Chapter Summaries

Kōshū struck out Hongo with a Changeup and Slider, then Seido began its next inning against Hongo. Miyuki hit a high pitch for the game’s first hit, leaving Kōshū to endure the stadium’s roar.

• Hongo fouled off Kōshū’s Outside Low Corner pitch, then struck out on a Changeup and a Slider.
• Nitta Manager scolded Hongo for ignoring his advice as Kyoma University’s inning ended.
• Kataoka Manager told Seido’s batters to track Hongo’s pitches and focus on the Strike Zone.
• Miyuki went to bat and hit Hongo’s third pitch, recording the game’s First Hit.

Kōshū entered a focused state at the plate and stopped himself from swinging at Hongo’s Forkball. He then hit Hongo’s outside fastball for a two-run home run, putting Seido ahead of Kyoma University, 2–0.

• Renji told Hongo to ignore the runner and focus on Kōshū, but Hongo kept watching first base.
• Kōshū remained calm as Hongo threw a Forkball, then stopped his swing as the pitch dropped out of the Strike Zone.
• Renji and Hongo were unsettled by Kōshū’s restraint, and they decided to challenge him with an outside fastball.
• Kōshū struck Hongo’s fastball and hit a two-run home run, giving Seido a 2–0 lead over Kyoma University.

Kōshū’s home run shook Hongo, but Hongo recovered his focus and shut down Seido’s batters. The inning ended with Kyoma University’s ace back in control.

• Kōshū hit a home run off Hongo, leaving Hongo shaken by the thought that his friend had quietly proved him wrong.
• Nitta Manager called time and sent a message urging Hongo to focus on pitching, and Hongo resolved that the game was not over.
• Hongo struck Tojo out on three pitches, silencing Seido’s cheers and restoring Kyoma University’s confidence in their ace.
• Hongo recognized that he needed to conserve his stamina and pitched at eighty percent strength.
• Hongo retired the side, and Seido’s turn at bat ended.

Kōshū and Miyuki outmaneuvered Kyoma University's batters to retire the side in the sixth inning, while Hongo remained withdrawn after giving up a home run. The game moved to the bottom of the sixth, and the chapter ended with an unrelated narrator musing about buying a discounted company computer.

• Nitta Manager criticized Hongo for giving up a home run before learning to manage his stamina, and Hongo walked into the Dugout without reacting.
• Miyuki signaled for Kōshū to use a Two-Seam Fastball, and Kōshū caught Hanyu's weak contact for an out.
• Miyuki called a middle-middle pitch to Kyoma University's eighth batter, then Kōshū struck him out with a Slider that produced weak contact for Kominato.
• Kyoma University's ninth batter warned his teammates not to overthink Miyuki's tactics, and the side ended with three outs.
• Spectators remarked that the game had reached the bottom of the sixth quickly, while an unrelated narrator complained about work and anticipated buying a computer at the company's internal sale.

The narrator prepared a midyear performance review despite planning to leave, then expected to hand over their work and attend one last department dinner. They looked forward to eating well before graduation meant tightening their belt.

• The narrator prepared a midyear performance report, which everyone called a defense.
• The narrator stayed up for two days to finish the presentation and avoid looking like they had abandoned their responsibilities.
• The narrator expected the handover to be simple because they had documented their work in a wiki for six months.
• The narrator planned to enjoy the next night's department dinner as possibly their last meal with meat before graduating and tightening their belt.

Seido held a 2–0 lead over Kyoma University as Hongo continued to dominate the bottom of Seido's lineup, while Kōshū kept pitching despite his fading stamina. The chapter left Kataoka weighing whether to let Kōshū continue through the final innings.

