Calculations on Both Sides

As Sendou and Haruichi passed each other, Haruichi lowered his head, gave Sendou a slight nod, and walked straight toward the dugout.

"I won't let the game end like this!

I promise!!"

Hearing those words from behind him, Haruichi stopped in his tracks, then continued forward with determination.

"Next time!!

I'll definitely support you with my bat!"

Still, he made that vow silently in his heart!!!

"What kind of decision will they make for this at-bat?" Coach Kataoka suddenly asked as Haruichi reached the dugout.

Haruichi froze when he heard his voice.

"Leave the rest to the others!" Coach Kataoka said to Haruichi.

"Yes!!" Haruichi replied as he entered the dugout, though he still waited for Coach Ochiai's answer.

At that moment, Kyoma's pitcher and catcher had also called a defensive timeout, and everyone had gathered on the Pitcher's Mound.

They were exchanging signals with the dugout, so they had time to chat.

"Final Inning, one-run difference!

Two outs, nobody on base, and it's the cleanup hitter's turn!!

A very delicate situation!" Coach Ochiai replied, stroking his beard as he answered Coach Kataoka's earlier question.

"Um... if there had been one out, would they have walked Sendou?" Haruichi could not help asking.

"They absolutely would have!!

But right now, they have no reason for an Intentional Walk!" Coach Ochiai glanced at him.

Coach Ochiai himself was conflicted.

He hoped Haruichi would not blame himself too much, but he also did not want Haruichi to stop caring about his previous at-bat after hearing that.

The outcome was encouraging. Haruichi fell silent, but his grip around the bat only tightened.

Although Sendou had hit a Home Run in one of his last two at-bats and nearly turned a triple into an Inside-the-Park Home Run in the other!

Both hits had relied heavily