Unwilling to Accept Defeat

"Eijun... is coming in!!" Hearing that Sawamura was taking the mound, Sawamura's Father and grandfather shouted in unison.

The two men in unconventional outfits were just so...

"Because his own mistakes let so many runners get on base, the coach was bound to make a move," Tadano said.

"No pitcher wants to throw that many bad pitches himself!" Narumiya Mei said dejectedly.

It was as if he had recalled something from the past.

"Huh...?" Tadano stared at Sawamura with the stunned look of someone struck by lightning.

"What is it?!!" Narumiya Mei asked with a displeased expression.

"No!!

It just felt like... that was such a human thing to say!"

"What does that even mean?!!!"

The slightly melancholy atmosphere immediately turned comedic again.

As Sawamura ran onto the field, Kawakami squatted low, gripping the ball tightly in both hands!

It was just like what Sawamura had done yesterday when Kawakami replaced him.

"Hey! A-nori!" Kuramochi smiled at the sight.

"What are you doing?" Maezono said with a smile as well.

But how much of that smile was genuine happiness was impossible to know.

"I put it into it!

Hang in there! Sawamura!!" Kawakami gripped the ball tightly and placed it in Sawamura's glove.

At that moment, Sawamura felt that the ball was incredibly heavy!!

It contained Kawakami-senpai's Fighting Spirit, unwillingness, and expectations!!!

Under Sawamura's silent gaze, Kawakami lowered his head slightly, the brim of his cap naturally hiding his expression.

Then he silently ran off the field!!

"You pitched well enough already!

A-nori!"

"Don't let it get to you!"

"Kawakami!!"

"Leave the rest to them!!!"

Warm applause broke out from the stands. The substitute players and Cheerleading Squad sincerely thanked him for everything he had given!!

Yet those cheers... only made him feel even worse.

"It shouldn't have been like