Chapter Summaries

Team B rallied against Sato and Kōshū, but Hayakawa Aki and Lang Zhi hit key balls to give them the lead. Kōshū then shut down the opposing lineup, and Team A won the practice match 3–1.

• Kōshū drew a walk and stole second, while Hayakawa Aki calmed Sato before helping him strike out Team A’s fifth batter and get the next batter out.
• Kōshū opened the fourth inning with a strong spell, striking out Katsumura and then allowing Hayakawa Aki to hit a triple.
• Lang Zhi hit Kōshū’s first pitch for a run-scoring hit, bringing Team B level and prompting Kōshū to encourage his defense.
• Kōshū struck out the next batters and ended the inning, while Lang Zhi remained wary of him at second base.
• Kōshū and Sato held the opposing lineup through the rest of the game, and Team A won 3–1.

Kōshū joined his team at a memorial service that brought back painful memories of his grandfather’s death from cancer. Lang Zhi secretly took him on a trip toward his grandparents’ home to comfort him, but Kōshū decided they should return and visit another time.

• Kōshū was ordered to repeat his training, and he told Lang Zhi he feared their mother’s attention would shift to the baby after it was born.
• Coach Fujii rejected Kōshū’s request to learn a new changeup and told him to stabilize his fastball first.
• Shibasaki told Kōshū that former hitting coach Maeda’s wife had died of cancer, and Kōshū remembered his grandfather’s illness and death.
• Kōshū went with the team to the memorial service, and Lang Zhi secretly arranged for them to skip school the next day.
• Lang Zhi took Kōshū toward his grandparents’ home in Gunma, but after they missed their stop and continued on, Kōshū asked to turn back and visit another time.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi avoided being caught after their countryside trip, while Coach Kinoshita Yanagi planned batting evaluations and tried to study Lang Zhi’s unusual experience of time slowing down. That evening, Kōshū, Lang Zhi, and Hayakawa Aki gathered at Hayakawa’s cramped home, where Kōshū announced that they would cook dinner.

• Shen Qing invited Kōshū and Lang Zhi to visit Lang Zhi’s grandparents during New Year, and the boys sighed with relief after she left without discovering their secret.
• Kinoshita Yanagi proposed testing First String players’ batting weaknesses by pitch type and strike-zone location, and Coach Ninomiya suggested he focus on Hayakawa Aki and Kōshū.
• Coach Ninomiya asked Kinoshita Yanagi about returning to Kinoshita Club, and Kinoshita Yanagi said he had decided to put down roots there.
• Kinoshita Yanagi stopped Kōshū from feeding pitches and pulled Lang Zhi into more pitch-tracking practice after Lang Zhi tried to hide from him.
• Kōshū accepted Hayakawa Aki’s invitation to his home, where the boys and Hayakawa’s younger brothers argued over takeout before Kōshū declared that they would cook.

Kōshū organized a chaotic dinner at Hayakawa's home and then cared for Lang Zhi when he developed growing pains. After Lang Zhi said his legs no longer hurt, Kōshū revealed that he had been waiting for him to recover so they could attend Winter Training together.

• Kōshū took charge of cleaning the Hayakawa family's fridge and had the children help prepare dinner.
• Kōshū cooked a meal for everyone, then won two games and earned the younger boys' respect.
• Kōshū noticed Lang Zhi's leg pain during their morning run, and Mr. Sasaki identified it as growing pains.
• Shen Qing and Kōshū cared for Lang Zhi with hot compresses, massages, and bone soup while Grandma Gu Yue knitted scarves for the team.
• Lang Zhi told Mr. Sasaki that his legs no longer hurt, and Kōshū announced that they could go to Winter Training together.

Kōshū endured Winter Training and midterm exams while wrestling with homesickness, then met Miyuki to assess his pitching during the break. When Kōshū revealed an accidental Changeup, Miyuki recognized that its speed had changed, leaving them to investigate the new pitch.

• Kōshū and Lang Zhi struggled to study for midterms alongside Kinoshita Little League's Winter Training, while Kōshū reflected on how far he felt from his former home.
• After midterms and Winter Training ended, Miyuki invited Kōshū to pitch, and Lang Zhi joined them at their usual meeting place.
• Kōshū threw fastballs and Cutters for Miyuki, who noted that Kōshū's velocity had improved to an average of 134 to 135.
• Kōshū asked Miyuki to assess his Changeup, and Lang Zhi accused Miyuki of teaching him a pitch his coach had forbidden him to learn.
• Miyuki recalled that Kōshū's Changeup had appeared accidentally when his finger caught on a fastball, causing the pitch to slow and drop before home plate.

