H2
	 Volume 16
	  Chapter 9 (158)
	   This Is Where the Game Begins

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(Ch. 9) This Is Where the Game Begins

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Teams: S
	E

Hikari: Yes!

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Announcer: 4-1!
	With two out in the top of the sixth, Senkawa's 5-6-7 hitters put up consecutive hits and score three runs!
	Hayashi came in to relieve the starting pitcher Hirota, and look what happened!
	First-timers Senkawa High School have a three-run lead over the defending national champions, Eikyo Academy!
	This is certainly an unexpected turn of events for the North Tokyo Preliminary semifinals.

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Shiroyama: Why, Hayashi?
	Aside from a few exceptions, this team's hitters should be easy to control.
	I can't understand how you can let up all these hits to the bottom of their order.

Hirota: He was shaken up after those few exceptions hit his pitches hard.
	So was the catcher.
	Despite the fact that he has neither the experience nor intelligence to keep his cool.

Shiroyama: Go back to the mound next inning, Hirota.

Hirota: You're kidding.

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Hirota: Do you expect me to take the loss?

Shiroyama: We're not going to lose!
	This is where the game BEGINS!

Ump: Strike!

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Hirota: I understand you'd be angry.
	All the coach needs to do is get his team into the Koshien.
	...but my earnings come later.
	You'd be an idiot to go undone and ruin your product now.
	I've already got a hefty enough price on me as it is.

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Hirota: At any rate...
	If you want me back on the mound, you'll need to tie the score first.

PA: Batting ninth, pitcher Hayashi-kun.

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Misawa: Ogura-san.
	Hayashi's a good pitcher.

Ogura: Yeah.

Misawa: I've been with him since grade school.
	The only reason Coach Shiroyama took me in and got me into Eikyo
	was because I was the best catcher for Hayashi.
	Personally, I don't think I'm very good.

Ogura: What are you talking about?

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Misawa: I know it.
	I could just barely handle his pitching by the end of middle school.
	No,
	he was already way ahead of me.
	And still...
	He's so kind that he waits for me to catch up to him.
	I realized this when I saw him
	warming up with you, Ogura-san.

Ogura: Misawa.

Misawa: Help Hayashi pitch his best,
	Ogura-san.

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Ogura: Misawa!

Hirota: What are you thinking?

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Ump: Three outs, change sides!

Koga: (unh)(unh)

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PA: Player substitution for Eikyo Academy.

Hiro: Oh, come on.
	Not again.

Ogura: Let's go, Hayashi.

Hayashi: OK!

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