The sides switched.
Now it was Seido's turn to attack.
Akikawa took the field, and You Shunshin stepped onto the pitcher's mound.
Standing there calmly, he looked toward Seido's dugout.
Outside the dugout stood Ushijima Wakatoshi, who was also watching him.
Without saying a word, the two silently acknowledged each other as their greatest rival in today's game.
Both were ace pitchers and fourth batters for their teams.
Both were international students from China.
Even their physiques were similar.
You Shunshin — 186 cm tall, 74 kg
Ushijima Wakatoshi — 188 cm tall, 80 kg
Tall, slender, sharp-minded.
Like two blades facing each other.
Even before the duel truly began, the players and spectators could already feel the intense fighting spirit between them.
"Tch… I'm really being underestimated."
Standing in the batter's box, Kuramochi Yoichi looked annoyed.
However, You Shunshin on the mound didn't even glance at him.
To You Shunshin, Seido only had five batters worth worrying about.
In his mind, the dangerous lineup was:
Ushijima Wakatoshi
Yuki Tetsuya
Isashiki Jun
Kominato Ryosuke
Miyuki Kazuya
As for the others?
He believed he could handle them easily.
To deal with a pitcher this sharp…
Kuramochi remembered the coach's advice from the night before.
Use mobility.
Use short-range tactics.
As long as you get on base, you can create pressure.
Kuramochi tightened his grip on the bat and stared at the mound.
In the stands, the reporters watched closely.
Fujio waved his fan while speaking.
"Akikawa's strategy to score early has clearly failed."
"Now they must face Seido's terrifying lineup."
"You Shunshin is under tremendous pressure."
Owada Akiko nodded.
"This match has been exciting from the very first inning."
"That's because this is a rare showdown between two Chinese players in Japanese high school baseball."
"There aren't many foreign students in the high school league."
"And even when there are, they usually come from different countries."
"But today…"
"These two players from China are facing each other for the first time in an official game."
"No wonder the tension is so intense."
Fujio silently agreed.
Perhaps this will be the first… and the last time they meet.
At least in high school baseball.
On the mound, You Shunshin finally began his motion.
Kuramochi focused completely.
If I want to use my speed…
I have to reach base first.
Just then—
Akikawa's bench shouted a warning.
"Third base! Watch out for a bunt!"
Immediately, Akikawa's third baseman rushed forward to guard the space between third base and home plate.
Kuramochi's eyes widened.
They saw through it!
His original plan had been to bunt toward third base.
But now that the defense had moved—
He instantly changed his plan.
"Tap!"
Kuramochi successfully tapped the ball.
It rolled along the line toward first base.
"Yaha!"
Kuramochi sprinted forward at full speed.
But before he could celebrate—
You Shunshin calmly stepped off the mound.
He picked up the ball smoothly.
Then threw.
"Smack!"
The ball landed perfectly in the first baseman's glove.
Kuramochi was still more than two meters away from the base.
"Out!"
"Tch!"
Kuramochi clicked his tongue as he slowed down.
His plan had failed.
Meanwhile, Akikawa's dugout erupted in cheers.
"What terrifying composure… and such clean defense."
Miyuki Kazuya observed quietly.
Beside him, Ushijima adjusted his batting gloves.
Looks like I won't get to bat in the first inning after all.
"Second batter — Second baseman, Kominato!"
The stadium announcement echoed.
Kominato Ryosuke stepped into the batter's box with his usual gentle smile.
He looked toward the mound.
"Your defense is impressive."
"I also came from Kanagawa to play baseball in Tokyo."
"But you…"
"You came all the way from China."
"To be honest, I admire that."
The other person he referred to was, of course, Ushijima Wakatoshi.
"But…"
Kominato's eyes sharpened slightly.
"I can't let Ushijima suffer here."
"That guy isn't just a monster."
"He's a genius."
"And you?"
"You're strong."
"But compared to our junior…"
"You're still inferior."
With that thought, Kominato prepared to swing.
The duel began.
Pitch after pitch.
Seven pitches.
The crowd roared with excitement.
Even You Shunshin looked slightly surprised.
Interesting.
Not only do they have a monster like Ushijima…
They also have technical players like this.
He exchanged a glance with his catcher.
Their next strategy was decided instantly.
The catcher placed his glove just outside the strike zone.
"Whoosh!"
"Smack!"
The ball landed precisely in the glove.
Kominato didn't swing.
He was confident.
Ball.
Behind home plate, however, the umpire was shocked.
What incredible control…
Every pitch lands exactly where the catcher places his glove.
No matter the location.
He throws it perfectly.
The umpire unconsciously began to admire him.
And when admiration forms—
Bias often follows.
On the Seido bench, Ushijima murmured quietly:
"He's going to strike out."
No one understood why he said that.
You Shunshin threw the next pitch.
The speed wasn't overwhelming.
Just over 140 km/h.
Kominato watched the ball carefully.
Based on its trajectory, he immediately judged:
Ball.
If he didn't swing, he would reach first base.
So he remained still.
"Snap!"
The ball hit the catcher's glove.
Even before the umpire spoke—
Kominato had already turned toward first base.
Then the call came.
"Strike!"
Kominato froze in shock.
"What?!"