Shoto VS Hoshizora (2)

Incapable of saying for sure if that pitch really moved, Kazuki set those thoughts aside for the moment and began putting on his catcher's gear. As the catcher, he shouldn't be thinking about anything other than getting the opposing batters out while his team was on defense.

The first-year pitcher, Sora Okamoto, headed to the mound as the first opposing batter stepped into the batter's box.

"Give me a fastball on the inside corner, Sora!" - Captain Kazuki signaled, positioning his glove. Sora nodded and threw.

WOOSH

DONG

The batter hit the ball over the shortstop's head, just enough to safely reach first base. The next batter stepped in to hit. Sora was clearly frustrated about giving up a hit, but he kept his cool and nodded to the captain's signal.

A fastball was thrown high in the zone, but the batter quickly changed his stance, gripping the bat with both hands.

TONK

A well-executed bunt, the ball rolled down the foul line toward third base. Sora sprinted toward the ball.

"Throw it to first!" - Captain Kazuki shouted as he assessed the situation.

"I can get the runner out at second" - the young Sora, already irritated from the previous hit, ignored his captain's instructions. He grabbed the ball and quickly threw it to second base.

"Safe!"

Ren caught the throw, but the runner was already safe with a hand on the base. He then looked over at first base and saw that the other runner was also safe.

"Sora, why did you throw to second base? I clearly told you to throw to first, didn't you hear me?" - Captain Kazuki was upset about being ignored, and now they had two runners on base with no outs.

"I- I- I'm sorry." - Sora realized his mistake and apologized with regret.

The boy returned to the mound as the third batter stepped into the box. The captain signaled for a fastball on the outside, off the plate. Sora nodded and threw.

"Damn!" - Kazuki realized the ball hadn't been thrown where he called for it, it was right down the middle. It was normal for pitchers to lose control after a few bad plays, but Kazuki didn't expect it to happen so early in the game.

WOOSH

DONG

The ball was sharply hit on the ground, but unfortunately, it was placed perfectly between the second baseman and first baseman. Shun sprinted forward to grab the ball and throw it back home, but just as the ball bounced, he saw a samurai-haired boy diving for it with his glove outstretched.

PAH

Ren caught the ball and quickly threw it to Kenta at second base.

"Out!"

Kenta caught the throw and, after stepping on second base, quickly threw it to first.

"Out!"

Ren stood up excitedly. Thanks to him, a hit that would have scored a run for the opposing team and left two runners on base with no outs turned into a double play, leaving one runner on third base with two outs.

Kenta looked at his friend and gave him a thumbs up. However, before he could compliment his samurai friend's play, an excited female voice was heard by everyone on the field.

"Nice double play, Kenta!! My Kenta is the best! Go, Kenta!" - Mio Shimizu was jumping up and down excitedly as she watched the game. The girl didn't know much about baseball since she had only started watching because she wanted to see Kenta. That's why, when she saw Kenta receive Ren's throw and then throw it to first base, she thought he had made a great play and cheered enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, on the field, Kenta was still holding up his thumb, but his face had turned completely red as he looked at Ren with a sincere, apologetic gaze.

Ren, on the other hand, was foaming at the mouth in rage. He nearly threw his glove on the ground and went to beat up his lucky bastard of a friend. However, before he could do that, his teammates shouted.

"Good play, Ren!"

"That was an amazing catch!"

"Well done, Ren!"

Ren heard his teammates' compliments. Normally, he would have been thrilled, but after hearing his friend praised by a pretty girl, who the hell cared about some compliments from a bunch of guys? He just sighed and returned to his position but not before sending a death glare at Kenta.

Meanwhile, Captain Kazuki sighed in relief. Ren's play really saved the team. He squatted down again as the fourth batter stepped into the box. Unfortunately for Kazuki, Sora still hadn't regained his control, throwing another easy pitch down the middle.

WOOSH

DONG

This time there was no escape, the ball was hit to center field, the runner scored, and the batter made it safely to first base. The fifth batter was the opposing pitcher, Haruto Mori. Captain Kazuki stood up and headed to the mound, asking the umpire for a timeout.

"Sora, do you want me to ask the coach to substitute you?" - Kazuki spoke firmly.

"Huh? No- no, Captain!" - Sora was startled and quickly apologized, the boy clearly wanted to keep playing.

"Then follow my lead!" - Kazuki said and turned around without waiting for Sora's response. He returned to his spot and squatted down. He signaled for a fastball on the inside corner. Sora threw.

"Good!" - Kazuki was satisfied to see the ball's trajectory. This was exactly the pitch he had asked for.

WOOSH

DONG

Haruto made contact with the ball, sending it toward right field. Kazuki was relieved, thinking the ball would land in foul territory, but unlike his captain, Shun was sprinting while cursing.

"Damn it! This is going to be a fair ball." - Shun could see the ball's landing spot thanks to his Chase skill. He ran as fast as he could with the speed boost, but he realized he wouldn't reach it in time just by running.

At that moment, Shun had to make an important decision. If he dove and missed the ball, there would be no one to cover him, and the runner on first would likely score. In an instant, he weighed the pros and cons. Before, he never would have been able to think so much in an instant, but thanks to the improvement in his Mental stat, he could. Of course, Shun didn't know this, all he could think about now was the decision he had to make.

"Screw it! I didn't come here to hesitate now, I just need to not mess up!" - Shun decided. He dove for the ball that was about to bounce near the foul line.

PAH

"Out! 3 outs, changeover!"

Shun raised his glove to show he had caught the ball. After hearing the umpire announce the out, he stood up excitedly. He ran toward the dugout, receiving praise from his teammates.

"Nice catch, Shun!" - Ren said excitedly as he ran over to his friend.

*clap*

The two high-fived.

Kenta was right behind them. He opened his mouth to praise his friend's play, but was interrupted by a familiar female voice.

"Kentaaaaa! You're the best!" - the lovely Mio Shimizu shouted excitedly as she saw Kenta pass by.

Kenta blushed with embarrassment, but he quickly felt chills when he saw his two friends turning around with murderous glares.

"Let's kill this bastard!" - Ren said angrily to Shun.

"How do you want to do it?" - Shun asked Ren seriously.