In Nehimon Seimei High, the sun cast a warm orange glow over the school's baseball field. The air buzzed with excitement as the players practiced in the batting cages, the rhythmic thud of bats connecting with balls echoing across the field. The sharp sound of each hit sent a thrill through the air, as if the players were feeding off one another's energy.

Yamato, one of the senior players, stood beside Coach Nakamura, watching as the younger players took turns swinging at the pitches. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.

"What a sight," Yamato said, grinning as he adjusted his cap. "Cages on the field. Now this is how you practice."

Nakamura, standing with his arms crossed, nodded approvingly. "This kind of practice is good for instilling batting intuition. It builds muscle memory and helps the players react faster to real-game situations."

Further down the field, Kenji, smiled as he watched the players line up for their turns in the cages. "They sure love batting practice," he said, chuckling as he saw the excited expressions on their faces.

On the mound, Kai, a first-year pitcher, was getting ready for his turn. He took a deep breath, telling himself, "Okay, concentrate. Relax my body. He wound up, his form fluid and practiced, and unleashed a fastball toward the plate. The ball sailed cleanly into the catcher's mitt—strike one.

The catcher, Daiki, grinned beneath his mask. "Not bad, Kai. Keep it up," he called out, the approval in his voice clear.

Standing by the side of the field were Haruto and Koji, two of Kai's teammates. Koji's eyes were locked on Kai's pitching, his excitement barely contained.

"I can't wait to see him pitch in our next game," Koji said, nudging Shunichi with his elbow. "This team is just something else in junior high he was the ace on our team but now he's just...."

Haruto nodded. "He was that good huh, well everyone out here was a star in their team in junior high," He smirked puffing out his chest, "I carried my team to nationals with my swing hmph!"

On the other side of the field, Shota, stepped up to the plate for his turn in the cage. He squared up, eyeing Kai on the mound. He had been benched for the last few games, and the frustration gnawed at him. "The others are playing in the games while I'm warming up the bench. I have to step up my game," he thought, tightening his grip on the bat.

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Kai wound up again, his mind clear and focused, and hurled another fastball. Shota's eyes locked onto the ball, and he swung with everything he had. The ping of the bat echoed through the field as the ball soared far into the outfield, a deep, clean hit that drew the attention of everyone watching.

Yamato's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa. We might have to put him on the starting lineup for the next game," he said, clearly impressed.

Nakamura, standing beside him, remained calm, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "We'll see," he said, always measured in his praise.

Yamato chuckled. "The first-years are looking good this year. We should try a few things out in the game this Saturday. Maybe mix up the lineup, see how they handle the pressure."

Nakamura nodded thoughtfully. "Agreed. Saturday's game will give us a good sense of who's ready to step up."

Emiko watched as the team went through their drills, the sound of bats cracking and gloves snapping filling the air. Yet, despite the energy, there was something off—something missing. She glanced around the field, her eyes instinctively searching for a familiar face that wasn't there.

It feels strange without Shinjiro here, she thought to herself, folding her arms as she leaned against the fence. His absence hung over the field like a quiet shadow, and though the team was focused, she could sense that they felt it too.

He's always been such a presence, she mused, her heart heavy with the thought. I hope he's okay.

---

The day before the game, the air in the coach's office was tense but optimistic. Yamato stood with his arms crossed, going over the lineup with Coach Nakamura.

"So, you're putting Shota in the field tomorrow?" Yamato asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nakamura nodded, his voice steady and confident. "Yes. He's shown good form in practice, and he handles real-game pressure. He'll be in left field."

Yamato smiled. "Good call. He's hungry for it."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Three players—Kai, Kazuya, and Koshida—entered the room, looking eager but slightly nervous. These were the three pitchers who would be shouldering a major responsibility in tomorrow's game.

Nakamura motioned for them to sit, and the players did so, their eyes fixed on their coach.

"I've called you three here because you'll be pitching tomorrow," Nakamura said, his tone serious. "We'll be doing a relay system, meaning each of you will take turns on the mound. We're looking for consistency and control. Kai, you'll start, followed by Kazuya, and then Koshida will close."

Kai nodded, his face determined. "I've got this! I've been waiting for this moment."

Kazuya, always the quiet one, gave a short nod, his calm demeanor masking the storm of emotions he felt inside. "I need to prove myself tomorrow. No mistakes."

Koshida, a little cockier, grinned to himself.

Nakamura continued, his voice firm but encouraging. "The key tomorrow will be control. Don't get rattled by their batters, and trust your catcher. Daiki will be behind the plate, and he'll guide you through the game. Trust your instincts, but trust your catcher more."

Yamato, leaning against the wall, chimed in. "Remember, tomorrow's game isn't just about your pitching. It's about your composure. The other team will try to rattle you, but you've got to stay in the zone. You guys have the talent—now you just need to show it."

The three pitchers exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Tomorrow would be their chance to shine, and none of them wanted to let the team—or themselves—down.

Before dismissing them, Nakamura looked each player in the eye. "Do your best. Play smart. And remember, baseball is as much a mental game as it is physical."

The players stood, their resolve strengthened by their coach's words. They bowed respectfully and left the office, each of them mentally preparing for what lay ahead.