Chapter 20: For His Youth!

The players from Seidou are getting desperate!

Although the players from Minori Shigeru High School performed well, their actual strength can only be compared to the top eight teams in West Tokyo.

Even if they get lucky, their chances of making it into the top four are extremely slim.

It's embarrassing!

This isn't just a typical kind of embarrassment, it's one that would shame anyone to the core.

All the players are wearing faces as cold as winter.

Their patience has reached its limit, and they can't take it any longer.

A counterattack is a must!

Otherwise, Seidou High School's baseball team would lose all momentum.

After the match ends and they return to school, they'll have no face to show to anyone.

At this very moment, Kawakami, standing on the pitcher's mound, can feel this the most.

He can clearly sense the restless hearts of his teammates.

Their patience is running out, and they can't bear it any longer.

Kawakami never considered the outcome of the game.

From the perspective of Seidou High School's players, their victory was completely expected.

For Seidou's players, the only difference now was whether they would look good or look bad.

Right now, they feel bad, so they will not let it go easily.

Minori Shigeru has essentially poked a hornet's nest.

As a member of Seidou High School's baseball team, Kawakami should be united with everyone to fight against their opponents.

However, Kawakami himself is largely responsible for the current situation.

That's why his feelings are very complicated.

He casts a glance toward Seidou High School's rest area.

The atmosphere is heated, and the tension between the two teams is so palpable that it's as if swords are drawn.

But at this moment, Kawakami's attention is focused on Seidou High School's rest area.

People are different!

A year and a half ago, Kawakami might not have agreed with this idea.

Back then, although he hadn't displayed exceptional talent yet, he still believed that he could change things with hard work.

That period was the time when Kawakami made the greatest progress. His strength even surpassed the team's Ace at the time, Tanba.

However, everything changed after Sawamura and Furuya joined the team...

His position in the team gradually became more marginal.

Take this game, for instance. There was no need for Kataoka to stubbornly keep him on the field at this point.

There were two pitchers in the rest area who could replace him.

Furuya and Nishiyama.

Either of them could easily take over the game.

But Manager Kataoka didn't do that and chose to continue trusting him.

This was not just giving him a chance, but also an assessment of his abilities.

Even though Minori Shigeru had narrowed the gap to just six points, there was no real suspense left in this game for Seidou's baseball team.

After all, aside from a few players, no one else had managed to hit a single off Kawakami.

Even if they all hit one now, how many runs could Minori Shigeru score?

And if that happens, Seidou would have already replaced Kawakami on the mound anyway.

This game, which no longer has much impact on Seidou's team, is crucial for Kawakami's future.

If this game ends with a poor performance, the only time Kawakami will get to pitch in future games, other than garbage time, will be to make his presence felt as a third-year player.

Otherwise, he'll be stuck on the sidelines.

Kawakami is not willing to accept that!

Thinking of all the effort he's put in, seeing his third-year teammates like Kuramochi, Kenjiro, and Zono improving so quickly and powerfully, he refuses to fall behind.

For his high school baseball to end like this…

He won't let it!

He refuses to let his team down, his friends down!

'I won't let my Youth end like this!!'

I Will Do It!

I Too Can Do It!!

Minori Shigeru!

Turning his focus back to the opponent, Kawakami's eyes burn with a determination he's never felt before.

When a person is pushed to their limits, they often have two choices: either silently accept their fate or explode with force.

Not willing to accept his fate, Kawakami chooses to explode.

His energy surges and the power behind his pitch is incredibly strong.

Whrroosh!

The baseball, infused with all of Kawakami's strength, shoots out with a sharp whistle.

'So strong!'

As his partner, Miyuki can clearly sense the difference in this pitch.

Unlike his usual precise control, this one is a bit rougher, but the power and speed are significantly stronger. Compared to his earlier pitches, it's a clear improvement.

Miyuki understands Kawakami's thoughts and struggles. He knows that Kawakami is seeking a breakthrough now!

'However, he must be careful not to lose his original style in his pursuit of improvement.'

A pitcher's biggest fear is losing their rhythm or their characteristic pitch.

But some problems, even a partner can't mention.

Miyuki can only worry and silently pray that Kawakami doesn't make a mistake.

If that happens, today's pitching could very well be his last.

No matter how much Coach Kataoka favors him, he can't let the team fall into danger...

In other words, it would be difficult to entrust the game to Kawakami at such a crucial moment.

Fortunately, his worries are unfounded.

Kawakami's control is good. Even though his pitch is rougher, he still manages to place the ball in the right corners.

With that, his speed and power have improved even more!

The second batter Minori Shigeru is completely stunned.

