[based translation by narwhaltortellini]

SUMMARY

With Bijou at two outs, Takeshi comes up to bat. Tajima notes he's serious despite the six point lead. Takeshi has yet to hit the fastball, so Tajima decides to center their attack around that. Takeshi notes Tajima is not a last minute catcher, so he has probably studied his data and knows Takeshi likes the inside corner, and wonders if that means he should expect strikes to be on the outside. Mihashi pitches a strike fastball on the inside, and Takeshi fails to swing.

Tajima then requests a curve ball, but Mihashi thinks that after watching a fastball he would be able to hit the curve ball, and he shakes his head. Tajima sees and signs for a fastball diagonal to the last. At this point, Mihashi realizes he just shook his head and becomes fearful, but then notices that Tajima simply gave the next sign as usual. He pitches a diagonal strike, but the placement is so close to the edge that Takeshi mistakes it for a ball and once again fails to swing, making the count 2-0.

Mihashi continues to marvel upon how Tajima gave him another sign so normally after he shook his head. He notes that Tajima has many plans he can try. He remembers how he always nodded without a second thought, and wonders if he had ever tried to shake his head, perhaps Abe would have simply given him the next sign as well.

Takeshi notes that a catcher following usual tactical patterns would try to fool him with a ball next, but he is not sure Tajima has been a catcher long enough to know about these tactics. Mihashi pitches a curveball ball, and Takeshi manages not to swing. Takeshi figures the next pitch should be a strike, and resolves to hit it. He reminds himself he needs to run this time.

Tajima wants to use the fast fastball, but Mihashi shakes his head since he thinks it will likely turn into a ball. Tajima suggests a curveball like in the last pitch. Mihashi notes that if Tajima is unsure what pitch to choose, having the option to shake his head is sort of like being able to consult with Tajima and help him decide. He realizes shaking his head is a normal part of his duty as a pitcher, and that by not doing so before he was putting all the responsibility on Abe.

Mihashi pitches another curveball strike on the edge of the zone. Takeshi starts to swing but stops thinking the ball is about to go out. The umpire calls the pitch a strike, and Takeshi's at bat ends without him swinging at a single pitch. He is disheartened for a moment, but reminds himself he still has defense to take care of.

In the dugout, Mihashi comes up to Abe to admit he was hit. Abe reminds Mihashi the match isn't over yet, so he should not take it easy yet. As Mihashi leaves, he thinks to himself that he and Abe have a lot they need to talk about, because a relationship built of nothing but fear and respect is not what makes a battery.

In the Bijou dugout, Takii tells a teammate named Shuuhei to replace Takenouchi in left field. His teammates joke that Takeshi should get the batters to hit to left so that Shuuhei can finally touch the ball. Takii is angered by their jokes, and reminds them that the match is not over yet. He wants to end the ninth inning with no hits so that Bijou can take that momentum to the next match.

In the Nishiura dugout, the team hears the announcement that Bijou's first pitcher, Takenouchi, will be coming back to pitch. Momokan explains this is because Nishiura did well batting in the last inning and they don't want to use the same pitcher again. She says this is lucky for Nishiura, since they have some experience with this pitcher before and all have a chance to hit. In the stands, Hamada points out to the audience that Nishiura is still in high spirits, so they should be as well.

Coming up to bat at the bottom of the ninth inning, Suyama notes that six points in one inning has happened often enough in high school baseball. He remembers that he's had two successful bunts, so he should have a feel for the pitches by now. He figures Bijou will try to get a strike off him the first pitch, and predicts they will pitch him a fastball. Suyama swings and hits to the front of center field, making it on base.

In the stands, Kazuki tries to ask Roka why Bijou isn't using their third pitcher, but Roka seems to be giving him a (very aggravated) silent treatment. Kazuki notes Roka is up to something and that he will likely continue to do whatever it is he is doing in future games.

On the field, Tajima comes up to bat. He is glad to get another chance at an at bat with Takenouchi and resolves to clear his mind. He remembers how he whiffed three times in the third inning with runners on first and third. He remembers that the pitches were good and he'd like to try them again, but enthusiastically thinks that really any pitch is good, because he can hit anything.