Chapter 475: Seiko Match – Between Offense and Defense
"A… a home run…?! A HOME RUN!!!"
"It's gone! It's outta here!!! In the top of the 3rd inning, an unbelievable swing! The very first pitch—a splitter—was crushed by Seiko's 7th batter, Ogawa Tsunematsu! A towering blast to deep center field! This is the kind of play you expect from a team's hero! Not only did he pull his team out of danger in the first inning, but now, in the third, he's scored the game's first run—a home run by Seiko's freshman lefty pitcher, Ogawa Tsunematsu!!"
"What the hell?! No way!"
"Furuya's splitter actually got crushed?!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
"Seriously, that guy looked completely clueless!"
"Which makes it even more frustrating!"
"The first homer of the game… and it came from him?!"
"I… I can't even process this."
As the announcer's voice rang out, stunned murmurs exploded throughout the stands.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Ogawa, rounding the bases with a look of surprise, confusion, and smug satisfaction all mixed on his face.
Most spectators could only shake their heads.
How did that happen?
From the press section, every media camera snapped to focus on Ogawa.
Near the dugouts, Coach Raizou wore a complicated expression, muttering under his breath.
On the opposite side, Coach Kunimoto remained unfazed.
Next to Kunimoto, Narumiya Mei furrowed his brow slightly. His gaze shifted to the home plate—to Miyuki.
A peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.
...
"Haha! Tsunematsu, that was amazing!"
"Beautiful hit, Ogawa!"
"You trying to steal all the spotlight now, huh?!"
In Seiko's dugout, Nagata, Nishijima, Tamaki, and others roared with laughter and cheers. Even Masu smiled and shook his head.
This guy, really…
Masu looked at Ogawa as he trotted home, beaming ear to ear.
Inside, a strange excitement bubbled up.
...
The sides changed.
On Seidou's side, the expressions told it all—
On the field: Kuramochi, Maezono, Miyuki.
In the dugout: Coach Kataoka, Coach Ochiai.
In the stands: Yuuki and the others.
Every one of them showed some mix of seriousness, confusion, and shock.
In the stands, beside Rei Takashima, even Director Ota was panicking now, muttering Eijun's name over and over.
He was clearly recalling the game against Ugumori.
Next to him, Rei pursed her lips slightly. Her arms crossed, eyes locked on the mound—on Furuya, his cap slightly lowered. A flash of concern passed through her eyes.
"Furuya…"
"Furuya-kun…"
"Are you okay…?"
...
Out in left field, Eijun clenched his left hand tightly.
His expression soured.
That damn fat guy… really hit one out?
Gritting his teeth, Eijun glared toward the plate as Ogawa stomped across home.
If even Eijun was that frustrated—
Furuya, on the mound, was in even deeper turmoil.
Anger. Regret. Frustration.
All kinds of emotions swirled inside him.
But… not a hint of hesitation.
Hssshh… huuuh…
Furuya closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled.
What's done is done.
What matters now is what comes next.
That guy—he's been standing here this whole time, always fighting.
If I've fallen once, I can't fall again.
I absolutely… ABSOLUTELY won't give up this mound!
...
His head snapped up.
In his eyes—a blaze of unshakable resolve.
The heart of a warrior, burning with fierce determination.
At that moment, seeing Furuya's fierce, unwavering gaze—
Miyuki couldn't help but smirk slightly, a warm grin spreading across his face.
You've really grown up, huh, Furuya.
...
"Batting 8th, left fielder, Ikuta-kun."
"This pitcher looks pretty mentally fragile. Back in the game against Ugumori, once he got shaken up, he fell apart after two hits. If we can land another blow here, we might completely break him. Just watch me..."
"Whoosh!"
A razor-sharp pitch.
Intense velocity and overwhelming presence.
As the ball blazed toward the plate, Ikuta's pupils tracked the trajectory.
"What!?"
"Thud!"
Before he could react, the ball slammed into Miyuki's mitt with a sharp crack.
"Strike!!"
This guy…?!
Ikuta jerked his head up, eyes wide in disbelief as he looked at the pitcher's mound—where Furuya had already begun winding up again.
There was a chilling glint deep in Furuya's eyes.
One that made hearts clench.
"Whoosh!"
The next pitch roared in.
A flash of resolve sparked in Ikuta's gaze.
"Swoosh!"
He stepped forward and swung hard.
"Clang!"
The loud impact left his hands tingling.
His expression twisted.
"Whizz!"
"Thud!"
"Foul ball!!"
This brat…!!
"Whoosh!"
"Thud!"
"Strike three! Batter out!!"
"OHHHHH?!"
"Heh heh heh…"
"After taking a home run, Seidou's freshman pitcher Furuya shows no signs of collapse! With unwavering strength and tenacity, he strikes out Seiko's No. 8 batter on three pitches!!"
A swift, fierce counterattack.
It immediately cooled the rising momentum Seiko had started to build.
Among the audience, those who had seen the Ugumori game looked genuinely surprised.
They didn't expect Furuya to fall apart like that again—but to recover this fast?
That was unexpected.
In the dugout, Coach Kataoka and Ochiai both gave small nods of approval, their faces showing quiet satisfaction.
...
"Batting 9th, third baseman, Shirota-kun."
No explanation needed—
Just raw strength.
Unyielding will.
As long as the game isn't over, you can't give up.
A title like "ace," the concept of "gap in ability"—none of that matters.
Only those who keep standing, only those who keep fighting, have the right to chase victory.
That number.
That position.
It's not about being named the ace to gain recognition—
You must prove you're worthy through your performance.
That's how you become the ace.
...
"Whoosh!"
A flash of blazing white light.
A powerful form in motion.
Furuya, the power pitcher, would never again fall on this path he chose to pursue.
"Clang!"
A loud crack rang out.
In the batter's box, Shirota's expression darkened.
"Whoosh!"
The ball soared into the sky.
In right field, Shirasu had already positioned himself perfectly.
He calmly caught the ball with practiced ease.
"Smack!"
"Out!"
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