Chapter 409: The Fierce Opening Battle
October 17th, Sunday.
At 10 a.m., the Edogawa Civic Stadium was already packed with a sea of spectators.
The number of people who had come to watch today's game was no less than the crowd that had gathered for Seido High's first match against Teito High.
The reason for this, of course, was not only Seido High's impressive and dominant performance that had drawn in fans, but also their opponent for the day.
Ouya High School, a public high school from East Tokyo, was a team well-known throughout the Kanto region.
Despite the limited resources of a public school, Ouya had managed to make it to Koshien several times over the past decade, and in a competitive region like Tokyo, no less.
For baseball enthusiasts, it was hard not to know about them. Although Ouya's reputation had waned in recent years, and they hadn't made it to Koshien since, they had consistently put up fierce fights against Teito High in East Tokyo, often pushing them to their limits.
In the regional tournaments, Ouya had always made it to at least the quarterfinals, if not the semifinals, and in the summer Koshien qualifiers, they were always seeded.
This year's summer tournament was no exception, and now, in the fall tournament, Ouya had already made it to the quarterfinals.
In the eyes of many, they were still a formidable powerhouse.
Moreover, after Seido's previous match against Ugumori High, where Ugumori had managed to score five runs off Seido, the audience's expectations for this game had skyrocketed.
This was why, even though the game was scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m., the stadium was already filled to capacity by 10 a.m., a clear testament to how highly anticipated this match was.
When the players from Seido High and Ouya High arrived at the stadium at the designated time, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers.
"Is Kawakami starting today?" asked former first-string third-year Tanba, turning his gaze toward the dugout on the first-base side, his expression questioning as he looked at Captain Yuuki and Chris.
The third-year seniors, who had just finished a round of intense studying and a mock exam, had come together to watch Seido's quarterfinal match.
For these players, who had dedicated their lives to baseball, the days without games or intense training had felt strangely empty.
"Yeah, it seems so. Furuya had a rough outing in the last game, and Ouya's batting lineup isn't particularly strong. Considering that the semifinals and finals are back-to-back next week, they're probably saving Furuya and starting Kawakami instead," said former third-year and Seido's resident heartthrob, Fumiya, with a bright smile.
"Furuya's mentality seemed off in the last game," added former first-string substitute and third-year Tanaka, nodding in agreement.
"Even though Kawakami is reliable, I can't help but worry a bit about him."
"No need to worry. With Miyuki there, he'll guide Kawakami well," said Chris with his usual calm and gentle smile, his handsome face as composed as ever.
"That's true. With Miyuki around, there shouldn't be any issues. Besides, after the last game, Miyuki won't make the same mistakes again," Captain Yuuki said firmly, his voice steady.
"It's starting!"
"Go get them! Crush them!"
The third-year seniors—Tanaka, Monta, and Sakai Ichiro—were fired up the moment the game whistle blew. Seeing the blue-and-white figures on the field, it was as if they were reliving their own days of playing on the diamond. The fiery passion in their hearts was hard to contain.
Meanwhile, at Seido High's library...
A certain shaggy-haired senior, who had failed his mock exam, was furiously scribbling away, tears streaming down his face as he cursed inwardly, "Dammit! I want to go to the stadium and watch the game too, you bastards!!!"
The intense, almost feral aura radiating from him kept everyone within a five-meter radius at bay. As Seido's resident enforcer, this shaggy-haired senior's intimidation factor was truly something else.
"Buzz—buzz—buzz—"
Back to the main point, as the loud air raid siren echoed over the stadium, it signaled the beginning of the quarterfinal match. At Edogawa Stadium, the final game of the fall tournament was about to commence.
On one side, representing West Tokyo, was the powerhouse and summer tournament champion, the reigning king—Seido High School.
On the other side, representing East Tokyo, was the renowned public school, Ouya High School, a former Koshien quarterfinalist.
"Bow!"
As the two teams stood in straight lines, their postures firm and their gazes locked on each other, the head umpire scanned the field with sharp eyes before raising his voice.
"Please treat us well!!!"
The spirited shouts, the confident expressions, and the unwavering determination of the young players were on full display. With hearts burning with passion for baseball, the stage was set for an intense battle.
On the first-base side was Seido High's dugout.
On the third-base side was Ouya High's dugout. (Funny enough, in the original story, Seido always seems to be on the first-base side. What are the odds?)
"Even after that poor performance in the last game, they still aren't starting their ace this time," muttered Kato, the sixth batter and center fielder, with a hint of disdain.
"Well, they are the reigning champions. It's only natural they'd look down on a public school like us," said Haruno, the leadoff hitter, his voice tinged with suppressed anger.
"Seido High, the kings of the field... what an impressive team."
No matter the circumstances or the setting, young athletes tend to have a certain pride. When the opposing team clearly isn't giving their all, it naturally stirs up resentment among Ouya's players.
"Isn't that just perfect for us?" said Wakabayashi Gou, the ace pitcher, adjusting his cap. His sharp gaze toward Seido's dugout revealed a fierce determination.
"Exactly, as Gou said. Whether they're prepared or not, the fact that their ace isn't starting is a great opportunity for us. First, we hold our ground, then we look for chances to strike. Remember what I've always told you: we can't match the practice hours of these private schools, and we can't rely on the same theories as professional or Major League players. We have our own style of play, our own way of winning. Don't be afraid, don't hesitate. Whether it's defense or offense, no one is perfect. That's just how it is. You're all high schoolers, just like them. I believe you won't lose to them. Let's overwhelm them with our spirit!"
Coach Araki's handsome face was filled with determination, his words exuding confidence. His firm tone, combined with the ace's confident smile, ignited a fire in the team.
"Ooooooh!!!"
Their spirits soared, their roars filled the air, and the stage was set for an intense battle.
Public school versus private school.
Would the powerhouse crush their opponents and assert their dominance?
Or would the public school rise up and pull off an upset?
The outcome would soon be decided!!!!