Manga Chapter 47

[based translation by narwhaltortellini]

Roka ruminates on his past. Tosei Middle School's softball club wasn't particularly prestigious, but since the high school was famous for having made it to Koushien, many good players went to Tosei High, making it difficult for Tosei natives to play. Takii and Roka were the only ones in their middle school in the club in the end, but during their last tournament, Takii hurt his shoulder.

Stepping up to bat, Bijou's cleanup Wada thinks about how he did not do well in his last at bat and how he must do better this time to save face. Wada expects a ball first, but Mihashi shakes his head, confusing Wada and making him wonder if there will not be a ball after all. Wada swings and misses. He thinks the pitch was a ball on the outside. Mihashi doesn't shake his head on the next pitch, so Wada thinks the pitch calling will follow the usual pattern. Wada swings and misses at another ball on the outside. When Mihashi shakes his head again, Wada tries to think logically about what might come. When the pitch comes Wada notes it is not a shoot like the first two. He swings and misses for Bijou's third out. Wada thinks the last pitch may have been a fastball.

Coming into the dugout, Abe notes that Wada swung at all the pitches, but that it's still not enough information to know if Mihashi shaking his head will trip Bijou up. Mihashi thinks Abe's pitch calling is amazing. He gets complimented by Sakaeguchi and Oki on his pitching, and while he thinks everyone is very nice, he doesn't feel he deserves it.

Mihashi watches Abe talking to Momokan and wants to listen to what Abe is saying. He remembers that Abe got angry before, but wants to try to stand by him without being scared. As he walks up, Abe is explaining how the last at-bat went. When Abe mentions that he made Mihashi shake his head, Momokan asks about it. Abe explains they made a sign for it since Mihashi never shakes his head. Momokan is shocked, having figured Mihashi was so passionate about pitching that he must have had some opinion on what he got to pitch. Furious, she still decides to wait till after the game to talk to about it.

After the conversation, Abe notes that the reason Mihashi does not shake his head is because of what he said back when they met. He thinks to himself that saying that to a pitcher is indeed strange, thinking of Haruna. Abe thinks that even if he told Mihashi to start shaking his head, the way he is now he still would not. He compliments Mihashi on his pitching during the last at-bat, and Mihashi happily insists that it is because of Abe they did well. Hearing this, Abe assures himself that Mihashi is content with the way things are. Again, an image of himself saying hehates pitchers who shake their heads flashes through his mind, but Abe assures himself that there is no point in trying to take his words back now.

An announcement comes on that Bijou will be substituting in a new pitcher, Kashima (Takumi), and that the starting pitcher Takenouchi will be replacing the left fielder. Tajima and Momokan note that usually Takenouchi goes to the bench after he finishes pitching for a game, and wonder why he is being left in now.

Coming up to bat, Izumi notes that Bijou's second pitcher pitches 10kph faster than the first, which can make it very difficult to hit the ball. On the other hand, the pitcher has terrible control, the differences between his balls and strikes are obvious, and it takes him a while to get warmed up before he can pitch at his full speed. For the first pitch they throw a ball which Izumi watches go by. Next they throw a strike which Izumi fouls. Third they throw a ball which Izumi watches again.

With Izumi still up at bat, Takeshi notes how no matter how much they have Takumi warm up in the bull pen, he is always shaky starting out. He asks for a slider. Takumi is frustrated, as really it is better for him to just throw fastballs when he's warming up, and he still needs time. When he can barley make it in the zone while throwing fastballs, breaking balls will be almost impossible. Takumi tries to throw the slider, and it hits the ground, making the count 1-3. Takumi is frustrated that Naomasa, the former catcher, seemed to understood how he worked, but that Takeshi never seems to get it.

Though he is close to getting a walk, Izumi thinks to himself that he still intends to hit what he can, because he believes he can get a good hit through to the outfield. He does, and Izumi makes it on base. Mizutani comes up to congratulate him, and asks if he got himself tickled. Izumi explains that he is only nervous when he has to bat first on the team and does not need it after that. Izumi states they should still keep tickling Mizutani, though. Looking as if he feels he's been a bit made light of, Mizutani still admits that it is probably a good idea.

Takii thinks about the future matches. He notes that without a decent lead like they have now, they would usually be scared to use the pitcher Takumi. Takii would like to hold off on using the pitcher Yuu since he has a shoulder issue, though they still have the other pitcher Yoshito.

