Nomo's Drawing Song
Nomo's Drawing Song is starting!
2 balls flew this way
2 tiny balls also flew this way
Look, look, here is another one
Sliding on the ground, a fine display
1 mount, 2 mounts, 3 mounts passed by
The sign of victory, V! V! V!
One more time, V! V! V!
Wow, what a big crowd
Game is over and Nomo is done!!
While watching the television, keep the room bright, and don't sit too close to the TV, okay?
AITENO
SEISHU
Safe!
That's the 3rd one today!
Summer's storm rocks the night sky
Your frightened face, cast blue by the summer rain
We freeze for a moment under the meaningless umbrella
Then cut through the crowd, dashing off into the rain
Our hands together, gripping the plastic umbrella handle
Our fingers tighten when clouds start to rumble
Now with you under the rain, washing away that summer
Washing away the sand of memories gathered in my heart
Now you're there under the rain, perhaps reminiscing those of the past?
Falling on our umbrella, that summer rain
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
National High School Baseball Tournament Tokyo Regional
FIRST MATCH
SCHEDULED START
3RD BASE STANDS AITENO
1ST BASE STANDS SEISHU ACAD.
Strike 3!
Game over!
That was close. We finished just in time.
You idiot. You rushed too much.
And kept throwing fastballs despite my signs.
Another one.
Is it just me...
Or are his fastballs getting faster each game we play?
Unfortunately.
It's not just you.
That's My Line!
Well, well. I'm guessing from the looks of it, our team won again?
The 4th batted in 3 runs, and the ace earned a shutout.
Geez, they need to hurry up and lose already.
Otherwise we can't even plan our camping trip.
Ao-chan'll beat you senseless if you say that to her.
It's not like they can actually go to Koshien.
Dad, I'm off to camp now.
Oh. Say hi to everyone for me.
Ah, where's Akane-san?
She wasn't feeling well today, so she took the day off.
Oh...
Aoba, I have some Baumkuchen from Takeda-san. Do you wanna take it with you?
How could I?
If those guys see it, they'll gobble it down like starving wolves!
That's true. Then Momiji can...
Coffee.
I said I won't take it,
But I never said I won't eat it.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to sink today's form into my head.
I didn't throw too hard, but it went way farther than I expected.
Did you notice anything?
I wouldn't know. I've never thrown anything that fast.
My apologies.
Oh Tsukishima, back already?
That insurance homerun today was spectacular.
But that's just a pointless extra for Kou today.
By the way, where's Akane-chan?
Didn't she say she'd come to today's match?
Well...
Did something happen?
She had to get something done so...
Oh...
What? Is that why you were so pumped today?
No idiot. I always give my best.
Nevermind that homerun, the star today's gotta be the one that got 3 hits.
Right, Tsukishima?
According to official records, all 3 were due to errors though.
What!? Don't be ridiculous!
Anyone could see they were good hits! All three of them!
Right, Tsukishima?
Your step's bigger than usual.
Not sure if it matters... But your arm didn't drop down at the end.
Might be just my imagination though.
So don't blame me if it's wrong, alright?
My step's bigger than usual...
Ball 4!
Oh man! Another walk!
What is going on here?
Seishu's ace Kitamura, well known for his ball control,
Has just given the 8th walk this game!
His step seems way bigger than before...
Sorry...
Did you say something?
No, nothing...
Ball control's gone worse for sure...
Swung at a bad pitch! Strikeout!
But those are at least 150 km/h.
No way...
150. At least.
What type of boys do you like, Aoba?
Someone that can throw a 160.
Strike 3!
Strikeout! Game over!
Excellently done, Kitamura Kou!
With such a pitch under control, the batters were in complete defeat!
But don't take him from me, 'kay?
Seishu has advanced into the best eight!
Light Speed Ace!!
Seishu's Kitamura Kou
Ao... Uh, where's Tsukishima?
She went out for a jog.
I see.
She's been out for a while already. I wonder how far she runs everyday.
I don't know the exact distance, but...
Probably the longest in the whole team.
I once went against a team with a pitcher that can throw crazy fast pitches.
That pitcher's form was simply stunning..
At the time, I thought to myself, if I could throw like that...
I bet it'd feel awesome.
It'd feel awesome, huh?
That's my line!
Yeah, you might be right!
Right?
Captain! I'm here again!
Why aren't you at the camp?
I just came back for a change of clothes.
By the way, remember that girl from the soba restaurant-
Wh-what happened to Akane-chan?!
Man, what a surprise.
I was wondering why he's throwing so hard right after a match yesterday.
Yeah, that pitching form's pretty much identical.
She's my mentor after all.
Without her, right now, I probably still couldn't play catch properly.
What's that? How do you two know each other?
Please elaborate on that.
I see, I see.
Excuse me.
Can we take a photo of you and Kitamura-kun together?
I'm training.
Oh boy, we totally got scowled at.
What a tough personality for such a cute girl.
Told you she'd say no.
That sure's rare these days.
It might get in the newspaper, you know.
