Clannad VN:SEEN0429
Text
// Resources for SEEN0429.TXT #character 'Girl' #character '*B' #character 'Sunohara' #character 'Mei' #character 'Akio' #character 'Tomoyo' #character 'Kyou' #character 'Ryou' #character 'Sanae' #character 'Woman' #character 'Yoshino' #character 'Misae' #character 'Fuuko' #character 'Furukawa' #character 'Umpire' #character 'Enemy' #character 'Enemy Team' #character 'Batter' #character 'All members' <0000> // April 29 (Tuesday) <0001> // \{Girl} "Nice to meet you. Let's work together." <0002> // \{\m{B}} "........." <0003> // ......... <0004> // I look at her, and then turn my gaze to the sky. <0005> // \{\m{B}} "She sure is late..." <0006> // \{Sunohara} "She's standing in front of you!" <0007> // \{\m{B}} "Eh? Seriously?" <0008> // \{Sunohara} "Moreover, she wouldn't come from the sky!" <0009> // \{Sunohara} "Here, this is my little sister, Mei." <0010> // \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan, huh..." <0011> // \{\m{B}} "Double?" se "double"? Japanese tend to use English terms that seems awkward in proper English. - Kinny Riddle <0012> // \{Sunohara} "She's the real thing!" <0013> // \{Sunohara} "Hey, why don't you say something too. That you're my younger sister." <0014> // \{Mei} "Seems it happens to be..." <0015> // \{Mei} "Thanks for always looking out for my brother." <0016> // She bowed her head to me. <0017> // \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..." <0018> // I wonder if Sunohara was the only one raised differently... possibly the opposite... or maybe she was born from different parents... <0019> // There's a possibility that Sunohara is an adopted child too, and he was raised by the monkeys in the mountain until they found him... <0020> // I see... that's the reason... <0021> // The puzzle inside me that's asking "What kind of a human is Sunohara?" has melted. <0022> // \{\m{B}} "I guess... you've been having a hard time too..." <0023> // \{Sunohara} "I don't really understand why you're looking at her with such pitiful eyes..." <0024> // \{Mei} "Somehow... it's just what I expect from my brother's friend." <0025> // \{Mei} "A bit weird too." <0026> // ......... <0027> // ... Sunohara's little sister called me weird... <0028> // ... called me weird... <0029> // ... called me... <0030> // \{Mei} "Oh my, was that rude? Pardon me." <0031> // \{Mei} "You're quite cool though, different from my brother, right? Are you popular in your school?" <0032> // \{Sunohara} "Hmm... I wonder about that~ \m{A} is quite good with girls too, but I wonder if I'm more popular than him." <0033> // \{Mei} "Eh? Really?" <0034> // \{Mei} "Is that true, \m{A}-san?" <0035> // \{\m{B}} "...Eh?" <0036> // I was quite shocked, that I wasn't listening. <0037> // \{Mei} "Is my brother really popular in the school?" <0038> // \{\m{B}} "No, not at all. In fact, he's hated by most people, is there something wrong with that?" <0039> // \{Sunohara} "Don't say such awful things!" <0040> // \{Mei} "I thought so..." <0041> // \{Mei} "But I guess it's all right since he's facing forward now by playing baseball." <0042> // \{Sunohara} "Yeah, today, I'll show you an ultra-cool brother." <0043> // \{Mei} "Ahh... meeting Yoshino Yuusuke is like a dream come true..." <0044> // She already couldn't hear what her big brother was saying. <0045> // We are having our game within the school grounds for some reason. <0046> // \{\m{B}} "Did he ask for permission...?" <0047> // \{Sunohara} "It's all right. We have bases here, too." <0048> // We made an impressive entrance. <0049> // At the ground, pops was standing like a guardian protecting the place. <0050> // \{Akio} "You finally came..." <0051> // \{Akio} "I'm counting on you." <0052> // \{Sunohara} "Yeah, leave it to me. If I'm here, your strength would be tremendous." <0053> // \{Akio} "You idiot! Don't underestimate baseball! Damn you!" <0054> // \{Sunohara} "Eeeeeeek!" <0055> // \{Akio} "Try and say that one more time... I'll make you feel \bpain\u." <0056> // \{Sunohara} "Y-yessir!" <0057> // \{Sunohara} (Anyway... he's really scary...) <0058> // Sunohara whispered it to me. <0059> // \{\m{B}} (Kind of... since he knows that baseball uses teamplay...) <0060> // \{Akio} "What are you two whispering over there...?" <0061> // \{\m{B}} "Well... we're just thinking that baseball is a team sport." <0062> // \{Akio} "Yeah, exactly." <0063> // \{Akio} "You said quite a good thing there, didn't you? I'll give you a hundred yen allowance later." <0064> // \{\m{B}} "Why thanks." <0065> // \{Akio} "Hmm..." <0066> // Pops crosses his arms and looks up front. <0067> // And just ahead, walking towards us is Tomoyo. <0068> // \{Tomoyo} "Glad to meet you." <0069> // \{Akio} "Yeah, same here." <0070> // And behind her are the Fujibayashi twins. <0071> // \{Sunohara} "The little sister also came along." <0072> // \{Kyou} "Hello... so this is the guy..." <0073> // She stops walking as she looks at pops. <0074> // \{Akio} "You have good eyes." <0075> // \{Kyou} "Of course, and I'm pretty good too." <0076> // \{Kyou} "Well, this girl will be cheering for us." <0077> // She holds her little sister by her shoulder. <0078> // \{Ryou} "Ah... pleased to meet you..." <0079> // \{Akio} "All right, the cheer squad is over at those seats." <0080> // Pops points with his chin... and at the bench where he points are two ladies. <0081> // \{Sanae} "Pleased to meet you." <0082> // It was Sanae-san... <0083> // Next to her is Furukawa. <0084> // She suddenly stands up as our eyes meet and bows. <0085> // I wave my hand at her. <0086> // She looks quite happy. <0087> // \{Ryou} "Well..." <0088> // \{Akio} "Don't be shy, it's my wife Sanae and my daughter Nagisa." <0089> // \{Ryou} "Well then, I'll go there now..." <0090> // \{Ryou} "Later, onee-chan..." <0091> // Fujibayashi walks there in a formal way. <0092> // \{Woman} "Pleased to meet you~" <0093> // Some lady I don't know, and beside her is... <0094> // A female student I recognize. <0095> // Furukawa. <0096> // She suddenly stands up as our eyes meet and bows. <0097> // I clumsily wave my hand at her. <0098> // She looks quite happy. <0099> // \{Ryou} "Well..." <0100> // // \{Akio} "Don't be shy, it's my wife Sanae and my daughter Nagisa." <0101> // \{Ryou} "Well then, I'll go there now..." <0102> // \{Ryou} "Later, onee-chan..." <0103> // Fujibayashi walks there in a formal way. <0104> // The next one to appear is Yoshino Yuusuke. <0105> // \{Mei} "It's really true!" <0106> // Mei-chan, who was waiting, said this delightedly. <0107> // She was quite nervous though, she couldn't approach him and instead she just hid behind me and watched him. <0108> // \{Sunohara} "You're a fan of his, right? Touch him, cling to him, smell him." <0109> // \{Mei} "There's no way I'd do that!" <0110> // I don't really care, but why is your sister hiding behind the back of someone who she just met, and not the back of her brother? <0111> // \{Mei} "Ah... being able to play at the same team... that sure is happiness..." <0112> // \{Sunohara} "You're exaggerating." <0113> // \{Yoshino} "........." <0114> // He stops in front of pops. <0115> // \{Yoshino} "So it wasn't only kids, huh..." <0116> // \{Akio} "Hmm... so someone who's a little honest has come." <0117> // \{Yoshino} "I came here to make memories with those kids." <0118> // \{Yoshino} "I have no other reasons than that." <0119> // \{Akio} "Though you say memories, you still want to win, right?" <0120> // \{Yoshino} "........." <0121> // \{Yoshino} "...I guess so." <0122> // He walks past him. <0123> // \{Yoshino} "Yo!" <0124> // He then walks towards us. <0125> // \{Sunohara} "Hello! Yoshino-san." <0126> // \{Sunohara} "We're gonna do it today~!" <0127> // Sunohara's very familiar talk. <0128> // Ah... you're such a nice guy, Yoshino Yuusuke... <0129> // I was watching them talk to each other as I feel guilty for what I did. <0130> // The last one to appear is Misae-san. <0131> // \{Misae} "Oh... there sure are a lot of people here." <0132> // \{Misae} "We're wearing different kinds of clothes though..." <0133> // \{Misae} "Why are you in uniform?" <0134> // \{Tomoyo} "Well, I thought we should wear uniforms, since we're going to do it in the school." <0135> // \{Misae} "What about PE clothes?" <0136> // \{Tomoyo} "We'll look bad with that." <0137> // \{Misae} "Ah... I'm really old fashioned..." <0138> // \{Misae} "Hmm...?" <0139> // Misae-san looks over Tomoyo's shoulder. <0140> // \{Misae} "Hmmmm?" <0141> // She approaches us. <0142> // \{Misae} "Woah! Why are \byou\u here!?" <0143> // \{Yoshino} "Uh..." <0144> // \{Sunohara} "What is it, Misae-san? Aren't you being quite familiar with him?" <0145> // \{Sunohara} "Could it be... jealousy?" <0146> // \{Misae} "Of whom...?" <0147> // \{Misae} "Anyway... what are you doing now?" <0148> // \{Yoshino} "Who cares about that now...?" <0149> // \{Yoshino} "Speaking of that, how about you?" <0150> // \{Misae} "...Who cares about that now...?" <0151> // \{Sunohara} "If you're talking about Misae-san, she's working at some wretched guy dormitory as..." <0152> // Tonk! \shake{3} <0153> // \{Misae} "Fufu..." <0154> // \{Yoshino} "Hmph..." <0155> // \{Misae} "Fufufu..." <0156> // They're talking with their eyes... <0157> // I guess I should leave it be... <0158> // \{\m{B}} "They're all here..." <0159> // I stood beside pops as I said that. <0160> // \{Akio} "I see..." <0161> // \{Akio} "So...this is the strongest baseball team in town, huh..." <0162> // He gazes at them with deep feelings. <0163> // \{Akio} "...... \wait{1000}huh?" <0164> // \{Akio} "One... two... three..." <0165> // \{Akio} "We don't have enough members!" <0166> // \{\m{B}} "Well... I did my best. You take care of the rest." <0167> // \{Akio} "Tch... how many members do we lack..." <0168> // \{\m{B}} "Three... I guess." <0169> // \{\m{B}} "One... I guess." <0170> // \{Akio} "I see..." <0171> // He inclines his head. <0172> // \{Akio} "Then..." <0173> // Just as he was about to look up again...there stood a schoolgirl just in front of him. <0174> // \{Akio} "...Huh? Who is she?" <0175> // \{Fuuko} "Fuuko got attracted by the noise." <0176> // \{\m{B}} "Fuuko..." <0177> // \{Fuuko} "Umm... if it's just for a bit, I could try and play cricket too..." <0178> // \{\m{B}} "Well, it's actually baseball..." <0179> // \{\m{B}} "Saying you got attracted... are you inside the school, even though it's a holiday?" <0180> // \{Akio} "That's all right, we only need two more."ふたり、と」 <0181> // He looks towards the bench. <0182> // \{Akio} "Sanae! And that little sister from before, both of you are going to join!" <0183> // \{Ryou} "Huee...! Y-y--you mean, me...?" <0184> // \{Sanae} "If there aren't enough people, then it can't be helped..." <0185> // \{Sanae} "Nagisa, will you be fine cheering by yourself?" <0186> // \{Furukawa} "Yes, don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll be cheering for you." <0187> // \{Sanae} "Well then, shall we go, Fujibayashi-san?" <0188> // \{Ryou} "Eh... ah... well... are you serious...?" <0189> // \{Sanae} "Yes." <0190> // \{Ryou} "Ah..." <0191> // Sanae-san took her hand and lead her in. <0192> // \{Akio} "We now have nine members." <0193> // \{Akio} "Heh... isn't this great? We got all nine members."」 <0194> // He looks towards the bench. <0195> // \{Akio} "You three are going to join!" <0196> // \{Ryou} "Eh... am I included...?" <0197> // \{Akio} "You'll only need to stand!" <0198> // \{Ryou} "Sigh..." <0199> // \{Sanae} "If there aren't enough people, then it can't be helped..." <0200> // \{Sanae} "Are you going to be fine, Nagisa?" <0201> // \{Furukawa} "If the ball went flying to me, I might not be able to catch it..." <0202> // \{Furukawa} "Will it still be all right?" <0203> // \{Sanae} "I'm sure Akio-san wouldn't let the ball fly away." <0204> // \{Furukawa} "Then... I'll give it a try." <0205> // The three girls in the bench left for the grounds. <0206> // \{Akio} "We now have nine members." <0207> // He looks towards the bench. <0208> // \{Akio} "Sanae, please join us!" <0209> // \{Sanae} "If there aren't enough people, then it can't be helped..." <0210> // \{Sanae} "I'll be going then." <0211> // \{Furukawa} "Leave the cheering to us and do your best." <0212> // Sanae-san joined our team. <0213> // \{Akio} "We now have nine members." <0214> // \{Akio} "All right, let's have a little practice until our enemy arrives!" <0215> // Exactly how did he get the storage warehouse opened up, with all the baseball equipment ready for everyone to use? <0216> // And then everyone warmed up with by playing catch. After that, gathered where pops was once again. <0217> // \{Akio} "You can't use your arm, if I remember." <0218> // He looks at me first. <0219> // \{\m{B}} "Yeah." <0220> // \{Akio} "You'll be the first baseman then." <0221> // \{Akio} "Next is, let's see..." <0222> // \{Sunohara} "I'll handle shortstop!" <0223> // Sunohara raises his hand. <0224> // \{Akio} "Huh? Ah... shortstop..." <0225> // \{Akio} "I'll assign shortstop to you." <0226> // \{Kyou} "Eh, me!?" <0227> // \{Akio} "It's all right, my eyes aren't that bad yet." <0228> // \{Sunohara} "........." <0229> // \{Sunohara} "I'll be fine with second base then..." <0230> // \{Akio} "The Second basemen will be... you, Sanae." <0231> // \{Sanae} "Yes." <0232> // \{Sunohara} "Eh----!" <0233> // \{Sanae} "Well... what is second basemen?" <0234> // That position was snatched away from Sunohara by such a person... <0235> // \{Akio} "Go ask someone else." <0236> // \{Akio} "Center fielder will be, you." <0237> // \{Tomoyo} "Yes..." <0238> // \{Akio} "If second's worried because the ball is too high... It's the center's duty to support." <0239> // \{Akio} "Left fielder... I won't let the ball fly there so I'll assign that position to you, younger sister." <0240> // \{Ryou} "Ah, o-okay..." <0241> // \{Akio} "Right fielder, nothing really flies that way, so it should be safe for you to stand there, Nagisa." <0242> // \{Furukawa} "Okay." <0243> // \{Akio} "Right fielder, nothing really flies that way, so it should be safe for you to stand there, Fuuko." <0244> // \{Fuuko} "Okay, I won't let the ball fly away from me." <0245> // \{Akio} "Second baseman will be... you." <0246> // \{Mei} "Me?" <0247> // \{Sunohara} "Eh----!" <0248> // The big brother's position was taken away by her little sister. <0249> // \{Akio} "The center fielder is... you." <0250> // \{Tomoyo} "Yes..." <0251> // \{Akio} "With this, we'll surely have a firm grip up the middle." <0252> // \{Akio} "Most of the enemy is right handed, so I'll leave the left fielder to you." <0253> // \{Yoshino} "All right." <0254> // \{Akio} "Right fielder, nothing really flies that way, so it should be safe for you to stand there, Sanae." <0255> // \{Sanae} "Okay!" <0256> // \{Sanae} "Well, what is right field?" <0257> // \{Akio} "Go ask someone else." <0258> // \{Akio} "Right fielder, nothing really flies that way, so it should be safe for you to stand there, Fuuko." <0259> // \{Fuuko} "Okay, I won't let the ball fly away from me." <0260> // \{Akio} "Third base... I'll leave that to you since you have a fine shoulder." <0261> // \{Misae} "Well, I'm good with long throw..." <0262> // \{Akio} "Hmm..." <0263> // \{Akio} "What positions are remaining...?" <0264> // \{Sunohara} "Probably... a catcher...?" <0265> // \{Akio} "Ah... I'll leave that to you." <0266> // \{Sunohara} "Ha... haha..." <0267> // \{Sunohara} "A catcher is needed for defense, right...?" <0268> // \{Akio} "You don't need to think of anything. All you need to do is catch the ball I throw." <0269> // \{Akio} "If you turn away and back out, it's the death penalty." <0270> // \{Sunohara} "Eeeeeeek! Y-yessir!" <0271> // Sunohara... you can't handle any other position other than that. <0272> // \{Akio} "Well..." <0273> // \{Akio} "The enemy team has arrived." <0274> // At the school ground entrance, was the enemy team walking in line, wearing some deep black uniform. <0275> // \{Umpire} "In formation!" <0276> // We even have umpires. Knowing this is a real match makes me a little nervous. <0277> // \{Umpire} "We will now begin the match between 'Smell Like Teen Spirits' and 'Furukawa Bakers'!" <0278> // Bakers... are we some sort of a bakery? The cheering squad suddenly stands up and shout. <0279> // \{Enemy} "Don't you think... they're some kind of a joke?" <0280> // The enemy team leader walk towards pops as he ask that. <0281> // \{Enemy} "Your team is full of girls, did you change to such an enjoyable team?"たわけ?」 <0282> // \{Enemy} "You were that famous by your name but... I guess you have become dull..." <0283> // They all laugh. <0284> // \{Akio} "Yeah..." <0285> // \{Akio} "They will probably be the most enjoyable team to me." <0286> // He returned the laugh as he said that. <0287> // \{Umpire} "Bow!" <0288> // The organized team with neat uniforms bow together with the team with mixed-gender members wearing different clothes. Riddle <0289> // \{Akio} "All right, let's go!" <0290> // We take the field first and scatter around to field. <0291> // I stand at first base. <0292> // \{\m{B}} (I haven't even participated in PE...) <0293> // \{\m{B}} (I really didn't expect that we'd be playing...) <0294> // Pops is gonna start with a practice pitch. <0295> // Sunohara's going to show his skill as a catcher. <0296> // \{Akio} "Next is the forkball. Keep your eyes on it." <0297> // \{Sunohara} "Leave it to me!" <0298> // Whish. <0299> // The ball fell over the plate. <0300> // It bounced hard on the ground and slipped over Sunohara's shoulder who was in a kneeling position. <0301> // \{Akio} "Asshole, are you trying to make me stop using my forkball?!" <0302> // But if Sunohara can't catch it, then there's probably no one who can. <0303> // I pity him a little... <0304> // \{Sunohara} "I-I'll try harder next time!" <0305> // \{Akio} "If you make an error during the match, I'll definitely hit you." <0306> // The practice pitch is over, next is the enemy's first batter. <0307> // \{Umpire} "Play ball!" <0308> // The umpire's voice. <0309> // The match has begun. <0310> // \{Akio} "Let's go!" <0311> // Pops' first throw. <0312> // Thud! It was a regular straight ball, but it made a heavy sound as it landed in his hand. <0313> // Sunohara throws back the ball, his hand trembling afterward. <0314> // If he continues to catch that kind of straight ball, I can't guarantee what'll happen to his hand. <0315> // Well, it is Sunohara, so I guess it'll be fine. <0316> // The umpire gives him a strike on the second pitch as well, which drives the batter into a corner. <0317> // \{Akio} "I'm going with the forkball!" <0318> // He said that out loud all of a sudden. <0319> // \{Akio} "Be sure to catch it!" <0320> // \{Sunohara} "Roger!" <0321> // He makes his pitch. <0322> // Throwing it straight ahead. <0323> // No, it dropped down. <0324> // The fork comes in for the strike. <0325> // The batter tried to run after swinging, but he didn't even graze the ball. <0326> // A miss. <0327> // The ball was in front of Sunohara and it's about to reach the ground. <0328> // But his body took the hit, causing the ball to bounce far away. * <0329> // \{Enemy Team} "It's an error! Run!" Sunohara's glove, it would be call foul-ball and not a strike. -DG1 <0330> // The enemy team's voice. <0331> // \{Akio} "As if I'd let you!" <0332> // Pops starts to run. <0333> // Sunohara quickly stands up as well. <0334> // The ball has been seized and thrown straight at me. <0335> // Smack! <0336> // With a dry sound, my glove had caught the ball. <0337> // I didn't forget to step on the base. <0338> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <0339> // \{Misae} "Sigh..." <0340> // The one who stood on it is Misae-san. <0341> // She came from third base, and covered everything. <0342> // \{Akio} "Whew... you're shining really nicely the way you are now." <0343> // \{Misae} "Thanks for that." <0344> // \{Misae} "But, even if someone caught that now, they would made it in time..." <0345> // \{Misae} "Sigh... I hate getting my clothes dirty..." <0346> // The enemy team was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. <0347> // They probably found the play just now hard to believe with a woman. <0348> // \{\m{B}} (Yup, this is quite a team we have...) <0349> // Even I was at the point where I was fascinated with the group we had. <0350> // We took out the second batter as well, through an error on the third strike and throwing them out at first base. <0351> // I'm certain that if the catcher was more like some middle-aged shopkeeper from our district, without a doubt, there'd be an error, and a runner would get away. <0352> // The difference is just too much. <0353> // \{Akio} "Well then, that team's got some experienced cleanup hitters so from here..." <0354> // \{Akio} "Let's really tighten our defense!" <0355> // Looking behind, he screams out loud. <0356> // He puts himself in a set position. <0357> // After a moment of silence, he pitches out the first ball. <0358> // Thwack! <0359> // The ball hits the backstop with a foul tip. <0360> // \{\m{B}} (Can he handle this ball... that's amazing...) <0361> // The second pitch. <0362> // Scratch! <0363> // This time, it's also a foul tip. It fell into Sunohara's glove just like that. <0364> // Now he's going to finish this off with the magnificent forkball he's proud of. <0365> // The third pitch. <0366> // That forkball falls really close to the ground at the last moment. <0367> // It slips right by Sunohara, flying as far as the backstop. <0368> // The opponent didn't move one bit. <0369> // \{Umpire} "Ball!" <0370> // One ball and two strikes. There's still a ways to go. <0371> // \{\m{B}} (Hey, what the hell am I commenting about...) <0372> // But, to tell the truth, pops dealing with the former Koshien players was quite amusing. <0373> // The fourth pitch. <0374> // Thump! <0375> // A heavy straight, low and inside. <0376> // \{Umpire} "Ball!" <0377> // Though Sunohara caught that ball pretty well... <0378> // His hand continues to tremble, as he throws the ball back to pops. <0379> // \{Akio} "Short, third, keep your eyes peeled!" <0380> // Leaving a yell as looks ahead, he makes the fifth pitch. <0381> // Right in the middle, it's close... \pno, it's a curve over the plate. <0382> // Thwack! <0383> // He hits it close to the handle. It's a grounder, headed towards short. <0384> // Kyou fiercly went after it. She caught the ball that was bouncing to the ground using her glove. <0385> // She quickly throws it into her right hand, and using the weight of her body, she throws it with her arm. <0386> // Thud. <0387> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <0388> // It perfectly goes into my glove. Immediately after that, the runner passes right through the base. <0389> // \{Mei} "Amazing! If you waited to catch it, he would have been safe, right?" <0390> // Mei-chan at second praises as such. <0391> // You guys really are too amazing...…。 <0392> // \{Ryou} "You're great, onee-chan..." <0393> // Yeah, you guys really are too amazing... <0394> // \{Umpire} "Change!" <0395> // Switching fields. <0396> // \{Akio} "Yeah, we're doing great, I'll give each of you 100 yen after this..." <0397> // \{Akio} "No, I guess I'll give 120, since you deserve better." <0398> // Pops was really impressed by us. <0399> // If our team is this good at defense, I guess pops can really show whatever he feels like doing. <0400> // \{Akio} "I still haven't decided the batting order." <0401> // \{Akio} "I wonder who will be the first one..." <0402> // \{Sunohara} "Me! I'm pretty fast!" <0403> // \{Akio} "Is that so? Go then." <0404> // \{Sunohara} "All right!" <0405> // Sunohara took a metal bat and willingly heads to the batter's box. <0406> // \{\m{B}} "Huh? He's left handed?" <0407> // \{Kyou} "Maybe his reason is because the left hand's batter box is nearer to the first base or something like that?" <0408> // \{\m{B}} "He's going to bunt then...?" <0409> // As expected, he made a bunt position as the pitcher throws in his ball. <0410> // Thwack! <0411> // It flew just a little, but it landed on the catcher's glove, so it's a tragic out. <0412> // \{Mei} "He's probably thinking about doing a bunt, that's why he chose to be first." <0413> // That's what Mei-chan answered. <0414> // \{\m{B}} "Why is he in the left handed batter's box?" <0415> // \{Mei} "Because it's nearer to first base." <0416> // \{Mei} "Look, it's a bunt." <0417> // Thwack. <0418> // It flew above just a little. <0419> // It landed in the catcher's glove, so it's a tragic out. <0420> // \{Mei} "That was an awful display..." <0421> // \{\m{B}} "It wouldn't be Sunohara if it went well." <0422> // \{Mei} "You sure know quite a lot about my brother." <0423> // \{Sunohara} "........." <0424> // He hangs his head down as he returns. <0425> // He'll surely be rained with insulting words by the girls. <0426> // \{Kyou} "That was a really terrible start. If you aren't going to swing and hit the ball, then at least try and reach the base, okay?" <0427> // Especially by Kyou. <0428> // \{Sunohara} "You think you can hit it then?! He took me out with a pop-up, I'm sure it would be impossible!" <0429> // \{Kyou} "Fine, I'll show you." <0430> // It seems the second batter is settled. <0431> // Kyou practices her swing several times, then enters the batter's box. <0432> // \{Sunohara} "There's no mistake that he's a former Koshien pitcher. He managed to take me out." <0433> // \{Sunohara} "Well, next time I'm in the batter's box, I'll do something. I'll have to break through!" <0434> // Thwack! <0435> // The ball nicely flew through the center. <0436> // \{\m{B}} "I guess it would be better if you don't do anything." <0437> // \{Sunohara} "Woahhhhh! I'll be third!" <0438> // \{\m{B}} "Don't you know the rules of baseball?" <0439> // \{Akio} "Next is the third batter... you want to go at it?" <0440> // \{Misae} "Huh? Are you going to make a woman do cleanup?" <0441> // \{Akio} "Since you have spirit." <0442> // \{Misae} "Sigh... I shouldn't have handled a grounder like that..." <0443> // \{Akio} "If you don't like it, you want to change?" <0444> // \{Misae} "With what?" <0445> // \{Akio} "With the fourth batter." <0446> // \{Misae} "Idiot, I'd be less willing to do that." <0447> // She holds up the metal bat as she said that. <0448> // \{Akio} "I'm hoping you get a big one." <0449> // \{Misae} "This isn't something you ask a woman." <0450> // She stands in the batter's box as she complains. <0451> // \{Sunohara} "Ahahaha! Misae-san's breasts are already big enough." <0452> // \{\m{B}} "It's not at all amusing though." <0453> // Misae-san also receives her first pitch. <0454> // She easily hits the ball. <0455> // The ball draws a big arc as it flies between the center fielder and the left fielder. <0456> // Our team suddenly become more excited. <0457> // \{Akio} "All right..." <0458> // Inside that cheers, pops started practicing his swings. <0459> // The sharp sound of it buzzed through the atmosphere. <0460> // \{Akio} "Let's go up by 3." <0461> // He heads to the batter's box. <0462> // We have occupied second base and third base, with one out. <0463> // Pops is aiming for a homerun. <0464> // I think he just declared that he's going to hit the ball... <0465> // The catcher suddenly stands up. <0466> // They're going to intentionally walk him. <0467> // \{Akio} "What the hell, you assholes, just go with the match! Got no balls, do you?!?!" <0468> // Even though he was pissed, he ended up walking. <0469> // \{Akio} "Keh!" <0470> // The bases are loaded. <0471> // \{\m{B}} "The fifth batter is important since that guy might keep on giving him walks." <0472> // \{Sunohara} "I'll go!" <0473> // \{\m{B}} "Do you want us to lose because of your pop-up?" <0474> // \{Sunohara} "Eh..." <0475> // \{Sunohara} "Woahhhhhhh----!" <0476> // It seems he remembered it just now. <0477> // \{\m{B}} "How about you go, Tomoyo?" <0478> // \{Tomoyo} "Huh?!" <0479> // \{\m{B}} "You'll be the fifth batter." <0480> // \{Tomoyo} "Wait, I haven't played baseball before." <0481> // \{\m{B}} "You can see it too, right? All you need to do is hit the ball that they throw." <0482> // \{\m{B}} "Misae-san even got a double, so you can't let yourself lose to her." <0483> // \{Tomoyo} "........." <0484> // She closed her eyes then opened it again. <0485> // \{Tomoyo} "That's true... If I get scared with this, then there's no way I can reach my goal." <0486> // She holds up the bat and starts to concentrate. <0487> // \{Tomoyo} "Like this?" <0488> // She begins to practice. <0489> // \{\m{B}} "Move your hands back, and your legs forward." <0490> // Whoosh... whoosh... <0491> // \{\m{B}} "Okay, that's the spirit. Go for it!" <0492> // She checks if she's holding the bat properly as she goes inside the batter's box. <0493> // The pitcher throws in his ball. <0494> // Whoosh! <0495> // It was a perfect strike. <0496> // She was far away from the strike zone, where the ball was. <0497> // \{Sunohara} "Could it be... that she doesn't know about the strike zone...?" <0498> // Second pitch. <0499> // Whoosh! <0500> // It's a strike again. <0501> // She's completely missing the ball. <0502> // \{\m{B}} "Watch the ball, Tomoyo!" <0503> // \{\m{B}} "From here on, never swing until you see it coming!" <0504> // I move my hands to explain. <0505> // Tomoyo nods as she stands inside the batter's box. <0506> // Third pitch. <0507> // The enemy probably honestly thought he could strike her out. <0508> // The pitcher threw a straight ball down the middle of the plate. <0509> // Thwa--------ck! <0510> // Tomoyo's bat perfectly hits the ball. <0511> // The enemy team just looks up, with no one chasing it. <0512> // The ball flew up high in the sky as it made a huge parabola and went out of the school. <0513> // \{Tomoyo} "........." <0514> // \{Tomoyo} "Sorry..." <0515> // \{Tomoyo} "I lost the ball..." <0516> // Tomoyo stands up straight as if she's done something inexcusable. <0517> // After that, we shout in joy. <0518> // \{Sunohara} "Amazing!" <0519> // \{\m{B}} "That's good, Tomoyo! It's a home run!" <0520> // \{Akio} "See that, you bastards-----?!" <0521> // He points both his index finger at the enemy pitcher as he runs. <0522> // It's a grand slam. <0523> // The Furukawa Bakers scored four runs. <0524> // They changed pitchers after that. <0525> // It was a pitcher that can throw numerous soft pitches that changes speed. <0526> // He's probably a Koshien pitcher. <0527> // He easily got Sanae-san and Fujibayashi out.打ち取られた。 <0528> // He easily got Yoshino Yuusuke and Mei-chan out.ロに打ち取られた。 <0529> // \{Akio} "Heh, four runs is already a safe lead anyway." <0530> // Top of the second inning, with the Furukawa Bakers on the defense. <0531> // Fourth batter. <0532> // His body seems like if he hit the ball lightly, it'd fly out of the stadium. <0533> // Thwack. <0534> // He managed to hit the curve ball without a hitch. <0535> // \{Akio} "Left!" <0536> // \{Akio} "Hey, it's the younger sister?!" <0537> // Fujibayashi ran as fast as she could, but she couldn't catch up. <0538> // The ball fell outside the line, and went foul. <0539> // \{Akio} "Whew... that was a close call." <0540> // He faces the batter again. <0541> // Thwack! <0542> // He hit the ball again, but this time it flew right above his head. <0543> // Pops went out of the mound to catch it. <0544> // Yoshino Yuusuke ran a short distance and scooped the ball that was batted into foul territory. <0545> // \{Akio} "Ohh, you really did go and get it." <0546> // Our defense was flawless. <0547> // The fifth bat was a grounder to the short. <0548> // Kyou handles it with ease. <0549> // With the clean-up out of the way, pop's strike-out show will probably start now. <0550> // The sixth batter stands in the batter's box. <0551> // Smack! <0552> // Strike. <0553> // The second pitch is also a straight. <0554> // Thud! <0555> // A large swing. It didn't even graze the ball. <0556> // Bump! <0557> // But... in return, there was a dull sound at the pitcher's mound. <0558> // \{Akio} "Hmm...?" <0559> // \{Akio} "Guaaaah------!!" <0560> // Pops rolls on the ground. <0561> // And just next to him is a bat... still rolling. <0562> // It seems it slipped out of the batter's hands. <0563> // That bat hit his leg, and there would be no mistake that it would hurt him... <0564> // \{Sunohara} "Damn you! You did that on purpose!" <0565> // Sunohara draws closer to the batter. <0566> // \{Batter} "N-no, I didn't." <0567> // Our team members run towards him. <0568> // \{\m{B}} "Are you okay, pops..." <0569> // \{Akio} "Pant... pant..." <0570> // He was becoming pale. <0571> // \{Akio} "We can't... lose this match..." <0572> // \{Akio} "This town's pride... is at stake..." <0573> // \{\m{B}} "Well, like I said, don't force yourself..." <0574> // \{Sanae} "Okay, okay, let me in, please." <0575> // Sanae-san pushes her way through us and kneels right beside him as she checks his leg. <0576> // \{Akio} "Owwwwwwww----!" <0577> // \{Sanae} "This might be a fracture." <0578> // \{Akio} "Sanae... even still... there are times where a man has no chance but to fight..." <0579> // \{\m{B}} "But you can't throw a ball anymore." <0580> // \{Kyou} "And you wouldn't be able to stand at the batter's box if it's a fracture." <0581> // \{Sanae} "That's right, Akio-san. You can't play baseball for today." <0582> // \{Akio} "........." <0583> // \{Kyou} "Too bad... and we're on the lead..." <0584> // \{Misae} "Well... it can't be helped now." <0585> // \{Sunohara} "Eh, are we going to stop this?! Are we going to lose?!" <0586> // \{\m{B}} "We're only at the second inning, so we can't finish the game." <0587> // \{Misae} "Let's do this some other time." <0588> // \{Tomoyo} "This really is such a waste..." <0589> // \{Akio} "Damn..." <0590> // There aren't any replacements for our team members... pops hits his gloves at the ground from frustration. <0591> // \{Enemy} "I apologize for what my team member did." <0592> // The enemy team leader approached us and apologized like that. <0593> // \{Akio} "Let's have a rematch once I've recovered." <0594> // \{Enemy} "Yeah, we should certainly do it. You're a great team." <0595> // \{Enemy} "Practice some more during that time." <0596> // \{Akio} "Yeah... we'll be better the next time..." <0597> // \{Akio} "Don't get surpassed by these people." <0598> // They faced us and bowed. <0599> // And that ended our match. <0600> // We didn't have our rematch after that. <0601> // Everyone's schedules didn't match up. <0602> // I heard that Furukawa became ill, and so she started taking a rest away from school. <0603> // I heard that Furukawa became ill, and so she started taking a rest away from school again. <0604> // And then, we graduated. <0605> // Just like something to regret... I had nothing. <0606> // Since I was just living out a lazy life. <0607> // All the members have already given up. <0608> // \{Akio} "I won't quit..." <0609> // I heard