With two consecutive outs, the hearts of Ichidai Third High's fans sank to rock bottom.
Is it over? This summer…
Some die-hard supporters could no longer bear to watch. Many female fans buried their faces into their knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
In Seidou's dugout, Coach Kataoka and the bench players were already preparing themselves for victory. On the field, Nanjo's teammates felt their hearts pounding uncontrollably.
Are we… actually going to win?
Koshien… can we finally stand on that stage too?
"Finally made it!"
A voice came from the dugout entrance.
Supported by Chris, Kanzaki Ryou returned.
"Ryou!"
The team turned around in shock and excitement.
"You—you came back at the perfect time!"
"How's your injury?"
"Sit down, hurry!"
The teammates quickly guided Kanzaki to a bench. He lifted his eyes at Coach Kataoka.
"What did the doctor say?" Coach asked.
"A minor injury," Kanzaki replied. "Half a month of rest."
Coach Kataoka nodded. "Good. Watch the game."
On the field, Ichidai Third High's third batter stepped into the box, suffocating pressure weighing down on him.
At this final moment, both the batter and Nanjo were beyond nervous. Even Miyuki's fingers trembled slightly as he flashed the sign.
He's the last batter.
One more out, and Seidou becomes the champion of West Tokyo.
Come on. Finish this with your best pitch.
Nanjo sucked in a deep breath. Holding the very hopes of Seidou in his fingers, he launched the pitch.
The white ball cut through the air.
The batter stepped forward, unleashing a desperate swing.
"Strike!"
"Bang! Foul!"
"Strike!"
"Strikeout!"
Three pitches.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Nanjo Taishi struck out the final batter, extinguishing Ichidai Third High's last ray of hope.
"West Tokyo Finals!"
"Seidou High School versus Ichidai Third High—final score, 5–1!"
"Congratulations to Seidou High School Baseball Team for seizing the ultimate victory and punching their ticket to Koshien!"
The commentators nearly leapt from their seats, voices hoarse with passion.
"Seidou!!"
"King Seidou!!"
"Champions!!"
"We are the champions!!!"
The stadium exploded into waves of cheers.
On the field and in the dugout, Seidou's players rushed out, many crying tears of joy.
"This is amazing…" Kanzaki's voice trembled.
Watching his teammates celebrate, he felt a deep regret.
If he weren't injured, he would be out there sprinting with them.
Noticing his emotion, even in his excitement, Coach Kataoka kept his voice firm:
"There's nothing to regret. Koshien is your stage."
Kanzaki blinked, then slowly smiled.
"Yes. The Koshien championship will definitely be ours."
A loud sob suddenly sounded behind him.
Kanzaki turned and saw President Ota crouched on the floor, bawling uncontrollably.
Years of pressure from Seidou's decline—years of failure, disappointment, and criticism—all burst out at once.
"Thank you, Kanzaki!" Ota cried as he grabbed his hand.
He knew—without Kanzaki Ryou joining this season—they would never have made it here.
"You're exaggerating," Kanzaki said calmly. "Everyone contributed. I only did what I needed to do."
After the handshake ceremony with Ichidai Third High, Seidou resumed celebrating.
Then—
"Miyuki! Kuramochi! What are you doing?!"
The two ran to Kanzaki and lifted him up.
"If you're here, you're celebrating with us!" Miyuki laughed.
"Yeah, don't act like some behind-the-scenes hero," Kuramochi added.
Kanzaki was carried to the field, where the entire Seidou team circled around him.
"Champions!!!"
Everyone raised their fists.
Kanzaki couldn't shout—his abdominal muscles would strain—but he raised his arm and smiled.
Click!
From the stands, Kanzaki Kumiko snapped a photo.
"Ni-chan… congratulations."
As the celebration continued, Azuma Kiyokuni stepped forward, turned his back to Kanzaki, and squatted down.
"Get on," Azuma said casually.
"Huh?"
Before Kanzaki could protest, Nanjo and Shida helped lift him onto Azuma's shoulders.
"W-wait—no! I'll fall!"
"Stop fussing," Azuma said. "You're the hero—we're carrying you."
Azuma stood and began marching around the field, Seidou players following behind, waving to the cheering crowd.
Seidou, silent for years, had returned to Koshien.
Coach Kataoka, Ota, Takashima Rei, Chris, and Mita Yuka walked out from the dugout, joining the procession.
"Coach Kataoka!!!"
"Azuma!!!"
"Yuki!!!"
"Kanzaki!!!"
Names echoed from every corner of the stands.
Coach Kataoka felt his chest tighten with emotion.
In his first year, Seidou reached Koshien—but those players belonged to the previous Coach. He never took that as his achievement.
For years after, he failed to bring Seidou back.
But this time…
This team—Kanzaki, Miyuki, Azuma, Yuki, Nanjo, Kuramochi, Chris, Kominato, Shida—
This was the team he trained.
This ticket to Koshien was truly earned.
And just like he told Kanzaki earlier—
Koshien was his stage.
Kanzaki's stage.
Seidou's stage.
They would go there—
Just like today—
And fight all the way to the end.