Recaps

Kōshū watched Narumiya Mei pitch, then impressed Miyuki with his precise fastball control during a practice session. Days later, Narumiya defeated Kōshū’s team 1–0, and Kōshū cried as he shared in the team’s loss.

• Kōshū argued with Miyuki and Narumiya Mei before agreeing to throw with Narumiya’s glove.
• Kōshū threw more than sixty precise fastballs as Miyuki shifted his glove, impressing both Miyuki and Narumiya.
• Narumiya asked to see Kōshū’s other fastballs after their game, while Kōshū warned him to take his upcoming opponents seriously.
• Kōshū told Hayakawa Aki about Narumiya’s Forkball and admitted that Miyuki was a capable catcher despite disliking him.
• A few days later, Narumiya’s team beat Kōshū’s team 1–0, and Kōshū cried among his defeated teammates.

After Kōshū’s progress was tested, the retired third-years returned to hold a Home Run Tournament, asking him to pitch for them to hit. As the event ended, Nozawa told Kōshū he would be the team’s ace and offered to share his experience.

• Coach Fujii reviewed Kōshū’s fitness results and noted that his grip strength and bench press had improved, though his height and weight had barely changed.
• Nozawa, Heishi, and the other retired third-years returned to help with testing and surprised Kōshū by asking him to pitch for their Home Run Tournament.
• Kōshū learned the coaches had limited each senior to ten pitches and agreed to throw to each batter’s preferred hitting zone.
• Kōshū pitched for all seventeen seniors, growing more comfortable as they hit home runs and celebrated their time on the field.
• Nozawa noticed Kōshū’s melancholy and told him he would be the team’s ace pitcher, offering to pass on his ace experience.

Nozawa gave Kōshū advice about an ace’s composure, and Ido discussed his and Nozawa’s high school plans with him. After the seniors left, Kōshū trained with the new First String and was chosen to start in a practice game against Yoshinaga Club.

• Nozawa told Kōshū to trust the catcher, avoid dwelling on hits or teammates’ errors, adjust when pitching poorly, and accept being replaced for the team’s sake.
• Ido interrupted Nozawa’s lesson and offered to help Kōshū with his pitching, then said he would attend Tachikawa Private High School with Nozawa so they could keep playing baseball together.
• The third-year seniors officially left, and the new First String began intensive pitcher-defense drills that included pickoffs, ground balls, stolen bases, and balks.
• Hayakawa Aki had Sato demonstrate a pickoff move for Kōshū, then sent Kōshū to practice Outfield Defense.
• Coach Ninomiya announced a practice game against Yoshinaga Club and chose Kōshū to start.

Kōshū overcame his anxiety about his first official start and pitched for Kinoshita Little League against Yoshinaga Little League. The first inning ended with the score tied 0-0, but Yoshinaga retired Kinoshita’s first three batters and took the early momentum.

• Lang Zhi interrupted Kōshū’s preparations by moving boxes of his belongings into Kōshū’s room, then reminded him that nobody yet considered him an ace.
• Kōshū decided to focus on improving one game at a time and took the mound for his first official match at Kinoshita Club’s field.
• Kōshū struck out Yoshinaga’s leadoff batter, then watched Lang Zhi and Yoshino let a pop fly fall between them for a hit.
• Kōshū fielded a bunt and threw to Lang Zhi, who completed a double play to end the top of the first.
• Yoshinaga’s pitcher and defense retired Yoshino, Ōno, and Nakajima in order, leaving the score 0-0 and Kinoshita behind in momentum.

Kōshū adapted to his first official game and led Kinoshita Little League to a complete-game shutout against Yoshinaga Little League. After the win, Mr. Sasaki invited the family to watch Seido High School play in the high school Autumn Tournament.

• Kōshū struck out Yoshinaga's cleanup hitter and helped send the side down in order in the second inning.
• Hayakawa Aki hit a double, Katsumura drove him home, and Kōshū hit a home run to extend Kinoshita's lead.
• Kōshū adjusted to the game and kept Yoshinaga's batters from scoring as Kinoshita won.
• Coach Ninomiya gave the team the next afternoon off, and Yoshinaga's coach arranged a Sunday drinking session with him.
• Mr. Sasaki told Kōshū that his alma mater, Seido High School, had reached the Autumn Tournament semifinals and invited the family to watch.

Kōshū learned about high school baseball from Lang Zhi and Mr. Sasaki, then watched Seido play and saw cleanup hitter Dong Qingguo smash a home run. Kōshū became eager to face a powerful batter like him.

