Brilliant Garland/Story

* Part 1
* Part 2
* Part 3
* Part 4
* Part 5
* Final Part

Play Ball!

**Girl:**Pssh, clink!

**Girl:**I saw this during my walk today. It looked so fun...

**Girl:**It's called "base ball"!

**Girl:**But when I said to everyone we should try, they said it's more fun to play at home...

**Girl:**But that's not true! It's not true... right?

**Girl:**"Base ball" is really fun, right!?

**Girl:**That's right, I'm sure the older girls would...

 **Mahiru:**(The hot, melting sun beams down. Burning heat that makes it difficult to breathe.)

 **Mahiru:**(Sweat drips down and gets sucked up by the field immediately...)

 **Karen:**Nice to meet you, I'm Karen Aijo! I've been the relief pitcher all through junior high!

**Senpai:**Then why don't you show us what you've got?

 **Karen:**I can throw the ball!? Yay! All right, I'm ready...!

***\*swoosh\****

***\*THWAP\****

 **Mahiru:**(I still remember that moment. The day I set my goal in baseball.)

 **Mahiru:**("I want to stand on the same field as you"...)

***\*flip\****

 **Junna:**(I ended up buying it anyways... The high school baseball magazine.)

 **Junna:**(And of course my name isn't in it.)

 **Nana:**Junna-chan, found you♪

 **Junna:**Morning, Nana. And Hanayagi-san and Isurugi-san too.

 **Kaoruko:**\*yawn\* Good morning...

 **Futaba:**Hey, you're heading to practice, right? Let's go—... Ah!

 **Futaba:**That's this month's baseball magazine!

 **Kaoruko:**Oh, there's an article on Seisho Sports Academy...

 **Kaoruko:**Following the trend? You don't have to complain so–

 **Maya:**Hanayagi-san. You have 5 copies of the same magazine sticking out of your sports bag.

 **Kaoruko:**Huh!? T-That's not it! I was just going to hand this out to everyone...!

 **Kaoruko:**Ahem! Tendo-han, Clau-han, you should be saying good morning first. Where are your manners?

 **Claudine:**Yes, ma'am. Bonjour.

 **Claudine:**...So what's written in it? Can I see?

***\*flip\****

 **Junna:**"The new Seisho Sports Academy!! After Seisho regrettably missed their Koshien victory, how have they changed after the third years retired?"

 **Junna:**"First, you have Maya Tendo and Claudine Saijo who garnered attention in the Junior League."

 **Junna:**"Strong players who can hit and play defense. After these two who can be called the leaders of the new generation is..."

 **Futaba:**"The amazing fast runner Futaba Isurugi who wows everyone with her base-stealing skills. Kaoruko Hanayagi with her ironclad guard that doesn't allow the opponent to take the lead."

 **Futaba:**"And then Nana Daiba, the hard hitter with an unparalleled batting average."

 **Claudine:**"At a glance, it doesn't look like they have any glaring problems..."

 **Claudine:**"Their biggest hurdle may be whether or not they'll be able to unify their group of star players with strong, individual personalities."

 **Claudine:**"It puts the skills of the new captain Mahiru Tsuyuzaki to the test..."
Huh, the article is shorter than I thought.

 **Kaoruko:**Tell me about it. It doesn't even mention Hoshimi-han.

 **Junna:**...It's expected. I was a substitute last year.

 **Junna:**There's also one more person who wasn't written about–

***\*THWAP\****

 **Mahiru:**Nice throw, Karen-chan!! That was a good curve!

 **Karen:**Really?!

 **Mahiru:**Yeah, a sharp throw... I don't think there are any other high schoolers who can throw a curveball like that.

 **Karen:**Heh heh, it's all thanks to you practicing with me all the time!

 **Mahiru:**Not at all...

 **Mahiru:**All I did was receive your pitches...

 **Nana:**As expected of our secret weapon, Karen-chan♪

 **Kaoruko:**Phew... What a monster pitch.

 **Claudine:**Yes. When she first joined, they were all crazy wild pitches...

 **Maya:**Ever since she learned to control them, they've transformed into powerful pitches.

 **Maya:**After honing the strength, you can definitely call her our unshakable ace now.

 **Futaba:**Oh! Our teamwork has also improved a lot too... The problem the article mentioned is no biggie!!

 **Junna:**That's true, but...

 **Nana:**Junna-chan?

 **Junna:**Tsuyuzaki-san has been doing nothing but helping Karen and everyone else with their practices.

 **Junna:**Will the captain... be able to play the way she would like to?

 **Mahiru:**Oh, everyone's here... Gather around!

**All:**Yes!!

 **Mahiru:**I've mentioned it before, but the first years are having their training camp now... So from today, practice will only be us second years.

