At the Meji Jingu Stadium 2, the atmosphere and crowd were electric, watching the two teams face of two powerhouse schools of Seido and Ichidai Third.
Many people came to watch.
The game had been a hit-fest from the start, Seido starting on offense in the top of the first inning, managing to hit a full rotation, getting 4 runs from it.
Ichidai Third hadn't done as well, only managing to score 2 runs in the bottom of the tird.
"It's been a great start of the game for both offenses. However, Seido has made their presence known by pulling ahead of Ichidai Third at the end of the first inning. Now onto the top of the second, Seido is back on offense. The lineup begins with the first batter again." The commentator for the game said as Kuramochi started walking to the batter's box.
*Batting first: Kuramochi, shortstop*
The announcer said throughout the stadium.
Kuramochi was smiling widely, looking ready to bring a big swing to the first pitch.
The ace pitcher of Ichidai Third, Manaka Kaname, starting his wind-up and throw a fastball.
Just as he had finished his wind-up, Kuramochi pulled his bat down for a squeeze bunt.
The Ichidai Third players were caught on their back foot as they weren't ready for this play.
TINK
As soon as he hit the ball, Kuramochi zoomed off to first at a blitzing pace, easily stepping on first before the ball could get there.
"Yahahah!" Kuramochi's iconic cackle could be hard throughout the stadium.
"Nice Kuramochi-senpai! Nice, cheetah!" I shouted from the crowd.
"Cheetah?" Haruichi asked, sitting next to me.
"Yeah! Doesn't he resemble a cheetah when he was sprinting to first? That was some nice speed!" I replied with smile.
"Hahah, true." He said back.
*Batting second: Kominato, second baseman*
"Oooh, your brother's up again." I said whilst nudging Haruichi.
He suddenly perked up as he watched his brother walk up to the batter's box.
"Let's go, Haruichi's brother!" I shouted.
"Eijun-kun, stop it!" Haruichi said, looking a little flustered.
Kominato looked quite similar to Haruichi, his pink hair the most noticeable feature.
However, he didn't have his hair in his eyes.
He was a little taller than Haruichi, but not by much, he was the smallest out of the first string, for sure.
His eyes also always looked closed, so he always carried as subtle look of smugness wherever he went.
He stood in the batter's box, instantly showing a bunt.
When Manaka started his motion, Kuramochi instantly started sprinting towards second.
"The runner's on the move!" When the pitch was released, Kominato pulled his bat back and delivered a full swing and connected with the ball.
DING
"The ball goes right between first and second base!"
Kuramochi easily made it to third with his speed and Kominato was safe on firsts.
"That was a magnificent, hit-and-run play by Seido, and now, they have no outs with runners on first and third." The commentor announced.
*Batting third: Isashiki, centre fielder*
Isashiki had fairly grown, brown hair. Sharp eyebrows and a little stubble on the centre of his chin.
He bowed and at tipped his helmet to the umpire and catcher with a low, "Let's have a good game."
He then stepped into the batter's box and pointed his bat towards Manaka.
"BRING IT!!!"
He then shouted at the top of his voice, making both the catcher and umpire flinch.
"Hahaha, he really does have a loud voice!" I said whilst bursting out laughing at Isashiki's antics.
Manaka then threw a fastball down to home plate and Isashiki swung with all his might shouting, "DAAAAASSHHAAAAA!!!" while he swung the bat that echoed through the stadium.
DIING
"Hahahah!" I burst out laughing again when I heard this.
"He really does have a loud voice." Haruichi said whilst covering his ears.
"Looks like he jammed the pitch. But wait, it's going long! And it's a hit! Another run for Seido!" The commentator said as Kuramochi run back to home plate without an issue.
Kominto ended on second with Isashiki on first.
"Ichidai's pitcher, Manaka, cycled through the Seido lineup and took a homer in the first inning. Looks like he's still having trouble in the second inning. Seido still with no outs and runners on first and third. Now, the clean-up comes to bat!" The commentator continued.
*Batting fourth: Yuki, first baseman*
Yuki was a tall, built player.
