105 The Match Continued...
Disclaimer:
Trying to finish the match as fast as possible. The upcoming twist is too fun for me! Can't wait!
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The match continued into the second inning as the top half of the inning commenced. Yakushi's players took their positions on the field. From Hakuryu's dugout, a batter stepped up to the batter's box, assuming his stance. Kitaouji squinted at the pitcher, aware of his incredible control and the struggles his teammates were facing. Glancing at the scoreboard, he gritted his teeth; the runs they had allowed weighed heavily on them. Every player had become more cautious and analytical when facing Rei's pitches. Yet, some believed it was too early to judge Yakushi's pitcher, considering it was just the first inning and luck could have played a part.
With intense focus, Rei prepared his pitch, guided by Kazuma's instructions. "Strike!" called the umpire before Kitaouji could fully grasp the situation. 'What just happened?' he thought, reluctantly turning his head to see the pitch hitting the mitt. 'I barely saw that pitch! What kind of incredibly fast pitch is that?' he pondered, bracing himself for the next ones.
"Strike! Batter out!" announced the umpire. Despite his efforts to connect with the ball, it seemed impossible. The pitch's speed alone was daunting, and its precision made it a lethal weapon. Kitaouji's thoughts turned bitter as he cursed the pitcher's skill.
A tense silence enveloped Hakuryu's dugout. While the team didn't appear overly concerned about the runs Yakushi had scored, the coach suggested a change in approach. "Aim for bunts and secure bases!" he instructed, attempting to address their current challenge.
"Understood!" replied Hakuryu's dugout with determination.
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Time passed quickly, with each batter spending mere moments in the batter's box before being struck out mercilessly by Rei. "Strike! Batter Out! Change!" declared the umpire as Honda met the same fate. Frowning, Honda returned to the dugout.
"Rei Fujikawa shows no mercy, denying Hakuryu an opportunity to score! Can Hakuryu mount a comeback?" the announcer's voice resonated.
Rei smiled as he jogged back to the dugout. However, his amusement shifted to bewilderment as he heard a peculiar chuckle. Turning his head, he found Raichi beside him, wearing a smug grin. Sanada joined them, and Rei couldn't help but wonder what was happening. "Is something up with him?" Rei asked, noticing Sanada's arrival. "... Perhaps winning has gone to his head," Sanada responded with a sigh.
Nodding, Rei playfully punched Raichi's head to curb any inflated pride from holding the opposing team scoreless for two innings. Wincing, Raichi questioned Rei's action, to which Rei simply shrugged and dashed ahead, reaching the dugout first. "Oh, wait for me!" Raichi exclaimed, rushing to catch up.
Sanada, not one to exert himself unnecessarily, jogged calmly, becoming the last to join the dugout...
Meanwhile, in Hakuryu's dugout, the coach offered guidance. "I hope those pitches won't confound you anymore. Yakushi's pitcher, Rei, has been relying solely on fastballs. Despite their speed, you should be able to connect in the upcoming inning," he advised.
The players nodded, comprehending the coach's words and determination.
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Back on the field, the second inning's bottom half began. In Yakushi's dugout, Sanada took the bat and headed to the batter's box. As he walked, Raichi followed, remaining close and demonstrating various batting postures, eager to share his expertise. "Swing like this, and for that 'boom,' try this!" Raichi demonstrated, attempting to ensure Sanada understood.
Disregarding Raichi's enthusiastic efforts, Sanada reached the batter's box and assumed his stance. Ouno delivered his pitch, but Sanada missed the first one. In the next instant, Ouno threw another pitch.
A resounding clang marked the contact between Sanada's bat and the ball. Grinning, he sprinted toward first base. "Out," the umpire declared. Confused, Sanada looked back. "My mistake," he chuckled, noticing that Ouno had caught the ball.
"Straight into the pitcher's hands! How disappointing!" jeered Yakushi's dugout. "What happened to the Sanada senpai we knew?" they pondered aloud. Meanwhile, Rei awkwardly chuckled at the scene.
Seeing Sanada return to the dugout, Raichi stood and began lecturing him. "Why didn't you follow my advice? Here's how to handle that pitch!" he exclaimed, mimicking the proper posture.
"Shut up!" Sanada replied, his smile masking his exasperation…
Amidst the lively dugout, Kazuma grabbed the bat and stepped into the batter's box. In the blink of an eye, Ouno released his pitch with calm precision.
The clang of the bat meeting ball echoed again. The ball soared to center field. Kazuma dropped his bat and dashed toward first base as fast as he could.
Mima, the center fielder, moved swiftly, seizing the ball and promptly throwing it to first base. "Out!" the umpire's voice echoed as Kazuma halted his sprint and returned to the dugout.
As Rei sighed, he acknowledged the annoyance of facing Hakuryu's extraordinary speed. Their agile, insect-like running was ceaseless and vexing. "How irritating," Rei thought, aggravated by their relentless swiftness.
Yet, Mima, sensing Yakushi's gaze, responded with a triumphant grin, provoking them. Rei was dumbfounded. "Did he just provoke me?" he wondered aloud, ready to charge onto the field to confront Mima. But Sanada restrained him, a resigned sigh escaping Sanada. 'He's easily provoked,' Sanada thought, gripping Rei's struggling form.
Seconds passed, and Masuda stepped into the batter's box. In just three pitches, Ouno silenced him with a strikeout. Disheartened by his inability to aid the team, Masuda returned to the dugout.
"Batter Out! Change!" the umpire's call signaled the teams' position swap. The third inning's top half began, and Rei reclaimed his position on the mound.
Then, Igarashi entered the batter's box, guided by the coach's counsel. He analyzed Rei's pitches, attempting to devise a strategy. Just as he settled, Rei's first pitch arrived. Igarashi adjusted his stance to execute a bunt, making contact.
"Hakuryu shifts tactics, opting for a bunt strategy!" the announcer proclaimed.
"Safe!" the umpire declared, acknowledging Igarashi's successful advance to first base.
"Hakuryu secures a foothold on the base! Are they finding it easier to handle Rei's pitches?" the announcer wondered aloud.
Rei's mind echoed the word "easier," irritated by the commentator's enthusiasm. He shot the announcer a sharp look, determined to show their assumption was mistaken. Rei wound up his glove, readying the next pitch for Ouno.
Sanada laughed, unable to contain his amusement at the commentator's remark.
Ouno, the next batter, had been an unwitting target of Rei's vexation. In just three pitches, he was struck out, returning to the dugout with a crestfallen expression.
Next in line was Urushibara. He stepped into the batter's box, resolute in allowing his teammate to progress. Finally, a chance to score had arrived.
Rei's newfound motivation surged within him, fueling his determination. He struck Urushibara out, denying the swift-footed Igarashi the chance to advance on the base. "Batter Out! Change!" the umpire declared.
Rei grinned, making a peace sign toward Raizou in the dugout. Raizou responded with a wink and thumbs-up.
"What's with that bonding?" Sanada remarked, observing their interaction. "Oh! I want to join in!" Raichi exclaimed, dashing to his father's side.
In the third inning's top half, time swiftly passed. The bottom half began, and the Hakuryu dugout grew tense. Despite their chance to score, they struggled to advance their single runner. The coach advised them to capitalize on their agility and steal more bases, exploiting any falter in the pitcher's rhythm. The coach hoped for a breakthrough in the next inning, or else he might need to resort to a more daring plan, he thought, eyeing the rejoicing Yakushi dugout.