• Hongo struck out Asou, then retired Kuramochi and Haruichi to end Seido's Bottom of the Sixth Inning without a run.
• After Seido took the field with a two-point lead, Kataoka asked Kōshū how much stamina he had left, and Kōshū said he had enough to win.
• Kataoka told Kōshū he would judge the situation as the game continued, and Seido began the final three innings ahead 2–0.
• Kōshū pushed through his exhaustion and struck the opposing batter out while throwing 148 kilometers per hour.
• Ochiai Coach urged Kataoka to entrust the full game to Kōshū, but Kataoka remained uncertain.

Kōshū battled Kyoma University through the seventh inning despite his declining velocity, while Kataoka prepared Furuya as a possible replacement. Kōshū and Seido’s defense stopped Kyoma’s attack, and Seido headed into the bottom of the seventh.

• Kataoka asked Furuya if he could take the mound at any time, and Furuya eagerly agreed.
• Kōshū held to his pitching rhythm as Kyoma University’s leadoff hitter fouled off a fierce swing and threatened to catch up with his weakened fastball.
• Miyuki called for a cutter, and Kōshū struck out the leadoff hitter for his ninth strikeout of the game.
• Kuramochi dove to catch the third batter’s hit and threw him out at first, helping Kōshū shut down Kyoma University again.
• Kuramochi signaled to Shirazu and Miyuki as Seido prepared to begin the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hongo recovered his confidence and continued pitching fiercely against Seido’s Central Batting Lineup. Shirazu and Miyuki were retired, leaving Seido without another hit as Hongo held on to Kyoma University’s lead.

• Nitta told Kyoma University’s relief pitcher to stay ready, and Hongo walked alone to the mound.
• Hongo struck out Shirazu with a fastball and a Forkball, demonstrating that he had regained his composure.
• Kōshū told Miyuki he had sensed that Hongo would throw a Forkball, and Miyuki urged him to get a hit before making predictions.
• Miyuki battled Hongo’s fastball but hit a high fly ball that the center fielder caught for the third out.

Kōshū faced Hongo with two outs as Renji devised a plan to drain his focus and break his flow state. Kōshū let the first pitch go for a ball, and after a mound conference, Hongo agreed to take longer between pitches as play resumed.

• Renji realized that Kyoma University could disrupt Kōshū’s flow by draining his attention and energy.
• Kōshū entered the Batter’s Box and calmly read Hongo’s first pitch as an outside-breaking ball, letting it pass for a ball.
• Renji called time and told Hongo to use the pitch count, the strike zone, and longer pauses to wear Kōshū down.
• Hongo bristled at the plan but told Renji that he believed in his pitching and agreed to continue.
• After play resumed, Kōshū quieted his mind and prepared to enter his focused state again.

Kōshū entered the Flow State again and hit Hongo’s pitch for a second consecutive hit, but Tōjō struck out and the inning ended with two outs. The aces exchanged a wary glance as they headed back to their dugouts.

• Kōshū recalled stepping into a mountain stream as a child, calmed himself, and entered the Flow State.
• Kōshū swung at Renji’s low outside pitch and sent it over the shortstop’s head for a hit.
• Hongo wrestled with doubts about Kōshū’s improvement while Renji told him to focus on getting the next batter out.
• Hongo struck out Tōjō with an inside pitch, a Vertical Slider, and a splitter, ending the inning.
• Kōshū and Hongo exchanged a glance as they crossed paths on their way back to their dugouts.

In the top of the eighth, exhausted Kōshū tried to hold Seido’s lead against Kyoma University, but consecutive hits put runners on first and second with no outs. Miyuki reminded him that the team shared responsibility for victory, and Kōshū accepted the plan to get through the inning before Furuya took over.

• Kyoma University’s cleanup hitter got the team’s first hit off Kōshū, reaching first base in the top of the eighth.
• Miyuki guided Kōshū toward precise corner pitches as Kyoma catcher Renji stepped up and remarked that Seido’s ace looked tired.
• Kōshū focused on the sensation in his fingers, entered a controlled pitching state, and struck Renji out with a fastball.
• Renji identified the weakness in Seido’s pitching strategy, and Kyoma University followed with two consecutive hits to put runners on first and second with no outs.
• Kataoka sent Eijun to relay that Kōshū should finish the inning and Furuya would pitch the ninth; Miyuki told Kōshū that giving up one run was acceptable.
• Kōshū nodded after Miyuki reminded him that the team was pursuing victory together.

