Chapter 199: Kominato Haruichi

A week passed, and the Spring Tokyo Tournament also opened.

Because they were a seeded team, Seido could afford to wait and rest until the third round before making their appearance.

One must know that with over two hundred schools from all of Tokyo participating, if one were to play from the first match to the finals, it would require experiencing 8 or even 9 games.

Seido, only entering in the third round, could fully rest and gather intelligence on their opponents; this was one of the advantages of being a strong team.

Among so many schools, they were divided into 8 groups from A to H; Seido was placed in Group D and was the seeded team for Group D.

Seido's old rivals, Inashiro Industrial and Ichidai Sanko, were also seeded teams; to meet them in the tournament, one would have to wait at least until the semi-finals and finals.

Looking at the bracket, the teammates discovered that there didn't seem to be any formidable opponents in their Group D, and the boys, who had originally been rubbing their hands and preparing for a big fight, suddenly felt a bit bored.

"Everyone, every team participating did not come with the mindset of losing; no one doesn't want to win. Do not look down on any opponent," Yuki Tetsuya said to the members of the First String.

"Jiecheng is right. Don't capsize in the gutter; you'll be mocked by Inashiro and Ichidai Sanko for a lifetime," Isashiki Jun said.

"That's right. How can someone who doesn't even see the opponent in front of them beat future opponents?" Huangqian Yangyi also spoke up to add.

Hearing the three of them say this, the other teammates hurriedly chimed in.

The training over the last two days had been very relaxed, with the First String focusing on adjusting their condition. Huangqian Yangyi had also switched to the bat engraved with his younger sister's name and started doing Batting Practice.

According to Coach Kataoka, during the Spring Metropolitan Tournament, he would not let Huangqian Yangyi stand on the Pitcher's Mound before the semi-finals, unless the team encountered danger.

One reason was to conserve stamina, and the second was because Huangqian Yangyi's pitch speed was too fast, which caused significant pressure on his arm and fingers. Considering Huangqian Yangyi's future baseball career, Coach Kataoka used him as little as possible to avoid Huangqian Yangyi getting injured.

That evening, Huangqian Yangyi was summoned by Takashima Rei again and arrived at the coach's office. Unlike before, there was one more person in the office this time: Ochiai Hiromitsu.

Seeing this little mustache, Huangqian Yangyi understood in his heart; the coach must be planning to let him, the team ace, get to know the other party.

"Huangqian, this is the technical advisor hired by our Seido High School Baseball Club, and also the Technical Head Coach, Ochiai Hiromitsu," Takashima Rei introduced to Huangqian Yangyi.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded and said, "Hello, Coach Ochiai, I am Huangqian Yangyi."

Ochiai Hiromitsu, who had been sitting in his seat, actually stood up to shake hands with Huangqian Yangyi. As Technical Head Coach, doing this gave Huangqian Yangyi plenty of face.

"Student Huangqian, I know you. Last year, the Honghai University Sagami where I was never could take a single point from your hands. It is still fresh in my memory," Ochiai Hiromitsu said while habitually touching his little mustache.

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi smiled: "It's just a game; it's normal to win or lose."

Ochiai Hiromitsu's small eyes rolled around, and he stopped talking, turning instead to look at Coach Kataoka.

Coach Kataoka also stood up and walked over at this time, saying to Huangqian Yangyi: "Huangqian, if you feel troubled by anything in your training recently, you can consult Coach Ochiai."

"Understood, Coach." Huangqian Yangyi nodded in agreement. He knew that these past few days, Ochiai Hiromitsu had been secretly observing Seido's players and must have gained a certain degree of understanding of many of them. He also wanted to hear what Ochiai Hiromitsu thought of him.

Before Huangqian Yangyi could speak, Ochiai Hiromitsu smiled and said: "I haven't carefully observed Student Huangqian's pitching yet, but on the batting side, your power cannot be said to be insufficient, your leg muscles are also well-trained, and your timing for hitting the ball is caught very beautifully. But, have you felt that it isn't very smooth when you exert force during your swing? Do you have this feeling?"

After Ochiai Hiromitsu finished speaking, Huangqian Yangyi raised an eyebrow, and his gaze became serious. Clearly, he had been hit on the mark.

Ever since the Summer Koshien ended last year, he had seen great improvements in both arm strength and leg strength as time passed. But later, during the Jingu Tournament, although his batting performance was still eye-catching, just as Ochiai Hiromitsu said, he always felt something was wrong; there was a feeling that his power would be interrupted when swinging.

After the Jingu Tournament ended, Huangqian Yangyi hadn't taken it to heart; perhaps it was his own illusion? After all, the performance was right there.

As a result, now that it was pointed out by Ochiai Hiromitsu, Huangqian Yangyi knew that this damn well wasn't an illusion; something was definitely wrong!

"Looking at Student Huangqian's expression, I should be right," Ochiai Hiromitsu said with confidence.

Coach Kataoka on the side immediately frowned and asked: "Is there any solution?"

Ochiai Hiromitsu nodded, "This is not a big problem, Coach Kataoka need not worry; it only requires strengthening the waist muscle training."

"Is that so?" Huangqian Yangyi looked at Ochiai Hiromitsu in confusion. It was that simple?

"Of course, sometimes it only takes a small change to lead to a bigger transformation. Your current batting is just like that," Ochiai Hiromitsu said.

Huangqian Yangyi gave a hum. Since that was the case, he would have to add another item to his training schedule.

"Many thanks, Coach Ochiai," Huangqian Yangyi said.

Ochiai Hiromitsu smiled. He had shown a little bit of his skill; although it wasn't a big deal, it allowed him to gain trust from Seido, from the coach and Department Head to the ace.

After leaving the office, Huangqian Yangyi twisted his waist while walking. He never expected that he was actually lacking in waist muscle training.

On the dim path, as Huangqian Yangyi walked, he saw a small figure hiding alone behind a large tree, swinging a bat.

Walking closer to take a careful look, Huangqian Yangyi recognized who this person was.

Pink hair!

Senior Kominato's own younger brother, Kominato Haruichi!

"Oi! Kid!"

The voice that rang out in the darkness made Kominato Haruichi's swinging motion shake violently.

"Still doing self-training so late, that's tough," Huangqian Yangyi smiled.

Kominato Haruichi turned back and walked a few steps. After seeing clearly that it was Huangqian Yangyi, he hurriedly called out politely: "Hello, Senior Huangqian!"

"Mm." Huangqian Yangyi walked in front of Kominato Haruichi, reached out his hand, and said: "Let me see your bat."

Kominato Haruichi was very obedient and hurriedly handed over the bat.

After swinging it a few times, Huangqian Yangyi smiled: "The feel is not bad. Keep it up."

After saying that, the bat was stuffed back into Kominato Haruichi's hands.

"Don't be too anxious. I know you all want to enter the First String and play in games as soon as possible, but you must also pay attention to your body. Go back and get some good rest so late at night. Balance work and rest; blind, hard training will only be counterproductive."