that voice inside the crowd. <0610> // \{Sunohara} "Eh?" <0611> // \{Akio} "I won't let this match end... we'll win this..." <0612> // \{\m{B}} "Wait... how will we do that?" <0613> // \{Akio} "I'm going to change pitchers." <0614> // \{Akio} "The pitcher will be... \wait{700}Furukawa Nagisa." <0615> // Pops was pointing ahead... and there she was, standing. <0616> // \{Furukawa} "...Yes?" <0617> // \{All Members} "Ehhhh!?" <0618> // All the members look quite surprised. <0619> // \{Akio} "You'll be the pitcher. You're the one who's going to throw the ball instead of me." <0620> // \{\m{B}} "Wait, she'll be the substitute? She hasn't pitched before, has she?" <0621> // \{Sunohara} "We'll only end up giving them free hits." <0622> // \{Akio} "Idiot. Don't underestimate her..." <0623> // \{Akio} "For example..." <0624> // Pops looks at Misae-san. <0625> // Pops looks at Yoshino Yuusuke. <0626> // \{Akio} "You have half-decent reflexes, so try giving me a throw." <0627> // \{Akio} "I'll give it a smack." <0628> // \{Akio} "A slow straight ball is the easiest to hit." <0629> // \{Akio} "So a ball with messed up speed and a big arc will be a lot harder to hit." <0630> // \{Akio} "It's a big job... Nagisa." <0631> // \{Akio} "You'll do this for us, right?" <0632> // He looks straight at her. <0633> // True... what pops just said might be right. <0634> // If we have a perfect defence... this plan might go well. <0635> // \{\m{B}} "Do it for us, please." <0636> // I ask her that as well. <0637> // \{Furukawa} "........." <0638> // She quickly glances over to me, still hanging her head. <0639> // \{Sunohara} "Certainly, Beat Takeshi does hold himself back. You might unexpectedly be able to pull it off." <0640> // Sunohara continues as such. <0641> // \{Kyou} "Leave the defense to us." <0642> // \{Sanae} "You have to fight too, Nagisa!" <0643> // Everyone was encouraging her. <0644> // \{Furukawa} "Well..." <0645> // \{Furukawa} "They might hit my pitches but..." <0646> // \{Furukawa} "If everyone says so, then..." <0647> // \{Furukawa} "I'll do it." <0648> // She started practicing pitching. <0649> // They were exaggerated volleys, much like high volleyball serves. <0650> // Even then, she's leaning closer and closer to the strike zone, so she might actually have some good reflexes. <0651> // She's just a bit weak. <0652> // The game resumes. <0653> // \{Furukawa} "........." <0654> // She locks herself in a sideways set position. <0655> // \{\m{B}} (Somehow, this doesn't suit her...) <0656> // She remains still for a while, then makes the pitch. <0657> // Whirl, whirl, whir~l... <0658> // It was a very slow pitch. <0659> // The batter waits for the ball to arrive... <0660> // Thwack! <0661> // He hit it. <0662> // The ball flew over Furukawa's head and fell onto center field. <0663> // Tomoyo quickly picked up the ball, and... \pthrew it. <0664> // Whoosh! <0665> // The ball that was batted with a short line drive zipped towards me with a roar. <0666> // Smack!! <0667> // I caught it right in front of him. <0668> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <0669> // The umpire's call. <0670> // \{Batter} "Eh?" <0671> // The batter stood in front of first base, dumbfounded. <0672> // Anyway, I thought I was going to die there. <0673> // That ball I received just now was pretty good... <0674> // \{Batter} "What was that just now?" <0675> // \{\m{B}} "From center field." <0676> // That's what I tell him as he returns to the bench. <0677> // \{Akio} "What a great center fielder I've set up here, haven't I?" <0678> // Pops didn't go to the hospital and was lying on a picnic tarp. <0679> // \{Tomoyo} "I'm glad I threw the ball there." <0680> // \{Misae} "I think you should start on the softball team." <0681> // \{Tomoyo} "Softball? I'm not interested." <0682> // \{Tomoyo} "My only interest is the student council." <0683> // Some people went "Eh...?" <0684> // \{Akio} "Well then, let's widen the lead." <0685> // Pops claps his hands. <0686> // \{Sunohara} "Here." <0687> // Sunohara points a bat at me as he holds it. <0688> // \{\m{B}} "Eh? Ah... I see..." <0689> // It seems I'm the one who will start the attack. <0690> // I receive that and stand at the batter's box. <0691> // \{\m{B}} (I wonder how will I use this with this shoulder of mine?) <0692> // All I can think of doing is to send it between infield and outfield. * <0693> // But, the pitcher can throw a ball that changes speed. I wonder if an amateur like me can hit it? <0694> // I aim at the ball as I receive my first pitch. <0695> // There's a very big gap. <0696> // I swing the bat, but it didn't connect. <0697> // \{\m{B}} (I bet the way I swung the bat was awful.) <0698> // I missed the second throw too as I think of that. <0699> // The third throw was a straight ball. <0700> // \{Umpire} "Strike!" <0701> // \{\m{B}} "Eh...?" <0702> // \{Umpire} "Batter out!" <0703> // Sadly... I let a good ball pass by. <0704> // Actually, I didn't get a feel for the strike zone when I stood at the batter's box. That's what came to me. <0705> // I pass the bat to Sanae-san and head back to the bench. <0706> // \{Tomoyo} "You're teaching other people, but you can't do it yourself, huh." <0707> // \{\m{B}} "Leave me alone..." <0708> // \{Sunohara} "Tch, save the runners for the running!" * <0709> // \{Sunohara} "In any case, even for her, three outs and it's over, so, it's not good for her to be up with two outs." * <0710> // Chink! <0711> // A perfect, low flyball. <0712> // \{Akio} "Run!" <0713> // While the ball fell between the second base and the left field, Sanae-san managed to reach first base.んは一塁に達していた。 <0714> // I pass the bat to Fuuko and head back to the bench. <0715> // \{Tomoyo} "You're teaching other people, but you can't do it yourself, huh." <0716> // \{\m{B}} "Leave me alone..." <0717> // \{Sunohara} "Tch, save the runners for the running!" * <0718> // \{Sunohara} "In any case, even for her, three outs and it's over so, it's not good for her to be up with two outs." * <0719> // Chink! <0720> // A perfect, low flyball. <0721> // \{Akio} "Run!" <0722> // While the ball fell between the second base and the left field, Fuuko managed to reach first base. <0723> // \{Sunohara} "Oh! It's a Texas leaguer! Pretty lucky!" <0724> // \{Sunohara} "All right, my chance to spread my reputation. I'm heading out!" * <0725> // \{\m{B}} "It's an awful chance." <0726> // Triumphantly entering the batter's box, he spins the bat round. <0727> // He misses the first pitch just outside the corner. <0728> // \{Akio} "That's a slider. Take it out."見送れよ」 <0729> // Pops tells in a loud voice so that everyone would hear. <0730> // The second pitch is a straight on the inside corner. <0731> // Thwack! <0732> // He hits the ball with a grounder towards the short. <0733> // It went to the second base, one out. <0734> // And then it's thrown to the first base, two outs. <0735> // ... a perfect double play. <0736> // \{Kyou} "Are you an idiot? Do you have to mess it all up even though she hit the ball...?"」 <0737> // \{Kyou} "Are you an idiot? Do you have to mess it all up even though Nagisa's mother has hit the ball...?" <0738> // \{Misae} "You're the worst, Sunohara." <0739> // \{Mei} "So uncool~" <0740> // \{Sunohara} "........." <0741> // Most certainly spreading his \breputation\u. <0742> // \{Akio} "Come on, defense, defense!" <0743> // \{Sanae} "Fight, everyone!" <0744> // Third inning's first half. <0745> // Furukawa's pitching continues. <0746> // The first batter magnificently screws up his swing, having a flyball go to second. Mei-chan easily catches it. <0747> // The first batter magnificently screws up his swing, having a flyball go to second. Sanae-san dangerously catches it. <0748> // The next batter perfectly hits it, with a lucky line drive towards third. Misae-san stops it head on. <0749> // Now's the ninth batter. He hits the first pitch with all his might. <0750> // It bounces towards Furukawa who's standing at the pitcher's mound... <0751> // Furukawa caught it as it flew above her head. <0752> // \{\m{B}} "Furukawa!" <0753> // She volleys the ball towards me as I call her. <0754> // Thump. <0755> // I catch it in my glove just before the batter runs past the base. <0756> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <0757> // \{\m{B}} "All right, that's great!" <0758> // I approached her and tap her back with my gloves. <0759> // \{\m{B}} "You're quite good!" <0760> // \{Furukawa} "Yes, I won't let dad tell me that I have poor reflexes anymore!" <0761> // \{\m{B}} "Hahaha, that's exactly right!" <0762> // \{Akio} "Okay, everything is going as planned." <0763> // Pops, as easygoing as he was, began smoking a cigarette. <0764> // \{Akio} "Well then, this is the second time through the order. I'll tell you a good one." der. <0765> // I wasn't sure if I agreed, but I showed him I understood as I listened. <0766> // Inside the batter's box is Kyou. <0767> // Continuing to take large swings, she was driven to two strikes. <0768> // \{\m{B}} (Looks like she's not good with a slow ball pitcher...) <0769> // She let's the third pitch pass by; a ball. <0770> // \{Sunohara} "Hah, he even got me with a grounder towards the short. You think you can hit that?" <0771> // And then, the deciding fourth pitch. <0772> // Kyou grips her bat hard, quickly fixing her handle. <0773> // Thwack! <0774> // It was a hit that fell pretty nicely into the right. <0775> // \{Sunohara} "........." <0776> // \{\m{B}} "Two times at bat and two safe hits. Quite the great difference with a certain someone, huh." <0777> // \{Sunohara} "It's not something you should say to a certain someone, you know!" <0778> // \{\m{B}} "Ugh..." <0779> // Two really miserable guys are in here. <0780> // \{Misae} "Ahhh, hitting his ball is hard." <0781> // \{Misae} "Should I try bunting..." <0782> // \{Akio} "Just go with a bust and run." <0783> // \{Misae} "Don't ask for something hard to do!" <0784> // But, Misae-san would end up doing that anyway. <0785> // Thwack! <0786> // Misae-san blasted the ball past the first base gap. <0787> // While the ball was shot, Kyou managed to get as far as third. <0788> // \{Akio} "See? You can do it." <0789> // \{Akio} "All right, let's get some more runs! Who's next?!" <0790> // \{Tomoyo} "........." <0791> // \{Sunohara} "........." <0792> // Faces that were as if to say not to look at them. <0793> // Before long, our eyes fell on a single girl. <0794> // \{Furukawa} "Eh? Me?!" <0795> // \{Akio} "I see... so it's your turn now..." <0796> // \{Akio} "It's all right to do a squeeze..." <0797> // \{Furukawa} "Su... quiz...? <0798> // \{Furukawa} "Is it easy?" <0799> // \{\m{B}} "It's hard." <0800> // \{Furukawa} "Well, I might not be able to answer it..." <0801> // \{\m{B}} "Well, since you don't really know what it means..." <0802> // \{Akio} "Ahh fine! It's a straight head-on battle, so hit it as hard as you can!" <0803> // \{Furukawa} "Ah... okay!" <0804> // She steps inside the batter's box holding the bat to her shoulder as if it's heavy. <0805> // First pitch... she just watch the ball pass by with a strike. <0806> // Second pitch... she just watch the ball pass by with a strike. <0807> // Third pitch. \pStrike out. <0808> // \{Akio} "You have poor reflexes." <0809> // \{Furukawa} "I'm sobby... (sniff)" <0810> // \{Akio} "Well, it's all right. Next is, our main weapon Tomo-pyon." <0811> // \{Tomoyo} "Don't call me with such weird names." <0812> // \{Akio} "I'm expecting something big from you again." <0813> // \{Tomoyo} "No, I'm fine with something small. Small and nice is fine." <0814> // \{Akio} "Well... anything is fine. Just hit the ball and