"SWOOSH!!!"
Tetsuya Yuuki's unwavering yet thunderous swing once again cut through the air above home plate.
But this time—
There was no sound of contact.
No impact.
No resistance from the bat.
"…Did I miss?"
For the first time, Tetsuya Yuuki's calm expression cracked. Confusion, disbelief, and frustration flickered across his face.
Smack!!!
A moment later, the sound of the ball hitting Akaishi Osamu's glove reached his ears.
"Strikes three! Batter out! Side retired!!!"
The umpire's voice rang out louder than ever, echoing through the stadium after the intense duel.
"A… change-up?!"
Yuuki stood frozen, staring blankly at Kitamura Kou, who was now surrounded by his teammates. It was as if he still couldn't accept what had just happened—like he wanted another chance at that duel.
"Hey, the inning's over."
Only after hearing the umpire again did Yuuki finally turn and walk away from the batter's box, shoulders heavy with disappointment.
Seido High School's bench fell into complete silence.
Before the game, they had expected a tough match—
But not like this.
After eight innings, they were still trailing by two runs.
Despite constantly applying pressure, those two runs now felt like an insurmountable gap.
A chasm.
They stood on one side—
Victory was on the other.
And between them stood the freshman pitcher.
Like an ancient god—or a demon risen from the abyss—
Barred fangs, untouchable.
"Are you satisfied now? Don't drag me into it when Coach starts yelling at you," Akaishi Osamu said, glancing at Kitamura Kou as they walked back.
"Huh? But didn't you say you'd take the blame with me?" Kitamura Kou asked, stunned.
"Did I? I don't remember saying that." Akaishi replied casually, a teasing smile on his face.
"But your expression clearly said—"
Before Kitamura could argue further, Nakanishi Daiki rushed over.
"Kou! That was insane! All three pitches right down the middle! Hahaha!" he laughed, repeatedly slapping Kou on the back.
"No it's not." Kou said.
"Only three outs left! I can't wait! I wish the game would just end already!"
"Hahaha…!"
Yakushi High School's bench was overflowing with excitement.
"Don't let your guard down!" Todoroki Raizo cut in sharply.
"Our opponent isn't weak. They will definitely launch a final counterattack. Don't get careless and throw this away at the last moment."
Then, softening slightly, he added with a smile:
"But before that—it's our turn to attack. Don't hold back. Go crush them."
The players, momentarily startled, quickly regained their energy, eager to return to the field.
"So, Aoba… have you figured it out yet?" Tsukishima Wakaba asked teasingly.
But Tsukishima Aoba didn't respond.
She simply stared at Kitamura Kou—
Completely stunned by his bold performance.
"Yuki… he actually…" Manager Oota's voice finally broke the silence.
Tetsuya Yuuki had always been Seido's pillar.
Whenever the team faced crisis, he would step forward—his powerful swing turning the tide and leading them to victory.
And yet—
At the most critical moment—
He had been struck out.
How could they not feel shaken?
"The game isn't over yet. Are you all just going to give up?"
Koichiro Tanba's voice rang out—firm, serious.
"Are you willing to let our summer end like this?"
He clenched his fists.
"I won't. I refuse to let my high school baseball career end with regrets."
"In the top of the ninth, I'll shut them down."
"Then it's up to you—seize the last opportunity and turn this game around!"
"Hmph! Who said we're giving up?! I'm not that kind of guy!" Jun Isashiki shouted immediately.
"You did slightly better and now you're lecturing us?" Kominato Ryosuke said with a sly smile, returning to his usual teasing self.
"Haha, Kominato-senpai is as sharp as ever," Kuramochi Yoichi added.
"I'm sorry, everyone… I couldn't meet your expectations," Tanba said sincerely.
"But I won't make the same mistake on defense again. So—trust me and pitch without hesitation."
"Ugh!" Masuko Toru added something incomprehensible as usual.
Furuya Satoru and Sawamura Eijun looked at Tanba with admiration, silently making a vow:
So cool… I want to become an ace like him.
Seeing their fighting spirit reignited, Miyuki Kazuya's usual playful smile disappeared.
In its place—
Pure determination.
I won't let our seniors' summer end like this.
Coach Kataoka watched them, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
No matter the result—
This experience would shape them.
Clapping his hands, he drew their attention.
"I'm glad to see this resolve."
"The game isn't over yet."
"So go—play without regrets!"
The team smiled, forming a circle once more.
Hands stacked together.
"One! Two! Three!"
"Go Seido!!! Whoa—!!!"