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 50: The Fierce Battle Continues

Chapter 50: The Fierce Battle Continues

In the bottom of the second inning, the opponent’s attack started with their number four batter.

As expected of Oomagu’s main slugger, his stance exuded an intimidating presence.

Ryu planned to distribute pitches centered on sliders to avoid a just meet.

The first pitch went out high as a ball.

However, the batter showed no reaction to the decoy pitch. He had an impressive eye for selection.

His appearance and sturdy build suggested he was the type to swing hard, but it didn’t seem that way.

The second pitch, a high-speed slider, went low at the knees.

It felt good. The pitch went to a great spot. Even this batter couldn’t swing at it.

One strike.

The third pitch, a fastball, went toward the outside low.

Clang!

Despite the pitch being far on the outside, he pulled it hard.

However, the ball cut the first base line and went foul.

He didn’t care about the farthest pitch.

He was a typical pull hitter.

Here, Ryu could simply throw a changeup to get him out, but he considered making an impression of competing inside while he had the leeway.

The fourth pitch, a sweeper, dug sharply at the knees.

If Ryu retired him here, he could make left-handed batters conscious of his breaking balls.

But then,

“Hmph!”

Crack!

The hit jammed the bat. Despite the ball being below the knees, he skillfully folded his arms and forced it through…!

The hit wasn’t good, but the full swing carried the ball over the infield.

Oomagu High School got their first hit allowed. And it came from the leadoff batter.

The pitch distribution was perfect, but the break was slightly loose. That allowed the bat to make contact.

Next came the foreign exchange batter.

His height surely exceeded 190 cm. Ryu hadn’t seen someone taller than him in a while.

And he was lightning-fast, which was incredible.

His weakness was fairly clear. Based on pre-game video analysis…

“…!?”

The wind-cutting sound was incredible; if he hit it, the ball would fly.

But the bat and ball were quite far apart.

Yes, his clear weakness was the outside course.

In the game so far, he was strong on the inside, but he couldn’t catch breaking balls escaping outside.

The first pitch, Ryu’s slider, prompted a hard swing, but the timing and course were completely off.

Another pitch, a sweeper, escaped outside. He swung boldly but missed again.

Still, his swing speed was extraordinary. Facing such a decisive swing, even if Ryu got him out, he felt immense pressure…

Since the timing was so off, going all-outside seemed fine, but to avoid adjustments throughout the game, throwing inside once might be better.

Makabe-senpai’s intent seemed the same.

Throwing in the zone risked a solid hit, so Ryu threw a clear ball.

The pitch, a changeup, aimed to disrupt timing and induce a grounder, but…

Clunk!

The ball hit the bat’s handle, making a dull sound.

The weak hit rolled to third.

It wouldn’t reach second in time, so Ryu aimed for an out at first…

“!? Seriously!?”

No way, what incredible speed!

He reached the middle of the basepath in no time…!

Lightning-fast indeed…!

“Uorya!”

But standing in his way was Takanotsume-senpai, guarding third. His long throw competed with the runner…

“Out!”

“Nice, senpai!”

“Leave it to me!”

That was close…! If he was safe, it would’ve been a huge pinch…

Well, with one out and a runner in scoring position, it was still a pinch.

The next batter, number six, was a contact hitter.

But not a power type, so Ryu pushed with velocity.

The first pitch, a fastball, went with full force to the outside.

Clang!

He swung at the first pitch, but the ball hit the bat’s top, flying to the outfield with little distance.

It rose high as a shallow outfield fly.

The runner couldn’t advance, making two outs.

And then, Ryu faced Shiki for the first time in this game.

…

From Shiki’s perspective, Ryu Minase’s pitching was decent for a first-year, but just decent.

That sweeper was a threat, but still within high school level.

If so, their lineup, which faced renowned ace pitchers, could catch up soon.

That hit was unexpected, but the opponent’s skill made it an unavoidable run, so no issue.

First, Shiki aimed to tie the score here. Then, he would shut down the rest, ensuring their victory.

With Ryu pitching with a runner on for the first time, a gap would surely appear.

Shiki wouldn’t miss it…

Thud!

“…What?”

The scoreboard showed the pitch speed.

[148 km]

…His fastest yet?

He was fired up.

Nice, things got interesting.

What was the next pitch?

Whoosh!

Another fastball…!?

It seemed to rise at hand, creating an illusion.

Shiki barely got the bat in, but the ball flew to the backstand. Foul. He was cornered.

The seniors, though not getting hits, had hit that ball hard…?

It felt completely different from the bench…

But Shiki couldn’t miss this chance.

He held the bat three fingers shorter.

He focused on not getting fooled by a changeup and just making contact.

The third pitch—what was it? A sweeper? A changeup?

Thud!

…Three fastballs…?

[149 km]

The speed increased…?

Waiting for a breaking ball made reacting to that fastball tough.

“…Damn.”

“Don’t worry, next, next!”

“Shiki.”

“Cap…”

“He might not have gone all-out in the first two innings.”

“…What does that mean?”

“He was giving his all, but his shoulder might not have been warmed up. The pitches to Kudou started getting sharper.”

“…So, he might get even better from here…?”

“Yeah, we might be facing a monster.”

“No problem. I won’t let them score another run.”

“…Right. Leave the runs to me.”

Saying that, the captain put on catcher’s gear and ran to his position.

Shiki put on his glove, donned his cap, and headed to the mound.

He ignored the bad sweat on his back.

The game was still early, trailing by just one run.

They’d faced countless situations like this, not even a real pinch.

Shiki would hold them, and they’d come back.

That’s how they’d go to Koshien. Absolutely.

…

Entering the third inning, that flashy guy Shiki seemed to step up. Phoenix High School’s lineup was as good as Oomagu’s, but they seemed toyed with.

So far, only that home run was a hit.

Otherwise, Ryu pitched perfectly.

Meanwhile, Ryu, though scoreless, faced a pinch earlier and seemed pushed back, even to an amateur’s eye.

Next to Sakuya, whose face was pale watching the game…

“…You okay? You look bad.”

“…I’m fine. It’s not physical.”

“It’s this hot. If you feel bad, say so. If Ryu wins but you collapse, he won’t be happy, right?”

“…Yeah.”

The inning turned to the bottom of the third, and Ryu took the mound again.

Oomagu High School entered their second time through the lineup. A critical moment for Ryu.

“Ryu-kun! Do your best!”

“Ryu! Stay calm, like always!”

Makoto and Kanade sent their full support.

“Ryu! Don’t lose mentally!”

Sakuya shouted, matching their intensity.

Both schools’ brass bands drowned out their voices, but Ryu clearly turned toward them, gripping his cap’s brim as if responding.

Then he threw the first pitch.

That pitch shocked everyone.

The players and all spectators gasped.

[151 km]

When the speed appeared on the scoreboard, deafening cheers filled the stadium.

“What! Minase throws over 150 km! An amazing fastball!”

“I thought he threw good balls from the start, but he’s still raising it! First start, and now his engine’s fully on!”

…Really, how much more would this guy captivate Sakuya?

He dispelled their worries.

This was Ryu’s true form.

…

Nice, it felt good.

As a first-time starter, Ryu had been gauging how much force to use and felt tense, moving stiffly.

But from midway through the second, the tension eased, and his body moved as he wanted.

His speed rose, and his breaking balls hit the intended courses.

He could take on Oomagu High School now.

Here was the real battle, Shiki.