Battery

Takumi!

Why didn't you throw the same pitch?!

I did.

Don't lie to me! He couldn't hit a home run off that pitch!

Did you hold back because you didn't think I could catch it?!

Why do I have to worry about your catching?

Then how did he hit it?!

That's pretty harsh.

But I guess I feel the same way too.

That fourth pitch. Was that a serious pitch?

Mr. Kadowaki, please face us in a exhibition game!

Please give us another chance!

Hey, Kadowaki, would you consider an exhibition game?

Could you request for one on your end?

I'll strike you out next time.

What did you say?

Next time, I won't get hit.

Not by anybody.

Are you saying you're going to pitch a perfect game against us?

Yes.

Please.

Kaionji, what's with these guys?

Are Nitta freshman all little punks like them?

No, these two are special.

Alright, I don't know what I can do...

...but I'll try.

Really?! Thank you!

I'll call later for more details.

I don't care what issues you may have.

- Harada. - Yes?

Why did you hold back on your fourth pitch against Kadowaki?

You thought Nagakura couldn't catch it, didn't you?

Were you afraid you might hurt him?

Either way, I bet Nagakura is shocked.

He got betrayed by you.

Why couldn't you trust Nagakura?

He would've done anything he had to in order to stop that ball.

And then he would've caught the next one without a doubt.

You couldn't think to believe in him like that?

You really are a kid.

You don't know the basics of baseball.

Kaionji.

This one's gonna be real trouble.

He doesn't understand anything.

I didn't think he was this stupid.

- Yo. - Hey.

You couldn't do anything against a junior high kid?

No way.

It's true. That's not something I'd joke about.

So, now what?

There's no way they'd let us have an exhibition game against Nitta.

You think?

The school would never sign off.

What if we just played it on our own?

Leave the schools out of it.

We'll just gather up...

...and play a game on our own.

Shugo...

Are you being serious?

- Deadly serious. - Yeah, but Shugo...

...you think we can really just play a pickup game on our own?

I guess it's never been done before.

I'll take responsibility.

Please, Shun.

Back me up on this.

I mean, it's not like it's cigarettes or booze...

...so I mean, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Shugo.

I bet that was your first time.

Have you ever wanted to do something so bad you'd go against the school?

I bet you've never done something this stupid before, have you?

Shun.

I'm Yokote's number five.

I wanna meet the guy who's made our Shugo Kadowaki so goo-goo eyed.

He's the first person who's ever drawn you out like this.

How could I not be interested?

I'm getting all excited here cuz I want a go at him too.

It sounds dirty when you say it.

I bet he's a real looker.

You can meet him in that batter's box yourself.

It'll be your first time experiencing that too.

Seiha.

I'm not going to sleep in your room with you anymore, got it?

I know. My fever's already down.

Then hurry up and go back to your own room.

Takumi, did you have a fight with Go?

Why do you ask that?

Because I can tell.

You seemed hurt the last time you had a fight with Go.

It'll be okay, Takumi.

What will?

Go told me something before.

He said "Your brother won't lose to anybody."

I think Go really likes you.

So I'm sure if you say you're sorry, he'll forgive you.

There's a phone call for you, Takumi.

- Is it Go? - No.

It sounded like a cute girl.

Hello?

Harada, it's me.

I just got a call from Kadowaki.

He said to be ready because there's definitely going to be a game.

Seems like there's a good chance it's going to happen.

I just wanted to let you know. That's all.

- Captain. - Hm?

Um, have you called Go too?

Yeah, I just called Nagakura earlier.

- Did he say anything. - No.

But he sounded really excited about playing this game.

- Oh, Harada. - Yes?

Don't really dwell on what the coach said.

A worried battery isn't much good.

Honestly? They only get in the way.

Well, talk to you later.

I'll go put the phone back for you.

Takumi?

Get down here, Go.

Go!

Where are you going this late?

Oh.

Are you going with Takumi?

Go, your mom's talking to you.

You idiot! You're just...

Dammit, you humiliated me.

Why aren't you fighting back?!

You're way bigger than me!

You think I could ever beat you in a real fight?

Coward! You can't talk big unless you're gripping a ball?!

I've had enough of your crap! Stop screwing around!

I'm not screwing around!

I've never screwed around when it comes to you.

What am I to you?

Some catcher you can't pitch to without holding back?!

Dammit.

How did you look at me when you threw that fourth pitch?

What kind of catcher gets pitied by his pitcher!

The real person I should be fighting...

...isn't Yokote or the principal! It's you!

Just you watch.

I'm not going to lose to you.