On the eve of the grand showdown, the area around the hotel where Seidou High School was staying remained brightly lit.
Crowds of fans had gathered near the hotel, creating a bustling scene.
Among them were Seidou's most loyal supporters, as well as many new fans who had been captivated by the team's performances during the tournant.
These fans showed their support for Seidou High in their own enthusiastic ways, though it was admittedly a bit noisy.
It wasn't until late at night, close to bedti, that the crowds gradually dispersed, mindful not to disturb the local residents.
However, during the day and up until lights-out, the area outside the hotel was lively and boisterous.
"Tetsuya!"
"Seidou! Seidou!"
"Sawamura-kun!"
"Furuya!"
"Miyuki! Miyuki!"
"Yuuki-kun!"
"Isashiki-kun!"
"Captain! Cleanup hitter!"
"Eijun!"
"Eijun-kun!"
The voices of countless fans—many of them female—shouted passionately, holding up glowing signs and snapping pictures with their phones.
It was a scene of fervent devotion, resembling a group of die-hard celebrity fans.
Ever since Seidou defeated Yokohama Kouhoku Academy, this type of fanfare had beco a regular occurrence. As the team advanced further in the tournant, the attention only intensified.
By now, leaving the hotel during the day or night had beco nearly impossible for Seidou's players.
It was a level of attention that left even Eijun in awe.
He couldn't help but think that Seidou was now enjoying the sa level of treatnt that Inashiro Industrial High School had received in the original narrative.
Indeed, baseball held a special place in this country.
...
However, Seidou's players had no ti to interact with the fans outside.
At this mont, they were all gathered in the conference room for the final pre-match eting, the most crucial preparation ahead of tomorrow's decisive battle.
"Overall, the information on Komadai Fujimaki's players remains consistent with what we reviewed yesterday," Chris began, standing at the front of the room to analyze the data. "Of course, there may be so unexpected changes, but significant deviations are unlikely."
As usual, Chris handled the detailed player analysis, while Coach Kataoka would later deliver his tactical plans and announce the starting lineup.
"Judging by their pattern in previous gas, it's highly likely they'll start with their ace, the third-year pitcher," Chris continued.
"Gakuto Iguchi, huh?" Kuramochi muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Yeah, the third-year ace known for his slider," Isashiki Jun added, crossing his arms with a puzzled look. "But honestly, from what I've seen, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly special about him."
Chris nodded slightly. "Iguchi's pitching is sowhat similar to Eijun's in that it's hard to notice certain details unless you're in the batter's box. However, unlike Eijun's pitches, which are impossible to decipher without firsthand experience, Iguchi's patterns can be discerned with careful observation."
In the semifinals, Chris had already discussed Iguchi's pitching traits and nuances with Eijun and the others.
Over the course of the tournant, Chris had ticulously studied videos of their opponents' gas, identifying key details and valuable insights.
...
"A decisive edge on corner pitches, huh? That could be tricky," Yuuki said with a slight frown, his tone calm.
"He's an interesting pitcher," Ryousuke remarked with a smile, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Chris, ever thorough, patiently explained Iguchi's tendencies again in response to Isashiki's doubts, ensuring that the entire team was prepared for the challenge ahead.
For Seidou High, this final pre-match eting was not just a strategy session—it was the final step in their journey to the ultimate stage of Koshien.
"Another troubleso guy. Tch, that slider seems to barely graze the edges of the strike zone. What a tricky pitch," Isashiki Jun muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration.
"Ooga," ca a familiar, unique grunt.
"The other three pitchers are also worth noting," Chris continued. "Among them, first-year Hongou Masamune is, in my opinion, the one to watch besides their ace."
Chris wrote Hongou Masamune's na on the whiteboard and displayed his pitching videos on the eting room's television.
"With a velocity of 150 km/h, excellent control, and a fast forkball and splitter as his out pitch, this pitcher demonstrates the ability to adjust his velocity depending on the batter. He doesn't throw 150 km/h every pitch. Instead, he modifies his speed strategically. It's safe to say he's likely to beco Komadai Fujimaki's next ace."
Chris explained Hongou's abilities with a serious tone.
"Hokkaido, 150 km/h. Haha, Furuya, doesn't he sound just like you?" Isashiki Jun said, turning to Furuya with a laugh.
"Except the difference in skill is worlds apart," Miyuki chid in, his trademark mischievous grin making its appearance.
"Furuya, you should work harder—especially on your control," Ryousuke added, smiling as he delivered another jab.
His cheerful deanor, paired with Miyuki's sharp wit, made Eijun think they could easily form a cody duo.
Of course, they'd need Kuramochi for the perfect blend of chaos and comic relief.
This amusing thought flitted through Eijun's mind for a mont.
"I'll do my best," Furuya replied earnestly, his straightforward nature shining through. A fiery determination flickered in his eyes as he nodded.
Eijun couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
It was this sincerity and relentless drive to improve that had made Furuya a fierce competitor and, in the original story, the ace who consistently challenged Eijun for the title.
Furuya's passion for baseball and his relentless pursuit of improvent were undeniable.
Even now, Eijun could feel Furuya closing in on him, a reminder that there was no room for complacency.
If he let up even a little, Furuya might very well surpass him one day.
"Throughout this sumr tournant, Hongou Masamune has primarily been used as a closer. So far, his ERA is 0. He has pitched 20 innings, given up 7 hits, allowed 3 walks, and surrendered no runs. As one of Komadai Fujimaki's key pitchers, his skill is beyond question," Chris said, emphasizing Hongou's impressive statistics.
"A first-year as a closer? That's pretty rare," Kuramochi said, raising an eyebrow. However, as he said it, he couldn't help but think about Seidou's own situation—a team relying on a first-year as a key pitcher.
Naturally, he didn't voice that last thought out loud.
"As for how the other two pitchers will be utilized, there's no clear pattern. Their coach seems to decide their roles on a ga-by-ga basis," Chris concluded.
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