89 Yakushi High Vs. Seido High 5

In the 3rd Inning, Bottom started. Yakushi is batting.

Furuya and his teammates were ready in their positions on the field.

Masuda came to the batter's box determined to hit.

On the mound, Furuya looked concerned.

Flashback. A Few Minutes Ago, in the dugout.

"Furuya, I have something to say", said Miyuki getting Furuya's attention.

Furuya looked at Miyuki and said, "Yes?".

Miyuki sat next to him. "If you don't get your act together on the mound. Kataoka Coach is going to switch you after this inning".

Furuya was shocked by this news but still nodded. He felt like the coach didn't believe in his skills anymore.

Present time. In the Field.

Miyuki gave the signal for Furuya to pitch.

Furuya pitched and Masuda was struck out.

Mishima comes to the batter's box next and gave Furuya a decisive look. 'I heard from Rei-Kun that this pitcher was good he doesn't look like it'.

Furuya pitched as Miyuki gave the signal.

Mishima let the 1st pitch pass and hit the 2nd pitch to the center backfield.

Tojo ran to catch the ball and throw it towards Maezono, but he didn't make it in time since Mishima made it to the 1st base safely.

Maezono frustratingly grunted towards Mishima who made it to the base safely, while Mishima just smiled back provoking him.

"Kehahaha…", a laugh was heard as a player jumped over the fence and arrived at the batter's box.

Rei just rolled his eyes seeing Raichi's extravagant style on the field.

Seeing Raichi come to the batter's box. Furuya's heart started beating faster, he remembered the past when Raichi hit a home run off of him. 'Don't be nervous, if I want to pitch for more innings, I have to meet the coach's requirement. Get it together!', he thought nervously on the mound.

"KEHAHAHA…", laughed Raichi as his red aura blasted around the batter's box.

'This batter is intimidating', Furuya concluded feeling his aura. He gulped as he felt the huge amount of pressure and expectations he had to meet when pitching to one batter.

Miyuki signaled for Furuya to throw, and he did.

A loud ring was heard and before Furuya knew the ball went over his head flying outside the stadium.

"IT WENT OUTSIDE!"

"HOME RUN"

"RAICHI!"

Cheered the audience.

Yakushi's dugout stood up excitedly and cheered for Raichi.

Raichi touched all the bases while laughing and sweating bullets.

On the mound, Furuya was left devastated.

'He's in no condition to pitch, let's end it quickly. It's better for the team that way', thought Miyuki looking at Furuya's condition.

Rei walked to the batter's box while dragging his bat. 'How should I hit it', he thought smirking.

As Miyuki saw Rei coming to the batter's box, he looked towards Kataoka and Ochihai's coach in the dugout for their decision.

Ochihai and Kataoka's coach nodded but both of them gave different signals. Miyuki didn't know which to choose honestly because this decision could impact the match deeply. Sighing Miyuki finally chose a decision and signaled Furuya.

Furuya threw the 1st pitch which was a strike.

In Seido's Dugout, Kataoka Coach was surprised by Miyuki's decision. Ochihai and Kataoka each signaled to Miyuki whether they should walk Rei or not. Kataoka just didn't know if they could take such risks at this point in the game, but he didn't expect Miyuki to challenge Rei.

'It's fun challenging a player like you, Rei', thought Miyuki smirking as he fixed his glasses.

On the Mound, Furuya felt double the amount of pressure compared to Raichi. 'How am I supposed to throw it? What if he hits it?', he thought nervously. Currently, Furuya's mental state had been broken and Furuya's posture when pitching in this match today was a little different compared to before.

Miyuki signaled for an aggressive pitch and Furuya threw it. Unfortunately for Seido, the ball went straight to the backscreen.

"ANOTHER HOME RUN! YAKUSHI'S LINEUP IS ON FIRE THIS MATCH. DOES SEIDO STILL HAVE A CHANCE FOR A COMEBACK?", said the announcer.

In the Audience, Inashiro and Ugamori high players were watching the match.

"I never imagined, Rei to actually be of this level. How much did he improve?", said Ugamori astonished.

"It's about time you experience this as well, Furuya", said Narumiya looking at the state Furuya was in. "Anyway, that's none of my business. Let's go practice now, we have a new rival to beat", said Narumiya. Riku nodded and followed Narumiya.

Back in the Field.

This situation made Furuya's mental state get even worse.

Rei looked at the depressive Furuya on the mound. 'Damn it looks like he needs actually therapy right now. Why did his condition get worse compared to before? Maybe the pressure of being the best has gotten to him. Well, it was about time anyways'.

Forgetting these thoughts, Rei happily jogged and touched all the bases successfully gaining a run for the team.

Ryou came to the batter's box and Furuya didn't seem ready to pitch. Just then Kuramochi yelled giving him hope, "Just 2 more outs!", he exclaimed.

Furuya calmed down and struck Ryou out. Next, Abe came to the batter's box and was also struck out relentlessly.

"3 Outs! Change!", yelled the umpire.

"This inning was the longest inning of my life", said Kuramochi as he jogged back to their dugout alongside his teammates.

Haruichi nodded agreeing with him.

As soon as Furuya entered the dugout, Kataoka glared at him and said, "Next inning, Sawamura you will be pitching".

Sawamura brightened up hearing this but when he looked at Furuya all his happiness vanished seeing him in that state. 'I don't know why you're in such a state, but I will go out there and help the team win. I don't know what anyone says but we can still win'.

Nabe sighed seeing the ridiculous state of the team. Most of the team members weren't motivated, and the team hasn't scored even one run. 'What has happened to the team's lineup?', he wondered. 'At this rate, the match is going to be called', he thought worried.

4th Inning, Top Started. Seido is batting.