/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Then, the world went off-kilter.
The 81st pitch! Out of respect for Usada's honor,
I will say that it was by no means a careless pitch.
The world itself had slipped!
No, there is no possibility that I'm being partial to Usada!
It actually happened!
The world itself moved just a little bit! It's the truth!
The ball looked like it may have slightly missed the strike zone,
but could be called as either a strike or a ball!
And the umpire making the call was the one holo in that stadium--
in that whole world--who did not go along with the world slipping!
The crowd rose to their feet en masse!
They wildly starting tearing out their hair,
and stamping their feet with all their might!
They broke out in booing! Tremendous booing!
The umpire firmly refused requests to check the video replay.
Usada was visibly dissatisfied and charged the umpire!
"That was a strike!"
The umpire quietly shook her head.
"Hey, are you nuts?!
That pitch would have sealed an absolutely perfect game!"
The umpire firmly replied, "I am aware."
"No, you don't get it! Why didn't you call that ball a strike?!
The outcome of the game is already decided!
On top of that, this game is a throwaway anyhow! The batter is dispirited!
So how come, when it didn't matter if you called that pitch a strike or a ball,
did you not call it a strike?! What was the point of that?!
Moreover, do you not hear the cheers of hope and anticipation from the crowd?!
You know that this isn't the outcome they wanted!"
"I am aware of that, as well.
The hopes of the crowd have no bearing on this game.
There is a stadium here, and inside it, there are rules.
No matter what the reasons may be, things should remain fair in here."
"You're wrong!
This is a baseball show! Everyone is pinning their hopes and dreams on me!
I'm carrying the weight of the whole Holo League!
Right now, as far as this place goes, I am the rules!
Now, reverse your decision!"
Usada's small hands were trembling.
"I cannot do that."
The umpire was utterly unflinching.
"Right now, as far as this place is concerned, I am the rules."
Usada knew the truth as well. The replay was shown on the big screen.
The fact was, due to the world slipping,
the ball had missed the strike zone by no more than a micron!
But Usada could not accept that decision.
When the game resumed, Usada threw the ball at the exact same speed,
on the exact same course that 81st pitch, three more times.
"Ball four!"
Spiking her glove into the mound, Usada walked off the game.
This incited the stirred-up spectators to begin rioting!
As the crowd rushed onto the field, they all charged at the umpire!
As the terrified batter looked on, the umpire had her head beaten in,
and the rioting crowd tore her apart.
Her thin, scruffy body had its flesh and blood trodden on,
spat upon, dishonored, and breathed it's last.