She'll be okay.
All right!
Mitsuru Adachi
（Serialized in Shogakukan's 「Weekly Shonen Sunday」）
Created by
Toshihiro Nakazawa
Nobumasa Sawabe
Planning
Masato Hayashi
Rei Anami (TV TOKYO)
Shin'ichirou Tsuzuki
Planning Assistance
Toshisato Okuno Shin Omura Takenori Ichihara
Tetsuya Takeda
Supervisors
Original Planning Assistance
Michihiro Tsuchiya
Series Composition
Yuji Kondo
Main Character Design
Maho Takahashi
Tomoyuki Matsumoto
Koichi Imano
Art Design
Subcharacter Design
Prop Design
Kayoko Ono
Miki Tsubouchi
Hiromi Komine
Yutaka Kuramoto
Art Director
Color Design
Photography Director
Editing
Nobuhide Tanaka Toshiyuki Kuroiwa
Kotaro Nakagawa
Takeshi Takadera
HALF H・P STUDIO
Music Producer
Music
Sound Director
Sound Production
「Summer Rain」
Lyrics／Composition: Kentaro Kobuchi
Arrangement: Kobukuro
Kobukuro
（Warner Music Japan）
Opening Theme
Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TV-TOKYO Music
Warner Music Japan
Music Assistance
Ryosuke Sakurai
Animation Producer
Animation Production
Shin'nosuke Wada (TV TOKYO) Naohiko Furuichi
Producers
Osamu Sekita
Director
Shogakukan Shueisha Production
Production Studio
SUBTITLED BY ANBU
This day has finally come!
Two teams will be competing in the final round of the North Tokyo Tournament today,
with the winner punching a ticket to the Koshien.
Seishu Academy will play Ryuou Academy here in the final.
Joining us in the commentator box is Kuruma.
what did you think of Seishu's challenge for the Koshien spot so far?
They were quite impressive, at least until now.
Until now?
They didn't make it all the way here to the final on a lucky fluke, won't you agree?
You're absolutely right.
Their offense and defense have truly been impressive, at least until now.
Enough with your "until now"s!
We were impressive?
Stop putting things in the past tense!
Please calm down, Miss. It's dangerous!
Oh, sorry.
The starting nine from both teams have now left the bench for the field.
Bow!
With the pleasantries exchanged, the Ryuou nine get into defensive position,
as the ever-famous champion pitcher of the Spring Tournament,
Oikawa Takuro, takes the mound.
You think we'll pull through somehow, Senda?
Was there ever a time when I betrayed your expectations?
You think we'll pull through somehow, Senda?
We won't know until we try.
Already?
They're not the Spring Tournament champions for nothing.
In any case, it's a good thing you made it in time for Ko's first pitch.
Why didn't you tell me?
You managed to get a good night's sleep last night because I didn't, right?
That's not the issue here.
I see now.
So that's why you had me pray back at the bus.
That would be why.
Akane's surgery was a success, right?
Yeah.
Were you able to sleep last night?
Don't worry.
I'm not as much of a worry wart as you are.
All right, then.
We'll discuss this thoroughly after the game.
That's quite a meticulous discussion those two seem to be having.
Yes, indeed.
In the bottom of the first inning,
Ryuou will be led by first batter: Souma (CF).
And Akaishi, the catcher, leaps to catch it.
The first pitch of the game is an incredible pitch.
A-And out of nowhere, we have a 156km/h pitch!
You've got to be kidding.
It's just a number.
It'd be amazing if he could get a pitch like that on target.
Yeah.
Ball!
That's if he could get it on target.
Hey, Aoba...
It's okay.
His pitching form looks good.
Strike!
Strike two!
Strike three!
And he strikes out looking!
That last strike was a whopping 154km/h!
You've got to be kidding.
It's just a number.
Strike three!
That's two strikeouts in a row!
And even the power hitter third batter Nakadai seems to be having problems sending the ball to the outfield.
That's three outs and change sides.
And Ryuou goes down in order in the bottom of the inning.
Nice going, son!
I knew you could do it, Ko!
That's amazing.
Yeah.
Looks like he's in top form today.
No.
That's just his usual.
Nice pitching!
Thank you.
Wow, that was nerve-wracking!
I guess they don't call it the final for nothing.
You think he actually understand what "nerve-wracking" means?
I'm jealous of Mishima.
Huh?
I only have one regret about having stayed behind with this team...
We're counting on you, Azuma.
