Chapter Summaries

The narrator stayed up late after the previous day's commotion and suffered a headache all day. They regretted staying up and vowed not to do it again.

• The narrator stayed up late after the previous day's fuss.
• The narrator's head hurt all day and felt as if it did not belong to them.
• The narrator vowed never to stay up that late again.

Sawamura returned to the mound at Koshien, settled down after an erratic first pitch, and kept Houmei scoreless in the inning. Seidou extended its lead with home runs from Sendou and Furuya, but Sawamura struggled at the plate and gave Houmei a walk before Miyuki stopped a steal attempt with a precise throw.

• Miyuki teased Sawamura about his summer debut, and Sawamura fired up the Seidou fielders before opening the inning with a ball.
• Sawamura regained his composure after the first pitch and finished the inning without allowing a run.
• Sendou hit a home run in the eighth to restore Seidou's five-run lead, and Miyuki followed with a hit to second base.
• Furuya hit a two-run home run, widening Seidou's advantage.
• Maezono flew out as a pinch hitter, and Sawamura struck out before walking a Houmei batter in the bottom of the eighth.
• Houmei's runner tried to steal second, but Miyuki threw him out with Kuramochi receiving the ball.

Seidou defeated Hōmei in its opening game after Sawamura struck out the final three batters, then prepared for a highly anticipated matchup against Kyoma. Coach Nitta provoked Hongo into anger and told him to prepare as a reliever, while Sawamura watched Furuya receive attention from reporters with obvious jealousy.

• Coach Kataoka rallied Seidou to keep its attacking spirit, and Sawamura realized the team aimed to conquer the nation.
• Sawamura retired Hōmei’s final three batters, and Seidou won its opening game at Koshien.
• Enjō watched Seidou’s victory on television as Coach Nitta called the Kyoma players together and told Hongo to prepare to relieve from the first inning.
• Coach Nitta’s hint about using his best lineup made Hongo shut his book in anger.
• Reporters interviewed Sendou, Furuya, and Coach Kataoka after Seidou left the stadium, while Sawamura stared jealously at Furuya.
• Seidou headed back to the hotel to rest before its next game against Kyoma, a matchup reporters expected to be a tournament highlight.

The narrator felt exhausted and nearly froze while going outside for sunlight. The chapter ended with the narrator still suffering from the bitter cold.

• The narrator felt exhausted and lacked energy all day.
• The narrator tried to go outside for sunlight as usual.
• The narrator nearly froze despite the temperature being above zero.
• A light wind cut painfully through the narrator like blades.

Seidou’s players spent a quiet day at the hotel before watching Kyoma’s game, where Hongo Masamune entered in relief and dominated with three strikeouts. Sendou left to rest after learning Midorikawa was starting, while his teammates anticipated the matchup against Kyoma.

• Sawamura complained that the newspapers praised Furuya but did not mention him, sparking teasing from Kanemaru and Miyuki.
• Kawakami explained that the team’s optional practice would last only two hours, and Tojo, Kanemaru, and Sendou decided to watch Kyoma’s game.
• Sendou advised Ono-senpai to distract himself from pregame nerves and avoid overthinking.
• The Seidou players watched Kyoma take a five-run lead over Toyota, and Sendou left after seeing Midorikawa start.
• Hongo Masamune replaced Midorikawa in the bottom of the fifth and struck out three batters with fastballs and changeups.

Seidou's players watched Hongo Masamune pitch and discussed his rivalry with their own generation as they prepared for the upcoming game. Sendou planned to watch Yakushi's match the next day, while Miyuki admitted he felt nervous about facing Kyoma.

• Coach Nitta provoked Hongo during his game, and Sendou explained that the coach used Hongo's anger to bring out his best pitching.
• Sendou and Seidou's players traded barbs about Hongo and their rival teams, then Sawamura and Furuya declared they would win the day after tomorrow.
• Tojo and Kanemaru discussed Hongo's stamina and the challenge of facing a famous rival from their generation.
• Miyuki thought Seidou would have a chance to meet Hongo's team in the final if they both advanced, and Sawamura loudly vowed to claim back-to-back championships.
• Sendou said he would watch Yakushi play Ikuei the next day, and Miyuki admitted he felt nervous about the upcoming game against Kyoma.

