Chapter Summaries

Kōshū watched Shiraishi Little League’s struggling pitcher Ito lose control before being replaced, prompting Kōshū to reflect on the pressure of the mound and his place as a pitcher. After Kinoshita Youth Baseball won by a landslide, Coach Ninomiya introduced Kinoshita Yanagi as the team’s new batting coach.

• Kōshū worried that Shiraishi’s pitcher Ito might lose confidence after his team fell far behind, while Hayakawa Aki and Shibasaki discussed the pressure he faced.
• Ito returned to the mound but threw a wild pitch and several more balls, until Shiraishi’s catcher called time and replaced him with Nakamura.
• Kinoshita Youth Baseball won by a landslide after Shiraishi sent in a first-year pitcher and Coach Ninomiya substituted most of the starters.
• Kōshū told his teammates that watching Ito struggle had helped him understand what the pitcher’s mound was like, and Lang Zhi tried to comfort him about joining the Second String.
• Coach Ninomiya introduced Kinoshita Yanagi as the new batting coach and told him to dye his blond hair back.

Kinoshita Yanagi attended a farewell gathering for Maeda, the former hitting coach, and took over as the club’s new hitting coach. The next day, he began guiding the players and singled out Kōshū to try a new batting technique.

• Maeda prepared to leave the club and told the coaches he was moving to Kanagawa to live near his son and Ryoko.
• At the Izakaya, Maeda gave Kinoshita Yanagi the players’ batting files and advised him to observe the players himself and coach them steadily.
• Kōshū accompanied Lang Zhi to a gift shop, where Lang Zhi bought a speaker for Shen Qing with Kōshū’s help.
• Kinoshita Yanagi announced that he would continue the players’ existing routines during the tournament while offering individual batting guidance.
• Kōshū and Shibasaki speculated about Maeda’s leave and Kinoshita’s arrival before Kinoshita asked Kōshū to try swinging without lifting his front foot.

Kinoshita Yanagi coached Kōshū and the Second String on batting as the team prepared for its Quarterfinal against Jonan Little League. After a scrimmage, Kōshū learned that Miyuki had been eliminated from the tournament and decided to tease him by message.

• Kinoshita Yanagi taught Kōshū to practice a new batting stance and advised Hayakawa Aki on adjusting his swing to outside pitches.
• Shibasaki encouraged Kōshū to become a powerful hitter who could influence the game on offense.
• Coach Yoshida reviewed Jonan Little League’s players and defensive tendencies while Coach Ninomiya warned the team that the remaining tournament games would be difficult.
• Kōshū hit a Slider from Senior Nozawa through the gap between first and second during the preparation scrimmage.
• Kōshū learned that Miyuki’s team had lost to Marugame Little League and prepared to send Miyuki photos from the field to provoke him.

Miyuki teased Kōshū before Kinoshita Little League defeated Jonan Little League 2–0 through disciplined defense and timely hitting. After the game, Miyuki congratulated Kōshū and asked him to meet someone the next day.

• Miyuki sent Kōshū a spooky photo while he was running, and Kōshū panicked until Hayakawa Aki revealed that Miyuki was teasing him.
• Heishi and Kinoshita Little League’s defense retired Jonan Little League’s first three batters in the opening inning, while Ito’s double helped Kinoshita take a 1–0 lead.
• Coach Ninomiya replaced Heishi with Nozawa in the fourth inning, and Carlos reached first base on a close infield play before Nozawa settled down and retired the next three batters.
• Kinoshita Little League won 2–0, leaving Carlos and Jonan Little League frustrated by the team’s thorough scouting and defense.
• Miyuki messaged Kōshū to congratulate him on the win, point out that he had only watched from the stands, and invite him to meet someone the next day.

After Kinoshita Club learned that Ōkawa Little League and ace pitcher Narumiya Mei would be their next opponent, Kōshū met Miyuki and Mei to watch Mei pitch. Mei showed off his 140-kilometer fastball and forkball, while Miyuki teased them both and urged Kōshū to pitch.

• Coach Ninomiya announced that Kinoshita Club would face Ōkawa Little League, whose ace was Narumiya Mei.
• Kōshū arranged to meet Miyuki at Yoshiguchi Baseball Stadium after Miyuki hinted that he would meet a true ace pitcher.
• Kōshū found Miyuki waiting with Narumiya Mei and learned that Miyuki had brought together the two sides who would face each other next.
• Kōshū asked Mei to show him his pitching, and Mei threw a fastball over 140 kilometers per hour and demonstrated his forkball.
• Miyuki said Mei's pitches had bored him and told Kōshū to pitch instead, prompting Mei to protest that he had thrown only thirty-something pitches.

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.