A roar of cheers assaulted the field as Ken stepped up to the batters box for possibly the last time in the match. He had played remarkably throughout the game, not allowing Osaka to get a single run.
Not only this, he was responsible for his own teams 2 runs. 1 by way of a home run, and the other through a sneaky squeeze bunt which had guaranteed the runner a way back home.
Now he had arrived to put an exclamation point on his performance.
Ken sent a cursory look to Daichi behind the plate before getting into position. Seeing the fire in his eyes was enough to put Ken at ease for now. It seemed that his brother had not given up just yet which was good.
'Now I don't have to kick his ass.' He thought with a chuckle.
He turned his attention to Yatsuo on the mound and saw his scary expression.
'Yikes, he looks like he wants to murder me.'
It was obvious that the Osaka team was desperate. They had to get Ken out no matter what and it showed.
It wasn't only Yatsuo and Daichi, the rest of the team had stern expressions on their faces as they all turned their burning gazes to him.
Daichi got into position and called for a pitch to the outside. Since Ken had surprised him in the 2nd innings, he'd essentially thrown out all of the data he'd researched on him.
Therefore he only used what he had discovered in this match.
'As long as I keep it on the outside, he won't get any big hits.' Daichi thought, placing his glove out in front of him.
Yatsuo nodded, his expression firm.
WHOOSH
DING
"Foul"
The ball went scurrying outside of first base along the ground for a foul ball. Despite the ball being so far away, Ken was able to track it down and make contact.
DING
"Foul"
Once again Daichi called for an outside ball, this time slightly higher. However, Ken once again made contact, this time sending it into the stands next to 1st base.
"Are you just gonna keep pitching outside?" Ken remarked, a grin on his face.
It seemed the question was rhetorical, as in the next moment he turned his attention back to Yatsuo. After which he moved his body closer towards the strike zone, crowding the plate.
He was challenging Daichi to go for another outside course.
Daichi frowned, feeling a little stifled.
Yet despite the goading, he still asked for another pitch to the outside, this time low and away.
"Oops."
PAH
"Ball"
Ken grinned as he leaned back and watched the ball go through to the catchers glove. He could feel that both Daichi and Yatsuo were flustered by his antics, yet he didn't care.
Mind games were a part of baseball. It felt good to be able to give Daichi a taste of his own medicine for once, instead of being on the receiving end.
Seeing Ken easily defending against the tricky pitches of the Osaka battery, his teammates couldn't help but cheer on from the dugout.
Jun, Yuta and even poor Yuki couldn't help but feel vindicated at the role reversal. Since they had been played like a fiddle, it was good to see the shoe on the other foot.
"Hit a big one Ken!"
"ORYAAH"
Hearing the cheering of his teammates, Ken felt full of confidence. He was pretty sure that he'd completed most of the missions for the Koshien Tournament, but it wouldn't hurt to get another home run added to his tally.
He once again crowded the plate, yet this time his aura shifted. It was as if the playful Ken had been replaced with a viper who was poised to strike out with lethality the moment something got within its range.
Daichi's expression darkened. He could feel a tremendous pressure and fighting spirit coming from Ken's tall figure.
Despite being up on the scoreboard, it looked like his brother would not pull any punches.
'Good! That's how baseball should be.' Daichi thought, feeling his spirits rise.
He had always looked up to his brother, particularly when it came to his work ethic and ideals. Sometimes it felt like Ken was much older than his real age, yet other times he seemed young and carefree.
Daichi had decided to respond in the only way that he knew how.
Head on.
'First off, I need to get him off the plate.' He thought.
He called for a fastball inside, placing his glove right next to Ken's chest. Since he was crowding the plate, it would still be a strike if he didn't get out of the way in time.
Yatsuo didn't question Daichi's decision. In fact he commended his will to call for such a pitch against his own brother. It just showed how committed he was to trying to win the game.
He paused for a moment and adjusted his grip before taking a deep breath in through his nose and out his mouth.
'Just a couple more pitches.' Yatsuo said inwardly, staring at his right hand.
Yatsuo set his feet and nodded towards Daichi behind home plate. He took one last look at the position of the glove and entered his pitching form.
Despite pitching for a full 9 innings, his whole body still felt light. His quick and effective pitching motion made great use of his bulky figure, not putting a lot of pressure on his body.
From the long step forward to his throwing action, nothing felt out of place.
At least, until it came time to release the ball from his fingertips.
Yatsuo felt a tremendous shock run from his wrist in both directions. It shot towards his fingers and then up to his arm, causing him to call out in pain.
"ARGH"
Time seemed to slow down as Yatsuo fell onto his knees, clutching his wrist in pain.
However, in the next moment, there was a sickening thud that rang out from the field, turning everyone's blood cold.
"K-KEN!!!"