 **Mahiru:**Our goal is to get our hands on a ticket to Koshien.

 **Mahiru:**For that to happen, we need to be strong enough to win the spring tournament. So today, we'll be drilling the basics.

 **Futaba:**Heh heh, guess we can't lose to the first years... If we're too careless, we might end up getting dropped as regulars!

 **Mahiru:**About that... I have one more piece of news to share...

 **Karen:**What is it, Captain?!

 **Mahiru:**...The coach told me a new girl will be transferring into our team.

 **Mahiru:**And she wants her to be a regular...

 **Futaba:**What...!

 **Kaoruko:**That's ridiculous!!

 **Futaba:**We worked our butts off to become regulars! Karen and Junna have also been working like mad...!

 **Mahiru:**E-Everyone, calm down! It hasn't been decided yet–

 **Nana:**...There's also a transfer rule when it comes to high school baseball.

 **Karen:**Transfer rule?

 **Nana:**When someone is transferred from a different school, they can't participate in official matches for one year.

 **Kaoruko:**Oh, what? The coach doesn't even know about that...?

 **Maya:**I don't think she would've said that without thinking things through...

 **Junna:**You're right... But what I want to know is...

 **Junna:**Are you fine with that, Captain?

 **Mahiru:**Huh?!

 **Junna:**I'm asking if you're fine with just giving a position to some transfer student.

 **Junna:**Or are you trying to be okay with it... because you're the captain?

 **Mahiru:**That's... well...

 **Junna:**...If you can't give me an answer, then fine. Let's start practice.

 **Junna:**I have no intention to just give up a regular position. I'm sure even the first years who aren't here...

 **Junna:**I just want to practice right now.

 **Mahiru:**......

***\*CLINK\****

 **Nana:**Nice one, Junna-chan!

 **Junna:**Yes!!

***\*slide\****

 **Futaba:**Whoa...!

 **Futaba:**Hoshimi hitting such a low ball, it's as intense as a real match.

 **Maya:**That's probably how much the conversation from earlier provoked them.

 **Maya:**But everybody is heated up. And the next batter is...

 **Claudine:**Vas-y! I'm up!!

 **Futaba:**It's Clau-ko. How far is she going to send the ball flying— ... Huh?

 **Futaba:**Who's that?

 **Maya:**Never seen her before... Why are they inside the fence?

 **Maya:**Captain, are you going to talk to them?

 **Mahiru:**......

 **Maya:**Tsuyuzaki-san?

 **Mahiru:**Ah! Oh, I'm sorry... What is it?

 **Maya:**There's someone not in the team over there—

***\*THWACK\****

 **Maya:**Watch out! The ball—!!

 **Junna:**What is she doing?! Move out of the way!!

***\*thwop\****

 **Mahiru:**You're kidding...

 **Futaba:**She caught Clau-ko's ball with her bare hands...?!

 **Mahiru:**Um, are you okay?! Are you hurt...?

**????:**......

 **Karen:**H-Hikari-chan...?

 **Mahiru:**Huh... Karen-chan, is this your friend?

 **Hikari:**...I finally found you.

 **Karen:**Hikari-chan... You're really Hikari-chan!!

 **Hikari:**Heh heh... I'm back, Karen.

Unyielding Position

