The night before the finals, several lights were still on in the dormitory of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team.
Narumiya was yawning as he looked at the younger teammate across from him.
"Have you memorized all the data?"
"I've memorized everything!"
Tadano Itsuki nodded seriously.
For the upcoming game tomorrow, the players of Inashiro Industrial High School's baseball team had been enduring hardship for a full six months.
Now, everything was ready, and they were just waiting to crush their opponents on the field.
"Since you've memorized everything, go get some rest. Sleep well, don't let insomnia get to you!"
Narumiya nodded.
He still remembered this time last year, just before the game against Seidou High School's baseball team. Senior Yasu had anxiously given him guidance.
They were still discussing how to handle Seidou's batters and how to dominate the nation after defeating Seidou High.
But in the end, they lost that game.
Masa-san and the others had no choice but to retire with regret.
In the year since, whenever Narumiya thought about last year's match, the tears of frustration never stopped.
"I really am not strong enough. If Masa-san knew, he would probably be very angry!"
Thinking this, Narumiya suddenly smiled.
Time really flies, and a year has passed just like that.
Now, they were facing Seidou High's baseball team again.
This time, he was determined—he would not let any of Seidou's players get a hit off him.
"Tomorrow, it's up to you, Itsuki!"
When Narumiya addressed him so gently, Tadano Itsuki's heart almost stopped from shock.
In the year he had been partnered with Narumiya, all he had ever heard were complaints and roars.
When had he ever received such treatment?
Could it be that his senior was coming down with a fever? If something happened to Narumiya before such an important match against Seidou…
Then Inashiro Industrial would really be finished!
Although the new first-year pitcher Akamatsu had performed well, and Hirano's pitching was solid, if they were to face Seidou High's Ace, the terrifying Sawamura Eijun, in a pitching duel, Tadano Itsuki didn't even want to imagine the outcome.
The gap in skill was too wide.
The result would surely be one-sided—Seidou would annihilate them.
"Mei-san!"
Tadano looked at Narumiya with concern.
He really was afraid that Narumiya would suddenly develop some problem at this critical moment.
"What are you thinking, brat?!"
Narumiya, who had been trying to act cool, couldn't hold it anymore. He grabbed Tadano and ruffled his hair, messing it up.
"I'm sorry, Mei-san! Please forgive me!"
Although Tadano kept begging for mercy, his heart calmed down.
Mei-san was still the same Mei-san.
Nothing had changed.
After messing around for a while, Tadano prepared to leave.
Narumiya Mei watched his back, then suddenly spoke up.
"You've worked hard this year."
In an instant, Tadano Itsuki's eyes reddened.
It turned out that his efforts had been seen by his partner.
That's why, at this moment, he said, "You've worked hard."
Nothing could excite Tadano more than seeing his efforts recognized by this man before him.
"Mei-san!!"
Tadano turned around, his eyes filled with tears, looking at Narumiya.
"Stop with that disgusting face of yours and go to sleep!"
Narumiya, once again, decided not to waste time with his younger teammate.
Gentle affection, indeed, wasn't suited for him.
"Tomorrow's match? Just leave it to me. Don't stress, and I'll bring you the win."
With that, Narumiya returned to his usual self.
Tadano, who had been anxious, finally relaxed.
As long as Narumiya played to his usual strength...
Then, he was confident that they could go head-to-head with Seidou High.
In another room, the light was still on.
Several dozen video records and various notes piled up in the corner of the table…
It was clear that the room's occupant had spent a lot of time studying game footage and taking notes.
But now, all of that had been pushed aside.
Coach Kunitomo was playing Shogi with the President of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team.
"It's been a long time since I played Shogi with you, and it's at such a critical moment."
After holding a piece, the head of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team made the first move.
Coach Kunitomo, upon seeing the move, didn't rush to respond. Instead, he pondered deeply.
"Do you need this long to think?"
"Shogi, like baseball, is often decided by just one moment. Right now, I am looking for that moment."
His words left the President of the baseball team at a loss.
'Was he talking about Shogi or about tomorrow's game?'
"Have you found that critical moment for the match against Seidou?"
The President of the baseball team rubbed his bald forehead and asked curiously.
Coach Kunitomo didn't immediately respond, thinking for a moment before saying.
"Of course! If I hadn't found that decisive move, do you think I'd be wasting time playing Shogi?"
Hearing this, the President of the baseball team became excited.
"So, you mean tomorrow's match is already as good as won?"
"Not necessarily. It depends on whether this move works out and how the other side will respond!"
"If it succeeds, does that mean we'll definitely win tomorrow's match?"
"Let's just say our chances of winning are very high!"
"How high?"
"About 80%."
'80%!'
When the President of the baseball team heard these words, his eyes nearly popped out.
Their opponent was Seidou High, the most powerful baseball team in high school, often referred to as the King of high school baseball.
For Coach Kunitomo to say that with an 80% chance of winning, provided his strategy worked, was truly amazing!
"Then what exactly is this move?"
The President of the baseball team wanted to ask more.
But Coach Kunitomo clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation.
He picked up his piece with his index and middle fingers, then placed it heavily in the center of the board.
"Tengen!"
Seeing the move, the President of the baseball team was stunned.
'Tengen? But shouldn't that be a move in Go? Are we not playing Shogi here?'
'Did he get confused from watching too many of Seidou's records?'
'Are we really going to be okay tomorrow?'
The President quietly continued the game and kept the thought to himself.
The two exchanged moves, battling fiercely for several rounds.
In the end, the President of the baseball team, taking advantage of his first move, managed to capture several of Coach Kunitomo's stones during the middle game.
The Next Day.
At 9 AM, the Tokyo Meiji Jingu Stadium officially opened its gates.
As the gates swung open, crowds flooded in like waves of the sea.
The first match of the semifinals of the West Tokyo Regional Tournament.
The reigning champion Seidou High School Baseball Team was facing Inashiro Industrial High School, a traditional powerhouse and the strongest team in recent years.
The game was about to begin!
…