Watching Eijun's back as he walked off the field…
Furuya clenched the baseball tightly in his hand.
Resolve. Determination. Pride. Duty. The team's battle.
All of it swirled through Furuya's mind in that mont.
It was as if, right then, he finally understood sothing—
The true weight of that jersey number.
The responsibility it carried was far heavier than he had imagined. Maybe he'd never catch up to that man, not in this lifeti.
But even so—
Even so, I swear I'll catch up to you in this lifeti!!!
A fierce blue fla of unwavering resolve burned in Furuya's eyes.
This was the determination of a true power pitcher!
Eijun's departure left the mound in montary silence.
Then, after a brief pause—
"Pfft."
A familiar chuckle broke the stillness.
Everyone looked up. Of course—it was their ever-scheming captain.
They turned to see Miyuki pulling exaggerated faces at Kuramochi.
"Well, well... never thought I'd see the day. Kuramochi, you really do have a sentintal side, huh? Hahaha!"
That teasing grin and playful jab shattered the somber atmosphere that had filled the air just monts ago.
Haruichi and Toujou blinked in confusion.
Maezono looked completely dumbfounded.
Kuramochi's expression froze.
As for the clueless pitcher himself, Furuya, he looked like he still hadn't caught on to what was happening.
"Hey, hey, hey," they all thought. "We're losing right now. Our ace just left the ga injured, and you, the captain and starting catcher, are acting this laid-back? Are you serious?"
Maezono, Haruichi, Toujou, and the rest could only stare at Miyuki in disbelief.
Kuramochi rolled his eyes and snapped, "What? Got a problem?"
Seriously… he had finally said sothing heartfelt for once, and Miyuki just had to ruin the mood.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I couldn't help it," Miyuki said, laughing even harder. "It's just... so unlike you! Hahaha… oh man, I can't…"
On the field, in the stands, even on the benches—everyone, more than ten thousand people present, looked toward the mound with question marks on their faces.
Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a crisis? They just got hit with a ho run, their ace got taken out… so why were Seidou's players laughing?
Ninety-nine point nine percent of the crowd looked confused.
Were they watching a different ga? Wasn't it Inashiro that was supposed to be in control?
Because that laughter—so clear, so joyous—coming from the heart of the field…
Miyuki's expression, full of genuine amusent, was contagious.
Kuramochi's face turned dark.
Seriously?! We're still in a match, damn it! Can you please act your part? You're smiling? SMILING?! Smile one more ti, I dare you!
...Well.
He did dare. And of course, Miyuki did smile again.
Kuramochi deflated. He knew there was just no getting through to this guy.
Haruichi, Maezono, and the others glanced at each other, speechless.
And Furuya? He blinked a few tis, as blank as ever.
But little by little...
The heavy, tense atmosphere that had blanketed the team began to lift, erased by Miyuki's laughter.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop laughing now," Miyuki said, wiping the corners of his eyes. "But seriously… looks like it's finally ti for us upperclassn to step up. And hey, Kuramochi—you're actually pretty reliable, huh?"
"Hmph," Kuramochi snorted, turning away with a pout.
Out of sight, out of mind. Out of sight, out of mind...
"Base is clear right now," Miyuki continued, gently patting Furuya on the shoulder with a relaxed smile. "Just aim low with your pitches—like you did back at the Seiko match. That'll do."
That calm expression of his…
It lted away all the pressure building in Furuya's chest.
"Got it, Miyuki-senpai."
Furuya nodded with his usual calm face.
Good. His body wasn't stiff anymore.
In a place no one noticed, a faint look of relief passed through Miyuki's eyes.
"Alright then—let's go."
"OOHHHH!!"
Kuramochi was right—Eijun had fulfilled his role as the ace. He had done more than enough.
Now it was their turn—the upperclassn.
They couldn't always rely on the underclassn to carry the team!
As Miyuki turned back around, the smile on his face vanished.
His right hand clenched into a fist, his expression firm.
Win.
We have to win this ga.
In his mind, the image of Eijun's determined face rose once again.
It was the first ti he had felt so pale.
The first ti he had felt so powerless.
And the first ti Miyuki had hated himself this much.
Relying on that underclassman had already beco a shaful habit.
They had always counted on having such a reliable junior on the mound.
But this can't go on!!!
This isn't a battle that one person fights alone.
This is a team's fight!!
Only victory matters!!
We must win this ga!!
The dignity of champions.
The leadership of a true captain.
Within Miyuki, a fierce resolve surged—its edge baring like fangs.
"Cleanup hitter, pitcher, Narumiya-kun."
The Tokyo Prince stood on the mound with his usual calm expression.
That sa cold air still lingered around him.
But Miyuki could clearly feel it now—his aura had grown even colder.
What he didn't know…
Was that beneath that calm facade, the Tokyo Prince's emotions were raging like a storming sea.
Damn it. Bastard. Damn you all!!!!
I haven't beaten you with my own hands yet—how could you just leave the ga like that?!
Sawamura Eijun!!!!
For a player like Narumiya i—
Losing the ga was painful, sure.
But what was even more agonizing…
Was being denied the chance to erase his sha with his own hands.
Don't even bring up that RBI single in the first inning.
If Narumiya didn't realize that run was just a fluke—a lucky break—then he must be out of his mind.
Hah?
"Luck is part of strength"?
You say what?
As the ace of Inashiro, as Tokyo's Prince—how could he ever accept that?!
True strength...
True victory...
It's sothing you seize with your own hands.
Only when you win fair and square does it have aning!!!
"Damn you, Sawamura Eijun… Damn you, Seidou High School!!!"
Fuming with rage—
The Prince was already in full fury mode.
All of you… are nothing but bastards!!!!
"Playball!"
The umpire's voice rang out.
All eyes in the stadium instantly turned to the space between ho plate and the mound.
Seidou, now without its ace...
In this dire mont, how would their relief pitcher Furuya perform?
Would Inashiro finally hamr down the win?
On the mound—stood the power pitcher.
Furuya took a deep breath.
Behind the plate, Miyuki extended his right arm and slowly raised his mitt into position.
It's okay. I can do this.
No problem. I'll shut them down!!!
Boom!
His left leg rose high—then slamd down with force.
His body surged into motion.
Whoosh!
A flash of cold light streaked through the air.
A fierce, explosive motion.
Carrying the will of the ace on his back—
This battle isn't over yet!!!
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