Seido Dormitory.
This was the exclusive dormitory for the members of the Seido High School Baseball Club.
Zhang Han's dormitory was Dormitory No. 11. According to Kou Shunmin, his senior roommate, the number represented the combination of two Aces. So the dorm had been nicknamed the Double Aces Dormitory. Of course, this was a title they came up with themselves; no one outside the room acknowledged it.
Most of the residents were outfielders, and it was said that a relief pitcher had once come from this room. These were players who had usually dreamed of becoming pitchers in middle school. But after joining the Seido High School Baseball Team and being crushed by reality, they had no choice but to give up their old dreams and switch positions—most commonly, to the outfield.
Third-year senior Kou Shunmin and second-year senior Kusunoki were both in this situation.
Zhang Han had also joined with a pitcher's slot and technically fell under the same category. The difference was that he hadn't changed positions yet. He was still a pitcher.
"Double Aces" was merely a private memorial to their past dreams. Outside the dorm, they rarely mentioned it.
However, outsiders had given their dorm another, much more famous title.
The Handsome Men's Dormitory.
Ever since the last batch of seniors graduated—the burly, gorilla-like senior among them—the two remaining residents, Kou Shunmin and Kusunoki, were both exceptionally handsome. In terms of looks, they were easily among the top five in the entire Seido High School Baseball Team.
Thus, the Handsome Men's Dormitory was born.
And then Zhang Han moved in.
The dorm's reputation spread even further.
The Baseball Club dormitory was strictly off-limits to girls. No girl—including the team managers—was allowed to step foot inside. But ever since the Handsome Men's Dormitory was fully staffed, many female students began breaking the rules. They would sneak over and slip love letters or small gifts through the cracks under the door.
The three residents were constantly troubled by this. But they couldn't report it—these were gestures of goodwill, and many weren't even signed. In a way, the anonymity made the sentiment seem even more sincere.
They weren't heartless, so of course they didn't complain. They simply accepted the letters silently and didn't reply.
Even though the room housed students from three different grades, the atmosphere was always good. Kou Shunmin and Kusunoki weren't the type to put on airs or bully juniors. Zhang Han wasn't arrogant or disrespectful either.
Amiable seniors, sensible junior—naturally, they all got along.
Normally, when Zhang Han returned, even if the two seniors didn't greet him verbally, they would at least smile.
But today, after Zhang Han returned from self-practice, the atmosphere was completely different.
Both seniors wore cold expressions. There was even a hint of murderous intent in their eyes. As if someone had provoked them, and they hadn't been able to vent their anger. Now it lingered, hot and suffocating, ready to explode at the slightest spark.
The atmosphere was wrong.
Zhang Han immediately sensed something was off. But he wasn't the kind of person who poked at trouble. Everyone needed space sometimes. If the seniors wanted to be alone, he would respect that.
"Hello, seniors! Hello, seniors!"
After a brief greeting, he didn't wait for a reply. He grabbed his clothes and headed to the shower.
After every training session, no matter how tired he was, he had to wash up. If he went to bed smelling of sweat, he wouldn't be able to sleep.
As Zhang Han's figure disappeared into the bathroom, complex emotions flashed across both Kou Shunmin's and Kusunoki's eyes. Especially in Kou Shunmin's; in his gaze, a hint of determination surfaced.
Zhang Han learned about the early new student welcoming match while he was showering.
"Really?"
He still couldn't believe it.
They had been with the team for less than three weeks. The school was already rushing to prepare for the new student welcoming match.
For the newcomers, it was a huge opportunity. But for the older players—especially the First-string substitutes—it was brutal.
If those seniors couldn't join the second team for the rookie match, then just as the upperclassmen had said, they would have no more chances before the Summer Tournament.
After the rookie match, Kataoka and the coaching staff would focus solely on scrimmages between the First-string and second team. Other players, no matter how hard they worked, wouldn't get a chance to perform.
Shouldn't something this important be handled more cautiously?
Shouldn't both the first-year newcomers and the retiring third-years be given more preparation time?
"Manager Ota said it himself. It's absolutely true!" Kawakami announced excitedly.
He was clearly brimming with anticipation for tomorrow's game.
Zhang Han exchanged a few polite words with him before excusing himself and heading back to the dorm.
Now he understood why his two senior roommates had been acting so strangely.
Their feelings had to be complicated.
Third-year senior Kou Shunmin was barely holding onto his First-string spot as it was. Now that the First-string substitutes and second team were being mixed together to face the new students, the coaching staff's dissatisfaction was obvious. If he didn't perform well tomorrow, he would be eliminated for sure.
This was his final year. If he lost his spot now, his high school baseball career was essentially over.
For the newcomers, this game was a free opportunity. Losing wasn't a big deal—they were rookies. But for Kou Shunmin and the other seniors, this was their last chance.
As for Kusunoki, he wasn't just handsome; he had been improving rapidly. He already had the ability to become a key player on the second team. Of course he wanted to perform well in the rookie match, hoping to catch Kataoka's attention and get promoted.
As for Zhang Han—
He was the most relaxed of the three.
Having already entered the second team's practice, as long as he didn't make any major mistakes, he wouldn't be dropped. If he performed well, he might even be promoted further.
Different situations, different mindsets.
So at this moment, chatting with his seniors would be inappropriate. When he returned to the dorm, he kept quiet.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Zhang Han opened his eyes and saw a handsome face—less than 30 centimeters from his own.
Freshly woken, he jolted upright, his whole body shivering. He almost threw a punch.
************************************
Remember 1 Chapter For Every 50 Power Stones. Do Support.