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The sun blazed overhead as the second half of the game against Koshigaya High began. The scoreboard was tightly contested, with Seidou leading by just one run. Asahi could feel the tension in the air, a tangible mix of excitement and pressure that urged him to give his all.
As he took his place on the mound, the cheers from the crowd blended into a steady roar, pushing him forward. The dugout was alive with encouragement, but the most significant motivation came from Eijun and Miyuki, who were both positioned behind him, ready to offer support.
Asahi had his sights set on the next batter none other than Takumi, the brash pitcher from Koshigaya High. The rivalry crackled like electricity as they faced off, each aware of the stakes.
Takumi stepped into the batter's box, a confident grin plastered on his face. "Ready to see what you've got, Kuroda?" he taunted, tapping his bat against his cleats.
Asahi clenched his jaw, focusing on the task at hand. "Just watch," he muttered under his breath.
Miyuki signaled for the fastball, and Asahi nodded, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He wound up, released, and the ball shot from his hand like a bullet.
Thwack!
Takumi swung hard, but the ball zipped past him, the umpire's call ringing clear: "Strike!"
The crowd erupted, their cheers a wave of energy that flowed through Asahi.
The next pitch was a slider, intended to catch Takumi off guard. Asahi released the ball with precision, watching as it broke just enough to evade Takumi's bat.
"Strike two!" the umpire shouted, and the excitement from the Seidou dugout intensified.
With two strikes against him, Takumi's expression shifted from confidence to determination. Asahi could see him focusing, analyzing the pitch he had just faced.
For the final pitch, Asahi decided to unleash his forkball, a move he had practiced countless times. He had to be careful, though; it was a risky pitch against a batter of Takumi's caliber.
Miyuki called for it, and Asahi felt a surge of adrenaline. He wound up again, visualizing the ball's trajectory in his mind.
As the ball left his hand, it looked like a fastball, but just before reaching the plate, it dropped sharply.
Takumi swung with all his might, but the bat met only air. The sound of the missed connection resonated through the field, followed by the umpire's firm declaration: "Strike three!"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, cheers echoing throughout the stadium. Asahi felt a rush of exhilaration as he punched the air in celebration. He had faced the challenge head-on and emerged victorious.
"Nice job, Kuroda!" Eijun yelled from the dugout, pumping his fist in the air.
Asahi couldn't help but smile. It was a validation of his hard work and determination. He was starting to realize that he belonged here.
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With the momentum on their side, Asahi continued to pitch, each batter falling victim to his arsenal. His fastball blazed through the strike zone, while his slider and forkball kept the Koshigaya hitters guessing. Each strikeout filled him with confidence, and he felt the weight of his past lifting, bit by bit.
But just as Asahi was finding his groove, a new batter stepped up to the plate Koshigaya's cleanup hitter, known for his powerful swing. Asahi could feel the shift in energy as the crowd held its breath.
Miyuki called for the fastball, and Asahi nodded, determination flooding his veins. This was the moment to prove himself. He delivered the pitch with all his strength, the ball flying towards the plate like a missile.
The batter swung hard, connecting with a loud crack that echoed through the stadium.
Whack!
The ball soared toward the outfield, heading straight for the fence.
"No!" Asahi shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
Furuya, quick on his feet, sprinted toward the ball. As it approached the fence, Asahi watched, heart racing. Furuya leaped, reaching for the ball at its highest point.
Time seemed to slow as he soared into the air, fingers just brushing against the ball.
Thud!
The ball landed in Furuya's glove just as he crashed to the ground, securing the catch. The stadium erupted into cheers, and the Seidou players jumped to their feet, celebrating the incredible play.
Asahi couldn't help but laugh, the tension draining from him as he joined in the celebration. They were a team, and together they could overcome any challenge.
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As the game progressed into the final inning, Asahi felt the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders. He was determined to finish what he had started. Koshigaya was not going down without a fight, and he could feel the pressure building again.
With the score still close, Asahi took a deep breath, preparing himself for the final showdown. Each pitch would count, and he had to give everything he had.
With two outs and a runner on second, Asahi faced the last batter of the game. He felt the intensity in the air, his heart pounding in his chest. Miyuki called for the slider, and Asahi nodded, his focus sharp.
As he delivered the pitch, the ball cut through the air, darting away from the batter's bat.
Strike one!
The crowd roared, and Asahi felt a surge of energy. He could do this. He was ready.
The next pitch was another slider, but this time the batter anticipated it. He swung, connecting, but the ball skied high into the air.
As the ball arced toward the outfield, Asahi watched, holding his breath. It seemed to hang in the air for an eternity, and he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty.
Furuya rushed back into position, eyes locked on the ball. As it descended, he timed his jump perfectly, snatching it out of the air just inches above the ground.
Thud!
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Asahi felt a rush of relief wash over him. They had done it. Seidou High had defeated Koshigaya High, and Asahi had proven himself on the mound.
As the final out was called, the team flooded onto the field, celebrating their hard-fought victory. Eijun, Miyuki, and the others surrounded Asahi, lifting him onto their shoulders.
"You did it, Kuroda! You were amazing!" Eijun shouted, his enthusiasm infectious.
Asahi laughed, the weight of his doubts melting away in the warmth of his teammates' camaraderie. He had faced his fears, risen to the occasion, and earned their respect. For the first time, he felt like he truly belonged.
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In this chapter, Asahi faces his rival Takumi and a series of challenges during the game against Koshigaya High. Through determination and teamwork, he showcases his skills on the mound, overcoming pressure and earning the support of his teammates. The chapter highlights Asahi's growth as a character and sets the stage for future challenges in his journey.