Time flew by.
Only one day remained before the final of the West Tokyo Summer Qualifiers.
At the Clover Café—
"Oh my, this is so exciting!" Tsukishima Seiji exclaimed, practically glued to the TV.
"They'll be broadcasting it, right? This is the final of the West Tokyo tournament! I never imagined Kou's team would make it this far."
His tone carried both excitement and concern.
"They're going up against last year's champions—Inashiro Industrial High School. Will they really be okay?"
"What are you saying?" Azuma Junpei chuckled.
"That's exactly what makes it worth watching."
"Ichiyo, are you going to Jingu Stadium with Wakaba, Aoba, and Momiji to cheer for Kou?" Kitamura's dad asked.
"Yes," Ichiyo replied gently. "A very kind gentleman offered to drive us there."
"Oh? Then your two uncles are going too?" Azuma asked.
"We'll just watch at home," Tsukishima's father said casually.
"Cold beer, good seats—perfect."
"Yeah," Kitamura's dad nodded. "No need for us to go and… affect them."
"That's right, that's right," Tsukishima's father quickly agreed.
"Huh?" Azuma blinked, confused. "Affect them? How?"
He turned to Ichiyo for an explanation.
"That's because…" Ichiyo smiled slightly.
"If they go to the stadium to cheer… the team they support always loses."
"…Ah."
Azuma immediately understood.
To avoid further embarrassment, the two fathers quietly turned away, pretending they hadn't heard anything, and calmly sipped their coffee by the window.
…
At Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium—
The Yakushi High School team stepped off the bus one by one.
There was still over an hour before the game, yet the stadium was already filling up with spectators.
The moment some fans recognized them—
Cheers erupted.
"Look! It's Yakushi High!"
"They really made it this far!"
"Beating two powerhouse schools in a row… you can feel the pressure just standing near them!"
"Is that Todoroki Raichi? He looks so different off the field!"
"Ahhh! That's Kitamura Kou, right?! He's even more handsome up close!"
"Who's the girl next to him? The manager? She's so cute!"
"Go Yakushi! You can do it!"
"Don't choke at the last moment!"
"Yakushi! Yakushi! Yakushi!!!"
The unified chant echoed throughout the stadium.
Yakushi was no longer an unknown underdog.
With their consecutive victories, they had earned recognition—
And a growing fanbase.
Some of the players couldn't help but feel excited, as if they had already become national stars.
Then—
Another bus arrived.
Not far from them.
It was Inashiro Industrial High School.
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
The cheers grew even louder—overwhelming Yakushi's earlier momentum.
"Damn it… they stole the spotlight the moment they showed up," Nakanishi muttered, half annoyed, half envious.
"That's normal," Kitamura Kou replied calmly.
"You'll have to get used to it."
He looked toward Inashiro's group.
"…But that's what makes beating them worthwhile."
"Heh… I really want to see that arrogant 'Tokyo Prince' crying after we beat him," Nakanishi grinned darkly.
"It seems you've been influenced by Coach Todoroki," Akaishi Osamu said from behind him.
"You're starting to sound more like him than Raichi."
At that moment—
Narumiya Mei glanced over.
He lifted his chin slightly.
A faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.
A silent provocation.
Then—
He turned away.
As if Yakushi wasn't even worth his attention.
"…Tch."
Yakushi's players bristled instantly.
"Kou! You have to crush that guy!" Nakanishi shouted.
"I want to play too, damn it!"
"If you don't lose some weight first," Akaishi smirked, "that day might never come."
Narumiya's attitude had completely ignited Yakushi's fighting spirit.
Their eyes sharpened.
Their presence intensified.
They couldn't wait—
For the match to begin.
The stadium was now packed.
Some spectators had no choice but to stand, while others came prepared with stools.
Among them were many familiar faces—
Players from teams that had already been eliminated.
Including Seido High School.
Both finalists were incredibly strong.
Both had defeated them.
Now, in the final match—
They would surely reveal everything.
Every weapon.
Every trump card.
For future rivals—
This was a golden opportunity to gather information.
"The final of the West Tokyo Tournament will begin at 1 PM!"
"Please remember to stay hydrated and take precautions against heatstroke!"
"Yakushi will bat first. Inashiro will take the field."
"I hope both teams deliver a performance worthy of a championship final!"
"Understood!"
The coaches and captains stepped forward.
They shook hands.
The atmosphere tightened.
The crowd held its breath.
The ultimate battle—
Was about to begin.