Time passed steadily as the Yakushi players continued their daily training routine.
Before anyone realized it, the day before the Spring Tokyo Tournament semifinals had arrived.
Compared with the Fall Tournament, which determines qualification for Spring Koshien, and the intense Summer West Tokyo Qualifiers that decide who advances to the legendary national stage—
the Spring Tokyo Tournament was generally considered less important.
Most teams treated it as an opportunity to test lineups, evaluate players, and adjust their form.
However, the semifinal matchup this year was anything but ordinary.
The two teams facing each other were both part of the Three Great Powers of West Tokyo:
Ichidai Sankou High School
Seido High School
Ichidai Sankou, together with Inashiro Industrial High School, had long dominated West Tokyo. These powerhouse schools frequently represented the region at Koshien.
Ichidai Sankou had even advanced to the Top 8 of Spring Koshien earlier that year.
Their pitching staff and batting lineup were both among the best in the country.
As for Seido—
Although they had failed to reach Koshien for five consecutive years, their batting lineup was still considered one of the strongest in Japan.
The only thing holding them back had been their lack of a truly dominant ace pitcher.
With these two teams about to clash, there was no way Kitamura Kou would miss the opportunity to watch the game in person.
As for Yakushi High School—
they had already been eliminated in the first round of the tournament, long before Kou and the other freshmen joined the team.
During a short break in practice, Kou approached Raizo Todoroki.
"Coach, tomorrow is the Spring Tokyo Tournament semifinal. I'd like permission to go watch the game."
Raizo scratched his head lazily.
"Oh? Ichidai Sankou versus Seido, right?"
"That's definitely an interesting matchup."
He waved his hand casually.
"Go if you want."
"It'll be a valuable experience."
"There are things you can't learn from video recordings."
"Go feel the atmosphere of a real stadium."
"Yes, Coach."
Kou nodded seriously.
"I want to evaluate the strength of potential opponents in advance."
"Even if neither team shows their full strength."
The next day.
Even before entering Meiji Jingu Stadium, Kou could already feel the intense atmosphere surrounding the venue.
Fans filled the entrance area.
The cheering had already begun.
"Go! Go! Seido!"
"Send Ichidai Sankou home today!"
"Pay them back a hundredfold for last autumn's defeat!"
On the other side, Ichidai supporters shouted just as loudly.
"Let's go, Ichidai Sankou!"
"Crush Seido!"
"Ace Manaka! Show them what you're made of!"
The stadium was nearly full.
The excitement in the air was almost tangible.
The game had not started yet, so Kou found an empty seat and quietly sat down.
The announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.
"The Spring Tokyo Tournament Semifinal between Seido High School and Ichidai Sankou High School is about to begin!"
"Last autumn, Seido suffered a narrow and painful defeat against Ichidai Sankou."
"Will they succeed in their revenge today?"
"Meanwhile, Ichidai Sankou recently reached the Top 8 of Spring Koshien."
"What kind of performance will these two powerhouse teams deliver today?"
"Fans, please stay tuned!"
Kou glanced toward both dugouts.
The Seido players had gathered in a tight circle.
Each player placed his right hand over his left chest.
Then they shouted in unison.
"WHO ARE WE?"
"THE KINGS—SEIDO!!!"
"WHO SHED THE MOST SWEAT?"
"SEIDO!!!"
"WHO SHED THE MOST TEARS?"
"SEIDO!!!"
"ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?!"
"OOOHHHH!!!"
"Carrying the honor of our school—"
"We have only one goal!"
"CONQUER THE NATION!"
"LET'S GO!!!"
"OOOOOOOOH!!!"
The powerful chant ignited the entire stadium.
Kou couldn't help smiling.
"What an intimidating atmosphere."
"They've already fired up the entire crowd."
The lineup announcement soon followed.
Seido High School Batting Order
Yoichi Kuramochi — Shortstop
Ryosuke Kominato — Second Base
Jun Isashiki — Center Field
Tetsuya Yuki — First Base
Toru Masuko — Third Base
Kazuya Miyuki — Catcher
Kenjiro Shirasu — Right Field
Ichiro Sakai — Left Field
Koichiro Tanba — Pitcher
"The game begins!"
"Seido High School will bat first!"
"Leading off—shortstop, Kuramochi Yoichi!"
Seido's offense came alive immediately in the first inning.
Kuramochi Yoichi reached base with a sharp infield hit.
Next, Ryosuke Kominato executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Kuramochi to second base.
Then Jun Isashiki smashed a solid single.
One out.
Runners on first and third.
Cleanup hitter Tetsuya Yuki stepped up.
CRACK!
He drove the ball deep into the outfield.
Kuramochi easily crossed home plate.
Seido scored the first run.
Although Masuko Toru struck out afterward, the pressure on Ichidai Sankou remained heavy.
Next up—
Seido's sixth batter.
Kazuya Miyuki.
The count quickly became two strikes and one ball.
Behind the plate, the Ichidai catcher considered his options.
"Two outside pitches already… the batter probably won't expect an inside attack."
"This is the perfect moment."
"End it with a high-speed inside slider."
He gave the signal.
On the mound stood Ichidai's ace—
Kaname Manaka.
Trusting his partner completely, Manaka delivered the pitch.
The ball exploded toward the plate.
Perfect speed.
Perfect spin.
Perfect location.
"This is it."
"The finishing pitch—"
CLANG!!!
Before the catcher could finish his thought—
Miyuki's bat had already connected.
Manaka stared in disbelief.
The ball soared high into the sky.
Then—
It cleared the fence.
"IT'S GONE!!!"
"A THREE-RUN HOMER IN THE FIRST INNING!!!"
The stadium erupted.
"Incredible!"
"That's Miyuki Kazuya!"
"He just blasted Manaka's inside slider out of the park!"
Miyuki jogged calmly around the bases.
"Hahaha… that felt good," he muttered softly.
As he returned to the dugout—
Kuramochi laughed.
"Hyahaha!"
"You predicted that pitch perfectly!"
"You even hit Manaka's finishing pitch!"
"Look at his face—he's turning into the Hulk!"
Miyuki shrugged.
"Just luck."
"It won't be that easy to hit next time."
Kuramochi immediately kicked him in the backside.
"Who hits a homer like that by accident?!"
"Stop pretending to be humble!"
From the dugout, Tesshin Kataoka watched calmly with folded arms.
"Good."
"After that swing, they won't dare throw sliders inside again."
"Set on his fastball from now on."
"Yes, Coach!"
The Seido players responded loudly.
Meanwhile, watching from the stands—
Kitamura Kou's eyes gleamed with interest.
"So that's Seido High School…"
"And Miyuki Kazuya."
"A catcher who can read a pitcher that accurately."
"This game might be far more interesting than I expected."