I Thought I Was Dead After Getting Stabbed While Protecting a Girl From a Random Attacker, but a Goddess Gave Me a Special Reward and Brought Me Back to Life in My Original Body—Now, All These Girls Are Coming on to Me!? - Chapter 37: First Game and First Pitch

Chapter 37: First Game and First Pitch

The first game started with our team batting first.

The leadoff batter was a third-year outfielder, Senior Kōrogi.

He excelled at bat control and ran very fast, truly a player suited for the leadoff role.

“Let’s get the first batter on base!”

I shouted loudly from the bench, sending cheers.

Even as a first-year, I could contribute to the team this way. I did everything to win.

*Clang!*

Perhaps my voice reached him, as Senior Kōrogi hit a clean single to center.

The first batter reached base. It was a scoring chance right from the first inning.

The second batter was a second-year outfielder, Senior Yanagi, who got a big chance to start due to an injured senior.

His selection was due to high defensive skills, but his batting was also the team’s best at small-ball tactics. Naturally, the coach’s sign was…

*Tap*

“Nice bunt!”

“It’s a chance right away! Keep it going!”

The batter who came up in this chance was…

“Scoring to make it easier for the ace is also the catcher’s job.”

It was our team’s key catcher, Senior Makabe.

His defensive skills and leadership were outstanding, but his batting power was considerable too. Last year, he hit three home runs in the prefectural tournament, showing long-ball ability. He was truly the team’s offensive and defensive core.

The opposing pitcher seemed somewhat intimidated by our precise offense. His control was unsteady, and he quickly gave up a walk. With one out and runners on first and second, the batter was our team’s proud number four.

“Let’s score solidly here and gain momentum.”

It was Captain Nogata Kōki. Not only was he a strong pitcher, but his batting also drew attention from pros as a two-way player. I wouldn’t want to face him on the mound. His presence was that intimidating.

In such moments, pitchers thought they must not throw to a sweet spot, but often threw there anyway…

Oh,

*Crack!*

As expected, he smashed a poorly thrown fastball.

The ball broke through left-center for a long hit. The first-base runner scored, giving us a two-run lead.

“Good job! Nice hit!”

“We can score more!”

“Keep it going!”

Despite the tension of the first game, the seniors played so reliably as usual. I couldn’t lose to them. I prepared drinks for them first.

After that, the offense stalled, and we scored no more.

Now it was our defense’s turn. The defensive time felt even more reassuring than the offense. After all, that person stood on the mound.

“Alright! Let’s tighten up!”

“””Yeah!”””

Captain Nogata, who brought the lead earlier, now took the mound.

He checked the mound slowly, then moved to practice pitches.

When I watched his bullpen practice before, I thought his form was incredibly clean. Despite his usual demeanor and large build, his pitching style and form were surprisingly delicate. It was mesmerizing.

“Play!”

After practice pitches, the batter stepped in, and the game resumed.

The first pitch drew attention.

“…Hiss!”

He threw a fastball.

The ball traced a beautiful path and landed perfectly in Senior Makabe’s mitt on the outside corner.

“Strike!”

No batter could hit that. Even if they swung, it would likely be a groundout at best.

Without pause, he threw the second pitch.

This time, he threw a slow, arcing curve—his winning shot. The batter, completely off-timing, stumbled forward and barely hit the ball.

The weakly hit ball rolled to Captain Nogata, who grabbed it and threw to first for the out.

“One down, one down!”

“Good! Keep it going!”

The captain seemed in good form.

He likely wouldn’t get hit much. I could watch with confidence.

Time passed, and the game reached the late stages.

Our offense added points, totaling four.

The captain pitched well, allowing three hits and no runs through seven innings.

I kept warming up in the bullpen beside the bench, but it seemed I wouldn’t get a chance. Or so I thought…

“Minase.”

“Yes!”

As the eighth inning’s offense began, the coach called me.

“Next, you’ll pinch-hit for Nogata.”

“…Yes!”

Surprisingly, I got a chance to play.

I thought Captain Nogata would pitch a complete game, but with a lead, the coach might want me to gain real-game experience.

Regardless of the coach’s intent, I didn’t expect to play so soon.

But I was fully prepared.

The game situation didn’t matter. I would do my best as always. That was all.

“Phoenix High School announces a player change. Number four, Nogata-kun, is replaced by Minase-kun. Number 20.”

The crowd’s buzz grew louder.

Of course. Replacing the ace and number four with an unknown first-year caused a stir. Some might suspect the captain was injured.