Kōshū practiced changeups with Miyuki and discovered he could throw the OK Changeup with excellent control after adjusting his grip. The chapter ended with Kōshū worrying about how to tell Coach Ninomiya and Hayakawa Aki about his secret extra practice.

• Kōshū and Miyuki worked on a palm-ball-like changeup, but Miyuki warned that its velocity overlapped with Kōshū’s Cutter.
• Kōshū tried the OK Changeup, struggled with its grip and control, and repeatedly bounced pitches before home plate.
• Kōshū realized he needed to hold the ball more shallowly, then threw several accurate OK Changeups that dropped into Miyuki’s glove.
• Kōshū acknowledged that the changeup would only be effective if he continued improving his fastball velocity.
• Lang Zhi asked how Kōshū would explain learning a new pitch against Coach Ninomiya’s wishes, leaving Kōshū concerned about hiding his extra practice from Hayakawa Aki.

The Kōshū brothers settled into the new school term while Shen Qing’s high-risk twin pregnancy kept the household busy. At the half-year assessment, Kōshū exceeded his pitching-speed goal and revealed a promising changeup, setting up his next stage of development.

• Shen Qing’s pregnancy made daily life difficult, and the family hired Ms. Huizi as a maternity caregiver while Lang Zhi wondered about his birth mother and Kōshū urged him not to disturb her life.
• The brothers began the third term as classmates prepared for school applications, and Kōshū and Shibasaki completed their physical assessments.
• Coach Fujii found that Kōshū had grown to 185 centimeters, weighed 75 kilograms, and raised his pitching speed beyond the half-year goal of 135.
• Kōshū told Coach Fujii he wanted to add a changeup, then demonstrated the pitch in the Bullpen for Hayakawa and the gathered coaches.
• Kōshū threw a 138-kilometer fastball followed by a changeup about twenty kilometers slower that dropped accurately into the Outside Low Corner.

After learning that Kōshū had secretly practiced a new changeup over winter break, Coach Ninomiya restricted his training for a week to let him recover. Kōshū began learning to sew baseballs instead of preparing for the weekend practice match, then took out his frustration on Lang Zhi.

• Coach Ninomiya questioned Kōshū about why he had trained during winter break and explained the need for physical and mental rest.
• Coach Ninomiya limited Kōshū to warm-ups, thirty pitches a day, and fielding practice every other day, assigning him to learn how to sew baseballs.
• Coach Ninomiya told Kōshū that he had informed his family and that he needed to rest for the week.
• Lang Zhi mocked Kōshū, while Hayakawa Aki and Shibasaki offered to warm up with him.
• Hayakawa refused to let Kōshū throw his thirty pitches near the end of practice, and Kōshū grabbed Lang Zhi by the neck to teach him a lesson.

Scouts watched Kinoshita Little League’s practice match and discussed the team’s prospects, while Takashima Rei considered how to recruit Kōshū for Seido. As Team B led 1–0, Lang Zhi misread a ground ball that flew over his head.

• Takashima Rei and Coach Ninomiya discussed Kōshū, Seido’s coaching, and the history behind their strained relationship.
• Sato nervously hit the first batter, then settled down to strike out two before Hayakawa Aki’s extra-base hit brought in one run for Team B.
• The scouts praised Hayakawa Aki’s hitting and throwing, Shibasaki’s new sidearm style, and Kinoshita’s deep pitching lineup.
• Takashima Rei decided Kōshū’s Seido alumni parents could help her pursue him, while Kōshū noticed people watching him from the sidelines.
• Shibasaki retired Team A in order, and Sato relaxed after Kōshū offered to tend the mound.
• Lang Zhi reached for Team B’s grounder, but its unexpected bounce sent it over his head.

During an intra-squad practice match, Lang Zhi made an impressive defensive play and Team B beat Team A, while Kōshū chafed at being unable to play. Later, Kōshū tried to tutor Lang Zhi for exams, and their bickering continued until their parents returned home.

