While watching the television, keep the room bright, and don't sit too close to the TV, okay?
It'll be fine.
Yes!
Summer’s storm rocks the night sky
Your frightened figure, cast blue by the summer rain
Frozen for a moment under the meaningless umbrella
Then through the crowd, we dash off into the rain
Our hands together, gripping onto the plastic umbrella handle
Our fingers tighten when the clouds start to rumble
Here with you, showering in the rain, washing away those summer days
Washing away from my heart, the sand of memories that have long gathered
Here you are, showering in the rain, perhaps reminiscing those of the past days?
Falling on our umbrella, that summer rain
Yes
This day has finally come!
Northern Tokyo Prelim's final match, for the sole ticket to Koshien!
National High School Baseball Tournament Northern Tokyo Prelim
FINAL MATCH
SCHEDULED START
3RD BASE STANDS
1ST BASE STANDS
SEISHU ACADEMY
RYUOU ACADEMY
A match between Seishu and Ryuou!
Here with me is Kuruma-san. What do you think of Seishu's performance so far?
They've been impressive, so far.
"So far"?!
They certainly didn't reach the final with just luck, correct?
Indeed.
Their pitching and batting were impressive, so far.
Cut it out with the "so far" already!
"They were"?! They still are!
Miss! Please calm down!
Ah... Right, right...
Both teams are now coming out from their dugouts.
Bow!
Ryuou proceeds to defensive positions after the greetings.
Taking the mound is none other than Spring's MVP, ace, Oikawa Takurou.
Are you up for it, Senda?
Have I ever let anyone down?
...Are you up for it, Senda?
How should I know before giving it a go?
When did they...
As expected of a champion team.
But at least you're here now.
Just in time for Kou-chan's first pitch.
Why didn't you tell me?
Didn't you have a good sleep thanks to that?
I don't care about that.
I see... So that's what the praying stuff was about.
You got it.
Akane-chan's surgery was a success, right?
Did you get any sleep last night?
Don't worry. I'm not a worrywart like you.
Alright. We'll have a nice, long talk after the game.
They're so meticulous with their planning.
Yep!
Bottom of the 1st, Ryuou on offense.
1st batter, center, Souma-kun at bat.
Oh! Catcher Akaishi barely saved it!
Horribly off for his very first pitch!
A-and it was 156 kmph right off the bat!
Are you serious?
It's just a number.
It'd suck if a pitch like that falls into the strike zone.
Ball!
If it ever does, that is.
Aoba-chan...
He's fine. His form wasn't messed up.
Strike!
Strike 2!
Strike 3!
Struck out without a swing!
And the last strike was 154 kmph!
Are you serious...
It's just a number.
Strike 3!
2 strikeouts in a row!
And not even their 3rd, Slugger Nakadai could bat it outside the infield!
3 outs, change!
Bottom of the 1st, Ryuou's offense ends with 3 strikeouts too!
Well done, my son!
That's our Kou-chan!
That sure sucked.
He seems to be in top shape today.
No...
He's playing as he always has.
Nice pitching.
Thank you, thank you.
Oh boy, I was so nervous.
That's the final for ya.
Does this guy know what "nervous" means?
I'm envious of Mishima.
I only have one regret about staying with this team...
We're counting on ya, Azuma.
A homer would be alright.
And that is, I can't play against him anymore.
Guess you'll just have to give that up.
Already have.
Top of the 2nd, Seishu Academy on offense.
4th batter, 1st baseman, Azuma-kun at bat.
Popular one, aren't ya?
Did you know? No one's gotten a homer from me since high school.
Foul!
Holy crap...
Careful, careful...
Ball!
Right on the boundary, but it's a ball! It's now a full count.
Yeah yeah, but...
It's over for you now!
It sunk!
Ball 4!
Hey, hey! No freaking way!
A walk! No outs, runner on 1st!
A great chance for Seishu!
Anyone else would have went for it!
Strike 3!
3 strikeouts in a row!
And with a forkball each time!
Our ace's playing as he always has.
Northern Tokyo Prelim final game, both aces have had a good start.
Bottom of the 2nd, Ryuou Academy on offense.
What the heck. They are all so useless.
This'd be a piece of cake if I were still on.
Mishima! Mishima! Mishima!
The temperature's 34 C. A heated day here at Jingu Stadium.
Bottom of the 2nd, Ryuou on offense.
With 4th batter, Mishima Keitarou at bat.
If Azuma is the best southpaw of this tournament,
Then the best right hander is no doubt Mishima Keitarou.
This is his 1st face-off with the 156 kmph pitcher Kitamura.
His batting ratio at this point far exceeds 0.6.
And on the mound is Kitamura, who's been pitching at above 150 non-stop!
Here comes the much awaited first pitch!
Ball!
Oh, that was close! Just a little bit high perhaps?!
Now the 2nd pitch!
S-safety bunt!
Mishima reached 1st base using a gap in the infield!
What the hell was that?!
Are you scared of my Kou?!
Fan-service?
I figured I'd break his no hit no run record first.
It's only the 2nd inning.
9th is but a blink away.
Out!
Strike 3!
Out!
And that's 3 outs!
1st batter went on, but none to follow!
Man, I wasn't expecting a safety bunt from Mishima-kun.
It's no longer no hit no run thanks to that.
Neither team has scored a run!
3rd inning starts with 8th batters on both sides.
From the stands, Seishu's cheer has grown louder and louder.
There she is, honey!
Aoba-chan got there safely, thank goodness.
What are you thoughts on the 150 kmph pitcher Kitamura?
Seems like she heard your voice.
He's been quite something, so far.
Huh?
"Huh"?
Ah... Seishu's in the final today, so I thought no one would be home...