After Kyoma crushed its opponent, Seidou watched the highlights and prepared for its upcoming Koshien matchup. On the seventh day, Sendou went to watch the games and saw Yamamori advance, setting up a possible noisy quarterfinal against Yakushi.

• Kyoma defeated its opponent 11–0, with Maki striking out twelve batters in five innings, including seven in a row.
• Seidou’s players discussed Kyoma’s balanced lineup and difficult offense before heading to practice.
• Sendou, Rei-chan, Watanabe-senpai, and Senior Sachiko went to Koshien to watch the seventh day’s games, while Mishima hoped to impress Sendou in Yakushi’s game.
• Sendou became entertained by Yamamori’s Godfoot Brothers and their teammates shouting together whenever they recorded an out.
• Yamamori defeated Sarashina 5–1 and advanced to the quarterfinals, where it would face the winner of Yakushi versus Ikuei.

Sendou secretly watched Yakushi and Hakuryuu win their games, then was recognized by reporters and interviewed about the next day’s match against Kyoma. Afterward, he and Rei-chan shared a meal that turned into a pleasant date.

• Mishima prepared for Yakushi’s match after learning Sendou would watch, while Sanada motivated Raichi with the promise of extra food.
• Mishima held Ikuei to one run early, and Raichi hit a three-run home run as Yakushi built a commanding lead.
• Sanada took the mound in the sixth inning, and Yakushi defeated Ikuei seven to two.
• Sendou watched Hakuryuu beat Nanakumari Technical eleven to four, with Mima Ichiro recording his third triple.
• Rei-chan brought Mine Fujio and Owada Akiko to Sendou, who removed his disguise and calmly discussed the next day’s game against Kyoma.
• After the reporters left, Sendou accepted Rei-chan’s invitation to eat with her, and they enjoyed their time together.

On the eve of Seidou’s Koshien game against Kyoma, Furuya voiced his resolve to keep growing, and the team’s morale rose ahead of the pitching duel with Hongo Masamune. At Koshien the next day, Yoshinaga defeated Urashima Academy in a slugfest, and the packed stadium prepared for Seidou’s highly anticipated matchup with Kyoma.

• Sendou spent the evening with Rei-chan, while Seidou’s players watched a preview of the Seidou–Kyoma game and discussed Kyoma’s strengths.
• Furuya told his teammates he had grown by coming to Seidou and wanted to keep pitching so the team could play one more game, prompting Sendou to call for a game they would not regret.
• Coach Kataoka limited interview requests for Furuya and said Seidou should avoid outside distractions before facing Kyoma.
• Furuya answered a reporter’s question about his role model with “Polar bears,” while Sawamura showed resentment at being overlooked.
• Sendou watched Shiba Shin hit two consecutive home runs as Yoshinaga High School beat Urashima Academy, then considered how Shiba would fare against White Dragon.
• The crowd filled the stadium as Seidou and Kyoma’s anticipated game approached.

Seidou and Kyoma Daifuji Maki began their highly anticipated Koshien showdown with both teams starting their aces. Hongo Masamune struck out Kuramochi with a devastating Fast Forkball and continued to dominate as Sendou prepared to face him.

• Spectators packed the stadium to watch Seidou face Kyoma Daifuji Maki, and both teams named their aces as starting pitchers.
• Coach Kataoka told Seidou's batters to be patient with Hongo Masamune's low pitches and warned Sendou that Kyoma might walk him if he adjusted.
• Kuramochi opened Seidou's first inning and watched Hongo throw a 150-kilometer-per-hour inside fastball followed by a pitch on the outside edge.
• Kuramochi swung at Hongo's Fast Forkball and struck out, leaving Seidou's dugout and the crowd stunned by the pitcher's velocity.
• Hongo struck out another Seidou batter with a Fast Forkball while Sendou and Miyuki discussed his competitive spirit.

Hongo Masamune struck out Seidou’s first three batters, while Furuya struggled with his control and Kyoma Daifuji Maki scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Sawamura rallied Seidou, insisting the game had only begun.

