Here's a mini drop to celebrate a festival from where I'm from—I wanted to share some of that happiness with everyone.
************************************
The baseball flew out.
In Seido High School Baseball Team's dugout, Manager Ota felt as if his heart had been pierced. He was on the verge of tears.
When Hidezawa and Miyuki had disagreed earlier, he had already sensed danger. He had anticipated that something like this might happen.
But anticipation and reality were two completely different things.
The situation had been so favorable.
How did it turn into this?
"Director…"
Ota's voice was hoarse as he turned toward Kataoka.
In that moment of visible disharmony between pitcher and catcher, surely Kataoka had noticed it too.
Why didn't he step in?
Kataoka's gaze remained steady.
"Hidezawa's stamina can't hold up. We don't have anyone who can replace him. He knows that. That's why he wanted to confront Osaka Kiryuu directly while he was still in decent condition. If he could win that confrontation, our chances of victory would increase significantly."
Under those circumstances, how could he stop it?
Moreover, when it came to the disagreement between Hidezawa and Miyuki, Kataoka himself had leaned toward Hidezawa's side. He had already predicted that Miyuki would ultimately yield.
Why intervene?
It simply seemed that fate was not favoring Seido.
The result on the field had proven that the direct confrontation failed.
Miyuki immediately called a timeout and rushed toward the mound.
Moments ago, he had been filled with ambition, eager to seize this turning point to prove himself.
Now he understood that ambition alone meant nothing.
After three consecutive intense games especially today Hidezawa had already expended enormous stamina. His current physical condition simply could not support the same level of pitching as before.
In other words, Miyuki's entire plan had collapsed.
One by one, the infielders gathered.
Under the blazing sun, sweat beaded on everyone's forehead. Zhang Han was no exception. Drops of sweat clung to his hair and rolled down his temples.
Yet somehow, it did not diminish his presence at all. Even with his hair stuck to his forehead, he looked energetic rather than disheveled.
Out of the corner of his eye, Miyuki noticed this and felt a strange sense of admiration.
Zhang Han, like him, was new to Koshien. Outsiders only saw his records and brilliance. They did not see the pressure, the strain, the hidden effort behind the scenes.
Only those who truly stood here understood the weight of Koshien Stadium.
Miyuki believed that Zhang Han must have endured countless psychological and physical trials silently. That was the only explanation for his composure now.
"Senior?"
"You don't have to worry about me. I can still hold on."
Hidezawa stood straight, his back rigid.
"That's all I needed to hear," Miyuki replied. "From now on, we go head-on. I believe you can keep going."
Neither apologized.
Neither explained further.
But they reached an understanding.
Compared to the Cosmic Team of Osaka Kiryuu, Seido's resources were limited. If this became a pure competition of depth and strength, Seido would likely lose.
At this point, they could only rely on spirit.
"We'll support you too."
"Pitch without worry. Leave the scoring to us."
Tanaka and Azuma spoke almost simultaneously. Yuuki nodded silently.
The timeout ended.
Players returned to their positions.
"Bastard, why don't you say something…"
Hidezawa finally turned toward Zhang Han, unable to hold back.
From beginning to end, Zhang Han had remained silent.
Now, as he turned back, the others also paused, glancing over.
"This is too petty," Azuma muttered.
Ever since that freshman welcoming game when Zhang Han had hit Hidezawa's pitch Hidezawa had seemed strangely fixated on him. As the team's Ace, he still sought Zhang Han's acknowledgment in everything.
"What I say won't be pleasant," Zhang Han warned calmly.
"I didn't expect you to say anything pleasant anyway," Hidezawa shot back.
Zhang Han did not hesitate.
"In your current condition, full direct confrontation is our only option. But honestly, I agree with Miyuki. I don't think you can completely hold them."
Silence fell.
Miyuki had wanted to use corner pitches earlier. Of course he knew that would cost more pitches. But he had understood something clearly
Hidezawa, in a pure power duel, might not hold.
That was why Miyuki had tried to outsmart the opponent.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
They all knew Zhang Han was speaking the truth.
And truth was often the sharpest blade.
"What do you mean, kid?" Azuma demanded angrily.
The game was not over.
How could he speak like this now?
"What I mean," Zhang Han said calmly, "is that preventing runs entirely is unrealistic. We can only minimize them."
Azuma glared, but Zhang Han continued.
"I believe in our hitting ability. In terms of scoring, we won't lose to anyone."
He said it with such straightforward confidence that even the slightly arrogant tone felt convincing.
Yes.
In scoring ability, they would not lose.
Zhang Han did not offer comfort.
He offered reality.
And strangely, that calmed Hidezawa.
Zhang Han's bluntness was infuriating. It made Hidezawa want to strangle him.
But when it came to scoring
There was no one more reliable.
Tanaka. Yamada. Azuma. Yuuki. Zhang Han. Miyuki. Kou Shunmin.
These were teammates he could trust.
Isashiki Jun: Was I forgotten?
The scoreboard now read 7–5.
Seido's three-run lead had shrunk quickly.
Osaka Kiryuu's Fifth batter, Araki, stepped into the box.
No outs.
No runners.
Everything felt as if it had reset. Araki suddenly assumed a bunt stance.
A murmur spread through the stadium. He was Osaka Kiryuu's cleanup hitter. An absolute power hitter.
Even nationwide, he ranked among the best.
Why would such a hitter show bunt with no runners on base?
What exactly was he planning?
************************************
Upto 50 Chapters In Advance At: P@treon/Vividreader123