Chapter Summaries

Kōshū spent time building a castle with You while Lang Zhi cried alone upstairs, fearing his family would ignore what had happened. Mr. Sasaki and Kōshū helped Qianxue apologize, and the chapter ended with You embracing Kōshū’s leg.

• You explained the parts of his block castle to Kōshū, who sat with him and helped build it.
• Lang Zhi overheard laughter downstairs, shut his door, and cried as he wished he had stayed at school.
• Mr. Sasaki brought Qianxue upstairs to apologize to Lang Zhi, and Kōshū guided her through admitting she was wrong and comforting him.
• Kōshū joked that Lang Zhi had put on quite an act, and Lang Zhi played along before going downstairs for dinner.
• Shen Qing offered to boil an egg for Lang Zhi’s swollen eyes, while You watched and then hugged Kōshū’s thigh.

Kōshū completed a personal interview at Kinoshita Little League and returned to Seido with his brother, where he reflected on his training goals. Eijun then gathered the first-years to show off his new pitches, and the team discovered that his fastball and unpredictable breaking pitches had improved.

• Kōshū and Lang Zhi answered a reporter’s questions at Kinoshita Little League before the reporter interviewed Coach Ninomiya.
• Kōshū returned to Seido with Lang Zhi, thinking about his fitness, pitching control, and batting as Winter Training approached.
• Mr. Sasaki told Kōshū that he and Kōshū’s mother had signed up for a child psychology course so they could become better parents.
• Eijun tried to show his new pitches to the team, but the first-years initially dismissed his Superspeed Straight Ball as an ordinary fastball.
• Miyuki and Furuya confirmed that Eijun’s fastball dropped less, then Miyuki helped him demonstrate several difficult pitches that darted unpredictably.

Seido’s exhausted players endured winter conditioning before Kataoka shifted their focus to defensive training and reminded them that Great Troll Wisteria would meet them again at Spring Koshien. While the team drew motivation from its past losses, Kōshū stayed focused on his own ambitions and wrote back to Hongo Masamune.

• Kataoka Manager ended a grueling day of training with ten more laps, and Miyuki carried the collapsed Kōshū back after poking him over.
• After more than two weeks of conditioning, Kataoka assigned the pitchers two days of recovery before they entered the Bullpen and sent the other players into defensive training.
• Kataoka showed the team Great Troll Wisteria’s training footage and said Seido would face the snowfield team again at Spring Koshien.
• Ochiai Coach announced that the players would recuperate until Christmas, while Kōshū reflected on his goals of reaching Koshien, the Japanese Professional League, and Major League Baseball.
• Lang Zhi found Kōshū writing a reply to Hongo Masamune, and Kōshū explained that he focused on improving himself rather than on defeating a particular opponent.

Kōshū was swept into a Christmas fireworks outing after the girls in his class formed an alliance to date him together, while the boys recruited Eijun as their spy. To protect himself from the crowd of admirers, Kōshū enlisted Miyuki and Qian Xue in a staged scene, leaving the girls delighted with the spectacle.

• Kōshū told the girls he had no Christmas plans, prompting them to arrange a group date with him at the fireworks display.
• The boys explained their suspicions to Eijun and asked him to spy on the girls’ gathering, while Lang Zhi warned Kōshū about their plans.
• Kōshū bet Miyuki that he could keep every reply under ten words in exchange for one unconditional command during a future game.
• Kōshū brought Qian Xue along as Miyuki’s prop and directed him to act as a gentle big brother at the class gathering.
• Lang Zhi announced the arrival of Miyuki and Qian Xue, and the girls admired their staged scene at the Christmas fireworks display.

Kōshū spent New Year’s Day entertaining the children with the story of Sun Wukong, while Coach Ninomiya brought his son back to Tokyo from America. In Hokkaido, Hongo Masamune struggled to answer Kōshū’s letter and began seriously considering his future in professional baseball.

