"The first semi-final match of the West Tokyo Regional Baseball Tournament."
"The game between Seido High School and Inashiro Industrial High School officially begins!"
As the announcement faded, both teams entered the field.
In the first inning, Inashiro Industrial batted first.
The first to step into the batter's box was Inashiro's rookie first-year, the center fielder, Carlos.
Starting the game, Carlos grinned excitedly; even with Seido's third-year pitcher, the former Ace Nanjo Taishi, standing opposite him, Carlos still looked eager to play.
At the catcher's position, Tanaka Wataru observed Carlos for a few seconds.
"This guy's thighs are so muscular!"
As expected of someone who could compete with Kuramochi in speed. Against a player like this, they needed to suppress him inside the batter's box. If the bat even grazed the baseball, his speed alone could turn a low-quality hit into an infield single.
On the mound, Nanjo Taishi also curiously watched the dark-skinned rookie. His build was powerful, his arms thick — clearly the explosive type.
Nanjo Taishi and Tanaka Wataru exchanged a glance. They had the same idea.
Without hesitation, after seeing the signal from Tanaka Wataru, Nanjo Taishi threw immediately.
A straight pitch — inside corner.
Carlos extended both hands, lowering his stance.
Bunt!!
The crowd gasped.
He was bunting on the very first pitch!?
Bang!
The ball bounced toward Third Base. A dark blur shot out of the batter's box.
Azuma Kiyokuni rushed forward, scooped the ball, and fired to First Base — but the throw was a step too late.
"Safe!"
Carlos blasted across the bag just as the ball reached Yuki's glove.
"So fast!!"
"That's insane!"
"That's just cheating speed!"
"That's also baseball."
The audience buzzed, but Seido's dugout remained unusually calm.
Letting a speed demon like Carlos onto base meant enormous pressure.
"Nanjo, don't mind him!"
"Focus on the batter!"
"Forget the runner!"
His teammates shouted support behind him.
Nanjo Taishi glanced at Carlos. He wasn't shaken. The pitch had been fine — he just didn't expect a first-pitch bunt.
Next, the second batter stepped up — a small-built right fielder.
"Pop!"
"Strike!"
"Pop!"
"Strike!"
Two strikes in a row.
Tanaka Wataru called for a borderline outside pitch. Nanjo Taishi nodded.
"Pop!"
"Strikeout!"
One out.
Next came the third batter — the captain, Hada Kazuki — a powerhouse hitter.
Nanjo Taishi let out a long breath. Goosebumps prickled his skin.
"In good condition today…" he murmured.
Tanaka Wataru realized the same thing.
"Alright, let's take down their captain!"
The first pitch flew from Nanjo Taishi's hand.
Whoosh!
The high-speed slider cut through the air.
"Strike!"
Hada Kazuki narrowed his eyes. The pitch was nastier than expected.
Another signal.
A cutter.
Hada Kazuki swung hard again.
"Strike!"
Two strikes.
But Tanaka felt no relief. These swings were full of menace — the type that could punish even a slight mistake.
Let's try a waste pitch.
Nanjo Taishi threw outside.
"Ball!"
Hada Kazuki smirked slightly. He had gambled correctly.
Tanaka Wataru didn't mind. That pitch was meant to test him.
Next signal — low and inside.
Nanjo Taishi hurled a straight pitch.
Hada Kazuki swung.
Bang!!
The ball screamed toward the infield.
Carlos immediately took off for Second Base.
But—
"Pop!!"
Seido's shortstop Shida Shota dove across the dirt, catching the ball mid-air!
Before even landing, he flicked the ball to Kominato Ryosuke, who fired to First Base—
"Double play!!"
"WOAHHHHH!!"
"Shida!!"
"Incredible!"
"That was insane!"
The crowd roared.
Hada Kazuki stood frozen, stunned.
"That… got caught?"
Carlos, halfway to Second, was equally speechless. He had finally gotten on base — only to be erased instantly.
Meanwhile, the Seido dugout exploded like a zoo.
"Shida, that was crazy!"
"Did you seriously catch that!?"
"Hahaha, respect!"
Shida Shota simply grinned as the team swarmed him with praise.
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