Chapter Summaries

Kōshū hit a three-run homer that gave Seido a 5–0 lead, and Kataoka sent Sawamura and Kawakami out to pitch one inning each. As Kawakami prepared to take the mound, he confronted his fear of being left behind and chose to use his sinker again.

• Kōshū hit a three-run homer off Amakuhisa, clearing the bases and extending Seido’s lead to 5–0.
• Ichidai Third replaced Amakuhisa, who watched from the dugout and worried about how quickly Kōshū had improved.
• Kataoka assigned Sawamura and Kawakami one inning each, then sent Kōshū to left field.
• Sawamura took the mound enthusiastically, while Kōshū dragged him out of the dugout before Kataoka lost his temper.
• Kawakami reflected on the younger players surpassing him and resolved to overcome his own limits by signaling for his sinker.

Seido won the Tokyo Autumn Tournament, and Kataoka urged the team to prepare for the Meiji Jingu Tournament. Kōshū reunited with his family after the victory, ending the chapter as Qianxue cried that she would never like him again.

• Seido defeated its opponent to win the Tokyo Autumn Tournament, while former Seido seniors watched the younger players celebrate.
• Chris watched Sawamura earn opportunities, and Harada Masataka praised Kōshū as the game's MVP before he and Yuki discussed the upcoming draft.
• Kōshū reflected on the challenges he and the first-years had overcome as Kataoka praised their determination and warned them to prepare for the Meiji Jingu Tournament.
• Kōshū left the team celebration to answer a call and reunited with Shen Qing, Mr. Sasaki, Lang Zhi, Qianxue, and You.
• Kōshū encouraged Qianxue to learn baseball rules, but she mistook his advice for bullying and burst into tears.

Kōshū returned from visiting his family and kept his distance when Miyuki asked why he rarely went home. A dream brought buried childhood memories to the surface, and the chapter ended with Yuki Captain announcing that the Retirement Match would take place at the end of October.

• Kōshū and Eijun said goodbye to the Sasaki family, and Kōshū's younger siblings cried after the brothers left.
• On the bus, Miyuki asked Kōshū why he did not go home, but Kōshū said he had other things to do and focused on baseball instead.
• Kōshū fell asleep and dreamed of painful childhood remarks about his parents, school, and his eating habits.
• Miyuki woke Kōshū at Seido High School and noticed his tearful face, but Kōshū brushed off his concern.
• The team gathered in Miyuki's room, where Yuki Captain announced that the Retirement Match was scheduled for the end of October.

The new team accepted the third-years’ challenge for the Retirement Match, while Kōshū struggled to regain the feel for his Slider. Kataoka Manager stepped into the batter’s box, helping Kōshū unlock the pitch; the coaches then set refining its delivery as his next goal.

• Yuki Captain challenged the new team to face the third-years seriously in the Retirement Match, and Miyuki accepted on their behalf.
• Kōshū practiced his Slider with Lang Zhi but could not find his target, so Kataoka Manager volunteered to bat against him.
• Under the pressure of pitching to Kataoka Manager, Kōshū recalled the Slider’s mechanics and threw a sharply breaking pitch toward the inside corner.
• Kataoka Manager praised Kōshū’s resolve, and Ochiai Coach and Kataoka told Miyuki to help Kōshū refine his delivery so opponents would not read the pitch.
• After the coaches left, Lang Zhi asked Kōshū to clear his shopping cart with no spending limit, and Kōshū agreed.

Kōshū finished refining his Slider and offered to help Eijun with his pitching, while Miyuki’s attempt to avoid Eijun sparked a humiliating hemorrhoid rumor. Later, Kōshū evaluated Eijun’s fastball and saw promise in combining its spin with his Late Breaking Ball.

• Kōshū said he had mostly mastered the Slider, and Miyuki encouraged him to explore ways to build on his fastball skills.
• Miyuki hid when Eijun arrived, after forgetting that he had promised to catch for him; Kōshū offered to review Eijun’s pitching after dinner.
• Lang Zhi spotted Miyuki behind a tree, and Miyuki mistakenly thought the others were discussing his hemorrhoids before he jumped out to deny having them.
• Kuramochi and Maezono teased Miyuki in front of the team, and Miyuki fled as everyone laughed.
• At the Indoor Training Field, Eijun showed Kōshū his Superspeed Straight Ball, and Kōshū praised the possibility of combining its spin with Eijun’s Late Breaking Ball.