 **Hikari:**(The hot, melting sun beams down. Burning heat that makes it difficult to breathe.)

 **Hikari:**(Tears drip down and get sucked up by the field immediately...)

 **Karen:**\*sniffle\*... \*sobs\*

 **Hikari:**You're crying more than when you lose a match...

 **Karen:**It's because... we might never meet again...

 **Hikari:**...Don't worry. I'll definitely come back.

 **Hikari:**The field you stand on is my home to return to...

 **Karen:**Hikari-chan! You're really Hikari-chan?!

 **Hikari:**Yes, it's really me.

 **Karen:**Oh my god!!

 **Junna:**Sorry to interrupt you, but...

 **Nana:**Yes, can you please explain? You two are friends?

 **Hikari:**Yes.

 **Claudine:**What does that...

 **Karen:**Haha! Hikari-chan, you're so cheer and contrite!

**Hikari & Mahiru:**You mean, clear and concise... Oh.

**Hikari & Mahiru:**......

 **Hikari:**...I'm Hikari Kagura. I recently transferred to this school from England.

 **Futaba:**You must be...

 **Kaoruko:**The rumored transfer student!!

 **Hikari:**Rumored...?

 **Kaoruko:**You must be the transfer student joining as a regular player the coach was talking about.

 **Hikari:**I don't know. I only told the coach I wanted to join the baseball team.

 **Maya:**...How much experience have you had with baseball?

 **Hikari:**British national team – uniform number 2. I was the catcher.

 **Claudine:**British national...?!

 **Futaba:**Number 2—? That means you're a regular!!

 **Mahiru:**C-Catcher...?

 **Karen:**Yeah! Hikari-chan is amazing!

 **Karen:**No matter what ball gets thrown her way, she will catch it and send it right back!!

 **Karen:**In Little League, we used to always be paired together as pitcher and catcher!

 **Mahiru:**B-But Karen-chan's catcher right now is me...

 **Claudine:**Hm. If you know all of Karen's quirks, then you'd definitely be a great asset to have.

 **Futaba:**Wait a minute. What about that thing about the transfer rules for high school baseball?

 **Junna:**...It's fine.

 **Junna:**Exchange students from abroad don't count. She can participate in matches.

 **Futaba:**...A loophole, huh.

 **Kaoruko:**\*sigh\* It's so obvious the school is willing to do whatever it takes to win...

 **Futaba:**Well, I'm sure all of us would like to win...!

 **Claudine:**While I do have mixed feelings about all of this, first I'd like to see what her skills are.

 **Maya:**I agree. Then let's swap Kagura-san in for the practice—

 **Mahiru:**Wait!!

 **Karen:**Huh...?!

 **Mahiru:**T-The catcher... That's the one position I'm not giving up!

 **Mahiru:**I'm the one who will receive Karen-chan's pitches!!

 **Karen:**M-Mahiru-chan...!?

 **Junna:**Tsuyuzaki-san...

 **Hikari:**...I also have no intention of giving it up. I'm the one who is suitable to receive Karen's pitches.

 **Kaoruko:**That's some confidence right there...

 **Futaba:**You've got guts, I'll give you that... But to be honest, I don't approve.

 **Futaba:**I don't like the idea of giving away a regular position to someone who just appears out of nowhere!!

 **Karen:**W-Wait, wait! Why is it turning out like this?!

 **Karen:**Arguing and talking about approval... This isn't baseball!!

 **Junna:**But positions are things you have to fight for.

 **Karen:**That's true, but...!

 **Junna:**Hey, I have an idea...

 **Junna:**How about a baseball match with everyone here?

 **Hikari:**Baseball match...?

Wounded Friendship

 **Mahiru:**Junna-chan, what is this baseball match...?

 **Junna:**Baseball issues should be resolved on the field... We'll have a short match and decide on the victor.

 **Claudine:**But there's no way we'd be able to have a proper game with these numbers.

 **Junna:**Yes... So my suggestion is to split into teams of 4 and have a mini game.

 **Junna:**The catchers, Tsuyuzaki-san and Kagura-san, will be the team leaders. The remaining three will guard first, second, and third base.

 **Kaoruko:**Wait a minute... Are you saying we have to cover both infield and outfield with only three people? That's impossible...!

