Chapter 26: Home Run!

"Yuki, it's up to you." Isashiki Jun said to Yuki Tetsuya with a look of annoyance.

Yuki Tetsuya gave a grunt, his face expressionless; the Horikoshi High School pitcher's speed wasn't fast, but the combination of his Slider and Sinker was not easy to hit.

Horikoshi High School: If it's not easy to hit, how did you score 7 runs in three innings?

Stepping into the Batter's box, Yuki Tetsuya radiated an intangible aura; as soon as the ball flew out, he swung his bat decisively—Bang!

The ball pierced through the infield defense and bounced away; Yuki Tetsuya reached First Base thanks to this hit.

And next, with a runner on First Base, Horikoshi High School faced Seido's main slugger, the Fourth Batter and Captain, Dong Qingguo.

Dong Qingguo's astonishing aura and massive physique were enough to make one shudder just by standing there; the Horikoshi High School pitcher had already given up two hits to Dong Qingguo before this, and now, facing him, he felt even more anxious.

4 balls.

Dong Qingguo was walked to base.

"Tch, what a cowardly, weak guy."

Even though he knew that choosing to walk him was the better option for Horikoshi High School, Dong Qingguo couldn't help but spout trash talk.

With runners on First and Second Base, Seido's Fifth Batter, Kominato Ryosuke, stepped up to the plate.

Entering the heart of the batting order for the first time, Kominato put immense pressure on the opponent in this game; his constant Foul Balls made the Horikoshi High School pitcher feel extremely agitated.

Seeing him stand in the Batter's box again, the pitcher subconsciously wanted to walk him directly.

But looking at the runners on First and Second, walking him now would load the bases; with no way to retreat, he had no choice but to fight to the death.

Kominato Ryosuke squinted his eyes; the smile on his face felt devoid of any warmth to those on the other side, appearing instead like a devil.

A Slider was thrown, and Kominato Ryosuke did not swing.

"Ball!"

"His expression is so stiff."

Huangqian Yangyi, who had been observing carefully, said.

Being forced to duel with a batter of Kominato's style, the mental pressure on the Horikoshi High School pitcher was far from ordinary.

Sure enough, the second pitch was clearly too high, at a distance neither far nor near; Kominato Ryosuke seized the opportunity and blasted an Extra-base Hit toward Right Fielder, landing it!

Scramble, scramble, scramble!

Jiecheng, who was on Second Base, returned directly to home plate on this hit, scoring one run.

Dong Qingguo, who was slower on his feet, stopped at Second Base, and Kominato Ryosuke reached First Base.

It was a pity that the ball hit by Seido's Sixth Batter in this game, Yoshikawa Junpei, was intercepted by the opposing Shortstop, who even turned a Double Play; Dong Qingguo and Kominato Ryosuke were put out, while Yoshikawa Junpei safely reached First Base.

Afterward, the Seventh Batter, the Third Year senior Shinoki Keita, failed to continue the offensive and was tagged out.

With this, the fourth inning ended, with a score of 8:1.

"With this score, if we want to end the game early, we not only have to hold them in the next inning, but we also have to score at least three more runs."

Huangqian Yangyi said, turning his head to look at the Eighth Batter, Miyuki, and the Ninth Batter, Tanba.

With no one on base, there was no need to have any expectations for Miyuki's batting.

As for senior Tanba, his batting ability could only be described as barely passable; if he was lucky, he might be able to make contact.

"Why are you looking at me?" Miyuki felt Huangqian Yangyi's gaze was a bit strange, as if he felt quite disdainful.

Huangqian Yangyi smiled and patted his shoulder: "Good luck, I mean with your batting."

"Wait and see me hit a Home Run for you!" Miyuki made a bold claim and walked out of the dugout with Tanba.

In the top of the 5th inning, with the help of reliable teammates, Tanba and Miyuki successfully sealed off Horikoshi High School's counterattack, not letting them score any runs.

Next, as long as they could score three runs, this game would end early.

Just then, Kataoka Tesshin suddenly turned his head, "Huangqian, when Tanba comes off later, you go in as a pinch hitter!"

Oh?

Huangqian Yangyi stood up in surprise, then shouted "Yes."

"Bat, bat!" Huangqian Yangyi hurriedly took a bat in his hand and began taking practice swings to find his feel.

He had thought there was nothing for him to do today; he didn't expect to still get a chance to bat.

Miyuki couldn't be relied on, and Tanba wasn't great either; it really had to be him.

Watching Huangqian Yangyi's smug look, Miyuki even turned back to huff at Huangqian Yangyi before going up to bat, only to be struck out and return in less than a minute.

"Sure enough, if you have no expectations, you won't be disappointed."

After Miyuki returned, he was subjected to Huangqian Yangyi's merciless mockery.

"Haha, it really is hard to hit," Miyuki scratched the back of his head and laughed, as if the person who had walked up to the plate full of confidence just now wasn't him.

"Watch closely, I'll give you a demonstration."

Huangqian Yangyi carried the bat on his shoulder, walked to the Batter's box with a smile, and after a very polite bow, stood in a forward position.

Seeing this, the Horikoshi High School Catcher's expression tightened; he looked up at Huangqian Yangyi—force a pitch to the outside corner?

Isn't that the tactic they have been using against Seido's pitchers all along?

"Go easy on me, senior," Huangqian Yangyi said in a low voice.

The Catcher lowered his head without a word, his mind beginning to guess Huangqian Yangyi's intentions; he knew this Seido First Year, as they had also studied the footage of the previous game.

In all fairness, if Huangqian Yangyi were on the Pitcher's Mound today, they could hardly think of a way to contain him.

But as a batter, being just a First Year, how strong could he be?

Just like that Miyuki Kazuya from before, who was said to be a famous player back in middle school—wasn't he struck out just the same?

Bluffing!

The Horikoshi High School Catcher made his judgment; in that case, then I'll pitch it for you to hit.

Low outside corner, Sinker!

Even if he makes contact, it will be hard to turn it into an Extra-base Hit.

Seeing the Pitcher assume the pitching stance, Huangqian Yangyi held his breath and focused, gripping the end of the bat lightly, and as the ball flew out, he took a step forward and swung with a mighty stroke.

Bang!

A crisp sound echoed in his ears; Huangqian Yangyi dropped the bat and began to sprint toward First Base, watching the small white ball in the air as he ran.

His running speed gradually slowed down as the small white ball cut through the sky, flying all the way until it landed above the Seido student cheering section!

The entire stadium went quiet for a moment, and after a short while, there was a thunderous roar of cheers!

"Home Run!"

"Huangqian!!!"

"Seido!!"

Facing the lively waves of sound, Huangqian Yangyi jogged and waved to the spectators, then easily circled the bases and returned to Home Plate to score a run.

"Damn it! He showed off again!" Miyuki could already imagine the way Kazuya Huangqian would mock him to his face later.

"Haha, the kid isn't bad," Dong Qingguo said loudly, patting his proud belly.

In today's game, even he hadn't hit a Home Run.

"Indeed, not bad," Yuki Tetsuya said, his eyes full of appreciation.

"I want to show off too," Kominato Ryosuke said.

Beside them, Takashima Rei's glasses glinted, Department Head Ota clapped excitedly, and Manager Kataoka's eyes flickered; none of the three had expected a Home Run to occur.

The original plan was just to let Huangqian Yangyi go up to bat and see; it would be best if he could perform well, but it wouldn't matter if he couldn't, as Seido's expectations for him were never on his batting.