Chapter 482: Seiko Match – Trusted Teammates
"Fifth batter, second baseman, Tamaki!"
No outs. Runners on second and third. And now, Seiko High's clean-up batter steps into the box.
For Seidou…
For Furuya…
This was another massive hurdle to clear.
At home plate, Miyuki threw a questioning glance toward the dugout. Eijun's gaze also drifted momentarily in the same direction.
Coach Kataoka, wearing a solemn expression, gave them both a small nod—his fist slightly clenched.
"Let it go. We've got the lead. It's okay to give up one run—but what's crucial is getting that first out."
He had no intention of pulling Sawamura out here.
To do so now would signal a lack of faith in him—and that wouldn't help his growth at all. If you want to raise a pitcher into an ace, you have to let them face moments like this. Let them endure and overcome.
Of course, that was just one reason.
More importantly, the current game situation still favored Seidou.
They were in the lead.
That gave them the margin to take this risk. On top of that, Furuya wasn't in bad form.
The previous pitch wasn't careless or misplaced—it was simply outdone by the batter's skill.
Only one run had been lost.
And this situation? It was still a toss-up.
Coach Kataoka was placing his trust in Furuya.
Besides—frankly speaking—even switching to Eijun right now didn't guarantee they could prevent the run.
With runners on third and no outs, Seiko had far too many offensive options.
The signal from the dugout gave Miyuki clarity.
And on the mound, Furuya clenched his right hand tightly.
This… was the trust of the bench.
"Let's go, Tamaki! The advantage is all yours!"
"Furuya, be aggressive!"
"Tamaki, just one big hit—you'll flip the score!"
"Even a grounder through the infield ties the game! Do it, Tamaki!"
"Push through, Furuya!"
The atmosphere was on fire.
The benches, the crowd—every eye was focused on the center of the field: on Furuya.
Would the power pitcher launch a counterattack?
Or would the relentless Seiko lineup break through?
The stage was set.
Furuya stood firm, expression cold and resolute.
Tamaki grinned, fierce and unyielding.
"Play ball!"
First pitch: inside fastball!
Miyuki's eyes narrowed with sharp intensity.
Furuya's motion flowed smoothly.
Whoosh!
The white streak roared through the air.
From the batter's box, Tamaki stepped with power.
Swoosh!
His metal bat sliced forward, catching the glint of the approaching pitch.
Boom!
A thunderous crack!
"Strike one!"
He still has that much velocity and power?! This kid…
Tamaki tilted his head slightly, an icy look spreading across his face.
Breathing heavily, he re-entered his stance.
Second pitch: outside fastball.
Whizz—Ping—Thud!
"Foul ball!"
Third pitch: outside ball.
Whizz—Ping—Thud!
"Foul ball!"
Fourth pitch…
Tamaki was swinging with sheer emotion. Whether the pitch was a strike or a ball, as long as it was within his strike zone, he unleashed with full power.
Every swing carried force.
Every swing radiated pressure.
From the mound, Furuya could feel the overwhelming intensity of that bat—of that powerful batting lineup bearing down on him.
The pressure coming from their brute strength… it was suffocating.
"Ha… hoo…"
Furuya took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose focus. I can't collapse here—not now.
Gradually, he gathered all of his strength.
Don't hesitate.
What he had to do was simple.
His target stood right before him.
"Whoosh!"
How could I fall here?!
That overwhelming energy surged within him.
His body erupted into motion.
Furuya's leaping form burst forward.
"Fsshh"
A piercing force was unleashed into the air.
All I have to do… is throw my best pitch into that mitt!
A flash of white.
As the gleam burst forth—
A heavy presence swept through the field.
Got him!
At the plate, Tamaki's pupils gleamed with a hint of bloodlust.
Suddenly, his foot stomped down with force.
"Swish!"
He swung with everything he had.
"Ping!!"
A harsh, sharp sound rang out.
The ball compressed violently on contact, and Tamaki's brow furrowed.
This pitch… it's stronger than the last!?
"Damn it! Get outta here!!"
He roared inwardly.
Pouring every ounce of his strength into the swing—
Tamaki forced the ball forward as both Furuya and Miyuki's eyes went wide.
"Fwoosh!"
The ball shot out.
"Bang!"
It struck the ground hard.
Although the pitch had been heavy enough to hold the ball within the infield, it took a tricky bounce.
It ricocheted toward the right side of the mound—
—a spot that was tough for any infielder to reach in time.
Tamaki flung his bat aside and sprinted toward first base.
From third, Kojima Ryuhei made a beeline for home.
"OOOOHHHH!!"
The infield erupted with movement.
The audience collectively held its breath.
Would the reigning kings hold the line?
Or would the power hitters break through and score again?
"Get through!!"
Tamaki screamed inside as he dashed down the baseline.
As if Heaven had heard his plea, the ball skipped past Furuya's outstretched glove—
—and seemed headed for the wide-open outfield.
But just then—
"Whoosh!"
As Seiko High's players began to show signs of elation—
a flash of blue and white streaked in front of the ball.
Pink bangs. A small frame.
Blazing-fast reflexes.
It was Haruichi Kominato, extending his glove at a bizarre angle to stop the ball in its tracks.
"Smack!"
In the corner of his eye—
Ryuhei was charging toward home at full speed.
Haruichi's eyes sharpened.
Just then, Kuramochi appeared at his side.
With a smooth flick of the wrist, Haruichi threw the ball out of his glove—
A perfect connection.
Kuramochi caught it cleanly with his right hand—
and fired it to home plate.
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
Just before Kojima could touch the plate—
Miyuki made a flawless catch, pulling the ball into his mitt.
Then, with a forceful motion, he spun and hurled it toward first base.
"Pop!"
"Out! Double play!!"
A perfect double play at home and first.
A stonewall defense from the middle infield.
A brilliant, flawless sequence.
From no outs and runners on second and third—to two outs, runner only on third, in an instant!
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