Chapter 22: Practical Simulation

"Senior, this cake is for you."

"Eh?"

Fujiwara Takako covered her mouth in surprise.

"It's a token of gratitude for your help. Thank you for your hard work with the Cheerleading Squad and the cheering group." Huangqian Yangyi said with a smile. It was only right to give a small gift when asking others for favors; owing people was not a good habit.

Fujiwara Takako took the cake, her face blushing. "It's nothing. I'm happy to be able to help Huangqian-kun."

"Well, then I'm off to train."

Just as Huangqian Yangyi turned around, he looked back and said, "By the way, Senior, call me Yangyi from now on. I like it when people call me by my name directly."

"Mm."

Fujiwara Takako lowered her head and gave a soft "mm." Call him by his name directly?

"Aha, a little cake, is it?" Seeing Huangqian Yangyi walk away, Jiantian Youxiang, with a motherly smile on her face, immediately hugged Fujiwara Takako from behind.

Fujiwara Takako shuddered. "Senior, stop it."

"Tsk tsk, it's specifically for you alone. I want to eat some too." Jiantian Youxiang kept teasing Fujiwara Takako.

"I'm ignoring you." Fujiwara Takako's face turned red as she stood up, ran to the side, and put the little cake into her bag.

Not long after, the afternoon training began. After warming up, it was base-running practice. The non-stop shuttle runs made the First Year students miserable.

By comparison, the seniors were like fish in water. Although they were all panting, their spirits were much better than the First Years; they were all stamina monsters.

After finishing all the basic training with the other First Years, Huangqian Yangyi joined the First String practice along with Miyuki.

Center Fielder. Huangqian Yangyi arrived at this position to participate in defensive training. With the seniors hitting wildly, balls flew toward him one after another. His lack of experience left him flustered and scrambling, and he was scolded miserably for it.

The seniors acted as if they were venting their anger, showing no mercy when hitting the ball his way. Noticing Huangqian Yangyi's disheveled state, the second and third-year seniors secretly laughed.

This guy, he hogged so much of the spotlight yesterday; we need to give him a good lesson.

Before they knew it, they had formed this tacit understanding.

Even so, Huangqian Yangyi was still not the most miserable one. The most miserable one was someone else: Miyuki Kazuya, who was guarding a crate of baseballs, tossing balls to the seniors like a machine, his face filled with despair.

After this, it was time for the pitching practice stage.

Huangqian Yangyi went to the dugout and found Kataoka Tesshin.

"Coach."

"Something up?" Coach Kataoka asked calmly.

"Regarding the pitching practice, I have a request," Huangqian Yangyi said.

A request?

Everyone who heard this turned their heads, wanting to see what Huangqian Yangyi was about to do.

"Speak. If it's reasonable, I can consider it," Coach Kataoka said.

"I hope to add a simulated live-action method. I will pitch, and the seniors will bat. Three balls per person. Excluding me, there are 18 people in the current First String, so it's less than 60 balls in total."

"Reason?" Kataoka raised an eyebrow and asked.

Huangqian Yangyi looked at the seniors around him who had been drawn by his words, then said.

"For me, facing different types of batters seriously can provide better training, whether it's experience, tactics, or mentality."

"For the seniors, my pitching—fast speed and accurate control—can provide effective batting practice from different angles, which is very helpful for improving their batting level."

"And with three balls per person, it won't waste too much time. I don't think anyone will refuse."

What a bold guy. The seniors secretly broke into a cold sweat.

Aside from the self-directed training at night, their training content was almost entirely specified by Coach Kataoka and the entire coaching staff. No one had ever dared to offer an opinion on this matter before. This kid had set a precedent again.

After listening to Huangqian Yangyi's reasons, Coach Kataoka also thought for a while.

It had to be said, this was a very good proposal, both for the pitcher Huangqian Yangyi and for the other First String members batting.

The expressionless Kataoka Tesshin made Huangqian Yangyi feel the pressure, but his gaze remained firm.

"Won't this be too much of a burden for you?"

Coach Kataoka asked. If there was one thing about this proposal that worried him the most, it was whether Huangqian Yangyi's body could handle it, as this counted as extra training.

Having had the lesson of Chris, Kataoka Tesshin was now extremely careful, terrified of training Huangqian Yangyi into the ground.

"Less than 60 balls, I can do it." Huangqian Yangyi felt a warmth in his heart; he hadn't expected the coach's first concern to be his health.

"If you feel any discomfort, tell me immediately," Kataoka Tesshin said.

"Yes."

Kataoka Tesshin nodded and then took a step forward.

Seeing this, the rest of the First String, knowing the coach had something to say, gathered around.

"You all heard what was just said. I have approved Huangqian's proposal."

Hiss~

The seniors looked at Huangqian Yangyi beside Kataoka in surprise. Good for you, you actually pulled it off.

Before they could finish being surprised, Kataoka Tesshin's next words made their hearts go cold.

"Huangqian is willing to add extra training to help you improve your batting level. As seniors, shouldn't you feel ashamed?"

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi was stunned. Coach, what are you doing? Are you trying to make them hate me?

"Therefore, to alleviate your guilt, anyone who is struck out by Huangqian will go run 5 kilometers after training."

Huh?

The seniors were dumbfounded. Huangqian's pitching was fast, accurate, and fierce! Even Dong Qingguo wouldn't dare guarantee he wouldn't be struck out.

"What? Any objections?" Kataoka's icy gaze pierced through them.

"No!" everyone shouted in unison.

Watching this scene, the few managers in the dugout began to whisper among themselves.

"Huangqian has drawn aggro again," Jiantian Youxiang said.

"Hmm, wouldn't that be a bit bad? Yangyi should still try to get along well with the upperclassmen, right?" Fujiwara Takako's face was full of worry.

"Don't worry, they're just messing around; they don't actually hate him," Jiantian Youxiang laughed. "For these baseball fanatics, being able to simulate a real game against Huangqian's pitches is something they'd kill for."

Fujiwara Takako gave a hum and stopped speaking.

That day, during the first simulated game, all 18 members of the First String were struck out without exception; although Dong Qingguo and Yuki Tetsuya managed to hit the ball, they were both Foul Balls.

After training ended, under the curious gazes of the other club members, the 18 members of the First String began their 5-kilometer run, each of them wearing a look of resentment, clearly directed at Huangqian Yangyi.

"It's a good thing I withdrew from the First String, otherwise I'd probably be running too," Chris joked for once.

Although he was no longer in the First String, his name was still on the roster submitted by Seido, and it could not be changed until the Spring Metropolitan Tournament ended; this was also the reason why the manager had not promoted anyone from the Second String to the First String.