Semifinal 4

WOAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

"You see that?!"

"...a-amazingggg!"

*Flashback 30 minutes ago*

Seeing the smile on Mio's face, Maki was determined to make his face unable to smile again. With that, he make his wind-up after his catcher make sign for a pitch. Mio focused his sight on the pitch, A fastball coming!

*Ting!*

Everyone on the field take a deep breath waiting for the result.

"Foul!"

*Ahhh*

Sound of nervous sighs can be heard everywhere. Even Sawamura who always stayed positive was gritting his teeth.

'come on you pretty boy!'

Sawamura mumbling was heard by Haruichi, then he approached Sawamura.

"Do you think he can hit it?"

"Woahh! You startled me! I know he can, no he will"

Sawamura determined eyes fascinated Haruichi as he trust Mio without the slightest doubt

"Yeah, he will"

Haruichi smiled, he felt a fire ignited inside his heart. Yes, he can't be left behind. Haruichi was determined having his teammates having no doubt about his ability. Just like the guy on the field, fighting for their team's score. Meanwhile, Miyuki who's on the side chuckle.

'having your teammate unconditional trust was the best thing, well unconditional trust is one matter but having the ability to have them trust you also a matter'

On the sidelines, Furuya clenched his fist. He can't be outdone! He will catch up.

'aww that sting'

Mio murmur as he received the impact.

'That Maki guy was insane, did he have a beef with Seido or what'

Mio shake his hand to lessen the pain, he breath in and out.

"Play!"

*Ting!*

"Foul"

*Ting*

"Foul"

*Ting*

"Strike"

*Ting*

"..."

The intense showdown between each team respective Ace was hard to watch.

"Come on, Maki! You can strike him"

"Mio-kun you can see it! You almost done"

"Blast it away!"

"Strike him Maki!"

Meanwhile on the bleachers, a man wearing all black suit commented.

"If he can't hit the pitcher pitch on this level, there's no way he can join the pro"

This comment cause Mei who want to leave flinch.

"Hey, who you are to talk like that?!"

"..Mei-san"

"Oh? Isn't this Inashiro's little Ace?"

"Old man, I say you want a taste of my punch aren't you?"

"Mei-san! We're sorry mister, he seems rude but he's actually a good person"

Shirakawa and Carlos feel embarrassed by Mei's sudden outburst with the stranger.

"It's okay lad, hey Ace I have a little advice for you, you need strength to act like the way you want"

"..."

"Now don't be in a rush to leave, let's watch this match till the end".

Mio puffed his cheeks, a sign for protest but in the end he compromise seeing Shirakawa and Carlos obediently standing beside the unknown man.

The man keep talking as if they are close with each other.

"Do you think he can hit it?"

"..."

"Based on coach Kataoka character he will never make any significant move, especially we're nearing the end of this championship".

"Well maybe Mio show good enough result in batting making the coach to change the lineup"

Mei was the one who answered the question.

"Good answer, but as a pitcher what's your thoughts about you not having the the mound for yourself?"

"...I- I'll lose it"

Mei look straight into the man's eyes, indicating that he was serious.

"HAHH- "

" Woahhhhh"

"...a-amazingg"

"At last! After a long duel between them, the little Ace of Seido manage to hit Sensen's ace pitch! What a good showdown!"

Their conversation was interrupted when a sudden cheers envelope them.

"It's seem he manage it well, then till I see you again, Narumiya Mei"

The man leave the three of them.

"What happened?"

Mei asked Shirakawa and Carlos about the match.

"Maki lose control over his pitch and Fujikawa-kun take that chance to blast it away"

"A home run"

"..."

"You see that!? HAHAHAHAHA Our pretty boy was useful for once!"

"Eijun-kun..."

"Woahh that's scary, how can he hit it like that? Monster"

"Well that's Mio for you, unlike someone who's inconsistent"

"Kuramochi I know you're talking about me"

"Oh? That's good then, hope you can be more consistent "

"You little.."

Seido's dugout was full of noises after Mio's home run. Seeing the mood instantly change, Furuya clenched his fist. He won't lose to him, not a chance. Thinking about it, up until now he always thought that if he work harder to catch up to him maybe he can take a chance to compete with Mio, but that little dream of his was shattered instantly when Mio displayed his play. At first Furuya was thinking how good can it be, to be someone like Fujikawa Mio. A talented individual. He felt life was unfair, blaming it on Mio's talent.

Until one day, he crossed upon Mio who supposed to be sleep practicing his pitches and accompanying Haruichi practice his batting.

From that moment, Furuya realize that he just can't accept the fact that there's someone who's better than him. Instead of practicing and making himself better, he choose to succumbed in his own insecurities. What a joke.

He choose Seido, hoping there's someone that can catch his pitch but he literally forget about that after the appearance of such monster. He want to compete with him!

Now that Furuya conscious of his own act, he will not dwell into the past anymore.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAH"

Everyone inside the dugout paused after hearing Furuya's sudden laugh.

"Furuya have you gone crazy?"

"Eijun-kun..."

"Ahh yes, whoever stay normal under such circumstances was worth giving respect"

"He's gone nuts! Furuya gone nuts!"

"Eijun-kun you're too loud!"

"Heh, it's seems Furuya get his self together"

"What do you mean by that Miyuki?"

"Scary"

"..."

*Crack*

"Oi! That's hurt!"

Facing Kuramochi who kicked his back Miyuki gave a subtle smile.

"Just wait and see Kuramochi, the emergence of monsters in our team"