Coach Kataoka did not give Tanba any direct instructions, but the stern expression on his unsmiling face already conveyed everything.
On the field, after Maya Yamato reached first base, Sagara High once again found themselves with a scoring opportunity.
And stepping into the batter's box now was their cleanup hitter.
Even at this moment, Miyuki Kazuya couldn't understand Tanba's decision.
Why did he insist on intentionally walking the third batter, Maya Yamato?
Did he really think he could easily deal with Shunsuke Furukawa?
That idea was absurd.
Even if it were Kanzaki Ryou, Miyuki would never dare to make such a guarantee so casually.
On the pitcher's mound, Tanba only truly reacted after seeing Shunsuke Furukawa step into the batter's box.
Earlier, his mind had been completely occupied by fear—fear of giving up runs, fear of pitching poorly. He had single-mindedly focused on intentionally walking the batter ahead, and in doing so, had completely forgotten who was waiting next.
How could I be this muddled…?
Tanba's hands trembled.
What's wrong with me? Has my brain turned to mush?
No—he absolutely could not allow a run.
Intentionally walking Maya Yamato had been his decision.
Creating this dangerous situation was his responsibility.
Forcing himself to calm down, Tanba finally focused on Miyuki's sign.
Outside curveball.
"Whew…"
Tanba exhaled deeply. There was no retreat now. Whether the batter was strong or not, he had to face him head-on.
As a second-year pitcher at Seido, Tanba's actual high school game experience was extremely limited—even less than Kanzaki Ryou, a first-year.
Last year, Tanba had barely played at all. Only after the third-years retired did Nanjo Taishi become the ace, allowing Tanba to be promoted to the first team as a substitute.
But a few poor performances had cost him further opportunities.
This year, it became even worse.
Not only was Nanjo firmly established, but Seido had also gained another monster-level pitcher.
A Koshien Quarterfinal was something Tanba had never even dared to imagine.
He had been pitching well in the fifth inning—but once runners got on base, once he faced Sagara High heart of the lineup, his nerves collapsed.
The more he feared losing points, the less he dared to pitch.
Especially after Miyuki's aggressive pitch calling resulted in a wild pitch—his mind went completely blank.
Unlike Tanba's inner turmoil, Shunsuke Furukawa calmly sized him up from the batter's box.
They intentionally walked Maya Yamato just to face me?
Are they bold… or have they completely lost their minds?
With no way out, Tanba clenched his teeth and threw the ball.
Outside curveball!
Too high.
The moment the ball left Tanba's hand, Miyuki's heart sank.
Bang!
The bat swung violently, sending the ball screaming toward right field.
The runner on third dashed home.
Sagara High scored their first run of the game.
On the mound, Tanba stared blankly at where the ball had landed.
I… gave up a run?
His dazed expression made Seido's players uneasy.
Coach Kataoka immediately stepped out of the dugout and requested a substitution.
"Nanjo—get ready."
"Yes!"
Nanjo Taishi's eyes were firm and focused.
As Tanba walked off the mound, completely dispirited, Nanjo gently patted his shoulder.
"Don't overthink it. Keep working hard—you'll get another chance."
Tanba only gave a faint response. He knew he had messed up badly.
"Tanba."
Coach Kataoka's voice made Tanba shudder.
"C-Coach…"
"What are you afraid of?" Coach Kataoka asked coldly.
"Powerful batters? Haven't you faced them before? Ichidai Third High. Inashiro Industrial. Didn't they all have powerful hitters?"
Tanba clenched his fists, guilt flooding his chest.
Was it because this was Koshien?
Because it was the Quarterfinals?
Even he didn't know anymore.
This wasn't the first time this had happened—otherwise, he wouldn't be labeled as erratic.
Seeing his silence, Coach Kataoka said nothing more.
"Go rest," he finally said.
"Think carefully about everything you've learned over the past year and a half."
Despite everything, Coach Kataoka still held expectations for Tanba.
Among Seido's second-year pitchers, Tanba was still the only one who could be relied on.
He hoped Tanba could overcome this inexplicable instability—and become Kanzaki Ryou's support next year.
After a few warm-up pitches, Nanjo Taishi took the mound with two outs and runners on first and third.
Working together with Miyuki, Nanjo immediately found his rhythm.
Two consecutive swings and misses.
On the third pitch, the batter was jammed and popped the ball up.
Out.
The sixth inning ended.
Score: 4–1. Seido leading.
Entering the seventh inning, Sagara High also made a pitching change.
Hayato Hinata left the mound, replaced by their second-year pitcher—Kukune Mirai.
His first opponent?
Yuki Tetsuya.
Whoosh!
Bang!
A long hit to left field.
Yuki reached first base with ease.
The atmosphere instantly became tense again for Sagara High.
After giving up a hit on his very first pitch, Kukune Mirai felt extremely uncomfortable.
The comparison to Hayato Hinata was brutal.
With a runner on first and Azuma Kiyokuni stepping up, Kukune wanted to confront him directly.
But the catcher glanced toward the dugout.
Coach Yamamoto gave the signal—
Intentional walk was acceptable.
The next batter was no longer Kanzaki Ryou—but Nanjo Taishi.
In Director Yamamoto's eyes, Kukune Mirai should have no trouble handling Nanjo.
Reluctantly, Kukune complied.
Azuma Kiyokuni was intentionally walked once again.
This treatment infuriated Azuma.
Again?!
If this kept up, how was he supposed to improve his Koshien batting stats?
Especially his home run record!
Standing on first base, Azuma stared coldly at Kukune Mirai.
Coward.
Just as Coach Yamamoto had hoped, Seido failed to extend their lead.
Nanjo Taishi wasn't weak—but after one swing and miss and one foul, he hit a sharp infield grounder on the third pitch.
Sagara High chose to throw to third base, forcing out Azuma Kiyokuni.
Second out.