Kōshū struck out Hongo but allowed Kyoma University to score a run, then asked Kataoka to let him pitch the next inning. Kataoka gave him one batter before Furuya would replace him, while Eijun reminded Furuya that both of them still had to earn full trust on the mound.

• Kōshū battled Hongo, who fouled off a pitch before striking out on a Slider and Changeup.
• Nitta Manager told Hongo he would have no vacation until summer Koshien, leaving Hongo irritated as he returned to the dugout.
• Kyoma University's seventh batter advanced the runners, then bunted the ball toward third; Lang Zhi threw to Kōshū, who tagged out the runner from second as the runner from third scored.
• Kōshū asked Kataoka to let him pitch the next inning, and Kataoka agreed on the condition that Furuya would take over if one batter reached base.
• Eijun told Furuya that neither of them could stay on the mound without reservation until they had earned that trust.

Seido faced Kyoma University in the top of the ninth with the game on the line, and Kōshū struck out the final batters to secure Seido’s victory. Seido’s players celebrated on the Pitcher’s Mound.

• Eijun gave Kōshū water and cheered him on as Seido’s offense ended the bottom of the eighth without scoring.
• Eijun encouraged Furuya to join him in loudly cheering for Kōshū as he took the mound for the ninth.
• Miyuki and Kōshū countered leadoff batter A Jiu with a Cutter, a Changeup, and a fastball, striking him out.
• Seido’s players and the crowd rallied behind Kōshū as Kyoma University’s lineup faced the final inning.
• Kōshū got the final out, and Seido’s players rushed to the Pitcher’s Mound to celebrate their win.

Seido defeated Kyoma University at Spring Koshien, and Kōshū and Hongo reaffirmed their rivalry and mutual respect before promising to meet again in summer. As the tournament continued, Narumiya chose to leave the next game unwatched and go pitch, while Seido’s win set the stage for the upcoming tournaments.

• Representatives from other teams watched Seido beat Kyoma University and discussed the danger of facing its pitchers.
• Mishima and Todoroki watched from the stands, and Todoroki loudly declared that he wanted to face Kōshū again.
• Kōshū and Hongo shook hands, traded challenges, and promised to meet again in summer.
• Kōshū endured interviews, then returned to the hotel with Seido’s players as they celebrated their victory.
• Narumiya turned off the broadcast of the next game and went to pitch with Hayakawa Aki.
• The narrator complained about wasting time on the road and listening to the new director blame R&D for the company’s losses.

Seido prepared to face Seisho Company in the Spring Koshien, while both teams studied their opponents and planned their pitching and batting strategies. Kōshū was set to rest, though Miyuki left open the possibility that he might pitch in relief; the chapter ended as the teams reached Koshien under cloudy skies and light rain.

• Seido’s players read newspaper coverage of their win over Kyoma University and discussed Yakushi High School’s loss before Kuramochi reminded them that the Spring Koshien was still underway.
• Miyuki told the pitchers that Kōshū would rest for the next game, though he might pitch up to fifteen pitches in relief if circumstances allowed.
• Miyuki instructed Seido’s pitchers and catchers to study Seisho Company’s powerful batters and be ready to take the mound as the coaches directed.
• Seisho Company’s players reviewed Seido’s strengths and watched footage of Furuya, identifying his early-game instability as a potential opening.
• Seido and Seisho Company completed their preparations and arrived at Koshien under dark clouds after overnight rain.

Kōshū accepted that his lingering soreness would keep him out of the Spring Koshien final, but he and Eijun used his presence in the Bullpen to unsettle Seisho Company while Furuya dominated the game. With Seido leading 5–0 in the seventh inning, Eijun got permission to take the mound for one inning.