• Kōshū asked about high school baseball, and Mr. Sasaki described his experience at a private-school Baseball Club.
• Kōshū practiced outfield defense and impressed his teammates with his precise throws to Home Plate.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi argued over who would use the bathroom first before the Sasaki family went to Seido High School's game.
• Seido's second batter singled, and Dong Qingguo came up with runners on first and second as the opposing team considered walking him.
• Dong Qingguo swung at the pitch near the edge of the Strike Zone and hit a home run, exciting Kōshū and making him want to face a batter like him.

Seido dominated the top of the first inning, while Kōshū struggled to stay interested and resisted the urge to leave and practice. Seido’s pitcher Nakama then helped make quick work of the opposing batters, and the family continued discussing the brothers’ baseball futures.

• Chris hit a Changeup into the field and reached first base as Seido’s lead grew.
• Kōshū wanted to leave and pitch, but Lang Zhi stopped him from wandering off.
• Seido’s lineup nearly batted around before the eighth batter’s Fly Ball ended the top of the first.
• Mr. Sasaki encouraged Lang Zhi and Kōshū to consider playing baseball at Seido, while Shen Qing said their wishes would guide their school choices.
• Nakama struck out the first opposing batter with a mix of Curveballs and a fastball, then Seido turned a line drive into a double play.

Seido widened its lead over the public school, prompting Kōshū to question his future in baseball and which high school he should attend. Lang Zhi admitted he feared being made to follow Kōshū to Seido, and the chapter ended with the family enforcing strict health routines at home.

• Seido's Nakama singled, and the team soon loaded the bases and increased its lead from four runs to seven.
• Watching Seido dominate, Kōshū wondered whether he should keep playing baseball, attend a powerhouse high school, and pursue a professional career.
• Lang Zhi urged Kōshū to think carefully about his future because he feared their father would make him attend Seido too.
• Kōshū teased Lang Zhi, who kicked him and fled to Shen Qing for protection before Kōshū caught up with him.
• At home, Kōshū's family insisted that everyone eat properly, exercise, and follow their health routines.

After Seido’s game, Kōshū decided to pursue Seido with Lang Zhi to fulfill their father’s wish, while noticing the pressure Lang Zhi felt about being paired with him. Later, Miyuki revealed that he had chosen Seido too, leaving Kōshū stunned and demanding to know why.

• Kōshū told Lang Zhi that he wanted them to attend Seido together, and he began taking Lang Zhi on demanding morning runs.
• At dinner, Mr. Sasaki urged the boys to consider Seido, while Shen Qing emphasized that they should decide for themselves; Kōshū suggested they try sports recruitment and deal with other options later.
• Kōshū joined Miyuki and Hayakawa Aki on a trip to a sporting goods store, and Lang Zhi came along as well.
• Miyuki said Narumiya Mei had invited him to Inashiro to fill a catcher vacancy, but he had already decided to attend Seido.
• Kōshū grabbed Miyuki and asked why he was going to Seido, while Miyuki protested that Kōshū was squeezing him.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi agreed to visit Seido after their father, Sasaki, reconnected with Shida, a former teammate who now taught there. Shida offered to help with Seido’s specially recruited student arrangements, and the family planned to visit the school the afternoon after tomorrow.

• Miyuki teased Kōshū about attending Seido and offered to contact its scout, but Kōshū remained reluctant because Miyuki and Narumiya Mei were at the schools he disliked.
• Seido lost the Autumn Tournament final to Ichidai Third by one run, prompting Sasaki’s former Baseball Club teammates to gather for drinks and reminisce.
• Sasaki left the gathering and spoke with Shida, who said he taught mathematics at Seido and could help inquire about specially recruited students for Sasaki’s sons.
• Shida told Sasaki that Seido would soon open for visits, and the two men exchanged LINE contacts before parting.
• Sasaki told Shen Qing about the conversation, and she suggested taking the boys to Seido the afternoon after tomorrow.
• Kōshū told Lang Zhi about the visit, then replied to Shen Qing that they would both go.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi visited Seido with their family, toured the baseball facilities, and watched a pitcher work in the Bullpen. Their family left impressed and agreed to try to have both boys play baseball at Seido in the future.

