"Wow—that's incredible!"
"He actually stopped it!"
"With just his right hand?!"
Akiko Owada couldn't hide her shock.
"If that ball had gotten away, Seido's situation would've been even worse," Fujio Mine added with a sigh.
All around the stadium, astonished voices rose one after another, all directed at Miyuki Kazuya's brilliant defensive play.
"You put too much into that one, Tanba-senpai," Miyuki said calmly as he tossed the ball back. "Relax. Just relax."
Despite the concerns surrounding Tanba's condition, Coach Kataoka remained completely unmoved.
At this point, there were no better options.
Aside from Tanba, the only available pitcher was Furuya Satoru—who had already been shaken in the first inning and moved to left field.
With several innings still left to play, entrusting the mound to Furuya, whose condition was uncertain, was far riskier.
Compared to that—
Kataoka chose to believe in the ace he had cultivated for nearly three years.
No need to rush…
Tanba steadied his breathing.
Everyone is backing me up.
I just need to do my job.
He lifted his leg—
and delivered.
"Strike!"
Mishima Yuta froze.
He had been waiting for a fastball.
After that previous breaking ball that lost control, he never expected—
another curveball.
Too late.
The pitch dropped sharply—
landing cleanly into Miyuki's mitt.
"Strike three! Batter out!!!"
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
Tanba roared toward the sky, releasing all the frustration and pressure he had been carrying since his injury.
"As expected of Tanba-senpai!"
"That's our ace!"
"He shut them down!"
The Seido supporters erupted in cheers.
"Two curveballs in a row… impressive," Omae Takahiro commented. "Even after losing control earlier, they still dared to go back to it. Miyuki's pitch calling is bold."
From the on-deck circle, Kitamura Kou watched intently.
A spark lit in his eyes.
That pitcher…
Even if the last pitch wasn't perfect—
the presence was real.
Don't disappoint me.
With that thought, he turned and walked back toward the dugout, preparing for the next clash.
Bottom of the Sixth Inning
Despite nearing his limits—
Sanada Shunpei still stood firm.
And Seido—
responded in kind.
Kuramochi Yoichi led off.
A short-bat swing—
combined with his speed—
put him safely on first.
Kominato followed, continuing the pressure.
Another controlled at-bat.
Then—
Isashiki Jun.
Yuuki Tetsuya.
Back-to-back hits.
Kuramochi dashed home.
Run scored.
The gap narrowed.
One out.
Runners on first and third.
Masuko Toru was retired—
but Seido didn't stop.
Miyuki Kazuya stepped up—
and delivered.
Another hit.
Run scored.
Now—
Just one run difference.
Seido's momentum surged.
The comeback was within reach.
But—
Sanada refused to fall.
Gritting his teeth—
he unleashed one final pitch.
A sharp cutter.
Satoru Furuya swung—
and missed.
Out. Inning over.
Sanada stood tall.
Barely holding on—
but still standing.
Miyuki exhaled slowly.
…They're not going down easily.
"The score is now a one-run game," Akiko Owada said. "With only a few innings left, it's impossible to predict the outcome."
"The key will be how Seido handles Kitamura in the next inning," Fujio Mine analyzed. "Do they continue to walk him? Or do they face him head-on and ride this momentum?"
Back in the dugout—
all eyes turned to one man.
Coach Kataoka.
"What should we do?" Ota asked. "Do we face them directly?"
"The flow is shifting in our favor," Chris said calmly. "Their ace is exhausted. This is our chance."
"Tanba-senpai's control isn't perfect," Miyuki added, "but his pitches are still sharp. If we face them now we have a real shot."
His eyes burned with determination.
"We've held back long enough."
"If we avoid them again now, our momentum will die," he thought.
"Let's fight them!" Jun Isashiki shouted.
"But we've already lost two pitchers," Ota argued. "If Tanba collapses too… we're left with Furuya. That's too risky!"
Silence fell.
Every player turned—
waiting.
For the final decision.
In the stands—
"What do you think?" Tsukishima Wakaba asked. "They've already used their ace… will they still walk Kou?"
"I don't know," Tsukishima Aoba replied quietly. "It depends on the coach."
"The score's only one run now…" Tsukishima Momiji said anxiously.
"No need to worry!" Wakaba said confidently, puffing up with pride. "Kou said he'll pitch in the seventh."
She grinned.
"And if Kou pitches—we're definitely winning."
"Don't forget," she added,
"My predictions are always right."