Ep 4. Secret Weapon

Tomomi Nakanishi, a renowned baseball player, and his wife Kaori, visit Kou's family grocery store. Kou is out practicing baseball, but his sister Wakaba is there to greet the customers. Tomomi and Kaori are impressed with Wakaba's friendly demeanor and her understanding of baseball. They decide to invite the family to watch their son play in the upcoming game against another school.

At the game, Kou and Aoba watch from the sidelines as Tomomi's son Subaru pitches a near-perfect game. Kou notices that Subaru's pitches have a distinct sound, unlike any other pitcher. After the game, Tomomi reveals to Kou and Aoba that his son has been throwing a secret pitch, which he calls the "Black Mist," that creates a strange sound and makes it difficult for batters to hit the ball. Tomomi warns Kou and Aoba not to tell anyone about the pitch, as it is considered illegal.

Meanwhile, the Seishuu baseball team is struggling to compete with its rival, Ryuou. In an effort to improve their chances, the team decides to develop a secret weapon of their own. Kou, Aoba, and Nakanishi work together to come up with a new pitch, but they are struggling to come up with something unique and effective.

Eventually, Kou has an idea. He decides to take advantage of his left-handedness and throw a pitch that curves inwards towards right-handed batters, making it difficult for them to hit. He practices the pitch with Nakanishi, and they are both excited about its potential effectiveness. However, they soon realize that the pitch puts a lot of strain on Kou's arm and shoulder, and it may cause injury in the long run.

The Seishuu team decides to test out Kou's new pitch in the upcoming game against Ryuou. Kou is nervous but determined to perform well. He struggles at first, as Ryuou's batters hit several runs. However, Kou's accuracy improves as the game goes on, and he strikes out a few batters with his new pitch. The Seishuu team is able to catch up and tie the game, but Ryuou ultimately wins in the end.

Despite the loss, the Seishuu team is proud of their efforts, and the players are inspired to continue improving their game. Kou and Nakanishi discuss possible modifications to the new pitch, to make it less stressful on Kou's arm and to improve its effectiveness. They are excited about the possibilities, and Kou looks forward to continued success on the field.

Overall, Cross Game season 1 episode 4, titled "Secret Weapon," is an exciting and character-driven episode that highlights the importance of innovation and perseverance in sports. The episode features memorable guest characters, like Tomomi and Kaori Nakanishi, who help move the plot forward and add depth to the world-building. The central conflict, which revolves around the creation of a new and unique pitch, is well-executed and builds tension throughout the episode. The episode also features strong character development for Kou, who must overcome his nerves and physical limitations to perform well on the field. Overall, "Secret Weapon" is a standout episode in the series, and a must-watch for fans of sports anime and drama.