<108> What Exactly is Going On?
Chapter 108: What Exactly is Going On?
"What exactly is going on?"
In the dugout of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team, the players looked at each other, utterly astonished.
They had imagined countless scenarios, but they never thought that their team's core slugger would make a mistake hitting Furuya's changeup, despite predicting it.
With this, the game's dynamics completely shifted.
"Only seven outs left!!!"
In the stands, the die-hard supporters of the Seido High School baseball team were bubbling with excitement.
They felt the hot, rushing blood in their veins, making them extremely comfortable.
Even though Furuya might not be able to pitch with his terrifying speed, his current pitching is exceptional enough to be impressive.
"I told you, he's absolutely a one-in-a-million super talent!!"
A reporter who had been an avid supporter of Furuya couldn't help but tear up at this scene.
He felt he had the potential to be a talent scout because how else could he have spotted Furuya's incredible potential at first glance?
"Isn't that obvious? Do you even need to say he's talented?"
Some people scoffed at the reporter's remarks.
Who doesn't know that Furuya is a genius?
Even without his current changeup, just his terrifying speed alone is enough to astonish everyone.
As long as Furuya's baseball career doesn't veer off course significantly, he's definitely going to be a star in the field and possibly a megastar.
The current situation only further confirms everyone's beliefs.
"What is going on?"
Not just the others on the field, but even Miyuki, the catcher, was bewildered.
He couldn't believe it as he looked at his partner on the pitcher's mound, eyes filled with doubt.
The third batter of the Inashiro High School baseball team, though not as renowned as some of their other players, is a core batter and definitely not lacking in skill.
His eye for selecting pitches is impeccable!
So how could he make a mistake on a changeup he anticipated?
Miyuki couldn't figure it out.
But one thing he was sure of was that Furuya's changeup definitely had some secret he didn't know about.
"It's really exciting! I feel like I'm burning up. If that's the case, then let's see what level your changeup really is!"
Two outs, one runner on first base.
At this point, Inashiro Industrial High School's batter was their fourth hitter, Harada.
As Harada stepped up, supporters of Inashiro in the stands raised their hands high.
Their cheers were thunderous.
"He's just a first-year kid, hit the ball out of the park!"
"Our team's Harada is the strongest batter in Tokyo, possibly nationwide!"
The fans' high-pitched cheers created a moment where everyone had a strange thought as if the man standing on the pitcher's mound wasn't Furuya but some villainous boss character from a fantasy world, with so many people rallying against him.
"These guys are too much, aren't they?"
Though Sawamura and Furuya never really got along well, seeing the excessive actions of the fans, he couldn't help but frown.
"Isn't it an honor?"
Nearby, Haruichi said with envy.
"Haruichi, whose side are you on? Look clearly, those guys are supporters of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team. They're actually booing Furuya…"
Of course, Haruichi understood this.
He nodded firmly, fully assured.
Just then, a light breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with admiration.
"The more fiercely the opponents shout, doesn't it just prove how wary they are of Furuya? For an athlete, that's the best kind of compliment!"
After hearing Haruichi's perspective, Sawamura nodded.
Thinking it over carefully, he was amazed to realize that his teammate's words were spot-on.
That's really how it is.
"This kid really is extraordinary."
Neither the comments from the spectators in the stands nor the overall atmosphere of the stadium mattered to Harada as he stood in the batter's box.
At that moment, all of his attention was focused on the opponent on the pitcher's mound.
"Clearly, your pitching speed has slowed down, and your team ace is injured. Although the score is still zero to zero, from the standpoint of the game's momentum, you don't stand a chance of winning!"
This was evident.
Yet in such a situation, Furuya still bravely chose decisive pitching.
He altered his pitching strategy and, when unable to use his overpowering fastball, boldly relied on another weapon.
Although, in the eyes of the Inashiro Industrial High School players and the fans in the stands, this weapon seemed a bit risky.
That weapon was the changeup!
However, Furuya used this changeup to cleanly and efficiently deal with his opponents.
The entire process was executed without the slightest hesitation.
"Let me see it clearly!"
In facing the changeup, Harada wasn't in a rush to swing. He waited until the pitch was fully within his reach before swinging the bat.
"Ping!"
The bat connected with the ball, sending it flying into foul territory.
"Foul!"
The die-hard fans of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team appeared even more excited.
From Harada's swing, they seemed to have already witnessed Furuya being defeated.
This feeling was very clear.
"The pattern's been figured out, finish him off with the next pitch."
Behind Harada, Narumiya, who was all set to bat, joined in the chants from the fans.
Their thoughts were identical.
Furuya's changeup appeared mysterious, but essentially it was just a trick.
Once that trick is unraveled, hitting his pitches out of the park is only a matter of time.
However, hearing the chants behind him, Harada furrowed his brows.
From an outsider's perspective, Furuya's pitching didn't seem that impressive.
Even Harada had similar thoughts before he actually stepped into the batter's box.
But once he was truly facing Furuya's changeup, his perception instantly changed.
While his swings felt normal, there was something disconcerting at the moment of impact.
It was as if something was amiss!
"Ping!"
"Foul!!"
As the second foul ball occurred, the astonishment in Harada's eyes became more pronounced.
However, Miyuki, crouched in the catcher's position, noticed something peculiar.
"So, that's what it is!"
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