Seidou's "Ouja no Kakegoe" is one of the coolest things I've ever heard; Tetsu's and Kazuya's versions both.
Especially when you see it performed live by the voice actors; it's somewhat cooler. Or maybe it's just me.
Here's the first part of the Seidou vs. Seiko match! Enjoy~!
The semifinals of the fall tournament are held in Meiji Jingu stadium. The first match is Seidou vs. Seiko at 10 AM, and Ichidaisan vs. Yakushi will be held at 12:30 PM. When the team reaches the dugout, they can see the stands are filled with spectators. Considering it's the semifinals, Yukari can't say she doesn't understand why. Not to mention Ichidaisan is going to go up against Yakushi again, just like during the summer regional tournament.
The Seidou players are huddling up in front of the dugout. This is the first time Kazuya will be leading the Seidou chant, and Yukari can't wait to hear it.
"It's rare that Miyuki wants to do it," Oota says.
"It's true," Yukari agrees, "But I'd be lying if I say I wasn't looking forward to it."
The players put a hand over their hearts as Kazuya starts.
"We… are not kings," Kazuya says. Yukari's eyes widen, but then she smirks. He's doing this his own way, "We're challengers!"
The players, who looked taken aback at first, grin at him, "YEAH!"
"Who's shed the most sweat?!"
"SEIDOU!"
"Who's shed the most tears?!"
"SEIDOU!"
"Are you ready for the fight?!"
"YEAH!"
Yukari grins when she can hear Seidou's supporters answering from the bleachers above their dugout.
"Bearing pride in our hearts, we are after the national crown!" Kazuya points toward the sky with his right hand, with the other players following suit, "Let's go!"
"YEAH!"
xXx
Before the players go to the field, Yukari checks and tapes Furuya's ankle one last time. While it looks fine, Yukari reminds him not to overdo it or he might injure it again. Furuya nods, but Yukari isn't really convinced. She knows his habit of going overboard. She also knows that he would do anything to keep the mound to himself, including not telling anyone about his injuries. She needs to keep a close eye on him.
The top of first starts with Seidou on defense. According to the data Yukari and Nabe compiled, when Seiko's first batter, Masu Shinichiro, gets on base, they are more likely to score, as he is Seiko's captain and central figure. Furuya needs to be careful with his first pitch.
Furuya's first pitch is a high ball. The second and third ones are a strike. His fourth is a vertical slider, but Masu doesn't swing at it, so it's a ball. The fifth one is another ball and it's now a full count.
Yukari sighs. I guess the only way to fight now is by brute force. It's a good thing you're good at that, isn't it, Furuya? Yukari winces a bit when Furuya pitches a strike to the same place as his first pitch. Too close. He should've thrown it right down the middle. We're lucky it wasn't called a ball.
Furuya continues his streak as he strikes out all three of Seiko's first batters.
"Yeah! The early game looks good!" Oota cheers.
"Nice pitch, Furuya!"
"That's our Ace-sama!"
At the bottom of first, Youichi hits a triple between right and center field. As Kenjirou steps into the batter's box, Seiko's fielders move in just in case of a squeeze play. He hits and gets retired at first base as Youichi runs home.
Haruichi also hits one into center field and gets to first base. As Seiko's pitcher winds up, Haruichi and Kazuya execute a successful hit and run. Haruichi gets to third base as Kazuya steps into first. Zono hits deep into left field, sending Haruichi home and Kazuya to second. Furuya hits to the center field, but the ball is caught by the fielder. Eventually Seiko gets their third out and it's time to change.
For the next batter, Furuya keeps throwing balls as the batter keeps swinging. When the batter swings at Furuya's vertical slider, Yukari can't help but smirk in amusement. I love it when the batters are one track minded, she thinks. Furuya does the same with the next batter. The last batter hits a high ball but Takeru catches it at the fence. The inning ends with another three for three.
At the bottom of second, Toujou manages to get to second base. Takeru smacks the ball into center field, sending Toujou home. The match continues with Youichi fighting for a walk to first base. Kenjirou gets a hit and Takeru runs home.
"Seiko Gakuen has announced a change in players," the P.A. system announces.