At the 2007 NPB Draft, Kōshū watched as professional teams selected players and worried that Captain Tetsu might go unpicked. Yakult Swallows chose Yuki Tetsuya in the fourth round, giving him a chance to begin his professional career.

• Kōshū attended Seido’s draft send-off for Captain Tetsu, who admitted he hoped to stay in Tokyo.
• Kōshū reflected on the risks of turning professional as the draft selections progressed.
• Yakult passed over Captain Tetsu in the third round, and the Giants also chose someone else.
• Harada Masataka was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, while Narumiya Mei vowed to defeat Kōshū at next year’s Koshien.
• Yakult Swallows selected Yuki Tetsuya in the fourth round, and Seido’s players celebrated as Captain Tetsu smiled with relief.

Seido’s third-years held their Retirement Match, giving the seniors a final chance to play and enjoy time with their teammates. As the game ended, they began trying different positions, while the younger players faced the reality that the seniors would soon leave.

• Seido’s third-years began their Retirement Match, with the new team’s pitchers limited to fastballs in the Strike Zone so the seniors could enjoy batting.
• Kōshū pitched to Miyuki and retired the first batter when Haruichi made a diving catch at second base.
• Kusunoki reflected on leaving baseball behind after graduation as Chris comforted him and they watched the game.
• Yuki hit a two-run shot, helping the third-years build a 15-run score by the end of the match.
• Kataoka invited the third-years to try the field or different positions, and Isashiki chose to pitch while Yuki volunteered to catch.

Kōshū reflected on years of relentless training as Seido’s players looked ahead to Winter Training and the Meiji Jingu Tournament. As the tournament approached, he discussed his pitching and Lang Zhi’s batting, while Maezono faced competition for his place in the lineup.

• Kōshū helped pull Furuya from the pool while Eijun and Haruichi caused more chaos, and he thought about his exhausting years as an athlete and the possibility of going professional.
• In November, Kōshū’s routine included weekly video calls with his family, where Miyuki entertained Qianxue and became the subject of her requests for photos.
• Lang Zhi asked about Kōshū’s condition ahead of the Meiji Jingu Tournament, and Kōshū said he had gained four pounds and felt stronger when pitching.
• Kōshū urged Lang Zhi to eat more to build muscle and improve his batting, prompting Lang Zhi to leave in annoyance.
• Kataoka Manager had been testing Kōshū in the fifth spot and moving Maezono to sixth, while Maezono trained later after practice.

As Seido prepared for the Meiji Jingu Tournament, Kōshū noticed the new team’s nerves and tried to steady Lang Zhi while they reviewed their potential opponent. Kataoka named Kawakami as the starter for their first game and ordered the team to watch Kyoma University and Ryukoku, leaving them to face the strength of the national competition.

• Asou read a newspaper predicting a Seido-Kyoma University final, and the team’s jokes briefly eased the tension over the tournament.
• Kōshū observed that the new First String lacked confidence against regional champions, then finished Lang Zhi’s leftover food and took him to batting practice.
• Seido watched footage of Guangling High School’s game and saw errors that made the team feel they could win against them.
• Kataoka chose Kawakami to start Seido’s game two days later, recognizing his work refining his sinker.
• Kataoka told the whole team to watch Kyoma University and Ryukoku play the next day, preparing them for the stronger teams ahead.

Seido watched Kyoma University’s disciplined team and Hongo Masamune’s 150 km/h fastball, then rallied around Kataoka’s challenge to win the Autumn Tournament. Seido advanced past Kagawa High School and was left facing a newspaper headline previewing a rematch with Kyoma University.

• Seido watched Kyoma University play, and Kōshū and Hongo exchanged looks across the stands.
• Hongo took the mound in the fourth inning and threw a 150 km/h fastball, helping Kyoma University secure a disciplined win.
• Kataoka asked Seido whether they could beat Kyoma University, and Miyuki led the team in answering yes.
• Seido players read a newspaper featuring Kōshū, while Lang Zhi wondered whether he should copy his brother’s eating habits.
• Kōshū started against Kagawa High School, and Seido won the semifinal with Kōshū and Furuya pitching in relief.
• A newspaper headline framed Seido’s coming matchup with Kyoma University as a clash between rivals.

