By the sixth inning, Kuki, a first-year whose stamina reserves were still lacking, had begun to pant noticeably.
But the boy's gaze remained resolute. He steadily adjusted his breathing, with his eyes fixed solely on the batter before him!
This was the kind of pitching that could only come from absolute trust in the defense!!
"Pfft!"
"Whoosh!"
"Smack!"
"Strike!
Batter out!!"
"Whew!" After getting one out, Kuki simply wiped away his sweat before immediately looking toward the next batter.
"This kid's performing really well!
He's giving every batter and every pitch his all without distraction!
He doesn't underestimate any opponent!!
He's a very steady pitcher!" Senior Kuramochi said with a smile.
"Yeah!
And when there were runners earlier, he coordinated fairly well with the fielders!
Although there isn't much value in judging him by this opponent, he looks fairly mature mentally as a pitcher!
All that's left is for him to get tested by strong teams when he has the chance!!" Miyuki rarely gave a pitcher such recognition in front of everyone.
"That's necessary too!!
Only stability shown in desperate situations is the real deal!!
But his potential is already on display!
That Kuki..." Senior Kuramochi nodded.
"..."
"What's wrong?!
You..." Senior Kuramochi noticed Miyuki had suddenly fallen silent and turned to ask.
"Normally, Sendou would chime in when we were discussing Kuki, right?!
It feels a little strange that he suddenly isn't saying anything...
This is an important junior from his dorm, after all!!" Miyuki joked.
"That guy's watching Furuya. He probably didn't hear us!!
Want to go over and talk to him about his important junior? (A wicked grin gradually appeared.)
Yahahaha!"
"Just look at that malicious expression of yours. He's interested in something right now!
Going over there to talk nonsense at a time like this... would