Sixth Round (3)

"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"

"Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga! Ka- Su- Ga!"

Shun received the ball from Daigo and signaled to the umpire that he was ready. Shun watched Kasuga's first batter stepping into the left batter's box, but he showed no reaction. He had studied not only this batter but all the Kasuga hitters extensively.

Shun stood on the mound, hearing the deafening cheers of the Kasuga crowd. Even if he wasn't paying attention, it was impossible not to notice how packed the stadium was and how many eyes were fixed on him at that moment.

The only similar experience Shun had was when he played games in the arena. But, of course, this time, being real, it felt very different. At that moment, an incredible pressure was building around the mound, the intense heat of Tokyo's summer sun, the noise of the opposing crowd, the focused gazes from all directions, the expectations placed on him... Shun felt it all.