[Weekly Short-Short Note] Theme: "Woodworking Bunt" & "Pay-to-Win Home Run"
Professional baseball, which stopped being broadcast on TV, fell into extreme decline.
Players' salaries dropped, and they lived like office workers, stocking up on frozen broccoli at discount supermarkets.
<Professional baseball finally decided to introduce pay-to-win bats.>
The bats are made of metal and have built-in pneumatic boosters, which explode the moment they hit the ball, allowing it to be sent flying far away.
These bats are linked to an app, and their power changes based on fan spending.
Home runs were mass-produced through the power of spending, and players were valued more for their singing, dancing, magic tricks, and conversational skills than for baseball.
Also, hitting the ball with the bat became important, and the skills of former woodworking bat bunt specialists became highly valued.
[Japan Series Final Game: Hanshin vs. Giants]
Bottom of the 9th, 167 to 166, two outs, bases loaded, a chance for a comeback with one hit.
"The batter is Mitsuru Hanagata, the pitcher is Hyuma Hoshi."
"Batter Mitsuru Hanagata is showing his signature bunt stance."
"Hyuma Hoshi has thrown the League Ball No. 1!"
On the big screen, the spending amounts fluctuate violently like a stock chart.
"It hit the bat, but it's a weak grounder. This time, the spending on the ''non-flying ball'' won out. Mitsuru Hanagata, is this an out, game set!"
__The audience screamed.
However, Mitsuru Hanagata grinned. "Too naive. I have the 'Speed Shoes' upgrade maxed out."
The moment he stepped toward first base, a rocket engine ignited from his shoes with a tremendous roar. However, the power was beyond calculation.
He overshot first base and shot vertically into the sky. He pierced through the blue sky, crossed the stratosphere, and disappeared into the far reaches of space as a streak of light.
__There is no sign of him returning.
The next day's newspaper headlines were dominated by one thing, more than the baseball results.
'First successful private manned rocket, born from the professional baseball world'
'Humanity's dream, fulfilled by spending'
Nika Tahara thank you for your continued support.