Chapter 70: The List of Twenty

That evening, in the office of Director Kataoka.

Department Head Takashima Rei and Department Head Ota sat opposite Director Kataoka, both looking somewhat nervous.

After a long while, Director Kataoka pulled one sheet from a stack of player profiles.

"Director, has the decision been made?" Takashima Rei asked.

"Mm, it is him."

The next day, after a full day of training, at the Seido High School Baseball Club Indoor Training Ground.

All the Seido team members were gathered here at this moment; unlike the first-year students who were filled with curiosity and naivety, the second and third-year seniors wore solemn expressions, as they knew very well what was about to happen.

Standing in formation, looking at Director Kataoka, who also wore a solemn expression in front of them, everyone felt a bit nervous, including the original First String members.

Before the practice games began this month, two people had already been demoted to the Second String; combined with the one spot that was already vacant, this time three people would be promoted to the First String.

Huangqian Yangyi stood in the front row and could not see the expressions of the seniors behind him, but he could clearly feel the mood of those second and third-year seniors in the Second String—anticipation and nervousness, especially for the third-year seniors, as this would be their last chance; once they failed to be selected, it meant their high school baseball careers would end prematurely before this summer even began.

Director Kataoka's gaze swept over everyone; standing in the first two rows were the 17 members of the First String, and behind them were the members of the Second String.

Although there were many of them, after spending a long time together, Director Kataoka knew them better than anyone; every one of them was a student he was proud of.

"After this period of training, as well as the recent practice games, I have seen the performance of every one of you."

"The number of spots is limited; I am sorry, I cannot take all of you to stand on the field together."

As Director Kataoka's voice fell, several seniors had already lost control of their emotions, letting out choked sobs.

"Today, I have decisively selected three players to join the First String."

Everyone's heart jumped into their throats after this sentence.

"Second String, Masuko Toru!"

"Second String, Sakai Ichiro!"

"Second String, First Year, Kuramochi Yoichi!"

Director Kataoka's expression was calm, and his voice was also flat.

Every time a name was called, it caused the expressions of those present to shift.

The three who were promoted to the First String did not show happy expressions; they were somewhat surprised and somewhat delighted, but then an incomparably heavy sense of oppression washed over them.

The choked sobs of teammates and seniors beside them quietly entered their ears.

Kuramochi clenched his fists tightly; being able to enter the First String was naturally worth being happy about, but why?

Clearly, the seniors were stronger, and he could not compare to them in either batting or fielding; all he had to show for himself was speed, so what was he compared to the battle-hardened seniors?

Kuramochi could not understand; was this the burden one had to carry as a First String member, as a starter?

Recalling what Huangqian Yangyi had said to him, if he really lost the game because he was showing off, how could he face these seniors beside him, and how could he face the director who gave him the opportunity and trust?

He quietly glanced at the nearby seniors; what were they thinking in their hearts?

Everything is over, isn't it?

After the three names were called, the seniors stood there as if time had frozen; they had worked so hard for so long, and they had persisted through every day of grueling training; they could pat their chests and say they had given their all, for the sake of baseball.

However, sports competition is just that cruel; hard work does not guarantee a good result.

After a period of silence.

"For those who were selected, I hope that whether in daily training or on the field, you will show the best attitude! You represent more than just yourselves!"

"Yes!"

The high-pitched response echoed in the training room, yet Huangqian Yangyi did not feel a surge of passion; instead, the air was filled with a sorrowful atmosphere.

It was too heavy; Huangqian Yangyi, who already understood his own position, suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders was almost suffocating.

Must, must get to Koshien, must win the championship!

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

As the words fell, the first-years standing at the very back turned and walked outside with confused and bewildered expressions, while the second-years followed behind, their pace relatively slower.

As for the First String members who were also third-years, they lingered for a while after Director Kataoka finished speaking; with extremely complex emotions on their faces, they looked at their teammates who were also third-years but had not been selected, and only then did they slowly leave the training room.

Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki followed behind the First String seniors to the outside of the training room and immediately noticed Kuramochi, who was facing the wall with his head down in the alleyway.

"This guy must be having a hard time," Huangqian Yangyi said.

He and Miyuki had been promoted directly to the First String just a few days after entering Seido, unlike Kuramochi, who had climbed his way up slowly.

Kuramochi entering the First String felt more like he had directly snatched an opportunity that originally belonged to the third-year seniors, which was very hard for him to accept.

"Let him think about it himself; he will figure it out," Miyuki said.

"I didn't realize you trusted him so much? Aren't you afraid he'll get stuck in a rut?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

Miyuki shook his head, "He gave up the switch-hitting style, which is enough to prove his determination. Today's pain is only temporary; perhaps by carrying some burdens, Kuramochi will become even stronger."

"You're right, I think so too."

Huangqian Yangyi put his hand on Miyuki's shoulder, "But, as friends, we still have to do something."

"That's true."

That same night, in Kuramochi's dormitory room.

"Miyuki, you bastard!!" Kuramochi's roar traveled through the walls and echoed throughout the entire Seishin Dormitory.

"Hahahaha, I won!" Miyuki laughed while holding a game controller; just a moment ago, through some dishonorable means, Miyuki had beaten Kuramochi, the pro-gamer, at a game for the first time in his life.

"Cheating! You're cheating!" Kuramochi would never admit such a result.

"Well, a loss is a loss; don't go back on your word, and remember what you promised me," Miyuki said.

Kuramochi's face turned red with anger, and he glared fiercely at Miyuki, "It's just studying, bring it on."

At this moment, Huangqian Yangyi, who had been watching the show from the side, laughed: "Good luck, you two academic failures; if you don't pass the exams, our director will never tolerate it. He might even cut your training time, and then you won't even be able to get on the field for games."

Hearing this, Miyuki immediately said with a grin: "Yangyi, you're so good at studying, why don't you teach me?"

"No!"

"I..."

"Refuse!"

"You..."

"Don't even think about it!"