Clang!
Hanamichi's pitching wasn't bad— most hitters would struggle against him.
But standing in front of him now was Todoroki Raichi, a newly minted powerhouse from West Tokyo.
The baseball soared, tracing a perfect arc before landing in the stands behind the outfield wall. Children scrambled forward to grab it.
"I found it! This home run baseball is mine!" a little girl exclaimed, her innocent smile radiant.
"Oh! Out of the park!"
"A two-run hit keeps the score close!"
"Really? Two consecutive home runs?"
"Now we're only two points behind!"
"Here it comes! Yakushi High's counterattack!"
The commentator's excitement amplified the stadium atmosphere:
"In the bottom of the third inning, Yakushi High School's fourth batter, Todoroki Raichi, hits his second home run of the game! Yakushi has clawed back two runs, making the score 6-8. No outs, no runners. Up next: Kitamura Kou, freshman and solo home run hitter from the last inning! What amazing feat will he perform? Ladies and gentlemen, don't blink—another home run might be coming!"
The crowd erupted.
"Yakushi High! Yakushi High! Yakushi High!"
Even many Ichidaisan supporters joined in the roar.
"Wow! This match is insane! The stadium is practically cheering for Kou and his team they're incredible!" Tsukishima Wakaba shouted, her excitement contagious.
"Kou, do your best! Yakushi High, do your best!" Ichiyo and Momiji cheered alongside her.
Aoba Tsukishima, normally skeptical, was stunned. She had been to tense matches before, but a game where almost the entire crowd rooted against their own team was overwhelming.
Without realizing it, she found herself whispering, "Go for it, Yakushi! Go, Kou!"
"Damn it, he really knows how to turn the tide," Isashiki Jun muttered, displeased.
"From a spectator's view, an exciting match is worth more than who wins," Yuki Tetsuya said calmly.
Even Sawamura Eijun and Furuya Akira, unaccustomed to such charged atmospheres, stood frozen, palms sweating nervously.
"The score's only two points apart. Another home run could tie or even flip the game," Akiko Owada said, hand pressed to her chest.
"If they don't stop Yakushi's offense now, the game will tip in their favor," Mine Fujio added solemnly.
"Fifth batter, right fielder, Kitamura-san."
The crowd's roar surged, sending adrenaline coursing through Kitamura Kou. He felt his heart pounding in his chest, blood rushing to every extremity.
Ah… this is it—the thrill of tension, the rush of playing baseball at the edge. This is what I've been missing… this is amazing!
A bright smile spread across his face.
"Time out!" Coach Tahara called, noticing Hanamichi's tense, frustrated expression. The young pitcher was clearly rattled by the crowd, and Tahara knew a change was necessary.
"Requesting a substitution. Pitcher Hanamiya off for rest. Enter Pitcher Misaki."
"Hmph, doesn't matter who you put in. That brat's hitting might even surpass my idiot son's," Todoroki Raizo muttered, eyeing Kou's confident stance with a sinister grin.
Misaki stepped up, analyzing the batter. Kou's aura was calm, restrained not what you'd expect from a power hitter. If it weren't for his earlier solo shot, no one would take him seriously.
"There's no other way. We'll rely on tricky pitches and defense to take him down," Takami Akito decided.
Everyone adjusted, gloves ready. Misaki squared up and threw the first pitch.
"Not good!"
Nervousness and a slip of the fingers caused the ball to veer off course, hitting Kou near the head.
Kou reacted instantly, stepping back with perfect reflexes.
Snap!
The ball hit the edge of Misaki's glove and fell.
"Hey! Where are you throwing this, idiot?!"
"If you can't throw, get off the mound!" Yakushi students shouted.
Misaki removed his hat, bowing in apology. Kou's smile remained calm as he returned to the batter's box.
The brief incident seemed to relieve Misaki's tension, restoring his usual focus.
Takami signaled a corner pitch. Misaki readied himself and delivered:
High, outside corner, four-seam fastball, 138 km/h.
Kou analyzed the pitch instantly.
The stage is set. The crowd is alive. How could I let them down?
He swung decisively. The bat tore through the air, striking the ball perfectly.
Clang! Boom!
The sound rang out, followed by the delayed whoosh of the swing.
The ball shot straight toward the center field home run wall. Its trajectory was a laser-like line, unbroken, until it crashed into the stands.
"It's here! Another home run! What a home run feast for the audience! Score is now 7-8. Yakushi High pulls back one run with no outs. Their offense is unstoppable!" the commentator shouted.
The cheers lasted long and loud, echoing through the stadium.
Yakushi High School's offensive momentum was unstoppable.