I wouldn't mind a home run, either.
...that I can't square up against him in a game.
You'll have to give up on that.
Yeah.
I already have.
At the top of the second inning,
Seishu's attack will be led by fourth batter: Azuma (1B).
He sure is popular.
I'll have you know
that I haven't given up a single home run in my entire high school career.
Foul!
That was scary!
I'll have to be careful.
Ball!
It strays outside for a ball.
He's now on a full count.
Yeah, yeah.
But not for much longer!
And it's low!
Ball four!
No way!
That's four balls!
Seishu now has a runner on first with no outs,
and a chance to score a run.
You'd normally swing on that.
Strike three!
That's three struck out in a row!
They've all been bested by his fork ball.
Our ace seems to be performing as usual.
Both aces have made a steady start here in the North Tokyo Tournament Final,
as Ryuou now comes to bat in the bottom of the second inning.
Jesus.
Sloppy, every last one of them.
I would've had no problems hitting those pitches back when I was still playing.
Mishima! Mishima!
It's a fiery 34 degrees here at the Jingu Baseball Stadium.
At the bottom of the second inning, clean up hitter Keitaro Mishima leads Ryuou's attack.
If Yuhei Azuma was the best left-handed batter in this tournament,
Keitaro Mishima would, of course, be the best right-handed batter.
Slug it out, Mishima!
This makes it his first time meeting "156km/h Kitamura" at the plate this season.
His batting average is well over .600 so far in the tournament,
and facing him on the mound is Kitamura, who has been throwing 150km/h from the get go.
Here comes the highly anticipated first pitch!
Ball!
Now that's a close pitch...
just a bit high
Here's the second!
I-It's a bunt!
Mishima takes advantage of the opening in the infield and gets on base.
Why'd you have to do that all of a sudden?
You scared of my Ko, or something?
Was that meant to be fanservice?
I figured I'd start off by taking away his no hitter first.
We're only in the second inning.
We'll be at the ninth before you know it.
You're out!
Strike three.
And... there!
Out!
That's three outs,
with no additional runners getting on base after the first.
I honestly didn't see Mishima's bunt coming.
Yeah.
And thanks to that, our no hitter is now gone.
Neither team has still yet to score,
with both sides leading off their half of the inning with their eighth hitter.
The cheering of the crowd is now becoming more fervent...
I see her, honey!
Thank goodness.
Looks like Aoba made it to the stadium all right.
Looks like she heard you.
Yes, they're putting up a good fight, at least until now.
Huh?
"Huh," you say?
Oh, I thought no one would be home since Seishu is playing in the finals today.
I'm sorry to have disappointed you, then.
Oh, I'm sorry; I have a package for you.
Could you sign here for me?
Whatever.
Do you think it's still tied up?
What's still tied up?
The final.
No clue.
What do you mean "no clue"?
Excuse me?
Oh, no, thank you for your patronage.
Yeah, yeah, thanks for your hard work.
I'm not some strange guy who decided to trespass while everyone's out of the house, if that's what you're thinking!
I didn't think anything like it at all!
Geez.
The corn that Grandma sent over is here.
Aoba loves these;
we used to eat these all the time during summer break, huh?
That takes me back.
Oh yeah, he liked corn, too, didn't he?
Strike three!
And that's a strikeout!
He's strikes out Ryuou's Souma, who has a great batting average, in two consecutive at-bats!
With that, Ko Kitamura has fanned five in three innings from the Spring Invitational champions, Ryuou Academy!
And wait until you've heard this next part:
So far he has not allowed a ball to reach the outfield!
Ryuou has not been able to put up a good batting game against him.
I figured I'd start off by taking away his no hitter first.
I guess he wasn't really joking about that.
Did you say something?
No, nothing.
Get a runner on base before Azuma somehow.
They won't be throwing strikes if we keep having two outs and no one on when Azuma comes to bat.
I'm counting on you two.
Yes, sir!
Batting fourth: Azuma (1B).
Azuma takes the plate with two outs and no runners on.
My bunt at least came close, right?
Yeah.
You'd normally be safe if the ball rolled in that direction.
Any normal player would be.
Slug it, Azuma!
Ball four!
That's four balls!
Oikawa has now walked Azuma on two consecutive at-bats.
Give me a break, I'm not chickening out.
That pitch flies in the strike zone at least until it reaches base;
any normal batter would swing.
Batting fifth: Akaishi (C).