make it fly out of the park." <0815> // \{Tomoyo} "........." <0816> // With only a regrettable facial expression, she enters the batter's box. <0817> // First pitch. <0818> // Knock! <0819> // \{Akio} "Eh..." <0820> // Tomoyo doesn't give a full swing, and stops. <0821> // The right fielder comes in, dealing with the shallow flyball. <0822> // Soon after that, an infield return pass. The only thing she wasn't able to do is touch the base. <0823> // \{Tomoyo} "It's hard to say, 'small is pretty'. That's all someone who did something magnificent can say." <0824> // \{Akio} "Don't think of anything else, you just have to hit the ball hard!" <0825> // \{Tomoyo} "Don't say that as if I have superhuman strength. That performance a while ago was just luck." <0826> // \{Akio} "Gah... well, fine. Hit the ball when we're in trouble then." <0827> // \{Akio} "Next one, I don't care who it is!" <0828> // \{Sanae} "Yes!" <0829> // \{Akio} "You?" <0830> // \{Akio} "Well, there's a possibility, so good luck..." <0831> // \{Sanae} "Okay!" <0832> // Sanae-san stands inside the batter's box. <0833> // \{Sunohara} "But you know..." <0834> // \{\m{B}} "What?" <0835> // \{Sunohara} "She's quite cute..." <0836> // \{Sunohara} "If I see her somewhere in town, I'll flirt with her..." <0837> // \{Akio} "Hah? What did you say just now?" <0838> // \{Sunohara} "Eeeek!" <0839> // Well, I really don't understand those feelings but... <0840> // Thwack! <0841> // A pretty good and strong batting. <0842> // But, no luck. Even though it was a good hit, it went straight into the center. <0843> // \{Sanae} "Fight, right?" <0844> // \{Akio} "Yeah, exactly." <0845> // \{Kyou} "And then... he looked really weird again~" <0846> // \{Misae} "Ahahahaha, sure is clumsy." <0847> // \{Akio} "Stop jabbering around and start defending!"!」 <0848> // Yoshino Yuusuke stands up. <0849> // \{Yoshino} "Me, huh..." <0850> // \{Mei} "Kyaaaaaah!" <0851> // Mei-chan cheered him up with something she couldn't put into words. <0852> // \{Misae} "Uwaah, this sort of scene still exists, huh? And exactly how much trouble had you given me already...?" <0853> // Misae-san grumbles as she stands over the first base, but I didn't hear her that well. <0854> // First pitch. Yoshino Yuusuke just watches a straight ball pass by. <0855> // Second pitch, a large curveball comes up with another strike. <0856> // He was probably aiming for a pitch from the corner. Steadily coming in, and then, the swing. * <0857> // Thwack! <0858> // The pitcher dodges without thinking as he avoids the line drive towards the center field. <0859> // \{Mei} "Kyaaaaaaaah!" <0860> // Mei-chan's delighted voice. <0861> // But... it went too far. The center fielder runs up, slides in and makes the catch. <0862> // \{Yoshino} "Uh..." <0863> // \{Yoshino} "That's a shame..." <0864> // He drops the bat as he hangs his head. <0865> // \{Yoshino} "Can't this hand of mine help create good memories...?" <0866> // \{Sunohara} "Well, please don't be depressed, Yoshino-san. I too, got no hits." <0867> // \{Sunohara} "\m{A} also didn't get any hits." <0868> // There are now three really miserable guys in here. <0869> // And it's an awful sight... <0870> // \{Akio} "Hey, you three there, it's time to field!" <0871> // \{Sanae} "Fight, everyone!" <0872> // In this inning, the experienced team changed the lineup. <0873> // Can they advance without any runner when we're in control of first and second base? * <0874> // Furukawa is going to confront the first batter. <0875> // The pitch she makes is a changeup (or is it?), as the enemy gets good timing and meets with it... <0876> // Thwack! <0877> // The line drive runs along the ground. <0878> // It jumps up beside third, Misae-san. <0879> // But, she misses it, as it escapes to left field. <0880> // \{Misae} "Sigh... am I a high school player...?" <0881> // She dust of the dust in her clothes. <0882> // \{Furukawa} "I'm sorry..." <0883> // \{Misae} "Ah... it's fine, it's fine. I'll catch it the next time." <0884> // Furukawa prepares herself for a pitch. <0885> // At the same time, the runner near me starts to move. <0886> // He's planning to steal a base. <0887> // As soon as Sunohara caught the ball, he quickly got up and threw to second. <0888> // The runner already reached the base as Kyou touched him with the ball. <0889> // \{\m{B}} (If this continues, they'll steal like they want...) <0890> // \{Akio} "Ignore that! Concentrate on the batter!" <0891> // An instruction from pops. <0892> // Furukawa nods and she starts her pitch again. <0893> // They're planning to steal again. <0894> // Sunohara's pitch is a regular pitch to them so, it's not that pointless. <0895> // Even then, with that change up volley pitch, he wouldn't make it in time. * <0896> // No outs, with him on third. <0897> // They're behind in the count, but there's no way Furukawa can strike the batter out. * <0898> // She makes her third pitch. <0899> // Thwack! <0900> // It shoots really high, making the batter wait. <0901> // There's a chance to tag up. <0902> // But... waiting under is the center fielder, Tomoyo. <0903> // \{Batter} "Damn!" <0904> // She immediately returns the ball into the diamond and back to the pitcher. <0905> // The runner got stuck at third base. <0906> // \{Akio} "Ok. We just need to get more outs, and it'll be all right." <0907> // In the batter's box stood the original cleanup hitter. <0908> // First pitch. <0909> // Thwa-----ck! <0910> // It left a clear sound as it flew to the right field. <0911> // And in the right field is... \pSanae-san! <0912> // \{Akio} "Damn it! He was aiming at that side!" <0913> // A big retreat. At the end, she jumps up with both her hands and catches it. <0914> // But there's too much distance to stop the runner from scoring. <0915> // By the time Sanae-san threw to second base, the runner on third made it to home. <0916> // 4 to 1... We have a three run lead. <0917> // \{Sanae} "Let's fight!" <0918> // \{Akio} "That should be my line..." <0919> // Fuuko moves in all directions.いている。 <0920> // She closed her eyes and jumps with an "Ei!". <0921> // Smack. <0922> // The ball lands in her gloves. <0923> // \{Fuuko} "Ehhhhhh!" <0924> // She's surprised at herself... <0925> // Fuuko forgot all about the runner in the third base. <0926> // Anyway, I doubt she knows about tagging up. <0927> // The runner reached the home plate quietly. <0928> // 4 to 1... we're in lead by three. <0929> // \{Fuuko} "Can I take this as a souvenir?" <0930> // \{\m{B}} "Hey, just give the ball back, all right?" <0931> // \{Fuuko} "Fuuko's dream changed to becoming a professional baseball player." <0932> // \{\m{B}} "A woman wouldn't become one though..." <0933> // Thwack! <0934> // The fourth batter also gets a flyball towards center. <0935> // Fourth inning, with us on offense. <0936> // \{Sunohara} "How many times do we need to do this, anyway?" <0937> // \{\m{B}} "It's baseball so, seven." <0938> // \{Sunohara} "Then there's still some space for me to do something." <0939> // \{Sunohara} "Okay! Fujibayashi, \m{A}, get on base then I'll lead you home!" <0940> // Thwack! <0941> // Fujibayashi's batting was a tumbling grounder. It was pretty well distanced from third and short. <0942> // \{Kyou} "Run----!" <0943> // Kyou encourages her with a loud voice to first base. <0944> // The ball went from third base, and then to first. <0945> // \{Umpire} "Sa---fe!" <0946> // \{Kyou} "Yay! That's good, Ryou!" <0947> // \{\m{B}} "Even Fujibayashi got a hit..." <0948> // \{Sunohara} "With this, the only ones without any hits would be that cute girl, and us huh..." <0949> // \{Sunohara} "Well, the two of us should decide it here. Go and get them, \m{A}!" <0950> // \{\m{B}} "Yeah..." <0951> // I pick up the bat and stand inside the batter's box. <0952> // No out, and we have a runner on first base... <0953> // \{\m{B}} (I'll bunt...) <0954> // Tonk! <0955> // The enemy fielded it cleanly as it rolled towards the first base. <0956> // They got me out just like that. <0957> // \{Akio} "I didn't like that but... well, it wasn't such a bad idea." <0958> // \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, how low you've fallen..." <0959> // \{\m{B}} "At least I made a contribution to the team, and it's better than someone who troubles everyone with his double play." <0960> // \{Sunohara} "That isn't the case! If you're a man, you should be freaking determined! There are no other choices than that!" <0961> // \{Akio} "As if there are men and shit in baseball----!!" <0962> // \{Sunohara} "Eeeeek!" <0963> // \{Akio} "Listen, damn you... baseball is about team work... remember that..." <0964> // \{Sunohara} "Ha...haha... you're right... I'll work hard." <0965> // He nods as he shivers. <0966> // \{Sunohara} "Okay! Mei, \m{A}, get on base then I'll lead you home!" <0967> // Thwack! <0968> // Mei-chan's batting ends up right in the space between short and third. <0969> // \{Yoshino} "Sigh..." <0970> // Yoshino Yuusuke stands beside me as he sighs. <0971> // \{Yoshino} "The only ones who haven't got a hit are us men from the starting members, huh..." <0972> // He mutters in vain... <0973> // \{Yoshino} "Heh heh..." <0974> // He's now laughing from the torture... <0975> // I leave the man who's having a bizarre pressure behind as I step inside the batter's box. <0976> // No out, and we have a runner on first... <0977> // I feel sorry for Yoshino Yuusuke but...\p I'll bunt and let the runner go for it! <0978> // Tonk! <0979> // The enemy fields it cleanly as it rolls towards the first base. <0980> // They got me out just like that. <0981> // \{Akio} "I didn't like that but... It wasn't such a bad idea." <0982> // \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, how low you've fallen..." <0983> // \{\m{B}} "At least I made a contribution to the team, and it's better than someone who troubles everyone with his double play." <0984> // \{Sunohara} "That isn't the case! If you're a man, you should be freaking determined! There are no other choices than that!" <0985> // \{Sunohara} "Right? Yoshino-san! That's what being a man is, right?" <0986> // \{Yoshino} "A man..." <0987> // \{Yoshino} "Even if you hit it, if you get out, it's meaningless..." <0988> // \{Yoshino} "That isn't being a man..." <0989> // \{Yoshino} "That's just being a pathetic bum..." <0990> // He's driving himself out?! <0991> // \{Sunohara} "Ha...haha... you're right... I'll work hard!" <0992> // Being overpowered with that silent pressure, Sunohara nods as he smiles and trembles. <0993> // In the batter box is Sanae-san, who just struck out.とられたところだった。 <0994> // In the batter box is Fuuko, who just struck out.られたところだった。 <0995> // \{\m{B}} "Look, two outs and we have a runner on second base, contribute something to the team." <0996> // \{\m{B}} "Look, two outs and we have a runner on second base, be a \bman\u." <0997> // I tap Sunohara's back. <0998> // \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah!" <0999> // He slaps his face with both his hand as he holds the bat and heads to the batter's box. <1000> // First pitch. He lets a big curve pass by with a strike. <1001> // \{Akio} "He's taking a lot of strikes, isn't he...? He's a good pitcher, damn it..." <1002> // \{Sanae} "Is that so? Fight, everyone!" <1003> // Second pitch. <1004> // I don't know how the ball's changing. However, they're becoming slow balls. <1005> // Sunohara changes his stance to match. <1006> // Thwa----ck! <1007> // The white ball leaves a clear sound and goes to the sky. <1008> // It heads into center, gradually falling down. <1009> // \{Sunohara} "All right----!" <1010> // The center fielder makes a jump right behind. <1011> // And causes the dust from the ground to blow up. <1012> // Sunohara loosens up between first and second base. <1013> // \{Sunohara} "No way..." <1014> // The center fielder stands up steadily... \pthe white ball was in his glove. <1015> // \{Sunohara} "........." <1016> // Sunohara totteringly picks up a glove and heads back. <1017> // \{Akio} "Why are you the first one? It'd be better if you were ninth..." <1018> // \{Sunohara} "Uu..." <1019> // \{Sunohara} "Uwaaaaaaaaaaa----!" <1020> // Holding the glove, he runs as he cries. <1021> // \{Akio} "That was disappointing... and it was a super fine play..." <1022> // \{Sanae} "Let's fight!" <1023> // \{\m{B}} "We're going on defense, though." <1024> // \{Sunohara} "Yoshino-san... my play just now, does that make me a pathetic bum?!" <1025> // \{Yoshino} "Yeah." <1026> // An immediate reply. <1027> // He'd only get it once in five inning. * <1028> // I bet they'll use bunt to let the runner steal a base safely, then a sacrifice fly in the end. <1029> // Our lead is down to two. <1030> // Last half of the inning, offense. <1031> // Kyou and Misae-san, the only batters who continued to hit the ball, were both grounded out. <1032> // Fourth one to enter is Furukawa, but she can't hit the ball though. <1033> // \{Umpire} "Three strikes! Batter out!" <1034> // \{Furukawa} "Uh..." <1035> // \{Furukawa} "I'm sorry..." <1036> // \{Sanae} "Let's fight!" <1037> // Sixth inning and we're on defense. <1038> // Tonk! <1039> // They're using bunts again. <1040> // \{Misae} "Woah!" <1041> // Misae-san runs in like a demon, picks it up, and throws it in. <1042> // Smack! <1043> // It landed in my glove with a dry sound. <1044> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1045> // \{Akio} "Oh! That's good, that's good, Misae-chan~" <1046> // \{Misae} "Don't add '-chan' to a (censored)-year-old woman like me---!!" <1047> // \{Misae} "...Ah." <1048> // Misae-san is (censored) years old...? <1049> // \{Akio} "You're (censored) years old...?" <1050> // \{Sunohara} "You're (censored) years old...?" <1051> // \{Kyou} (She's (censored) years old...?) <1052> // \{Tomoyo} (She's (censored) years old...?) <1053> // \{Fuuko} (Starfish...) <1054> // \{Misae} "Ahh! Forget about it----!!" <1055> // I wonder if revealing her age had some sort of effect, as she was delayed in covering the next batter as he dashed in. * <1056> // \{Misae} "Sigh... sorry..." <1057> // \{Furukawa} "Not at all, it'd be inexcusable for me if you keep helping me all the time..." <1058> // \{Misae} "I'll take it next time, so you don't have to feel so hard about it." <1059> // \{Furukawa} "Okay!" <1060> // Then after that, he stole second, and third. <1061> // And then again, the batter aims for a flyball out of the diamond. <1062> // \{Akio} "...A squeeze, huh?" <1063> // Furukawa awkwardly throws it. <1064> // Tonk. <1065> // The ball that was bunted rolled towards Furukawa. <1066> // Misae-san won't make it in time. <1067> // Furukawa takes the ball herself... <1068> // \{Sunohara} "Come on, Furukawa!" <1069> // Furukawa throws it towards Sunohara. <1070> // Smack! <1071> // \{Umpire} "Sa------fe!" <1072> // Without tagging the runner, he allows them to get a run. * <1073> // \{\m{B}} (You idiot Sunohara... you should have let her throw the ball here, which would've definitely resulted in an out...) <1074> // \{\m{B}} (Then after that, say 'Come on'...) <1075> // \{Furukawa} "Well... did I do something wrong..." <1076> // \{\m{B}} "Don't worry, it was Sunohara's fault for giving you bad instructions." <1077> // \{Kyou} "That's right." <1078> // \{Sunohara} "Ehhhhhh----!" <1079> // \{Sunohara} "Well, whatever... if it comes to this, I'll take those runners out." <1080> // \{Sunohara} "Come!" <1081> // The next batter stands inside the batter's box. <1082> // The runner starts to run as Furukawa throws in the ball. <1083> // Sunohara throws the ball towards the second base with all his might. <1084> // \{Umpire} "Sa----fe!" <1085> // \{Kyou} "Hey! Wasn't that out!?" <1086> // Kyou objects. <1087> // True, that's really disappointing... <1088> // Sunohara's throw just now is god-like; the speed and the accuracy. <1089> // It could also mean that he's reached his highest state. <1090> // If you think about "This asshole!", you'd wonder about him reaching that... <1091> // I wonder if something called impossible can become possible... <1092> // \{Sunohara} "I'll definitely take you out the next time!" <1093> // He declares to the runner, fixing his squatting position. <1094> // Furukawa prepares herself. <1095> // She stands still after she threw the ball. <1096> // And at the same time, the runner starts to move. <1097> // Sunohara caught the ball. he grabs it immediately with his dominant hand and throws it towards the third base. <1098> // \{Sunohara} "How's that!" <1099> // \{Misae} "........." <1100> // Misae-san is standing on top of third. <1101> // And behind her is Fujibayashi, who's running towards the foul zone.た。 <1102> // And behind her is Yoshino Yuusuke, who's running towards the foul zone.た。 <1103> // A big wild pitch. <1104> // The runner from third base scores. <1105> // At the bench, pops stood up and brought a thumb across his neck, and pointed it down to the ground. <1106> // \{Sunohara} "EEEEEEK----!" <1107> // We're tied, four-four. <1108> // Following that, we shift onto offense. <1109> // \{Sunohara} "Well... Misae-san is (censored) years old, right?" <1110> // \{\m{B}} "I think you should choose a better topic before you try to change the subject." <1111> // Blag! \shake{2} <1112> // Sunohara's body rolled to the ground as he was hit by Misae-san's drop kick. <1113> // \{Akio} "Hmmm... if we only had ten people, you're already out of this game..." <1114> // Sunohara wasn't listening anymore. <1115> // \{Akio} "Damn you, don't make an error which cost us a run, think of the situation first!" <1116> // He yells behind Sunohara who's bent down on the ground motionless. <1117> // \{Akio} "Well... stuff happens." <1118> // \{Akio} "Tomoyo-san... I'm seriously counting on you on this." <1119> // \{Tomoyo} "Yeah, I'll seriously hit it." <1120> // \{Tomoyo} "It's approriate for a girl, right?" <1121> // She carried the bat and started walking. <1122> // \{Akio} "Hey, that's not it!" <1123> // She doesn't look back as she head inside the batter's box. She shows no sign of interest. <1124> // She lets the first pitch, a curve, pass by. Strike. <1125> // The second pitch's a slow one. A slider that's falling out. <1126> // She suddenly steps forward and hits it with the bat. <1127> // \{Akio} "Hey, that's a ball!" <1128> // Thwack! <1129> // It passed straight above the second base. <1130> // Then drives between the right and center fielder. <1131> // She's going to take second base just like what Misae-san did when she stepped in the batter's box for the first time. <1132> // \{Tomoyo} "Okay." <1133> // She arrives at second base with satisfaction. <1134> // \{\m{B}} "It's quite different from a homerun..." <1135> // \{Akio} "Kah... she wants to tell me that she has the skill to hit it." <1136> // \{\m{B}} "But, is that appropriate for a girl?" <1137> // \{Akio} "This is this, and that is that." <1138> // \{Sanae} "Let's fight!"!」 <1139> // \{Akio} "Well, you're next up." <1140> // \{Sanae} "Well then, fight! Right?" <1141> // \{Akio} "That's right, you have to fight." <1142> // \{Sanae} "Well then, I'll fight!" <1143> // She grabs a bat and went inside the batter's box. <1144> // The first pitch is a curve falling on the inside corner. Surprised, Sanae-san pulls herself back. <1145> // The next pitch is low and outside. She's soon driven to two strikes. <1146> // \{\m{B}} (I guess he wouldn't give her a chance...) <1147> // \{Sanae} "Fight!" <1148> // She looks kind of cute, cheering for herself. <1149> // The pitcher hangs a slider straight down the middle. He must've thought the same thing I did for him to do that. <1150> // Thwack! <1151> // She swings. The ball ends up tumbling over to right. <1152> // The defender moves forward, picks the ball that bounced once, and quickly throws it to home plate. <1153> // Tomoyo runs toward third base. <1154> // \{Akio} "She's going round..." <1155> // \{Akio} "Quite intense, huh." <1156> // The catcher fixes his glove and returns the ball. <1157> // And there, Tomoyo tries to slip towards home. <1158> // They're in a play at the plate. <1159> // Swooosh! The dust dances all round. <1160> // I can't see them well... <1161> // \{Umpire} "Sa----fe!" <1162> // We heard a voice. <1163> // \{Akio} "All right----!" <1164> // \{Misae} "That was quite good..." <1165> // \{Tomoyo} "Whew... I knew he was going to throw it back..." <1166> // \{Tomoyo} "That's why I tried slipping in." <1167> // Dusting off her uniform, she returns to the base. <1168> // We all give her an applause. <1169> // \{Sunohara} "I guess, Sanae-san really is cute." <1170> // \{\m{B}} "Ah... aren't you supposed to be dead?" <1171> // \{Sunohara} "I was just acting, acting... since I don't want to get bullied any more than that." <1172> // \{\m{B}} "But you know, Sanae-san is quite grateful because of your run-batted-in error." <1173> // \{Sunohara} "Well, you should wipe your own ass yourself." <1174> // \{Sunohara} "Come on, get a base, and let me at them!" <1175> // Inside the batter's box is Fujibayashi. <1176> // \{Kyou} "Swing the bat hard!" <1177> // She nods at Kyou's words. <1178> // Thwack! <1179> // She hits it again, and this time it went between first and second base. <1180> // The first baseman takes it and throws it to second. <1181> // \{Umpire} "Safe!" <1182> // Each of Sanae-san's steps are quite fast. <1183> // Soon, they throw it back to first. But it didn't make it in time. <1184> // \{Sunohara} "Oh! All safe!" <1185> // \{Sunohara} "All right... We're collecting some runners here." <1186> // \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, send them home with a single big homerun." <1187> // I received the bat and headed towards the batter's box. <1188> // \{\m{B}} (No outs, huh...) <1189> // Anyway, you don't know the rules, do you?。 <1190> // Someone stands beside me. <1191> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1192> // ... Yoshino Yuusuke. <1193> // He doesn't say anything anymore. He silently holds the bat as he walks. <1194> // As if something is haunting him... <1195> // He steps inside the batter's box, and glares at the pitcher as he points the bat at him. <1196> // He doesn't quiver from the first pitch. Strike. <1197> // The second pitch too is a straight ball, but it was a strike as he just watched it again. <1198> // \{\m{B}} (He's going with slow balls again? He sure knows how to outsmart him...) <1199> // The third pitch... a slider leading outside. <1200> // He just watched that as well. <1201> // Fourth pitch... \phe made a straight ball trying to lure him to swing the bat. <1202> // But he just watched that as well. <1203> // Two balls, two strikes. <1204> // And then, the fifth pitch. <1205> // Inside corner... it's a straight ball again. <1206> // Yoshino Yuusuke swings without hesitation. Pressing straight onto the pitch. <1207> // \{Yoshino} "This is..." <1208> // \{Yoshino} "A gift from me-------!" <1209> // Thwa---------ck! <1210> // The ball flew to the sky. <1211> // And headed to left field. <1212> // It was high in the sky. <1213> // \{Mei} "Kyaaaaaaaaah!" <1214> // Mei-chan jumps up and down. <1215> // Tomoyo reached home and was greeted with cheers, the teammates giving her a high five. <1216> // \{Yoshino} "Children!" <1217> // Yoshino Yuusuke shouts as he step over the 2nd base. <1218> // \{Yoshino} "This is the only gift I can give you right now." <1219> // \{Yoshino} "A formless gift... and it's name is 'Memories.'" <1220> // He steps forward as he talks, he then walks halfway towards us. <1221> // \{Yoshino} "I don't have any money... And I can't give you something tangible..." <1222> // \{Yoshino} "But even still..." <1223> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1224> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1225> // \{Yoshino} "Huh...?" <1226> // The enemy touches Yoshino Yuusuke with the ball as he is away from the base. <1227> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1228> // Yoshino Yuusuke heads to the bench, and remained there with a blank expression. <1229> // I sometimes hear him laugh himself from the torture. <1230> // \{Sunohara} "I guess Yuusuke-san is the pathetic bum here." <1231> // \{\m{B}} "Ah... aren't you supposed to be dead?" <1232> // \{Sunohara} "I was just acting, acting... Since I don't want to get bullied more than that." <1233> // \{\m{B}} "But you know, Yoshino Yuusuke is quite grateful because of your run-batted-in error." <1234> // \{Sunohara} "Well, you should wipe your own ass yourself." <1235> // \{Sunohara} "Come on, get a base, and let me at them!" <1236> // Flank! <1237> // Mei-chan sends the ball to the right field before my eyes. <1238> // \{Sunohara} "All right, that's good, Mei." <1239> // \{Sunohara} "Hey, you're next \m{A}." <1240> // I received the bat and head to the batter's box. <1241> // \{\m{B}} (Yoshino Yuusuke is in such a state too...) <1242> // Tonk! <1243> // I send it off with a bunt. <1244> // \{Sunohara} "Are you Kawai?!" <1245> // Sunohara insults me as I returned with an out. <1246> // \{\m{B}} "Kawai's fine, isn't he?" <1247> // \{Sunohara} "Well... I guess, he is fine but..." <1248> // \{Sunohara} "But, you should want to be more like Oomori!" <1249> // I gave out a sound with a tone that reads "Who's that? <1250> // \{Sunohara} "Eh? Eh? You don't know? He's the first pick in the draft." <1251> // \{Sunohara} "He holds a homerun record in the Eastern League. He's an amazing homerun hitter." <1252> // \{Sunohara} "So, be like Oomori." <1253> // \{\m{B}} "No way." <1254> // \{Sunohara} "Please." <1255> // \{\m{B}} "No way." <1256> // Thwack! <1257> // Sanae-san made another Texas leaguer towards the center field. Mei-chan heads towards third. <1258> // \{\m{B}} "See, we have runners in scoring position, so go and hit it." <1259> // \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'll contribute to the team this time." <1260> // Fling! <1261> // Fuuko hits it. A tumbling short grounder. She heads to first base. <1262> // Thwack! <1263> // Fuuko made another Texas hit as she sends the ball to the center field. Mei-chan heads towards the third base. <1264> // \{\m{B}} "See, we have runners in scoring position, so go and hit it." <1265> // \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'll contribute to the team this time." <1266> // He heads straight into the batter's box. <1267> // \{Sunohara} "All right, come!" <1268> // Thwack! <1269> // It was another pop-up for the catcher. <1270> // \{Sunohara} "........." <1271> // \{Akio} "Haaa..." <1272> // \{Akio} "Haccckyouuuu!" <1273> // \{Sunohara} "EEEEEEK---!" <1274> // \{\m{B}} "Well, it's just a sneeze."さ」 <1275> // \{Sunohara} "........." <1276> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1277> // \{Kyou} "... Somehow, don't you think that the atmosphere there is heavy?" <1278> // \{Sunohara} "Won't you please leave us alone..." <1279> // \{Akio} "Well... it's the last inning." <1280> // \{Akio} "If we protect our one point lead this game will be ours. Understand that?" <1281> // \{Kyou} "And then, he suddenly went, 'Where am I?!'" <1282> // \{Misae} "Hahahaha, that's a masterpiece." <1283> // \{Kyou} "And then, he looked really strange after that!" <1284> // \{Misae} "Hahahaha, that's so clumsy!" <1285> // \{Akio} "Are any of you freaking listening--?!" <1286> // In contrast to the opposing team that were listening to us, they were in circle, yelling. <1287> // Fifth batter, the lead-off man. <1288> // \{Akio} "Cast away those unnecessary thoughts!" <1289> // \{Furukawa} "........." <1290> // She nods to pop's advice and starts to pitch. <1291> // Thwack! <1292> // A strong hit. It rolls between first and second with a heavy grounder. <1293> // It passed in front of me but I couldn't reach it. <1294> // And once again, he stole second and third. Even Sunohara's overbearing throw didn't help at all. <1295> // The sixth batter sent the ball infield with a normal grounder. Draw-in Kyou comes in and gets an out at third. <1296> // Continuing to the seventh batter, he gives a full swing to a really good pitch. <1297> // Thwa--------ck! <1298> // \{Akio} "Tch, they're aiming at right field again!" <1299> // The difficult flyball was a suspended line drive. <1300> // Sanae-san desperately stretched out her hand but she couldn't reach it and it slipped under her. <1301> // During the throwback to the infield, the batter got as far as third. <1302> // A one-run triple, bringing us to a tie. <1303> // \{Sanae} "Sniff..." <1304> // \{Akio} "There's still the last half of the inning! Fight, Sanae!" <1305> // \{Sanae} "O-okay!" <1306> // The eighth batter was also strong. A grounder that was high bouncing between short and third. They both chase after it. <1307> // Misae-san, who was close, catches it. But she can't stop the runner from getting a run in. <1308> // It couldn't be helped, so she threw to first... <1309> // Smack! <1310> // \{Umpire} "Sa---fe!" <1311> // The runner was one step quicker. <1312> // This was a reversal. <1313> // \{Akio} "Hey, hey, I don't like the looks of this... hurry up and cut them off..." <1314> // Fuuko aims at the batted ball heading towards her. <1315> // She moves in all directions again, and then closed her eyes, jumping with an 'Ei!'. <1316> // Smack! <1317> // The ball lands in her gloves again. <1318> // \{Fuuko} "Ehhhhhhhh----?!" <1319> // You might actually be an expert. <1320> // The third-base runner gets tagged after he reached home plate. It's again a tie. <1321> // \{Akio} "There's the last inning! Deal with them!" <1322> // The eighth batter was also strong. A grounder that was bouncing high between short and third. They both chase after it. <1323> // Misae-san, who was close, catches it and makes a long throw. <1324> // Smack! <1325> // \{Umpire} "Sa---fe!" <1326> // The runner had just passed right behind me the moment I caught it. <1327> // \{Misae} "Ahh... I should have left that one to you..." <1328> // \{Kyou} "It's impossible to me as well." <1329> // \{Misae} "It can't be helped then..." <1330> // \{Kyou} "Don't mind it!" <1331> // They hit their gloves together and went back to their positions. <1332> // The base stealer again reaches third. <1333> // The ninth batter is in the batter's box. <1334> // Misae-san is preparing herself for a bunt. <1335> // That's what I did as well. <1336> // Furukawa throws the ball from her set position. <1337> // Thwack! <1338> // ... a strong hit! <1339> // The ball drives through defense between first and second base. <1340> // Tomoyo was there, running to get it. <1341> // She scooped the ball up and immediately threw it with all her strength towards home. <1342> // However, it was a throw from the outfield, so no matter how strong she is, she wouldn't be able to take out the runner from the third base. <1343> // Smack! <1344> // Sure enough, Sunohara received the ball, but the runner already passed through the base. <1345> // \{Akio} "This is really hard..." <1346> // The next batter made a flyball inside the diamond. <1347> // The center fielder, Tomoyo, changes over to right. <1348> // Somehow she's setting herself up to prevent a tag up. <1349> // Misae-san is preparing herself for a squeeze. <1350> // That's what I did as well. <1351> // Furukawa throws the ball from her set position. <1352> // Thwack! <1353> // ... a strong hit! <1354> // The ball drives through defense between first and second base. <1355> // Tomoyo was there, running to get it. <1356> // She scooped the ball up and immediately threw it with all her strength towards home. <1357> // However, it was a throw from the outfield, so no matter how strong she is, she wouldn't be able to take out the runner from the third base. <1358> // Smack! <1359> // Mei-chan caught the ball as she decides to make a do-or-die move. <1360> // \{Mei} "First base!" <1361> // I receive her submarine pitch. <1362> // And then with some extra time to spare, with the runner not having reached first base yet, I step down. <1363> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1364> // \{\m{B}} "You sure are smart, Mei-chan. Definitely different from your awful brother." <1365> // \{Mei} "Hahaha.. my hand really hurts though..." <1366> // Tomoyo was standing there, as if she doesn't have any idea what happened. <1367> // With the reversal passing through, Furukawa continues with the painful pitch. <1368> // Thwack! <1369> // The ball shot up. <1370> // Tomoyo moves forward and caught it. We're finally going on offense. <1371> // Misae-san is preparing herself for a bunt. <1372> // That's what I did as well. <1373> // Furukawa throws the ball from her set position. <1374> // Thwack! <1375> // ... a strong hit! <1376> // The ball drives through defense between first and second base. <1377> // Tomoyo was there, running to get it. <1378> // She scooped the ball up and immediately threw it with all her strength towards home. <1379> // However, it was a throw from the outfield, so no matter how strong she is she wouldn't be able to take out the runner from the third base. <1380> // Smack! <1381> // Mei-chan caught the ball as she decides to make a do-or-die move. <1382> // \{Mei} "First base!" <1383> // I receive her submarine pitch. <1384> // And then with some extra time to spare, with the runner not having reached first base yet, I step down. <1385> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1386> // \{\m{B}} "You sure are smart, Mei-chan. Definitely different from your awful brother." <1387> // \{Mei} "Hahaha.. my hand really hurts though..." <1388> // Tomoyo was standing there, as if she doesn't have any idea what happened. <1389> // \{Akio} "All right, you're stepping on it quite good." <1390> // We're tied... but we're in the offence of the final inning. <1391> // \{Akio} "All right, this will be the inning's final offence..." <1392> // \{Akio} "We're tied... so in short, we only need to get one point to give them their sayonara." <1393> // \{Akio} "Our difference is only one point..." <1394> // \{Akio} "Our difference is only two points..." <1395> // \{Akio} "It's all right... I know all of you can do it." <1396> // \{Akio} "I believe in you... that we'll bring victory to the glorious Furukawa Bakers!" <1397> // \{Misae} "Glorious? We're glorious?" <1398> // \{\m{B}} "Uh, we were just formed, and when this ends we'll disband." <1399> // \{Akio} "I'm counting on you, lead-off." <1400> // \{Kyou} "Well... I don't like losing." <1401> // Kyou stands in the batter's box. <1402> // \{Sunohara} "Hey... \m{A}..." <1403> // \{\m{B}} "What?" <1404> // \{Sunohara} "Please stand in the batter's box one more time and run!" <1405> // \{\m{B}} "Don't say that to me..." <1406> // Thwack! <1407> // That was a clear sound. <1408> // She sends it off to the right field, arriving at the base. <1409> // \{Sunohara} "All right! Come on! Come o-------n!" <1410> // \{\m{B}} "Hey, you don't care whether or not the team wins, right?" <1411> // Thwack! <1412> // Misae-san hits the ball