• After the coaches ruled Kōshū too sore to play, he regretted telling his family not to attend and agreed with Eijun to warm up in the Bullpen as a bluff.
• Furuya struck out Seisho Company's batters and threw the fastest pitch of Spring Koshien at 155 kilometers per hour.
• Kōshū's appearance in the Bullpen distracted Kawasaki and spurred Furuya to strike him out.
• Seido scored five runs while Furuya kept Seisho Company scoreless through six innings.
• Eijun asked Kataoka Manager to pitch the seventh inning, received permission for one inning, and hurried toward the mound after nearly asking for two.

Eijun replaced Furuya in the seventh inning and used his deceptive pitch to retire Seisho Company without allowing a run. Seido won the Spring Koshien Tournament, and the chapter ended with the team receiving its trophy and medals.

• Eijun nervously addressed his teammates on the mound until Miyuki threw him a ball to make him stop and focus.
• Eijun remembered advice from Kōshū and Chris, then struck out Seisho Company's batter with a pitch that seemed to disappear.
• Seido quickly turned a ground ball into a double play and retired the side.
• Eijun learned that Kawakami would finish the game after his one inning on the mound and was dragged into the dugout when he protested.
• Seido and Seisho Company attended the award ceremony, where Seido received the championship trophy and medals.

After winning Spring Koshien, Eijun took dirt from the mound and remembered how quickly his inning had ended, while the Seido players and Lang Zhi reunited with their families. Seido headed home on the day of the final, with the players looking ahead to returning for Summer Koshien.

• Eijun took dirt from the Pitcher's Mound and shouted the words he had not managed to say during the game, while Maezono answered and the team teased him.
• Eijun greeted his family outside the stadium, but Kuramochi recognized Wakana and dragged Eijun back to the team for leaving without permission.
• Lang Zhi reunited with his family, and Mr. Sasaki cried with pride until Shen Qing comforted him and sent Lang Zhi back to the team.
• Lang Zhi joined the hotel feast and watched television for Koshien highlights featuring him.
• Seido set off for home after a brief rest, and the players repeated that they would return to Koshien in the summer.

After Seido won Spring Koshien, Kōshū received congratulations from friends and rivals and promised to even the score with Hongo in the summer. As the team prepared for the new semester and Narumiya Mei’s final year, new students began heading to Seido.

• Kōshū read a flood of congratulatory messages, including Hongo’s reminder that their score was still 2-1, and vowed to even it in summer.
• Kōshū exchanged messages with Hayakawa, who praised his growth and explained that Narumiya Mei was preparing for future opponents at Koshien.
• Teacher Takashima told Ota Manager that Kōshū would cooperate with school publicity but wanted only a minimum number of interviews.
• Kataoka Manager used Kōshū’s request for a High-Speed Camera to negotiate with the Board of Directors, while Kōshū gathered people to preview the next semester’s coursework.
• Hayakawa adjusted to catching Narumiya Mei, Hongo returned to Hokkaido, and people from across Japan traveled toward Seido as the new students prepared to arrive.

Kōshū and Kimura prepared an elaborate set of Room 4 rules as a welcoming tradition for their new roommate, Yui Kaoru. As more freshmen arrived, Kōshū realized Seido had recruited a deep pool of talent and decided to watch the new pitchers closely.

• Kōshū and Kimura wrote a detailed Room 4 living guide covering cleaning, laundry, ventilation, studying, and other dorm habits.
• Yui Kaoru arrived as Kōshū and Kimura's new roommate, read the rules, and worried about whether he could follow them all.
• Takahashi Kō and Suzuki Mori, two freshmen from Kōshū's former Little League, visited Room 4 and greeted Kōshū and Yui.
• Kōshū reflected on Seido's strong freshman class and resolved to pay close attention to the incoming pitchers.