Chapter 466: Seiko Showdown – Between Spear and Shield
"Top of the 1st inning, Seidou High School is up to bat. Leading off—shortstop, Kuramochi-kun."
"Let's go, Seidou's Cheetah!"
"We're counting on you, Kuramochi—get on base!"
"Attack, Kuramochi!"
"Sprint right through!"
"Make them fear your speed!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd as Kuramochi stepped into the batter's box, wearing his trademark mischievous grin and casually swinging his bat.
He looked relaxed.
But on Seiko's side—it was anything but relaxed.
Their entire defense was on high alert, practically treating him like a threat-level emergency.
And rightfully so.
Kuramochi's speed was outrageous.
Those grounders that would be automatic outs for 99% of hitters?
He could leg them out into infield singles with brute footspeed alone.
A threat like that—
Seiko had no choice but to take precautions.
As soon as Kuramochi stepped in, the infield shifted forward. Even the outfielders moved in—
Everyone adjusted their positions.
"They're fully committing to stopping the infield single," Eijun murmured from the dugout, narrowing his eyes.
Bold move from Seiko to go all-in like this in the first inning.
But...
Or maybe, precisely because it's the first inning, they're willing to gamble like this?
A strange glint flashed in Eijun's eyes.
At the same time, behind the plate, Masu Shinichirou wore a serious expression.
If the ball slipped past them, they'd accept it.
But otherwise—they had to stop this leadoff batter.
They knew:
If Kuramochi got on base, Seidou's scoring chances would skyrocket.
"Ryuhei... be careful with the first pitch."
Masu subtly signaled with his fingers.
On the mound, ace Kojima Ryuhei gave a firm nod.
...
"!!"
At the umpire's cue—
Kuramochi's eyes instantly sharpened.
His body tightened like a drawn spring, a glint of ice flashing in his pupils as he stared down Kojima.
So you're underestimating my hitting now?
Just give me something decent—watch me send it flying.
With a smirk curling on his lips, Kuramochi gripped the bat tightly.
...
First pitch—
"Fwoosh!"
Kojima's thick legs powered forward.
His heavy frame surged ahead, his arm whipping around violently.
A bright white flash shot toward the plate—
Carrying weight.
Carrying intent.
As it neared home—
Kuramochi's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Swish!"
His body twisted as he uncoiled—
The bat sliced through the air with deadly precision.
"Ping!"
The incoming pitch clashed with the bat—
The crisp bang ringing out with clarity.
Kuramochi's brow lifted slightly—not from pain, but from surprise.
That pitch didn't have as much heft as he expected.
A flicker of joy flashed across his face.
Kuramochi centered his breathing, grounding his stance with full force from his lower body.
As his torso twisted, he drove the bat downward with power—accompanied by a sharp shout and a blur of metal slicing through the air.
A high-pitched screech rang out.
"Whoosh!"
The ball, launched off Kuramochi's bat, became a white streak across the sky.
At home plate, Masu Shinichirou's expression changed in an instant.
On the mound, Kojima Ryuhei's round face turned dark.
"Center field!"
A fastball with speed but no weight—no late movement.
Kuramochi handled it with ease.
The ball flew just beyond the infield.
It wasn't a deep shot—
But due to Seiko's earlier decision to shift their outfield inwards to prevent infield hits, this should-have-been routine fly ball became a costly risk.
"Thud!"
Kuramochi, not known for power hitting, landed the ball perfectly into shallow center.
It dropped into a spot no one could reach in time.
As the ball hit the ground—
Kuramochi's figure blurred past first base like a gust of wind.
Seiko's infielders felt their blood run cold.
Holy crap—he's fast!!
"Hurry! Infield, move!"
If they didn't act fast, this guy might push all the way to third!
It was just as the rumors said—
Letting Kuramochi get on base was asking for trouble.
By the time Seiko's center fielder picked up the ball, Kuramochi was already barrelling toward second, his posture hinting that he was considering third.
The center fielder twisted and fired the ball back toward the infield.
"Smack!"
The shortstop caught it cleanly—
And Kuramochi wisely slid to a stop at second base.
Any farther, and he might've been tagged out. Better to bank the gain.
Even so, Kuramochi's victorious pose atop second base had Seiko's players grinding their teeth.
"OHHHHH!! An amazing display of base running!!"
"Seidou's lightning-fast leadoff man reaches second with a hit that barely cleared the infield! And just like that, Seidou has a prime scoring opportunity in the first inning!!"
The announcer's voice rang out over the stadium, followed by a wave of cheers from the crowd.
In the stands, Coach Raizou winced—
Kuramochi was exactly the type to shine the moment he was given even the slightest opening. They absolutely couldn't let him loose.
Even Coach Kunimoto furrowed his brow. The scene reminded him of that one moment in the summer tournament...
...
Ryuhei... you forced it too much on that first pitch.
Relax your shoulder—without control, speed alone means nothing.
Behind the plate, Masu gave Kojima a sharp look.
Kojima clenched his jaw, his eyes hardening.
Something was off.
Today… he just couldn't seem to find his rhythm.
...
"Second batter—second baseman, Kominato-kun."
"Haruichi—don't hesitate."
"That Seiko pitcher's off today. No weight, no bite—just speed. If you get a good look at the first pitch, swing."
Just before he stepped into the batter's box, Eijun called out quietly to Haruichi.
Haruichi glanced briefly at the field, remembering Kuramochi's hit.
A thoughtful light flickered in his eyes before he nodded.
"Got it, Eijun-kun."
He stepped in with quiet determination.
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