The principal shook her head reluctantly, thinking as she stares at us.
Finally, as she puts her hands on her hips, she decide to say to us,
“I've decided to change the settings of the summoned beasts in this match.”
“““Huh?”””
Everyone present just expressed their doubts in unison.
Change the settings of the summoned beasts? What does that mean?”
“Only this once, just once. I'll let all of you feel the pain that's inflicted on the summoned beasts. With that, you won't think about all sorts of nonsense and play ball seriously, right?”
Inflicting the pain the summoned beast suffers onto the body—anyway, it's about setting the summoned beasts to be like mine?
“Alright, that'll be it. All of you are to play seriously now!”
Leaving these words behind, the principal waved her hand and turn around to walk to the school building.
“Eh, now...”
Things just happened out of a sudden, and for a while, I didn't know what to do. It's alright to change the settings of the summoned beasts, but if that's the case, what about our plan?
“Sorry, please allow us to take a timeout.”
Yuuji asked for a timeout to the umpire, and this match just interrupted officially. After confirming that, we should start a strategy meeting.
Yuuji and the infield players are all gathered near the pitcher's mound. Okay, what do we do now?
“What do we do now, Yuuji? Our plan to create chaos was ruined.”
Our plan right from the beginning was to create chaos with the 3rd years, but it ended up like this, so our plan could only end with failure. We can't win if with play with them head on!
“No problems. Things are different from what I expected, but if that's the case, we can launch our secret weapon here.”
“Secret weapon?”
“That's right. It's a good thing that the next batter's that baldy, so there's no need to go easy on him.”
After saying that, Yuuji walked to the umpire and turn to the bench, asking for a switch of players.
“Himeji will replace Yoshii as the pitcher, Yoshii will be the catcher, I as the catcher will switch to Shimada's 3rd base.”
So the defensive alignments and pitcher are to the changed? So Himeji-san is the pitcher, I'll be the cater, Yuuji defends 3rd base, and Minami returns to the bench to rest?
We follow Yuuji's instructions and head to our respectively areas. Himeji-san came out from the bench, running to Yuuji to say something to him. I can't hear them as they're too far away. What are they saying?
“Sakamoto-kun, I, I can't be the pitcher. I never played baseball before, and I can't really play sports...”
“Calm down, Himeji. Listen to me.”
“No, no! I can't! I can't do it.”
“Baseball focuses on teamwork, so the trust between the teammates is imporatnt—especially the pitcher and the catcher, which has to be the closest.”
“Ah, I see...but...”
“A pitcher and catcher that can create a beautiful combination—is often called 'husband and wife' in baseball.”
“Eh? Husband and wife...”
“That's right. From now on, I won't be the catcher. Akihisa will be the one. The result of this match will prove whether you and Akihisa can develop a good 'husband and wife' relationship.”
“...”
“You must believe in your relationship with Akihisa, so throw that ball in your hand out to see it. Akihisa will use all his strength and catch your pitch. That's the 'partner'--no, 'husband and wife' relationship.”
“I...I got it!”
“Remember this, Himeji. Use all your strength. Don't think about where the ball will got. Just use all your strength to pass your feelings to Akihisa. If you deliberately hold back, your trust between each other can't be established.”
“I understand!”
What's going on? I don't know what's going on, but I have a bad feeling about this.
Just when I'm trembling at this unknown chill, Himeji-san, who finished talking to Yuuji, came running over. She look really energetic.
"Well...Akihisa-kun, please guide me through!"
"Mn, please guide me through as well, Himeji-san."
Himeji-san seem to be rather nervous as she started stuttering.
"I believe in Akihisa-kun, I'll pitch the ball with all I got!"
"Haha, I'm happy to hear that. Let's do our best."
"Okay! Let's do our best. Let's create a wonderful family! Well...my, my beloved..."
What? What did Yuuji just say to her?
"Then, please catch my pitch!"
After she took small steps to the pitcher's mound, Himeji-san starts her preparations as she gets ready to pitch. Oh well, better not think too much. I just need to do my own job.
I'm standing at where Yuuji's been standing up till now as I let my summoned beast squat at the catcher's position.
Alright. Right now, there's one person out, one man at first base, and the match continues.
"Heh~I don't really understand what stupid plan you're thinking of, but that's not going to work on me! I'll show my strength to you. Summon!"
The opposing 3rd batter--baldy-sempai entered the batter's box and gets ready to summon.
"I, I'll do my best...summon!"
