"I see Narumiya Mei is still full of vigor. His stamina really is abnormal," Kuramochi muttered.
Kanzaki Ryou nodded as he slipped on his glove.
"His stamina and willpower are among the best for a pitcher. We can't relax yet—we have to keep putting pressure on him at the plate."
Kuramochi hummed in agreement. Coach Kataoka had already emphasized this countless times.
"Let's go. It's time," Kanzaki said.
He stood up, took a sip of water Miyuki handed him, and walked out of the dugout.
Top of the Seventh Inning
Inashiro Industrial went on the attack, but Kanzaki Ryou calmly dealt with the lower part of their batting order as he had all game.
Soon after, Seido went on offense.
This time, facing Narumiya Mei, Kanzaki Ryou connected cleanly with a Forkball and sent it into left field, reaching first base safely.
Miyuki followed by battling Mei to a full count before driving a base hit of his own, advancing Kanzaki to second while taking first himself.
No outs. Runners on first and second.
Narumiya Mei glanced toward Kanzaki Ryou, then toward Miyuki at first base.
These two—his greatest rivals throughout his high school career—had joined forces to create a critical scoring chance for Seido.
His fighting spirit surged, his fingers trembling slightly.
I won't let you score so easily.
Narumiya Mei reared back and fired.
Seido's seventh batter, Masuko Toru, swung with all his might—but failed to continue the rally, striking out on three pitches.
Next, the eighth batter, Sakai Ichiro, also went down swinging.
Two outs. Runners still on first and second.
Seido's ninth batter, Shirasu, stepped into the box.
Everyone's attention locked onto him.
Shirasu narrowed his eyes at Narumiya Mei. He had been struck out in his previous at-bats—but this time was different. He had to do something.
"Shirasu! Hit it!"
"Go for it!!"
Shouts rang out from the dugout, but Shirasu remained calm, his eyes never leaving the pitcher.
After two quick strikes, Narumiya Mei delivered another fastball to the outside corner.
Shirasu's bat snapped forward.
Crack!
The ball flew into right field.
Kanzaki Ryou took off immediately, rounding second and sliding into third—just one step away from home.
"Nice!"
"Shirasu!!"
The dugout erupted. Even the fans were stunned—no one had expected Shirasu to get a hit off Narumiya Mei at such a critical moment.
From third base, Kanzaki nodded at Shirasu, then shifted his gaze to Kuramochi Yoichi stepping into the batter's box.
Now, all the pressure was on him.
"Yahahaha! Figures it'd be my turn at a time like this," Kuramochi laughed, taking a few fierce practice swings.
Masatoshi Harada lifted his head slightly and exchanged a look with Narumiya Mei.
Even though Kuramochi hadn't gotten on base all game, neither of them dared to underestimate him—especially not now.
No one gets careless with runners in scoring position.
Whoosh!
Kuramochi swung hard.
"Strike!"
A low outside fastball—swing and miss.
The next pitch was an inside slider. Kuramochi barely nicked it foul.
He loosened his grip, sweat soaking his palms.
This chance… I can't waste it.
Whoosh!
Narumiya Mei fired again.
Kuramochi roared and swung with everything he had—
"Strike!"
The umpire's call echoed across the field.
Seido failed to capitalize.
As the teams switched sides, Kanzaki Ryou and Narumiya Mei exchanged a brief glance. Kanzaki could clearly sense the faint trace of triumph in Mei's eyes.
"So close…" Kuramochi muttered, tugging at his hair.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of," Kanzaki said calmly. "We'll get another chance."
"Yeah," Shirasu nodded firmly.
Top of the Eighth Inning
Carlos immediately squared to bunt, pushing one of Kanzaki Ryou's fastballs forward.
With his explosive speed, he barely beat the throw and reached first safely.
The crowd roared.
From the dugout, Kuramochi clenched his teeth. As a speedster, watching Carlos get on base while he hadn't all game stung deeply.
Kanzaki Ryou remained unfazed.
He quickly retired Shirakawa Katsuyuki and Yoshizawa Hideaki, bringing up Inashiro Industrial's cleanup hitter—
Masatoshi Harada.
Whenever they faced the opposing cleanup hitter, both Aces brought out their best.
This time was no different.
Kanzaki's first pitch screamed in at 155 km/h.
"Strike!"
Harada didn't swing.
His eyes stayed locked on Kanzaki Ryou.
That stillness made Kanzaki wary.
After a brief exchange with Miyuki, the second pitch came—a Changeup.
Still no swing.
Two strikes.
So patient… Miyuki frowned.
Since you're willing to wait, let's see if you'll gamble.
The sign went up: Slider.
Kanzaki nodded.
Whoosh!
Just as the pitch began to break—
Harada stepped forward and unleashed a powerful swing before the ball could deviate.
Bang!!
The ball soared high toward right field.
Carlos instantly took off, racing all the way to third base.
The stadium exploded.
"Captain!!!"
"Nice!!"
Inashiro Industrial's supporters erupted with joy. At last—hope.
Kanzaki Ryou can be scored on!
Kanzaki clicked his tongue.
He hadn't made a mistake—that hit was pure skill.
Runners on first and third.
Just one more out…
The celebration felt premature.
Then—
Narumiya Mei stepped into the batter's box as Inashiro Industrial's fifth batter, carrying everyone's expectations on his shoulders.
Their eyes met across the field.
In that instant, the air crackled.
Two Aces.
One moment.
Neither willing to back down.
Their fighting spirit ignited simultaneously.