• Lang Zhi caught a hit while falling and threw accurately to first base, retiring Team B's batter.
• Kōshū praised Lang Zhi, then complained about being bored as he watched the game from the sidelines.
• Team B defeated Team A 3–2, and Kōshū praised Sato's pitching while the players cleaned up.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi argued during an exam study session, and Kōshū locked Lang Zhi out of his room.
• When their parents returned, Lang Zhi read loudly to expose Kōshū, but Kōshū shut his door as the family entered.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi fought over Lang Zhi’s attempt to resist his older brother, but Kōshū later cheered him up after he placed ninety-ninth in the exam rankings. The family took their first portrait together on February 1, 2006, marking one year since Kōshū came to Japan.

• Kōshū secretly practiced wrestling holds on Lang Zhi, who had hoped their parents would catch his brother bullying him.
• Lang Zhi, dazed from the fight, attacked Kōshū in the car and burst into tears when Mr. Sasaki accused him of bullying his brother.
• Lang Zhi placed ninety-ninth in the exam rankings, and Kōshū bought him a newly released idol game as an apology.
• Lang Zhi realized he could use his status as Kōshū’s younger brother to get more benefits from him.
• Shen Qing, Mr. Sasaki, Kōshū, Lang Zhi, You, and Qianxue posed for their first family portrait on February 1, 2006.

Kōshū attended the Kanto League skills competition with Lang Zhi and was caught dozing on the live broadcast before joining the crowd around visiting Yakult players. When the host called for audience volunteers to join a pitching accuracy contest, someone shoved Kōshū forward and he was selected to participate.

• Kōshū nodded off during the opening ceremony and used Lang Zhi as a headrest, embarrassing their parents when the broadcast showed them.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi toured the Baseball Museum with the Kinoshita Little League group, and Hayakawa reminded them not to buy souvenirs during the tour.
• Kōshū and the other children returned to the field, where Yakult players Igarashi and Miyamoto prepared for a pitching accuracy contest.
• The host invited two children to join the players, and a shove from behind sent Kōshū forward as the first volunteer.
• Kōshū told the host his name and that he was from Kinoshita Little League.

Kōshū teamed up with professional player Miyamoto for a pitching game and showed off his remarkable accuracy, knocking down the targets in order. After the event, the host’s attention made Kōshū freeze up, and he later blamed Lang Zhi for pushing him into the spotlight.

• Kōshū joined Miyamoto’s team, while Saitama teamed up with Igarashi, and Kōshū volunteered to pitch first.
• Kōshū hit the numbered boards accurately, helping Miyamoto’s team take the lead over Igarashi’s team.
• The host challenged Kōshū to hit the remaining number seven, eight, and nine boards, and Kōshū knocked down all three in succession.
• Kōshū struggled to speak when the host put him on the spot, but he said he would keep moving upward one step at a time.
• Kōshū grabbed Lang Zhi and accused him of pushing him forward, and Lang Zhi laughed while taking the blame.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi got separated from the others after Kōshū fell asleep in the stands, then hurried back just in time for the pitch speed test. Kōshū set a new record for the second-year middle school players and left the venue amid stunned reactions.

• Kōshū and Lang Zhi met Shibasaki and Luan Chuan in the stands, where Kōshū revealed his pitching speed and pitches before pretending to sleep.
• Kōshū slept through most of the event, and Lang Zhi woke him when the pitch speed test was about to begin.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi stopped in the bathroom, then were escorted back to the venue by a staff member and reunited with Hayakawa.
• Kōshū threw two practice pitches, then recorded speeds of 137 km/h and 138 km/h, setting a new record.
• Kōshū left through a side opening as the players and spectators discussed his speed and control.

After Kōshū impressed at a baseball event, Coach Ninomiya told him he had been chosen as Japan’s U15 head coach and set a six-month goal of making the national team. Kōshū left excited but anxious about the pressure, while Lang Zhi’s jealousy and the family’s unequal attention remained unresolved.

• Mr. Sasaki picked up Lang Zhi and Kōshū near a station after traffic kept him from reaching the venue, and he drove them home.
• At dinner, the family discussed Kōshū’s fast pitching test, and Shen Qing privately sent him a red packet.
• Kōshū offered to buy Lang Zhi a CD, and Lang Zhi eventually congratulated him on ranking first in pitching speed among second-year players.
• Coach Ninomiya told Kōshū he would lead Japan’s U15 team and planned to select twenty players for the WBSC tournament after the summer tournament.
• Coach Ninomiya encouraged Kōshū to pursue a six-month goal of making the team without overtraining, and Kōshū left the meeting excited and worried about getting injured or falling short.

