Cooperation

"First x2!... We need to get him to third base!" In that instant, the two were surprisingly in sync.

"Puff!"

"The runners have started!" As Senior Tanba step, Sendou had already started running. Although he intended to let him go to third base, a reminder was still necessary.

"Fushi!" Tanba was completely unaffected; in fact, he was a completely different person mentally from before he was injured.

"Call out!"

"Smack!"

"Nice shot!"

"Safety!"

Shortly after Coach Kataoka declared the first pitch a strike, news came from third base that Sendou had successfully reached third.

"Hmph!" Coach Kataoka glanced in Sendou's direction, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face beneath the mask.

"This... this is... is this a coincidence?" Head Manager Oota asked, his eyes wide.

"What a pity! It wasn't a coincidence!"

"Weren't you curious about the opportunity that led to Sendou's change?" Coach Ochiai asked.

"I'm not curious at all!" Rei-chan retorted without hesitation, since she planned to ask him later anyway.

This queen-like older sister showed her proud and arrogant side, just like when Sendou angrily said "I'm not angry" in his memories.

"It's just curiosity!" Coach Ochiai, being a shrewd person, naturally knew what Rei-chan was thinking just by hearing her tone.

"What exactly was the trigger? I'm really curious!" Seeing that Rei-chan acting strangely, Head Manager Oota, being the nice guy he always was, immediately tried to steer the conversation back on track, even though he was genuinely curious.

"Since Sendou didn't specifically tell me to keep it a secret, it means I can tell you!" Coach Ochiai.

"Actually, Sendou-kun is currently in a low period!"

"A slump?!" Head Manager Oota looked surprised and incredulous, but mainly puzzled.

Just now you hit a beautiful shot, is that what you call a slump?

Rei-chan had a similar puzzled expression. Although this person liked dry jokes, she didn't think he would talk nonsense about such a serious matter.

"That's to be expected, after all, we've been out of real combat for a month."

Sendou-kun's swing now seems to have a pause in its motion; it's not as complete as it was in the summer!

"When did you find out about it?" Rei-chan frowned, and after thinking carefully, she realized something and asked.

"A few days ago, in the final of the Autumn Tournament Qualifier rounds, Cheng Xiang hit that Home Run!"

I discovered it at that time, and I believe Kataoka-san also noticed it at that time.

I probably realized it much earlier, so I secretly practiced my swings by myself.

In that simulation exercise, they also added practice to distinguish between good and bad shots, and the fact that they stood in the Batter's Box to help Kawakami practice ball control probably had the same purpose!

And now I've seen a lot more improvement in base running!

"Snort!"

"Are you angry?" Coach Ochiai asked weakly when he heard Rei-chan's soft hum.

After all, this is a young lady from a wealthy family, and she still has some of the temperament of a young lady from a wealthy family.

"I'm not angry!"

"Isn't this just anger?" The two people inside the room were speechless, Coach Ochiai said weakly.

The fact that Rei-chan was angry was something that Sendou, who often chatted with her, didn't tell her. And now that I think about it, it seems that several people knew about it, but she was the only one who didn't!

With the young lady throwing a tantrum, the two people in the room naturally couldn't continue talking.

Coach Kataoka was pleased because of Sendou's improved hitting and base running.

As Coach Ochiai said, the batting is indeed not clear when running the bases, but Coach Kataoka can hear it clearly.

During his recovery period, Sendou cannot use his arms and can only practice running.

Coach Kataoka, who observes his "beloved student" from time to time, is very clear about this.

When Sendou is running, he often mutters to himself and sprints every now and then. Although he doesn't slide on the bases, he is clearly simulating the timing and starting motion of running the bases in his mind.

Sendou's efforts are all in the details. Coach Kataoka knows that Sendou is trying to make up for the lack of fluidity in his swing and wants to achieve his goal through subtle improvements in other techniques.

This is also why we were able to clearly distinguish the two obviously bad shots that gave us the advantage, and then hit them beautifully afterwards.

Back on the field,

After reaching third base, Sendou once again moved far away from the base.

Miyuki, Miyuki adopted a short-sleeved stance.

"A strong hitter forcibly scores a point? And this is only the second inning?" The audience on the sidelines were already exclaiming in surprise.

From an outsider's perspective, the game has only just begun and it's not time to go all out yet. Such a powerful hitter doesn't need to play it safe; instead, he should boldly pursue hits.

"We're down by three points. We need to secure at least one point to boost the team's morale!" Miyuki thought to himself.

Coach Kataoka once again showed a relieved expression. The new team members had finally put aside their arrogance and understood the importance of a single point in a baseball game.

"Sendou is on third base... If he's going to score aggressively, then let them have one run!"

But we can't let that Miyuki get to base so easily!

"Press him down with a straight shot!" Seeing Miyuki's short game, Miyauchi-senpai didn't hesitate to get rid of Sendou, this plague god.

"Puff!"

"It's bubbling while running!!" Pudding-senpai reminded her.

However, knowing they couldn't stop it, neither the pitcher nor the catcher paid much attention and were focused on this one ball.

"Fushi!"

"Hmm?" Miyuki put his bat away as Tanba dropped the ball!

"Call out!"

"Ping!"

"Hit and Run!!!"

"Puff!"

"Yoshi! They've launched an attack!"

"Nice strike, Miyuki!"

"Nice blow! You bastard!!!"

"Haha! Sendou is on third base, so it's no problem to hit towards third base."

"But speaking of which, that guy's starting technique has gotten better, hasn't it?" Miyuki thought to himself as he easily reached first base.

"Third base runners are more than capable of getting back to home plate!"

"The active team retaliated and won back a point!"

And so far, no one has been eliminated!

"Nice base running! When did you start practicing, buddy?!"

The start was much better!

"Haha! You're right!"

Although it's not great now, at least it's no longer that disastrous start!

"We're definitely of one mind; you can tell just by looking at our expressions!"

Back at home plate, Sendou high-fived everyone who came to celebrate, but what they said next...

"Now we're only two points apart!"

Let's cheer up and get going!

"Let the seniors see how good you are!" Sendou said to Furuya after returning to home plate.

"Hi!"

"Boom!!"

"!!!"

"They're out!!"

Our attack has only just begun; let's rein in our aura!

"Furuya-kun!" Koharu was startled by this aura.

After his seniors scored three points in a row and Tanba-san displayed his formidable strength, Sendou immediately broke the atmosphere.

This immediately enlivened the bench area.