Chapter 24: Miyuki's Starting Debut Trial

Miyuki kept his distance from Huangqian Yangyi and began swinging the bat in his hand, "I must get on the field for the next game!"

"Oh? That depends on the manager's arrangements."

"I don't care! It pisses me off seeing you showing off on the field all by yourself." Miyuki gritted his teeth fiercely, "Especially when the one catching for you isn't me!"

Huangqian Yangyi stopped swinging and turned his head to look at Miyuki, "Jealous?"

"Huh?" Miyuki instantly bristled.

"Hahahaha~~"

Huangqian Yangyi laughed loudly. Today was truly a triple blessing; not only did his cute younger sister come to him for affection, he had also teased Chris, and now he was messing with Miyuki.

Satisfied, he should be able to have a good dream tonight.

In the blink of an eye, the time arrived for the 1/8 Finals of the Spring Dudahui, and Seido's opponent this time was a famous private high school in Tokyo, Horikoshi High School.

This was a school primarily focused on training entertainers, which could be called a cradle for Japanese idols.

However, for such a school, their Baseball Club had miraculously broken into the top 8 of the Dudahui. Although there was some luck involved in the opponents they encountered, they must have had something going for them to make it this far.

Before the game, the Seido players looked at the members of Horikoshi High School opposite them, feeling incredibly indignant. It had to be said, their looks were truly high-tier; any candid shot of their every move wouldn't look bad.

In contrast, Seido looked like a bunch of fierce, menacing savages.

"As expected, does even Seido's appearance need me to save it?"

Huangqian Yangyi tossed the hair on his forehead quite narcissistically.

"Don't get restless just because you can't play; there's no room for you to show off today!" Dong Qingguo said.

During the strategy meeting the night before the game, Manager Kataoka had clearly stated that he would not be sent to pitch today. Whether it was out of protection or to prevent information leaks, he was stuck on the bench today regardless.

Conversely, another First Year, Miyuki Kazuya, had received the opportunity to play today, and as a starter at that.

This had Miyuki feeling smug all night, especially in front of Huangqian Yangyi—a starter, this was treatment that even Huangqian Yangyi hadn't received.

Besides Miyuki, others who received starting opportunities were the Second Year Pitcher Tanba Koichiro and Second Baseman Kominato Haruichi.

Huangqian Yangyi knew that this was Manager Kataoka training his troops; facing such a school, sending out First and Second Years to gain experience was the most appropriate opportunity.

"Tokyo Baseball Spring Tokyo Tournament, Quarter-finals."

"The game between Seido High School and Horikoshi High School officially begins!"

In the first inning, Horikoshi High School attacked first, with Seido High School on defense.

The 9 players walked onto the field together, and Miyuki followed beside Tanba, saying, "Tanba-senpai, let's have a good game."

Tanba Koichiro turned his head to look at him. Although the two had coordinated during practice, this was their first time in an official game.

"Yeah."

Tanba, who was not good at communication, just nodded and said "yeah." Miyuki didn't feel looked down upon or anything, and he walked toward the Home Plate with a bright smile on his face.

After the warm-up catch ended, the game began quickly. The first batter for Horikoshi High School was a handsome man, 180cm tall, with balanced features and a refined face. As soon as he stepped into the Batter's box, he immediately caused a burst of screams from the spectator stands.

"In this kind of situation, I should clearly be the one out there. I crush the opponent in both skill and looks." Someone's narcissistic commentary began again.

"Huangqian, if you're going to say that, I feel like I could do it too."

Huangqian Yangyi turned back; the person speaking was the Second Year senior Kusunoki Fumiya, the undisputed visual representative of the Second Years, just like Chris.

"Right? Right? Kusunoki-senpai, you also think this situation calls for me, don't you?" Huangqian Yangyi frantically sought validation.

Kusunoki Fumiya laughed heartily and patted Huangqian Yangyi on the back, "Don't be in such a rush, there will be plenty of opportunities later."

During their conversation, the game on the field had already begun.

Miyuki observed the batter. He was gripping the bat long from the start and standing so far forward—aiming for an outside pitch right away? Is the goal that clear?

Or is the opponent prepared specifically for Tanba?

As an opponent, it was impossible for Horikoshi High School not to have studied Seido. It was easy to understand what Tanba's characteristics were.

A weak personality—this was the biggest flaw in Tanba.

Miyuki shifted slightly, placed his mitt at the high inside corner, and called for a Four-seam Fastball.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Tanba frowned, then nodded. As long as this pitch could be thrown in, it would make the batter wary.

Whoosh~

Tanba took a deep breath, then threw the ball quickly. The small ball moved at extreme speed, heading straight for the batter's chest.

Pop!

"Strike!"

Having secured one strike, Miyuki didn't relax. The Horikoshi High School batter hadn't reacted at all—was he really waiting for an outside pitch?

Miyuki decided to test him. If that was really the case, Tanba-senpai might be in for a rough time in today's game.

For the second pitch, Miyuki called for a low inside Four-seam Fastball; the opponent still didn't swing.

Miyuki's expression gradually grew solemn. Now it was a two-strike count; he would test him one more time.

He set his mitt and gave Tanba the signal for a fastball. Miyuki glanced at the batter and noticed the opponent was just staring at Tanba, motionless.

Come on then. If it was really what he thought, although this game might not be so friendly to Tanba-senpai, it was becoming much more interesting for him.

Tanba's third pitch was thrown quickly. The ball flew toward the outside corner near the strike zone. It was a subtle ball, but the Horikoshi High School batter swung his bat decisively.

"Strike! Strikeout!"

"Tanba! That's it, take them out!"

"Good job, well done!"

The spectator stands were in an uproar, but Miyuki stared seriously at the second batter stepping up—his stance was also very far forward!

Confirmed. Horikoshi High School's tactic for dealing with Tanba-senpai was to apply pressure to him.

They were clearly telling him, "I'm specifically looking to hit your outside pitches. Do you dare to throw them? If you throw them, I'll hit them. If you're capable, just keep throwing inside pitches."

This is troublesome, Miyuki thought.

Such a straightforward and simple tactic might not have much effect on others, but against Tanba, it might truly have a miraculous effect.

Few pitch types, weak mentality; Tanba-senpai, you must hold on.

Well, but when a Pitcher encounters trouble, it is precisely the opportunity for a Catcher to play their part, Miyuki suddenly became fired up.

"This guy, he must be very excited."

Huangqian Yangyi suddenly said.

"Oh? What did you see?" Chris turned his head to ask; he also saw the situation on the field, but he did not expect that Huangqian Yangyi seemed to have sensed something.

"The opponent's strength is not high, so they came up with a way to restrict Tanba-senpai's pitch selection. At a time like this, it tests not only the Pitcher but even more so the Catcher. For Kazuya, this is an opportunity to show himself; it just depends on whether he can seize it." Huangqian Yangyi spoke eloquently, stating what he had observed.

After listening, Chris smiled with satisfaction.

On the field, Miyuki's pitch calling quickly confirmed Huangqian Yangyi's guess.