Doesn't she know that she can't play official matches no matter how hard she trains?
I should get back to practice too.
Ah, w-wait, Kitamura-kun!
Please tell us more about that 156 km/h pitch-
Outsiders aren't allowed beyond this point! Sorry!
Could you not be such a blabbermouth?
Sorry.
I was going to explain more...
But in the end, they just didn't seem to get it about you.
Okay, let's go!
Center!
By the way.
She didn't come to the match yesterday either.
Get it right, stupid!
Who?
Akane-san.
Next! Right!
3 more games! 3 more games!
I can see my wedding already!
She was probably just busy.
This is not her school after all, so why would she take the time...
Are you concerned about something?
She felt sick when she got off the train the other day...
Nothing good will happen if you worry too much.
We didn't worry back then either.
That summer...
We just waited for her return without the slightest worry.
But still-
She's hospitalized.
Akane-chan is.
Let's go to Koshien!
Hand that wedding registration in!
Come, my wedding!
1, 2, 1, 2...
They're working hard as expected.
My dear Seishu.
They're the only team in this tournament with a 4th and a pitcher comparable to Ryuou's.
Their player strengths and team cohesion are obviously inferior though.
But they've got us completely beaten in one aspect.
The catcher?
Akaishi!
My bad, my bad.
Tsukishima's still not back?
Seems so.
The next room.
You're up... Are you alright?
Ah, so you found out from Akaishi-kun.
His father does come to our place a lot.
I even asked him to keep it quiet, since right now's so important.
Don't worry. I've gotten used to staying at the hospital since I was a kid.
And I'm just here for tests.
Please let Kitamura-kun know too, okay?
Tell him not to worry, and just focus on his matches.
Isn't the quarterfinal tomorrow?
He will still worry about you.
And then he'll work even harder than usual.
Because if he loses, you might blame yourself for it.
Kitamura-kun sure has it rough.
He must have worked so hard...
Yet you can't really tell by just looking at him.
N-no, nothing.
Takigawa-san! Here you are. It's time for your blood test.
Sorry.
Take care then, Aoba-chan.
Can I come again tomorrow?
I'll be waiting to hear the good news from you.
So there.
Relieved now, Akaishi?
The test result isn't back yet, right?
True...
Don't you worry! I always give my best!
I didn't say anything.
Summer Koshien Prelim, Tokyo Regional Tournament.
From Jingu Stadium, where the quarterfinal is being held.
A heated match is fought between Seishu Academy and Kicchouji High.
1st inning, with Seishu quickly at 1 out, runner on 2nd, Nakanishi grabbed the chance,
Hitting a double, earning Seishu an early lead.
And in the 4th inning, starting with Seishu's cleanup, Azuma, at bat,
Smashing a long triple between center and right field.
And reached home with 6th batter Kitamura's help, now at 2-0.
But at the bottom of that inning, with Kicchouji attacking,
At 1 out, Speedy Yoshinaga tried to steal base after getting a walk.
And due to a bad pass by catcher Akaishi, he got to 3rd base.
Then with a infield grounder, Yoshinaga barely reached home.
And put Kicchouji 1 run closer.
The game's half over after the 6th inning with 2-1.
What a close match, worthy of teams in the best 8.
Kicchouji sure is tough.
Those underhand breaking pitches of his gotta be hard to aim.
And Senda-senpai's way too worked up too.
Come on, come on! I'll get you this time!
Yes!
Strike 3!
Strikeout! 154 km/h!
Kitamura has been tossing these above 150 pitches effortlessly today!
This breathtaking pitcher war continues between the skillful Sakata and powerful Kitamura.
So he's been improving on his control while keeping the speed.
Hasn't he only allowed 1 walk today?
Yes, but it's kinda the main reason for their only run.
Another run would be nice...
Here it is! A hit from 4th batter Azuma!
Earning Seishu another precious run!
Indeed, both the ace and the 4th are quite impressive.
But the catcher...
Strike 3!
Strikeout!
The 3rd strikeout for 5th batter Akaishi today.
It's off!
Game over! A close victory for Seishu Academy!
Nice pitching.
Just by chance, I tell you.
Oh shush.
Seishu Academy advances into the best four!
Ishigami Hospital
“The one you love rarely loves you back”
To your words, I could only nod “right, right”
My heart is all yours, yet yours is with her
“Let’s do our best”, you said
But what should I do, tell me
A way to get you to notice me
Tell me you love me, love me, love me
Look into my eyes and tell me
Even if you think it’s just a rehearsal
Kisses, arm pillows, hugs, everything
Won’t you try them all with me??
And just like that, fall in love with me
Preview
I might have to undergo an operation.
I'd be the one to blame if you play badly because of this.
Yeah... But I'll make sure that won't happen.
Aren't you worried about her?
If worrying can make her better, I'll worry all day long.
Next time, Cross game 46:
I've Got a Bad Feeling About This
Hey Kou... I'm free to love whoever I want, right?
Sub Smith - 2010.02.14