• Kōshū played with Maeyuki and Yuu, then told them and the adults the story of Wukong as they discussed the Beijing Olympics.
• Kōshū sent Maeyuki and Yuu to wash up before they could hear the rest of the story.
• Coach Ninomiya picked up his son at the airport, and his son said he planned to move out and share a place with Kinoshita Yanagi.
• Coach Ninomiya objected to the plan as he drove his sleepy son toward West Tokyo.
• Hongo Masamune reread Kōshū’s letter, which asked about his Fast Forkball and his plans for professional baseball.
• Hongo realized that he had never seriously considered his professional future and began drafting a reply, crumpling up another page.

Kōshū pushed Eijun and Furuya to study so they could remain eligible for Spring Koshien, then considered how to improve his pitching. The tournament arrived as Kōshū headed to the bullpen.

• Eijun’s loud running pushed the other players to speed up during winter practice.
• Kōshū learned that Sato planned to attend a school in East Tokyo and hoped they would meet at Koshien.
• Kōshū reflected on growing up and how his old accomplishments had been replaced by his high school record.
• Kōshū quizzed Eijun and Furuya, warning that failing their exams would keep them out of Spring Koshien.
• Eijun and Furuya ran off to pitch, while Kōshū resolved to work on his existing problems rather than learn a forkball.
• Spring Koshien arrived, and Kōshū headed toward the bullpen.

On Seido’s graduation day, Isashiki struggled to leave his teammates behind while Kōshū remembered the seniors and shared news of Nanmu’s new girlfriend. The chapter ended with Ohtani completing a dramatic ninth-inning comeback.

• Kuramochi and Miyuki bickered over the cherry-blossom forecast, then quickly returned to their meal.
• Yuki Captain encouraged Kōshū to keep developing and said he expected him to become a professional player.
• Isashiki took farewell photos with his teammates and hesitated before finally leaving school with his sister.
• Isashiki’s sister explained that the graduates’ smiles and body language showed how close they were, and Isashiki fought back tears.
• Kōshū learned that Senior Nanmu had gotten a girlfriend and shared the news with the group.
• Ohtani tied the game with a double, then scored on Rendon’s hit to complete a ninth-inning comeback.

Seido prepared for its Spring Koshien opener against Houmei, and Kōshū encouraged Eijun as he worried about pitching the later innings. On March 19, Seido won its first game, with Eijun pitching through an awkward start and Ohtani delivering two home runs.

• Seido learned it would face Houmei in its first game and watched Great Troll Wisteria take on Kyushu Academy on television.
• Kōshū left to practice hitting, and Eijun followed him to ask for an honest assessment of his pitching assignment.
• Kōshū reassured Eijun that Seido’s pitchers supported one another and that Eijun’s improving changeup could suppress Houmei.
• On March 19, Kōshū started in left field before Furuya replaced him after five innings as Seido built a seven-run lead.
• Eijun opened his relief appearance by hitting a batter, then regained his composure with Miyuki’s guidance and helped Seido win.
• Ohtani hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and Eijun sparked chaos in the dugout with an emotional postgame speech.

Seido prepared for its second Koshien game against Japanese Shono, while Kōshū regained his pitching form and received an overenthusiastic display of affection from Eijun. The chapter ended with the team heading toward the game, after Kōshū received a message from Hongo promising to watch and vowing that Kyoma University would win.

• At Kyoma University, Hongo listened to news of Seido’s first game, then left with Renji’s remark about his correspondence with Seido’s ace on his mind.
• Kōshū practiced pitching, refined his control, and threw a 150-kilometer pitch as spectators watched and took pictures.
• Seido learned it would face Japanese Shono on March 24, with Kōshū scheduled to pitch the second game.
• Hongo sent Kōshū a message saying he would watch the game, and Kōshū replied that Seido would win.
• Eijun fussed over Kōshū at the hotel with help getting dressed and an elaborate breakfast service, while Kanemaru, Tōjō, and Haruichi watched and commented.

Seido arrived at Koshien, where Kōshū’s first outing as ace began with a dominant three-pitch strikeout and a scoreless inning. In the stands, Hongo watched Seido’s dugout with unusual caution.

