Chapter 67: Promoted to the Second String

On the B-side Field, the First String members watched the ongoing Newcomer Match with smiles on their faces.

"Huangqian, you and Miyuki haven't experienced the baptism of a Newcomer Match; your high school baseball careers have a regret," Isashiki said with an air of seniority.

"Heh, are you just wanting to see us get crushed, Senior? I'm afraid that might be a bit difficult," Huangqian Yangyi said.

"Hmph." After being seen through, the tsundere Isashiki chose to turn his head away to avoid the conversation.

"Speaking of Miyuki, where did that kid run off to? He didn't even come to watch the Newcomer Match."

"Over there."

Huangqian Yangyi raised his hand and pointed toward the Second String Dugout, where Miyuki was sitting with Chris, discussing something.

"That kid, is he planning to drain Chris dry?"

"Because he's anxious, I suppose. In another month, the Summer Tournament Preliminary will begin."

"Oh right, Huangqian, how is your Slider coming along?"

Huangqian Yangyi stood up, loosened his shoulders, and said, "It's fine for occasionally scaring people, but the consistency isn't there yet. It still needs more time to be polished."

"Ahahaha, keep at it. Once you've mastered it, pitch the first one to me and watch how I blast it away," Dong Qingguo said, walking over to Huangqian Yangyi's side while sticking out his large belly.

"Senior Dong, I heard you've been losing weight lately?" Huangqian Yangyi asked with a smile.

Hiss~!

What nerve, daring to tease Senior Dong about his physique to his face.

Dong Qingguo's face instantly flushed red: "Get lost, who said that! Where am I fat?!"

"Well, well~ keep it up, Senior. Lowering your weight is at least good for your health. How about you just ask Senior Chris to help you make a weight-loss plan?"

"Chris is too busy..."

Dong Qingguo let the words slip out before he could stop himself, and he shut his mouth once he realized what he had said.

"Hehehe."

"Huangqian, you brat, just you wait!" Dong Qingguo was completely broken.

At this moment, a whistle blew on the field, and the Newcomer Match came to an end.

The first-years looked at one another, collapsing onto the ground as if they had lost all their strength. In today's game, the upperclassmen had crushed the first-years in every aspect: technique, experience, tactics, coordination, and even mentality.

"Assemble!"

Though their bodies were exhausted, the first-years struggled to their feet and ran toward Coach Kataoka.

The original Second String seniors were also lined up to the side. Coach Kataoka nodded in satisfaction, then reached out to take the small notebook from Chris's hand.

"Kuramochi Yoichi!"

"Here!"

"Shirasu Kenjiro!"

"Here."

"Kawakami Norifumi."

"Here."

Coach Kataoka's gaze swept across the faces of the three, then he said, "From today on, you three are entering the Second String!"

This short sentence not only surprised the three of them but also made the other first-years feel the gap; only by producing results could they earn an opportunity.

And in today's Newcomer Match, these three had been the most eye-catching among the first-years.

"Yes!" the three shouted in unison.

Coach Kataoka nodded. Among the three, Kuramochi's speed was undoubtedly the most striking.

Even Coach Kataoka, with his many years of coaching, had not seen many players faster than Kuramochi. Furthermore, Kuramochi was still a first-year whose body was still growing; as long as he underwent reasonable training, this speed could improve even further.

In a game, once such a Batter successfully reached base, he would put immense pressure on the opponent, especially if placed ahead of the middle-order hitters; the opponent could never ignore his presence.

As for Shirasu Kenjiro, through Coach Kataoka's observations, this player's batting, base running, and fielding were not particularly stunning, but they were very solid. He was able to display what he had learned in a very natural way.

Perhaps many would dismiss him, thinking he lacked talent, but Coach Kataoka understood that the ability to perform at one's usual level during a game was itself a talent.

As for Kawakami, he had always kept an eye on this Pitcher. He had thought the boy was another fragile-hearted pitcher similar to Tanba, but his performance today was quite good. Had he discovered some secret?

Regardless, Kawakami was the only pitcher in this class besides Huangqian Yangyi worth focusing on. If nurtured properly, he could become an important asset to the team.

Let's throw these three into the Second String to gain experience for now. We can organize more practice games for the Second String this summer.

With Coach Kataoka announcing the entry of the three first-years into the Second String, it meant that three members of the original Second String would be cut.

This cruel reality caused everyone present to gradually fall silent. Even the three who had received the opportunity suppressed their excitement and stood silently in the ranks.

"Let's go, time to train." Huangqian Yangyi turned and left; he did not like this low-pressure atmosphere.

That evening.

After finishing their strength training, Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki headed straight for the cafeteria, as they were starving.

The two were sitting side by side.

The three who had just entered the Second String that day walked toward the cafeteria. Each of them had a large bowl of rice and a generous amount of side dishes on their trays.

"Yaha, Huangqian." Kuramochi set his tray on the table and sat down across from Huangqian Yangyi.

"You're in a good mood, aren't you?" Huangqian Yangyi looked up; Kuramochi's wide grin was impossible to contain.

"It's alright, it's alright, just 40% happy."

"Heh." Huangqian Yangyi smiled and looked at the two sitting beside Kuramochi.

"Shirasu, Kawakami, congratulations on entering the Second String."

Kawakami smiled somewhat shyly, "I still have a long way to go."

"Thank you, Huangqian-kun," Shirasu said with a slight nod.

At this moment, Miyuki put down his chopsticks and pounded his chest twice, swallowing a large piece of pork cutlet in his mouth.

"Kawakami, you did well today. Your pitching path was sharp, especially the Slider; you were able to throw almost every one into a difficult spot," Miyuki said.

"Really?" Kawakami looked at Miyuki with doubt; today, while standing on the Pitcher's Mound, he had been pitching entirely according to the directions of the Catcher, Ono Hiroshi, and hadn't thought that much at all, his mind almost entirely occupied with giving himself psychological suggestions.

"Of course it's true. But the ball path did get a bit high toward the end," Miyuki said with great certainty, he and Chris standing close by, discussing as they watched.

"Oh right, Chris-senpai also praised your pitching," Miyuki added after finishing his sentence.

With Kawakami's personality, when he can be praised, one must never hold back; it can help him build self-confidence.

Sure enough, upon hearing that even Chris-senpai had praised him, Kawakami was excited and also filled with anticipation for the upcoming Second String practice game.

After finishing praising Kawakami, Miyuki looked at Shirasu; what would be good to say to him?

"Hey, Shirasu," Huangqian Yangyi suddenly spoke up.

"Hm?"

"In the future, when Miyuki and I have our independent pitching practice, would you like to try practicing your batting?"

"Me?" Shirasu suddenly felt a sense of being flattered.

The one inviting him was, after all, the most sought-after Pitcher in Seido right now, one who would definitely become the ace in the future.