On the mound, Furuya heard Sawamura's shouting. His face remained expressionless, but inside, he felt like strangling that loudmouth.
After receiving Miyuki's sign, Furuya delivered the pitch with explosive force.
Bang!
Akikawa's sixth batter squared to bunt. The ball shot off the bat and ricocheted past Furuya before he could recover his balance. Having just completed his pitching motion, he could only watch helplessly as it skipped by.
The batter reached first safely. Haruichi's quick throw wasn't enough to stop You Shunshin from scoring.
Akikawa was finally on the board.
Their dugout erupted in celebration, cheering as if they had already won the game.
"With that run, Akikawa's momentum just surged," Kanzaki Ryou observed calmly.
"Yeah," Kawakami nodded. "If we don't shut them down fast, they'll make things very uncomfortable for Furuya."
"Well, we're not losing this game," Kanzaki said. "Now it depends on how Furuya responds."
Almost as if on cue, Furuya fired his first pitch to the seventh batter. The white ball cut close to the batter's chest.
"Nice!" Miyuki shouted, popping up from his crouch.
"That's it, Furuya!"
"Don't tense up!"
"One at a time!"
Encouragement poured in from behind him.
Furuya glanced at the ball in his hand—it was slick with sweat. He grabbed the rosin bag, dusted his palm, and looked toward home plate.
Miyuki had called for a forkball.
Furuya hesitated. The last forkball he'd thrown had been poorly executed, leading to You Shunshin's long hit to left.
Should I really throw it?
Miyuki read his hesitation immediately.
"Trust it. If your stuff isn't perfect, rely on your fielders."
The silent message came through clearly.
Furuya nodded. Though drenched in sweat, the game was far from over. He hadn't pitched terribly—but it wasn't good enough for him.
He stared at the batter and released the ball.
The velocity was lower—under 145 km/h—but the forkball dropped cleanly this time. The break wasn't dramatic, yet it was enough. The batter chopped it toward third.
"Arima!"
As the crowd shouted, Arima Kazusa appeared in front of the ball, gloving it smoothly before firing to first.
Out!
Top of the sixth—over.
Miyuki walked over and slung an arm around Furuya's shoulder.
"Not bad. You lowered your velocity for control today. That's growth."
But Furuya wasn't reassured.
"I gave up a run."
"It's one run," Yuki said firmly. "We'll take it back."
"Pitch with confidence. Leave the rest to us."
Isashiki Jun grinned. "Just don't walk anyone. That's when you're in trouble."
Back in the dugout, teammates shoved towels and drinks into Furuya's hands.
"Drink water!"
"No, give him salt water—look how much he's sweating!"
Kanzaki chuckled. "Looks like sun-training will continue after this game."
Furuya visibly flinched and shot him a pleading look.
"Hehe. Hydrate and get ready to hit," Kanzaki added.
Bottom of the Sixth
Arima Kazusa led off but was jammed by an inside fastball, popping out infield. Shirasu grounded out soon after.
Then Furuya stepped up to bat.
Despite the heat, his competitive spirit burned undiminished.
On the mound, You Shunshin admired the intensity in Furuya's eyes but admiration didn't mean mercy.
A chest-high fastball. Swing and miss. Strike one.
An outside curveball. Swing and miss again.
On the third pitch, You Shunshin tempted him with a ball outside the zone. Furuya chased and grounded weakly to first.
Inning over.
Score: Seido 7, Akikawa 1.
Furuya looked steadier. He retired the eighth and ninth batters quickly. The leadoff hitter attempted a bunt, but it rolled straight to the mound. Furuya scooped it up and fired to first.
Three up, three down.
In the bottom half, You Shunshin showed no signs of fatigue, retiring Kuramochi, Kominato, and Isashiki in order.
Without surprise, Coach Kataoka stepped from the dugout.
The announcement echoed across the stadium:
"Number nine, Furuya, is replaced. The pitcher is Sawamura."
Sawamura burst onto the field, laughing confidently.
"That kid's too cocky," Kanzaki smirked. "Hope he doesn't embarrass himself."
Furuya sat quietly, watching Sawamura's back. It wasn't resentment at being replaced it was frustration. He hadn't performed the way he wanted. If only he could've pitched the complete game…
A large hand landed on his shoulder.
"What's with that face?"
Furuya looked up. "Kanzaki-senpai… did I pitch badly today?"
The dugout fell momentarily quiet.
Truthfully, Furuya hadn't been sharp. But considering the oppressive summer heat and the adjustments he'd made—lowering velocity for control, trusting his defense—there had been clear growth.
All eyes turned to Kanzaki.