Chapter 44: Kawakami Norifumi

One Out, runners on second and third.

At this moment, the batter didn't hesitate and immediately set up for a tactical bunt.

This scene excited the coaching staff, including Ochiai.

Although Ochiai had only spent a short time with these third-year players, he couldn't help but silently applaud the efforts of Seidou High's third-year players.

The stories of those who were not talented but raised to greatness, while inspiring enough, but didn't align with Ochiai's logic.

Chris was different; he was a player who truly knew how to secure victory!

Every move he made, while seemingly simple, struck at the heart of Seidou High's New team baseball team.

Just like now, with first base open, there was no double-play threat.

At this moment, they could employ a forced run strategy to aggressively score!

If this tactic succeeded, the game's advantage would completely shift to the third-year players. Even if the pitcher collapsed under this pressure, it wouldn't be surprising.

"This is not how a student should act!"

As a Senpai playing against Kohais, it was rare to adopt such a calm and steady approach.

Chris had completely set aside his identity and was solely focused on the game, aiming for victory. This wasn't just his mindset for this particular game; it was how he approached every game, whether practice or official matches.

Chris's ability to respect every baseball game and strive for victory in every circumstance would ensure that whatever role he took in baseball in the future, his achievements wouldn't be small.

"He's truly a talent for Coaching."

Of course, compared to players who directly engage in battles on the field, a strategist like Chris was more suited for overseeing the entire game.

Miyuki, behind the plate, wore a troubled expression.

'Chris-senpai knew exactly how to apply pressure. At this moment, by setting up for a bunt, he had made things difficult for us.'

Glancing at the outfield where Sawamura was stationed, unsurprisingly, Sawamura was giving him a signal.

They couldn't allow Chris-senpai to bunt comfortably!

By employing a forced run, if Seidou High's baseball team didn't counter tactically, conceding a run was inevitable.

'What a predicament!'

Miyuki couldn't help but complain inwardly. Did the Demon King really distrust him so much that he didn't realize allowing Chris-senpai to bunt comfortably was out of the question?

'Advance the defense!'

As expected, Miyuki signaled for an advanced defense to the infielders.

Even if Chris executed a brilliant bunt, it would be challenging for him to use it to execute a forced run tactic.

'This isn't good at all!'

Facing this situation, Chris decisively withdrew his bat and set up for a regular hit.

Miyuki felt helpless but couldn't cancel the advance defense command. If he canceled the order now, given Chris Senpai's personality, after the pitch from Kawakami, he would likely revert to attempting a bunt.

With his batting skills, he could change from a regular hit to a bunt in a split second, it wasn't impossible.

In doing so, he could still employ a forced walk strategy, the highest probability tactic for success.

All the efforts made by Seidou High's baseball team thus far would be in vain.

Canceling the advance defense order was simply not an option. Similarly, not canceling it was equally troubling.

Each player's defensive position on the field was fixed. Now, with all infielders on an advanced defense, gaps had appeared in the infield area, which directly connected to the outfield.

To put it bluntly, with more gaps on the field, Chris's chances of getting a hit increased.

***

If Kawakami were the protagonist of a novel, the title might be "The Most Unlucky Days of Those Years" or "The Forgotten Substitute."

Every player trying to join a prestigious high school carries an immense dream. Some even call this a golden benchmark to test their own abilities.

To put it plainly, you are trying to truly confirm whether you can make a living in baseball.

There's no doubt about Kawakami's talent!

When he first joined Seidou High School, the team still had a bit of momentum from the previous glory, and there were still plenty of skilled players.

At that time, the team's Ace was dominant and intimidating. Compared to him, Kawakami seemed as immature as an elementary school student.

Adding to that, the painful training process, and the bleak future ahead...

All of this deeply tortured the young boy's heart.

During that time, Kawakami often thought that maybe he shouldn't have come to Seidou High School at all, that he would never have a future here!

In fact, not just Kawakami, but any player coming to Seidou High School couldn't avoid this feeling.

Such negative emotions deeply plagued them, wearing down their fighting spirit.

During that period, it was like hell for Kawakami.

Fortunately, he endured!

How could he not? Seeing the Senpais train like maniacs all of this time, pushing themselves forward with everything they got, how cold the young boy slack off.

Moreover, with his household situation, not doing his best after he was given this opportunity was unacceptable.

He was consoling himself by telling him that he will get his chance soon as long he work hard silently.

'Now, have my chance arrived yet?'

On the pitcher's mound, Kawakami asked himself honestly.

To be honest, Kawakami didn't have this kind of confidence before.

Now, facing a situation where there's one Out and runners on second and third, against the opponent who restrains him the most, Chris-senpai.

Regardless of how Kawakami thought before he actually encountered this situation, his current thoughts show everything.

Now that he has encountered it, he is braver than he imagined.

He can finally say that no matter what crisis he faces, he will not shrink back, absolutely not.

Despite his bad luck, becoming a rotating pitcher in the team without even securing the second position.

But he still won't relax his demands on himself.

Forward!

Forward!!

Forward!!!

No matter who stands ahead or what the current situation is, all he can do is give his all to pitch each ball.

This resolute thought somewhat affected Kawakami's momentum.

With the infielders shifting forward, he decisively threw his ball.

This ball didn't evade at all, heading straight for the inside corner of the strike zone.

'A good pitch!'

Chris in the batter's box silently praised in his heart, then swung his bat without hesitation.

His timing was just right, not too early, not too late.

Ping!

The white ball, as it entered the strike zone, suddenly changed its trajectory just before reaching Chris's bat.

This is Kawakami's signature pitch, the slider in the corner.

A ball that goes to the corner of the strike zone with some degree of change. Such a ball is very difficult to hit.

Yet, Chris managed to hit Kawakami's signature pitch as if effortlessly hitting it out.

The white ball flew high all the way, eventually landing outside the third base line.

"Foul!"

Even though the first pitch was hard-hit and flew out without landing inside the field, Chris's strong attack still astonished people.

"It's hard to imagine that this guy has been away from baseball for a year."

"Even with a year off, he can still rival Miyuki Kazuya behind the plate. It's hard to imagine, what kind of strength he would have had by now if he hadn't been injured before."

"No one can answer that question for you."

"Indeed, Chris-senpai is amazing!"

Not only the audience but also most of the Seidou High School baseball team's members, had their eyes on Chris.

In their view, Kawakami couldn't possibly win against Chris, even if he used all his strength.

So when they discussed it, it was almost all praise for Chris.

However, the development of the situation seemed to exceed their understanding.

In his previous performances, Kawakami had always been halfhearted, but suddenly he showed his power.

A ball that contained all of his power was thrown out.

Kawakami's hopes and dreams were charged in this pitch.

'Even though I've lost the chance to be the Ace pitcher in this team, I won't give up my ambition and motivation to move forward because of this.'

For himself, for his dreams.

Keep pitching forward!!!

Whoosh!

The white ball appeared in the strike zone like a laser beam, and Chris's task as an opponent now was to hit the incoming white ball!

Ping!

...