<78> Kataoka's High Regard for Furuya Satoru
Chapter 78: Kataoka's High Regard for Furuya Satoru
After hearing Narumiya Mei's words, the Seidou High baseball team members could barely contain their anger.
He was looking for Furuya directly?
Putting themselves in Narumiya's shoes, it did make some sense. Facing a pitcher who could throw 155 km/h fastballs, and who hadn't played in today's game, who wouldn't be curious?
Still, the fact that Narumiya ignored the entire Seidou team and focused solely on finding Furuya was something they couldn't accept.
It was outright disrespect.
"Oh? Are you getting scared of a first-year with a faster pitch than yours? Trying to beg for mercy?" Miyuki retorted sharply.
His teammates from Seidou felt extremely satisfied hearing that.
That's the way it should be! Narumiya wasn't showing any respect, so why should they?
"You know, I don't like the sound of that," Narumiya's expression shifted, and a powerful aura radiated from him.
Even though the final match hadn't started yet, his desire to dominate Seidou was unmistakable.
"If I remember correctly, your pitch hasn't even broken 150 km/h yet! The world above 150, especially at 155, is something you'll definitely find surprising."
Miyuki was an expert at provoking people. Before Furuya burst onto the scene, Narumiya was known for his fast pitches, among other skills. He was the true ace of Tokyo, and even on a national scale, his speed was impressive.
But everything is relative.
Narumiya's fastest pitch of 148 km/h was certainly outstanding, but compared to Furuya's 155 km/h, it paled in comparison.
As the saying goes, never hit someone where it hurts. Yet Miyuki had done just that, exposing Narumiya's weak spot.
Narumiya's face twisted in frustration.
"If you've got time to talk, save it for the field. If I recall correctly, we won the Spring Tournament, didn't we?"
"You also know that was back during the Spring Tournament. At that time, our monster first-year hadn't joined the first-string yet."
…
Because of these two instigators, the meeting between Seidou High and Inashiro Industrial ended on a sour note.
It was Furuya's first close encounter with Narumiya, but the two didn't exchange words.
Though the game footage had likely already spread, as long as Furuya maintained his air of mystery, Inashiro's players would have no choice but to be on full alert when facing him.
First encounters are always where rookies gain the most advantage.
As for Narumiya's bold personality, Furuya was left in awe. He had never imagined someone could be as audacious as Narumiya.
After all, they were about to face off in the finals, and gathering intel was crucial. Yet Narumiya had come so brazenly to scope out their team?
Even when leaving, Narumiya confidently told Miyuki not to get too cocky.
"I've got a secret weapon. I'll make sure to surprise you guys."
Narumiya's words were so sincere, it didn't seem like he was bluffing at all.
The Seidou players tried to brush it off, but it was impossible not to care, especially when they noticed the tense expressions of the Inashiro players.
Harada even grabbed Narumiya by the neck and dragged him off the field.
The Seidou High baseball team members became even more convinced that Narumiya indeed had a secret weapon.
When the players returned to the hotel, Coach Kataoka and Ota had already heard the news.
"A secret weapon?" Ota muttered with a frown.
Standing beside him, Rei Takashima pushed her glasses up confidently and speculated, "If I'm not mistaken, it's probably a new breaking ball."
As Inashiro Industrial's fierce rivals in West Tokyo, they were very familiar with Inashiro's team—especially their ace, Narumiya Mei.
While Narumiya was arrogant and not particularly likable, his skills were undeniably genuine.
Moreover, he wasn't someone who made empty boasts. If he said it, there was likely truth behind it.
After nodding thoughtfully, Coach Kataoka called for Furuya.
All the first-string players of Seidou, including a few first-year support members, eagerly watched the scene unfold.
Faced with the current challenge, Coach Kataoka didn't turn to his top protégés or even Seidou's ace, Tanba. Instead, he went straight to Furuya!
This level of trust was immense.
Some of the more mischievous teammates even turned to check Tanba's reaction, expecting a strong response. But to their surprise, Tanba remained calm, showing no signs of agitation.
It seemed that after the match with Kokai U Sagara, Seidou's ace had truly matured. At the very least, he wasn't as impulsive as before.
"Have you seen Narumiya's pitching before?" Coach Kataoka asked, his face expressionless.
Although his tone was neutral, Furuya could sense the concern underlying the coach's question.
"Yes," Furuya responded. Whether through game footage or watching from the stands, he had seen Narumiya pitch—and it had left a strong impression on him.
"If you were to start the game the day after tomorrow, do you have confidence?" Kataoka continued, posing the question openly in the hotel lobby, in front of all the first-string players of Seidou.
Hearing their coach's question, the second- and third-year players felt a jolt in their hearts.
Tanba had pitched well in today's game, no doubt about it. But precisely because Tanba had performed well, Seidou's players had seen his limits. Tanba wasn't weak, but compared to Narumiya, there was still a noticeable gap.
If anyone on the team had the potential to stand toe-to-toe with Narumiya, it wasn't Tanba—it was the first-year, Furuya.
Though this thought had crossed everyone's mind, none of them had ever voiced it.
But now, their coach had said it out loud, and not in private—he'd declared it in front of everyone.
Perhaps in Coach Kataoka's mind, Furuya had already become the only one capable of competing with Narumiya.
The faith he had in Furuya was immense!
"I can give it a try," Furuya replied humbly, but the fighting spirit radiating from him was undeniable.
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