Chapter Summaries

Kōshū escaped a first-inning jam with a double play, while Seido began batting in the second against Fuji. The chapter ended with the author complaining about being rushed to finish a work presentation.

• Kōshū faced runners on first and second with one out, and the Kyoma cleanup hitter fouled off his fastball before striking out on a two-seam fastball grounder.
• Kuramochi fielded the grounder and completed a double play, ending the bottom of the first without a run.
• Seido’s players praised Kōshū, and Masuko came over to bump shoulders with him before the top of the second.
• Fuji returned to the mound for Kyoma University and prepared to face Seido’s fifth batter, Masuko.
• The author described finishing a presentation at five in the afternoon after being pressured to speed up the work.

Kōshū pitched a sharp, three-up-three-down inning, then hit a fastball and used his speed to steal second and third. He reached third safely as Kuramochi struck out swinging at Fuji’s Forkball, leaving the stadium roaring.

• Kōshū struck out three Kyoma University batters with sharp Inside Corner Balls and slow Outside Corner Balls.
• Kōshū hit Fuji’s fastball and reached first base.
• Kōshū stole second while Kuramochi feinted a swing to distract the catcher.
• After Fuji’s pitch drifted inside and Kuramochi fouled it off, Kōshū signaled that he would run again.
• Kōshū sprinted for third as Kuramochi swung and missed Fuji’s Forkball, then slid in safely.

Seido extended its lead to two runs against Kyoma University before Kataoka sent Furuya to pitch and moved Kōshū to left field. As Furuya took the mound, Kyoma's batters prepared to face his fastball, and Miyuki signaled for a pitch.

• Kōshū stole third, and Kuramochi's bunt brought him home to give Seido a two-run lead.
• Kataoka sent Furuya in to pitch the next inning and moved Kōshū to left field, replacing Sakai.
• Kyoma University's Nitta told his eighth batter to stick to their plan against Furuya, whose pitches he expected them to handle like batting-machine pitches.
• Hongo glared at Furuya from Kyoma University's bench, while Miyuki encouraged Furuya and signaled for a pitch type.

Furuya struggled in the summer heat, allowing Kyoma University to score and forcing Seido to bring Kōshū back to the mound. Seido still led 2–1, but the pitching change came earlier than planned.

• Furuya opened the inning with a changeup that fooled Kyoma University's eighth batter, who later walked after Furuya struggled to find the strike zone.
• Miyuki realized Furuya was drenched in sweat and connected his worsening condition to the blazing 40°C weather after Seido's earlier games had been cloudy or rainy.
• Kyoma University's second batter hit a double with two outs, bringing a runner home and narrowing Seido's lead to 2–1.
• Kataoka replaced Furuya with Kōshū, moving Furuya to left field as Seido ran short of pitchers.

Kyoma University tied the game against Seido after its third batter hit Kōshū’s pitch for a run, and Miyuki suspected the team was stealing pitch signals. The teams resumed play with the score even as Nitta Manager ordered his players to stop relaying signals and Miyuki planned to discuss the suspicion with the manager later.

• Miyuki suspected Kyoma University’s third batter had anticipated Kōshū’s outside pitch, but the batter stepped in and drove it to right field for a run as another runner reached first safely.
• Kōshū realized his earlier run had not made up for the stamina and focus he had spent, while the score returned to a tie after three innings.
• Nitta Manager confirmed Kyoma University had been relaying pitch locations and told his players to stop passing signals for the next few innings.
• Nitta Manager insulted Hongo Masamune’s abilities, and Hongo’s childhood friend restrained him when he tried to charge forward.
• Miyuki told Kōshū he suspected Kyoma University was stealing pitch-location signals, and they agreed to get the cleanup batter out before informing the manager.

Kōshū retired Kyoma University’s cleanup hitter with a cutter as Seido suspected Nitta Manager was stealing Signals. Nitta then brought in ace Nakata to pitch while moving Fuji to center field.

