"Raaaagh!!"
After reaching first base safely, Kusano threw his head back and let out a deafening roar.
It was like a volcano that had been suppressed for far too long finally erupting, releasing every ounce of frustration that had built up inside him.
His roar echoed throughout the stadium.
The rest of Kaidou High School's players were quickly swept up by his emotions.
One after another, they shouted toward the field.
Their voices merged into a single thunderous wave that rolled across the stadium.
It wasn't merely celebration.
It was the release of their fighting spirit.
A declaration that Kaidou High School was finally back in the game.
"Haha... Hahahaha..."
Watching Kusano roar toward the sky from first base, Kitamura Kou suddenly burst into laughter.
His laughter was so sudden and genuine that every Kaidou player stopped celebrating.
One after another, they turned to look at him.
Kitamura was laughing so hard that he had bent over slightly, barely able to stand upright.
Everyone wore bewildered expressions.
No one understood what was so amusing.
For a moment, they even wondered whether they had imagined Kusano reaching first safely.
The entire stadium fell into an awkward silence.
Only Kitamura's laughter continued to echo.
"...Now this is more like it."
A smile remained on Kitamura's face as he looked toward first base.
This...
This was the kind of baseball he loved.
Every pitch carried pressure.
Every defensive play could determine the outcome of the game.
One moment of carelessness could erase everything the team had worked for.
That uncertainty—
The fact that no one could predict what would happen next—
Was precisely what made baseball so captivating.
It was the reason he had fallen completely in love with the sport.
At that moment, he could feel his blood beginning to boil again.
His fighting spirit surged through his body like an uncontrollable blaze.
Even the hand gripping the baseball trembled ever so slightly.
Not from fear...
But from excitement.
He couldn't wait for the next challenge.
"Second batter, second baseman—Ishiguro."
Ishiguro stepped into the batter's box with unwavering strides.
His sharp eyes locked onto Kitamura Kou atop the pitcher's mound.
It was as if he wanted to tear him apart.
Meanwhile, Kusano boldly extended his lead nearly three meters off first base.
His eyes never left Kitamura.
His expression seemed to say—
If you've got the guts... then try to catch me.
Behind home plate, Akaishi Osamu calmly observed the field while rapidly piecing together the situation.
Kou...
That runner is definitely stealing.
I know you dislike disrupting your rhythm...
But we have to shorten his lead.
A pickoff throw is necessary.
Having made up his mind, Akaishi discreetly flashed a signal beneath his glove.
To his surprise...
Kitamura immediately shook his head.
He rejected the idea without hesitation.
"Time!"
Unable to understand his partner's intentions, Akaishi requested time from the home plate umpire and jogged to the mound.
"Kou, what are you thinking?"
"They're Kaidou High School."
"Their baserunning is among the best in the country."
"If we don't keep that runner close, he'll steal without hesitation."
His voice carried unmistakable urgency.
He sincerely wanted to convince Kitamura.
Instead of answering immediately, Kitamura calmly smiled.
"Akaishi."
"Relax."
"Look at his eyes."
He subtly nodded toward first base.
"If a simple pickoff throw could shake his determination..."
"...then facing Kaidou would be far easier than everyone says."
"Huh?"
Still doubtful, Akaishi turned toward first.
The instant their eyes met—
He froze.
Kusano's eyes burned with unwavering conviction.
There wasn't the slightest hesitation.
No fear.
No uncertainty.
Only absolute determination.
It was the gaze of someone prepared to risk everything.
Someone who had already decided that, if even the smallest opening appeared...
He would steal without a second thought.
Nothing could stop him.
Akaishi unconsciously inhaled sharply.
Kitamura continued quietly,
"Now you understand."
"No matter how many times I throw over..."
"He'll still run."
"Trying to hold him close would only waste my stamina."
"And if we try to beat Kaidou at their own tactical game..."
"We'll only be dragged into their rhythm."
He slowly shifted his gaze back to the mound.
His eyes were calm.
Sharp.
Filled with absolute confidence.
"There is no need to play their game."
"We'll play ours."
"As long as they don't score..."
"Nothing else matters."
His quiet voice carried unquestionable conviction.
Standing beside him, Akaishi stared silently at his partner.
For the first time...
He realized he hadn't truly understood Kitamura Kou.
He had always thought Kou was simply confident.
Now he understood.
This wasn't ordinary confidence.
It was pride engraved into his very bones.
An unshakable belief in his own baseball.
A pitcher who refused to let anyone dictate the pace of the game.
In Akaishi's eyes, Kitamura stood atop the mound like an emperor overlooking his battlefield.
Commanding.
Unyielding.
Untouchable.
Only after a moment did Akaishi snap back to reality.
Without realizing it, he had already returned behind home plate and settled into his crouch.
Since you've chosen this path...
Then show everyone.
Show Kaidou why you're standing on that mound.
Crush their offense with your own baseball.
Akaishi took a deep breath, clearing away every distracting thought.
The uncertainty in his eyes vanished, replaced by unwavering focus.
He raised his glove.
At that moment, he had only one thought.
No matter what happens...
I will catch this pitch.
I won't become the weak link that holds Kou back.
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