Chapter 3: CH 3

Today’s semi-final began with Saijo High School batting first and Toko University pitching.

Unlike in all of the previous games, it wasn’t easy to hit the ball, and my teammates couldn’t score either, so the score stayed at 0-0.

“Hiroto, I’ll make sure you score!”

“We’ll do our best to protect you!”

The coach spoke to us.

“‘Tanabe, how’s Yoshizumi doing?”‘

“I’m in good shape, but our opponents are skilled enough that we can’t afford to lose even a few pitches, and I think Hiroto is more tired than usual. I’d like to score first to make them nervous.”

“Haruka~! Are you going to cheer for the baseball team tomorrow?”

“Yes, it’s like a school event, so I’ll go.”

“That’s right! It seems to be an annual event and it’s in the afternoon, so it’s going to be hot…”

“I know it’ll be hot, but I don’t know much about baseball… so I don’t know how to cheer.”

“Haruka isn’t good at baseball, or sports in general.”

“Yes… I’m not good at sports.”

“Haruka is pretty and is at the top of her class in her studies. She’s also great at music, so it’s okay that she’s not good at sports! If you were good at sports, I wouldn’t be able to get close to you!”

Aya was laughing and talking casually.

“Aya-chan! … I’m not like that.”

“I’m not being sarcastic! I’m just saying that it’s easier to have a sense of intimacy with someone who’s … not perfect at everything!”

The boys who had been glancing at us earlier entered the conversation.

“Aizawa-san, are you coming tomorrow!”

“The seniors said that if Aizawa-san came, we would definitely win!”

“I’d rather sit next to Aizawa-san than cheer the team on.”

“That’s right! Aizawa-san, I’ll teach you about baseball tomorrow, so let’s watch it together!”

“Yes… (I don’t know… what to say.)”

“You guys! Stop troubling Haruka!”

““Sorry… We’re sorry…””

“Haruka, you too! If you don’t like it, you have to speak up.”

“Yes…”

I don’t know what to say, even to strangers, who are always trying to talk to me….

I was at the baseball stadium for the first time with my friends, cheering for our school.

“It’s already the end of the 7th inning! I didn’t know Saijo High School was this skilled.”

“Aya, what’s going on? Is Toko winning?”

“They’re still tied, neither team has scored yet.”

My other friend, Yui, spoke to me.

“Haruka! Aya! Saijo High School seems to be great this year! Apparently, the players who won the national championship in middle school last year joined the high school team!”

“Really? That’s great!”

“Hmm, I see.”

“That’s right! Haruka, isn’t it amazing? The pitcher he’s pitching against right now is a first year!”

“First year?”

“That’s amazing for a first year!”

“”Haruka… I don’t think you understand…””

You just showed me how to look at it… I’m pretty sure it’s the person whose name is written with “1” on the jersey. His name is… Yoshizumi-kun…?

During the eighth inning, the current batter, Takuma, persisted and got four balls. The next batter decided to bunt.

TLN: A bunt is a batting technique in baseball where the batter will deliberately tap the ball lightly, without swinging, to place the ball into play.

“Yoichiro~! Please!”

“Tanabe! Hit it for me!”

Yoichiro turned his head towards me before he went to bat. When his eyes met mine, he looked as if he wanted to say something.

I just smiled and nodded.

Yoichiro….I know you can hit it. I’m counting on you to score the first run.

Yoichiro hit as expected, then Takuma used his speed and managed to bring home the winning run!

The long-awaited first goal finally came, during the 8th inning.

Yoichiro and Takuma are both amazing… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been helped by Sho and Tsubasa during the two pitches. I want to win with these guys… I’m so glad I enrolled with them.

We didn’t manage to score a second point in the 8th inning.

“Hiroto! Sorry I kept you waiting!”

“Yoshizumi, two more innings, please!”

“Let’s win this game and then the finals!”

Next, Toko University was on the offense.

The first batter struck out and the next batter struck out on third.

However, he was impatient and made an error, allowing the opponent to reach base.

The other team was on third base, and they decided to bunt.

With two outs and a runner on second, the game was tied at one, and a home run would be able to turn the game around.

“4th baseman, Saito-kun.”

Everyone gathered on the mound.

“Should we give up the bases?”

“The player in fifth has hit two today, and this player in fourth hasn’t got the right timing yet, so let’s go for it.”

“All right.”

“Let’s do it.”

“The infield will get the outs no matter what. Outfielders, don’t let the runner on second base get home!”

The game resumed. I received Yoichiro’s ball and threw it into my mitt to drive in two strikes.

The opponents hit the next ball.

It was a strong hit , and the first baseman jumped to catch it. I dashed in, ran to first, picked up the ball, and managed to step on the base before my opponent.

I got it under control! I’ve managed to hold my ground!

Just when I thought that, my opponent was running in besides me.

I crossed paths with my opponent. I grabbed the ball, desperately grasping it in my hands.

At that moment…

[Crack.]

I heard a sound from my right foot that I’ve never heard before… and one that I shouldn’t have heard.

I fell to the ground.