I glanced at the stands and saw Makoto, Kanade, and Yuna.

All three clenched their fists in front of their chests.

Their mouths seemed to say, “Do your best!” Or maybe I imagined it. Probably not.

Now, I focused on batting.

The opponent was their second pitcher.

His velocity wasn’t high, and he didn’t have many pitch types.

Such pitchers, not wanting to get hit by a new batter, likely aimed for strikes to get ahead.

From a catcher’s view, they wouldn’t expect a first-year to swing at the first pitch.

So, my target was the first pitch.

The pitcher threw the first ball.

As predicted, it was a soft, poorly thrown pitch.

With no runners, I swung the bat fully—

“Ryu, Ryu-kun came up…!”

“Did our cheers reach him?”

“They did, don’t worry.”

The first game had gone at Phoenix High School’s pace so far.

I thought Ryu wouldn’t play today, but he appeared as a pinch-hitter.

A pinch-hitter for the pitcher meant Ryu would pitch next…

I got a bit nervous.

Thanks to my long relationship with Ryu, I knew baseball rules somewhat, but the two with me weren’t as familiar. They studied since dating Ryu, but they struggled to understand each moment, so we watched with a radio broadcast on a smartphone.

The commentator’s voice came from the phone.

“Minase-kun, being a first-year, has no data. But replacing the number four suggests he might have batting ability.”

Listening to the commentary, I focused on Ryu at bat.

Ryu, in the left batter’s box, fixed a sharp gaze on the pitcher, not missing a move.

…I love that face…

The pitcher threw the first pitch…

*Crack!*

“Huh?”

“Wow…!”

“Wha…!”

Ryu’s hit soared high toward left field.

The long-hanging ball rode the wind, clearing the left fielder’s head.

“Home run! The tournament’s first home run came from the unexpected first-year, Minase!”

What a moment.

I didn’t doubt him, but who expected such a stunning debut?

“Ryu, Ryu-kun did something incredible…!”

“Amazing… I got chills.”

“Me too… That’s our boyfriend.”

I forgot amid the shock, but Ryu’s real test was pitching next.

I felt so proud.

After the game, I’d praise him fully!

…What an unexpected result.

Everything clicked perfectly. My read was right, and the ball hit my full swing.

I didn’t expect it to go that far…

“Nice! What a hit!”

“A first-pitch homer, that was wild!”

Returning to the bench after rounding the bases, seniors mobbed me.

High school’s first home run—

I was thrilled!

The feeling was maybe the best ever. I might never have hit so cleanly before.

But my real strength was pitching next.

I switched focus to take the mound.

We led by seven. But in baseball, one chance could flip the game.

Six outs left—I aimed to play calmly.

On the official game mound after a while, it felt strange.

I lightly leveled the mound with my spikes. The view of the field from here felt nostalgic.

…Phew. Calm down.

My heartbeat felt faster than usual.

Was it nerves, excitement, or both?

Not being nervous for my high school debut would be odd.

But I couldn’t let nerves overtake me. I tamed them.

“There’s a lead, so pitch relaxed. Even if hit, the defense has you.”

Senior Makabe encouraged me.

“Yes. I’ll pitch like I’m on a big ship.”

“That’s the spirit. Focus on your body’s movement and flow. That’ll keep the game out of your mind.”

“Got it…!”

Here it came.

“Play!”

I heard the umpire’s call.

After checking Senior Makabe’s sign, I wound up.

I linked my body’s muscles, moving from toes to knees, knees to hips.

I transferred the stored power to the ball.

At the release, I exploded…!

“Hiss!”

The ball, thrown with full force, flew into Senior Makabe’s centered mitt.

*Thud!*

The batter let it pass.

“Strike!”

I glanced at the scoreboard behind me.

[148km]

Hmm… I aimed for 150, but it didn’t quite work.

But then, an incredible cheer enveloped me.

“He’s a first-year, right!?”

“Where was that monster hiding!?”

“Almost 150!? Amazing!”

…Heh. I didn’t hate this sudden attention.

I switched focus for the next pitch.

Senior Makabe’s sign was another fastball.

I wound up big and swung my arm hard.

This time, I focused on control too.

The ball, aimed at the outside mitt, hit the zone perfectly.

“Strike two!”

The batter’s face showed he was overwhelmed by the speed.

I could keep pressing. Senior Makabe seemed to agree, signaling another fastball.

I wound up again and threw straight through the plate.

The batter swung for the first time on the third pitch but missed.

“Strike! Out!”

Three pitches, three strikes—one down.