Chapter 20

[based on translation by narwhaltortellini]

SUMMARY:

Roka dreams he is in a game tied in the bottom of the ninth, but that his legs won't move. He prays the ball will not be hit, but it is and it comes toward him.

Takii wakes him up because he is having a nightmare. The two discuss the fact they won't be changing their starting men. Takii says though he thought Naomasa was more suited to being catcher, Takeshi has been improving and he compliments Roka on his eye in picking him out. Takii says it's hard to believe just two years ago they were the same as their students. Roka wishes to himself that it could feel like a distant memory to him as well. Roka says he's going off to fix breakfast.

Roka goes to tell Takeshi that he'll be supporting him and that he will be starting again today. He reminds Takeshi to do his part as usual.

The Nishiura boys are outside the stadium where they will have their game later. They discuss where the games will be held in this half of the tournament. Mihashi notes that this stadium is different than the one where the opening ceremony was held, and Hanai explains that it is different, though if they win today they'll be going back to the stadium where the opening ceremony was held for their next game. Mihashi notices Hanai seems happy at the prospect, and thinks Hanai must particularly like the other stadium for some reason. He tries asking Hanai if he likes it because it is bigger or because it is where the opening ceremony is, but because of Mihashi's manner of speaking Hanai misunderstands his questions. The two are finally able to find a topic of common understanding and interest when Hanai mentions that the prefecture matches (all those after today) will be broadcasted on TV.

Sakaeguchi runs into Shou-chan, a friend from the Seniors. Shou talks about how amazing it is that Nishiura has made it so far with only ten members who are all first years and says even his own coach is checking them out. He starts wondering (along with other boys in the surrounding area who overheard the conversation) if he should perhaps try going over to Nishiura, as he would be more likely to be a regular. The two say goodbye, and Sakaeguchi wonders if Nishiura is becoming a little famous.

Hanai Mama and Suyama Mama watch their kids come out onto the stands. The two discuss how much closer the stadium is to them compared to others and how the next match will be on TV. Hanai Mama wonders if she should dress up for the occasion and Suayma Mama tells her she should be more concerned with her son getting on TV. Hanai Mama says she reserved a seat for the vice principal, and Suyama Mama says if the boys win today they'll be in the Saitama best 16.

Hanai asks Shinooka if there are any changes to the Bijou starting lineup, and there are none. She mentions that Bijou uses two or three relief pitchers in every game. Abe thinks such a strategy suggests desperation. The team discusses how Bijou changed coaches two years ago. The new coach is young and Bijou's reputation dropped for a while, but recently they've been doing better, making it into the best 16 that spring. Momokan is impressed the Bijou coach is doing so well at his young age (probably around 20). Tajima immediately asks how old Momokan is, and she says 23. Hanai finds the 7 year difference in their ages unsettling, but tells himself it's not important.

Abe considers what they'll have to look out for in the upcoming game, and thinks about talking to Mihashi about it. He remembers Mihashi asking about him quitting as catcher, sees him talking easily with Tajima, and decides not to.

Hanai Mama comes up to meet the vice principal and thanks him for coming. She introduces him to Hamada. The VP remembers Hamada as the student who was held back because of attendance issues, and though he notes that Hamada is doing fine in that area now, he is still wary of him. He meets Hamada, who enthusiastically greets him, shows him their cheers, and tells him to watch out for the heat. The VP is touched by the obvious good character of Hamada.

Hamada discusses with the cheering squad that the first game is over (Bijou won) and they should go inside. The cheerleaders embarrassedly take off their outer clothing, and everyone is excited to see that the team has real cheerleaders. The boys are a little embarrassed to look at them.

Takii and Roka watch Nishiura's game. They discuss how much they wanted Tajima, but that he would not respond to their recruiting techniques. Takii figures it is his fault, but says that if they are able to make it into the best 8 this tournament, things should go much better for them in the coming years. Both continue to watch and are impressed with Tajima's speed, though they wonder why Kounan was not ready for his bunt considering how often he had been doing them in previous games.

They begin to discuss the peculiar pitch of Mihashi's they heard about from the Tosei captain. (Briefly interrupted by yelling at the team to settle down and watch the game.) They note that Mihashi throws nothing but breaking balls, and Roka explains that the odd fastball is their deciding pitch so they save it for the end. They talk about Mihashi's perfect control.

Roka points out to Takii that he has never once seen Mihashi shake his head in any of the games they've watched. Takii says then all they have to do is plan to hit the slow breaking balls. They can study Abe's pitch calling, as since he is only one person, there are likely some predictable patterns in his calling. Mihashi's good control will make it all the more predictable. They have three games worth of data, which should be plenty.

Nishiura wins the game and start ground maintenance. Mihashi thinks to himself that they won again today, and Abe says the exact words out loud, surprising Mihashi. Mihashi thinks to himself that they won because of Abe. He tries to ask Abe if he'd ever think about leaving again, and Abe gets angry he is still asking. Mihashi says he asks because if Abe leaves he can't pitch anymore, and Abe, now understanding Mihashi's worries, reiterates to Mihashi that he will catch every game with him for the next three years. Mihashi says he understands.