• Kōshū struck out the cleanup hitter with a cutter, ending the inning after Seido had given up two runs.
• Miyuki and Kataoka discussed their suspicion that Kyoma University had been stealing Signals, and Furuya apologized to Kōshū for the crisis.
• Nitta noticed Seido had caught on to his tactics but continued prioritizing victory.
• Yuki fouled off Fuji’s pitches, prompting Nitta to substitute Nakata as pitcher and move Fuji to center field.

Nakata’s relief pitching ended Seido’s top of the fourth, and Furuya returned to the mound after regaining a relaxed pitching motion. He began shutting down Kyoma University’s fifth batter, giving Seido hope that his form had recovered.

• Nakata pitched the top of the fourth but remained out of rhythm and got Yuki Captain out at shortstop.
• Furuya threw a series of changeups in the bullpen until his pitches stayed down, and Miyauchi said his condition was fine if he kept his arm relaxed.
• Kataoka sent Furuya to pitch and Kōshū to left field, prompting Nitta to tell Kyoma’s fifth batter to wear Furuya out.
• Miyuki called high inside pitches to make the batter feel Furuya’s power, then Furuya mixed in an outside low pitch and retired him at first base.

Furuya kept Seido in the game before Kyoma University High’s pitchers held Seido scoreless through the middle innings. In the seventh, Isashiki reached base, and Kyoma brought in Hongo Masamune, setting up a matchup against the exhausted Kōshū.

• Miyuki slowed Furuya’s rhythm and reminded him to wipe off his sweat, and Furuya finished the fourth inning without allowing a run.
• Miyuki and Kōshū came up in the fifth, but Kyoma University High’s defense and Forkball pitching retired the side.
• Both teams continued their pitchers’ duel, and the broadcast commentators discussed pitcher rotation and the private-school scholarship system.
• Isashiki hit a ball behind the shortstop in the seventh, giving Seido a runner on base before Yuki’s turn at bat.
• Kyoma University High substituted Hongo Masamune for Nakata, while Seido had already used Kōshū for more than three innings after Furuya’s stamina faded.
• Nitta Manager sent Hongo onto the mound to face Kōshū, and Hongo threw at full power during warm-ups.

Yuki faced Hongo in a crucial at-bat but was fooled by his Forkball and struck out, leaving Seido’s momentum shaken. The chapter ended with Isashiki on second and Yuki warning Masuko about Hongo’s pitch.

• Yuki watched Hongo’s delivery, then fouled off a fastball with a powerful swing that landed just outside the field.
• Nitta Manager ordered Hongo to walk Yuki, but Hongo refused, and the catcher persuaded him to throw two more pitches.
• Isashiki attempted to steal as Yuki swung at Hongo’s third pitch.
• Hongo’s Forkball dropped into the dirt, and Yuki missed it for strike three.
• Yuki told Masuko that Hongo’s Forkball closely resembled his fastball, while Isashiki remained on second.

As Kōshū struggled with fatigue and the pressure of Seido’s dwindling chances, he faced Kyoma University’s pitcher Hongo and struck him out. Seido began the eighth inning needing to reach base to give its strongest hitters a chance, and Furuya got on base with a powerful hit.

• Kōshū remembered Coach Ninomiya warning him that choosing Seido meant accepting responsibility for the consequences and burdens of a team.
• Kōshū struck out Kyoma University’s seventh and eighth batters before facing Hongo for the first time.
• Hongo swung and missed at all three of Kōshū’s pitches, ending the top of the seventh with Seido ahead in the count of outs.
• Miyuki warned Kōshū not to rush or exhaust himself before Seido’s turn to bat in the eighth.
• Shirazu made an out, but Furuya connected with an inside fastball and safely reached base.

Kyoma University intentionally walked Kōshū after getting him to two strikes, hoping to keep him pitching under pressure and preserve their advantage. Seido ended its second-to-last offensive turn without scoring, leaving Kōshū to defend the tie while exhausted.

• Nitta Manager signaled Kyoma University's catcher to walk Kōshū if he seemed likely to get out, keeping him on the field and denying him rest.
• Kōshū fouled off another fastball, but Kyoma University intentionally walked him after taking a two-strike lead.
• Eijun offered to pitch in Kōshū's place, but Kataoka chose to trust Kōshū, and Kuramochi returned from the field after bunting his way on base.
• Seido's offense ended its turn without scoring, and Kōshū drank water before returning to pitch in the bottom of the eighth.

