Semifinal 3

Captain Yuki take his stance calmly, forcing the catcher to flinch.

'He didn't hesitate to step up, did he entrust his back on other people? '

The catcher was full of questions, he look towards Maki and they agree on making Yuki swing on contact.

A forced out

They thought

Unexpectedly Yuki also have a same plan but he execute it differently. A big and forceful swing make a contact on Maki pitch. The captain hit a double earning himself a cheers from teammates and the audiences.

"Woahhh! That's the captain for you! With such pressure he manage to secure another score for seido!"

The audiences went wild as Yuki run the base with a proud face. 2-0

Sensen's dugout was deadpans with silent. The pressure by having Seido score first is overwhelming even for a powerhouse like them.

'Maki! You can do it, ignore the runner focus on the batter'

'Maki'

Silent hope and cheers spread amongst Sensen's players making Maki who's shaking from the shock relaxed his stiff shoulder.

'Right, I'm facing one of the best batter in the West Tokyo, there's nothing to be ashamed off'

'Instead it's my honor that he take me seriously'

*Huffffed*

Mio who's watching at the sidelines smirk seeing Maki's relaxed shoulder.

'He's back, now let us fight properly Maki'

Mio recalled how he was so obsessed with Ace of Diamonds before transmigrating over, right now Mio feel so close to them. They're not a character, they exists like him. Standing in front of him, like a dream comes true.

"HAHAHAHAHA THIS IS FUN"

"..."

"Crazy bastard"

Kuramochi who just taken off his safety gear frown with Mio's behavior. Each day he start to act like an unstoppable force. Don't get him wrong, the terms crazy bastard doesn't give justice to his craziness. Fujikawa Mio, talented is not enough to describe him. A genius, yes that's a proper title for him.

'Good luck out there'

Kuramochi whisper as Mio's name was announced as the next batter. The stadium was dead silent with the unexpected lineup. Even Sensen was flabbergasted with such event. Murmurs can be heard on the bleachers doubting the scene before them. Scouts and other schools that came watching the match was caught off guard.

"Did Coach Kataoka pick him to be the clean up because of his recent performance or he just want to try new things?"

Teito High School coach, Okamoto Ippachi gave his opinion about Mio's appearance on the plate. Teito's ace, Mukai Taiyou stare at Mio who practicing his swing.

***

"Batter"

Mio come to the plate as the umpire call him, he stood far away from the plate making the catcher confused.

'Can he reach Maki-san pitch if he stood there? Never mind, that's his problem'.

Maki on the other hand was frowning hard. He know that Seido have the best guy, Miyuki on their team but having a first year as a clean up is a ridiculous thing he ever encounter this year. Did their difference in talent and skills that far apart with each other? Did he really lose that much?

Maki take a deep breath and focus on the batter', not even flinching seeing Yuki's big lead.

Play!

The whispers and past grudge in his mind make Maki lost his reasoning. The battery disagree on a few pitch making the catcher call for a timeout.

"Maki-san it think we should use more of your fastball to be safe"

"No, let's crush Seido's pride right here and now. Letting a first year to be a clean up need a big pride to make that decision"

"...if you're that eager then please throw your into my mitt, ace"

*Nodded nodded*

Seeing that Maki was adamant about it, the catcher agree.

Mio stood there waiting for the battery to finish their discussion. Mio feel excited about the fact that he's here, playing with them. This is his opportunity to play with his heart content. Maki and his catcher part ways as they conclude their small talk. On the way to the plate, the catcher flinch seeing an unusual look on Mio's eyes. He brush it off thinking that he may be mistaken.

Maki make his windup and throw, but the pitch is slightly off and called for a ball.

"Woahhh Sensen isn't backing down,that's a direct confrontation"

"Too bad that pitch was called for a ball"

"Did that pitch dropped than usual?"

Seeing the pitch Mio was speechless, did they think that he'll be scared with that provocation?

*Tsk*

"Come at me"

"..."

Seeing how Mio was unfazed it's the catcher turn to be speechless. How did he end up with two crazy person confronting each other?

The catcher make a sign.

*Grinned*