"Strikeout!"
Smack!
"Out! Side retired—change!"
"That was incredible! Narumiya's performance was outstanding! Even after throwing over 130 pitches across eight innings, already gasping for air, he still held the line against Yakushi's lower order. He kept the deficit from widening and preserved their final chance! Now, can Inashiro rewrite the score in this last half-inning?!"
Inashiro Industrial High School – Dugout
"We don't need two runs—one is enough."
Coach Kunitomo's expression remained calm, as if nothing could shake him.
"As long as we push it to extra innings, victory will be ours."
His sharp gaze swept across his players.
"They're not professionals. They're not monsters from the majors. They're just high school students—just like you."
He raised a finger.
"And on that field right now, there are five first-years. Inexperience means openings—plenty of them."
His tone hardened.
"Don't try to end it with one swing. Choke up on the bat. Make contact. Push everything toward third base."
A brief pause.
"Do you understand?"
"YES!!"
The Inashiro players roared in unison.
Yakushi High School – Dugout
Todoroki Raizo looked toward Kitamura Kou, whose face was hidden beneath a towel.
"Kitamura, how are you holding up? You know how tough they are. Three outs left—they won't give up easily. Stay sharp."
From beneath the towel came a steady voice:
"I understand, Coach. I won't underestimate a single batter."
Raizo nodded, then turned.
"My only concern on defense is Raiichi. They're targeting him."
He looked at Nakanishi Daiki.
"You're warmed up. You'll take over at third this inning."
Then, louder:
"Listen up—there's no extra innings. We finish this here. No distractions. No unnecessary thoughts."
A grin tugged at his lips.
"Just like I always say—enjoy this game to the fullest."
"YES!!"
Kitamura walked over to Sanada Shunpei.
"Sanada-senpai, why not head out and warm up? Put some pressure on them."
Sanada chuckled.
"You're a crafty one, Kou."
He stretched his shoulders.
"Fine. I'll get moving—wouldn't want to end up being carried to Koshien by you."
Nakanishi stepped beside Kitamura, smiling.
"Kou… we finally get to play together on the field."
Akaishi's voice came from behind.
"Yeah. That's what happens when you're the coach's favorite, huh?"
Kitamura extended his hand.
"The three of us… fighting together for Koshien."
Akaishi placed his hand on top.
"You only played half the game, but you did your part."
Nakanishi followed.
"For Kou's sake, I'll let it slide this time."
"Hahaha! What's this? Looks fun—I'm joining too!"
Todoroki Raichi suddenly shoved his hand into the pile.
"Hey! You didn't invite me!"
"Me too!"
One by one, the entire Yakushi team joined in.
"Go, Yakushi High!"
"Let's win this!!!"
With a final roar, the players sprinted onto the field.
"This summer, the defending champions—aiming for back-to-back titles—are showing incredible pride and determination! Now, in the bottom of the ninth, Inashiro Industrial begins their final counterattack!"
"The seventh batter, Hirai Tsubasa, steps up to the plate!"
"Will Inashiro defend their crown—or will Yakushi continue their miracle run and punch their ticket to Koshien for the first time?"
Boom!!
Thump!
"Strike two!"
Despite Hirai's efforts, Kitamura overpowered him with two straight fastballs.
Without hesitation—
Boom!!
The third pitch came flying in.
"Damn it! I won't let it end like this!!"
Hirai roared, swinging with everything he had, driving the ball toward third.
Ping!
The contact wasn't clean, but the ball trickled dangerously along the third-base line.
Nakanishi Daiki charged.
Despite his size, he moved like a battering ram, tearing across the field.
"Get through!!" Hirai shouted, sprinting for first.
The ball took a tricky hop—
—but this wasn't Raichi.
Nakanishi stepped in cleanly, smothered the bounce, and fired to first in one smooth motion.
Snap!
"Out!"
"Ahhh!!" Hirai didn't even look back, sprinting with everything he had—
—but it wasn't enough.
"One out!"
Only two outs remained.
"Eighth batter, left fielder—Fan!"
Hirata Shohei stepped in, pressing his body tight against the plate, eyes locked onto Kitamura.
"Come on, first-year… if you've got the guts, throw it inside."
Akiko Owada gasped.
"Look! Another Inashiro batter crowding the plate!"
Fujio Mine nodded in admiration.
"They're willing to risk being hit just to shut down the inside pitch… that takes real courage."
Momiji Tsukishima tilted her head.
"If they stand that close… they can't hit inside pitches, right?"
Beside her, Aoba Tsukishima's expression turned sharp.
"…They're trying to shake him."
"Huh? Shake him?"
Aoba's eyes narrowed, her voice steady.
"They're forcing hesitation."
Even as frustration flickered across her face, there was unmistakable respect in her tone.
"They'll take a walk. They'll take a hit-by-pitch. They'll do anything to get on base."
Her gaze locked onto the field.
"That's the obsession of champions."
"If Kou hesitates for even a moment…"
"They'll pounce—like sharks that smell blood."