Kaguya glanced instinctively at Hayasaka Ai.
Just as she expected—Hayasaka's face was gloomy.
'He likes you? And he's yours? Shameless.'
Kaguya muttered inwardly, but then suddenly recalled the two times Takashi had confessed to her.
Suddenly, she felt that she had triumphed over Hitomi—and Hayasaka Ai as well. She felt a subtle sense of pride.
'He's yours for now.'
Shinomiya Gan'an glanced at Hitomi, then turned to look at Shinomiya Kaguya.
'But that might not always be the case.'
Whatever the Shinomiya family desires—even if they must lie, cheat, or steal—it will belong to them.
Takashi was no exception.
…
After being tossed into the air for over ten minutes, Takashi was finally allowed to come down.
His feet touching the ground gave him a rare sense of peace.
"Takashi!!!"
Hearing Narii's voice, Takashi looked up.
He saw her standing at the edge of the VIP box railing, jumping up and down, shouting his name.
Worried she might fall, his expression changed and he darted over to that section.
He intended to run over and tell her to step back.
Seeing Takashi running toward them, the fans in that section erupted in louder cheers.
If not for the barrier, they might've rushed the field.
As Takashi arrived, Narii raised her arms above her head and formed a big heart shape.
Takashi, who had been planning to scold her, was caught off guard. His expression softened, and he returned the gesture by forming a heart over his chest.
"Ahhh, Takashi!!"
The fangirls in that section thought Takashi had made the heart for them and screamed even louder.
At the same time, Eriri and Utaha happened to appear on either side of Narii.
The two of them stared at Takashi with calm eyes, no visible emotion—as if they were robots without feelings.
Takashi's brilliant smile instantly turned awkward when he saw them.
At that moment, he felt like a guy who just responded to his girlfriend's public affection—only to be caught by two ex-girlfriends at the same time.
"Takashi, what are you doing over here? Come on, the award ceremony is starting."
Luckily, Otani Shota ran over and dragged him excitedly toward the stage.
"Best bros forever!"
Otani Shota: "Huh?"
Bro, are you good?
…
The staff quickly tidied up the field and set up a temporary award platform at home plate.
The Kansai High School Brass Band Alliance returned, marching in orderly formation as they played Aoba Private's school anthem as background music.
Then both teams—Aoba and Advanced Nurturing—lined up once again.
After such a grueling match, both teams were covered in mud from head to toe.
Takashi had a jacket draped over his shoulders, his right arm completely wrapped in ice packs and slung across his chest again.
At this rate, that arm probably wouldn't be able to handle intense training for months.
Looking at Takashi's battered state, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka almost wanted to laugh.
He didn't really care about losing the game.
He'd only joined to fill a spot.
But not a single spectator laughed. On the contrary, the applause was deafening—clap! clap! clap!
Once both teams were lined up, the president of the Summer High School Baseball Championship, President Araki, made his first appearance.
Standing at the podium on home plate, he delivered a passionate speech, praising the courage and determination of all the players in the tournament—especially Takashi .
Thanks to him, online viewership of this year's Koshien hit record highs.
Countless people said this was a Koshien no one should have missed.
The roars, the passion, the tears, the emotion, the youth, the dreams, the comebacks, the fulfillment—this match embodied everything people hoped for from Koshien.
After his lengthy speech, the awards ceremony began.
The first to be presented was the Crimson-Blue Championship Flag, representing the highest honor at Koshien.
Usually the team captain receives it—but Katsuta Musashi didn't move. Instead, he looked at Takashi .
Not just him—everyone else looked at Takashi too. They all hoped he would accept it.
Takashi tilted his head and nudged Otani Shota with his elbow, lifting his arm slightly to indicate he couldn't hold the flag properly like this.
Otani pointed to himself. "Me?"
He hadn't expected Takashi to give him such a moment in the spotlight.
"Yes, you!"
"Hurry up, stop dawdling!"
Katsuta Musashi and Noda Yusei urged him on, and Momodani Kaname even kicked Otani Shota in the rear.
With Takashi injured, Otani was the only one who truly deserved to accept the flag.
Because if it weren't for Otani's injury, Takashi would've never joined the baseball team.
And if Takashi hadn't joined, they never would've become champions.
"Agh, how embarrassing…"
Otani said as much, but his steps were brisk as he made his way to the elderly, somewhat overweight President Araki.
"Congratulations, young man," President Araki said.
This year's ratings and online viewership were all thanks to Takashi .
Summer Koshien had seen a decline in influence over the years, but Takashi had done what even the legendary Kanaashi Agricultural High never accomplished.
Attention and engagement were at record highs. The president was personally thrilled.
Takashi was only a first-year student.
That meant two more years of guaranteed ratings.
Thinking about it made President Araki grin from ear to ear.
Otani bowed slightly in humility, then proudly carried the Crimson-Blue Flag back to the team.
Takashi studied the flag. Its main color was red, with a gold-tipped spear point—though probably just gold-plated.
The craftsmanship was somewhat rough, and the main body was completely covered in colorful ribbons—each one bearing the name of a past champion school.
Now, Aoba would add one more.
'That's it?'
Takashi was sorely disappointed.
He judged it inferior to the smoke-wreathed Human Emperor Banner.
After the Crimson-Blue Flag came the Championship Plaque.
The flag was for the school; the plaque was awarded to the club.
It was a rectangular wooden slab with a golden emblem of a young man preparing to swing a bat.
This time, Katsuta Musashi went to accept the award.
Otani Shota was about to step forward but was pulled back by Katsuta Musashi.
After the Championship Plaque was presented, it was time for the runner-up plaque to be awarded to Advanced Nurturing.
The design was identical, except the emblem at the center was silver.
The one who stepped forward to receive it was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
None of the others wanted to go up—including Horikita Manabu.
"Kitahara-kun, do you have anything you'd like to say to your supporters?"
Sakurajima Mai walked up to Takashi , her eyes filled with nervousness, anticipation, and joy.
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