The pitcher and batter's scores are shown half a second later.
Class A, Natsukawa Shunpei, Chemistry, 244 points.
Vs
Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Chemistry, 437 points.
"Wah! That's woman's score way too much..."
On seeing Himeji-san's score, baldy-sempai started trembling. That can't be helped. Like what everyone can see, Himeji-san's scores are the elite amongst the elites, so even baldy-sempai from A class can't possibly beat her.
"Damn it. Leaving Takagi behind may be a bad decision..."
Baldy-sempair looked troubled as she muttered to herself.
Takagi? This name seems familiar. Where have I heard that name before...
"O, okay, please guide me through!"
Just when I was thinking, Himeji-san's already getting ready to pitch. I should be the one who should learn from her--HOLD ON A MINUTE! I DIDN'T REALIZE IT JUST NOW, BUT AM I THE ONE WHO'S SUPPOSED TO CATCH HIMEJI-SAN'S PITCHES!!? I'LL DIE REALLY BADLY IF I FAIL!!
"Let me see. First, step on the rubber, and then..."
"Ho, hol, hol, hold on a minute Himeji-san!!"
"Hm? What's wrong, Akihisa-kun?"
I called out to stop Himeji-san, who's getting ready to pitch. Himeji-san is so gentle and understanding. I guess she would hold back a bit, but since the difference in our scores are so far different from each other, I don't know what's going to happen, so it's better to let her try out.
"You see a runner at first base? Throw a pickoff at first base to prevent him from stealing base. Would you like to try it?"
The runner at first base didn't run too far away. I just wnat Himeji-san to throw a pickoff there so that she can get used to it. Anyway, I just want to let Himeji-san throw a ball first.
"A pickoff--ah, I got it. I just need to throw to first base, right?"
"That's right. Can you please throw to Fukumura-san at first base?"
"I understand. Then--"
Himeji-san's summoned beast raises its arm and gets into a pitching position.
"Heh!"
"................AH?"
Class A, Tsunemura Yuusaku, Chemistry, DEAD.
Vs
Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Chemistry, 437 points.
Class F, Fukumura Kohei, Chemistry, DEAD.
Vs
Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Chemistry, 437 points.
--There were immediate reports of two deaths.
KLANG...with that, the sound of some heavy objects tumbling down continuously can be heard.
The summoned beasts of the runner at first base, that mohican-head sempai and Fukumura-san, who's watching first base disappear together into the wind like good friends.
""WAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! IT HURRTTSSS!!! MY BODY HUUUUUURRRRRTTTTTSSSS!!!"
After a short while. the controller of the summoned beasts cried out in pain as well.
It seem that the settings change managed to catch up to the ball, so both of them got the effects of the damage done to the summoned beasts, which caused them to roll on the floor in pain.
"Ah! So, sorry! I didn't know how to control the strength on the ball, so..."
Himeji-san frantically lowered her head to apologize to both of them who're rolling on the ground. However, I don't think they would bother hearing her apology now.
"Will the bench players please take over the injured players so that we can continue the match?"
The refereeing teacher coldly asked the players to come on. The 2 severely injured players who are unable to move due to the pain are carted off. The opponent sent out one sempai, while Hideyoshi, who was on the bench, replaced Fukumura-san to guard 1st base.
"Uu...I failed..."
Though she managed to bury two people at one go, Himeji-san seem to be remorseful over it. If possible, I would like to encourage her, but if she doesn't control her strength and use all her force, the next ball will strike me, the catcher. If I get hit by that powerful ball, I'll most likely get sent to a whole new dimension in pain. Though I'm really sorry to her, I really don't want--
"Don't mind, Himeji. Just pitch with all you got."
"But..."
"Don't worry too much. That's what a catcher should do."
"But if I do this, Akihisa-kun would..."
"Oi oi, why are you saying such a thing? Don't you trust Akihisa at all?"
"Ah...no, that's not it! I never douted Akihisa-kun!"
THAT BASTARD'S DEFINITELY TRYING TO KILL ME!!!
"Akihisa-kun, here I come!"
NOOOOO!!! HIMEJI-SAN, DON'T THROW THAT BALL AT ME!!!!
"He, heh!"
"Hm? eh? How did it--"
Himeji-san let out a cute sound and a pitch that's not cute at all. The pitch that can't be seen with the eyes landed directly on the 3rd year senior who's waiting to bat next.
Class A, Kindaichi Shinnosuke, Chemistry, DEAD.