Seido arrived at Meiji Jingu Stadium for the final against Kyoma University, with Hongo Masamune starting on the mound for Kyoma. Hongo’s anger at being compared unfavorably to Kōshū fueled his opening strikeout of Kuramochi.

• Eijun lightened the tense bus ride by joking with his teammates about his childhood sweetheart coming to watch the game.
• Kōshū considered the pressure facing Seido’s players as the team arrived at Meiji Jingu Stadium.
• Seido took the first turn at bat, and Kyoma University started Hongo Masamune as its number 1 pitcher.
• Nitta Manager provoked Hongo by saying Kōshū surpassed him in nearly every pitching skill and that Hongo’s summer victory had depended on his team.
• Hongo blamed Kōshū for his conflicted feelings and opened the game against Kuramochi with a 150-kilometer-per-hour pitch that earned a strike.

Seido struggled to hit Hongo’s precise, overpowering pitches, while Kōshū overcame his doubts after Kataoka encouraged him and took the mound ready to lead the team. The chapter ended as Kyoma’s leadoff batter prepared to swing at Kōshū’s first pitch.

• Kuramochi struck out against Hongo’s fastball and forkball, and Shirazu watched the pitches closely before batting.
• Hongo struck out Shirazu and Haruichi, while Kōshū recognized the gulf between his own pitching and Hongo’s forkball.
• Kataoka urged Seido to keep searching for a way to break through and encouraged Kōshū as their ace.
• Kōshū’s confidence returned, and he charged toward the mound determined to lead Seido through the game.
• Kyoma’s leadoff batter anticipated Kōshū’s high-spin fastball and prepared to swing at the first pitch.

Kōshū struck out Kyoma University's batters with a faster, heavier pitch, while Hongo prepared to face Seido when his team came to bat. The two aces locked eyes, and Renji realized they were likely to meet repeatedly as fated opponents in future tournaments.

• Kōshū threw a 149-kilometer pitch, surprising the spectators and prompting Nitta Manager to plan more demanding winter training.
• Kōshū used a Two-Seam Fastball to jam Nishi Hideo, who hit a weak ball to the mound and was put out.
• Kōshū struck out Taninaka to end Kyoma University's turn at bat, while Hongo stepped out of the Dugout before the umpire called the final out.
• Miyuki warned Kōshū that Hongo's velocity could make him swing late as Kōshū took his place in the Batter's Box.
• Hongo and Kōshū stared each other down, and Renji anticipated that they would clash in many future tournament finals.

Kōshū faced Hongo in the final, and Hongo’s first pitch nearly hit him before Renji helped steady the pitcher during a timeout. Kōshū flew out after hitting Hongo’s next fastball, and Nitta Manager decided Seido should walk him in future at-bats.

• Hongo’s first pitch sailed dangerously close to Kōshū, who stepped away, and Renji caught the ball.
• Kōshū patiently took two low pitches as Hongo struggled to find the strike zone, bringing the count to three balls.
• Renji called a timeout and encouraged Hongo to focus on winning with the support of his teammates.
• Hongo returned with a fastball that Kōshū hit toward center field, where Kyoma University’s center fielder caught it for an out.
• Nitta Manager noted how far Kōshū’s fly ball had traveled and said Seido should walk him next time.

Seido and Kyoma University remained locked in a scoreless pitching duel as Kōshū and Hongo tested each other in a tense at-bat. Near the top of the fifth, Miyuki finally hit the ball and reached base, leaving Kōshū to follow through on his promise to bring him home.

• Kyoma University’s Nitta Manager told his batters to work the count and wear down Seido’s pitchers, while Hongo rejected his manager’s approach in silence.
• Kōshū struck Hongo out with a fastball after Miyuki baited him with a middle-middle pitch, and Kyoma University ended the inning without scoring.
• Both teams continued to struggle against the opposing pitchers, and the game reached the top of the fifth with no hits for either side.
• Kataoka asked his players how they would handle Kyoma University’s overlapping fastball and Forkball, and Miyuki said he could hit it.
• Miyuki made contact with the pitch and reached base, then Kōshū realized he would have to bring the captain home.