• Kōshū and Kusakabe turned Lang Zhi’s carefully counted lunch into a playful betting game, and Lang Zhi’s classmates began calling him “Little Brother.”
• Shen Qing delayed the family’s trip to Seido while choosing an outfit, so they arrived at the school at four thirty.
• Kōshū looked down at Seido’s practicing players and imagined the routine of high school baseball, while Lang Zhi noticed how quiet Kōshū became in new environments.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi explored the cafeteria, got separated from their parents, and watched a tall, thin pitcher throw a sharp Curveball in the Bullpen.
• Mr. Sasaki promoted his alma mater, and the family agreed to try to have both boys play baseball at Seido in the future.

Kōshū learned that getting into Seido as a Specially Recruited Student would require major pitching improvements, so he asked Miyuki for advice and then sought Coach Ninomiya’s approval to learn a Changeup. The chapter ended with Kōshū and Lang Zhi arguing after Kōshū admitted he had forgotten to ask about Lang Zhi’s own recruitment prospects.

• Kōshū overheard Mr. Sasaki and Shen Qing worrying about the boys’ Seido admissions, especially Lang Zhi’s grades and chances of receiving a sports recommendation.
• Kōshū messaged and called Miyuki to ask what Seido’s special recruits were like, and Miyuki challenged him to aim for a place on the First String rather than choose an easier school.
• Kōshū compared his current pitching to Narumiya Mei’s and decided he needed to develop Changeups as well as improve his velocity.
• Kōshū told Coach Ninomiya that he wanted to learn a Cutter or Slider, and Coach Ninomiya said he would discuss it with Coach Fujii after the upcoming physical test.
• Lang Zhi asked Kōshū what the coach had said about special recruitment, and Kōshū confessed that he had forgotten to ask about Lang Zhi before the two bickered on their way home.

Kōshū debuted a Changeup that broke sharply and blended with his fastball, impressing Hayakawa Aki and Coach Fujii. Shibasaki considered switching to a sidearm delivery, while Lang Zhi sought a training plan to enter Seido as a sports student.

• Kōshū threw his first Changeup to Hayakawa Aki, who barely touched the pitch before it dropped.
• Kōshū adjusted his aim and landed the next Changeup in Hayakawa Aki’s mitt.
• Coach Fujii watched Kōshū alternate fastballs and Changeups, then praised how well the new pitch blended with his fastball.
• Coach Fujii identified that Sato’s pitching control faltered when his torso tilted too far as he tired.
• Shibasaki told Kōshū he might switch to a sidearm delivery to increase his pitching potential.
• Lang Zhi left Coach Ninomiya’s office after asking for a training plan to help him enter Seido as a sports student.

During an intra-squad practice match, Kōshū pitched for Team A with Hiramiy catching, using a mix of fastballs and breaking pitches to retire Team B in the first inning. The game left Kōshū eager to face Hayakawa Aki again, while Hiramiy promised to help strike him out next time.

• At the team's physical examinations, Kōshū qualified to begin learning changeups, Shibasaki's weight had dropped during his adjustment to sidearm pitching, and Sato had exceeded his weight target.
• Kōshū pushed himself during baserunning tests and announced that he planned to strike out every player on the opposing team in the afternoon scrimmage.
• Coach Ninomiya split the players into teams by drawing lots, placing Kōshū on Team A and Shibasaki and Sato on Team B; Hiramiy joined Kōshū as catcher.
• Kōshū learned that Nitta and the others had joked that he resembled King Kong, while Hayakawa Aki was being compared to Godzilla.
• Kōshū struck out Team B's leadoff batter with a four-pitch mix, then struck out Hayakawa Aki's teammate after Hayakawa hit a fastball to second base.
• After Kōshū struck out Team B's third batter to finish the inning, Hiramiy encouraged him to work with him on striking out Hayakawa Aki next time.

Team A battled Team B in a practice game, with Kōshū scoring a run and pitching effectively despite Team B’s efforts to drain his stamina. In the bottom of the third, Team B brought in Sato, and Kōshū began fouling off his fast pitches to wear him down.

• Shibasaki’s unfamiliar sidearm delivery challenged Team A’s batters, but Kōshū hit an inside pitch to bring the runner home and give Team A a run.
• Kōshū and Hiramiy faced Team B’s plan to prolong at-bats and make Kōshū work, while Team A scored again in the bottom of the second.
• Kōshū retired Team B in order in the top of the third with steady fastballs, keeping their scoreboard blank.
• Coach Kinoshita replaced Shibasaki with Sato and moved Lang Zhi to shortstop and third in the batting order.
• Lang Zhi made a diving catch to retire Team A’s third batter, then Kōshū fouled off Sato’s fast pitches as Team B realized he was trying to exhaust the young pitcher.