Sorry to disappoint.
Temporarily Closed for Today
Here's a package for you. Could you sign for it please?
Sure.
Are they still tied, I wonder.
What do you mean?
The final.
No clue.
How could you not know...?
"How could" I?!
Thank you, take care!
Yeah yeah, good work.
Don't worry! I'm not some thief that snuck in when nobody's home!
No, I didn't mean...
Sheesh.
The corn from grandma arrived.
Aoba's favorite.
We used to eat them a lot every summer.
Good days...
Thinking back, that guy loved them a lot too...
Strike 3!
Strikeout!
Despite his superb on-base percentage, Ryuou's Souma has been struck out once again!
That's already the 5th strikeout, from 3 innings against spring's champion, Ryuou!
And that's not all!
There hasn't been one hit to the outfield so far!
Ryuou's powerful lineup is being suppressed!
I figured I'd break his no hit no run record first.
Guess he wasn't joking completely.
Did you say something?
Nope. Nothing.
We need someone on base before Azuma's turn.
He won't face Azuma if it's 2 outs with no runners.
I'm counting on you!
4th batter, 1st baseman, Azuma-kun.
Azuma at bat, with 2 outs and no runners.
My safety bunt was so close.
Normally, a hit that way would have guaranteed a safe.
For anyone normal, that is.
Go, Azuma!
Ball 4!
A walk!
Oikawa is letting Azuma walk for the 2nd consecutive time!
Shut up. I didn't "let him".
They were all in the strike zone until the end.
Anyone else would have went for it...
5th batter, catcher, Akaishi-kun.
It's all up to you now.
With 2 outs, runner on 1st, the best I can do is to get on base.
More runners means more pressure... But do your best later.
I get the feeling that this one's gonna work.
As long as they can keep this up...
A heavy hit between 1st and 2nd!
But Ryuou isn't letting it go so easily!
Forget what I just said.
Forgotten.
Seishu! Seishu!
If the surgery works out, I'll email Momiji to give you a V sign.
Wakaba wouldn't let you cry again...
Would she?
Thank you.
Thank you, Wakaba...
NO SIGNAL
National High School Baseball Tournament Northern Tokyo Prelim
You won't get anything until we pass this part, Risa-chan.
Hope the traffic will clear up soon... We'll barely make the appointment on time.
It's off!
A hit from Mishima with 2 outs and no runners!
Deep center! Deep center!
Oh! Mishima tossed the bat!
Mitani's in front of the fence!
Couldn't go past! 3 outs, change!
Yes!
What a long center fly ball for Mishima's 2nd at bat!
That was close.
My bat got pressed hard.
The force on that ball was way beyond my expectation.
A mail from Mizuki.
What's it say?
He wants to know if he can eat the corn grandma sent.
Sure, I guess.
Alright.
Geez. The more exciting the game is, the more you two drink...
Strike out! 3 outs, change!
Yes!
Kitamura has amazingly suppressed the 3 Ryuou batters once again!
For 6 innings, only in the 2nd inning did Mishima managed to get on base.
Nothing's certain in baseball, but just think if that hit didn't happen...!
I didn't expect to see such an astounding match for the final!
We're here, Risa-chan.
So fast?
We don't have the time to watch, but I can show you the outside at least.
This breathtaking pitcher war is continuing into the 7th inning!
Good luck...
Good luck, Seishu!
3rd batter, 3rd baseman, Nakanishi-kun.
Bat it out, Nakanishi!
High off into the air it goes!
But too bad! Right in front of the center fielder!
Dammit!
In this game, as long as I pitch the right paths, they will always go right for the fielders.
Murmurs have started in the stands.
Despite Kitamura-kun's enticing skills,
Seishu has actually had no hits so far.
So pitcher Oikawa currently holds a no hit record!
Kuruma-san?
Oikawa-kun is the true star of this game.
He hasn't even made one mistake thus far.
But he has given the next batter, Azuma-kun, 2 walks already.
Those walks were just a part of the calculation.
There's plenty of potential.
4th batter, 1st baseman, Azuma-kun.
Be my guest if you don't feel like swinging.
No runners, so I figured a walk would be as good as a hit, but...
It's gone through!
Azuma earns Seishu its first hit!
But it's a different matter, if the team has no hits at all.
This guy's on a different level all together...
1 out, runner on 1st!
In the 7th inning, Seishu finally got its 1st hit!
Yes!
By 4th batter, Azuma!
Yes!
Time to shine, Akaishi.
Do your best later.
I'll get someone into scoring position at least.
Akaishi.
Don't let me have everything.
Now, will Seishu push into scoring position even at the expense of another out?
You're the cleanup, Akaishi.
Oikawa's 1st pitch...
He threw...
And the runner takes off!
Hey, hey, are you sure?
Our catcher's got a strong arm.
Safe!
A bit lacking in control though...
A stolen base! 1 out, runner on 2nd!
Now clean it up!
Alright!
Between 1st and 2nd!
Get it!
Go through!
It went through!
Yes!
Safe!
Home reached! Home reached!
Northern Tokyo Prelim, top of the 7th, Seishu took the 1st lead!
A perfect stolen base by Azuma!
And an unrelenting hit from 5th batter, catcher, captain, Akaishi Osamu!
Yes!
Yes...
1-0! Seishu Academy takes the lead!
“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
They get 1 run and it's all over, huh?
Go say something nice to Kou-chan after the game.
If we win, sure...
You gotta strike him out.
You say it like it's easy.
The way you're today, you can do it.
He promised, this morning...
To show me a 160 kmph pitch.
Next time, Cross Game 49:
Are You Enjoying This?
He could lie without a blink since he was a kid.
Sub Smith - 2010.03.14