Although he got hit once, Kim Sinhwa ended the top of the 2nd inning without allowing any additional runs.


    He might not always listen to the coach andcks awareness at times, but he’s quite a decent pitcher. Somehow, he manages to keep hisposure, with his mental strength remaining unshakeable.


    “The wind just blew; it wasn’t a ball that should’ve gone over. I’ll win next time.”


    See that? Although it would make sense to y it safe after getting hit, he’s still making light-hearted jokes.


    …He can’t be serious, right?


    Anyway, since the other side scored a run, we need to catch up and score one as well.


    Just as I was about to grab my bat and head out, I couldn’t help but smirk at Kim Sinhwa’sment.


    “Cha Taehyun, make sure you get that run.”


    Seems like he might be okay when pitching, but he’s clearly afraid of losing in a Korea-Japan match. “Sure, just watch. I’ll tie it up.”


    ***N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Today’s starting pitcher for Japan is Kubo Daisuke.


    A left-handed fireballer with a top speed of 155 km/h, he was considered the top prospect before Yamada Ryuji emerged.


    “Ganbare, Daisuke!”


    As the host country, many Japanese fans hade to cheer. Taking down Cha Taehyun, who has been the center of attention alongside Ryuji, would be an opportunity to reestablish his value, which had been overshadowed by Ryuji.


    Facing off against Cha Taehyun was his chance.


    However, he didn’t n on a direct confrontation. During the analysis of the match against the U.S., he realized that would be madness.


    He aimed to pitch on the edge of the strike zone, barely within it if at all, while ensuring that he wouldn’t make a mistake by throwing one right down the middle.


    Since he and the catcher had already discussed this, the catcher signaled for a curveball to break slightly outside.


    Nodding, Daisuke wound up and threw the ball.


    The feel at his fingertips was good. The ball was dropping right at the borderline, exactly as intended, with an ideal curve.


    There’s no way the batter won’t swing at this.


    ‘There’s no way he’ll hold back!’


    As expected, the batter swung, and Daisuke smiled.


    Even if he managed to hit it, it would likely result in a grounder or a whiff.


    “What?”


    But then, the bat’s trajectory adjusted little by little until it perfectly connected with the ball at the sweet spot.


    -Smash!


    A terrifying crack echoed. Feeling chills run down his spine, Daisuke quickly turned to follow the ball.


    The left fielder sprinted, grass and dirt flying with each step, but…


    “Sigh…”


    It was futile.


    The ball continued to soar over the fence without losing momentum.


    The Japanese crowd, stunned by the first-pitch home run, was left speechless. Even as ordinary spectators, they could see that the pitch was low, yet it had been lifted over the wall.


    Daisuke,ughing bitterly, muttered to himself.


    “He might be better than Ryuji…”


    ***


    The Japanese spectators, who had been exhrated by Ryuji’s home run from the 2nd inning, grew increasingly quiet as the game progressed.


    It wasn’t that Japan was ying poorly.


    The problem was that they couldn’t seem to score unless it was Ryuji hitting a home run. Kim Sinhwa’s pitching was that sharp.


    “The situation is critical. It’s one out with runners on first and second. Kim Sinhwa has managed to hold them off so far, but if he loses control here, it could be dangerous. Now… Kim Sinhwa throws a breaking ball to induce a double y… Ah! It’s a solid hit! It looks like it’ll go through, but… Oh! Great! Cha Taehyun makes a clean y, turning it into a double y to stop the threat!”


    “That damn Cha Taehyun again…”


    “As a defender, he’s even more stable than Ryuji…”


    “That would’ve been a run if it went through…”


    “We can’t expect anything now unless we hit a long ball.”


    Every time Japan had a scoring chance, Cha Taehyun would erase it with his incredible defense, leaving the spectators frustrated.


    The defense was already infuriating, but his batting was even more monstrous.


    -Smash!


    “Damn it! Does this guy hit a home run every time he swings?”


    “What’s going on? Wasn’t Ryuji supposed to be better than Cha Taehyun?”


    “Are they not using the first-string yers today?”


    “Waaah! Mommy, I hate that man!”


    Every time he came to bat, at the very least, he’d get a hit. If the pitch missed and ended up in the zone? Instant home run.


    Cha Taehyun was making Japanese kids cry, who hade to watch the game with their mothers.


    But being the team that topped the group stage, Japan didn’t crumble easily.


    By the 7th inning, they were trailing 5-3, but thanks to Ryuji’s consistent hits, the gap didn’t widen too much. In the 8th inning, they executed their nned strategy against Korea’s relief pitchers, tying the game at 5-5.


    As Japan’s final chance in the top of the 9th inning began…


    “Please! Just let the batting ordere back to me! I’m begging you, everyone!”


    Yamada Ryuji clenched his fists, shouting fervently at the batters stepping up.


    A stark contrast from his calm demeanor at the start of the game.


    However, his desperation was in vain.


    “Strike out!”


    -Smash!


    “Out!”


    -Smash!


    “Out!”


    With Cha Taehyun’s continuous ster defense, the lineup never made it back to Ryuji.


    “Damn it!”


    Ryuji lightly hit the dugout railing with his fist before approaching the manager.


    “Let me finish this game as a closer!”


    The 9th inning for Korea would start with their leadoff batter. In other words, even a single hit would bring Cha Taehyun back to the te. Leaving it to another pitcher? That was uneptable.


    ‘They won’t be able to stop him.’


    As frustrating as it was, Cha Taehyun was definitely an excellent batter, one who might even rival himself.


    “No.”


    “Sorry?”


    The Japanese manager shook his head firmly.


    “You don’t have time to warm up. And even if you managed to stop him with your shoulder, it wouldn’t matter. Think about it, Ryuji. This is only the first match. In the end, it’s the team that wins the final that ims the medal. We can’t afford to give up the strategic advantage of your surprise appearance in the final.”


    Ryuji bit his lip but eventually nodded.


    Losing the first game would certainly be a blow to his pride, but winning the final was more important.


    Ryuji sat down and watched Kazama, their closer, take the mound, praying once more.


    “Please… If you can just hold them off… I’ll figure out a way to turn this game around!”


    As Ryuji prayed fervently, Korea’s offensive began.


    “Strike out!”


    -Smash!


    “Out!”


    Kazama efficiently took care of the 1st and 2nd batters. Ryuji clenched his fist in excitement, but it didn’tst long.


    The eyes of the 3rd batter, Jin Taehyun, looked anything but ordinary. They gave off a chilling vibe that made it seem like he was destined to hit something.


    And that ominous premonition turned out to be correct.


    -Smash!


    Jin Taehyun didn’t miss the slider that came inzily, swinging it perfectly for a hit just over the shortstop’s head, reaching first base.


    “Sigh…”


    “Ah…”


    Groans echoed from the crowd and Ryuji as their eyes naturally turned to the on-deck circle, where Cha Taehyun was waiting with a smirk.


    “Walking him… would be pointless.”


    The batter following Cha Taehyun was Lee Jiho. While not as fearsome as Cha Taehyun, he was still a formidable hitter. Walking Taehyun and facing Lee Jiho with runners in scoring position was not an appealing option. The manager signaled for Kazama to face Taehyun directly, and Kazama nodded.


    —