Epilogue: A Crown that Dazzles All

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The beach baseball team kept their energy going into the second round and beyond, defeating strong opponent after strong opponent. And then... The siren for the final game sounded.

Misato
It's finally the decisive game. Everyone, you did well to come so far... But it's too soon for congratulations. We'll save that until after our dream has been achieved.

Misato
Now, one last step until the nationals! I believe in everyone's strength!

Hatsune
I'll give everyone extra power! Go go, Daichi! Hit, hit, Asahi! Bring the win, old fogey!

Daichi
Hmph. Looks like our opponents in the final game will be pretty tough too. But we're not going to be finished here!

Daichi
It doesn't matter if you're an all-national school -- none of you are gonna hit my pitches! Hiyaaah!!

Member 3
Yeah. We're all headed for the nationals. It doesn't matter how muddy our uniforms get. I'll catch these balls even if it kills me...!

Member 2
Hya ha ha! I'll make it onto base every time. I'll set up chances to score!

Member 1
And my home runs will decide the game! I won't lose to any of you whippersnappers! Gah ha ha!

Asahi
Beach baseball has never been more fun than now. It must be because of the great friends we have!

Asahi
I want this to go on! I want this club to continue with everyone! So, we'll absolutely win here! Hi-yaah!!

Misato
Just like that! Everyone, you're all so brilliant! Use every ounce of your power until the very last moment!

Later.

Asahi
Ugh... Gah...

Member 1
Gah... For us to lose here... I don't want it to end like this...!

Daichi
Damn...! I wanted to go to the nationals so much...! Damn it...!

Misato
You fought hard to the end, without ever giving up... Your efforts were so brilliant... I'm so very proud of you all...

Hatsune
I'm sorry, I guess my cheering wasn't good enough...

Yuuki
1. "That's not so."

Misato
That's right. Your cheering spurred everyone on so much, Hatsune.

Hatsune
Is that right... If you all say so, then I feel a bit better.

Jun
You put on a magnificant fight. I think you can hold that proudly in your hearts.

Kaya
Yeah. I didn't think you had the guts at first, but you did well. I'm impressed.

Ayane
That's right, everyone! It was amazing, how many home runs you hit!

Io
Watching your play, I felt such incredible warmth in my heart. I think these will make for wonderful memories of this summer. Everyone, thank you.

Member 1
The coaches, and Io, too... Those are such touching words... This is the first time anyone's been so kind to me...

Suzuna
But there's another tournament next year, right? Can't you try again then?

Misato
My, my... Suzuna, the truth is...

Principal
... A defeat in the final game of the local qualifiers. So you missed the national tournament, then.

Misato
My, Mister Principal... You're here today, too...?

Principal
Yes, I came to see off this club of problem children. It's my duty as principal.

Misato
... Mister Principal, please wait. Will you not rethink the abolition of the club for just a moment? You've been able to see for yourself how hard these children have worked!

Principal
The fate of the beach baseball club has already been decided. Nothing you say now will override that decision.

Misato
No...

Suzuna
Seriously, you're shutting down the club!? Sorry for saying that stuff about trying again next year...

Daichi
It's all right, Suzuna. Thank you for standing with us as well, Miss Misato. But there's nothing we can do about this...

Principal
A healthy spirit resides in a healthy body... Hm, perhaps that distinction has become a little clearer now.

Principal
Incidentally, all of you. You know that this school once made it to the national tournament, yes?

Daichi
Yeah, I know. That was why I entered this school.

Principal
Hm... I see. Then, did you know this? At that time, the person who served as the advisor was... none other than me.

Daichi
!?

Misato
My, my, my! But, in that case, why would you abolish the club yourself?

Principal
I was transferred away from here the year of that appearance in the national tournament. When I returned to this school as the principal, I found that the club I once led had become a gathering spot for misdeeds.

Principal
I couldn't bear to face that reality... I couldn't stand how different it had become from when we appeared in the national tournament.

Principal
I had hoped that, by instituting mandatory membership in clubs, I would be able to revive the beach baseball club. But the result was as you can see...

Principal
In order to preserve the past glory of the club, before it inevitably had to be shut down due to student misconduct, I decided that I would end it myself.

Principal
However... I've realized that that way of thinking may have been wrong from the start. I was imposing an adult's selfish ideals onto the club, and even now, I'm rethinking my actions...

Member 1
We're the ones who should apologize... We had no idea of what memories you had about this club, and we were just using it to play around...

Daichi
Um... I'm sorry, Principal... We need to take responsibility for tarnishing the legacy of the people who came before us. A promise is a promise. We won't complain about the club's abolition.

Misato
Daichi...

Principal
I see... Then, allow me to hand down the punishment for the beach baseball club.

Principal
... You are commanded to make it into the national tournament next year.

Daichi
!?

Misato
My, my, my! That means the club can continue to operate!

