[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment":3,"chapter-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-542":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Tokyo: You Call This Normal Equipment?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1952517,2739,"Chapter 542","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-542",542,"\u003Cp>Aoki Masao scratched the back of his head and revealed an apologetic, bitter smile: \"Yo, Natsume-kun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally waited for you.\" Nakajima Satoshi’s expression was much more complex than when they usually met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage was slightly surprised to see the two and asked in confusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nakajima-senpai, Aoki-senpai? You were waiting for me specifically? Is there something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoe Hitomi remained silent, standing quietly beside Natsume Chikage, her hands hanging naturally at her sides, her eyes observing the interaction in front of her calmly, as if evaluating something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoki Masao sighed and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, it's about Shinoara Shingo taking some baseball team members to the Student Council to trouble you at noon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We came here to explain to you in person—Nakajima-kun and I have been opposed to this from beginning to end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you also know, Shinoara is now the recognized ace and backbone of the baseball team, and he has a lot of say in the team; there are quite a few people who are willing to listen to his orders, or rather, don't dare to defy him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, not all baseball team members blindly support him. Most people are actually like us, holding a neutral, wait-and-see attitude, and don't want to get involved in the conflict caused by this personal grudge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi took over the conversation, his face even more complex than Aoki’s, mixed with guilt, determination, and a trace of fatigue, and he explained in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for me specifically bringing Aoki here to wait for you... actually, it's because we know your situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, if you just rely on your own exploration and practice, wanting to reach the level of a pitcher who can face Shinoara head-on in a month... the possibility is minimal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head and looked straight at Natsume Chikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, after Nakajima and I discussed it, we decided that in this month, we will guide you in basic pitching techniques and training methods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this regard, the two of us are professionals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoki Masao nodded vigorously and added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right! Having two more people to help is better than you practicing hard alone. At least we can help you take fewer detours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Natsume Chikage was completely stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really didn't expect that these two baseball team seniors would take the initiative to offer such help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly and didn't accept it immediately, but raised his own doubts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why... are you doing this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For you, this should be completely unnecessary, and might even bring trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the people on Shinoara’s side in the baseball team find out that you are privately helping me, this 'opponent,' I'm afraid it will cause quite a bit of contradiction and conflict, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi spread his hands, a helpless smile that was almost like resignation appearing on his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way, who let the source of this whole thing, in the end, be because of that challenge I made back then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In terms of reason and emotion, I can't pretend I don't see it and escape this responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression became serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If... if you are really forced to withdraw from school because of this subsequent storm caused by me, my conscience will never be at peace for the rest of my life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his tone as honest as it was straightforward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, I have to make it clear—this guilt is not because I care how much you personally withdraw from school, but purely out of my personality and principles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it's my responsibility, I won't escape! Whatever I should bear, I will definitely bear it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, I decided to guide you together with Aoki. Even if I am squeezed out or scolded by the baseball team later, or even get into more trouble, I accept it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least doing this can make me feel better and sleep more peacefully at night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage looked at Nakajima Satoshi with some surprise, re-examining this senior who used to be arrogant and provocative but now appeared so stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't expect that this guy had such a side to his bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he still shook his head slowly, refusing in a gentle but firm tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, it's really not necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head to signal to Konoe Hitomi, who was standing silently beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hitomi-senpai here has already contacted a professional coach for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi and Aoki Masao were stunned simultaneously upon hearing this, obvious surprise appearing on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged a glance quickly, and then their expressions became a bit strange, their gazes moving back and forth between Konoe Hitomi’s emotionless profile and Natsume Chikage’s calm face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huge confusion couldn't help but rise in the hearts of both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually... even Konoe-san of the Mido family treats Natsume Chikage with such \"preferential treatment\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, regarding the Tsukishima Rin incident, Konoe-san helped Natsume Chikage find a top-notch batting coach for free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that time, Nakajima and Aoki both thought that Konoe-san might just find that wager interesting and wanted to watch the fun, so she did that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... the storm has risen again, and Konoe-san has actually taken action to help again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This didn't seem right... no matter how you look at it, the relationship between the two doesn't look like a simple \"alumni\" or \"Student Council cadre and ordinary student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what exactly is it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be... boyfriend and girlfriend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that shouldn't be possible, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is Konoe-san’s status?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is Natsume Chikage’s background?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how you look at it, the two are not people from the same world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Konoe-san possibly lower her status and really date Natsume Chikage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that's the case... what kind of relationship is it between these two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would Konoe-san extend a helping hand to Natsume Chikage again and again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a while, the two racked their brains but couldn't figure it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Nakajima Satoshi, looking at Natsume Chikage at this moment, felt that the vague thought in his heart became clearer—his intuition back then might not have been wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around this guy, all kinds of outstanding women would indeed constantly gather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsukishima-san clearly has a crush on him, Konoe-san has a special attitude toward him, and beautiful girls like Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase are close to him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi, since the last incident, recognized Natsume Chikage being with Tsukishima Rin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem is... Natsume Chikage is too handsome and outstanding, and the excellent women surrounding him are too many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this situation, if Tsukishima-san is really with him, I'm afraid she will have to face the huge risk of \"being poached\" or \"emotional wavering\" every moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So... was his attempt to stop them from being together back then, from some perspective, perhaps not wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi sighed imperceptibly in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that now, he is already a complete \"defeated general\" and no longer has any position or qualification to interfere with Tsukishima Rin’s emotional choices or point fingers at the interpersonal relationships around Natsume Chikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now... he can only hope that Tsukishima-san herself can see through this complex situation early and withdraw from the center of this \"peach blossom vortex\" of Natsume Chikage early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi collected his thoughts, nodded at Natsume Chikage, his tone becoming a bit more relieved:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since Konoe-san has arranged a professional coach for you, that is naturally the best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this way, I can also breathe a sigh of relief, at least I don't have to worry about a head-on conflict with Shinoara’s side because of helping you, and the burden in my heart can be lightened a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, as if remembering something, and added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, since you don't need our actual help, I'll give you a small tip here, which can be considered... a small, insignificant compensation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage raised his eyebrows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A small tip?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi pondered for a moment, lowered his voice a bit, and his expression became serious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, this time Shinoara Shingo targeting you, just as you speculated in the Student Council earlier, indeed has deeper inside information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shinoara’s side is purely using the incident with me last time as a pretext to deliberately trouble you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Konoe Hitomi, and seeing she had no reaction, he continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the truth... actually, it's because Shinoara Shingo, back in junior high, really liked a girl from the same school—Yukimura Suzune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to what he himself mentioned many times during casual chats after training, in order to be worthy of Yukimura Suzune, he has been training very hard to improve himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But unfortunately, his confession was ultimately rejected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, after entering high school, especially after reaching the second year, he discovered that Yukimura Suzune also enrolled in Private Tsukikage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He originally seemed to intend to regroup and continue pursuing her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But later, he might have discovered that you and Yukimura Suzune were getting closer, so... jealousy arose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakajima Satoshi’s tone carried a bystander’s calm analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we privately guessed... the real purpose of him making such a big scene this time is to force you to withdraw from school. As long as you leave the school, the obstacle to him pursuing Yukimura Suzune might disappear, and the success rate might increase greatly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoki Masao nodded in confirmation from the side:\u003C\u002Fp>",1556,"2026-06-15T07:10:31.195Z","2026-06-15T07:45:40.648Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a6215016d4da17c46c42bb92f686d926d248c753bd418194c9f304fe9a826608","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-543","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-541",624,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-cover.jpg"]