The stage curtains were drawn aside to reveal Mihashi standing around all alone. It was all dark on the stage except for a single spotlight that shone down directly on him.

He took a deep breath and started singing. “I have left my team behind…

To start my life anew.

To my team I was unkind…

I sure hope they won’t sue.”

“MIHASHI!” bellowed Abe as he slid onto the stage and started singing. “As a pitcher, I like you very much!

The two of us should definitely keep in touch!

If you follow my signs without shaking your… face…

I promise to turn you into a real ace!”

“OH ABE!” Mihashi yelled. “You are absolutely amazing!

With you leading the way… I think I can do anything!”

“LIKE BEATING US?” everyone on Mihoshi yelled as they stomped menacingly onto the stage (except Kano. He was talking and walking normally).

Hatake stepped forward. “For THREE YEARS! You refused to leave the mound.

For THREE YEARS! Your head I wanted to pound.

How dare you challenge us today!

We’ll definitely get the last say!

Kano, who should have been our pitcher all along,

Is better than you, we’ll prove it after this song!”

“YEAH!!!” bellowed everyone on Mihoshi except Kano who just sighed and shook his head.

Abe turned around and faced the rest of Nishiura who by then had also wandered onto the stage. “For Mihashi’s sake, we need to win this match!

If his former team beats us, he might from us detach!

Even though it’s just a practice match, we must give it our all!

If we lose we might never see him again as long as we play baseball!”

“IF YOU SAY SO, ABE, WE WILL DO OUR BEST!” sang everyone on Nishiura.

“WE WANT MIHASHI TO BE OUR ACE SO WE WILL PASS THIS TEST!”

With Mihoshi, Kano was going ballistic. “Why don’t you ever listen to me?” he yelled.

“What is it about Mihashi that you can’t see?

It’s not his fault that we lost all these years!

If only you had cooperated, he’d have overcome his fears!”

“Hey now Kano, Hatake did this for YOU!” said Yoshi.

“Yeah!” Miyagawa agreed. “You should show some appreciation too!”