• Hongo Masamune struck out Tojo and Kominato after overwhelming them with fastballs, completing three straight strikeouts to open the game.
• Miyuki prepared Seidou’s defense, and Furuya took the mound to face Kyoma Daifuji Maki’s lineup.
• Aku hit Furuya’s first pitch for a single, and Nishi followed with a hit-and-run that put runners on first and second.
• Furuya walked Taninaka to load the bases with no outs, so Miyuki urged him to stay calm, keep his pitches low, and rely more on changeups.
• After Aoyagi struck out, Enjo hit a two-run single, and Kyoma scored a third run when Seidou hesitated on the return throw.
• Sawamura shouted that the game was only in its first inning and urged Seidou not to give up.

Seidou survived Kyoma’s early offensive pressure through Furuya’s steadier pitching and a daring outfield catch, but Hongo shut down Seidou’s batters and protected Kyoma’s three-run lead. As the fifth inning began, Sendou prepared for his second confrontation with Hongo, determined to get Seidou’s first hit and start a rally.

• Sawamura rallied Seidou after Kyoma’s sacrifice bunt, and Sendou caught Hanyu’s deep hit to end the inning with the score still 3–0.
• Sendou struck out against Hongo in three pitches, and Hongo went on to retire Miyuki and Furuya as well.
• Furuya settled down, while Seidou’s defense stopped Kyoma’s Hit and Run with a double play and Kanemaru caught a sharp hit to end the fourth inning.
• Sendou asked to coach first base, then returned to the lineup as Seidou entered the fifth without a hit or baserunner against Hongo.
• Miyuki urged Seidou to get on base, and Sendou went to face Hongo again, resolved to create an opportunity.

Sendou broke Hongo Masamune’s no-hit game and Koshien scoreless record with a home run, giving Seidou a run and igniting the team. Hongo turned his fury toward the batters as Miyuki prepared to continue the attack.

• Inajitsu’s Narumiya Mei arrived with first-year Akamatsu Shinji and watched Sendou’s at-bat against Hongo Masamune.
• Sendou fouled off Hongo’s 151-kilometer fastball, then let a high inside pitch go and forced Enjou to rethink the battery’s approach.
• Sendou read Enjou’s choice of a high inside Slider and drove it to left-center for a home run, ending Seidou’s no-hit game and Hongo’s scoreless record at Koshien.
• Seidou’s players and Coach Kataoka celebrated Sendou’s home run, while Narumiya Mei cheered from Inajitsu’s meeting room.
• Miyuki vowed to take advantage of the opening, but Hongo glared at him as Sendou welcomed the challenge.

Sendou’s home run briefly fueled Seidou’s comeback hopes, but Hongo struck out Miyuki, Furuya, and Kanemaru before Furuya answered with three strikeouts of his own. In the seventh, Kominato was thrown out on a sharp defensive play, leaving Seidou struggling to find another hit as the pitchers’ duel continued.

• Sendou returned to the bench after his home run, and Coach Kataoka thanked him as Seidou prepared to bat again.
• Hongo and Enjou regrouped, then Hongo struck out Miyuki with an inside fastball and a fast forkball before retiring him on a curveball.
• Furuya faced Hongo for the first time, swung through a 150-kilometer-per-hour pitch, and was struck out; Hongo then struck out Kanemaru as well.
• Furuya answered by recording three consecutive strikeouts, while he and Sawamura bickered in the dugout before Seidou’s next turn at bat.
• Kominato hit a ball between first and second in the seventh, but Nishi Hideo made the play and Seidou’s third batter was put out.

Sendou hit a triple off Hongo, then stopped at third to give Seidou a chance to score safely; Miyuki brought him home, but Hongo struck out Furuya and later got out at the plate as Kyoma kept its one-run lead. The chapter ended with Seidou preparing for its next offensive opportunity.

• Sendou fouled off Hongo's pitches, then drove an outside fastball to the right-field wall for a triple before stopping at third instead of risking an inside-the-park home run.
• Miyuki hit Hongo's first-pitch fastball to bring Sendou home and narrow Kyoma's lead to one run.
• Nishi Hideo fielded Furuya's ground ball, and Hongo struck out the next batter to end Seidou's rally.
• Furuya struck out Hongo with a 153-kilometer-per-hour fastball, then Sendou caught Hongo's next hit for an out.