Looks like this game is all up to you.
The most I can do is make contact and try to move Azuma over since we've got two outs
You might feel a bit pressured with the two of us on base,
but I trust you'll do me proud.
I'm getting a good feeling about this at-bat.
Now if only he can move him to second...
He hits it sharply between first and second base!
Oh, but Ryuou seals the gap.
Forget what I just said.
Roger that.
Seishu! Seishu!
I'll tell Momiji to make a "V" sign at you if the surgery is a success.
Wakaba wouldn't want to keep making you cry now, would she?
Seishu! Seishu!
Oh, thanks.
Thanks, Wakaba.
You won't pick up anything until we get out from under the railroad bridge, Risa.
I wonder when the traffic's going to clear up?
We're just barely on time.
And he sends it flying!
Clean up hitter Mishima crushes it with two outs and no runners on.
The center fielder is going back!
Mishima throws his bat down;
Mitani's waiting in front of the fence and...
makes the catch!
That's three outs, change sides!
All right!
And with this, Mishima records a big fly to center field on his second at-bat.
You almost had it.
My bat got pushed back.
His balls have much more spin to them than I thought.
Mizuki sent me a text.
What's he saying?
He's asking if it'd be okay for him to eat some of the corn that Grandma sent over.
I don't see why not.
Roger that.
Geez.
The more intense a game becomes, the more they end up drinking.
He strikes out!
Yes!
That's three outs, change sides.
Kitamura retires the side in order again this inning.
The only runner allowed on base these six innings was Mishima in the second inning.
I know that there's no "ifs" and "buts" in baseball,
but outside of that safety bunt, I would never have imagined seeing pitching like this in the final round!
We're here, Risa.
Already?
We don't have time to actually sit and watch, but I figured we might as well drop by.
A breathtaking pitching duel continues,
as we now approach the seventh inning.
Go for it.
Go for it, Seishu!
Batting third: Nakanishi (3B).
Slug it, Nakanishi!
It's a high fly ball!
But unfortunately, the center fielder settles under it and makes the play.
Damn it!
Batted balls will end up right in front of the outfielder
as long as you can locate your pitches in this game.
The stands are now buzzing with anticipation.
Kitamura's pitching may be taking center stage in this game,
but Seishu's lineup has been held hitless by Oikawa in this game.
What do you think, Kuruma?
I guess that goes to show that Oikawa is the real deal here.
He hasn't made a single mistake up to this point.
He's up against Azuma next, who he's walked twice so far.
The walking was all according to his plan.
It's at least highly possible that it is.
Batting fourth: Azuma (1B).
Feel free to not swing on this one again.
I haven't been swinging since there's no difference between a walk or a hit without runners on base...
It's past infield!
Azuma, the cleanup hitter, records Seishu's first base hit of the day.
... but it's a different story when your team has no hits.
He's on a totally different level than us.
Seishu now has one out, with a runner on first!
Hooray! Hooray!
Seishu finally produces a hit here in the seventh inning.
All right!
And who else besides the cleanup hitter, Azuma!
All right!
It's your time to shine, Akaishi.
Yeah, it'll really be up to you this time.
I'll at least move Azuma into scoring position.
Akaishi.
How about putting yourself first for once?
Now Seishu's bench will likely sacrifice a runner to scoring position, even if they have to give up an out for it.
You're a cleanup hitter, Akaishi.
Oikawa throws the first pitch;
and there it goes.
The runner's off!
Are you sure you want to do that?
Our catcher's got a strong arm.
Safe!
Though I guess I can't say the same about his control.
He steals the base!
They now have one out with a runner on second!
Clean it up nice and tidy.
All right!
It's in between first and second!
He can get that!
Get past him!
And it's past the infield!
All right!
Safe!
He's reaches home!
Seishu draw first blood here in the seventh inning,
in the final round of the North Tokyo Tournament.
First Azuma's brilliant steal of second, then he's brought home by none other than
fifth batter, catcher and captain, Osamu Akaishi!
All right!
All right.
1-0!
Seishu Academy is in the lead!
It's all over if we give up even one run, huh?
Go compliment Ko for a job well done when the game is over.
If they win.
Get him out no matter what.
Easier said than done.
The way you're playing today, you can do it.
He promised me this morning
that he'll show me a 160km/h pitch.
Next time, on Cross Game Episode Forty-Nine:
Are you enjoying this?
He's always been able to lie as if it's nothing.