Chapter 469: Seiko Showdown – Seidou Scores Again
"Batting fourth, catcher—Miyuki-kun!"
Seidou's clean-up hitter.
The heart of the team.
Captain.
Catcher.
And one of the Golden Battery.
If Sawamura Eijun was now the face of Seidou, then Miyuki Kazuya was its foundation.
To the public, Eijun might seem like Seidou's most important player.
But those who truly understood the game—
including Eijun himself—knew better.
Without Eijun, Seidou would take a hit in strength, yes—
but with Furuya waiting in the wings, the team would survive.
But without Miyuki?
Seidou wouldn't function.
He was the cornerstone.
Offense or defense—he was the axis around which Seidou spun.
Even Seiko's captain and catcher, Masu Shinichirou, knew it well.
As he watched Miyuki calmly stride into the batter's box, his eyes sharpened with apprehension.
The worst-case scenario: giving up another run right here.
And a walk?
With no outs and two men on base?
That would load the bases for Seidou's fifth batter.
Too risky.
Only a fool would make that call, Masu thought.
In Seiko's dugout, Coach Oga pressed a hand to his chest, then rubbed his earlobe—a silent gesture.
The infielders immediately understood.
It's okay to give up one more run.
But we must get an out here.
A run could be absorbed.
Momentum? Halt it.
Masu's expression tensed.
"This isn't like the other teams we've faced," he thought grimly. Still, his outward expression remained sharp.
...
"Fwoosh."
A blur of white light streaked through the air.
In the batter's box, Miyuki watched calmly.
His stance widened—
Then, with a powerful swing:
"Swish!"
The metal bat cut through the air with a sizzling screech.
But—
At the very last moment, the ball tailed off to the outside corner, curving just enough to escape the zone.
"Pop!"
Masu caught it cleanly.
"Strike!"
First pitch—a breaking ball away.
Over at first, Eijun's eyes narrowed.
Was Seiko trying to avoid a real fight?
That thought echoed in Miyuki's mind too.
And then—
He shifted forward in the box, slightly extending his grip on the bat.
His message was clear:
You want to pitch around me?
Too bad. I'm swinging.
Miyuki had already read Kojima's condition—
The velocity was there, but the weight, bite, and control weren't.
There was no need for pinpoint hitting.
As long as he read the pitch—he could send it flying.
From behind the plate, Masu noticed Miyuki's adjustment.
And his brows furrowed.
So fast.
They'd only thrown one pitch, and Miyuki was already responding like this?
He really thinks we're backing down.
Masu had been considering exactly that—
But now…?
No.
They weren't done yet.
They weren't going down without a fight.
Masu took a deep breath and set his glove firmly on the inside corner.
If Seidou had the guts to challenge them like this, then Seiko had no choice but to respond in kind.
Otherwise, they'd be the ones losing face.
Second pitch—inside fastball. Give it everything you've got, Ryuhei.
Got it!
On the mound, Kojima Ryuhei nodded with fierce resolve.
His left leg kicked high, then drove forward.
"Whoosh!"
The pitch burst from his hand like a blade of wind—
sharp and direct.
A searing fastball right into Miyuki's chest.
Miyuki's face twitched.
A blatant challenge.
But—
"You're underestimating me."
His gaze turned icy.
In the blink of an eye—his body twisted slightly.
The bat didn't swing wide.
His arms tightened.
He dropped his elbow—and using a compact, controlled motion, he met the pitch with textbook precision.
"PING!"
The sound rang loud and clear.
From the bench, Coach Ochiai broke into a wide smile.
That's our captain.
Not only could he unleash power—he had the control, finesse, and mental clarity to match.
Technique, power, and intelligence—Miyuki had it all.
...
"Whoosh!"
The ball cut a glowing white line across the sky.
At first and second—Eijun and Haruichi instantly took off running.
As the ball streaked toward left field—Seiko's third baseman and shortstop both dove to intercept.
But they were just a hair too slow.
"THUMP!"
The ball slammed into the dirt—just past the glove of the shortstop.
"It's through!!! A base hit from the cleanup hitter and captain! The ball rockets into shallow left field! The runner from second rounds third—he's headed for home!!"
"Throw it home!!"
Masu shouted, his face clouded with frustration.
Dammit! Another clean hit?!
Four in a row—are you kidding me?!
...
Seiko's left fielder snatched the ball quickly, but Haruichi was already closing in on the plate.
He hurled it toward home—
Too late.
"SMACK!"
Masu caught the ball—but not before Haruichi stomped on home plate with determination.
Seidou scores again!!!
...
"A flawless hitting sequence! Seidou High unleashes an overwhelming offensive in the very first inning! Seiko has no answer—two runs already in, and still NO OUTS! With runners on second and third, Seidou has completely taken control of the early game!"
...
"OHHHHHH!!"
"Second run—there it is! That's the power of a champion!"
"Let's go, Seidou!"
"Smash them right here!"
"Four hits in a row! Don't stop now!"
"Maezono, it's your turn—let's go!!"
"SEIDOU! SEIDOU! SEIDOU!"
The stadium roared.
Seidou wasn't just attacking—
They were crushing.
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