Chapter 135: Koshien, Here I Come!
The Summer Koshien Tournament—officially the National High School Baseball Championship—is the most watched sporting event in Japan.
It holds an almost sacred status among high school players.
Japan is divided into 49 regions, and each region sends one representative team to Koshien. These 49 teams then compete in a single-elimination tournament.
Before the tournament begins, a draw determines the matchups for the first three rounds. After those rounds, the remaining eight teams advance to the quarterfinals, where another draw decides the rest of the bracket.
In total, a team must win up to six games to claim the championship.
Interestingly, in the first round, fifteen teams receive a bye—each school having roughly a 30% chance of being among the lucky ones.
Time passed quickly.
Before anyone realized it—
It was already time for Yakushi High School to depart for Hyogo Prefecture.
To celebrate their historic breakthrough, the school principal personally arranged a chartered bus to take the entire team directly to Hyogo.
Tsukishima Wakaba, despite her close relationship with the team, wasn't an official member and couldn't travel with them.
However, both families had already agreed—
If Yakushi made it to the semifinals, they would head to Hyogo together to support Kou.
Though, in reality, it would mostly be the Tsukishima sisters attending the games.
As for the parents…
Given their "luck," watching safely from the hotel seemed like the wiser choice.
Meanwhile, Yakushi High School mobilized a large cheer squad.
This was their first-ever appearance at Koshien.
And not just any appearance—
They had fought their way through every powerhouse in West Tokyo.
There was no way they would let their team step onto that stage without support.
Besides, it was also a perfect chance to promote the school and attract new talent.
This time—
Yakushi was going all in.
On the journey, the players were bursting with excitement.
Everything felt new.
They looked around constantly, chatting, shouting, laughing—
Like first-time visitors seeing the world beyond their hometown.
After arriving at the hotel and putting down their luggage, the restless group quickly grabbed their bats and headed out to find an open space to train.
Kitamura Kou watched them from above and sighed softly.
"Even during free time, everyone's still training…"
"The coach said before that winning or losing doesn't matter—that we should just enjoy this experience."
He smiled faintly.
"But it looks like… no one really thinks that way."
Nakanishi Daiki walked up beside him, holding—unsurprisingly—ice cream.
He looked down at the players swinging below.
"We've come this far," he said. "Who would give up without going all out?"
He glanced at Kou.
"But in the end… it still depends on you."
Akaishi Osamu stepped over as well.
"Yeah… I still can't believe we're actually here."
He looked toward the distant stadium.
"Koshien… the dream stage for every high school player."
A small smile appeared.
"Wakaba really is something. Her predictions are always spot on."
Kou didn't reply.
He simply stared in the direction of Tokyo.
As if he could see her—
That bright, gentle smile.
"Kou, why don't we go check out Koshien?"
Nakanishi's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Kou nodded.
"Sure. I don't mind."
…
The three stood quietly in the distance, gazing at the legendary stadium.
Koshien.
For Nakanishi and Akaishi, excitement filled their eyes.
For Kou—
It was something else.
In his previous life, he had stood here too.
Back then… it was with Aoba.
But now—
"Nice view, isn't it?"
A voice came from behind them.
They turned.
Two figures approached.
One had a sharp, intimidating expression, as if the world owed him something.
The other wore glasses and carried a gentle smile.
They stopped about a meter away, forming two opposing sides.
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
The fierce-looking one was Hongō Masamune.
He didn't speak at first—
Just stared at Kou.
His gaze was sharp, almost aggressive.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I won't lose to you."
His tone was firm, almost biting.
"So don't lose before you face us."
And with that—
He turned and left without another word.
"…Huh?"
Nakanishi blinked.
"What was that about?"
The glasses-wearing boy stepped forward awkwardly.
"Ah—sorry about that."
He bowed slightly.
"Hongo's just like that. He doesn't mean any harm."
He smiled apologetically.
"He read about you in Baseball Kingdom Monthly… and got a bit fired up."
Kou looked at him calmly.
"…And you are?"
"Ah! Right—sorry, I forgot to introduce myself."
He straightened.
"My name is Renji. We're from Komadai Fujimaki High School."
He glanced in the direction Hongō left.
"We're hoping to face you at Koshien."
With another polite bow—
He hurried after his teammate.
After they left, Nakanishi scratched his head.
"Komadai Fujimaki? That's a weird name. Akaishi, you know anything about them?"
Akaishi rolled his eyes.
"What do you think I am, a walking database?"
"If you're curious, check the magazines later."
Kou remained silent.
His eyes stayed fixed in the direction Hongō had disappeared.
Something about him—
Felt dangerous.
Maybe it was instinct.
Maybe it was experience from his past life.
But one thing was certain—
That pitcher…
Would not be easy to deal with.
"Kou."
Akaishi's voice pulled him back.
"Let's go. We can't get inside anyway."
He smirked.
"Better head back and practice."
Nakanishi immediately brightened.
"Or—we grab some ice cream first?"
"It's way too hot."
Kou covered his face.
"…You're hopeless."
"If the coach finds out, I'm not helping you."
As the sun began to set—
The three figures slowly disappeared into the fading light.
Koshien—
The stage of dreams—
Was finally within reach.