"Ah, just as expected… a boring match."
"Akikawa Academy, the so-called dark horse, still couldn't upset Seidou."
With a wide grin, Todoroki Raizo waved his hand energetically.
"Alright, boys—our turn to stir things up!"
"Ohhh!!" the Yakushi players roared in response.
The Next Game Begins
"The second match is about to begin—Ichidaisan High School vs. Yakushi High School."
"Ichidaisan High School, please begin your defensive practice. You will have seven minutes."
"YES!"
At the announcement, Ichidaisan's players rushed onto the field.
Their supporters erupted into cheers, filling the stadium with energy.
"Hit it clean!"
"Go, Ichidaisan!"
"Ota-senpai!"
"They're really popular," said Akiko Owada.
"They're a Top 8 team from the qualifiers," explained Fujio Mine.
"Although they underperformed in the Spring Tournament due to fatigue, they've clearly recovered."
"Their ace, Manaka, is also their cleanup hitter and team captain."
"They've got a strong core lineup—Hirakawa with speed at the top, powerful second-years in the middle, and a very stable center batting order."
He adjusted his glasses.
"On paper, their lineup is evenly matched with Seidou's."
Akiko nodded.
"Then Ichidaisan should advance this round."
"Most likely," Mine agreed. "The quarterfinals will probably be Seidou vs. Ichidaisan."
Seidou's Stand
Seidou's players had already taken their seats in the stands.
"Watch carefully," said Miyuki Kazuya, glancing at the two rookie pitchers.
"Ichidaisan's lineup is completely different from Akikawa's. They don't rely on just one player."
Sawamura leaned closer to Kominato Haruichi.
"Hey… are they really that strong?"
"Of course," Haruichi replied softly. "They're a representative team from the selection tournament. We even played against them in the Spring Tokyo Tournament."
"I was practicing back then, so I didn't watch…" Sawamura scratched his head. "What about Yakushi?"
A voice came from behind.
"They're extremely aggressive."
Takigawa Chris Yuu stepped forward, holding his notebook.
"They rarely use small-ball tactics. Instead, they rely on pure power hitting."
"They ended their first game in the seventh inning."
"Since their coaching change last spring, their strength has improved dramatically—especially their ability to score with runners in scoring position."
He paused.
"Still… Ichidaisan should have the overall advantage."
"Huh?" Sawamura tilted his head.
"How do you even read the name of Yakushi's fourth batter? 'Car… car… three cars… tricycle?'"
"It's Raichi," Haruichi corrected helplessly.
Following Sawamura's gaze, Chris frowned slightly.
"…That's strange."
"Their lineup is different from what I gathered."
Miyuki flipped through the roster.
"Mishima… Todoroki… Kitamura…"
"Their entire core lineup has changed."
"And these guys, Kitamuru, others they're all first-years."
"First-years?!" Sawamura's eyes widened.
Miyuki smirked.
"And their coach's name is Todoroki too."
Chris adjusted his glasses, clearly puzzled.
"They're putting first-years in key batting positions… against Ichidaisan?"
Yakushi Dugout
"Man… I'm so jealous of their cheering section," Maruyama sighed.
"Yeah! I want that kind of support too!" Mishima Yuta shouted.
Todoroki Raizo leaned back lazily.
"If you win this game, you'll get all of that."
He grinned.
"Of course… that's only if you go all out."
Mishima's eyes lit up.
"Hahaha! Just watch me crush them!"
Nearby, Nakanishi glanced nervously at Kou.
"Kou… are you nervous? It's your first official match and against Ichidaisan."
Kou opened his eyes lazily.
"I'm fine."
Then he smirked.
"You look more nervous than I am."
"My hands are shaking, okay?!" Nakanishi snapped. "That's normal!"
"Raichi! How long are you going to keep swinging?!" Onoda shouted.
In the corner, Todoroki Raichi was still taking full swings.
He finally stopped, breathing heavily.
"Today's pitcher… he pitched at Koshien, right?"
"He must be amazing!"
His eyes gleamed wildly.
"I'm getting excited… I'm shaking!"
"…Is he okay?" the others muttered.
Ichidaisan Dugout
"Look at Yakushi's lineup!"
"They replaced their entire core?"
"And four first-years are starting?"
The players laughed.
"Did they give up already?"
"They're just here for experience!"
"Let's crush them quickly!"
"Don't get careless," Coach Tahara said sternly.
"This is the summer tournament. It's single elimination."
"No team comes here to lose."
"Stay focused!"
"YES!"
Yakushi's Stands
Compared to Ichidaisan's packed cheering section, Yakushi's side looked almost empty.
The Tsukishima sisters sat together.
"Aoba… they have so many supporters," said Wakaba softly. "Kou and the others look kind of pitiful…"
"Well, obviously," Aoba replied bluntly. "Ichidaisan is a powerhouse."
"Yakushi is still basically unknown."
A gust of wind swept through, making their quiet section feel even lonelier.
"Kou! Do your best!"
Momiji cupped her hands and shouted.
Her voice wasn't loud—but it carried.
On the field, Kitamura Kou paused.
He turned toward the stands.
He saw them—
Momiji waving energetically,
Ichiyo watching with quiet encouragement,
Aoba pretending not to look,
and Wakaba smiling brightly.
Kou adjusted his cap.
Then he looked up—
And smiled.
Raising his hand, he flashed a peace sign.