Chapter 560: The Seniors' Explosive Opening
It was also partly Miyuki's carelessness at the start.
After all, that high fastball problem—Furuya had shown clear improvement in recent tournaments.
Most opponents had found it difficult to target such a flaw.
No one expected the third-years to seize on it as their opening strategy.
So that's what you're trying to tell us, huh, Chris-senpai?
That even the smallest flaws must be addressed.
Miyuki caught sight of Chris on the seniors' bench, smiling faintly.
He thought to himself:
So this is really a special battle, Chris-senpai… In that case, I won't be holding back either.
A sharp light flickered in his eyes.
....
"Second batter, second baseman, Kominato-kun."
That familiar mild smile, those half-closed eyes—
Seidou's very own pink demon, Kominato Ryousuke.
To be honest, even if Eijun were on the mound,
the senior he least wanted to face was Ryousuke.
Not because Ryousuke was the strongest—in terms of raw power, Yuuki-senpai and even Isashiki-senpai outclassed him.
But for a pitcher, Ryousuke was the worst kind of batter: the type who could toy with you, bait you, and get under your skin with ease.
....
Whoosh!
Swish!
Ping!
Bang!
"Foul ball!!!"
Like right now.
"Your power's not bad, but the angle's still a little off, Furuya-kun."
Ryousuke spoke with that same calm, smiling demeanor, twirling his bat lightly—as if to say: No matter where you throw it, I can hit it.
On the mound, Furuya clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Tch… Still just as annoying, Kominato-senpai."
Behind the plate, Miyuki raised an eyebrow, thinking:
Alright then. How about this one?
His fingers flicked out a new sign—a fast forkball, straight down the middle.
Throw it hard, like you're spiking it into the ground.
"Mm."
Furuya nodded.
He raised his arm high—and at that moment, in the batter's box, Ryousuke's eyes sharpened.
That dangerous signal rang in his instincts.
Here it comes—the deciding pitch.
It was the judgment born of years of experience.
....
Whizz—
The ball glimmered in flight.
Even without knowing the pitch type, Ryousuke's intuition screamed at him: Danger!
Tap!
His step was light yet grounded.
Swish!
The bat swept through.
Whoosh!
At the last instant, the ball dipped sharply, plummeting toward the dirt.
Ryousuke frowned.
In a flash decision, he let go with his left hand,
swinging one-handed, raising the bat just enough.
Clang!!
He hit it?!
On the mound, Furuya's eyes widened in shock.
Around the stadium, spectators gasped in disbelief.
The ball connected cleanly.
Whizz!
It shot forward—but the contact was too low.
Thud!
The ball hammered into the dirt in front of the mound,
ricocheting sharply toward third base.
....
Years of chemistry and coordination showed themselves.
The instant Ryousuke swung, Kusunoki at first had already taken off, moving toward second in a half-steal motion.
The ball's bounce trajectory—a tricky, awkward angle.
Kuramochi made a sharp, decisive slide, intercepting the ball cleanly.
But out of the corner of his eye, he could already see Kusunoki charging hard toward second base.
Snap!
The ball hit his glove—and with no other choice—
Whoosh!
Kuramochi fired it to first.
Smack!
"Out!!"
Kominato Ryousuke was thrown out midway to first.
But Kusunoki had already slid safely into second.
One out, runner on second.
And now, Furuya would have to face the heavy artillery: the third-years' third batter, Isashiki Jun, and the fourth batter, the team's "century hitter," Yuuki Tetsuya.
....
Their sharpness hasn't dulled at all.
Even after half a year without official games, the seniors' performance was crisp, seamless.
From Kusunoki's perfect jump on contact and flawless slide, to Ryousuke's one-handed hit placed with precision—all of it bought Kusunoki that extra second to reach base.
In left field, Eijun's eyes gleamed.
It was undeniable proof:the seniors' strength hadn't diminished one bit.
In the control room, even Ochiai raised his eyebrows slightly, nodding in quiet approval.
So this is Kataoka's third-year class…mentally strong, technically sound—true championship-caliber players.
....
"Impressive…"
Even Miyuki behind the plate couldn't help but murmur in his heart.
"Third batter, center fielder—Isashiki-kun!"
"Finally, it's my turn! Furuya, prepare yourself!!
I'll crush your pitches and send them flying—better not cry about it!!!"
Isashiki stepped up, gripping his… oversized, unwieldy bat—no, his metal bat—his face twisted into a fierce snarl.
The sheer intensity of his presence pressed down from all sides, making Furuya's chest tighten on the mound.
This was the oppressive aura of a top-tier power hitter.
This was the strength of Seidou's former third batter—Isashiki Jun.
....
"Oh, Isashiki's going all out."
"Of course. No matter the game or opponent, he's always dead serious."
"Even against underclassmen, he won't hold back. Furuya and Miyuki are in trouble now."
"And don't forget—Yuuki's up next. Let's see how Miyuki plans to handle this."
Eyes shifted briefly to Yuuki, calm and composed in the on-deck circle.
Beside him, Isashiki's aura blazed like wildfire.
....
Mmm… what a pain, Miyuki thought with a wry smile.
But the best kind of pain.
Come on, Furuya. Show them everything you've got.
These senpai are the perfect test of your strength.
Behind the plate, Miyuki spread his arms wide in welcome.
On the mound, Furuya's face tightened with uncharacteristic solemnity.
He gave a firm nod.
A hit? A run?
He knew from the start this lineup might break through.
But that didn't mean he would back down.
Even if it was just a practice game—even if his opponents were these terrifyingly strong seniors—as a power pitcher, Furuya Satoru's resolve would never allow him to give in.
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