Miyuki Kazuya's sharp tongue was quite well known.
But Zhou Hao still didn't expect that even before becoming famous—just after joining the first string in his first year—he could already speak so irritatingly.
What did he mean by "the upperclassmen are all eagerly waiting to beat him until he cries"?
He made it sound like Zhou Hao was some punching bag for others to take their frustrations out on.
"Let me be your partner. I can give you some signals."
Miyuki volunteered.
He had already brought all his catcher gear when he came over.
Clearly, this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. He had already planned to fight alongside Zhou Hao.
Zhou Hao looked up at Miyuki. He wasn't against the idea.
After all, Miyuki had been his catcher before.
At that time, Zhou Hao's spiral pitch was completely uncontrollable—
He could even knock bats out of hitters' hands.
But aside from missing the first pitch, letting the ball slip out of his glove, Miyuki hadn't made another mistake.
No matter where Zhou Hao threw the ball, Miyuki could always catch it cleanly.
If it hadn't been for Miyuki, even with his spiral pitch as a secret weapon, Zhou Hao might not have been able to use it in that practice game.
While the two were talking, several third-year upperclassmen showed up.
Each of them had a confident, determined expression on their faces.
Especially the one leading them—Higashikuni—who was exceptionally muscular. When he saw Zhou Hao, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You've got guts, kid."
Though he thought the team was being a bit too generous to Zhou Hao.
Normally, when a player can't keep up with the team's progress, they're made to train individually.
The standard approach is to have them do running drills or additional personal training.
If the player shows promise, the team might assign a senior to mentor and supervise them.
Like a second- or third-year player giving them individual guidance.
Zhou Hao's situation was entirely different. What he needed to learn was the entire pitching system.
Assigning just one or two people and giving him tasks to complete wouldn't cut it.
He needed help from some former players and second- or third-string team members to provide live simulation training.
In other words, whenever Zhou Hao trained on his own, not only did he need a large supporting cast to spar with him, he also needed to occupy an entire field.
How could Higashikuni not have feelings about that?
Yes, the team was lacking good pitchers. But what they needed were seasoned pitchers.
Zhou Hao clearly lacked experience—why else would the coach have him cramming like this?
Was it worth it?
Higashikuni had to see for himself before he could accept it.
Though he was dissatisfied and upset—
He still appreciated some of Zhou Hao's behaviors.
For example, during the morning run, Zhou Hao had clearly fallen behind by more than a lap.
His rhythm was already completely off. Even if he had stopped running, no one would've blamed him.
But Zhou Hao still gritted his teeth and finished the run.
And he didn't skip any of the following team practices.
That kind of determination and grit earned Higashikuni's respect.
Now, even knowing he was about to face a tough challenge, Zhou Hao still fearlessly stepped forward—and even arrived at the field earlier than anyone else.
That fearless courage also made Higashikuni view him differently.
As for Zhou Hao's actual pitching skills, Higashikuni didn't really know.
But Zhou Hao's spirit, revealed in the small details, had already made Higashikuni quietly nod in approval.
It looked like their coach did have a good eye.
Of course—
If Zhou Hao wanted to stay in the first-string team and enjoy special treatment, it still came down to ability.
If spirit alone were enough, Seidou High School's baseball team would've dominated the country by now.
But in reality, they hadn't made it to Koshien for several consecutive years.
Whether it was the coach or the players, everyone was under immense pressure.
"Are you warmed up? Let's begin now."
Unlike Zhou Hao, Higashikuni and his two bulky teammates hadn't done any warmups.
According to them, they had already warmed up on the way over—no need to do it again.
"Have you picked your catcher yet?"
Even though he already saw Miyuki changing gear, Higashikuni still asked.
"I have."
Just as Zhou Hao was about to answer, another figure, already suited up in catcher gear, stepped forward.
Beneath the catcher's helmet and mask was a foreign-looking face.
He was a second-year on Seidou High School's baseball team—and the team's current starting catcher.
Chris Yuu.
"Let me catch for you!"
As the main catcher of the first string, he had to be able to adapt to every pitcher.
Zhou Hao had not only joined the first string but was also being highly valued by the coach.
Coach Kataoka had even brought in extra help just for Zhou Hao.
Given Kataoka's personality, he normally wouldn't go out of his way like this.
But this time, he did.
Clearly, the coach believed that if Zhou Hao could pitch in the summer tournament, he would be a huge asset to the team—
The kind of player who could help them make it to Koshien.
Under such circumstances, how could Chris not show up?
"I got here first, senpai!" Miyuki said, clearly annoyed.
"I'm still the team's No. 2. Let me take a look. You'll have plenty of chances to pair up later…"
Chris said deliberately.
As he expected, Miyuki's expression twisted upon hearing that.
"I'll definitely take your spot. Just you wait. The number 2 jersey for the summer tournament will belong to Miyuki Kazuya!"
In front of Chris, Miyuki—usually so sharp-tongued—seemed unusually obedient.
Zhou Hao looked at Chris, filled with admiration.
"All right. First, let me understand—what pitches do you know?"
"Spiral pitch, fastball!"
Chris nodded at Zhou Hao's answer.
He had already heard of the spiral pitch. And as for fastballs—well, what kind of pitcher doesn't know how to throw a fastball?
But when Miyuki heard that, his reaction was completely different.
"Didn't you tell me yesterday that you could only throw the spiral pitch?"
"I just learned it!"
Zhou Hao answered awkwardly for a moment, but quickly composed himself.
And honestly—he wasn't lying. He really had just learned it.
But there was no way Miyuki would believe that.
Miyuki looked at Chris, then back at Zhou Hao.
Different ethnicities. Different auras.
But both of them were undeniably handsome.
Just standing there, they looked like protagonists.
Feeling like the third wheel, Miyuki turned his head away and walked off without saying anything.
"Don't mind him. How's your control?"
"What's control?"
"…Alright, let's get started."
Hearing Zhou Hao's answer, Chris realized there was no point in asking further.
Might as well get straight to it.
The showdown was about to begin—and surprisingly, the first batter wasn't Higashikuni.
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Shout out to PandaSho, and Madison Hilbach for joining my p-atreon!! Thank you so much!