It was barely light outside. The Seido High School baseball team was already awake.
"As expected of a powerhouse school. This training is brutal."
"Up earlier than chickens, eat less than cows, sleep later than dogs…"
The first-years joked among themselves as they gathered. Even after three or four months, many still hadn't fully adjusted to Seido's training rhythm.
Understanding why didn't stop them from complaining.
Kuramochi was one of them. Even though he trained harder than most, he never held back when it came to complaining.
"Who are those two?" Maezono asked suddenly.
The first-years looked toward the dim walkway leading along the dam. Two silhouettes were walking side by side. Kuramochi recognized them immediately. As someone competitive by nature, it wasn't hard for him.
"No way… it's them?" His expression tightened.
The two first-years were Miyuki and Zhang Han.
Originally, only Zhang Han practiced in the mornings. But after reading messages of encouragement from back home, something inside him lit up.
Knowing people were quietly cheering for him made his chest feel hot with motivation.
Before, he played baseball mostly for his own dream—and because it earned him a scholarship to attend Seido. Beyond that, he had no expectations.
But now, something had changed. He wasn't playing just for himself anymore. He felt responsible for the people who believed in him, even if they were few.
Despite his cool expression and quiet demeanor, Zhang Han was someone who responded deeply to trust.
If someone believed in him, he put in everything he had.
Back in the Matsukata Senior League, he went from a beginner to a core player largely because Supervisor Ono believed in him. Zhang Han pushed himself so he wouldn't betray that trust.
That foundation was what allowed him to shine when he graduated junior high.
The same mindset carried him now.
If people believed in him—then he had to deliver.
Koshien.
He had to reach it.
So Zhang Han began waking up an hour early every day for extra swing practice. At first, it was just him. Then Miyuki somehow found out and insisted on joining. Zhang Han gave up trying to dissuade him.
"People better than you work even harder than you. Figures…" Kawakami, newly promoted to the second team, scratched his head and sighed.
Among first-years, those who came from far away were often the most driven. Before arriving, everyone dreamed of standing out, making the first-string, taking the team to Koshien. But reality hit fast.
Forget standing out—making the first-string was a battle in itself. And no matter how much effort they put in, there was always someone performing even better.
It could crush anyone with weaker resolve. Maezono clenched his fists in silence. The sight of Miyuki and Zhang Han working ahead of everyone clearly struck him.
A week passed after their first tournament win. Seido's second game was against Tokyo Metropolitan Third High School—often simply called "Third High." No one had heard much about them, but public school or not, reaching the third round in West Tokyo meant strong fundamentals.
There are more than a hundred schools in the region. Making it to round three meant eliminating three-quarters of the competition.
Takashima Rei explained all this before the game. She warned everyone not to underestimate public schools. That kind of carelessness was a huge taboo.
Surprisingly, the team took it seriously. Before the game, they were rolling up sleeves, fully prepared. The main players even discussed different possible plays and scenarios. They all studied Third High's footage and notes carefully.
They had learned their lesson. In their first game, Seido could've won cleanly, but they played sloppy early on and ended up fighting a tougher battle than necessary. Even though they recovered later, Kataoka's scolding was merciless.
A fall into a pit, a gain in wisdom. They wouldn't make the same mistake again. Or so they thought.
The day before the game, Kataoka announced:
"Since we have games on both Saturday and Sunday, we'll adjust the lineup. The substitutes will start tomorrow. The main players will rest."
So in the end, the only ones taking Third High seriously… were the players themselves.
Kataoka and the coaching staff clearly weren't worried.
"Isn't that a bit much?" Captain Tanaka asked.
"It's only the starting lineup," Kataoka said calmly. "Everyone else stays ready. If things go poorly, they'll go in immediately."
The substitutes glared at their captain. So you think we're unreliable, huh?
Zhang Han stayed out of the senior-year tension. "If I'm not playing tomorrow, can I get extra practice in tonight?"
"Who said you're not playing?" Kataoka snapped.
"You said the main players—"
"Who told you you're a main player? Don't assume you're secure just because you wear number 6. If you underperform, I'll replace you on the spot."
Zhang Han froze.
"I…"
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
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