Chapter 347: Furuya Seeks Advice

In the top of the second inning, Ugumori's Fourth Batter Meimiya Seiichi came to the plate, connecting with a Slider from Kawakami for a base hit; afterwards, the 5th batter attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Miyuki saw through it, and the attempt failed, resulting in a Strikeout.

Later on, the 6th batter connected with a Sinker, hitting the ball into the ground where it bounced toward Second Base; Kominato Haruichi stepped up to field it, Kuramochi covered the base, and after forcing out Meimiya Seiichi, he threw the ball to Maezono Kenta at First Base to complete a Double Play.

In the top of the second inning, Ugumori still failed to score.

Switching sides, in the bottom of the second inning, Tojo Hideaki came up and immediately bunted, tapping the ball toward Third Base to successfully reach base.

"Hahaha, not bad, kid, but when it comes to bunting, you've still got a long way to go compared to me." Kuramochi Yoichi shouted toward First Base, and after stepping into the Batter's Box, he immediately set up in a bunting stance, causing the Ugumori defense to shift forward as a whole.

Just as Meimiya Seiichi threw the first pitch, Kuramochi let out a "yaha" and pulled back his bat, then swung with all his might.

With Meimiya Seiichi's pitch speed just over 100 km/h, there was plenty of time for Kuramochi to make such a move; the little white ball went "bang" as it was knocked out, landing between First and Second Base, moving fast as it pierced through the Ugumori defense and dropped into the outfield.

"Hahaha~ Run, Tojo!"

Kuramochi shouted at Tojo, who was also running the bases.

"I'm reaching base first."

After successfully reaching base, Kuramochi didn't forget to race Tojo.

No outs, runners on First and Second.

"Man, this guy Kuramochi really is a terrible senior," Huangqian Yangyi remarked.

"That's just his personality, getting carried away," Miyuki said.

Bang!

On the field, Kominato Haruichi chose to sacrifice bunt this time, sending Tojo to Third Base.

One out, runners on Second and Third; Miyuki smashed a hit to Right Fielder, Tojo successfully returned to Home Plate, one out, runners on First and Third.

"Home Run! Home Run!"

"Huangqian!!"

Seeing Huangqian Yangyi step up to the plate, the fans immediately erupted in cheers; this time, they didn't believe Ugumori would dare to issue a Base on Balls.

"Are you going to walk me again?" Huangqian Yangyi lowered his head and smiled.

The Ugumori Catcher remained silent; what else could he do? A Base on Balls was impossible—not only would it give up a run, but there would still be runners on First and Second, and the batters behind him were no pushovers either.

He had no choice but to find a way to retire him here; after thinking it over, the Catcher gave a signal toward the Pitcher's Mound.

Up until now, the first pitch had always been a Slow Curveball, so this time, he would start with a Fastball.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Meimiya Seiichi was under immense pressure; the score was already 5-0, and if he continued to give up runs, the game might end early after 5 innings.

Thinking of this, Meimiya Seiichi turned his head to look at the bench, where their Ugumori Manager, Matsubara Nanpo, was sitting in a wheelchair watching him; this was his good friend, once a baseball player himself, but unfortunately, he had been in a car accident, ending his baseball career, so after entering high school, he transitioned into the role of Manager, handling almost all of the team's training and logistics himself.

How could he let him see him in such a pathetic state! He would never admit defeat!

Meimiya Seiichi's blood boiled as he threw a fast Fastball toward Home Plate, an inside high pitch.

Boom!!

His blood was scalding and his ideals were grand, but reality lay upon Huangqian Yangyi's bat; this level of Fastball held no threat in his eyes, and he blasted the ball into the stands in Right Fielder for a big hit.

It really was a Home Run!

Seido gained three more runs, bringing the score to 8-0.

After this pitch, Meimiya Seiichi collapsed; by the end of the second inning, the score had already reached 11-0.

Third inning, 14-1.

Fourth inning, 16-1.

Fifth inning, 21-1.

The dark horse that had defeated Nio Gakusha was crushed with ease before Seido like a child; with a 20-run difference in 5 innings, the game ended early.

After the match against Ugumori ended, Huangqian Yangyi returned to his daily routine of classes and training.

Someone had been having a very easy time these days due to an injury, though he himself certainly wouldn't think so.

After training ended that day, a crowd of people swarmed into the cafeteria.

"Captain, can I sit here?"

Furuya brought his tray and came to Huangqian Yangyi's side.

"Mm, sit."

"I..."

"Eat first, then talk," Huangqian Yangyi interrupted Furuya's statement; this kid was just like Sawamura—he wouldn't look for him unless there was nothing going on, and if he did, it was definitely something important! And it was always related to baseball.

Chatting was fine, but work was not!

Munch, munch~

Furuya shoveled food into his mouth at high speed.

"Haha, Furuya, it's no use eating so fast; it only counts once Yangyi finishes," Miyuki laughed from across the table.

"Yeah, eat slowly, don't choke to death; it'd be a pity at such a young age," Kuramochi said.

Furuya froze, turned his head, and asked, "It doesn't count if I finish?"

"Are you an idiot?"

Five minutes later, Huangqian Yangyi finished his dinner, chewing slowly, while Furuya on the side was nearly dying of impatience.

"Speak, what's the matter?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

"Captain, I want to know, why didn't you get injured?"

As soon as these words were out, everyone at the table—Kuramochi, Shirasu, Maezono... all looked at Furuya with unfriendly glares.

"Hey, Furuya, what do you mean by that?" Kuramochi asked with a cold face.

Huangqian Yangyi sighed and waved his hand, saying, "Don't be so quick; don't you know Furuya doesn't know how to talk? Let him explain it slowly."

Upon hearing this, everyone realized it was true; Furuya's emotional intelligence was lower than that of a three-year-old.

"You want to ask me why my pitch speed is faster than yours, but you got injured while I didn't, right?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

Furuya nodded vigorously, "The doctor told me to avoid pitching at full strength as much as possible, and also said that my current foot injury and my previous finger injury were both caused by pitching."

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi smiled, "Do you know what the biggest difference between you and me is?"

Furuya shook his head; his brain could not figure out such a complicated question.

"I've said it before, you and Sawamura are the same; there is nothing wrong with being obsessed with the Pitcher's Mound, but there must be a limit. Every time you take the field, you pitch with all your might, and even when you aren't playing, you show no regard for your body during regular training."

"Even during rest periods or occasional days off, you are practically desperate to train yourselves to death; that is the reason why you got injured this time."

Speaking of this, Huangqian Yangyi patted his own chest, "Look at me, I rest when I should rest, and I slack off when I shouldn't."

"Hehe, don't put too much pressure on yourself. You eat a meal one bite at a time; not only you, but even I am still young, and the road ahead is long."

After listening to these words, Furuya was stunned for a long while, "Slack off? You'd get scolded for that, right."

"Ha?! I said so much, and that's the only two words you heard, isn't it! You idiot!" Pitcher Huangqian Yangyi fiercely knocked on Furuya's head; the sound was very crisp—it was a good head, but why was it so stupid?

"Also, from now on, if you get injured, you are absolutely not allowed to hide it, otherwise I will strip you of your First String position!"

Leaving behind this final threat, Huangqian Yangyi walked out of the cafeteria in a huff.