Well, considering the pitcher's performance, it's not surprising, Yukari thinks.
"Pitcher, Kojima-kun, will play center field. Replacing Kojima-kun as pitcher will be Ogawa-kun. Batting seventh and pitcher, Ogawa-kun."
"A huge one appears!" Sawamura exclaims. Yukari rolls her eyes. He's not wrong, though.
Haruichi is up next and he manages to foul one pitch. The count is 2-1, and Ogawa pitches another ball. He's tall, so the ball comes from a higher angle, and he's quite big, so his fastballs must be heavy. But so far, all of his fastballs are balls, Yukari thinks. Ogawa pitches another ball and now the bases are loaded.
Yukari sighs. This guy doesn't have a good control, so it's hard to read him… hopefully luck is on our side, Kazuya.
Ogawa pitches and Yukari's eyes widen when she sees the course. The ball hits Kazuya on his right upper back.
"Dead ball!"
Yukari places a hand over her heart as she tries to calm its beating down. She turns to look at Kataoka and he nods at her. As Seiko calls for a short time out, Yukari lifts a hand as she steps out of the dugout. When the umpire gives her permission, she runs toward Kazuya at first base.
"You okay?" Yukari asks, "His pitch looked heavy from the dugout."
"It hurt like hell," Kazuya answers with a pained smirk as he takes his elbow guard off and hands it to Kijima.
Yukari pokes the part that was hit by the ball and Kazuya winces. She rubs around the area for bumps and finds none. She tells him to move his arm and nods in relief when he says it doesn't hurt.
"I can't say for sure without looking at it, but hopefully it doesn't bruise. It only hurts when I poked at it, right?" Yukari asks. Kazuya nods, "Then I'll let it go. If it hurts even without contact, tell me immediately."
"Got it. Thanks, Yuka-chan," Kazuya says. Yukari jogs back to the dugout, pulling her cap off as she walks past the umpire, and catches Yasushi's eyes in the bleacher as she looks up to it. She nods at his questioning look and he visibly relaxes.
"How is he?" Kataoka asks when she returns to the dugout.
"He's fine, but I will check it further later to make sure it's not bruising," Yukari says. Kataoka nods and she returns to her seat as the game continues. The next batter is Zono.
Yukari frowns when she sees Zono leaning back at the first pitch. He throws an inside pitch right after hitting Kazuya… she thinks. Zono swings at the next pitch but misses it. The third pitch is a ball, and Zono jams the fourth pitch. Seiko gets a double play.
He's like a different person after that dead ball… Yukari thinks as the players return to the dugout. She rechecks Kazuya's back and sighs in relief when he tells her that it doesn't hurt anymore even when she pokes at it. She pats his shoulder before he starts to put on his gear.
The third inning ends with no runs scored from both teams. Seiko is back to the top of the lineup. Furuya pitches two sliders in a row and Masu jams the second one. It goes past Youichi but he manages to catch it. Masu slides to first base after Youichi throws the ball.
"Safe!"
The next batter swings hard at Furuya's pitch. It's a grounder to the pitcher, but Masu advances to second base. The next batter also swings hard, but misses the first pitch. He hits the next pitch right down left field. One out with runners on first and third. Next up is the cleanup batter, Nagata.
Nagata also swings hard and misses the first pitch. Yukari frowns when she sees the course. Too high. Her eyes widen when Furuya pitches again before Kazuya is ready to catch it. The pitch goes wide. If Kazuya's reaction was just a bit slower, it would've hit the backstop. Kazuya then calls for a time out.
These batters are no joke… it's like a team full of Tetsu-san. Their swings are scary, Yukari thinks.
After the time out, Furuya then pitches a low and away strike. It seems that he's calmed down a bit… the batter then jams the next pitch. Zono catches it and throws it to Youichi, who steps on second base, outing the runner going to second, and he throws to Furuya, who is covering first base, creating a 3-6-1 double play. The fielders then return to the dugout, showering Furuya with praises of his last pitch.
