"Oh—oh!!!"
As the broadcast declared the end of the game and Seido High School's victory, the entire stadium erupted.
"Final Four!!!"
"Seido!!!"
"Champions!!!"
Drumbeats, cheers, whistles—every sound fused into one overwhelming roar.
When someone shouted "Champions!", the chant spread like wildfire. Soon, the entire stadium echoed with the same earth-shaking cry.
"Champions!!!"
The Seido players rushed onto the field in celebration.
Coach Kataoka stood still for a moment, his usually stern expression finally loosening. The dissatisfaction brought about by Tanba's earlier performance completely faded away.
Final Four…
Even back when he had just taken over Seido as head coach—when he first led the team to Koshien—he had never gone this far.
This was the best achievement of his coaching career so far.
"Hahaha—we made it to the Final Four, Coach!"
President Ota was so excited his hands were shaking, his words barely coherent.
Coach Kataoka took a deep breath and replied calmly,
"It's too early to celebrate. There are still two games left."
"Two games… right! Two games!"
Ota immediately straightened up, putting on a serious expression as if advancing to the Final Four was nothing special.
"Hehe."
Takashima Rei smiled quietly from the side.
On the opposite side of the field, the players of Sagara High knelt on the dirt, tears streaming down their faces.
"Let's go," Maya Yamato said hoarsely, forcing himself to stand.
"It's time to line up."
This was his last summer.
His last Koshien.
His high school baseball… was over.
The two teams gathered at the center of the field, removed their caps, and bowed.
"Thank you for the game!"
"Thank you for the game!"
After returning to the locker room, Kanzaki Ryou barely had time to breathe before being surrounded by reporters again.
This game had been his stage.
Four scoreless innings as the starting pitcher.
A home run.
A three-run homer.
A two-run homer.
Without Kanzaki, the score would never have widened this much.
After a few routine questions, a reporter suddenly asked:
"What do you think about pitcher Tanba Koichiro's performance today?"
Kanzaki froze for a split second—then immediately understood the trap.
So that's what you're after…
If he answered poorly, these reporters—hungry for headlines—would twist his words into controversy.
Before Kanzaki could respond, Coach Kataoka stepped forward, placing himself between Kanzaki and the reporters.
"That's enough," he said coldly, eyes sharp.
"The team needs rest."
The pressure was overwhelming.
No one dared speak further.
Under Coach Kataoka's protection, the Seido players passed through the reporters with polite smiles and left the scene.
Back at the hotel, Kanzaki showered and collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted.
Tomorrow, Osaka Kiryu would play their quarterfinal match.
Coach Kataoka didn't gather the team to watch—he wanted everyone fully rested.
Seido's victory stirred massive discussion both online and offline, but Kanzaki ignored it all.
He slept straight through dinner.
It wasn't until evening that Miyuki Kazuya returned, carrying a bento.
"Yo, awake?" Miyuki set it down.
"Mm… I accidentally fell asleep."
Kanzaki crawled out of bed, his eyes lighting up when he saw the food.
"Nice timing—I'm starving."
"If you slept any longer, your body clock would be wrecked," Miyuki said casually.
"You'd regret it in the semifinals."
"Then why didn't you wake me?" Kanzaki rolled his eyes.
Miyuki wiped his bat leisurely.
"Hurry up and eat. Then let's go for a walk."
"A walk?" Kanzaki blinked.
"There are reporters everywhere."
"Heh. Masks exist for a reason."
After changing into light sportswear, the two slipped down the fire escape like thieves.
"Hey—how did you know there was a back door?" Kanzaki asked once they reached the street.
"I checked the hotel's fire layout," Miyuki said smugly.
"…You're scary."
"That's the highest compliment a man can give."
They walked toward a nearby park. The streets were brightly lit, crowded like a festival.
Fans in jerseys.
Baseball caps everywhere.
Faces painted with team logos.
"This is insane," Kanzaki muttered.
"It feels like a carnival."
"It's Koshien," Miyuki replied with a grin.
"Of course it's like this."
Eventually, they stopped outside a public baseball field, still lively even late at night.
"Whoa, people are still playing?"
"Pickup games," Miyuki said.
"Kids, adults—everyone."
Before they knew it, the two had turned into scouts.
"That kid's reactions are sharp."
"Good field awareness."
"Nice swing."
"Fast runner too."
Kanzaki leaned against the fence, eyes shining.
"Kazuya."
"Hm?"
"Let's recruit him."
"…What?!"
Before Miyuki could react, Kanzaki was already heading toward the entrance.
Suddenly—
"Ouch!"
Kanzaki collided with someone and fell flat on the ground.
"Sumimasen!"
A woman in a long dress hurriedly bowed.
Kanzaki stood up, rubbing his backside—and froze.
Long golden hair.
Striking features.
Beautiful.
But… definitely over thirty.
"Hontō ni sumimasen!"
Seeing Kanzaki silent, the woman apologized again.
"I'm fine," Kanzaki replied.
"Hontō ni?"
"Really. I'm okay."
He nodded helplessly.
Beside him, Miyuki was barely holding back laughter, clearly enjoying the scene.
And Kanzaki didn't notice—
The woman was already looking at him far more closely than before.