The scene AJ caught sight of from the corner of his eye made the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.
It was undoubtedly Miyuki Kazuya and Sawamura Eijun. He had been wondering when the two would appear; it was definitely during the first-year self-introductions.
To be honest, after more than ten years in this world, some memories from his previous life had become a bit blurry. Aside from the general facts and procedures, some details had begun to fade.
If not for a coincidence, AJ wouldn't have even remembered this morning's event.
"Hmm, I guess next will be the script where the innocent guy gets tricked by the schemer, and then they suffer together," AJ thought, chuckling to himself.
However, things turned out a bit unexpectedly for AJ. Before the scene from his previous life even appeared, Coach Kataoka, the cold-faced Coach known as a demon, had his sunglasses reflect slightly.
Coach Kataoka then spoke coldly, "Are those two idiots over there not coming out yet?"
His words were like a harsh winter, a chilling cold that pierced to the bone, making all who heard them shiver inwardly as a wave of coldness washed over them.
Not to mention the two who were mentioned in the corner.
After Kataoka spoke those words, two figures emerged from the corner with awkward expressions. It was the innocent protagonist from his memories—Sawamura Eijun! And that scheming catcher—Miyuki Kazuya!
Both stood before Kataoka with guilty expressions.
"Very good. It's your first day reporting as a new student, and you're late? And you, Miyuki Kazuya, this isn't the first time you've been late for morning practice, is it?" Kataoka said in a cold voice, his stern expression making the two instantly feel a chill.
"Um…" Miyuki Kazuya touched his forehead, as if about to say something.
"Haha! That idiot, late on his first day! And Miyuki, that guy, he's getting what he deserves!" Kuramochi said, holding his stomach and laughing gleefully from within the team.
Masuko, beside him, shook his head helplessly. He had originally intended to wake Sawamura, but Kuramochi stopped him, saying he wanted Sawamura to remember this lesson deeply.
"Hmph, you two go run! Until morning practice ends!" Kataoka said coldly, his frost-like expression making Sawamura and Miyuki break out in a cold sweat.
"And! The second and third-year students in this guy's dorm will run with them!" Kataoka turned his head and looked coldly at Kuramochi, who had a mischievous grin, and Masuko, who had a helpless expression.
The two instantly froze, displaying a "No way!" expression.
Upon hearing this, AJ was slightly startled, and a bad premonition immediately arose in his heart. No way, would he and Senior Inoue also have to be punished with Miyuki?
Fortunately, after waiting for a while, Kataoka did not say, "The two in Miyuki's dorm will also be punished with running."
Thinking about it, Miyuki was a repeat offender; otherwise, Senior Inoue would definitely have found a way to wake Miyuki. AJ silently patted his chest and let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, thank goodness.
Seido's morning practice was more diverse, with regular training and specialized training, but fundamentally, there was still a training plan.
Of course, new students' training generally focused on physical conditioning.
During morning practice, AJ's remaining attention was focused on the Ace in his heart—Sawamura Eijun! Perhaps in his previous life, this prestigious school had many regrets in AJ's eyes.
But in AJ's heart, the biggest regret was Sawamura's difficult path to becoming an Ace.
Pure, simple, optimistic, positive, never giving up! Sawamura Eijun was such a person, carefree and without any hidden motives. AJ had a dream.
To become the strongest batter! To lead the Ace in his heart to a bigger stage and display the style they deserved!
"Sawamura Eijun…"
Well, he had gotten a bit off track. When AJ watched the training of the second and third-year Senpai, he realized that some aspects were quite different from what he had imagined.
Originally, AJ thought he only lacked experience and proper guidance, but after seeing others, well, not to mention the second and third years, among his peers, AJ found that compared to them…
Perhaps physical stamina was his only advantage?
Other advantages? In AJ's view, there was not a single advantage, only disadvantages. The regular, highly professional swings and throws made AJ's heart tighten.
He still had so much to learn!
If AJ had previously been aiming to shine brightly, be chosen by Kataoka, make it into the first string, and change the regrets of summer, AJ felt he needed to revise his goal…
Tojo and Kanemaru, who were famous nationwide in little league, only made it into the first-string roster in the autumn. What right did he have to claim he could make it into the main roster this summer?
AJ took a deep breath.
"Miyuki Kazuya! You bastard, if it weren't for you, how would we have been discovered?!"
"Haha, isn't it all the same?!"
"And you definitely tried to trick me just now, to make me a decoy, didn't you?!"
"Haha, let's not quibble over these details!"
Two energetic voices came from the track beside the field. AJ smiled slightly. As expected, when an innocent guy meets a schemer, their personalities are quite compatible, aren't they?
AJ thought with a bit of a mischievous twist.
The morning passed without incident, with over a hundred club members sweating it out. Time ticked by.
Then came breakfast.
Although he was mentally prepared, and to strengthen his physique (Baseball is a very demanding sport, not easier than basketball or soccer; a sturdy physique is essential), AJ had eaten much more than his peers during elementary and middle school.
Coupled with extensive physical training, AJ possessed a rather robust physique. His frame didn't look large, but beneath his clothes, it was all solid muscle.
Strong and powerful!
But today, facing Seido's large bowls of rice, AJ's face also fell.
No way, it was already so much, almost overflowing to twice the volume of the bowl. He wondered how the cafeteria aunties had mastered this skill of serving rice.
And the bowls were one-third larger than usual bowls!
Moreover, he had to eat three bowls… AJ immediately felt a little nauseous. After high-intensity morning practice, this was what he got…
Well, a retching sound came from beside him, and AJ knew without turning his head that it was that innocent guy, accompanied by the gleeful voice of a certain schemer.
Looking at the sign above the cafeteria that read "Must eat three full bowls of rice," AJ closed his eyes, resignedly picked up the large bowl, and grunted as he buried himself in his task!