Chapter 85: An Unexpected Joy

Miyuki was still looking at Tanba with a sincere expression, awaiting his answer; in his view, if there was a misunderstanding, it should be cleared up, and for a pitcher and a catcher, the best way to communicate was through pitching and catching.

Hmm, as long as he threw a few more pitches, Tanba-san would surely realize he was actually a nice boy and get along with him properly.

"That's enough, Miyuki."

At the critical moment, Coach Kataoka spoke up.

Arriving before the two, Coach Kataoka looked left and right; Miyuki raised his head to meet his gaze, while Tanba kept his head slightly lowered.

"Tanba!"

"Yes, Coach." Tanba gave a start.

"Tomorrow's training, you and Miyuki will be in a pair!"

Tanba's pupils shook; he glanced at Miyuki and then shouted, "Yes!"

Then Coach Kataoka looked at Miyuki, "As a catcher, knowing how to communicate with a pitcher is also very important."

Miyuki nodded; he understood that Coach Kataoka was expressing dissatisfaction with the way he had just spoken, "I understand, Coach."

"Hmm, go back and get some good rest." Coach Kataoka nodded with satisfaction; it was best that Miyuki could understand his meaning, as it was a very troublesome matter if a conflict arose between a catcher and a pitcher on the same team.

Seeing the matter resolved, the crowd dispersed one after another, and Huangqian Yangyi stepped forward to drape his arm over Miyuki's shoulder.

"You, couldn't you have gone to find Senior Tanba in private if you had something to say? That was too impulsive."

"Was it? That was fine just now, I just wanted to clear up the misunderstanding," Miyuki said.

Huangqian Yangyi felt helpless; Miyuki was such a smart person, so why did he seem so dense when it came to things like this?

Never mind, it wasn't a big deal; he would just keep a closer eye on him in the future and make sure Miyuki didn't go straight up and talk to seniors like that again.

"Let's go, let's go eat first." Huangqian Yangyi pushed Miyuki forward.

The next day, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

There were already quite a few people jogging on the Seido Baseball Club field, and Huangqian Yangyi followed behind the group while yawning.

"Huangqian, keep up!" Yuki Tetsuya slowed his pace and came to Huangqian Yangyi's side.

"Senior, I'm pitching this afternoon, would you mind batting for me?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

Yuki Tetsuya nodded upon hearing this: "Of course, what pitch do you want to throw?"

"A Changeup."

"Oh?" Yuki Tetsuya was a bit surprised; they had all experienced Huangqian Yangyi's Changeup, and it was truly difficult to hit, especially when paired with his Fastball.

"Yeah, I need to find my rhythm; I don't usually throw the Changeup that often."

"Alright, I'll hit it."

After running a few laps, the number of people arriving at the field gradually increased.

"No way, they just finished a game yesterday, and these people are up running this early?"

"That's why they're called the First String."

"Quick, let's go run too!"

A group of First Years chattered as they rushed onto the field to join the running group.

After school that day, just as Huangqian Yangyi was preparing to return to the dormitory to change clothes and head to the field, Takashima Rei came to the classroom door and blocked him.

"Yangyi, the coach wants to see you."

"Oh? Right now?"

"Yes, come to the office with me."

The two arrived at Coach Kataoka's office—well, it was the teachers' office.

"Coach, you wanted to see me?"

After Huangqian Yangyi walked in and stood before the desk, the other teachers in the room also looked over.

The coach and the ace of the Seido Baseball Club meeting here—how rare.

Could it be that this ace failed his exams?

"Huangqian, sit." Coach Kataoka pointed to a stool and said.

Huangqian Yangyi sat down, and Coach Kataoka took a document from his drawer and handed it to him, "Take a look at this."

"Okay."

Huangqian Yangyi took the document, opened it, and read it carefully; a bright light gradually appeared in his eyes.

This is... a scholarship?

"Coach, this..."

"Heh, it's a scholarship, but it has nothing to do with baseball; this is what you earned through your academic grades." Coach Kataoka said.

Having coached for so many years, this was the first time he had seen someone able to receive two scholarships.

But thinking about it, there was no problem with that; in the Baseball Club, Huangqian Yangyi was now the undisputed ace, and the high scholarship Takashima Rei had initially offered had not been spent in vain.

In his class, Huangqian Yangyi's grades were also unique.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Huangqian Yangyi placed the document on the desk.

"You were able to get it because your academic grades are good, what's inappropriate about that? Besides, this money isn't much, it can't compare to the Baseball Club side; accept it with peace of mind and study hard." Coach Kataoka said.

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi nodded, "Then I will accept it, thank you, Coach."

"Hmm, go on, get some good rest; you have to play in the game the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, Coach."

Leaving the office, Huangqian Yangyi whistled; an unexpected joy always made one feel happy.

Returning to the dormitory to change his clothes, Huangqian Yangyi arrived at the Bullpen.

"Huangqian, you're late."

Yuki Tetsuya, who was swinging his bat, said.

"The manager suddenly called for me, Senior, have you already warmed up?"

"I've been waiting for you," Yuki Tetsuya said.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded slightly and looked into the Bullpen, where Miyuki was currently practicing pitching with Tanba.

Yo, quite proactive, aren't they.

Huangqian Yangyi waved at the two of them, then looked toward the other group, Tanaka Wataru and Nanjo Taishi, who had also already begun their training.

"Are we missing a Catcher?" Huangqian Yangyi turned his head and said.

Yuki Tetsuya gave a hum of agreement, and the two looked toward the field at the same time, just as others were currently doing their own individual training.

Huangqian Yangyi spotted Ono Hiroshi practicing his swings over there at a glance.

Hmm, he's the one.

Dragged to the Bullpen by Huangqian Yangyi, Ono Hiroshi was still a bit nervous, but upon hearing he would be catching for Huangqian Yangyi, Ono Hiroshi felt a bit excited; this was the team's ace, and being able to catch for him represented a form of recognition.

Moreover, he had long wanted to try catching such impressive pitches.

In Ono Hiroshi's heart, putting everything else aside, in terms of catching technique alone, he wouldn't be worse than Miyuki; the balls Miyuki could catch, he could catch too.

"Come, come, today's pitching content is four-seamers and Changeups; the pitch calling is up to you, let's strike out Senior Jiecheng together," Huangqian Yangyi said after pulling Ono Hiroshi into the Bullpen.

Hearing this, Ono Hiroshi's eyes lit up; the pitch calling is up to me?

He had thought it was just simple catching, but he hadn't expected Huangqian Yangyi to let him handle the pitch calling as well.

"No problem!" Ono Hiroshi said loudly.

This was trust, the trust of the ace; how could he not be excited?

"Mm-hmm, right, first let me tell you, Senior Jiecheng is very focused when he bats, don't be intimidated by his presence."

"Understood, I get it." Ono Hiroshi nodded; he had seen just how strong Yuki Tetsuya's batting was.

At this moment, Yuki Tetsuya walked up to the two of them, smiled, and said: "Huangqian, hurry up and warm up; Ono, go put on your protective gear."

"Yes, Senior."