• Seido reached Koshien, and Eijun and Lang Zhi excitedly reminisced about their previous visit while Kōshū tried to avoid the attention.
• Seido’s coordinated warm-up impressed Japanese Shono’s players and the spectators, showcasing the team’s defense and Miyuki’s accurate throw.
• Kōshū took the mound as Seido’s ace and opened against Japanese Shono’s leadoff batter with a 150-kilometer pitch.
• Kōshū struck out the leadoff batter in three pitches and retired the side without allowing a hit.
• Renji noticed Hongo watching Seido’s dugout with both pride and solemn caution.

Seido took an early lead against Japanese Shono when Kōshū hit a two-run double in the first inning. Hongo decided the game was settled and left with Renji while Seido continued playing.

• Kuramochi reached first base after Japanese Shono's number eleven pitcher struggled to find the strike zone.
• Haruichi walked, putting Seido runners on first and second with no outs.
• Kōshū hit a ball off the right-field wall, allowing Kuramochi and Haruichi to score.
• Hongo left the stands with Renji, saying Seido's two-run lead and Kōshū's pitching made the result clear.

After Seido won its second Spring Koshien game, Eijun wrestled with doubts before resolving to make the most of every chance to pitch. Hongo prepared to face Kyoma University's opponent while looking ahead to his upcoming game against Kōshū, whom he wanted to prove himself against as a friend.

• Seido defeated its opponent, with Kōshū pitching five innings, Kawakami two, and Eijun closing the game; the team praised Eijun's performance.
• Eijun spotted reporters surrounding a towering player and, after reflecting on his doubts about his role, decided to cherish each opportunity and keep pitching well.
• Seido's players arrived early to watch Kyoma University, and Renji warned Hongo not to pitch too hard because their manager might reprimand him.
• Hongo waited in the dugout as a reliever and hoped to show Kōshū his strength in their coming matchup, wanting to settle who was stronger between them.
• After two innings against a tough opponent, Hongo began warming up, while Miyuki and Kuramochi discussed the upcoming game against Hakuryu and its speedy runners.

Seido faced Hakuryu with Furuya starting, and his blazing fastball helped them take control before Kataoka prepared to replace him with Kōshū. The chapter left Hakuryu’s manager watching Seido’s pitching changes and questioning whether his team’s plan to disrupt their rotation had failed.

• Hongo struck out a batter with a 151 km/h pitch, and Seido’s players watched his display before heading to warm up for their game against Hakuryu.
• Seido’s players bickered and rallied each other before Furuya took the mound, where his first pitch reached 154 km/h and fired up the crowd.
• After four innings, Furuya quietly asked Kataoka to let him pitch longer, but Kataoka asked Kōshū about his readiness and announced that Kōshū would take over next inning.
• Hakuryu’s manager watched Seido prepare the pitching change and wondered whether his team had failed to disrupt their rotation strategy.

Kōshū struck out Mima and two other Hakuryu batters in the top of the fifth, using precise pitches and an outside Slider to exploit their hesitation. The chapter then shifted to an unrelated farewell dinner, where the narrator considered volunteering for a severance package after an upcoming workplace merger.

• Kōshū opened the fifth by striking out Mima with a 150-kilometer-per-hour fastball and an outside-edge pitch.
• Miyuki and Kōshū fooled the next batter with an outside Slider, and he grounded out near the first-base foul line.
• Kōshū targeted Zheng's weakness with three pitches inside and retired the side.
• At a farewell dinner, the director said she would leave after the center merged, leaving the table silent.
• The narrator worried about layoffs and the reformed work, and considered volunteering for N+1 severance.

Seido defeated Hakuryu High School and advanced to the final four, while Kōshū stayed composed through interviews and teased Lang Zhi by leaving Eijun with him. As Seido prepared to face Great Troll Wisteria, Nitta Manager called a pitching meeting with Hongo, who resented his manager’s efforts to control his emotions.

• Seido’s pitchers held Hakuryu to a loss, and the teams exchanged greetings after the game.
• Eijun complained to Kōshū about not playing, so Kōshū left him clinging to Lang Zhi.
• Kōshū gave reporters safe answers about Hakuryu and Seido’s goal of restoring its status as a powerhouse.
• Lang Zhi realized Kōshū had deliberately dumped Eijun on him and decided not to speak to him until the next game.
• Nitta Manager gathered the Northern Country team to discuss Hakuryu’s defeat and called for a pitching meeting with Hongo.
• Hongo recognized that Nitta wanted to control his emotions and resented his manager’s distrust.

