Diamond Ace's Passionate Swing

Lin Xiao did not give Dong Qingguo much time to think.

"call out!"

The third ball came hurtling in.

"boom!"

Dong Qingguo swung the bat almost entirely on his body's instinctive reflexes.

He subconsciously anticipated that the ball would drop like the previous one.

This time, however, the baseball dropped even further and at a more difficult angle as it approached home plate.

It is a fast forkball with a very large amplitude.

Dong Qingguo's pupils suddenly contracted.

"A forkball?!"

His swing missed again.

"Smack."

Miyuki abruptly pulled his gloves together, stood up, and spoke in a clear and loud voice.

"Strikeout! Strikeout!"

Dong Qingguo stood there, somewhat embarrassed and angry, and began to deny it.

"That's not fair, it's only the first time I've seen him pitch."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao responded crisply and decisively.

"Then let's have another feast."

"After all, I want to earn my senior's respect through my own abilities."

Dong Qingguo was getting a little embarrassed: "Can't you give me some face? Why are you shouting like that!"

In his second at-bat, Lin Xiao did not use a breaking ball again.

Continuous fast straight balls.

One ball faster than the next.

"call out!"

"boom!"

Dong Qingguo swung his bat with all his might, but he was always a step too slow.

The baseball, whistling through the air, repeatedly pierced Miyuki's glove.

Another strikeout.

Standing in the batter's box, looking at the expressionless first-year student on the pitcher's mound, Dong Qingguo felt a surge of emotions.

"You must be kidding."

"Three consecutive pure, fast straight balls."

"This kid is a monster."

Dong Qingguo felt a deep sense of powerlessness, along with a touch of bitterness.

He put down his bat, took off his helmet, and looked at the second and third-year players on the sidelines.

"I have to say, you guys are really lucky to have gotten this pitcher."

His voice carried a complex mix of emotions, including envy and regret.

"I wish we hadn't graduated yet."

He paused, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

"However, I wish you good luck tomorrow."

He looked at Lin Xiao, then at Miyuki and Yuki.

"I lost."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Let's go. I'll ask around later and see if everyone's free. I'll invite the third-year students from the previous year to watch the game."

Jun Isashiki was the most excited; his eyes lit up.

"Really? Senior Dong?"

Lin Xiao watched Dong Qingguo's departing figure, clenched his fist, and said firmly.

"Don't worry, senior, we'll win tomorrow."

As training drew to a close, the air was thick with the smell of sweat and dust.

Coach Kataoka's voice cut through the noise of the training field.

"Chris, have all the pitchers do some cool-downs and come off the field to rest."

Chris immediately responded.

"Yes."

Coach Kataoka turned onto the field, his gaze sharp.

"Yuki, in your pre-match defensive practice, give it the same intensity you'd give in a real match!"

Yuki responded calmly.

"yes!"

Kuramochi shouted in his distinctive accent.

Yes~

Masuko patted her gloves hard.

"bring it on!"

Izashiki couldn't wait any longer.

"Let's go!"

Miyuki is at home plate, directing the game.

"Outfield, throw to second base, watch out!"

Izashiki received the ball precisely on the outer field and swung his arm sharply.

"They're here!"

The ball landed smoothly in the second base glove.

Miyuki gave another order.

"Infield, throw to first base!"

Masuko caught the ball and quickly passed it to first base.

"good!"

Sawamura watched with great excitement.

"Such a powerful aura!"

Miyuki continued to command.

"Double kill in the infield!"

Standing on the sidelines, watching the team members' focused training, Takashima Rei whispered to Sawamura and Lin Xiao beside her.

"Can't believe what Dong-kun said?"

"You've only seen what the third-year students look like now, so naturally you won't believe it."

Lin Xiao's gaze swept across the field and landed on second baseman Ryosuke Kominato, and he calmly replied.

"What he said is all true."

"A year of poor harvest."

Rei Takashima nodded, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes.

"Yes, Lin Xiao is right. That's how everyone viewed those kids when they first enrolled."

Sawamura looked completely bewildered.

"Poor harvest? What are you talking about?"

Rei Takashima looked at the figures on the field, sweating profusely.

"Third-year students are just like you... No one is this reliable from the start."

Lin Xiao's gaze was fixed on Kominato Ryosuke's movements, and the subtle unnaturalness did not escape his eyes.

Tomorrow is the final, and some things can't be put off any longer.

After finishing their exercises, the team members began packing up their equipment, their uniforms soaked with sweat.

Lin Xiao walked up to Kominato Ryosuke, who was tidying up his things, and spoke in a low but clear voice.

"Does it hurt a lot, senior?"

Kuramochi, who was helping Kominato Ryosuke carry his things, suddenly looked up and stared sharply at Lin Xiao.

"When did you find out?"

Kominato Ryosuke gently pressed down on Kuramochi's arm, stopping him from saying anything more, and calmly answered Lin Xiao.

"When charging the base."

He looked up at Lin Xiao, a helpless, bitter smile on his face.

"I didn't expect to get hurt. It doesn't hurt too much, it's alright."

Seeing Lin Xiao's confident expression, Kominato Ryosuke knew that his injury had probably been seen through by this perceptive junior.

There seems to be no need to hide it anymore.

Kuramochi stood silently to the side, his heart pounding in his chest. He was afraid that Lin Xiao would shout it out loud, but he was also afraid that Ryosuke wouldn't want everyone to know.

But he couldn't help but defend Ryosuke Kominato, or rather, he was testing Lin Xiao's attitude.

"Are you going to talk to the coach?"

Kuramochi's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"I understand."

"After all, this is about the team and everyone."

"But after I said that, Ryosuke-senpai..."

Lin Xiao interrupted him before he could finish speaking.

"What are you saying? We're teammates. Of course, I know what this means for you and the third-year students..."

Lin Xiao turned his gaze to Kominato Ryosuke, his expression carrying a maturity beyond his years.

"Actually, the coach already knew. He can't hide our condition from him."

"He won't deprive the third-year students of their last moments. He's just giving the choice to Kominato-senpai."

After saying that, Lin Xiao took a deep breath and shouted to the other starting players who were packing their things.

"Everyone, come here for a moment, there's something important to do!"

The coaching staff and players gathered around, their faces filled with confusion, not understanding what Lin Xiao was going to do.

Coach Kataoka stood on the periphery, his eyes deep, seemingly guessing something, but he just watched silently.

"Alright, everyone's here. Senior, just say it boldly."

Lin Xiao looked at Kominato Ryosuke, his tone encouraging.

"Don't let one thing become a lingering regret. You need to have faith in us."

Izashiki was the most impatient, shouting in a state of utter confusion.

"What are you saying?"