After a brief discussion, Kitamura Kou and Akaishi Osamu finally reached an understanding.
"Play!"
The home plate umpire's command rang out as the game resumed.
Kitamura calmly raised both hands above his head and began his pitching motion.
If they want to steal... let them.
Without the slightest hesitation, his motion flowed as naturally as breathing.
Then—
BOOM!!
His right arm whipped forward, sending the baseball hurtling toward home plate like a cannon shell.
The pitch tore through the air with a thunderous roar that echoed across the stadium.
The moment the ball left Kitamura's fingertips—
Kusano exploded off first base.
Without a trace of hesitation, he sprinted toward second like a gust of wind.
Behind the plate, Akaishi Osamu had already anticipated the play.
His eyes remained locked on the incoming fastball while he subtly adjusted his posture, preparing to transfer the ball and fire it to second the instant it hit his mitt.
At the plate, Ishiguro never offered a swing.
Trusting Kusano's speed completely, he allowed the pitch to pass.
Thud!!
The ball slammed into Akaishi's glove.
Before the umpire could even make his call, Akaishi sprang to his feet.
His throwing motion was flawless.
The baseball left his glove almost the instant it entered.
"Just because Kou isn't throwing over doesn't mean you can steal whenever you want!"
Whoosh!!
The throw screamed toward second base.
Every movement flowed together without the slightest wasted motion, the result of countless hours of practice.
The ball arrived ahead of the runner.
Fukuda Daiki reached out immediately to apply the tag.
Everything favored Yakushi.
But Kusano wasn't an ordinary baserunner.
Years of experience, relentless training, and exceptional instincts allowed him to react in an instant.
Like a leopard slipping past a hunter's grasp, he twisted his body at the last possible moment.
The glove swept past empty air.
His fingertips brushed the bag.
"Safe!"
The second-base umpire spread his arms without hesitation.
The stadium erupted.
Thunderous applause echoed throughout the stands as fans celebrated Kusano's brilliant baserunning.
No outs.
One ball.
Runner on second.
For the first time all game...
Kaidou High School had a genuine scoring opportunity.
"Damn it..."
Fukuda slammed his gloved hand in frustration.
"I had him."
His face was filled with self-reproach.
Next time...
I won't make the same mistake.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.
Regret wouldn't change the result.
The only thing he could do was make sure it never happened again.
Unlike Yakushi's disappointment, Kaidou's dugout erupted with renewed energy.
At last...
They had found a crack in Kitamura's seemingly impenetrable defense.
"Nice job, Kusano!"
"That's our spark plug!"
"Keep the pressure on!"
"Show Yakushi what Kaidou baseball is all about!"
The frustration from the earlier innings had completely disappeared.
Now, every player shared the same determination.
Take advantage of every opportunity.
No matter the cost.
Win.
Everyone in the stadium knew what Kaidou intended to do next.
Ishiguro stepped into the batter's box with unwavering determination.
His eyes burned with confidence as they locked onto Kitamura.
We'll move the runner over with a sacrifice bunt.
Let's see if you can stop us.
Seeing that look, Kitamura couldn't help but snort inwardly.
How arrogant.
Do you really think you've figured me out?
Have you already forgotten who shut your lineup down just a few innings ago?
A poor memory deserves a reminder.
He slowly raised both hands above his head.
"If you want to bunt..."
His eyes sharpened.
"...then come and try."
The moment the words left his mouth—
BOOM!!
The baseball exploded from his fingertips, roaring toward home plate with overwhelming speed.
To Ishiguro...
The incoming fastball looked less like a baseball and more like a ferocious beast charging straight at him, fangs bared and roaring with murderous intent.
A chill ran down his spine.
Cold sweat instantly soaked his forehead and back.
His instincts screamed at him to get out of the way.
But...
He gritted his teeth.
Tightening his grip on the bat as though it were his last lifeline, he took a deep breath.
His eyes widened with determination.
Then he pushed the bat forward...
Preparing to deaden the blazing fastball with a sacrifice bunt.
-----------------------------
pa-treon com/DaoOfPeeking