Chapter 218: Welcome Tournament?

At night, Huangqian Yangyi picked up his weighted bat once again to begin self-training; there was still some time before the Kanto Tournament, and they had enough time to digest the fatigue from the Spring Tournament.

"Well, the game only just ended today, and you're already itching to start training. That's not good, you know."

In the darkness, Miyuki walked out carrying a bat.

"Heh, aren't you doing the same? Why are you lecturing me?" Huangqian Yangyi said without even turning his head.

"I'm used to it. I can't sleep if I don't swing the bat a few times."

"What a coincidence, me too."

Miyuki smiled, walked over near Huangqian Yangyi, and also began to swing his bat.

The next day, after Huangqian Yangyi finished his morning practice and had breakfast, he had just arrived at the classroom when the classmates immediately crowded around him again, the young girls chattering incessantly by his side.

"This guy, why is he the only one so popular?" Kuramochi said, leaning against the window in envy and jealousy.

"Haha, strong and handsome, maybe that's why," Miyuki laughed. Although he couldn't compare to Huangqian, his level of popularity with the girls wasn't bad either.

"Damn it!"

Kuramochi gritted his teeth in frustration. He was already a Second Year, yet he still didn't have a girlfriend!

What was even more infuriating was that these two jerks were in the same class as him. It was really annoying, okay? Watching them get lifted to the heavens by the young girls every day, while he could only watch longingly, ignored by everyone.

Furthermore, these two had better grades than him. Where was the justice in that?

Escaping from this flock of girls, Huangqian Yangyi sat behind Miyuki. After a day of classes, the three of them strolled slowly to the field, only to see that the First Year kids had already finished gathering, and Coach Kataoka was standing in front with a serious expression, saying something.

"Huangqian, you guys are late, you probably don't know yet, there's a Welcome Tournament tomorrow," Ono Hiroshi walked over from the side and said.

"Welcome Tournament? So early?" Miyuki asked in confusion.

Huangqian Yangyi, on the other hand, looked at the First Years on the field. Normally, the Welcome Tournament would be held after the Kanto Tournament. Moreover, they weren't in urgent need of manpower right now. In that case, perhaps Coach Kataoka wanted to get a more direct look at the strength of the First Years?

"I heard it was suggested by Coach Ochiai," Ono Hiroshi said.

Hearing this, Miyuki suddenly realized. If it was that guy, then there was nothing strange about it. The training of the Second String was basically handled entirely by Ochiai Hiromitsu now; the early Welcome Tournament might be to select talent for the Second String to cultivate as soon as possible.

Plus, they had just won the Spring Tournament, so the First String had been resting for the past two days. The entire coaching staff was much more relaxed, and there was plenty of time to hold the Welcome Tournament now.

"The Welcome Tournament is definitely for selecting First Years to enter the Second String. Who do you think it will be?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

Upon hearing this, the others all looked at that group of First Years. Kuramochi spoke first: "Haruichi will definitely make it. His fielding is very good, and his hitting is also among the best in the First Year."

"Furuya's hitting is also very powerful, his ability to hit for extra-base hits is very strong." Before they knew it, Kawakami had also walked to their side.

"Heh, if we're talking about hitting, the most powerful one among the First Years is still that kid Arima Kazusa. I think he might be able to enter the First String before the Summer Tournament," Ono Hiroshi said, his gaze fixed on Arima Kazusa in the crowd.

"Ono, you have a good eye," Huangqian Yangyi's appearance of feeling proud for his own "child" left the others speechless.

Miyuki lifted his chin at this moment and turned to ask: "What about the others? That Kanemaru and Tojo are also good. Their overall quality is outstanding among the First Years."

"Those two are not bad, they should be able to enter the Second String. After summer, they might have a chance to compete for a spot on the First String," Huangqian Yangyi laughed.

Kanemaru and Tojo belonged to the type with solid foundations and excellent overall quality, but they didn't have anything particularly outstanding.

The group watched from the sidelines for a while before dispersing to conduct their own self-training. Huangqian Yangyi found Chris, who was practicing swinging alone, and extended an invitation to pitch.

That night, after finishing dinner, Sawamura rushed impatiently to Huangqian Yangyi's dormitory.

"Big Brother! Master!"

In the room, Chris and Huangqian Yangyi exchanged a glance, both feeling the other's helplessness. They didn't know why this idiot Sawamura was always keen on calling them that.

Amidst Sawamura's anticipation, Chris picked up his glove.

"Senior, let's go too," Arima Kazusa said, carrying his bat and wearing the same longing expression as Sawamura.

After leaving the dormitory and arriving downstairs, Huangqian Yangyi discovered that Furuya Satoru and Kominato Haruichi were already waiting ahead of time.

"Senior, sorry for the trouble," Kominato Haruichi said politely.

"It's fine, I won't let you guys hit too much," Huangqian Yangyi laughed.

The group walked all the way to the Indoor Training Ground. At Chris's request, Sawamura and the others were forced to undergo a twenty-minute warm-up. During this time, Chris explained various baseball knowledge to them.

"Yangyi, we can start."

After the warm-up ended, Chris shouted to Huangqian Yangyi, who was chatting with Kawakami.

Huangqian Yangyi responded and turned to ask: "Kawakami, do you want to pitch a few balls? Let these little guys see your pitching."

"Me?" Kawakami pointed at himself and asked: "They want to hit Huangqian-san's balls, right?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter," Huangqian Yangyi said, and ignoring Kawakami's opposition, he pushed him over.

The four First Years stood obediently in a row. Huangqian Yangyi put his arm around the somewhat shy Kawakami and smiled, saying: "Everyone, you're in luck. Your Senior Kawakami is prepared to test you. How about it? Do you have the confidence to hit his ball?"

"Huangqian-san, I..."

Kawakami was anxious; he hadn't thought of it that way at all. Testing them or whatever was just too much.

"Really, Senior Kawakami? Thank you!!"

Arima Kazusa shouted in pleasant surprise. This was also a First String pitcher who often appeared in games. His Sinker and Slider were also superb, and he was a side-arm pitcher. If it weren't for the lack of familiarity, Arima Kazusa would have wanted to try hitting Kawakami's balls long ago.

"Thank you, Senior," Kominato Haruichi also said.

Sawamura and Furuya Satoru reacted half a beat slower, as if they didn't understand what was meant.

Seeing that no one objected, Huangqian Yangyi patted Kawakami on the shoulder and laughed: "I'm counting on you. Teach these little brats a good lesson."

Kawakami was helpless. After a sigh, he said to Chris on the side: "Senior Chris, could I trouble you to catch for me?"

"Of course," Chris nodded with a smile. He and Kawakami really hadn't partnered much.

Soon, everyone was ready. Huangqian Yangyi stood behind Chris.

The first to step into the Batter's Box was Arima Kazusa. After excitedly swinging his bat a few times, Arima Kazusa bowed to Kawakami and shouted: "Senior Kawakami, please pitch it over."

"Alright, try to hit it," Kawakami said softly. He really liked such polite juniors.