Principal
Yes. When I came to see their first game, I could see my own image in their frantic play.

Principal
The national tournament is not everything. The result of the tournament is secondary. The more important thing is the fact that you gave your all to the game...

Principal
At some point after I entered the field of education, I began worrying only about public perception, and forgot about this obvious and important thing.

Principal
But, thanks to Miss Misato, I've remembered. I thank you deeply for coming to this school. Thank you -- you truly are a shining example to us teachers.

Misato
Not at all, I didn't do anything special! All I did was encourage these hard-working students.

Member 3
Wait... We're talking about next year, but today's the day that Miss Misato has to leave.

Member 1
That's right! Without Miss Misato, my rosy school life will be...

Asahi
You're an important part of our team, Miss Misato! Please don't go!

Daichi
Yeah, who else will serve as our advisor... You're the one who returned our club to normal, Miss Misato!

Misato
My, my... What should I do... Oh, dear...

Principal
Hmm... Perhaps we could name you as an external special advisor, so that you'll be involved in the club's affairs from now on.

Principal
How about it, Miss Misato? I understand that you must have many responsibilities as a guild master, so you needn't involve yourself too heavily if you can't.

Misato
Oh, my! I happily accept the offer. Ha ha, everyone, I'm looking forward to continuing as your advisor!

Member 1
Y-Yes!

Daichi
Yeah, likewise, Miss Misato!!

Hatsune
Then, I'll make an even bigger cheer squad for you next year! We'll pack the stands!

Member 2
Oooh! I'm excited!

Member 3
Yeah. Nothing's more energizing than Hatsune's cheering.

Hatsune
Thank you! I'll be expecting great things from you, too! Kiraaan!

Io
Ha ha, then, we'll just have to come back to cheer as well!

Suzuna
Yeah! Maybe I'll do some modeling as a cheerleader!

Daichi
We'll be able to see Suzuna again, too!! I'm getting more and more pumped!!

Kaya
Does that mean we'll still be coaches, too?

Jun
Hm... So it appears. I have to put my work responsibilities first, but I'll help out as much as I can.

Ayane
Yeah! Puukichi and I will teach you how to hit every single one out of the park!

Member 1
Eep!! You mean this hellish training will come back!? My body already can't take it...

Daichi
Hey, was training with these coaches really that tough!?

Member 3
That's right, you weren't there for it. You'd better prepare yourself...

Daichi
For you to say that, it has to be seriously bad, right?

Kaya
Hey, Daichi. I think your fastball is pretty sweet, but don't you want to try throwing some even crazier pitches? Like... how about a fireball?

Daichi
That sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind learning something like that. No one will ever be able to hit devilish pitches like those!

Kaya
Yeah, sounds great. I'll teach you diligently. But... I'm telling you, my training is pretty strict. Make sure you're ready, okay?

Member 2
Heh heh... Daichi's done for...

Member 1
I hope he's still alive next year...

Adult
Oh, here you all are! Man, it's too bad, but... Huh? I thought you'd be more sad about things...

Daichi
Heh. This was just a small setback. We've got more to look forward to!

Adult
Ahaha. That's good to hear. I'm happy that you've made such good friends, Daichi. And I'm sure you'll be making many more in the future, too.

Daichi
What do you mean?

Adult
Your team's performance in the tournament has become the talk of the town. A triumph of our tiny, no-name school.

Adult
You guys are an inspiration to aspiring players, and more of them might be enrolling at our school in the coming year. Don't you think, Principal?

Principal
Yes... The truth is, we've already gotten several inquiries. I feel that our previously problem-filled school is undergoing a transformation, thanks to the beach baseball club.

Principal
If things go on like this, then we may well be able to make the national tournament next year. And then... My unfulfilled dream of winning the championship may not be just a dream after all.

Misato
Ha ha. Mister Principal, I'm happy to hear you sharing your dreams as well. I'm very excited to see what lies in these children's futures!

Asahi
Miss Misato, let me thank you one more time. If you hadn't become our teacher, our club would never have become the way it is now.

Member 3
Yeah. If I'd never picked up beach baseball, I never would've gotten to experience these thrilling feelings.

Misato
My, my, there's no need for thanks. On the contrary, I've gained even more courage myself just from seeing you all.

Hatsune
Yeah! I've also had a lot of fun being a cheerleader! I never knew that cheering on other people could bring so much happiness!

Misato
Ha ha, I'm glad. It seems like you also had a wonderful summer, Hatsune!

Principal
As a principal... No, as the former advisor to the club, I vow to provide whatever support I can.

Daichi
Thanks -- we'll be counting on it.

Misato
Ha ha, then, as a team, let's do our best to make next year's national tournament!

Daichi & Others
Yeah!!

Hatsune
Yeah!!

Yuuki
1. "Yeah!!"

The beach baseball team, under Misato's guidance, set their sights on next year's summer national tournament, and took one more step towards their dreams.