He swings three times but doesn't even come close to hitting the ball.

"STRIKE!"

"STRIKE!!"

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!"

He's struck out cleanly.

'I shouldn't have... am I not a genius? I hit before...'

The second batter from Minori Shigeru is having an inner drama.

Thankfully, he keeps those thoughts to himself, or the other players would be ready to throw a drink at him to choke on it.

This is too embarrassing!

Did he really think that after one lucky hit, he had evolved into a powerful hitter?

If that were the case, that kind of powerful hitter would be worthless.

One Out, no runners on base.

Kawakami's control and rhythm are flawless.

Miyuki finally relaxed, and his worry lifted.

At this moment, Kawakami has managed to maintain his usual rhythm, which is already a great achievement.

'But to think, even he is improving!'

A good omen, truly a good omen.

Although he didn't tell him, Miyuki knew that Kawakami planned on giving up baseball after this season.

That by itself wasn't rare in high school baseball by any means, but that doesn't mean it is any easier on the people involved.

For Nori, if his last moments in high school baseball were a disaster, it would be unbearable.

As the Captain and as his friend, Miyuki would hate for Nori's Youth to end like this.

If Kawakami can push himself to the next level in this game, it would be extremely valuable for both the team and himself.

Maybe, just maybe, he can catch the attention of some scout out there.

'Let's go Nori! For the team, and for your future, you have to fight!!'

"Third batter, catcher, Tekuno-kun!"

Tekuno has the build of a traditional catcher—tall, strong, and robust.

Standing in the Batter's Box, he exudes a lot of pressure.

Minori Shigeru's main power hitter is Hanayama, there's no doubt about that. However, relying solely on Hanayama, they have no chance of scoring five runs.

So even though he doesn't seem flashy, Tekuno's presence shouldn't be underestimated.

When facing this opponent, Miyuki and Kawakami both focus more carefully.

Ping!

"FOUL!"

"BALL!"

"BALL!!"

"FOUL!!"

The two continue to exchange pitches, and Kawakami is unable to make Tekuno miss the ball.

The situation has become tense.

It's clear that neither side wants to give up.

Minori Shigeru's supporters are getting anxious.

Not everyone can think things through thoroughly. For Minori Shigeru's backup players, they've never even considered how to win.

They just want to score.

At this point, if Tekuno can get on base, they might score two runs.

If he doesn't, they might only get one.

Two runs are better than one!

They desperately hope Tekuno can hit.

For them, this may not just be about a single hit.

It's about continuing the dream—the dream of an upset.

Unfortunately, that dream is destined to shatter.

Whrroosh!

After two good balls, Kawakami throws the final, decisive pitch.

The ball is inside the strike zone!

Tekuno, with no other choice, has to swing at it.

Whrroosh!

'A Slider!'

The Slider comes unexpectedly, catching Tekuno off guard.

His bat swings through the air, missing the ball completely.

SNAP!

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!"

Two consecutive Strikeouts are like a bucket of cold water, splashing down on all the players from Minori Shigeru.

It forces them to come to their senses.

There's an insurmountable gap between their strength and Seidou's.

"WELL DONE!"

"GREAT PITCHING!!"

"GO NORI!!!"

The players from Seidou, both on the field and in the dugout, cheer for Kawakami!

As the game nears its end, Kawakami's stability reassures his teammates.

But next, Kawakami faces his biggest threat—Hanayama.

Time and again, Hanayama has been Kawakami's biggest challenge.

Without Hanayama, Kawakami would not be in such a passive situation today.

In their final confrontation, Kawakami does not back down but chooses to face Hanayama head-on.

'Let's go! We can defeat him!'

As his partner, Miyuki will stand beside his friend and offer support.

Whrroosh!

Ping!

The baseball flies and is hit foul by Hanayama.

"FOUL!"

"FOUL!!"

From the surface, it seems like the batter is pressuring the pitcher.

But in reality, it's the opposite.

Hanayama is struggling to hit Kawakami's pitches.

Even when he barely manages to make contact with the ball, he can't guarantee where it will go.

This is his last chance to attack, so he can't afford to take risks. He reluctantly keeps hitting foul balls.

While doing so, he hopes Kawakami will throw a hittable pitch.

'I only need one. Just one.'

And finally...

Whrroosh!

'Here it comes!!'

After waiting for so long, Hanayama finally gets the pitch he's been waiting for.

Though it's unlikely they can catch up, Hanayama refuses to give up.

He swings at the pitch.

But at the last moment, the ball drops sharply…

It's a Sinker!

SNAP!

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!!"

...

T/N: The boy fought for his dreams!

Next, it is time for Seidou to deliver punishment.