 **Nana:**Oh... With the bamboo bats we use for practice?

 **Junna:**That's right. The balls don't fly as far with those.

 **Futaba:**In that case, we only need to cover the infield.

 **Kaoruko:**...Hm? Wait a minute. Then the pitcher for this game...??

 **Junna:**Yes, Karen will be the only pitcher.

 **Karen:**Only me...?!

 **Junna:**In this instance, Karen has nothing to do with which team wins or loses.

 **Junna:**She only needs to follow the catcher's lead and keep pitching.

 **Mahiru:**Right, Karen-chan can throw most curve balls so...

 **Mahiru:**The game will be highly dependent on the catcher's lead!

 **Kaoruko:**That match would only work with a crazy pitcher like Karen-han who can throw any kind of ball...

 **Claudine:**Then what about the number of innings? I'm sure pitching nine innings for both teams would be too much even for Karen...

 **Karen:**I can pitch that many balls?! Yay!!

 **Junna:**What if you hurt yourself... Even if you're fine with it, we can't allow that. How about we do 4 innings?

 **Kaoruko:**I can't believe she said "yay"... She's a monster...

 **Maya:**But Hoshimi-san... Why are you suggesting this baseball match all of a sudden?

 **Junna:**Because...

 **Junna:**I thought this would be the best way to settle it... That's all.

 **Junna:**If Tsuyuzaki-san's team wins, then the catcher will remain as Tsuyuzaki-san. If Kagura-san's team wins, then...

 **Mahiru:**Karen-chan's catcher will become Kagura-san...!

 **Hikari:**...Fine with me. Let's split the teams.

***\*SLIDE\****

 **Nana:**Nice, Hikari-chan!

 **Futaba:**Good job, Kagura!!

 **Hikari:**......

 **Claudine:**Phew, bases are loaded again... I didn't think it'd be this tough.

 **Junna:**Huff, huff... They're in the lead by 4 points...!

 **Maya:**Hoshimi-san, stay focused! You'll get targeted again!

 **Junna:**I know...!

 **Kaoruko:**The opponent keeps hitting towards Hoshimi-han who isn't good at defense... That's a dirty move.

 **Maya:**Not at all. When you see a weakness, you strike... As long as this is a match, there's nothing we can say about it.

 **Kaoruko:**Even so, they're hitting way too many! When Kagura-han was the catcher, we barely got any hits...

 **Maya:**Without a doubt, that's...

***\*CLINK\****

 **Kaoruko:**A hit, but that's a foul... A close one...

 **Maya:**So I'm not just imagining it. Her pitching has become more flat.

 **Kaoruko:**Ugh! What are Karen-han and Mahiru-han doing?!

 **Karen:**Huff, huff...

 **Mahiru:**(Karen-chan is getting tired... It must be tough to continuously pitch like this.)

 **Mahiru:**(Okay, I'll signal her to throw an easy one...!)

 **Karen:**(......!!)

 **Mahiru:**(Huh, NO?! I-I see... I guess letting Karen-chan throw the way she wants is best.)

 **Mahiru:**(Then the curve ball that Karen-chan wants...)

***\*CLINK\****

 **Mahiru:**S-She hit it?!

 **Kaoruko:**It's going towards Hoshimi-han again!

 **Junna:**Ngh...!

***\*slide\****

 **Junna:**Ah, ugh...!!

 **Nana:**Junna-chan?!

 **Junna:**I'm fine... The ball I missed just hit my foot... Ngh!

 **Nana:**Junna-chan, we have to ice it...!

 **Maya:**She's right. You shouldn't move around. It's unfortunate, but we should end the match here.

 **Kaoruko:**Then it's Kagura-han's win for taking 4 points...?

 **Mahiru:**...!!

 **Hikari:**......

 **Hikari:**...All right, we can have a rematch on another day when her injury has healed.

 **Mahiru:**Huh...?!

 **Hikari:**Well, you're not satisfied with the result.

 **Hikari:**There's no way you... can beat me how you are now.

The Future as a Substitute

 **Junna:**(The hot, melting sun beams down. Burning heat that makes it difficult to breathe.)

 **Junna:**(My voice gets sucked up by the field and disappears...)

 **Junna:**Come on Seisho! Go Seisho!!

 **Junna:**(I'm always stuck cheering from the bench and never get to play.)

 **Junna:**(There's nothing I can do except clench my fists in regret and frustration. If I were standing in the batter's box right now...)

