[based on translations by narwhaltortellini and Levi (leviosa8) on the LJ Oofuri community]

SUMMARY:

At home, Abe listens to the baseball news on TV. His mother asks what he would like for lunch, and all he will tell her is that he wants meat. The TV mentions that Musashino Dai Ichi will be competing to get into the best 8 today, and Abe notes that before this year Musashino was an unremarkable team. He admits their improvement must be due to Haruna and becomes very frustrated. It makes him want to recover even faster!

(Throughout the chapter we see details of what they do in a full day of training, from morning to evening. Including a nap after lunch, an hour of study, the little break in the afternoon and the stop at the convenience stop before going home.)

It is July 24th, and the team goes about their morning practice schedule. Hamada arrives at 2PM (Kaji and Ume are late). Tajima teases Hanai for addressing Hamada with “san” (more formal than the way the rest of them speak to him. Hanai asks Hamada if his part time job is okay with him coming like this, and he says they will be until the 29th. Hanai notes that is when the finals are and thanks Hamada earnestly for cheering for them.(Hamada probably planned his work hours in case the team made the finals.) Hanai tells him they might not have won against Tosei without them, and Hamada is embarrassed.

Hamada notes that nobody seems to be down about the loss. He asks about Abe, and Hanai explains he won't make it to the newcomer's and the fall tournament is questionable too, but he's coming to camp and word is he seems okay. Hamada figures the coach is worried about not having Abe for the fall tournament, but Hanai says that Tajima should be able to manage.

Hamada points out that being both clean-up and catcher will be very hard. Hanai looks as if this had not occurred to him. Hamada adds that with Nishihiro their offense will be even weaker, and if Tajima's offensive power drops, the team will have a tough time. He finishes, however, noting that the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide, so maybe Tajima can pull through.

Momokan calls the team together. They need another new catcher while Abe is gone. After sending Tajima and Mihashi off to play catch, she teaches the rest of the team some catcher basics to see who takes to it best. She describes basic posture, the proper way to throw to second to prevent steals and the importance off shaving off as much time as possible from the throwing action, and about how to catch a foul fly. As Hanai continues to think on how hard it must be for Tajima to do all this and be clean-up at the same time, he puts in more effort than most, trying to do the catcher exercises well.

As Tajima and Mihashi finish up, Tajima asks Mihashi who he thinks will be the best catcher. Mihashi responds "Tajima." Tajima says that aside from him, and Mihashi can't respond. Tajima becomes very serious and tells Mihashi that Abe is not going to make it for newcomer's and probably won't make it for fall either. Mihashi looks kind of... blank. Tajima then tells him that it's not just about him playing baseball with Abe. Mihashi reflects on how it's not just Abe and him. He will throw. To Abe, to Tajima or to... somebody else...

Tajima switches tactics and points out that if they win the newcomer's tournament they will be seeded for fall, and in that case won't have to play very strong teams till later in the tournament. That way, Abe may have time to recover before they have a tough game, though they should watch out since the newcomer's tournament is not seeded and they may run into a strong team at any time. When Mihashi becomes excited at the prospect, Taima then points out that if he wants that to happen, he is going to have to try his best to pitch with Tajima now. Mihashi is slightly taken aback, but agrees without hesitation.

At home, Abe watches the sports news and hears that Musashino won their game and entered the best 8. As he slumps onto his desk, his mother comes in to ask what he wants for dinner, to which he again replies meat. His mother goes out, a little frustrated, but also somewhat thankful for his lack of preferences, and thinking about what else Abe needs in the way of vitamins and minerals.

As Hamada helps the rest of the team do the knock, Momokan talks to Hanai. She thinks he took the catcher practice most seriously, asks him to take the position, and he accepts. Momokan figures now Hanai can just practice catching while in the bullpen instead of pitching. Hanai asks if Tajima will still be the starting catcher while Abe is gone. Momokan says she hasn't decided and asks the reason for Hanai's question. Hanai describes his concerns about both positions being too much for Tajima. He tells Momokan that to relieve some of the burden he could be catcher instead. Momokan tells Hanai that she had also been thinking about the problem of having Tajima do both jobs, but her conclusion was different than Hanai's. Momokan explains sternly that she expected Hanai to offer to take over the clean-up position rather than the catcher position. As Hanai stands speechless, Momokan asks him as captain not to leave Tajima all alone. Then she tells him to change for catcher practice.

Momokan confesses even she is surprised about the invincibility vibe that Tajima gives, and how Hanai finds it natural to put himself below Tajima, which can't be helped at this stage. But she would also like for them to realize that they are only 15-16 years old, that they don't know what will happen from now on, how they all will change. She goes on to think of team formations... Even with all the difficulties, compared to the past, this feels like a dream to her.

The team finishes afternoon practice: practicing the bunt shift, running bases, taking a break, doing practice swings, jumping rope, etc. After practice the boys stop by a convenience store to get something to eat. They gobble down their food and immediately become exhausted and sleepy. Tajima offers everyone smoked squid to chew on the way home so they don't fall asleep riding their bikes.

Mihashi comes home while his mother is cooking dinner and once again falls asleep in the doorway. His father is shocked to find him there when he gets home. His parents comment on how it was like that around April. Mihashi's dad admits he was rather worried when it happened before, though both seem amused and somewhat pleased now.

The team continues to train, and two days pass.

Abe sleepily walks down the stairs without crutches. His mother asks how he is planning to get to the doctor's later, and he explains he should be able to borrow someone's bike. His mother asks if he has been getting bigger, and sure enough when he gets on the scale he sees he has gained 4 kilos (a little under 9 pounds). He thinks he does feel a little taller, too.

Abe's mother drives him to school to get ready for camp. Everyone is elated to see Abe, but he sourly points out that though they act so happy to see him, no one bothered to message him the whole time he was gone. As they make excuses, Abe explains he was joking. Mihashi sees Abe and notes happily that he isn't using crutches.

Abe and his mom talk to Momokan, thanking her for taking care of him. Abe's mom goes off to join the other moms (looks like Izumi, Oki, Hanai) and Abe explains that he can walk on his leg now and will start stretches tomorrow. Momokan asks if he is seeing the doctor today, and he says he is. Momokan calls Mihashi over. Mihashi is extremely startled to hear himself called. Abe watches with great irritation at Mihashi's jumpiness, and Momokan observes that while the two don't exactly get along badly...

When Mihashi comes over, Momokan explains to him that Abe will have to ride a bike to the doctors, but will have trouble riding uphill in his condition. Momokan asks Mihashi to go along with him and push the bike on the slopes. Abe wonders why, as he thinks he can do it himself.

Momokan also says that while the parents will be making lunch and dinner for them, the team is on their own for breakfast. She asks that Abe and Mihashi make breakfast for everyone during camp. Before Mihashi can agree to do it, Abe quickly stops him from speaking to say that he can cook breakfast himself as he will have more time and energy as he is unable to practice. Momokan says no, and that they must both do it. Abe asks why, and she says she thinks he'll understand if he does it, and that she just wants them to work together for a little while. Abe agrees to do it looking very disgruntled (and Mihashi very bewildered).