<39> A Record-Breaking Debut!
Chapter 39: A Record-Breaking Debut!
"The match between Yokohama Kohouku High School and Seidou High School, after a fierce nine-inning battle, ended with a score of 3-4. The victory goes to Seidou High School!!"
The announcer's voice had to rise above the roaring crowd. Seidou's die-hard supporters, upon confirmation of the outcome, erupted into even louder celebration.
"SEI-DOU!!!"
The thunderous cheers almost shook the entire stadium. Yokohama Kohouku's players, along with their supporters in the stands, hung their heads in defeat.
Before that pesky first-year kid stepped onto the field, they had been securely in control of the game. They not only led by a run but were also on the verge of breaking Seidou's ace. Yet, within a mere ten to twenty minutes, the situation on the field had been completely turned around.
A first-year newcomer had almost single-handedly altered the game's course with his incredible pitching performance. Even now, Yokohama Kohouku's players found it hard to accept. The question lingered in their minds:
"Where did this guy come from?"
There was no one to provide them with an answer. Meanwhile, Seidou High School was engulfed in collective euphoria.
"We won! We actually won!!!"
The players were jubilant, their fans in the stands equally overwhelmed with excitement. Although many had anticipated such an outcome, experiencing it in reality felt surreal.
By the seventh inning, Seidou's players and their fans had sunk into despair. Who could have imagined that within just over two innings, the team would be led to victory by a rookie who had only recently joined Seidou's first string?
"That was incredible!"
"This is like a protagonist's story arc!"
Fans placed themselves in Furuya's shoes and felt a wave of exhilaration. It felt like the beginning of an epic story.
"A debut game with nine consecutive strikeouts, an RBI, becoming the team's savior in a comeback win! Even a fiction wouldn't dare to script it like this..."
"This guy's debut is like having cheat codes!"
Even the players in Seidou's dugout couldn't help but envy Furuya's performance.
Who wouldn't want to shine in their debut game representing their team? But in reality, it's incredibly tough.
For most, nerves are unavoidable in their first appearance.
In extremely tense situations, being able to perform steadily is something that ordinary people cannot achieve.
Furthermore, even if you have a heart of gold, in order to take on crucial responsibilities like Furuya, and perform excellently upon your arrival, certain prerequisites are necessary.
First, you must have the opportunity to encounter such a situation; only then is it possible to excel.
Most importantly, you need to have the talent to support it.
There is no doubt that Furuya possesses all three of these essential qualities.
He seizes the moment at the right time, embraces the opportunity to shine, and combined with his exceptional talent, it is only natural that he lights up the entire field.
"Having a junior like him is truly a mix of love and hate," Kuramochi said bitterly.
The team successfully won the match, and as a member of the Seidou High School baseball team, he was undoubtedly thrilled.
However, simultaneously, as a senior and a key player in the first string lineup, Kuramochi's performance today was rather average.
In contrast, the first-year junior who had just entered the game managed to save the day.
Naturally, the pressure he felt was immense.
"I advise you not to compare yourself to him," Ryousuke Kominato said with a smile as he approached Kuramochi.
"I really shouldn't set my goals based on a teammate. That feels rather unfair," Kuramochi nodded in agreement.
He recognized that this mindset was somewhat narrow-minded and even a bit humiliating for a senior!
"I meant, you wouldn't be able to measure up to him anyway. It's better not to compare yourself to him, just to save your self-esteem!"
Ryousuke spoke candidly.
"Kominato-senpai?"
Kuramochi felt that his pride had taken a serious hit at that moment.
His eyes were nearly bloodshot with frustration.
Not only Kuramochi, but many seniors in the Seidou High School baseball team shared similar sentiments internally.
Furuya was merely a first-year junior, yet after today's match, they would find it difficult to see him as just an ordinary junior.
"From another perspective, with such a powerful pitcher joining, the strength of the Seidou High School baseball team is likely to surge!"
Many high school players from the Kanto region had specifically come to watch this match from the stands.
Furuya's sudden emergence undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to those players who had made the effort to attend.
Many of them felt a wave of dizziness wash over them as they realized the implications.
They had all expected this Kanto tournament to be a fiercely competitive event and had already identified their biggest threats among opponents.
Now, all their previous preparations have likely turned to nothing.
What truly posed a threat had transformed into another man and a team that they already found quite formidable.
"West Tokyo, Seidou High School baseball team, Satoru Furuya…"
"A first-year monster with a pitching speed exceeding 150 kilometers per hour?"
Unlike these professional players, the reporters who had come specifically to watch the match noticed something even more intriguing.
"This is incredible, number 20 from the Seidou High School baseball team."
This sudden outburst successfully captured the attention of the surrounding reporters.
"What's going on?"
"Look at this record!"
"Consecutive nine strikeouts is indeed unexpected. The Yokohama Kohouku players were caught off guard. But as for the record, it shouldn't be as significant. In the Kanto tournament six years ago, a player now known as the 'Monster' struck out 14 batters! While Furuya's strikeouts are impressive, there's still a considerable gap compared to the 'Monster.'"
"That's not the record I'm talking about; it's another one…"
Another one?
----------------
If you want to read 20 chapters advanced.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Shu_21