"That's right!!
It had nothing to do with winning or losing. Not being afraid at a time like this was already enough!"
Not long after Sendou said that, the Spring Tournament final between Ichidai San High and Inajitsu had entered the third inning.
With one out and a runner on first, Yamaoka, the cleanup hitter known for his power, stepped up.
"Crack!!"
"Thud!"
"It's in!!"
Yamaoka's hit brought back some bad memories for pitchers like Furuya.
With his exceptional strength, Yamaoka raised his right arm in a muscle-flexing gesture as he jogged in celebration.
That also became the fuse. As number two pitcher behind Amakusa, Misaki Tatsuya's mental resilience was certainly not as strong as the ace's.
Even an ace would be affected by a hit like that, so there was no way he could act as if nothing had happened.
Narumiya Mei, the fifth batter, and Tadano Itsuki, the sixth batter, then each hit a double, adding another run.
And the eighth batter coming out of the dugout was none other than pitcher Hirano!
"Hi~ra~no-saaan!!!"
So, just as Narumiya Mei returned to home plate to score and passed Hirano, who was holding a bat and preparing to step up—
Tadano clenched his left hand into a fist at his side as though taking a horse stance, while wildly waving his right arm like a child who had spotted his parent.
"Huh?!!"
Narumiya, who was nearly back at the dugout, angrily turned around.
He stared in disbelief at Tadano, who usually doted on him like treasure, openly "cheating" on him like this.
His little expression practically said, "I always thought you were an honest guy and a suck-up who got ridiculously happy over the slightest praise. Who knew you were such a shameless flirt?!"
Still, if Narumiya Mei saw Hirano's