Alice has created a new challenge for herself: when she walks home from school, she can only step on shadows. This is an ironclad law for her - but try as she might, she keeps failing. Even worse, Athena interferes by trying to help out. Alice's self-imposed challenge is something that she must conquer alone, or so she thinks; but maybe there's more to success than just doing everything by yourself.

Summer is blazing in Neo-Venezia. The days are so hot that Akari is starting to see things... One minute, she's walking down a crowded street, and the next, everyone is gone. Following President Aria in a haze, Akari wanders into a mysterious cafe, with a very unusual clientele... And later, the girls all decide to buy Nightshine Chimes, delicate little wind chimes with a glowing bead inside. The glow only lasts for a month before it fades, so Akari decides to make the most of the time she has.

Akari has been given her very first solo job: carrying a shipment of Neo-Venezian glassware. They're beautiful pieces that sparkle in the sun, but the glassmaker's apprentice has a disposition that's anything but bright. He's sour and angry, and he's the one who'll be traveling with Akari as she delivers the shipment. Will Akari be able to handle the pressure of fragile cargo and a critical taskmaster?

Even though Akari is originally from Manhome, she seems to know more people in Neo-Venezia than Aika and Alice do, and they've lived on Aqua all their lives. No matter where she is, Akari has the ability to befriend any stranger. To learn more about this mysterious power Akari has, Aika and Alice decide to follow her in secret... but they might have to blow their cover once Akari innocently starts talking to a dangerous-looking man in black!

Two wonderful things have happened: it's time for Neo-Venezia's annual Carnevale, and Ai has come back to Aqua for a visit! As Akari and Ai wander through streets full of bright colors and beautiful masks, they catch a glimpse of Casanova, the mysterious master of ceremonies. Who is the man behind the mask? The two are curious, but they'll need to be careful. You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, after all...

It’s 4-0, and Nishiura hasn’t gotten a single run. After discovering that the courses were wrong and that Bijyou had scouted them, Abe is able to lead Mihashi to pitch two no-hit innings.

The game against Bijyou Dai Sayama High has begun, and Mihashi questions why Bijyou’s batters only seem to swing on pitches that are the opposite of what they like to hit.

Nishiura's third game against Kounan begins. Bijyou High’s coaches observe the game, and conclude that Abe, the catcher is deciding all of Mihashi’s pitches.

After one of many misunderstandings, Mihashi comes to realize that he’s an important baseball player of Nishiura High.

Abe’s strategy to walk Sakitama’s cleanup hitter is working. While Sakitama can’t score a run, their third-year Oyama dwells on the end of his baseball career.

Hanai is the cleanup batter for Nishiura in the third match, and is struggling to get out from behind Tajima’s shadow. Hanai questions whether or not he’s a dependable player.

Nishiura High’s next opponent, Sakitama High, has an incredibly strong batter. If Nishiura wants any chance of winning, Nishiura will need a quick shutout win!

Before the next match, the Nishiura Nine go to watch the game of their next opponent. There they discover Sakitama High’s cleanup hitter, Daichi Sakura.

Accepting their defeat against Bijyou Dai Sayama High, Mihashi and the Nishiura Nine work to come up with a team goal. Mihashi receives an ambiguous text from Abe.

Kurata from Bijyou feels guilty about beating the crap out of other players. Abe’s accidental injury strikes a chord, and he no longer wants to be involved with Roka’s dirty schemes.

It’s the final inning and Nishiura is still behind in runs. Coming to terms with Abe’s injury, Mihashi realizes that he was shoving all of his responsibilities onto Abe.

The unthinkable has happened! Abe is injured and can no longer participate in the match. Mihashi must step up to the pitcher’s mound and discover some self-confidence.

After scoring two runs, Bijyou High turns up the heat and sends out its reserve pitcher, Kashima. Kashima throws intense fast balls, but he’s just warming up! Can Nishiura land a hit?

"Hot off the heels of their first win, the players of Nishiura High School are fired up for the rest of the summer tournament! Their next opponent, Sakitama High, has an incredibly strong batter. If Nishiura wants any chance of winning, Nishiura will need a quick shutout win! This should be doable for Mihashi and Abe since they continue to make a great battery, but at the same time, could Mihashi’s reliance on Abe’s signaling spell trouble in the games to come? Hits and sprints, pains and sprains... Mihashi and team have quite a struggle ahead of them if they want to play on the legendary field of Koshien Stadium!"