The bottom of fourth, Takeru gets out after the ball he hit to center field is caught by the fielder. They're back to the top of the lineup. Youichi enters the left-handed batter's box. Considering he managed to hit Sawamura's change-up when batting left, there's nothing that says that he can't do the same with Ogawa's screwball, Yukari thinks.
Youichi misses the first pitch, jams the second, and gets out before he steps on first base. Yukari sighs. Of course it's not that easy, huh… Kenjirou also gets jammed and retired at first. Three outs and change.
At the top of fifth, Seidou gets their two outs with the help of the fielders. While Furuya doesn't strike anyone out, he's managed to keep his pitches low. But when Ogawa is up for bat, he hits Furuya's pitch over the left field fence. A home run out of that pitch…? It wasn't even that high… they're really terrifying, those batters… just a little bit high, and they hit it out of the park. Not to mention, he's not even in the cleanup, Yukari thinks as she bites her lower lip.
The next batter hits Furuya's pitch toward right field, but thanks to Kenjirou, Seidou gets their third out. The players return to the dugout and Yukari frowns when she sees Furuya almost dragging his feet to the dugout. Isn't he… sweating too much? Yukari wonders, Don't tell me… She stands up from her seat but stops in her tracks when she sees Furuya looking bright. D-Did Kazuya say something weird to him…?
"Furuya," Yukari calls out. Furuya turns to look at her and she throws a towel to his face. He takes the towel off of his face and wipes off his sweat with it, "Don't overdo it."
Furuya's movement pauses for one second before he nods at Yukari, "I understand, Ichikawa-senpai."
Before Haruichi leaves for the batter's box, the head coach stops him, "There are some things you need to keep in mind when you bat," Kataoka says, "That pitcher tends to start with an inside pitch. So go for his first fastball."
"Yes, sir!" Haruichi nods before he goes to the batter's box.
As per Kataoka's advice, Haruichi hits Ogawa's first fastball into the left field. Yukari watches as Kazuya takes Haruichi's cracked wooden bat from the ground. That pitch was so heavy that it cracked his bat… he's gonna have to hit with a metal bat in his next at-bat.
Next up is Kazuya. Ogawa pitches a high inside pitch, which Kazuya avoids. His second pitch is a deep inside pitch to Kazuya's abdomen. Yukari clicks her tongue in irritation. Is he trying to hit Kazuya or something? Bastard. Eventually Ogawa throws his fourth ball and Kazuya is walked to first base.
Yukari keeps Furuya in her line of sight as Zono enters the batter's box. Kataoka gives him a sign to bunt and he does. Yukari's eyes widen at the speed Ogawa is going as he chases after the bunted ball. Ogawa then outs Haruichi going to third. He's a lot faster than I thought. His reflexes are good, too, Yukari thinks as she adds this info to her notes.
Furuya enters the batter's box. Yukari flinches slightly when she can practically feel his determination from the dugout. She bites her lower lip as she keeps an eye on his right foot. Furuya swings and misses the first pitch. He hits a grounder past the pitcher, but the third baseman catches it and throws it to first base for a double play. Yukari follows Furuya's every move. She bites her lower lip in worry when she sees him stepping into the first base.
"Furuya," Yukari calls out when he reaches the dugout, "Come."
"Ichikawa?" Oota wonders as Furuya's eyes widen. The other players are watching them, but Yukari doesn't say anything as she looks expectantly at Furuya. The first year pitcher looks to his feet and walks toward Yukari obediently.
"Toujou, where's Furuya?" Yukari hears Yasushi call out from the door.
"Kudou and Watanabe? What's wrong?" Oota asks.
"Yasushi-kun," Yukari says, "You noticed too, huh?"
"I thought you would need some help," Yasushi says. Yukari smirks at him.
"W-What's wrong, you two?" Oota asks.
"Oh, I hope I'm wrong, but I think he's hurt his ankle again," Yasushi says. The players in the dugout gape in shock. Yukari takes a towel and hands it to Furuya.
"You think you can fool us with you dragging your foot like that? Don't underestimate us," Yukari says, "Not to mention you were sweating like crazy," she says as she takes Furuya to the waiting room below the dugout, followed by Kataoka, Oota, Kazuya, and Sachi.
