Takashima Rei nodded: Coach Kataoka's method was indeed a good one.
Meanwhile, as a renowned reporter for Baseball Kingdom, Mine Fujio was pleasantly surprised when his editor called, telling him to get ready for an afternoon interview at Seido.
After contacting Ota and learning that he could only interview three people, Mine Fujio was initially disappointed.
However, when Ota revealed that the interviewees would be Azuma Kiyokuni, Yuuki Tetsuya, and Kanzaki Ryou, Mine Fujio was immediately ecstatic.
Among the three, Azuma Kiyokuni, as Seido's Captain and the unwavering cleanup hitter, was known as a monster and had already attracted attention from many professional baseball teams before graduation.
Then there was Yuuki Tetsuya, a player who had no fame when he first entered as a freshman, but whose performance at the plate became astonishing after he became the team's regular third baseman last autumn.
Some even boldly speculated that he was a player with potential possibly exceeding Azuma Kiyokuni, with a stable and solid batting style that gave people a very reliable feeling.
Finally, Kanzaki Ryou—this name was now incredibly popular in the Tokyo baseball world.
Seido's genius freshman, Ace pitcher, super fastball… there was so much fans wanted to know, especially since he possessed a handsome face that could be described as a succubus, and who knows how many young girls wanted to run their hands through his fluffy chestnut hair.
As for the media, the line of people wanting to interview him could stretch for ten kilometers; last time, just a simple exchange with Kanzaki Ryou, and the subsequent newspaper issue sold out immediately.
This time, with a formal interview, Mine Fujio was determined to dig out more information about him.
At this moment, on the Seido baseball field, Kanzaki Ryou, who was doing his morning practice, had no idea that he had already been thoroughly arranged by Coach Kataoka and Takashima Rei.
After running 5 kilometers, Kanzaki Ryou and Miyuki sat together on the grass outside the field, while inside, the second-string members and other first and second-year club members were undergoing their daily rigorous training.
"Hey, Ryou," Miyuki suddenly spoke.
"Hm?"
"It's still early, before class, want to try catching?"
"Huh?!"
Miyuki patted his backside and stood up. "You be the catcher, I'll pitch."
"Huh? What are you trying to do?" Kanzaki Ryou also stood up.
Hearing this, Miyuki said with a smile, "We're partners, aren't we? Occasionally switching positions allows us to understand each other more deeply."
Uh…
Kanzaki Ryou's expression was strange. "Isn't it just switching positions to understand the pitcher's and catcher's thinking? Don't make it sound so weird."
"It's all the same," Miyuki chuckled foolishly. "Want to do it?"
"Yes!"
Neither of them was the type to procrastinate, especially when it came to baseball-related matters.
Wearing the catcher's gear, Kanzaki Ryou felt a fresh and very special sensation.
"Haha, Kazuya, how about I become the catcher from now on?"
"Heh, then I'll be the pitcher?"
"Sure, sure, that way we're still partners."
The two of them started laughing as they spoke.
"All right, let's start. Let me see your pitching!"
Kanzaki Ryou squatted down as if he knew what he was doing, and at a glance, he really looked like an experienced catcher.
Miyuki's lips curved into a smile, and he shook his shoulders. "You better be careful, don't miss it."
After speaking, Miyuki raised his left leg, and his posture looked quite standard.
Kanzaki Ryou dared not be careless; he still remembered that during the entrance test, Miyuki had thrown 115 meters in the pitching distance test, so his ball speed should be over 140.
Whoosh!
Miyuki suddenly threw the ball; for the first time from this perspective, Kanzaki Ryou only felt the ball getting bigger and bigger, and its speed was incredibly fast.
With a thwack, Kanzaki Ryou extended his glove and caught the ball.
"Phew~"
"Why is it a bit scary?" Kanzaki Ryou said.
Hearing this, Miyuki shrugged. "That's how it is for catchers; when the baseball comes straight at your face after being thrown, it's quite scary when you're not used to it at first."
"One more," Kanzaki Ryou threw the ball back.
"No, this isn't just a simple throw and catch; we need to pitch as if it were a game," Miyuki said after returning the ball.
"Heh, you say that as if you can pitch whatever I call," Kanzaki Ryou retorted mercilessly.
Time came to the afternoon; after class, Kanzaki Ryou hadn't even left the classroom when Takashima Rei came to find him again.
"Interview? Baseball Kingdom?"
"That's right."
"That's too much trouble," Kanzaki Ryou said unwillingly.
Takashima Rei smiled slightly. "If you accept the interview and appear in the newspaper, your younger sister at home will surely be very happy to have such an excellent older brother."
"Is… is that so?"
"If it were me, I'd definitely be very proud," Takashima Rei said affirmatively.
Kanzaki Ryou shyly scratched his head. "Oh, I'm so embarrassed, but I'll reluctantly agree then. When's the interview?"
"Soon. Go back to your dorm and change clothes; I'll notify you when the reporter arrives," Takashima Rei said.
An hour later, at the entrance of Seido High School, Mine Fujio eagerly drove in, parked his car in the parking lot, and then quickly walked toward Coach Kataoka's office with his bag and camera.
Before the interview, he certainly had to meet with Coach Kataoka and the Manager, and since they were accepting an interview, Coach Kataoka was also one of Mine Fujio's main interview targets.
Arriving at the office, after spending more than ten minutes interviewing Coach Kataoka, Mine Fujio followed the beaming Ota to the baseball field.
At this time, both A and B fields had people training.
The first-years were still primarily doing basic training: running, shuttle runs, fielding, throwing, catching…
While the training programs for the second-year seniors and the second-string members were much more extensive.
Mine Fujio had seen such training many times; Seido's training was not closed-off, and outsiders could enter the school to watch at any time.
"Our players are pretty good, aren't they? Full of vigor!" Ota said proudly.
"Hm, very impressive," Mine Fujio casually replied.
He had seen Seido's training more than once or twice; among the schools he knew, Seido's training was definitely one of the most rigorous.
"Reporter Mine, take more photos, don't rush," Ota said, pointing to the field.
"That one pitching right now is Kawakami Norifumi, he's also a very promising pitcher."
"That one over there, his name is…"
Ota enthusiastically introduced Seido's players to Mine Fujio; if only there were more time, he would have loved for everyone to have their picture taken.