Chapter 101: Semi-finals!

After analyzing Huangqian Yangyi's pitching, a full half-hour had passed. Next, Director Kunitomo clicked on another video, which contained statistics on Huangqian Yangyi's batting data since he joined Seido.

Just by taking one look, the Inashiro players felt immense pressure.

If one only looked at the data from the start of the Spring Metropolitan Tournament until now, Huangqian Yangyi's batting performance was even more terrifying than Dong Qingguo's.

Was this bastard raised on baseballs?!

"Takumi, Mei, when facing Huangqian Yangyi, you must not be careless!" Director Kunitomo said solemnly.

Both nodded. Narumiya Mei clenched his fists; when it came to pitching, Narumiya Mei believed he wouldn't lose to the chestnut-haired monster, but in batting—although his own batting wasn't bad, and could even be called excellent for a First Year—compared to Huangqian Yangyi's batting, his performance at the plate seemed a bit lacking.

The unyielding Narumiya Mei even developed the idea of adding extra batting practice. Seemingly seeing through Narumiya Mei's thoughts, Harada Masatoshi, who was beside him, said in a low voice: "Practice pitching properly, don't get distracted thinking too much."

Narumiya Mei let out an "un" without answering; no one knew what he was thinking inside.

"In any case, you must swing aggressively during the game. Whether it is Nanjo Taishi or Huangqian Yangyi, if you want to take runs from them, you must never let any opportunity slip by," Director Kunitomo said.

At the same time, in the meeting room of the Seido High School Baseball Club, they were similarly conducting an analysis of Inashiro.

This summer, there was another First Year newcomer among Inashiro's main squad.

Kamiya Carlos Toshiki had appeared as Inashiro's main Center Fielder starting from the third round. In the few games he had played, whenever Carlos reached base, Inashiro was guaranteed to score.

Of course, there was the reason that the opponents weren't strong, but just based on his speed, which was even faster than Kuramochi's, it wasn't without reason that Inashiro had promoted him directly to the main squad.

"Kuramochi, you have to work hard. That guy Carlos is already a starter; shouldn't you pull Zhitian-senpai off his pedestal?" Huangqian Yangyi whispered to Kuramochi beside him.

Hearing this, Kuramochi Yoichi shook his head speechlessly, "Don't try to sow discord between me and senpai; it's useless, I'm telling you."

"Hey, what are you afraid of? Senpai won't get angry, right, senpai?" Huangqian Yangyi lightly patted Zhitian Jiangtai, who was sitting in front.

Zhitian Jiangtai turned his head and smiled at Kuramochi with his eyes narrowed. Kuramochi immediately felt a chill down his back, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Senpai, it has nothing to do with me; it was Huangqian who said it," Kuramochi hurriedly explained.

"What? You don't want to be a starter?" Zhitian Jiangtai asked.

Hearing this, Kuramochi nodded vigorously, "I do!"

"Well, then keep wanting it," Zhitian Jiangtai laughed. He wasn't worried at all that his position would be replaced by Kuramochi; aside from speed, at the current stage, Kuramochi had no way to replace him in either batting or fielding.

Two days later, July 18th, Saturday.

Everyone from the Seido High School Baseball Club gathered at the school gate to board the bus. The student fan club, cheerleading squad, and Wind Instrument Department had also already taken buses to the venue ahead of time.

Tokyo's largest stadium, Jingu Stadium.

When the bus stopped at the entrance, reporters and fans who had been waiting for a long time immediately swarmed over.

"Director Kataoka, would you mind answering a few questions?"

"Director Kataoka, may I interview you?"

"Director Kataoka, it is already the semi-finals now; do you have anything you would like to say to your opponent?"

"Do you have any arrangements for today's game?"

Questions came one after another. Director Kataoka, wearing sunglasses, walked at the very front of the team with a stern face.

At this time, the two Department Heads of the Baseball Club played their part, politely blocking and turning away the reporters; they could not let these people disturb their players.

Almost at the same time, another bus stopped at the entrance, and Director Kunitomo brought his team off the bus.

Seeing this, Director Kataoka also stopped his steps and turned to look.

The two powerhouse teams of West Tokyo met outside the stadium just like that, without any preparation.

"Director Kunitomo, please treat us well," Director Kataoka took the initiative to step forward and greet him.

Director Kunitomo also walked over, extended his hand, and said: "Director Kataoka is being modest; Seido's momentum this year is very fierce."

The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries in front, while their respective teams behind them were sizing each other up.

"Little Goldilocks~"

Huangqian Yangyi whispered.

Narumiya Mei immediately poked his head out from behind Harada Masatoshi: "Chestnut-haired monster!"

"Little Goldilocks, I'm going to crush you today," Huangqian Yangyi made a swinging motion.

Narumiya Mei was instantly enraged. He had previously been hit for a Home Run by Huangqian Yangyi; how could he not blow his top hearing that?

"Hmph, don't even think about touching my pitches today, I am..."

"Mei!"

Harada Masatoshi's voice came, pressing back the words that were on the tip of Narumiya Mei's tongue.

"What a pity," Huangqian Yangyi sighed.

Harada Masatoshi looked at him helplessly. This guy, the moment they met he came to provoke his child, and yet his child was so foolish, nearly leaking information.

After the two directors finished their pleasantries, they led their respective teams into the venue.

After changing clothes and putting on their gear, the twenty members of the Seido First String arrived at the Third Base dugout.

As soon as they entered the venue, the long-waiting audience immediately erupted into cheers, especially in the stands on the Third Base side, where the shouting of the student fan club was deafening, the Wind Instrument Department's brass band played music in unison, and the young ladies of the cheerleading squad were jumping around in their short skirts.

"Huangqian! It's up to you today!"

"Dong! I'm counting on you!"

"Nanjo! Go for it!"

"Jiecheng, hit it out!"

Normal fans were each cheering on the players.

"Huangqian, I want to have your babies!"

These were the abnormal fans.

Opposite, when the Inashiro players appeared, it also caused a burst of cheers. As fellow powerhouses, their fan base was no worse than Seido's, and because of their excellent results in recent years, there were even more people supporting Inashiro.

Soon, after the pre-game warm-up ended, both sides shook hands, and the game officially began.

In the dugout, seeing that everyone was prepared, Director Kataoka stood at the front facing everyone.

"We have reached this point, and our opponent is Inashiro. I believe that no one present here is willing to accept the result of defeat. Bring out your best performance, give it your all! Defeat the opponent!"

"Yes!!"

"Coach, shall we do it once?" Dong Qingguo asked.

Everyone also looked at Coach Kataoka with anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Coach Kataoka curled the corners of his mouth: "Save it for the next game."

The next game, the finals!

Thinking of this, a flash of excitement crossed everyone's eyes; that's right, we'll shout it at the finals!

We must win today's game!