Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 57: Clash on the Field

Eijun was surprised to see Miyuki hit a double with no runners on base. It was hard to believe.

In the original storyline, Miyuki's batting skills were inconsistent before his third year. As a third-year, he was an axiom of the team as the cleanup hitter, undeniably the best hitter on the team. But before that, he was known for being clutch with runners on but often floundered with no one on base, going down swinging nine out of ten times.

Could it really be that this time he just got lucky?

Eijun widened his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.

"What the heck, did that guy take something today? He actually got on base?" Jun Isashiki blurted out without thinking.

"There has to be something fishy!!!" Kuramochi looked completely incredulous.

"Maybe he just got lucky today, hehe, probably just a fluke," Ryousuke Kominato added, piling on.

Even the usually steady Tetsu was nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, it must be a fluke."

"Ugh, a fluke!"

The unanimous attitude of the upperclassmen clearly showed how unreliable Miyuki's usual performance was when bases were empty.

The atmosphere in the dugout made Miyuki, freshly on base, twitch his lips.

Hey, come on, guys, give me some credit, will you? Am I really that unreliable? If you keep this up, we won't even be friends, he thought, feigning a bit of resentment.

On the third-base side, in the Kiryu dugout, Coach Matsumoto rubbed his chin, his eyes reflecting a tint of surprise.

If this first-year was starting as an outfielder, he must have some notable batting skill.

This thought flashed through Coach Matsumoto's mind as he pondered for a few seconds before giving new instructions to Hiromi and Shibata on the field.

Both Shibata and Hiromi nodded in understanding.

Everyone could see Hiromi's grin growing more menacing.

"Seventh batter, left fielder, Furuya-kun."

At home plate, under Shibata's watchful eyes, Furuya stepped into the batter's box with a calm demeanor.

It's worth noting that Furuya's batting was just as unstable as his pitching—highly unpredictable yet too promising to overlook.

Ferocious one moment, timid the next.

Furuya's raw potential ultimately persuaded Coach Kataoka to give him a shot in the outfield.

If he could come through in critical moments, they'd be all the better for it.

But both coaches might have underestimated Furuya's potential power.

"Crack!!!"

As the loud crack of the bat echoed, the white streak of the ball shot away from home plate.

What the heck!?

Everyone widened their eyes, watching the white ball blaze into the sky and smash against the high netting, then drop down.

"It's... it's... it's out?"

"Wow!!!!"

"Home run!!!!"

"Wow, that kid actually hit a home run!"

"Even during practice, he showed potential, but hitting one out here is really amazing, this guy."

"Furuya, Furuya, Furuya."

The sight of the brilliant white light streaking across the sky left everyone in awe. Furuya, a first-year pitcher, managed to hit a two-run homer against the ace of a powerhouse team from Osaka, Kiryu High.

On the mound, Hiromi's fist clenched instinctively, while Shibata and the other Kiryu players at home plate wore expressions of disbelief.

To hit a home run on his first at-bat, catching Hiromi's fastball? And hitting it to the farthest part of center field? Are you kidding me, just a first-year kid!?

Not to mention the disbelief in Kiryu's dugout, Seidou's bench was also buzzing with shock. Jun Isashiki's eyes widened, and Kuramochi's mouth hung open, unable to close.

Miyuki, rounding the bases and returning home, shook his head with a wry smile.

In the on-deck circle, Eijun tightened his grip on the bat, watching Furuya run the bases with a calm expression. The look in his eyes mirrored the respect and admiration Furuya had shown him.

The same, without a doubt.

"As expected, when it comes to batting, there's a huge gap..."

Eijun sighed slightly in his heart, understanding that Furuya's batting prowess allowed him to hold a spot in Seidou's lineup, which was filled with competent players. Eijun could only comfort himself with this thought.

Otherwise, why else would Furuya, on several occasions, be able to replace upperclassmen and start in left field.

It's precisely this monstrous power at bat that lets Coach Kataoka see unlimited potential or perhaps a significant surprise.

"Well done, Furuya!"

"Furuya, even when you're not on the mound, you shine with your batting!"

"Haha, you've stolen the spotlight, you rascal."

"Furuya, your defense might be lacking, but your batting sure makes up for it."

Back in the dugout, Furuya received jovial pats and teasing from his senior teammates.

"Mound!!!!"

Still, Furuya couldn't let go of his fixation on the pitcher's mound, muttering internally.

This first-year is something special.

In Kiryu's dugout, Coach Matsumoto gave Furuya a deep look, as if trying to etch every detail into his memory.

"Even against the lower order, we cannot afford to be complacent."

A first-year pitcher who remained calm under pressure, following the catcher's lead to navigate through crises. A first-year hitter who represented strength, managing to hit a home run at his first at-bat.

Coach Kataoka, you truly have something to envy.

From afar, the glint in Coach Matsumoto's eyes reflected admiration.

With Furuya's home run, Seidou High extended their lead once more to 3-1.

"Eighth batter, pitcher, Sawamura-kun."

Eijun walked steadily to the batter's box, taking a deep breath as he observed Hiromi's increasingly intense expression.

Indeed, whether on the mound or in the batter's box, this person exudes an overwhelming presence.

But this time, it's my turn to be on the offense!

Eijun stretched out his arms, holding the metal bat that gleamed brightly under the sunlight.

In this field of battle, the roles have switched, and Eijun was determined to make his presence known!

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