The morning air was crisp, the dew still clinging to the grass when Haruto Aizawa and Sōta Mori arrived at the field. The chalk lines, refreshed last night, glowed pale white against the dark dirt.
Haruto opened the faded playbook, its pages curling at the edges. "Today," he said, voice low with determination, "we learn from this."
Sōta knelt beside him. "Let's start with defense shifts."
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7:10 AM — Infield Drill
Reina stood at shortstop, stopwatch in one hand and notebook in the other. "Playbook says: 'Shift infield left on sacrifice bunt. Third base covers home.' Got it?"
Daichi, playing third, nodded uncertainly. "So when they bunt, I run home?"
"Not run home," Reina corrected gently. "You cover home—catch the throw if they try to steal."
Haruto fired a gentle grounder at Daichi. He hesitated, then scooped it and tagged an imaginary runner sliding at home plate.
Reina clicked her pen. "Good—just needs more snap."
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7:30 AM — Pitching Session
Haruto took the mound. Sōta set up the catcher's mitt.
"Curve first," Haruto said, fingertips grazing the seams.
He wound up, paused to breathe, and threw. The ball arced low—too low.
"Ball one," Sōta called.
Haruto ran through the motion again. "Focus on finger pressure."
Second pitch—higher, straighter. "Strike one," Sōta nodded.
Third pitch—Haruto tried the grip from the playbook's page. The ball dipped sharply then veered inside. Strike two.
Haruto's smile was small but bright. "Got it."
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8:00 AM — Baserunning & Situational Work
Reina placed foam bases at first and second. Yuu, the fleet-footed runner, stood waiting.
"Playbook rule 5B: 'On two outs and runner on first, delay steal.' Yuu, I want you to practice your lead—slow, confident—and Haruto will throw over."
Haruto pitched from the mound, mid-distance. Yuu took an exaggerated lead, toe tapping. Haruto threw to Sōta—pop! Sōta tagged the runner's toe.
Yuu laughed. "Okay, maybe not so far."
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8:30 AM — Team Talk Under the Sakura
They gathered beneath the lone cherry tree at the field's edge. Sakura petals drifted down like pink rain.
Reina closed the playbook. "We're learning tools—now we need heart. Tomorrow's match against Shimizu Middle is a real test."
Daichi frowned. "They're undefeated."
Haruto met everyone's eyes. "Then we show them we're not just scrappers. We're Sparks."
Sōta added, "We follow the playbook—and our instincts."
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8:45 AM — Unplanned Miracle Moment
Haruto felt the same tingling in his fingertips. He picked up a stray ball and tossed it toward Sōta without looking. Sōta, reading his motion, caught it one-handed.
No call. No count. Just two friends in sync.
Reina clapped softly. "That's the real miracle."
Haruto nodded, pocketing the playbook. "Let's keep building."
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Chapter 18 End:
"A playbook holds the plan—but trust and instinct light the way."