"We've momentarily paused the game to a Seidou injury. Thank you for your patience until the game resumes," Yukari hears the P.A. system announce as she checks Furuya's ankle. Yasushi then tapes Furuya's ankle and then Furuya tries to stand on his tiptoes with it.
"How is it?" Yasushi asks.
"It's a lot easier to move like this. It just feels a bit weird. It should be fine," Furuya says.
"I told you not to overdo it," Yukari says with an exasperated sigh, "It was after the top of fifth, isn't it?" she eyes Furuya's expression as she asks this question, "Or maybe even before that," when Furuya flinches slightly at her words, she sighs again, "I knew it. You shouldn't have kept quiet. If you keep playing with an injury like this, it would be serious. I mean career-ending serious."
Furuya flinches at her words.
"Considering your pitch count, we should switch you out soon," Kataoka says, "We have a four-run lead, so if you push through and make it worse for tomorrow, it would hurt the team more."
"The lead doesn't mean anything," Furuya says.
"Eh?"
"That pressure… I can't walk off the mound right now."
Yukari looks at Furuya and sighs sharply, "You're such a burden, for goodness sake…" she says before she turns to look at Kataoka and waits for his verdict.
xXx
"Y-Yukari, calm down…" Sachi says as Yukari sits beside her, fuming.
"What a nuisance…" Yukari sighs, "These idiots are just making more work for me," she says as she watches Furuya enter the mound. Ultimately, Kataoka let Furuya continue pitching. Yukari can't say she doesn't understand his reasoning. Furuya is the team's ace, and he's starting to play and think like an ace. Stopping him right there would be a damn shame.
Kataoka let Furuya back to the mound with one condition: he must not selfishly walk a batter. Kataoka then turned to look at Yukari and asked her to keep an eye on Furuya. She could hear the apologetic tone in his voice when he said it. Yukari told him that he didn't have to tell her that, since it was already her intention from the start. Yukari sighs sharply as she refocuses on the match.
At the top of sixth, Furuya gives up one run. Ogawa is doing a good job at stopping Seidou from scoring. At the bottom of sixth, Seidou fails to score a run. At the top of seventh, Seiko scores another run with back-to-back doubles.
"Furuya's fastballs are getting hit so easily!" Oota says, "Maybe he's reached his limit."
Yukari eyes Furuya warily and widens her eyes when he turns to look at the fielders. He puts a fist over his heart and turns back to look at the plate. She sighs, "No…"
"Eh?"
"Not maybe. He's way past his limit," Yukari says as she eyes Furuya worriedly. While his pitches' speed is looking well, Yukari can tell that he's tired. The head coach then calls Sawamura into the dugout.
"Seiko can hit Furuya's pitch with ease. Don't try to take them out by force. Pitch to the corners," Yukari hears Kataoka say to Sawamura, "I want to see the pitching you showed against Ouya."
Yukari sighs softly when Seiko's next batter pops the pitch to left field for Seidou's second out. Two outs with a runner on second and Seiko is back to the top of their lineup. Furuya pitches a slider and Masu hits it back to Furuya. Yukari gasps sharply when Furuya's glove is forced off of his hand by the force of the ball. Fortunately, it also stops the ball's momentum. With the last of his strength, Furuya takes the ball from the ground and throws it to Zono for their third out.
Yukari clicks her tongue in irritation as she glares at Furuya. The players in the dugout and the ones approaching it stop in their tracks as they can all feel the temperature dropping. Furuya looks to his feet, avoiding her eyes.
"Are you a kid? How many times do I have to tell you? Don't. Overdo it," Yukari growls.
"Ichikawa, calm down," Kataoka says. Yukari sighs sharply in annoyance, "Great job pitching. Take a break."
"That hit close to your wrist, didn't it?" Kazuya asks, "Let Yuka-chan check it."
"The whole team recognized your unyielding spirit. You can leave the rest to them," Kataoka says. Kazuya puts a hand on Furuya's back and leads him to the back of the dugout with Yukari following them. She then checks his wrist for any injuries.
"Sawamura, you're going in the next inning," Yukari hears the head coach say.
"Yes, sir!"