His hair was cut short, he has thick eyebrows, and he always carried a serious facial expression.
He took a deep breath as he stepped into the batter's box.
The intense aura around him as he stared down Manaka was so intense that I swear I got shivers from the crowd.
'I want to face him at some point.' I thought to myself.
'It would be a great training to go up against an aura like that.'
Manaka throw the ptch down to Yuki and he swung for the fences.
DONG
The sound of the bat hitting the ball was loud.
"It's going long!! It hit the fence just inside the field, down the middle of the left and centre field! Very unlucky for Seido's captain. Still, he manged to get an RBI double for his team and Seido extents their lead. Ichidai Third High, a quarter finalist in the fall invitational is being dominated by Seido High!" The commentator said.
"Great start on offense, just what I expect from a school like Seido." I said with a bright grin.
"Now its time to see what Tanba-senpai can do on the mound." I continued with a determined expression.
Haruichi notices the change in my atmosphere when I said this and chuckled a little.
'Eijun-kun really just wants to pitch.' He thought.
'I really want to be on the mound!!' I thought, groaning internally.
***
WHOOSH
PAH
"Ball."
WOOSH
PAH
"Ball four." The umpire said as the Ichidai batter jogged to first base.
"The game is now in the bottom of the fourth, Seido has 9 runs while Ichidai has 5. Seido's ace, Tanab seems to be struggling this inning as he has given two walks after his first out. There are runners on first and second for Ichidai." The commentator said.
Miyuki gave Tanba a sign for a pitch, in which Tanba shook his head.
'Okay, how about this?' Miyuki thought as he gave another sign.
Tanba nodded this time and threw the pitch towards Miyuki.
'Too weak.' Miyuki thought.
DING
"The Ichidai batter managed to hit it on the first pitch! It goes long! And lands between centre and right field! Isashiki manages to quickly pick up the ball and relay it to Yuki at first. But the runner is already sliding at home plate! Score for Ichidai! There is now a runner on first and third with one out!" The commentor said looking at the events of the game.
"This doesn't look good for Tanba-senpai." Haruichi said to me with worry.
"Yeah, you're right." I responded with a serious expression.
"I heard he's just come back from an injury so it's understandable that he's not a 100%. But even so, after having walked two batters, he still shakes his head at Miyuki's signs? And then proceed to pitch that meat ball straight after. Unacceptable from an Ace." I continued.
"Coach will probably sub him out after this inning." I said whilst leaning back in my seat with my arms crossed.
'I need to get on the first string as soon as possible. I want to fight along side them and be reliable enough to becalled upon whenever things get like this.' I thought deeply.
Sure enough, after the inning ended, Coach subbed off Tanba for Kawakami.
***
The game ended with Seido winning with 13 runs while Ichidai only had 9.
As I got up from my seat and headed out with the others, I started hearing some of the crowd talking when I passed them.
"I've got to say, this game turned out to be a crazy hitting game."
"Yeah, you're right. Seido's batters are good, definitely national's level."
"They just need a pitcher who can live up to Miyuki's expectations now, in order to have a chance at the national title."
I clenched my fist tightly when I heard that.
'That'll be me.' I thought as I walked away.
At the same time, Coach was walking through a tunnel leading to outside the stadium with two people in tow. Rei Takashima and Ota Kazuyoshi, the club director of Seido's baseball team.
"Tanba is just coming back from an injury, so he should be fine once he gets his feeling back." Rei said as they walked.
"But if he continues to play like he did today…" Director Ota reponded, not wanting to finish his own sentence.
"I understand you worries, Director Ota." She responded to him.
"However, we only have three months before the summer tournament." Rei continued as they walked.
She then turned to the back of Coach Kataoka.
"Coach, I believe this calls for an immediate bullpen restructuring, taking the first-years into consideration, as well." She said to him.
The Coach remained silent as they started to get to the exit.
When they got there, he stopped.
"When we get back, I want to watch the first-year pitchers in the bullpen. I will decide what I'll do afterwards." He said whilst walking out of the stadium.