"The last one!"
"Two outs! Two outs!!!"
The second round of Koshien — the match between Seidou High School and Arayashiki High School — was drawing to a close.
The scoreboard read 8–2.
Seidou led by six runs.
In the stands, the overwhelming sea of blue Seidou supporters erupted with anticipation.
Everyone was ready to witness Seidou claim their second victory at Koshien.
It was the top of the ninth inning.
Seidou was just one out away from victory.
The batter now stepping up for Arayashiki was their second hitter — a player known for his unyielding spirit.
His sharp, beastlike eyes locked on Yoshida at the mound.
This guy isn't Zhou Hao, he told himself. Our cleanup hitter and pinch-hitter managed to get hits off him. I can do it too!
Arayashiki had experience connecting with Yoshida's pitches — even scoring two runs in the eighth inning.
Now, with nothing left to lose, the second batter brimmed with fighting spirit.
Even though the game was beyond saving,
he wanted to show Arayashiki's pride — their unwillingness to yield.
Our batting might not be strong, he thought, but our spirit is among the best in the nation!
On the mound, Yoshida could feel that fiery resolve radiating toward him.
He narrowed his eyes — a dangerous glint flickered within them.
A battle of willpower, huh?
Then I'm sorry, but we don't lose to anyone in that.
He wound up and unleashed a pitch with full force.
Whoosh!
The white baseball screamed through the air.
Behind the plate, Miyuki tracked the ball and nodded slightly.
The control wavered a bit, but the velocity and late movement were right where they needed to be.
No problem.
Then—
Ping!
The batter connected.
The white baseball soared high into the sky.
For a moment, the entire stadium — over twenty thousand spectators — collectively held its breath.
Time seemed to freeze.
Then, as the ball descended in a gentle arc, Seidou's second baseman positioned himself under it.
Pop!
"Out!"
"Three outs! Game over!"
Seidou still had their turn to bat in the bottom of the ninth, but of course, it wasn't necessary.
"In the second round of Koshien, after nine innings of intense battle,
Seidou High School defeats Arayashiki High School by a final score of 8–2!"
At that moment, the Seidou stands exploded in celebration.
"We won!"
"A perfect game, a perfect score!"
"Top 16! Top 16!"
In the first-round draw, Seidou hadn't been given a bye — they had to play one extra game compared to some teams.
But that made their two consecutive wins all the more satisfying.
They had successfully advanced to the Koshien Top 16!
It wasn't an especially flashy achievement on paper,
but considering that West Tokyo was one of the toughest regions in the nation,
simply qualifying for Koshien already meant facing immense expectations.
Failing to perform here would have brought shame to their entire district.
But now — they had met those expectations head-on.
Seidou's players and fans could finally breathe easy.
They had upheld their honor.
From here on, they had only one goal left:
to keep winning — and conquer the nation.
In the stands, Seidou's Principal and Head of Academics looked more like overjoyed children than administrators.
Their faces were flushed with excitement as they waved their cheering props enthusiastically.
"Seidou!"
"Seidou!!!"
Joining their chants were the second-string and third-string players,
and the countless supporters filling the stands.
"Seidou!"
"Seidou!!!"
Amid the thunderous cheers, few noticed the scattered discussions between reporters.
Fujio, a veteran journalist from Baseball Kingdom Magazine, stood up and stretched.
Today's match had been too easy for Seidou.
Their ace, Zhou Hao, hadn't even needed to take the mound.
That alone spoke volumes about their current strength.
Seidou was no longer the "unlucky powerhouse" who had failed to reach Koshien in previous years.
They were now the giant-slayer who defeated Osaka Kiryu High School —
the dark horse turned top contender.
The players themselves were overflowing with emotion.
Even though they had already realized, during the Osaka Kiryu match, that their level was among the nation's best,
that victory had been so intense and nerve-racking that it left a shadow on many of their hearts.
But today was different.
Against Arayashiki — a capable and defensive opponent —
Seidou dominated completely, even without Zhou Hao pitching.
It was a statement.
A clear declaration of strength.
"We are the strongest!"
"Our next goal is to dominate the nation!"
Takashima Rei stood silently in the stands, watching her players celebrate below.
A proud smile appeared on her face.
Seidou's advancement to the Koshien Top 16 was more than just another win —
it was proof that this team had evolved.
However, she knew better than anyone —
from this point on, the real battle would begin.
The opponents waiting ahead…
would only grow stronger.