***\*CLINK\****

 **Junna:**(I'm sure my bat... wouldn't waver like that.)

 **Karen:**Yay!! We did it! We hit it, Jun-Jun!

 **Junna:**I know, I was watching... Stop pulling my arm.

 **Karen:**Haha, I got too excited...

 **Karen:**Our seniors are so amazing! I want to stand there too one day!!

 **Junna:**Yes... You're right. We have to become stronger.

 **Junna:**We have to practice even harder...

 **Karen:**Yeah, I'll say it out loud too!

 **Junna:**Say what out loud?

 **Karen:**You see, I...

 **Junna:**Heh heh, brings back memories...

 **Karen:**Ah, Jun-Jun! Found you!

 **Junna:**Karen!

 **Karen:**I can't believe you're polishing the balls by yourself here...

 **Karen:**Banana sure was angry! She said you refuse to stay still and rest!!

 **Junna:**Nana is making such a big fuss... It's just a bruise. I'm fine already.

 **Karen:**Is that so? Jun-Jun, you're always working too hard...

 **Karen:**Don't push yourself so much. You're an important member of the team!!

 **Junna:**Member of the team...

 **Karen:**Jun-Jun?

 **Junna:**You're right... But it hasn't been decided if I'll be a regular or not yet.

 **Karen:**Oh...

 **Junna:**I don't mean to blame you or anything.

 **Junna:**I just think... baseball is a cruel sport.

 **Karen:**Um, what do you mean?

 **Junna:**...We have grueling practices day in and day out for the sake of winning that one championship.

 **Junna:**Members who can't keep up with the rigorous training drop out one after another...

 **Junna:**Do you think we'd be able to just enjoy playing baseball with the remaining members?

 **Junna:**You and I who used to be substitutes should be fully aware of this.

 **Karen:**...Yes.

 **Junna:**If we don't take the position away from our friends, we wouldn't even be able to join the match...

 **Karen:**......

 **Junna:**Hey, Karen... You said it before the baseball match we had the other day...

 **Karen:**W-Wait, wait! Why is it turning out like this?!

 **Karen:**Arguing and talking about approval... This isn't baseball!!

 **Junna:**Then I want to ask you.

 **Junna:**What IS baseball... to you?

 **Karen:**The most difficult but extremely fun thing... where we acknowledge one another!!

 **Junna:**...!!

 **Karen:**We compete and aim for the one victory... But that's not all there is to it.

 **Karen:**We pitch, we hit, we run. We show each other our everything.

 **Karen:**And when we gather everyone's feelings of not wanting to lose together, it becomes a winning brilliance!!

 **Karen:**That's why...!!

 **Junna:**...You really don't change.

 **Karen:**Huh?

 **Junna:**What you told me on the bench at Koshien a year ago hasn't changed one bit.

 **Karen:**The bench at Koshien? What did I say...?

 **Karen:**Oh. Go Seisho!?

 **Junna:**That's the cheer.

 **Karen:**Um... it's hot?

 **Junna:**You did say that too. Didn't you drink like five bottles of water?

 **Karen:**I didn't drink THAT much! Only four!!

 **Junna:**That's not much different.

 **Junna:**You looked at the mound and said you would definitely stand there one day.

 **Junna:**You said you'll stand there with everyone one day.

 **Karen:**...My feelings haven't changed at all. Because that's my goal in baseball!

 **Junna:**Yes, I know.

***\*CLINK\****

 **Karen:**Ah!!

 **Junna:**That sound...!

 **Junna:**...She's being reckless. I'm going to go talk to her.

 **Karen:**I'm coming too!

 **Junna:**No, you stay here.

 **Junna:**Don't worry... I'm just going to show her the kind of baseball girl I am!

Sweat, Tears, and Brilliance

 **Mahiru:**Huff... Huff...!

 **Kaoruko:**Mahiru-han, you should take a break...

 **Mahiru:**No, I'm fine! Next!

 **Kaoruko:**Hitting 100 balls after running 10 rounds... You need to rest...

 **Mahiru:**I can't, I have to practice! The 10-day postponement is almost over...

 **Mahiru:**I dragged everyone into this... And even got Junna-chan injured...

 **Mahiru:**So I have to work hard for Junna-chan's share too!

 **Maya:**...I understand. Let's get back to it.

***\*CLINK\****

 **Kaoruko:**Fly ball! It's too far...?!

***\*slide\*... \*thwop\****

 **Mahiru:**Ah...!

 **Kaoruko:**Hoshimi-han...!!

 **Maya:**Even though it was far, you didn't hesitate to go for it... Impressive, Hoshimi-san.

 **Kaoruko:**I'm glad you seem to be have recovered.

 **Junna:**Yes, I'm all better. But there's something I heard that I can't let slide...

 **Junna:**Tsuyuzaki-san, have you been practicing for my sake?

 **Mahiru:**Huh...?

 **Junna:**Are you trying to win for my sake?

 **Mahiru:**T-That's...

 **Junna:**...You're always like this. You always prioritize everyone else, so they can enjoy playing baseball.

 **Junna:**Even at the match the other day... You signaled balls that would be easy for Karen and ended up with Karen throwing off pitches from exhaustion on the mound.

