Summary
The chapter opens in the bottom of the 6th inning with a score of 0-6. The first batter up, Masashi, is replaced by Yui, who is cheered on by his fellow first years (except Masashi). He hits the first pitch and sends it into the left field. Upon hearing his name, the audience wonders if it is THAT Yui Kaoru, who was the captain for the world tournament, that has joined Seidou. On the side, Sawamura is trying to convince Okumura to go back to the bullpen to help him warm up.
Ochiai comments to Katoaka that it looks like Yui understands his role well and in return performed accordingly. As a left-handed batter, he is an important asset to the team and it is good to provide him with more experience. Kanemaru (who did not want to lose to Yui) also follows up with a hit, as well as Haruichi, gaining two runs for Seidou, thus widening the score to 0-8 before the inning ended. At this point, Hachiya-ouji needs to score at least two runs in the next inning or the game will be called.
The audience comments that Furuya has pitched a no-no game so far, with 2 walks and 11 strikeouts. Kawabata is at bat, and comments to Miyuki that Furuya completely blew away all his team’s efforts made so far. Miyuki replies that today’s Furuya is special. Kawabata challenges Furuya by shouting that he won’t let things end here so let’s go!
Furuya pitches but Kawabata manages to foul it. The next pitch was a splitter which Kawabata did not swing at. Miyuki notes that Kawabata’s is very focused and he’s the only one on the team whose swing speed is different from the rest, even comparable to other national level batters. Hachiya-ouji players are cheering on their captain from the dugout, one visibly tearing up. As Kawabata focuses on the next pitch, he thinks to himself that he won’t let it end here… because he hasn’t given all he’s got yet.
The scene flashes back to Hachiya-ouji’s field where Kawabata is screaming in the rain. His father passed away right after he started high school due to a sudden illness. His father played baseball with him from young, and since junior high, brought him along to the batting center every day. Unable to accept things, and unable to bear the pain when doing nothing, he turned to swinging his bat until his hands would peel and bleed, in order to drown the pain and grief. It’s when he practices until he is wrung out that he does not feel the loneliness. Before he knew it, he became a starting member by the fall of his first year. Baseball became an escape for him, but the baseball that he started playing with his father also saved him. The person that he was then, made him who he is today.
Back to the present, Kawabata connects with the pitch, thinking to himself that he has yet to give his all yet, and scores the first hit for his team. The Hachiya-ouji dugout erupts with cheers and all the players now looked hyped to begin their comeback. Kawabata shouts to Kurose, the 4th batter, to continue the fight and show them everything he’s got to give. The audience comments that the mood sure changed after that one hit. Someone replies that it was expected, since the no-no streak has been broken. Hachiya-ouji really showed their persistence here.
Back on the field, Miyuki comments to himself that all the third-years in every team share the same feelings in this final summer for them, so the possibility to gain momentum from a single play is definitely there. As he watches Furuya, Sawamura says to himself, “Finish it here/now”. As everyone on the field prepares for the next pitch, Miyuki’s monologue continues: “So do not let your guard down. Completely dash away (lit. take away) their courage and hopes. Put your everything in (lit. your whole body and soul), and end things here.”
Originally serialized in Shuukan Shounen Magazine Issue #25, 2019.
All images are copyrighted by Terajima Yuuji / Kodansha.
Scoreboard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 計 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 八弥王子 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 青道 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
Thoughts
Okay, I’m feeling super sad for Kawabata, considering that we know Seidou will win this match no matter how the rest of the innings go.
Now that we’re at the heat of the summer tournament, I think we can expect a lot of emotional scenes like this because it will be the final game for all the third years so everyone’s ready to put everything at stake to win their games and keep playing for as long as they can. Just thinking about that and the upcoming Ichidai-san vs Yakushi sure makes me even sadder.
Back to this game, if Kurose (the 4th batter) hits a home run, it will be Hachiya’s biggest chance to not have the game end in this inning. Considering the narrative, I’m still leaning towards Seidou winning yet another called game, in order to establish the strength of the current Seidou team in preparation for their future matches with the other powerhouses.
Definitely can’t wait until next week’s chapter.