Seido and Kyoma University remained tied entering the bottom of the ninth after Masuko reached base and Miyuki was walked, but Seido failed to score. Kōshū returned from the locker room feeling better after vomiting, and Seido prepared to defend as Kyoma University aimed to wear him down.

• Kyoma University went three up, three down against Kōshū in the bottom of the eighth, while Nitta Manager told Hongo not to force a pitch to Seido’s cleanup hitter.
• Isashiki vowed to hit a home run, and Tanba told Kōshū that his seniors were grateful he had held on through the game.
• With one out and a runner on second in the ninth, Masuko bunted safely and advanced the runner, but Miyuki was walked with two outs and Seido stranded runners on first and third.
• Nitta Manager urged Kyoma University’s batters to make Kōshū throw more pitches, while Kōshū rallied Seido’s defense for the bottom of the ninth.
• Kōshū told Miyuki he had vomited in the locker room and now felt better, and Miyuki asked him to tell the manager after the inning.

Kōshū tried to close out the bottom of the ninth as Seido’s defense recorded two outs, but fatigue and uncertainty began to unsettle him. Miyuki called for Kōshū’s favorite high inside fastball against the sixth batter, leaving the final pitch unresolved.

• Kōshū jammed Kyoma University’s cleanup hitter with an inside fastball, and Isashiki Jun caught the towering fly ball for the first out.
• The fifth batter fouled off an outside pitch, and Miyuki briefly called a timeout after noticing something was wrong with Kōshū.
• Kominato Ryosuke dove to stop the next grounder and recorded the second out.
• Nitta Manager told the sixth batter to expect an inside fastball and step outward to hit it into the air.
• Kōshū grew distracted by the batter’s instructions and the pressure of the inning, while Miyuki called for a high inside fastball.

After Seido lost the Summer Koshien final, the team worried that Kōshū had not recovered, then gathered to cheer him up. Kōshū learned that the seniors had been concerned about him and ended the night smiling after Senior Nanmu reassured him.

• Kyoma University won the final, and Kōshū vomited on the mound before insisting he was well enough to stay for the awards ceremony.
• Three days later, Miyuki and the seniors rewatched the ceremony, while Yuki learned that Kōshū had been exercising at night despite his recent condition.
• Yuki arranged a casual gathering in Room 5, where Kōshū joined the seniors and beat them at video games until his mood improved.
• The seniors planned a Farewell Match, believing Kōshū had recovered, while Kōshū confronted Lang Zhi about the healing the seniors had discussed.
• Senior Nanmu confirmed that Kōshū now understood their concern and gently rubbed his head, leaving Kōshū smiling.

Ochiai Coach joined Seido and began assessing the new team, then urged Furuya to seize the chance to challenge Kōshū for the ace position. Furuya decided to reshape his routine with early sleep, morning wake-ups, and runs.

• Seido's upperclassmen worried about the new team as reporters crowded the field and Eijun and Furuya trained.
• Kataoka and the coaching staff settled on a lineup for Seido's first practice game and planned to adjust the team through more games.
• Ochiai Coach resolved to earn the trust of Seido's pitchers and catchers, while Kōshū followed a leg-strength program in the Equipment Room.
• Ochiai Coach told Furuya that Kōshū might need time to recover from the final Koshien game and urged him to build Kataoka's trust while Kōshū rested.
• Furuya asked what to do and decided to sleep early, wake early, and run in the mornings.

Ochiai Coach tried to persuade Lang Zhi to abandon shortstop for third base, but Lang Zhi left without committing. The next day, Lang Zhi started at shortstop while Seido’s new team struggled to beat a Kanagawa opponent.

