Ep. 36: Aoba’s National Team Tryout and the Rivalry with Shimano
Ko and Azuma see Aoba off at the train station for her women's national team tryout. Midori, Matsuyama, and Kojima share how her performance during Satomi’s match against Oka a year ago inspired Satomi to win the girls' high school championship. At the venue, Satomi players notice Shimano from Ryuo, who resembles Aoba’s cousin from the boys' team. While Ko waits in Akane’s soba shop during rain, Shimano is overshadowed by Oka’s Ozaki. Kojima and Oka’s Sawaguchi praise Aoba’s improved pitching speed and control. Before results are announced, Shimano challenges Aoba to pitch against her. Aoba strikes Shimano out in three pitches, allowing Aoba, Matsuyama, and Midori to pass the first round. The next day at Seishu practice, Aoba pitches to Azuma until he hits her with a line drive.
Episodes
- Ep. 32 · Aoba reflects on Wakaba while Akane meets her family and stops an incident with a baseball.
- Ep. 33 · Seishu's First Victory and Aoba's Hidden Past Revealed
- Ep. 34 · Ko assists Takigawas with New Year's Eve soba delivery and meets Junpei Azuma
- Ep. 35 · Seishu misses Koshien while Valentine's Day brings romantic revelations and chocolate exchanges.
- Ep. 36 · Aoba’s National Team Tryout and the Rivalry with Shimano
- Ep. 37 · Aoba hospitalized with broken foot while Azuma proposes to Ichiyo and visits her daily
- Ep. 38 · Ryuo advances at Koshien while Ko navigates his first date with Akane at a kabuki performance.
- Ep. 39 · Aoba returns to training while Ko buys her a shirt at a flea market.
- Ep. 40 · Aoba burns a cafe order while Ko and Aoba catch a stalker and Ichiyo joins the team