Chapter 227: I Am One Too

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Suddenly, Miyuki began to clap.

Then, all the third-years present followed suit, followed by the second-years, and some of the more sentimental third-year seniors even had reddened eyes, such as Tanba Koichiro.

"Director, I..." Chris, also with reddened eyes, walked up to Director Kataoka.

"This is what you deserve. Before Miyuki, it was you who carried the team alone. After you were injured, you also spared no effort in helping the team. Now that your injury has recovered and your strength is not inferior to anyone, I hope you can seize this opportunity," Director Kataoka said earnestly.

In the end, he still chose to give this opportunity to Chris.

Chris had talent and strength, and now that a chance to become a Koshien champion Catcher was placed before him, Director Kataoka hoped he could make his dream come true; this would definitely be of great help to Chris's development after graduation.

Chris took the jersey number with trembling hands, moved to tears, bowed deeply to Director Kataoka, and then turned to bow to everyone else.

Next, Director Kataoka continued to announce the remaining jersey numbers.

"Number 3! Yuki Tetsuya!"

As Captain, Jiecheng's jersey number was also unquestionable and unshakable.

"Continue to lead the team forward!" Director Kataoka placed the jersey number heavily into Yuki Tetsuya's hands.

"Yes!" Yuki Tetsuya said with a solemn nod.

Director Kataoka gave a satisfied 'hmm'; he was very reassured by this current Captain. Although the other party was not good with words, his ability to take action was absolutely maxed out.

"Number 4, Kominato Ryosuke!"

"Number 5, Masuko Toru!"

"Number 6, Kuramochi Yoichi!"

"Number 7, Sakai Ichiro!"

"Number 8, Isashiki Jun!"

"Number 9, Shirasu Kenjiro!"

"Number 10, Tanba Koichiro!"

"Number 11, Kawakami Norifumi!"

"Number 12, Miyuki Kazuya!"

"Number 13, Miyauchi Keisuke!"

"Number 14, Kusunoki Fumiya!"

"Number 15, Maezono Kenta!"

"Number 16, Endo Naoki!"

"Number 17, Arima Kazusa!"

What!

The appearance of this name left everyone present astonished. This was only number 17, and a First Year rookie had already appeared. Did this not mean that everyone after this would be a First Year?

Arima Kazusa himself could not believe that such a thing had actually happened; he had entered the First String.

"Keep it up, perform well." Director Kataoka handed the jersey number to Arima Kazusa. He liked this little guy very much; he trained hard, had talent, and his batting strength was also quite good. It was precisely because of this that he was able to squeeze the original Third Baseman substitute, Higasa Shoji, out of the First String.

"Thank you, Director, I will work hard!" Arima Kazusa said, clutching the jersey number tightly.

Director Kataoka nodded and then picked up another jersey number.

"Number 18! Kominato Haruichi!"

Kominato Haruichi's face flushed red. He looked at his older brother immediately, and after seeing the other party smile at him, Kominato Haruichi walked out of the ranks happily to stand before Director Kataoka.

"Your batting and fielding are both excellent. Absorb experience in matches and grow quickly," Director Kataoka said.

"Thank you, Director."

After Kominato Haruichi, Director Kataoka picked up a jersey number and cast his gaze toward the middle of the team.

"Number 19, Furuya Satoru!"

Hearing his name, Furuya shuddered. As one of the two dunderheads.

Like Sawamura, he did not understand what it meant that the numbers from 17 onwards were First Years; he had thought he would not be able to enter the First String.

His heart was excited, but Furuya Satoru remained calm on the surface. After stepping forward to receive the jersey number, he just lifted his head and looked straight at Director Kataoka, expecting him to say something.

"Your pitching has power. Keep it up."

"Yes."

Director Kataoka spoke plainly, and Furuya replied just as plainly.

"Finally, number 20."

"Saw..."

"YES!!!!!!"

Before Director Kataoka could finish speaking, Sawamura, who had been waiting impatiently, flashed forward to stand before Director Kataoka and shouted with all his might.

"You're really fast."

Director Kataoka could not help but retort.

"Thank you, Director!!!" Sawamura roared.

"Hahaha, that idiot, he rushed over before he was even called." Kuramochi laughed heartily within the team.

"I'm dying of laughter, haha." Miyuki also laughed along.

"Single-celled organism," Huangqian Yangyi said.

Sawamura hugged his jersey number and walked back to the ranks excitedly.

Soon, the training ground quieted down. The commotion caused by Sawamura had long been cast to the back of everyone's minds. The 20 members of the First String had been selected, and everyone realized what would happen next.

"The third-years who were not selected stay behind; everyone else, head out," Director Kataoka said.

Huangqian Yangyi sighed, then took his jersey number and turned to walk outside.

A group of people exited the training ground, and while most left directly, only the members of the First String remained outside.

Listening to the speech by Director Kataoka coming from inside and the unwilling sobs of the third-year seniors who were not selected, everyone felt very heavy-hearted.

The few First Years who had just received their First String jersey numbers were also silent; even the dullest person could feel the atmosphere at this moment.

"Let's do our best, everyone; carry the wishes of the others and take the championship!" Yuki Tetsuya said in a deep voice.

"Yes!!!!"

Returning to the dormitory, Huangqian Yangyi placed his jersey number on the desk and turned to look at Arima Kazusa, who was still sitting in his seat, excited.

"You did well, kid. Number 17—among the First Years, your number is the earliest."

Arima Kazusa carefully unfolded the jersey number and said to Huangqian Yangyi with a smile, "It's such a surprise. I didn't expect to be able to play in a game this summer. Mom will definitely be very happy."

"Your aunt will definitely come to watch you play then, so you must perform well and not drop the ball at a critical moment."

"I won't!" Arima Kazusa promised.

Just then, Chris pushed the door open and walked in.

Huangqian Yangyi turned his head and smiled, "Chris, are you done talking with Miyuki?"

"We're done," Chris said with a smile.

Seeing his expression, Huangqian Yangyi knew that Chris must have spoken with Miyuki about the jersey numbers; he didn't know the content of their conversation, nor was there any need to ask.

Standing up and walking in front of Chris, Huangqian Yangyi took a deep breath and looked at Chris with extreme seriousness.

"Chris, I have finally waited for this day."

Hearing this, Chris was momentarily dazed; he had known Huangqian Yangyi for so long that he naturally understood what those words meant.

Since Huangqian Yangyi entered Seido, although they had partnered as pitcher and catcher many times, those were only during regular pitching practice or in practice games.

But this summer, he would partner with Huangqian Yangyi on the field in an official game for the first time!

"Me too."

Chris said.