Seeing this, he balled his hands into fists, resisting the urge to punch the short guy in the face. If it wasn't for the fact that Aki had made a hit in the previous game against the US, he wouldn't have to bite his tongue.
"Don't mind Atsushi." Ken appeared from the dugout and placed his hand on the guys shoulder.
For Ken, as long as he didn't let the US put any runs on the board, it didn't matter how long he needed to pitch for. He used to pitch 200 balls a day, 12 innings was nothing.
All they needed was one opportunity to send a runner home, he would handle the rest.
Atsushi felt the heavy hand upon his shoulder and felt comforted. There was a brightness that came from Ken's figure which seemed blinding, yet it filled him with reassurance.
As the Japanese team walked back onto the field, Leo was already swinging his bat by the side. His glare was intense as he stared at Ken with determination in his green eyes.
Once everyone got into position, the announcer called out over the speaker systems.
"Batting 4th, Catcher, Leo."
Upon stepping into the batters box, Leo once again felt the pressure increase from Ken on the mound. It was an odd feeling that only he seemed to experience.
Yet this time he was more prepared. Having connected in his first at-bat, he had some confidence to do the same in this inning.
'Let's see what you've got this time.'
Ken reveled in the feeling of his muscles strengthening once again under the effects of Showdown. With the boost of 2 grades, his physical prowess was catapulted into the SSS range on average.
What better way to make use of his newfound strength than with a fastball.
Daichi seemed to be on the same wavelength, calling for a four-seam towards the outside.
Ken nodded before lifting his leg and stepping forwards, his arm flashing out like a whip beside him. As it left his fingertips, it spun like crazy, affecting its course.
"Hmph!"
Leo let out a harrumph, his muscles seemingly growing bigger as he swung at the ball.
Daichi felt a breeze on his face as the bat swung past him and into the strike zone.
WHOOOOOSH
PAH
"Strike!"
Unless one had played baseball themselves, they wouldn't understand the feeling of striking nothing but air. While the body was prepared for some resistance, upon receiving none, it felt rather jarring.
This feeling, coupled with the embarrassment, was enough to create a surge of annoyance.
However, Leo was like an Ice Emperor as he channeled his feelings inside. His surroundings started to get chilly, almost as if a cold wave had fallen over home plate.
Daichi shivered, subconsciously backing away from Leo's figure in the batters box. Despite the summer sun still clutching onto the horizon, the temperature seemed to have plummeted.
He stood up, sending a throw back to Ken on the mound before getting into position. Daichi eyed Leo warily and began to think of the next ball.
Turning to Ken on the mound, the guy's expression said it all.
'FASTBALL'
Daichi shook his head in exasperation. If he could understand what Ken wanted, then there was a good chance Leo could to. Yet it was his job to make the call at the end of the day.
'It's only 0-1, there's no harm in another fastball.' He thought, before giving the sign.
Ken nodded before bringing both of his hands together and lifting his leg. He planted his foot with power, kicking up the dust from the mound in the process before whipping his arm out.
Even at a glance, Daichi could tell this was the fastest ball yet.
WHOOOOOSH
DING
'Eh?'
Daichi's eyes snapped to where the ball had gone, almost not believing what had happened. Thankfully the ball was fired across the ground and into the foul zone, yet there was some serious speed behind it.
"Foul."
'He hit that?'
Daichi turned to Leo who was still wearing his cold mask and seemed as if what he did was only natural.
'How could he touch that 102mph fastball?'
Even Ken seemed surprised that he'd made contact, yet a smile crept onto his face a moment later.
"Good, very good…"
Daichi retrieved another ball from the umpire and threw it over to Ken. Seeing that Leo was starting to hit the fastballs, he was a little reluctant to throw a 3rd one in a row.
If he could get a decent curveball, they might be able to catch the guy off guard.
Yet upon looking at the icy figure, Daichi had a premonition that it wouldn't be so easy to achieve such a thing.
'Damn it… Do I call for a forkball then? Or maybe the slider?'
As Daichi was stressing over what ball to call for, Ken poked his 2 fingers out beside his glove, trying to get his brothers attention.
It took a few seconds, but finally the guy looked his way. Daichi's eyes went wide in surprise, but they also flashed with worry.
'Is he serious? He wants to throw that now?'
Daichi felt his nerves begin to fray as he debated the call inwardly.
Eventually, time began to run out and he was forced to go with the flow. He grit his teeth and got into position, calling for the ball Ken wanted.
"Hehe, I knew you'd trust me." He muttered happily.
Ken grinned as he lifted his leg, his eyes focused on the extended glove behind the plate.
'Here goes nothing.'
The ball flew out of his fingertips, its course set.
Leo planted his left foot and swung hard at the ball, intending to blast it over the fence in one smooth motion. He could already hear the cheers of the crowd before his inevitable victory lap around the bases.
Yet in the next moment his eyes widened in shock.
WHOOOOOSH
…
PAH
"S-Strikeout!"
Leo felt the world around him crumble as a single word was brought to the forefront of his mind.
"Changeup?"