Kōshū agreed to play an official practice game against Taiyo Little League after Luan Chuan invited him, and he studied the opposing pitcher’s repertoire before the match. The game began with Luan Chuan struggling to find his rhythm, leaving Kōshū eager to face his Forkball.

• Kōshū and Lang Zhi ate the local specialties Miss Takashima had delivered while Sasaki discussed Seido’s scout with Shen Qing.
• Kōshū hesitated over Luan Chuan’s invitation until Hayakawa told him Coach Ninomiya had agreed to arrange the game directly with the opposing coach.
• Kōshū and Luan Chuan exchanged pitching details, and Kōshū warned him that other pitches could replace the arm-damaging Forkball.
• At Kinoshita Little League’s home field, Kōshū briefed Yoshino on Luan Chuan’s 136 km/h fastball and changeups before Taiyo Little League began batting.
• Yoshino reached first after Luan Chuan threw three balls and then a called strike, while Ōno struck out on a sharply dropping pitch that Kōshū suspected was the Forkball.
• As Kōshū prepared to bat fifth, Luan Chuan made four consecutive pickoff attempts, and Kōshū wondered if he was nervous.

Kōshū faced Taiyo Little League’s ace, Luan Chuan, in a practice game and hit a home run off his forkball. Taiyo lost 6–0, and the chapter ended with Luan Chuan proposing more games as Kōshū still felt an unexplained dislike toward him.

• Hayakawa hit an inside slider for an out, and Kinoshita Little League failed to score in the first inning.
• Taiyo’s pitcher struck out the side’s momentum with sharp pitches, retiring the first three batters in order.
• Luan Chuan shook off his catcher’s signals until he called for a forkball, which Kōshū drove over the right-field wall for a home run.
• Luan Chuan admitted he was unwilling to accept the loss, then settled down and pitched the rest of the game.
• Taiyo lost 6–0, and Luan Chuan approached Kōshū afterward to praise him and suggest future practice games.

Kōshū reflected on how understanding Mr. Sasaki brought their blended family closer, while his teasing of Lang Zhi turned a graduation-day confession into a disaster. The brothers left the ceremony with Lang Zhi heartbroken and vowing to reject love letters for Kōshū.

• Kōshū recalled Mr. Sasaki's missing older brother and learned how family pressure had shaped Mr. Sasaki's choices.
• Kōshū and Mr. Sasaki grew closer after sharing snacks and talking about their pasts, and Kōshū considered how understanding helped a blended family become one.
• Kōshū and Lang Zhi wrestled over breakfast, and Kōshū learned that Lang Zhi planned to give a graduation gift to a senior from Home Economics Class.
• Kōshū secretly followed Lang Zhi after the graduation ceremony and interrupted his attempt to give the senior a gift by blurting out that Lang Zhi liked her.
• The senior dropped the gift and left, and Lang Zhi cried before vowing to reject every love letter sent to him for Kōshū.

Kōshū and Lang Zhi traveled to a two-week baseball training camp while Shen Qing was admitted to the hospital early for observation. After settling into their crowded inn, Kōshū and the Kinoshita Club players began adjusting to the unfamiliar practice field.

• Shen Qing reassured Kōshū that she would be safe in the hospital while he and Lang Zhi went to camp.
• Kōshū learned that eight teams had gathered for the training camp and exchanged messages with players from other teams.
• Coach Ninomiya outlined the camp schedule and assigned Kōshū and Lang Zhi to a shared room with teammates.
• Kōshū chose a sleeping spot before the others returned, and the players argued over where to sleep.
• The Kinoshita Club players gathered at an elementary school playground to get used to its artificial turf and temporary baseball field.

Kinoshita Little League shared its field with Head Coach Yoshinaga’s struggling team, whose players joined the drills and received coaching. The teams later headed to a mountain field for a practice game, where Kōshū was scheduled to start and use his full pitching repertoire.

• Coach Ninomiya welcomed Head Coach Yoshinaga and her team to train alongside Kinoshita Little League’s players.
• Head Coach Yoshinaga explained that her team had lost many serious players and lacked the staff and money to hire professional coaches.
• Kinoshita Little League continued its packed training-camp schedule and ran uphill to the afternoon’s practice-game field.
• Coach Ninomiya assigned Kōshū to start the game, with Shibasaki and Sato slated to pitch afterward.