Chapter 94: Post-Match, Interview Requests

Back at the school, the bus had just come to a steady stop when Huangqian Yangyi saw the chubby principal and the duck-voiced dean of students standing outside with smiles on their faces.

"Oh my, Director Kataoka, congratulations on entering the top 8."

Just as he stepped off the bus, the principal walked up to greet him.

"Thank you, Principal," Director Kataoka said indifferently; it was only the top 8, nothing worth celebrating.

"Our team is so incredible this year; there might even be hope of entering Koshien," the dean of students said in a shrill voice.

Director Kataoka glanced at him: "It's not 'might have hope,' it is certain that we will enter Koshien."

"Yes, yes, it is certain."

"Well, Principal, the team members are already tired, and I still have some things to discuss with them."

"Very well, very well, Director Kataoka, you go ahead and get busy; we'll just watch from afar," the principal said.

Director Kataoka nodded. He felt grateful toward the principal; ever since he took over the Seido Baseball Club, apart from the first year when he led the squad left behind by the former director to Koshien, they hadn't made it back in the years since.

Logically speaking, for a baseball powerhouse like Seido, the results of the past few years were not enough to satisfy the board of directors. The main reason they hadn't held him accountable was largely due to the principal and Takashima Rei mediating on his behalf.

Precisely because he knew this, Director Kataoka held himself and his players to very high standards. A mere top 8 finish was not taken seriously by him or the players; their goal, just as shouted in their slogan, was always only one: the championship!

All members of the First String stepped off the bus and lined up in front of it.

"The next match, the 1/4-finals, is in three days. Everyone is to conserve their energy and rest well. Absolutely no overtraining is permitted."

Director Kataoka loudly instructed all members of the First String.

There were three matches left; every single one required everyone at Seido to give their all. If someone were to suffer physical issues or injuries due to private extra training at this time, it would definitely be a loss that outweighed the gain.

As Director Kataoka spoke, his gaze lingered on Huangqian Yangyi for a moment longer. Having already had Chris on his own team, and having witnessed Zaizen of Kurotsuchikan today, Director Kataoka was now terrified that something might happen to Huangqian Yangyi—this was his treasure, after all.

"Yes, Director!" ×∞

Kataoka nodded with satisfaction. "Huangqian! Nanjo! Tanba!"

"Here!!!" the three replied in unison.

"After we dismiss in a moment, go change your clothes, and after you finish your meal, head to the hospital!" Director Kataoka said.

The three he called out were all First String Pitchers, the ones with the highest injury rate on the team. If any one of them were injured, it would break Director Kataoka's heart.

"Yes, Director," the three said.

Huangqian Yangyi turned his head to look at Nanjo Taishi and Tanba. After the incident with Zaizen's injury just now, both of them were in a heavy mood. Although he wasn't their teammate, as fellow pitchers and people who deeply loved baseball, everyone could empathize with such a situation.

No one raised any objections to Director Kataoka's order for them to get a physical exam; this was the Director's concern.

"It's not mandatory for the others, but if anyone feels any discomfort in their body and wants to get a physical exam, you can go with the three of them. The Baseball Club will cover the costs," Director Kataoka added.

"Yes!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Dismissed!"

The 20 members of the First String left in twos and threes, while the others took advantage of the First String's rest to train on the field. Especially the First Years—when they sat in the stands and watched Huangqian Yangyi and Miyuki active on the field, they felt very anxious as well.

Huangqian Yangyi walked with Miyuki and Kuramochi, but his gaze was fixed on the direction the Director had left, where Chris was saying something to him.

Back at the dormitory, after a comfortable shower, Huangqian Yangyi had a sudden urge to do his hand exercises again, loosening up his shoulders before going to the cafeteria to eat; he cherished his body far too much.

That evening, Director Kataoka called everyone to the conference room for a meeting.

They had expected it to be a routine meeting, but instead, Director Kataoka used the meeting to critique today's match.

Logically, the players' performance in today's match was quite outstanding, but as a director, was it not simple to find a few faults?

Director Kataoka named and criticized almost every position. Of course, he interspersed some praise as well; his goal was to deflate the players' growing egos, but constant criticism alone would certainly not do.

The next morning.

Seido Baseball Club Director's office.

Department Head Ota pushed the door open excitedly and walked in.

"Director, look at this." Department Head Ota placed a document on Director Kataoka's desk.

Takashima Rei, standing to the side, glanced down; it was an interview request.

"So many?" Director Kataoka was somewhat surprised after reading it. In the past, when matches reached this stage, the three major powerhouses would be interviewed by the media, but for over a dozen media outlets and magazines to submit requests at once—Seido hadn't received such treatment in many years.

"There are even more; these are just the ones I've screened," Department Head Ota said, rubbing his hands.

Director Kataoka nodded; media interviews were hard to refuse at this stage.

If he could, Director Kataoka would have preferred to wait until they secured their spot in Koshien before accepting interviews, but this was the board's intention. Accepting interviews could expand Seido's influence, which was what the higher-ups wanted to see.

Since he couldn't push it off, Director Kataoka could only accept it helplessly.

"Accept the interview request from Baseball Kingdom. If they propose interviewing players, limit the number to three," Director Kataoka said.

Department Head Ota nodded. "Good, I'll go arrange it right away."

Accepting an interview with Baseball Kingdom was also what Department Head Ota wanted in his heart. Among all high school baseball media in Japan, Baseball Kingdom was definitely in the top three, and especially in the Tokyo area, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them second to none.

After Department Head Ota left the office, Takashima Rei pushed up her glasses and said, "Who does the Director plan to have accept the interview?"

Director Kataoka thought for a moment: "Dong, Jiecheng, Huangqian."

"One from each grade? Would Huangqian be inappropriate? After all, he's only a First Year, and he himself doesn't seem very willing to accept interviews," Takashima Rei said.

Baseball Kingdom had previously proposed interviewing Huangqian Yangyi, and Takashima Rei had asked for his opinion personally, only to be refused.

Hearing this, Director Kataoka smiled: "That kid doesn't dislike interviews; he just finds them troublesome. Didn't you see the Baseball Kingdom newspaper from before? That bat inlaid with his younger sister's name has already become common knowledge."

"Heh heh." Takashima Rei laughed out loud at the thought of this.

"Just tell him that if he accepts the interview and gets on the news, his sister will be very happy when she sees it. That kid will definitely be more proactive than anyone," Director Kataoka provided the best solution.