Vs
Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Chemistry, 437 points.
The 4th batter of class 3-A didn't even managed to show his score as he immediately become a lifeless soul, never to come back again. Because of that, he became the 3rd victim.
"RE, REF!! THAT WAS A DANGEROUS BALL, WASN'T IT!!? SHE SHOULD BE EJECTED!!"
Standing in the batter's box, the baldy-sempai's expression changed greatly as he argued that Himeji-san broke the rules. But before the umpire could say anything, Yuuji, who's standing at 3rd base, says,
"Oi, sempai? How can you say such a cruel thing? Look at Himeji. You know that she didn't do it on purpose!"
"So, sorry! This is my first time as the pitcher. That's why I'm so nervous..."
Himeji-san came running over to class 3-A's bench and continued to bow to them in apology. Seeing Himeji-san looking so lost about what to do, I don't think anyone would doubt that she didn't do it on purpose.
"ST, STOP JOKING AROUND, SAKAMOTO!! SOME THINGS CAN'T BE FORGIVEN EVEN IF IT'S NOT DELIBERATE!!"
"SHUT UP, YOU SCUM!! Sensei, think carefully. One side is a cute student who's working hard to participate in a class event even though she's not good at it. The other side is one whose evil intent is to tarnish the sacred meaning of sportsmanship, a dumb, evil and ugly sempai. As a teacher, which side will you stand on?"
"BEGIN!"
"U, umpire?"
The umpire mercilessly announced the continuation of the match. Compared to our dastardly deeds, Himeji-san's actions aren't of ill intent at all. In that case, the judgment's correct, but I find that this umpire has a rather distort view on values.
"OI, YOSHII! HURRY UP AND CHASE THAT WOMAN AWAY! YOU'LL DIE IF THIS KEEPS UP!"
"HO, HOW CAN I DO THAT? DON'T LOOK AT HER LIKE THAT, HIMEJI-SAN'S REALLY SOMEONE WITH VERY RADICAL THOUGHTS!!"
I continue to talk to the baldy-sempai in the batter's box. If I can do it, I really want Himeji-san to get off the field!
"Uu...it's really hard...maybe I can pitch better if I use a little more force..."
Himeji-san returned to the pitcher's mound and said that, causing me to break out cold sweat.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE!! SHE DIDN'T THROW THAT BALL JUST NOW AT FULL STRENGTH!!>
The one with the ability to be the valedictorian of our year pitched that without noticing the control. It seem that only the bench is a safe zone. If that's the case, it just made me forget that we have a baseball tournament going on. This isn't a match, it's a one-sided massacre.
"Th, this time...I must pitch it at Akihisa-kun!"
""EEIIYYYYYAAAAA!!""
Baldy-sempai and I let our summoned beasts throw our bat and glove away as we just cared about using both hands to cover our heads and duck. A heavy fastball flew right above our summoned beasts' head.
"BALL."
The umpire decided that it was a ball, BUT WHO WOULD CARE ABOUT WHETHER IT'S A STRIKE OR A BALL NOW!!?
"SUB HER OUT, SAKAMOTO! GET THAT PITCHER OFF!!"
"What are you saying, sempai? Himeji's pitches are getting sharper. Isn't she getting into the groove?"
"I CAN'T SEE HER AIMING AT THE CATCHER'S GLOVE!!!"
I agree with that.
Ignoring the baldy-sempai and Yuuji who're arguing, Himeji-san stands on the pitcher's mound, seemingly muttering about something.
"Uu...maybe it's because I didn't trust in Akihisa-kun thoroughly, so I couldn't pitch well...I have to trust Akihisa-kun more..."
Thus, she grasps onto the ball in her hand even tightly as she prepares to do something even more shocking. Eh? What's Himeji-san doing?
"HO, HOLD ON A MINUTE!! DID THAT PITCHER JUST CLOSE HER EYES!!?"
"That's not the case, that's the trust between partners. It's because she belives in the guidance of the pitcher that she would close her eyes to pitch."
"HOW IS SHE GOING TO BE GUIDED BY THE CATCHER IF HER EYES ARE CLOSED!!? YOU'RE SPOUTING NONSENSE HERE!!"
"That's it. It must have opened her inner eye. A truly great player doesn't need sight, he just needs to detect the presence of the pre--the opponent's location.
" SO WHAT IF SHE FOUND MY LOCATION! THE MAIN POINT'S TO PITCH DIRECTLY INTO THE STRIKEZONE, RIGHT!!? DID YOU JUST NEARLY CALL ME 'PREY'!!?"