Seido and Kyoma University remained locked in a scoreless game as Kōshū’s stamina began to fade and Kataoka replaced him. After the game, Hongo approached Kōshū and asked for his contact information.

• Hongo pitched carefully to Kōshū, who drew a walk, while Miyuki advanced to second base and Seido’s next three batters were retired.
• Kōshū worried about his stamina as the score remained 0-0 through the seventh inning and Kyoma University’s lineup came up again.
• An hour later, spectators discussed Seido’s pitchers and the rivalry ahead in West Tokyo.
• Hongo pushed past the players gathered between the teams and asked Kōshū for his contact information.

After Seido lost to Kyoma University in the Meiji Jingu Tournament final, Kōshū exchanged contact information with Hongo and reflected on the game and Seido’s pitchers. Back at school, he considered his fatigue and Coach Ninomiya’s advice to get his bone density checked as the team entered the offseason.

• Kōshū exchanged email and mailing details with Hongo, who relied on handwritten letters because his manager sometimes confiscated his phone.
• Kōshū left the stadium with his teammates after Seido finished the season with a 0–2 loss to Kyoma University.
• Kataoka’s decision to replace the tiring ace prompted debate, with some observers suspecting it was related to his previous injury.
• Okumura Kōshū told his friends that Seido had the most distinctive pitching lineup among the schools and noticed Little League players scouting their options.
• Kōshū advised Sato about choosing a high school and learned that Coach Ninomiya wanted him to have his bone density checked again.
• Kōshū stayed at school for the offseason, thinking about his stamina and deciding to speak with Coach Ninomiya in person when he returned home.

Miyuki teased Furuya about Kōshū matching his velocity, then revealed that Seido's extended Winter Training would run through December. Kōshū went home with Lang Zhi and, after seeing his parents and siblings, reconsidered leaving so quickly; Miyuki later departed the dormitory too.

• Miyuki provoked Furuya by suggesting that Kōshū's 150-kilometer-per-hour pitch had taken away Furuya's defining role, and Furuya briefly froze.
• Eijun and Furuya eagerly asked Miyuki about Winter Training, and he explained that the team would train throughout December.
• Kōshū returned home with Lang Zhi after his family urged him to visit, and he reflected on his parents' aging and his ties to them.
• Kōshū decided he might stay with his family a little longer, while Miyuki left the dormitory with his backpack.

Kōshū’s family discussed a reporter’s proposal to follow him in a documentary, and Kōshū agreed to meet with him. The reporter explained that he planned to fund the early coverage himself because he believed Kōshū would become a major baseball star.

• Shen Qing and Mr. Sasaki told the family they had previously refused a reporter’s interview request and kept his contact information.
• Lang Zhi and Shen Qing imagined the documentary, while Qianxue eagerly volunteered to be its female lead.
• Kōshū agreed to invite the reporter over so they could discuss the project before deciding what it would involve.
• Yuan Jing introduced himself to Kōshū’s family and explained that official funding for long-term coverage usually required a famous subject.
• Yuan Jing said he would prepare and pay for the early stages of Kōshū’s coverage himself because he believed Kōshū would become a major name in baseball.

After Lang Zhi and Qianxue’s roughhousing escalated, Kōshū broke them up and advised Mr. Sasaki to pay closer attention to the children’s needs. The household settled down, and Kōshū looked forward to a day of rest after finishing the housework.

• Qianxue wrestled with Lang Zhi, and Kōshū joined in by tickling his younger brother.
• Qianxue slapped Lang Zhi, prompting Kōshū to restrain him and pick her up as she cried.
• Mr. Sasaki arrived and comforted Qianxue while Lang Zhi ran upstairs.
• Kōshū watched You finish a block castle and then advised Mr. Sasaki to take the children’s behavior more seriously.
• Mr. Sasaki carried Qianxue away to answer Shen Qing, while Kōshū anticipated a day of rest after cleaning the house.