Seidou and Kyoma traded scoreless innings as Furuya struck out Kyoma’s batters in overwhelming fashion, preserving the one-run deficit. With Seidou’s final offensive chance coming in the ninth, Coach Kataoka urged the lineup to get runners on before Sendou bats.

• Furuya retired Hongo and struck out two more Kyoma batters, keeping Seidou’s one-run deficit intact.
• Kanemaru followed Sendou’s advice to expect a first-pitch fastball but hit it to Sai for an out, and pinch hitter Maezono also flew out.
• Hongo struck out Kuramochi to end Seidou’s eighth-inning attack after only four pitches.
• Sawamura asked to pitch again, and Sendou promised to get a hit and put him back on the mound.
• Furuya struck out all three Kyoma batters in the bottom of the eighth, reaching thirteen strikeouts and preserving the score.
• Coach Kataoka told Seidou to get runners on before Sendou in the ninth and target Kyoma’s fastballs.

Seidou entered the top of the ninth down one run, and Hongo Masamune retired Tojo and Kominato Haruichi to put two outs on the board. Sendou walked to the batter’s box amid the stadium’s loudest cheers, with Seidou’s last chance to catch up resting on him.

• Hongo struck out Tojo with a Fast Forkball.
• Kominato Haruichi fought through a two-strike count but grounded out, leaving Seidou with two outs.
• Sawamura and Kuramochi urged Sendou to keep leading the team, and Sendou said he would hit.
• Seidou’s bench and the spectators sang Sendou’s cheering song as he stepped into the batter’s box.

Haruichi and the team encouraged Sendou to take risks in his final at-bat against Hongo Masamune, while both sides tried to outmaneuver each other. After fouling off two pitches and taking a ball, Sendou adjusted his approach and drove a hit down the left-field line.

• Coach Ochiai explained that Kyoma would pitch outside Sendou’s home-run range and walk him if the count turned against them.
• Coach Kataoka gave Sendou freedom to do whatever he wanted, and Sawamura and the dugout shouted their support.
• Sendou fouled off Hongo Masamune’s first two pitches, and Enjou called a timeout after realizing Sendou was trying to provoke Hongo.
• Hongo told Enjou he would avoid seeking a decisive victory against Sendou and save that confrontation for summer.
• Sendou took a ball, fouled another pitch, then relaxed his standards and hit the next pitch down the left-field line.

Sendou hit a fair line drive, then stole third while Kyoma pitched around Miyuki, giving Seidou a chance to tie the score. Miyuki took first, and Furuya stepped into the box for the decisive matchup against Hongo.

• Sendou hit a line drive down the left-field line and reached second base.
• Kyoma threw Hongo's first three pitches outside the strike zone as it avoided challenging Miyuki with Sendou on second.
• Sendou stole third safely, putting Seidou within reach of tying the game.
• Kyoma intentionally walked Miyuki, and Coach Sasaki timed Sendou's steal at 2.8 seconds.
• Furuya came to bat with runners on first and third, setting up a showdown between the two teams' aces.
• The author added a personal note about a mouth sore and an unverified COVID-related rumor near home.

Kyoma Daifuji Maki High School defeated Seidou High School 3–2 in the second round of Spring Koshien after Hongo struck out Furuya to end the game. The teams bowed and their captains exchanged words, while commentators turned their attention to Seidou’s difficult West Tokyo summer bracket.

• Furuya fouled off Hongo’s pitches as Sendou waited on third base, hoping for a hit to keep Seidou alive.
• Hongo threw his final pitch, and Enjo caught it as Furuya struck out, ending the game.
• Kyoma’s players rushed the field to celebrate their 3–2 victory, while Sendou and Furuya joined their teammates for the postgame bow.
• Owada Akiko and Mine Fujio discussed the close pitching duel and the strength of West Tokyo’s summer tournament bracket.
• Miyuki and Nishi shook hands and praised each other’s aces and hitters.