 **Mahiru:**...!!

 **Junna:**Tsuyuzaki-san, who did you come to this school from Hokkaido for?

 **Junna:**Who... are you playing baseball for?

 **Mahiru:**I- I... I just want to play baseball with everyone...

 **Mahiru:**But you're right. To think I'd even try to fight for a position.

 **Mahiru:**I know I shouldn't feel this way, but...!

 **Junna:**...Tendo-san, can you lend me your bat?

 **Maya:**Sure. The settings on the pitching machine are the same as usual.

***\*whirrrr\****

 **Junna:**I play baseball for myself. So I can stand on the field with my friends who I compete with for a position...

 **Junna:**For victory. For brilliance...!

***\*CLINK\****

 **Kaoruko:**Home run...

 **Junna:**No one can steal baseball from me... A baseball girl is more selfish and arrogant.

 **Junna:**That's why I was happy when you raised your voice that time.

 **Mahiru:**Wait!!

 **Karen:**Huh...?!

 **Mahiru:**T-The catcher... That's the one position I'm not giving up!

 **Mahiru:**I'm the one who will receive Karen-chan's pitches!!

 **Junna:**You showed me you had such feelings...

 **Mahiru:**Oh... That's...

 **Mahiru:**Wanting to play baseball with everyone and wanting a position... Is it okay for me to have both?

 **Mahiru:**Is it okay for me to say I want to win with everyone...?

 **Junna:**Yes... If that is your baseball, then there's nothing wrong with that at all.

 **Junna:**We can play baseball for ourselves. Aiming high is how we can become a team that is second to none...

 **Junna:**Because that's how we've always grown stronger—!!

 **Hikari:**......

 **Nana:**Huh... Hikari-chan?

 **Claudine:**Why are you just standing here? Spying on the enemy?

 **Hikari:**I was just passing by. I'm leaving already.

 **Futaba:**Really, now. You looked quite interested.

 **Hikari:**It's your imagination.

 **Claudine:**I see... There's something I've been wondering about.

 **Claudine:**Why did you propose a rematch? It doesn't benefit you in any way.

 **Hikari:**......

 **Claudine:**And then it hit me. Maybe you're testing us too...

 **Claudine:**Whether this is the right place for you and Karen... Whether we can continue to win and stand on the field.

 **Hikari:**...Who knows?

 **Nana:**Oh... Wait, Hikari-chan!

 **Hikari:**What is it?

 **Nana:**Do you want to practice together? We're a team, right?♪

 **Hikari:**Not right now.

 **Nana:**Heh heh... Not now, huh.

Baseball Girl

 **Junna:**...No matter how it turns out, this is it.

 **Mahiru:**Oh, sorry...! Before we start the match, can I say something first?

 **Hikari:**What is it?

 **Mahiru:**Um, thank you for today!

 **Mahiru:**And... Sorry if I sound rude, but...

 **Mahiru:**I won't give up! I'll show you the kind of baseball girl I am through this match!!

 **Hikari:**Hm... Sure. All right then...

 **Karen:**Play ball!!

 **Claudine:**Hi-yah!

***\*CLINK\****

 **Maya:**Over there, Hoshimi-san!

 **Kaoruko:**What a shot! ...Oh no, she's not gonna make it!

 **Junna:**Ngh!!

***\*slide\****

 **Kaoruko:**No way, she caught it...!

 **Junna:**Heh heh, it's hard to beat a person who never gives up... A quote by Babe Ruth.

 **Claudine:**Argh... I thought it'd be a home run!

 **Futaba:**No points since it was caught. Their movements have improved from last time.

 **Futaba:**Moreover, I can't read Karen's pitches! Is this...

 **Nana:**The result of their special training?

 **Hikari:**...That's not all there is to it.

 **Hikari:**There's no holding back or hesitation in her lead. She can read what pitches everyone is bad at or excels at.

 **Claudine:**Hmm. Meaning something has changed with her?

 **Futaba:**Looks like it. So this is what she meant...

 **Futaba:**This is Mahiru Tsuyuzaki's baseball girl!!

 **Kaoruko:**All right, final inning and we're in the lead by 1 point...! Captain, Karen-han, we're counting on you. Don't let them hit it!

 **Claudine:**Non! Not so fast. The bases are loaded.

 **Futaba:**The next batter up is...

 **Hikari:**......

 **Nana:**Hikari-chan...!

***\*swish\****

 **Hikari:**...Come at me.

 **Karen:**HAAAH!

***\*CLINK\****

 **Kaoruko:**She hit it?!

 **Junna:**Wait, look at the ball!

 **Maya:**Yes, it's a foul.

 **Maya:**But look at how far it went. If she got the timing right, it might've been a long hit...!

 **Karen:**\*huff\* \*huff\*

 **Mahiru:**(Strike, strike, foul... Let's make the next pitch the last one, Karen-chan!)

 **Karen:**(Okay... But based on the current flow, a straight pitch might let Hikari-chan hit!)

 **Karen:**(So I should do a curve for the last one too...)

 **Mahiru:**(You can't, Karen-chan! Kagura-san definitely knows how Karen-chan feels.)

 **Mahiru:**(You mustn't throw a curve ball out of worry!)

 **Karen:**(But...)

 **Mahiru:**(Don't worry, I know you're an exceptional pitcher, that's why...)

 **Mahiru:**(Let's win this together!!)

 **Karen:**...!

***\*swish\****

 **Junna:**(She's winding up!!)

 **Maya:**(That form... A straight pitch?!)

 **Kaoruko:**(Right in the center? Is she for real?!)

***\*THWAP\****

 **Nana:**S-Strike...

 **Junna:**Batter out...!

 **Karen:**It's over!!

**All:**Whoa...!!!

 **Futaba:**You did it! Congrats!!

 **Kaoruko:**Hey, we're your opponents. You shouldn't be congratulating us.

 **Junna:**Heh heh yeah, but...

 **Karen:**Yeah! That was so fun!!

 **Mahiru:**Thank you... It's all thanks to everyone...

 **Junna:**You don't need to thank us.

 **Junna:**We did it for ourselves... We showed brilliance for the team.

 **Hikari:**...I'll accept the result of today's match, but I have no intention of losing.

 **Hikari:**I haven't given up on being the catcher... being Karen's catcher.

 **Mahiru:**Heh heh, bring it on!

 **Claudine:**Then are we good?

 **Claudine:**I want to start practice already. Look out on the field... The first years are waiting.

 **Karen:**Oh...!!

 **Junna:**She's right... Captain?

 **Mahiru:**Okay! Gather 'round...!!

 **Junna:**(The hot, melting sun beams down.)

 **Hikari:**(Burning heat that makes it difficult to breathe.)

 **Mahiru:**(Our overflowing feelings are all sucked up by the field, becoming one...)

**Junna & Mahiru & Hikari:**(That's right. The field "you" stand on is where I belong...)

 **Andrew:**...Hm. This is such a hot and sweaty script!

 **Elle:**Andrew, here's a handkerchief for your tears.

 **Andrew:**\*sniff\* Ahem... I could be the baseball mascot at the very least for the next professional baseball piece!

 **Elle:**Heh heh, a new story like that might exist somewhere.

 **Elle:**Stage girls who compete for one thing have become baseball girls who fight to become one...

 **Elle:**With everything combined, this signals the end of this play.

 **Elle:**Everyone, please be careful on your way back...