(Continued)

Everyone was encouraged by Shikichi's words, and the fighting spirit really rose again, and the offense improved a little, and he was able to hit a little hit, and Shikiichi himself hit a first and second home run in succession in the next two hits. However, none of those hits resulted in a score. Daisuke has also obviously become stronger, they have lost to Chengfeng High School twice, and they have been lying on their backs for a long time for this revenge battle.

What Shikiichi could do was to stop Akashi from continuing to score, and he did. In this way, the score of 1-9 remained until the end of the 8th inning.

"In the first half of the 9th inning, the offense of Chengfeng High School, 7 bats ......"

It's finally the 9th inning, the last chance to attack. In the first two sticks, the Beppu coach changed to a substitute player, but it was all in vain, and soon 2 were out.

"Nono-kun among the 9 stick catchers."

Captain Nakano stepped up to the table. Although he is the captain of the team, his striking ability is not very outstanding, and he has always been ranked in the bottom line.

"I'm afraid it's really over here......" Shiiichi sighed as he waited for the shot.

However, Captain Nakano's seat miraculously hit a long shot.

- Sure enough, is he still somewhere to bless us?

"1 baseball pitcher Nanjun."

- In that case, then continue to bless us!

[The first ball swung the bat and hit it!] Run forward in the outfield! Slide shovel! Yes! Didn't get it! Second base runners return to home plate! Chengfeng High School pulled back 1 point, 9-2! The ball continues to roll backwards! South bypasses second base and runs to third base! The right fielder picks up the ball and passes it back! 】

- Why, where are you still alive? You're still watching, aren't you? I can feel it...... We can win this game! We'll go to Koshien......

"Hey, Nan! Stop! ”

- And this time, I will definitely stand with you at the top of the country......

[Nan, I have to go back to home plate after stepping on third base!] Will it turn into an in-court home run? That's when the shortstop receives a pass from the right fielder and passes back to home plate! South Fight! The referee's decision was ......]

“OUT！ GameSet！ Before losing consciousness, Shiichi heard the referee's voice.

- Yes, I still lost......

***

"Where is this?"

It was pitch black all around, but he could hear the rain and feel it hitting him.

He felt as if his body was cold.

Shikiichi remembered it, and when he rushed back to home plate, he seemed to have collided with Nikaido.

- If I hit something bad, will I die too?

"Hey, Little One, wake up!"

When he woke up, Shiiichi found himself lying on the bed, and the voice just now seemed to be that of Captain Nakano. Looking around, it turned out to be the stadium care room.

"Great, you suddenly lost consciousness, it really scared me to death......" Captain Nakano cried as he spoke. Whether he cried because he woke up more or because he lost the game more, Shi Yi couldn't tell.

"You're fine......

Shiyi was stunned one by one, and then he noticed that Daisuke was also in the infirmary.

"I forgot to mention," Captain Nakano said, "it was Nikaido who called the doctor in the first place......"

"I heard from the doctor, what kind of hyperventilation syndrome is, it seems to be caused by being excited and breathing too fast," Daisuke said, "although it hit your head too, but fortunately it didn't hit it too hard......

"Thank you......" Shikiichi said, "Also, congratulations on entering Koshien......"

I only heard Daisuke snort and said: "We won this game, but the duel between me and you can't be said to be my win, we didn't get 1 point from you, and we let you hit a complete blow, next time I will defeat you in a personal duel!" And also...... Don't think that you are the only one who feels uncomfortable! ”

With that, Daisuke left the nursing room. Shi Yi feels that he seems to be much more stable than when he was in junior high school, and he is becoming more and more of a professional baseball player.

"I don't know if Nikaido-san, I've told you about this," Captain Nakano said suddenly, "His father fell at work two days ago due to a sudden illness, and although he was rescued, he fell into a coma, and I heard that he was already in a vegetative state......"

After hearing this, Shiiichi's heart suddenly hung in the air, and then sighed: "Daisuke, he's really strong......"

"Yes, after my father became like that, he immediately lost Dongguo's best friend, and even so, you can still see his high fighting spirit in the game...... On the other hand, as the captain of the team, I could only say frustrating things yesterday, and I felt really incompetent......"

As he spoke, the last line of defense in Captain Nakano's heart was also broken, and he cried loudly.

***

Chengfeng High School's summer ended a little early this year, and Captain Nakano and other third-year students deservedly retired on time. However, it is truly regrettable that due to the death of the player, some first- and second-year members also quit the baseball club. This team, which was infinitely close to the top of the country, seems to have been beaten back to its original shape all of a sudden, and what will happen next year, everyone feels that the future is uncertain.

- Anyway, it has nothing to do with me.

In September, Shikiichi was 18 years old. He never wanted to be a professional player, which meant that the only days he could play baseball were the following fall games.

However, an unexpected situation happened to Jean Shikiichi. That day, the coach of Kamibeppu called him into the office.

"Nan-san, you should be the captain of this new team......" Coach Kamibeppu said straight to the point.

"Shi ......" was so frightened that he stepped back half a step back, "Coach, what are you talking about!" Where am I to be the captain of the material......"

"Why not?" Coach Kamibeppu asked rhetorically, "Nakano-san also recommended me, you were in the hospital that day, you said what the captain should say, and you were the only one who didn't give up the game even after losing so many points in the final." ”

"Captain Nakano ......" Shiiichi said, "But coach, you should also know, I'm going to be overage soon, and I won't be playing for long in the team......"

"That's a problem...... "Coach Kamibeppu thought for a moment and continued, "then I'll ask you a question, do you like baseball?" ”

"I like it!" Even he thought it was incredible, and Shikiichi blurted it out without thinking.

"Since that's the case, it's easy to say, you're still the captain, and you don't have to worry about the rest," said the coach Kamibeppu, "and one more thing, it's better to let you, the new captain, know, I may have to resign as a coach......

"Why!" Shi Yi exclaimed, "Because...... Dongguo's business? ”

"Indeed, after all, if someone dies, the impact will definitely not be too good, and I blame myself, but there are other reasons why I can't continue to be a coach," she said, covering her stomach, "I will have my own child soon......

Shi Yi was stunned one by one, thinking that this matter really couldn't be forced, so he had to say: "Congratulations to the teacher......"

"But the principal has already helped to contact the new coach, and he will probably be able to take up the post after this fall season," said the coach of Kamibeppu, "so the baseball club will be handed over to you before then." ”