Team B rallied against Sato and Kōshū, but Hayakawa Aki and Lang Zhi hit key balls to give them the lead. Kōshū then shut down the opposing lineup, and Team A won the practice match 3–1.

• Kōshū drew a walk and stole second, while Hayakawa Aki calmed Sato before helping him strike out Team A’s fifth batter and get the next batter out.
• Kōshū opened the fourth inning with a strong spell, striking out Katsumura and then allowing Hayakawa Aki to hit a triple.
• Lang Zhi hit Kōshū’s first pitch for a run-scoring hit, bringing Team B level and prompting Kōshū to encourage his defense.
• Kōshū struck out the next batters and ended the inning, while Lang Zhi remained wary of him at second base.
• Kōshū and Sato held the opposing lineup through the rest of the game, and Team A won 3–1.

Kōshū joined his team at a memorial service that brought back painful memories of his grandfather’s death from cancer. Lang Zhi secretly took him on a trip toward his grandparents’ home to comfort him, but Kōshū decided they should return and visit another time.

• Kōshū was ordered to repeat his training, and he told Lang Zhi he feared their mother’s attention would shift to the baby after it was born.
• Coach Fujii rejected Kōshū’s request to learn a new changeup and told him to stabilize his fastball first.
• Shibasaki told Kōshū that former hitting coach Maeda’s wife had died of cancer, and Kōshū remembered his grandfather’s illness and death.
• Kōshū went with the team to the memorial service, and Lang Zhi secretly arranged for them to skip school the next day.
• Lang Zhi took Kōshū toward his grandparents’ home in Gunma, but after they missed their stop and continued on, Kōshū asked to turn back and visit another time.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi avoided being caught after their countryside trip, while Coach Kinoshita Yanagi planned batting evaluations and tried to study Lang Zhi’s unusual experience of time slowing down. That evening, Kōshū, Lang Zhi, and Hayakawa Aki gathered at Hayakawa’s cramped home, where Kōshū announced that they would cook dinner.

• Shen Qing invited Kōshū and Lang Zhi to visit Lang Zhi’s grandparents during New Year, and the boys sighed with relief after she left without discovering their secret.
• Kinoshita Yanagi proposed testing First String players’ batting weaknesses by pitch type and strike-zone location, and Coach Ninomiya suggested he focus on Hayakawa Aki and Kōshū.
• Coach Ninomiya asked Kinoshita Yanagi about returning to Kinoshita Club, and Kinoshita Yanagi said he had decided to put down roots there.
• Kinoshita Yanagi stopped Kōshū from feeding pitches and pulled Lang Zhi into more pitch-tracking practice after Lang Zhi tried to hide from him.
• Kōshū accepted Hayakawa Aki’s invitation to his home, where the boys and Hayakawa’s younger brothers argued over takeout before Kōshū declared that they would cook.

Kōshū organized a chaotic dinner at Hayakawa's home and then cared for Lang Zhi when he developed growing pains. After Lang Zhi said his legs no longer hurt, Kōshū revealed that he had been waiting for him to recover so they could attend Winter Training together.

• Kōshū took charge of cleaning the Hayakawa family's fridge and had the children help prepare dinner.
• Kōshū cooked a meal for everyone, then won two games and earned the younger boys' respect.
• Kōshū noticed Lang Zhi's leg pain during their morning run, and Mr. Sasaki identified it as growing pains.
• Shen Qing and Kōshū cared for Lang Zhi with hot compresses, massages, and bone soup while Grandma Gu Yue knitted scarves for the team.
• Lang Zhi told Mr. Sasaki that his legs no longer hurt, and Kōshū announced that they could go to Winter Training together.

Kōshū endured Winter Training and midterm exams while wrestling with homesickness, then met Miyuki to assess his pitching during the break. When Kōshū revealed an accidental Changeup, Miyuki recognized that its speed had changed, leaving them to investigate the new pitch.

• Kōshū and Lang Zhi struggled to study for midterms alongside Kinoshita Little League's Winter Training, while Kōshū reflected on how far he felt from his former home.
• After midterms and Winter Training ended, Miyuki invited Kōshū to pitch, and Lang Zhi joined them at their usual meeting place.
• Kōshū threw fastballs and Cutters for Miyuki, who noted that Kōshū's velocity had improved to an average of 134 to 135.
• Kōshū asked Miyuki to assess his Changeup, and Lang Zhi accused Miyuki of teaching him a pitch his coach had forbidden him to learn.
• Miyuki recalled that Kōshū's Changeup had appeared accidentally when his finger caught on a fastball, causing the pitch to slow and drop before home plate.

