly scoffed.
What a timeless poker face he has.
Was he already standing on the edge of a cliff?
A faint, bitter smile crept onto Eijun's lips. Just three pitches, and he was already being pressured.
He looked at the mound, where You Shunshin was slightly bent over, confirming the signs for the next pitch with the catcher. A wave of helplessness and frustration welled up inside Eijun.
He had sacrificed valuable practice time to hone his batting skills, yet he still hadn't made any breakthroughs.
Facing a pitcher of You Shunshin's caliber made him feel utterly powerless.
Maybe he was just being too anxious? It had only been three months since the start of the school year, and even if you counted from last year, it hadn't been more than ten months.
Batting wasn't something you could master overnight.
He seemed to need to come to terms with that.
Inside or outside? Straight pitch or curveball?
Was the next pitch going to determine the outcome, or was it a bait?
It felt like he lacked the ability to make the right judgment, and he didn't have the experience or skill to face this head-on.
Was he about to get out?
At that moment, a hint of self-defeat washed over him. Perhaps this summer, he should just focus on pitching and bunting.
Scoring was ultimately the responsibility of the upperclassmen.
Watching You Shunshin's movements on the mound, Eijun couldn't help but think this way.
Yet deep inside, that relentless feeling of discontent continued to sting and erode Eijun.
It was as if a voice inside him was accusing him of not giving up so easily.
"An ace never retreats!!!"
Suddenly, a powerful voice exploded in his ears like a thunderclap, jolting Eijun. An ace never retreats, no matter the battlefield or the situation.
Even if there's just a sliver of hope, he had to seize it.
How could he give up hope when he hadn't fully descended into despair yet!?
In that moment, Eijun's eyes filled with determination.
See through him, penetrate his tactics, and make the most accurate response.
Eijun's mind sharpened like never before.
Even if it meant gambling everything, even if it was just a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he would risk it all for that minuscule possibility!!!!
With his left leg raised high, his arm poised to swing, Eijun's gaze became steely.
"Sawamura, You is an excellent pitcher. You have much to learn from him in this game," a voice from earlier echoed in his mind.
Learn from him?
In this game!?
Eijun suddenly snapped to attention.
Yes, if I were on the mound right now, if I were You Shunshin, how would I pitch the next ball?
How would I approach this batter?
How would my senior, Miyuki, call the pitches?
The first pitch was an inside fastball, the second a high outside ball that was a ball, and the third was a high outside strike.
So, what about the next pitch?
"Whoosh!"
A bright light shot forth, and the sharp energy of the ball surged forward, illuminating Eijun's mind.
It was the decisive pitch—an inside fastball!!!
A glimmer of determination shone in Eijun's eyes. He took a step forward, lowered his bat, and swung with unyielding force.
He didn't know if his judgment was right.
But at the very least, this was his final decision, the path he had chosen. With the momentum of charging straight ahead, he resolved to push forward with all his might!!!
"Swish!"
The bat sliced through the air, channeling Eijun's willpower.
The ball was almost upon him, piercing straight into his heart.
An inside fastball!!!!
A perfect prediction, a precise angle.
"Crack!!!!"
The bat made an incredibly precise contact with the ball, producing a sharp sound that echoed in the air.
Brilliant flashes of light danced around home plate.
"Whoosh!"
As the ball soared skyward, You Shunshin on the mound wore an expression of disbelief.
The two energies—the soaring ball and the shocked pitcher—created a beautiful spectacle!!!
"Center field!!!"
At that moment, as the ball sped away, the catcher's expression changed dramatically, and he sprang to his feet, shouting loudly.
Simultaneously, the spectators held their breath, their eyes glued to the dazzling white light streaking across the sky. No one had expected this first-year pitcher, who had been pushed to a corner, to mount such a fierce counterattack.
This was an unexpected, powerful hit that shocked everyone.
Faster, faster, faster!!!
The lack of sheer power meant that Eijun's hit wasn't exceptionally fast. If he hadn't precisely caught the sweet spot of the bat, the ball might not have even reached the outfield.
This gave the center fielder from Akikawa High a slim chance to make a play.
He sprinted forward, his eyes locked on the ball soaring above.
At that moment, all eyes were on Akikawa High's center fielder, the crowd's attention focused solely on him.
Step by step, the ball flew at breakneck speed while he dashed forward.
Victory or defeat would be decided in these few seconds!!
The white light tilted and began to drop.
With just two strides between them, the center fielder judged the ball's trajectory. If he didn't act now, it would be too late. Gritting his teeth, he extended his left arm for the catch.
He leaped forward, but the ball was still just out of reach.
As the ball descended, his glove reached out.
"Just drop down already!!!!"
Inside, Eijun screamed at the top of his lungs!!!!
They were so close—just a step apart, yet it felt like a chasm separating them!!!!
"Thud!!!!"
"It's down!!!! Eijun Sawamura of Seido High, with a timely hit in this situation!!!!"
The announcer's voice rang out, high and clear.
In that same moment, Miyuki and Furuya, sprinting back toward home plate as the ball hit the ground, epitomized the spirit of the game, a fiery display of passion. For Akikawa High, however, it felt like a tragic blow.
So hard to accept.
In the direction of center field, along the line of a powerful hit, Eijun had successfully executed his swing, reaching second base while securing an early score for Seido High.
This was Eijun's first timely hit of the tournament.
Two RBIs.
His dazzling jersey number and vibrant figure shone brightly.
At this moment, the image of the future ace was clearer than ever!!!!
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