While Koichiro Tanba's fighting spirit was undeniably admirable, the gap in raw strength still cost him runs.
At the top of the ninth inning, Kitamura Kou drew a walk on four balls. Even though Seido remained on high alert for his base-stealing ability, he still managed to steal second base.
Having already faced Tanba once and gradually grown familiar with his pitching, Yamauchi didn't miss his chance this time. A sharp single pierced through the infield, allowing Kitamura Kou to dash home, while Yamauchi himself safely reached first base.
Next came Daiki Fukuda, who followed up with another clean single. With no outs and runners now on first and second, Yakushi High School's offense looked unstoppable.
However, that momentum came to a sudden halt.
Tatsuya Watanabe's infield grounder was poorly placed, and Seido High School once again demonstrated their impenetrable defense.
A triple play.
With that, Yakushi High School's score stood at eight runs, and the game approached its conclusion.
Still unwilling to concede, Seido High School launched one final, desperate counterattack.
But Kitamura Kou, with his overwhelming strength and flawless pitching, showed them a harsh reality—
Everything they hoped for… was nothing more than a fantasy.
A four-seam fastball clocked just over 140 km/h, paired with a sharp forkball, cleanly struck out Masuko Toru.
"Sixth batter, catcher, Miyuki-kun."
Now geared up at the plate, Miyuki Kazuya stepped into the batter's box, his expression unusually serious.
"Miyuki, Seido's savior—please, please send it out of the park!"
"Kou! Charge forward!"
"Miyuki!!!"
Even in such a grim situation, Seido's supporters continued to roar with unwavering belief.
"This pitcher is bold…" Miyuki analyzed silently.
"In his at-bat against Yuki-senpai, he threw two four-seamers straight down the middle, then used a changeup to strike him out. He also showed a forkball that drops sharply near the batter's hands—there's both a speed gap and vertical break. Judging from his mechanics, he should also have a pitch with lateral movement."
"If I were pitching, I'd attack the corners with fastballs for strikes, then finish with a large-speed-difference changeup."
"But with his personality… the center is the most likely target."
Miyuki's eyes sharpened.
"Even Yuki-senpai couldn't get a hit off that fastball. With my current ability, even if I guess right, I probably won't make solid contact…"
"So my only option… is to aim for the breaking ball."
"…but before that, I'll play along with him."
Having made his decision, Miyuki steadied his breathing and locked his gaze onto Kitamura Kou, settling into his batting stance.
"Kou, two outs left. Let's end this game here."
Akaishi Osamu set his glove right down the middle, his trust unwavering.
Kitamura Kou's smile widened as he saw the sign.
They were thinking the same thing.
He stepped forward and delivered the first pitch.
"Strike!!!"
Under the tense gazes of the crowd, the ball tore through the air and slammed heavily into Akaishi's glove.
Some die-hard Seido supporters, unable to bear the pressure, shut their eyes tightly and clasped their hands in prayer, begging for a miracle.
"Clang!!!"
At the sharp metallic crack, they instantly opened their eyes, grabbing those beside them in panic.
"What happened!?"
"Home run or out!?"
"Don't ask me—I couldn't see either!"
"The game's still on—it was just a foul ball!"
A wave of relief washed over the crowd, but it only deepened their inner conflict.
They wanted to look away… yet feared missing something incredible.
They wanted to watch… yet feared their hearts couldn't take it.
They were completely torn.
"Ouch…!"
Miyuki suppressed the sting in his hands.
"So it really is a fastball right down the middle… and it's even heavier than Furuya's."
"I was right to aim for the breaking ball—but…"
His expression quickly returned to determination, as if he were still intent on challenging the fastball head-on.
"Good, Kou! Keep suppressing him with your power!"
Akaishi called out loudly.
Kitamura caught the return throw, wiped the sweat from his brow, adjusted his cap, and exhaled deeply.
Only then did he throw the second pitch.
"Strike!!!"
The ball screamed through at around 145 km/h—once again, right down the center.
Miyuki, sticking to his plan, swung the moment the ball left Kou's hand.
"Clang!"
Despite swinging early, he barely managed to catch up to the blazing pitch.
"Foul!"
Even while being overpowered, he still managed to send it out of bounds.
"Nice! Two strong pitches already!"
"Keep it up—he's getting suppressed!"
"Miyuki, you're catching up—keep swinging!"
"Please… turn this game around!"
"We're entrusting our final summer to you!!!"
The stadium erupted into a chaotic mix of cheers and shouts.
Under the blazing spotlight, Kitamura Kou threw the third pitch.
"SWOOSH!!!"
As powerful as ever, the ball once again came straight down the middle.
"Here it comes… a breaking ball."
Miyuki's eyes narrowed.
"The initial speed is too fast for a forkball… so this has to be it."
In an instant, he halted his swing midway adjusting from the earlier timing and waited.
He waited for that expected drop in speed.
Then—
He swung with everything he had.
"Miyuki!!! We have to break through!!!"
Every player in Seido's dugout roared silently in their hearts.
The entire stadium held its breath.
All eyes were locked onto home plate…
Awaiting the final outcome.