Kōshū practiced changeups with Miyuki and discovered he could throw the OK Changeup with excellent control after adjusting his grip. The chapter ended with Kōshū worrying about how to tell Coach Ninomiya and Hayakawa Aki about his secret extra practice.

• Kōshū and Miyuki worked on a palm-ball-like changeup, but Miyuki warned that its velocity overlapped with Kōshū’s Cutter.
• Kōshū tried the OK Changeup, struggled with its grip and control, and repeatedly bounced pitches before home plate.
• Kōshū realized he needed to hold the ball more shallowly, then threw several accurate OK Changeups that dropped into Miyuki’s glove.
• Kōshū acknowledged that the changeup would only be effective if he continued improving his fastball velocity.
• Lang Zhi asked how Kōshū would explain learning a new pitch against Coach Ninomiya’s wishes, leaving Kōshū concerned about hiding his extra practice from Hayakawa Aki.

The Kōshū brothers settled into the new school term while Shen Qing’s high-risk twin pregnancy kept the household busy. At the half-year assessment, Kōshū exceeded his pitching-speed goal and revealed a promising changeup, setting up his next stage of development.

• Shen Qing’s pregnancy made daily life difficult, and the family hired Ms. Huizi as a maternity caregiver while Lang Zhi wondered about his birth mother and Kōshū urged him not to disturb her life.
• The brothers began the third term as classmates prepared for school applications, and Kōshū and Shibasaki completed their physical assessments.
• Coach Fujii found that Kōshū had grown to 185 centimeters, weighed 75 kilograms, and raised his pitching speed beyond the half-year goal of 135.
• Kōshū told Coach Fujii he wanted to add a changeup, then demonstrated the pitch in the Bullpen for Hayakawa and the gathered coaches.
• Kōshū threw a 138-kilometer fastball followed by a changeup about twenty kilometers slower that dropped accurately into the Outside Low Corner.

After learning that Kōshū had secretly practiced a new changeup over winter break, Coach Ninomiya restricted his training for a week to let him recover. Kōshū began learning to sew baseballs instead of preparing for the weekend practice match, then took out his frustration on Lang Zhi.

• Coach Ninomiya questioned Kōshū about why he had trained during winter break and explained the need for physical and mental rest.
• Coach Ninomiya limited Kōshū to warm-ups, thirty pitches a day, and fielding practice every other day, assigning him to learn how to sew baseballs.
• Coach Ninomiya told Kōshū that he had informed his family and that he needed to rest for the week.
• Lang Zhi mocked Kōshū, while Hayakawa Aki and Shibasaki offered to warm up with him.
• Hayakawa refused to let Kōshū throw his thirty pitches near the end of practice, and Kōshū grabbed Lang Zhi by the neck to teach him a lesson.

Scouts watched Kinoshita Little League’s practice match and discussed the team’s prospects, while Takashima Rei considered how to recruit Kōshū for Seido. As Team B led 1–0, Lang Zhi misread a ground ball that flew over his head.

• Takashima Rei and Coach Ninomiya discussed Kōshū, Seido’s coaching, and the history behind their strained relationship.
• Sato nervously hit the first batter, then settled down to strike out two before Hayakawa Aki’s extra-base hit brought in one run for Team B.
• The scouts praised Hayakawa Aki’s hitting and throwing, Shibasaki’s new sidearm style, and Kinoshita’s deep pitching lineup.
• Takashima Rei decided Kōshū’s Seido alumni parents could help her pursue him, while Kōshū noticed people watching him from the sidelines.
• Shibasaki retired Team A in order, and Sato relaxed after Kōshū offered to tend the mound.
• Lang Zhi reached for Team B’s grounder, but its unexpected bounce sent it over his head.

During an intra-squad practice match, Lang Zhi made an impressive defensive play and Team B beat Team A, while Kōshū chafed at being unable to play. Later, Kōshū tried to tutor Lang Zhi for exams, and their bickering continued until their parents returned home.

• Lang Zhi caught a hit while falling and threw accurately to first base, retiring Team B's batter.
• Kōshū praised Lang Zhi, then complained about being bored as he watched the game from the sidelines.
• Team B defeated Team A 3–2, and Kōshū praised Sato's pitching while the players cleaned up.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi argued during an exam study session, and Kōshū locked Lang Zhi out of his room.
• When their parents returned, Lang Zhi read loudly to expose Kōshū, but Kōshū shut his door as the family entered.