The three of them stood at the entrance of Ono Binchi's office, momentarily at a loss for words.
"You're former teammates. Isn't it a bit awkward to just stand there without saying anything?" Ono Binchi broke the silence.
Zhang Han stepped forward with a smile and helped Hoshida and Miyakawa take their seats.
With Ono Binchi present, the familiar atmosphere of Matsukata Senior League gradually returned. Hoshida wasn't very talkative, so most of the conversation flowed between Zhang Han and Miyakawa.
"It's really a pity Zhang-san didn't come to Ichidai," Miyakawa said. "Our lineup this year is very strong. We'll definitely be able to defeat Inashiro."
After just a few sentences, the topic inevitably drifted back to baseball.
In fact, both Zhang Han and Miyakawa had deliberately tried to avoid this subject earlier. Now that they belonged to different teams, and given the tension between those teams, it was bound to make things uncomfortable.
But what else could they talk about?
Aside from baseball, their lives were almost empty. Except for studying, all their time was spent training and improving their skills. Baseball was their hobby, their dream, and their pursuit.
People like them had very little in the way of leisure activities.
If they didn't talk about baseball, were they supposed to discuss academics? And once baseball came up, team matters followed naturally. The moment the words left his mouth, Miyakawa regretted it.
Why couldn't he control himself?
He had planned to avoid this topic entirely. But once he relaxed, his true thoughts slipped out without restraint.
And he had offended someone right away.
He mentioned Inashiro, but not Seido. It wasn't intentional, but it revealed his subconscious belief. In his heart, the outcome of tomorrow's match was already decided.
Ichidai Third High School would win.
Hoshida shot Miyakawa a reproachful look, though it was more for bringing it up in front of Zhang Han than for the content itself.
Clearly, he agreed with what was said. These two had already made up their minds about tomorrow's result.
"Ichidai is that confident?" Zhang Han asked calmly.
There was no emotion on his face, as if they were discussing something completely unrelated to him.
Miyakawa and Hoshida exchanged glances and remained silent.
"There's no need to avoid it," Zhang Han continued. "We were teammates before, and I believe we're still friends. Even though we're on opposing sides now, our friendship shouldn't change, right?"
Both of them nodded repeatedly.
For people like them, friends were rare. Teammates naturally became friends, and Miyakawa and Hoshida were no exception.
"Some things are hard to say from a team's perspective," Zhang Han said. "But since we're friends, I think it's fine. We're not secretly exchanging information, just chatting. How are you doing at Ichidai? When our team studied your data, our Director spoke highly of both of you. He thinks you're already key contributors to Ichidai."
Ono Binchi pursed his lips and said nothing.
But the look he gave Hoshida and Miyakawa carried a trace of sympathy.
"Director Kataoka really said that?" Hoshida asked, his face lighting up.
Kataoka had once been a Koshien runner-up pitcher and had become Seido's Director immediately after graduating from university. Even though Seido's past results had been uneven, his life story and strict coaching style earned him immense respect.
To many young players, he was an idol.
Hoshida was one of them.
"Don't you know me?" Zhang Han said with a smile. "When have I ever lied? Our Director truly thinks highly of you. He even sounded regretful when talking about you."
"Hehe…"
A simple, honest smile spread across Hoshida's face.
"Director Kataoka is too kind. If Ichidai hadn't invited me, I would've wanted to go to Seido too. But our team is really strong this year."
Miyakawa kept winking at him, but he couldn't stop Hoshida once he started talking.
"I also looked at your data," Hoshida continued. "You seem about on par with our seniors. Are your seniors really as strong as you say?"
"They swing the bat more than a thousand times a day! One senior quietly told me that if you swing the bat over a thousand times every day for a whole year, you can see the legendary Baseball Elf. All those seniors have seen it!"
He spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone, as if revealing a great secret.
Zhang Han felt his teeth ache. This guy really hadn't changed. Still that adorably simple.
"A Baseball Elf?" Zhang Han laughed. "If they exist, I'd really like to see one."
"If you keep practicing every day, you definitely will," Hoshida said earnestly.
Zhang Han rubbed his scalp. "Spare me. I'm just an ordinary person. A thousand swings a day would cripple my arm."
"But I do believe your seniors at Ichidai are truly extraordinary."
"Does that even need to be said?" Hoshida replied eagerly. "Kameshima and Oda from the third year, and Omae from the second year, are all powerful hitters. Senior Manaka is also very strong!"
Hoshida spoke without restraint, blurting out whatever came to mind. Unfortunately, his descriptions were painfully vague. Everything was just "very strong" or "especially amazing," with no actual details.
"You're talking with so much confidence. Are they really that impressive?" Zhang Han pressed.
"Zhang-san, really!" Hoshida insisted, even dragging Miyakawa in as proof.
Miyakawa looked troubled but eventually nodded.
"So that means you're definitely winning tomorrow?" Zhang Han asked.
"Yes!" Hoshida answered without hesitation.
"Then I really feel sorry for our seniors," Zhang Han said lightly. "They've worked so hard for so many years with no results. Especially Azuma-senpai, who carries the empty title of Tokyo's number one. In the end, he might gain nothing."
"Azuma-senpai is not Tokyo's number one!" Hoshida suddenly retorted.
Miyakawa's expression changed drastically. He almost reached out to cover Hoshida's mouth.
"Oh?" Zhang Han smiled. "Then who do you think is number one? Kameshima-senpai or Oda-senpai? I admit they're top-tier hitters in Tokyo, but in terms of records and on-field performance, can they really compare to Azuma-senpai?"
Hoshida wasn't foolish, just simple. He knew there were things he couldn't say. In the end, after stammering for a long time, he could only repeat one sentence.
"Senior Azuma Kiyokuni is not the number one."
Zhang Han didn't respond.
Later, after returning to school, he obtained Ichidai Third High School's twenty-man roster.
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