Sakaeguchi comes up to bat and makes a bunt on his first pitch, getting an out and advancing Izumi to second. Momokan is pleased with how dependable Sakaeguchi is. She notes that the pitcher Kashima usually lets by the first four or five batters and that they need to get runners on and bring in points as much as possible before he warms up, as after that it will be difficult.

Suyama comes up to bat. Takumi throws another ball. Takeshi is frustrated Takumi keeps throwing such powerful pitches but won't just tone down the power and give him a decent slider. He calls for a slider down the middle so that it will be easier. Takumi shakes his head, frustrating Takeshi further. When he does pitch, Suyama hits the ball to left field, making it on to first and advancing Izumi to third, still with only one out.

Tajima comes up to bat. Takeshi is frustrated all he can do is try to get Takumi to pitch the ball somewhere difficult to reach. Takumi figures it will be hard to stop them from scoring at least one point, and just writes off the at-bat as just more warm up time. Takeshi calls for a pitch low on the outside corner, but Tajima hits it between first and second. Izumi makes it home, making the score 5 to 3, with still only one with runners on first and third.

Takumi is frustrated, and from the outfield Naomasa, the former catcher, tries to say something encouraging, but it is difficult for them to communicate from the distance. He figures Takeshi will talk to Takumi instead, but Naomasa is surprised to find that he does not. Takeshi is busy ruminating on the fact that they now have only a two point lead.

Hanai comes up to bat. He notes that a sac fly will be fine, and that all they have to do is get as many points as possible before the pitcher warms up. He remembers Mihashi telling him that if he scored then Nishiura can win, but shakes off the pressure he feels and resolves to make the fourth point. He hits a sac fly on his first pitch, getting a second out, but bringing in the fourth point.

Takeshi thinks on how hard it clearly is for Takumi when he starts out pitching, and guiltily remembers how Takumi threw the first slider he asked for without even shaking his head. He goes to talk to Takumi, apologizing for not asking for a ball first on Hanai's at-bat. He says Takumi is probably going to be warmed up soon, and assures him that once he is no one will be able to make a hit off him, making Takumi feel better.

The Nishiura members give Hanai high fives as he runs by them into the dugout. Hanai comes up to Mihashi who looks incredibly nervous. He gives Mihashi a high five, once again irritated at Mihashi's ridiculously thrilled behavior at such a small thing. Mihashi thinks to himself that now that they have four points, there is no reason “for Abe to be blamed.”

Takumi throws a strike, noting his throwing feels much better. In the stands, Kazuki thinks to himself that the catcher must have given him a good talk since now he is throwing well, even after two runs were scored against him. He wonders what he would have said to a pitcher in the same position. He considers fondly how different pitchers he has worked with would have reacted and the different ways he would have dealt with each of them. After a pause (as Takumi throws another strike, making the third out and the start of ground maintenance), Kazuki thinks maybe he should go home, as being at the game stirs up sad memories that will just end up making him depressed.

As the sixth inning starts, Bijou's first batter hits and makes it on base. The next batter tries to bunt but pops up two fouls in a row. Then he changes his stance to make a hit. Considering Abe's usual pitch calling patters, he is surprised to see Mihashi shake his head, and wonders if that means that none of the usual patterns will apply now. Frustrated, he decides to just swing at what he gets. Swinging at a ball, he makes Bijou's first out. The rest of the Bijou batters that inning are quickly disposed of.

In the stands, Kazuki decides he will go home. Roka gets up before him, though, saying he is going to use the restroom. Kazuki is confused why Roka waited till then to go when he could have gone during ground maintenance. He notices Kurata looking up into the stands very concerned, and mentally “says” to him not to look so troubled as Roka is merely in the restroom and will be back soon. Kazuki figures he should wait till Roka gets back before he goes home.

Changing in the dugout, Abe thinks on how they were able to get Bijou out in three. He is a little surprised that Mihashi shaking his head trips up Bijou so much, but thinks it is only a matter of time before they realize what is going on. He tells Mihashi that the new pitcher Kashima's pitches can hurt you more seriously if they touch you, and that he should not consider a dead ball an acceptable way to get on base. Abe wonders to himself why they would use such a wild pitcher in a real match, and what they do if he ends up hitting the other team's pitcher.