Seido prepared for its semifinal against Kyoma University, expecting a long game against Hongo and relying on its pitchers to hold the line. On March 28, both teams arrived at the stadium, and Kōshū and an opposing pitcher looked toward their decisive clash.

• Miyuki told the catchers and pitchers that Seido’s weaker batting lineup could struggle against Hongo, making the Pitcher Lineup’s performance crucial.
• Kōshū suggested exploiting Seido’s variety of pitchers against Kyoma University’s relief staff, and the group began planning for the game.
• Kataoka Manager explained to Ochiai Coach that Seido’s leaders could guide the players’ preparations without constant direction.
• The media promoted the semifinal as a renewed showdown between two Spring Koshien favorites, while Grandpa Sasaki planned to attend.
• On March 28, Seido and Kyoma University warmed up at the stadium, and Kōshū and an opposing pitcher exchanged a glance before the game.

Kōshū and Miyuki used a planned mix of pitches to strike out Kyoma University's leadoff hitter and get the second batter out. The second batter also sensed that Seido had changed, while an unrelated workplace anecdote followed.

• Kōshū opened the game against Kyoma University's patient leadoff hitter with an outside fastball and another outside pitch, then struck him out with an inside Changeup.
• The leadoff hitter returned to the dugout, where Nitta Manager told him not to repeat his approach next time.
• Kyoma University's leadoff hitter realized Seido had studied the team unusually closely and watched as Matsushita came to bat.
• Miyuki and Kōshū used the expanded outside Strike Zone to bait Matsushita into swinging at a pitch, and the second batter was called out.
• The narrator described coworkers waiting for one person to leave work before following, then recounted a content-team coworker joking that the company was doomed.

Seido faced Kyoma University as Kōshū urged the team to believe they could defeat them, and Hongo opened the inning with a blazing fastball that struck out Kuramochi. The game continued with Hongo’s dominance on display.

• Nitta Manager told Kyoma University’s players to focus on their defense after Seido’s inning ended.
• Hongo Masamune took the mound to loud cheers, while Eijun’s pop-star comparison lightened Seido’s mood.
• Kōshū asked whether they should defeat Kyoma University, prompting Seido’s players to rally around him with high-fives.
• Kōshū recognized that Hongo wanted to settle their rivalry as the umpire called the game to begin.
• Hongo struck out Kuramochi with a pitch that spectators said reached 150 kilometers per hour.

Hongo struck out Haruichi and Shirazu in three pitches each, giving Kyoma University an emphatic start. In the second inning, Kōshū opened Seido’s defense by throwing a dangerous inside-corner strike to Kyoma University’s cleanup batter.

• Hongo struck out Haruichi with three fastballs after controlling the pace of their at-bat.
• Hongo struck out Shirazu after disrupting his timing with a fastball and a forkball.
• Kataoka Manager urged Seido’s players to stay focused, and Kōshū took the mound in the second inning.
• Kōshū forced Kyoma University’s cleanup batter to retreat from an inside pitch, which the umpire called a strike.
• The passage shifted to a personal note about an upcoming layoff, and the speaker’s parents supported them.

Seido's pitcher and Miyuki kept Kyoma University's lineup hitless through five innings, while their defense secured an out on a bunt attempt. Lang Zhi reflected on Kōshū's praise, and Hongo Masamune approached from the on-deck circle as the game continued.

• Kyoma University's fifth batter tried to adjust to Seido's fastball, but Miyuki and Kōshū's coordinated pitching struck him out.
• The fifth batter squared to bunt, but Lang Zhi fielded the ball and helped get him out at first.
• Kōshū praised Lang Zhi, who realized he wanted to grow strong enough to earn recognition as an equal.
• Kuramochi congratulated Lang Zhi as Hongo Masamune walked over from the on-deck circle.