too, and it drives between first and second. <1413> // \{Sunohara} "Further! Go further!" <1414> // \{\m{B}} "No, that won't be enough..." <1415> // No outs, and we have first and second base. <1416> // And then, the next one is... \pFurukawa. <1417> // \{Akio} "Nagisa, do a bunt!" <1418> // \{Furukawa} "Bunt...?" <1419> // \{Furukawa} "Is that difficult?" <1420> // \{Akio} "You only need to lay the bat so it will hit the ball." <1421> // \{Furukawa} "I'll try." <1422> // It's not like she'll succeed on her first try. <1423> // But, there's no choice but to hope that our hopeless Furukawa will be able to do it. <1424> // First pitch... <1425> // Smack! <1426> // The bunt didn't hit the ball. <1427> // The second pitch ended up in a strike again. <1428> // \{Akio} "Tch... you really are hopeless, huh..." <1429> // \{Akio} "That's enough Nagisa, just swing it. Swing and hit the ball!" <1430> // \{Furukawa} "Ah, okay." <1431> // Changed strategies. Even if she bunts, I could see her failing at it. <1432> // Third pitch. <1433> // Smack! <1434> // She lets a slider on the outside pass by. <1435> // \{Sunohara} "Whew... she couldn't swing at all..." <1436> // Fourth pitch. <1437> // It's a straight ball. <1438> // Thwack! <1439> // The bat connects as she swings it. <1440> // It's a miracle... <1441> // It fell directly between center and second base. <1442> // \{Furukawa} "I did it! Ehehe..." <1443> // Furukawa hops up and down at first base. <1444> // \{Sunohara} "Haha... we're the only ones who don't have a hit now..." <1445> // Kyou stops at the third base as she watches the ball head back to the pitcher. <1446> // No outs, and the bases are loaded. <1447> // Our chance to give them a sayonara. <1448> // And then, heading towards the batter's box is our strongest batter, Tomoyo. <1449> // \{Akio} "Hit it and make a girly homerun." <1450> // \{Tomoyo} "There's no such thing as girly homerun." <1451> // \{Akio} "All right, let it fly towards that mountain. That'd be so girly, I'd fall in love." <1452> // \{Tomoyo} "Don't do an indirect persuasion." <1453> // \{Akio} "Because... see... you're aiming for something small..." <1454> // \{Tomoyo} "Leave this one to me." <1455> // \{Tomoyo} "I'm recovering from my mistake a while ago. I'll hit the ball with all my might here." <1456> // \{Akio} "Oh! I see!" <1457> // Her mistake a while ago... she's talking about the one where she didn't manage to take out the third base runner heading towards home. <1458> // Her mistake a while ago... she's regretting the fact that she threw the ball towards home. <1459> // Mei-chan covered for her so that mistake is really nothing, though. <1460> // Tomoyo steps inside the batter's box and waits for the pitcher without moving. <1461> // \{Sunohara} "Yeah, definitely, this'll be the most delicious thing we've waited for..." <1462> // \{Sunohara} "Also, I won't have to deal with the batter's box anymore..." <1463> // \{\m{B}} "Be quiet." <1464> // The pitcher throws in a straight ball with all his might. <1465> // The bat made a howling sound as it moves. <1466> // Thwa------ck! <1467> // All the members look up to the sky. <1468> // It really went to the mountain. <1469> // \{Umpire} "Fo-------ul!" <1470> // After a loud cheer, it fell into a sigh. <1471> // \{Sunohara} "Whew~ that was close..." <1472> // \{\m{B}} "On whose team are you cheering..." <1473> // The second pitch is a slow curve that threw off her timing. Strike. <1474> // \{Tomoyo} "........." <1475> // She continues to wait for the ball, never changing her expression, even though she's being driven to a corner. <1476> // The pitcher throws in the third ball. <1477> // It's a low straight ball... \pno, it dropped! <1478> // But even still, she took the bait and hit it with the bat's core. <1479> // Thwack! <1480> // A low line drive towards the center... <1481> // It seriously fails to escape. Second makes a jump, and catches it. A super-fine play. <1482> // \{Akio} "Not good! Go back!" <1483> // Second then immediately steps down on the base. <1484> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1485> // He then turns and throws it towards the first base. <1486> // Smack! <1487> // \{Furukawa} "Eh?" <1488> // Furukawa stands dumbfounded between the first and second base. <1489> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1490> // It's a triple play. <1491> // \{Umpire} "Game set!" <1492> // It's the umpire's voice, telling us that the game has ended. <1493> // Tomoyo crumbles down inside the batter's box. Misae-san holds her up gently and comforts her. <1494> // The enemy team members exchange high fives as they cheer from their win. <1495> // And I was watching that scene... <1496> // But even still, I'm still holding onto my glove, waiting for our next defense. <1497> // \{Akio} "Good job, it's over now." <1498> // Dragging out his feet, he went towards me. <1499> // \{\m{B}} "........." <1500> // \{\m{B}} "It's a little late somehow but..." <1501> // \{Akio} "Hmmm...?" <1502> // \{\m{B}} "I think it was fun." <1503> // \{Akio} "Is that so...?" <1504> // \{Akio} "That's good then." <1505> // \{Akio} "It'd be good if we can do this again." <1506> // \{\m{B}} "Yeah..." <1507> // But, that didn't happen... <1508> // It became our last baseball game. <1509> // ... \pour worst triple play. <1510> // \{Sanae} "Let's fight!" <1511> // Those words are quite useless now, too... <1512> // Extra inning. <1513> // Yoshino Yuusuke continues to defend the left field while Tomoyo stands on the center field with a blank face. <1514> // \{\m{B}} (Ah... Fuuko... you're our defense's vital point right now.) <1515> // Thwa---ck! <1516> // It flew high to the right field. <1517> // Just as always, Fuuko moves in all directions, closed her eyes and jumps. <1518> // However, the ball falls in a completely different place. <1519> // \{Fuuko} "Ehhhhh---!" <1520> // Well, she's shocked because it's not in her gloves. <1521> // The batter was already heading to the third base when she chased it. <1522> // Fling! <1523> // The next batter's ball was an infield grounder. <1524> // The third base runner runs straight to home. <1525> // Mei-chan dashes in to pick the ball and with a quick motion, she throws it towards the home base. <1526> // Sunohara caught the ball and he's in a play with the runner at the home base. <1527> // \{Umpire} "Out!" <1528> // \{Mei} "Whew..." <1529> // \{Sunohara} "Did I look cool just now?' <1530> // \{\m{B}} "Not you, Mei-chan did." <1531> // Furukawa took the remaining batter out with a fly ball. <1532> // And then, the eighth inning's last half, and we're on offensive. <1533> // \{Akio} "It's not like you guys are a crappy line up or anything but..." <1534> // \{Akio} "Ahh, I won't say anything anymore... just do something..." <1535> // Pops lowers his head. <1536> // The first batter is Yoshino Yuusuke. <1537> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1538> // \{Yoshino} "Am I... smiling right now?" <1539> // \{Sunohara} "No, you're not..." <1540> // \{Yoshino} "I see..." <1541> // \{Yoshino} "Sorry, for..." <1542> // \{Yoshino} "An unsightly person like me..." <1543> // \{Yoshino} "To be inside your memory..." <1544> // \{Yoshino} "But..." <1545> // \{Yoshino} "I'll smile to the end!" <1546> // As if emitting some kind of energy, he steps inside the batter's box. <1547> // The pitcher's first pitch and that connects with the bat. <1548> // \{Yoshino} "This is..." <1549> // \{Yoshino} "A gift from me----!!!" <1550> // Zooooooom! <1551> // The ball flew over the second base and fell into the right field. <1552> // \{Yoshino} "Children!" <1553> // \{Yoshino} "Woah, time out!" <1554> // He requests a time out from the umpire, then starts talking again. <1555> // \{Yoshino} "This is the only gift I can give you right now." <1556> // \{Yoshino} "A formless gift... and it's name is 'Memories.'" <1557> // He steps forward then walks halfway towards us. <1558> // \{Yoshino} "I don't have any money... and I can't give you something tangible..." <1559> // \{Yoshino} "But even still... even if it isn't tangible... a memory is something that will continue to be with you." <1560> // \{Yoshino} "It will be in everyone's heart." <1561> // \{Yoshino} "That's what I believe." <1562> // \{Yoshino} "........." <1563> // Satisfied, he returned to the base. <1564> // \{Mei} "We will now continue---!" <1565> // Mei-chan made a dashing entrance inside the batter's box, while everyone has their mouth wide open due to Yoshino Yuusuke. <1566> // Two balls, followed by a strike. <1567> // Thwack! <1568> // The ball flew over the second base and fell into the right field, just like what Yoshino Yuusuke did. <1569> // \{Akio} "All right------!" <1570> // Our bench suddenly became more excited. <1571> // And I was inside of it standing quietly. <1572> // Someone put a bat in my hand. <1573> // \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, it's your time to lead them all to base! Lead them! That's what being a man is!" <1574> // I can send them to the second and third base with a bunt, and Fuuko will be next after that. <1575> // If Fuuko gets thrown out, there will still be a runner and it will be Sunohara's turn to stand in the batter's box. <1576> // But, Sunohara hasn't gotten any hits. <1577> // \{Sunohara} "........." <1578> // Can I entrust this game to such a poor player...? <1579> // \{Sunohara} "......?" <1580> // \{\m{B}} (There's no way I can~) <1581> // \{Akio} "Hit it." <1582> // ... It's pops' voice. <1583> // \{Akio} "I'm not saying this to be sure. Go and aim high." <1584> // \{\m{B}} "... why?" <1585> // \{Akio} "It all started from you." <1586> // \{Akio} "I came this far because of you." <1587> // \{Akio} "I admit it. You are a man." <1588> // \{Akio} "What'll you do if you don't hit it?" <1589> // \{Akio} "Try to be serious." <1590> // \{Akio} "What are you being scared of?" <1591> // \{Akio} "There's nothing to be scared of." <1592> // \{Akio} "Since I've already admitted it..." <1593> // \{Akio} "Now go." <1594> // \{Akio} "And then..." <1595> // \{Akio} "... win it for this town." <1596> // I slowly walk, taking those words. <1597> // We shall be victorious. <1598> // I step inside the batter's box and turned my gaze to the far setting sun. <1599> // Before we knew it, we went our separate ways. <1600> // Everyone went on to university after the high school graduation. <1601> // Misae-san is still in charge of the dorm, and she's quite busy, even at the best of times. Since I don't have any business at the dormitory, I don't see her anymore. <1602> // I didn't have any bread I liked in particular at Furukawa Bakery either, so I didn't buy anything from them. <1603> // Yoshino Yuusuke is probably still working as an electrician somewhere in this town. <1604> // I guess it was just by chance that we met during my school days. After graduating, we didn't see each other in the city. <1605> // Sunohara and Mei-chan went back home. <1606> // And though we're far apart... <1607> // I sometimes remember that we once played baseball together. <1608> // It suddenly made me smile. <1609> // It felt comfortable. <1610> // Something like a victory has nothing to do with it. <1611> // After that subtle smile, I felt at ease. <1612> // And like that, I nurture my excelent talent. <1613> // For the days that I'll spend and share with them. <1614> // Let's go. <1615> // I stand up again. <1616> // Thwa----ck! <1617> // The white ball flutters. <1618> // "Go around, go around----!" <1619> // I hear the voices... <1620> // And, the scent of that day.
Sơ đồ
Đã hoàn thành và cập nhật lên patch. Đã hoàn thành nhưng chưa cập nhật lên patch.