• Ochiai Coach decided to gain Kōshū’s trust by approaching his younger brother, Lang Zhi, and waited for him after training.
• Lang Zhi asked Ochiai Coach for advice, and Ochiai urged him to switch from shortstop to third base until his batting surpassed Kuramochi’s.
• Lang Zhi considered how much he valued shortstop but decided not to tell anyone about his choice until he had made up his mind.
• The manager announced Lang Zhi as the starting shortstop for the afternoon game, and Lang Zhi resolved to improve across every part of the position.
• Seido’s new team beat a Kanagawa team 4–2, but spectators criticized its coordination and the players’ disconnected batting.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi attended a family celebration for Kōshū’s Koshien success, where the family played with Qianxue and You. The gathering ended with Kōshū spinning everyone in a “Brother-Brand Ferris Wheel,” including an embarrassed Lang Zhi.

• Kōshū hurried Lang Zhi to the Family Restaurant, where the family had prepared a celebration banquet and a banner congratulating Kōshū on being Koshien’s runner-up pitcher.
• Qianxue greeted her brothers excitedly, while Grandpa Sasaki congratulated Kōshū and asked Lang Zhi about his plans for the next team.
• During dinner, Qianxue showed off her batting, and Kōshū and Lang Zhi noticed that quiet You was being overlooked beside his lively twin sister.
• Kōshū drew You into a paper-ball throwing game, and the family took turns trying to throw the ball into a trash can.
• Qianxue asked Kōshū to spin her like a Ferris wheel, and You cried when she blocked him from view.
• Kōshū gave Qianxue and You turns on the Brother-Brand Ferris Wheel, then lifted Lang Zhi, who yelled for him to put him down.

After returning to the dorm, Kōshū discovered that Lang Zhi was troubled about making the First String and that Eijun felt Coach Ochiai was giving Furuya preferential attention. Kōshū decided to discuss Ochiai’s approach with Miyuki, while Ochiai independently planned to win Miyuki’s support for his coaching plans.

• Kōshū pressed Lang Zhi about what was bothering him, and Lang Zhi tried to flee rather than admit he was worried about making the First String.
• Eijun, Furuya, and Haruichi entered Kōshū’s room, where Eijun complained that Coach Ochiai gave Furuya a special plan but only told him to run.
• Kōshū said Eijun should focus on conditioning and improving his pitches, but agreed that Ochiai’s unequal treatment could undermine Seido’s team atmosphere.
• Kōshū promised to raise the issue with Miyuki and, if necessary, discuss it with Kataoka Manager.
• Ochiai decided that gaining Miyuki’s approval as catcher and captain was essential to establishing his authority within the team.

Kōshū returned to pitching after his shoulder was cleared, and Miyuki tested his accuracy and pitches. Miyuki discovered that Eijun had lost his control after copying Furuya’s guidance and took him and Kōshū to the manager’s office to address it.

• Kōshū pitched for the first time since his shoulder was cleared and showed that his accuracy remained intact.
• Miyuki had Lang Zhi help test Kōshū’s changeups, then Kōshū threw his full arsenal for about one hundred pitches.
• Eijun admitted that he could no longer throw strikes, and Miyuki found that his pitches were missing the intended corners.
• Kariya told Miyuki that Eijun had been copying Ochiai Coach’s advice for Furuya and may have damaged his pitching form.
• Miyuki called Eijun over, brought Kōshū along, and decided to take them to the manager’s office.

Kataoka disciplined Eijun for damaging his pitching form and assigned Ochiai Coach to guide his recovery as the team prepared for the Autumn Tournament. Kōshū kept up his training and read Hayakawa’s messages, which ended with Hayakawa announcing he had become Inashiro’s starting catcher and would face Kōshū on the field.

• Kōshū and Miyuki explained to Kataoka that Eijun had copied Ochiai Coach’s advice to Furuya, and Kataoka forbade Eijun from handling a ball and assigned Ochiai Coach to instruct him.
• Kataoka addressed the team about First String selections, urged players to report physical problems, and warned them to prioritize their health.
• Kōshū gradually increased his training as the first-years ran together and the team moved toward the Autumn Tournament.
• Yuki submitted a Draft Registration Form while the other upperclassmen settled on their future plans, mostly choosing university.
• Kōshū read Hayakawa’s messages about Inashiro, Narumiya, and the competition for catcher, culminating in Hayakawa telling him he was now the starting catcher and would meet him on the field.