Hanaki High School (花木高校)

Much like Kotesashi, Hanaki High School is a public high school that participated in the regional tournament for the first time.

Players

Kinjou (金城)

A member of the Houya Senior League and was the reserve catcher during the time when Kaname and Kiyomine were there. He considered himself equal in skill with Kaname and that the only thing different between them was Kaname’s “luck” for being childhood friends to Kiyomine and as such, is able to be paired with him.

Kiyomine once practiced pitching at him but eventually stopped with the excuse that “something felt off”, and so, preferring Kaname to catch for him. Despite doing nothing different from Kaname, he felt that adults simply allowed Kiyomine to be spoiled and have things his way.

Watanabe (渡辺)

A member of Houya Senior League, he was a portly and plump boy during his time in the senior league, always eager to help those around him. Hence he was given the nickname “Angel Wanatabe”. Unbeknownst to everyone, however, he only did so to seek praise from others, which rarely came his way, leaving him secretly annoyed.

He greatly admired Kiyomine and once asked Kaname for advice on how to become like him. Expecting a compliment, Kaname instead bluntly told him to lose weight, as he didn’t have an athletic build and shouldn’t aim to be like Kiyomine. Since he threw left-handed, Kaname advised him to focus on that advantage and consider switching to a side-arm throw for better control.

Watanabe had asked Kaname in the hopes of receiving a compliment, as he had phrased the question to make it seem like a compliment to Kaname. Taking Kaname’s response poorly, he decided to lose weight and eventually developed his current pitching style.

As a result of this experience, Watanabe carried a large effigy doll of Kaname (and a small one of Kiyomine) when they first met at the tournament.