Chapter 296: The Man Narumiya Mei Cannot Get

One out, no one on base; walking the opponent's powerful Batter with a Base on Balls is a logical choice.

However, the Pitcher is Narumiya Mei.

This result surprised everyone present; the bad blood between Narumiya Mei and Huangqian Yangyi is common knowledge, as both are the most dazzling geniuses of this era, and if they meet in a game, a head-on collision is unavoidable unless forced otherwise.

Yet now, without any instructions from Inashiro's Coach, Narumiya Mei actually chose to walk Huangqian Yangyi.

From the team's perspective, this is a wise choice, but from a personal standpoint, isn't this a form of showing weakness?

This breaks the hearts of Narumiya Mei's loyal fans; they don't believe Narumiya Mei is afraid of Huangqian Yangyi, as after more than a year, they understand their Ace very well.

Perhaps no one wants to face Huangqian Yangyi head-on more than Narumiya Mei. And no one is more eager than him to defeat Huangqian Yangyi head-on.

But an Ace is an Ace precisely because he carries the expectations of the entire team; this is not a game for him alone, and carrying the team's expectations, Narumiya Mei chose to temporarily set aside his own selfish desires to maximize the chances of winning today's game!

Even if doing so makes people think he backed down when facing Huangqian Yangyi, it doesn't matter.

Thinking of this, Narumiya Mei's "mom fans" and "sister fans" actually burst into tears.

At First Base, Huangqian Yangyi, having been walked against his will, spreads his hands and looks at Miyuki, who is walking toward the Batter's Box: "It's up to you."

"Leave it to me, hehe."

"Hehe my ass!"

The two are exchanging glances.

Seido Dugout.

"It's a pity Huangqian-senpai was walked, but he's on First Base, maybe Miyuki-senpai will do something, I'm so excited!" Arima Kazusa is excitedly leaning on the railing; he isn't part of today's game, and he doesn't expect to appear on the finals stage right now, but that doesn't affect his enthusiasm, as he has been cheering for the team energetically since the game started.

"Miyuki-senpai's batting is also very strong, but if he can't hit an Extra-base Hit, it won't be easy for Huangqian-senpai to advance," Kominato Haruichi says from the side.

"Why?" Sawamura turns his head to ask.

Kominato Haruichi smiles, "Huangqian-senpai is an Ace; as such a precious Pitcher, he certainly won't be that aggressive when running the bases, and the Coach wouldn't allow moves like diving or sliding; to safely reach Second Base, it's best to have an Extra-base Hit so there's enough time."

"Is that so?" Sawamura mutters, "Then I should be careful in the future too; I'm a precious Pitcher, after all."

Hearing this, the people around roll their eyes simultaneously; that may be true, but is it really okay for you to say it yourself?

On the Pitcher's Mound, Narumiya Mei looks at Miyuki Kazuya with a complex expression.

The twists and turns between these two date back several years; after graduating from middle school, Narumiya Mei failed to invite Miyuki to join Inashiro, and although he has had Harada Masatoshi as his Catcher since then, Narumiya Mei still remains hung up on a certain someone.

Miyuki → The man Narumiya Mei cannot get.

A flash of resentment unconsciously crosses his eyes, but the next second, his expression becomes serious and focused.

Come on, Kazuya, this time, I must make it to Koshien!

In the Batter's Box, from Narumiya Mei's gaze, Miyuki senses an unprecedented seriousness and focus from this old friend.

Tsk, this is getting even trickier.

Miyuki feels a bit helpless; Narumiya Mei's expression of ignoring the runner on base and focusing entirely on dealing with him is truly high-pressure.

Just then, Narumiya Mei lifts his right leg high, his sharp gaze piercing Miyuki like a keen blade; Whoosh! The baseball flying from his fingertips reaches home plate in an instant; Pop!

"Strike!"

A perfect Fastball!

Miyuki looks down at the ball, then lifts his eyes to look at Narumiya Mei; the speed of this ball definitely exceeded 150 km/h, and he was still able to shove it into his chest with such precision.

Their eyes meet in the air, and the sparks generated make Huangqian Yangyi at First Base exclaim that his eyes are burning.

No, this is a game, what the hell are you two doing?!

Just as Huangqian Yangyi finishes complaining, Narumiya Mei has already thrown the second pitch, and Miyuki swings his bat to hit the ball Jianjie.

Narumiya Mei's pitching, which completely ignores the runner, makes it difficult for Miyuki to guess the pitch; even though Huangqian Yangyi is a few steps off the base, he doesn't care, and as a left-handed pitcher, he can see Huangqian Yangyi's movements toward First Base clearly; Narumiya Mei doesn't believe Huangqian Yangyi dares to attempt a Stolen base.

And the fact is, Huangqian Yangyi really doesn't dare.

That guy Narumiya Mei's eyes are like knives; if he really dared to dash toward Second Base, he would definitely be Force Out.

Zoom!

Narumiya Mei catches the return throw and pitches without a word; a Slider to the outside corner flies in, its beautiful arc precisely killing into the strike zone from a position far away from Miyuki, and Miyuki's bat also swings to the front of the ball at this moment.

Bang!

The force from the powerful collision makes Miyuki's palms go numb, and the little white ball flies toward Third Base; it is a Line Drive, and Inashiro's Third Baseman Yoshizawa Hideaki rushes out quickly, intercepts the ball the moment it touches the ground, and smoothly throws it toward Second Base.

Pop! The baseball enters the glove of Second Baseman Hirai Tsubasa, Huangqian Yangyi is Force Out, and then Hirai Tsubasa turns and throws to First Base without a moment's delay.

"Run!"

"Faster!"

"Miyuki!"

Seido's teammates shout at the top of their lungs; Miyuki's figure rapidly approaches First Base, and just as the baseball flies past the halfway point, Miyuki steps on the First Base bag.

Two outs, runner on First Base.

Narumiya Mei coldly watches Miyuki on base; with such a tricky Slider, and Miyuki being a left-handed batter, he still managed to hit it to Third Base; this guy is indeed much stronger than before.

"Pudding-senpai, go for it!"

A shout from Sawamura suddenly comes from off the field, and Masuko Toru, who just walked up to the Batter's Box, blushes.

Idiot Sawamura!

At the Catcher position, Harada Masatoshi slightly raises his eyes; although this Batter's hitting technique is relatively rough, his power is extremely terrifying, and once he makes solid contact, no one knows how far the ball will fly.

Can't let him hit comfortably; Harada Masatoshi quickly signals, and Narumiya Mei, also knowing Masuko Toru's batting characteristics, nods slightly and soon throws the first pitch.

Whoosh!

The rapidly whipped arm throws the ball as fiercely as a cannonball.

Fastball!

The bat swung by Masuko Toru emits a dull whistling sound.

The bat and the baseball are approaching at high speed; in front of home plate, the moment the bat is about to hit the baseball, the little white ball disappears!

Crack!

"Strike!"

A forkball!

Masuko Toru swung and missed, realizing it was a forkball.

"Such a swift downward drop, the little blondie's forkball has evolved!"

On the sidelines, Huangqian Yangyi spoke in surprise.

"Yeah, it hasn't been that long; it wasn't like this during the Kanto Tournament, was it?"

"Well~ he's a genius, it's understandable."

"That's right, just look at the one next to us."

Hearing Huangqian Yangyi's words, the companions chimed in with teases.