H2
	 Volume 27
	  Chapter 4 (262)
	   It's the Invitational Tournament

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(Ch. 4) It's the Invitational Tournament

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Announcer: A...
	Home run!

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Announcer: Imanishi's leadoff hitter, shortstop Kawai,
	swings at Kunimi's first pitch before the "play ball" sirens have even stopped wailing!
	And the ball flew into the right field stands,
	a lead-off home run!
	On the very first pitch!
	My goodness!
	My, my, my!
	Kunimi's been hit instantly to begin the game.
	He's still staring at the place in the stands where it landed,
	as if he just can't believe what he just saw...

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Hideo: Of course he can't!
	The batter just took a random swing!
	The coach probably ordered it to shake off the Koshien jitters.
	He didn't even SEE the pitch!
	So how did he get the timing so perfect?!
	Look, he's more shocked than anyone else!

Hikari: Like a golfer who hits a hole-in-one the first time he steps on the course?

Hideo: Exactly!
	Why?
	This is a crucial moment...
	Why did such a ridiculous miracle have to happen right now?

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Ump: Ball.

Hideo: After seeing a total beginner hit a hole-in-one,
	any veteran golfer is gonna lose his cool.
	I guess the Koshien just hates him after all...

Hikari: It's the invitational tournament.
	He's in the Koshien
	because he was chosen...

 - Page 66 -

Ump: Ball four!

Announcer: Uh-oh, now the umbrellas start opening in the stands.
	This is a tough way to start off a game for Kunimi.

Haruka: Rain!
	Rain more!
	Rain so much the game gets called off!

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Haruka: Strike that home run from the record books!
	Game called on account of rain!

Guys: Yeah!

Koga: Be quiet!
	We're not gonna let this game be cancelled.
	Look.
	Is that the pitching of a guy who had a cold coming into this game?

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Koga: The opponent has revved his engine just when he was lacking momentum.
	With a ridiculously unlikely lead off home run.
	Why step on the brakes now?
	Go,
	Kunimi!

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Scoreboard: Imanishi
	Senkawa

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Announcer: Perhaps batting in the rain has introduced an element of haste.
	Senkawa so far has five hits, three walks,
	and two opponent errors.
	But their offense has unhinged at crucial points and failed to score.
	Two outs at home plate also hurts them.
	Senkawa High really wants to get a run.

(Note: This little ghostie is a teru-teru bozu, a good luck charm to ward off bad weather.)

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Hikari: Looks like they won't call the game off, so let's pray the rain doesn't get any worse,
	and that they'll score by the 9th inning...

Hideo: I think you should have made it earlier.
	With that rain,
	and that field...
	I don't think they'll make it to next inning.

Hikari: So this is their last chance?

Hideo: Yeah...

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Hikari: I see...
	Good.
	You remember,
	what Hiro always had more of than you in batting, when you were teammates?

Hideo: Game-winning hits...

Hikari: Runner on first,
	with Hiro batting in their "last" inning.

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Hideo: Excellent!  A well aimed swing.
	No complaints!
	That was a perfectly legitimate home run.

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Ump: Called after 7 innings,
	2-1, Senkawa High!

 - Chapter 4 End -