"Please don't say something overbearing, alright? Prey-sempai?"
"DID YOU JUST SAY THAT!!? YOU JUST CALLED ME 'PREY-SEMPAI' WITHOUT THINKING, RIGHT!!?"
The most important thing right now is whether the prey Yuuji just mentioned involved me or not.
"Well...Himeji-san! Can you hear me? Actually, you don't have to be so serious..."
"Hoo...ha...hoo...ha...it's alright, I can pitch a strike if I believe firmly in Akihisa-kun..."
"Himeji-san?"
It seems that Himeji-san just entered a zen phase as she's unable to receive my words or the hand signals. Anyway...I have to use my own means to survive if I want to see the sunrise tomorrow.
"Can, can't be helped. If that's the case, I'll just dodge sideways when Himeji-san pitches. Uf my luck is good, maybe I can keep my own life!"
"THAT, THAT'S TOO UNDERHANDED, YOSHII!! YOU JUST WANT TO SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE!!?"
"Sorry sempai, I still love my life!"
On a side note, the basic rules of baseball indicates that the batter can't leave the batter box. I feel somewhat sorry that the baldy-sempai in front of me will have to dodge Himeji-san's pitches in the narrow area.
"I'm pitching, Akihisa-kun!"
"PLEASE TRY AND OPEN YOUR EYES, HIMEJI-SAN!!"
Facing Himeji-san's declaration, I could only beg for her to spare my life. But it seems that my wish didn't reach her heart as Himeji-san continued to keep her eyes closed and pitch the ball with all her strength.
A heavy fastball
With tremendous power
Aimed at the baldy-sempai's summoned beast's head.
".........................waaa........."
Everyone knows of a fruit called pomegranate that blooms in the beginning of summer? It's a sweet and sour fruit that's bright red. It grows on the tree, and when it ripens without anyone picking it off, it will drop because it overripes. Once it drops onto the ground, the crimson red flesh and juice will spill out all over the place.
Right now, the image of the batter that's shown into my mind started to remind me of the terrible state when the pomegranate drops for some reason.
Class A, Natsukawa Shunpei, Chemistry, DEAD.
Vs
Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Chemistry, 437 points.
"That's...overkill...that woman's...the...devil..."
Standing beside the summoned beast that got battered badly, baldy-sempai suffered lots of pain as he looked like he's about to lose consciousness and collapsed onto the ground. Seeing this...I can only feel pity for him.
After lunch, I think some people will recover, right? But the baldy-sempai's summoned beast carried its thoroughly devastated state as it disappeared into mid-air.
"wWell...Akihisa-kun, was that pitch alright?"
It's only at this moment that Himeji-san finally pp[ened her eyes. It's because she kept her eyes closed that she didn't see that burst pomegranate-like scene. Maybe this might be a good thing to her.
"Well...if we considered our initial aim, that ball was well pitched..."
But for some reason, there's some emotion within me that's making me unable to be happy.
"Next batter, please step up the plate."
The umpire coldly prompted for the next batter.
Looking over at the 3-A bench, everyone there is deliberately looking down, not daring to look at the umpire straight in the face.
"HEHE!! THE 3RD YEAR BATTERS ARE SCARED!!"
It's unknown where that mockery came from.
Hoo...I think the batter's not the only one who's scared.
"SENSEI! WE RAN OUT OF SUBSTITUTES!!"
Class 3-A reported that they don't have any substitutes left. If that's the case, since there are other events going on, there could only be 2 bench players. What should be done? Is he going to get those unregistered to play?
At this moment, I remember a rule included in the summoned beast baseball tournament. Yuuji added a rule that 'Each team is to hand in the list of players. Those players whose names aren't on the list will be unable to take part in the match'. That damned bastard created this plan to fulfil that rule...?
"Not enough bench players? Well...we'll skip past that person's batting order. The other players are to do their remedial tests."
The teacher made that cold decision. This sounded reasonable, but wouldn't that mean that the other players will have to do the tests just to take Himeji-san's killer pitches...?
"Right, so now to the next batter--5th batter, please step up. Those players with no points left are to take part in the remedial tests.
"""CLASS 3-A DECIDED TO FORFEIT!!!"""
And thus, with two Hit by Pitch at two batters and having caused 4 martyrs, a damage rating of 200%, the pitcher of F class Himeji Mizuki became a legend in the sports meet.