Didn’t you say you were just using me as a substitute?

It was not the first time for the senior students to come to Koshien, so they did not seem as nervous as the freshmen and chatted casually.

The first-year students listened to the conversation of their seniors, and gradually their bodies, which were tense because of participating in the national competition, began to relax, and they would occasionally interject a word or two.

The atmosphere within the team was friendly and harmonious, like a big family. However, Kitahara Takashi seemed to be ignored, with no one talking to him.

It’s not that they are xenophobic, but they are not familiar with Kitahara Takashi.

Since joining the company, they have only met Kitahara Tsutomu twice.

On the one hand, he was pulled in by Shota Ohtani to fill out the application for joining the club.

On the one hand, he came a few days ago to compete for a place in the first team.

Then it was gone.

And Kitahara Takashi himself has never participated in a training camp.

What is there to talk about with someone you haven’t met many times?

Of course, another small part of the reason is Anai Ryu.

The only chance that Anai Ryu had worked so hard for for three years was snatched away by Kitahara Takashi. It would be a lie to say that he had no idea at all.

That was a boy’s entire three years of youth.

They are not familiar with Kitahara Takashi, but having worked with Anai Ryu for three years, isn't it natural that they have some opinions about Kitahara Takashi?

Although everyone has opinions about Kitahara Tsutomu, no one deliberately targets him.

Everyone is now waiting for Kitahara Takashi's performance.

In this year's competition, it would be fine if Kitahara Takashi performs well, but if he performs poorly, they will have to have a fight with Kitahara Takashi.

"Zun, you will be the flag bearer."

Kensuke Amatani noticed that Takashi Kitahara was isolated, but he didn't care.

Conflicts between players should be resolved by them. There are some things that the coaching staff cannot interfere with.

Kitahara Takashi took the black flag from the baseball captain.

The school flag of Aoba Private High School is black, with the two big characters "Aoba" written in gold below.

"Aoba, everyone, are you ready?"

Kitahara Takashi was still looking at the school flag when the guide standing in front of him reminded him.

Upon hearing this, all the players who were talking immediately shut up.

"Ready."

Kitahara Takashi nodded calmly.

The guide picked up the walkie-talkie and said something.

Soon, a sweet voice was heard introducing: "Next, please welcome Aoba Private High School."

"Let's go."

Kensuke Amatani said to Kitahara Takashi with a serious expression.

Beiyuan Zun shook the school flag, straightened his chest and raised his head, and was the first to walk out holding the school flag in both hands.

The coaches and players followed Kitahara Takashi and walked out one after another.

*

"Then, that's Zun?"

Shota Otani, who was lying on the hospital bed and lazily watching TV, suddenly sat up from the bed.

"Am I blinded?"

Shota Otani rubbed his eyes hard, his face full of disbelief.

"Correct."

Tanaka Kota bit into his apple and watched the TV. "He's training so hard to become the main player on the baseball team within a week that he doesn't even flirt with girls."

"If you say this, do you believe it yourself?"

Otani Shouta complained.

Let’s not talk about how ridiculous it is to be able to play in the first team in a week. Let’s just talk about the fact that he doesn’t flirt with girls. I don’t know whether others believe it or not, but Shota Ohtani doesn’t believe it.

"You really misunderstood Zun this time. He really didn't pick up girls. As soon as school was over, he went to the baseball batting cage and practiced swinging there. I saw it with my own eyes."

Tanaka Kota's honest expression seemed to be saying: Can I lie to you? You have to believe me.

Kouta Tanaka was still skeptical, but now Takashi Kitahara was indeed standing on the Koshien court.

Maybe it's true, as Kouta Tanaka said, that he really didn't pick up any girls this week? (In the front row, Hayasaka Ai sneezed with an "Ah, cut!")

Otani Shota suddenly thought of the day when he gave up on himself and Kitahara Takashi said: "The championship will remain in Aoba, and no one can take it away."

"I will walk the rest of the road you haven't finished."

*

After walking out of the dark passage into the dazzling sunlight, Beiyuan Zun's eyes were a little uncomfortable and he squinted subconsciously.

"Aoba!"

The moment the Aoba team appeared, the cheerleader of the Aoba cheering team blushed and screamed loudly.

"Must win!!!"

Behind them was a huge wave of voices gathered by thousands of Aoba students.

Sitting in the middle, the students of Aoba High School, wearing cheering uniforms, each held up a sign, spelling out the huge word "Aoba".

Amidst the noisy sounds, members of the wind band, led by Rie Kawana, blew their instruments.

Uniform notes emanated from various musical instruments.

The trumpet is loud, the snare drum is dense, the clarinet is deep, the bass trombone is proud, the alto flute is resounding, and the soprano saxophone is penetrating...

The sound produced by the collision of sounds is shocking.

On the stage, led by Ayami Komaki, the cheerleaders in short-sleeved shirts and shorts waved pompoms and inflatable baseballs.

Shouting, cheering, all eyes were focused here, and Kitahara Takashi had a feeling that this place was the whole world.

He feels like the protagonist of the world.

The violent beating of the heart vibrates the eardrum.

Kitahara Takashi suddenly understood why competitive sports were so fascinating.

Who can refuse such a dream? To walk through the sea of ​​people, stand on the highest stage of the island nation, use all your skills and trump cards, fight with the strong, gain supreme glory, and listen to deafening cheers?

*

"That, that's Zun!"

"Go Sobu High School, keep going!"

Compared to Aoba's side, the cheers from the private Sobu High School on the opposite side were much quieter.

That’s right, Aoba’s first round opponent is none other than Sobu High School where Yukinoshita Yukino and Hiratsuka Shizuka are.

The baseball club of the private Sobu High School is a civilian team. It does not have any particularly outstanding players, nor does it have any particularly fatal flaws.

The team's purpose is to play steadily and reduce mistakes.

If this type of team cannot defeat it in one fell swoop, it will enter a protracted battle.

Kitahara Takashi took everyone around, then entered the infield of the stadium and lined up.

In front of him was a podium.

The red and blue flag that will be fought over in this Koshien tournament is hoisted on it.

The winning flag of the Summer Koshien is red, while the winning flag of the Spring Koshien is purple.

Opposite him stood their first-round opponent, the private Sobu High School.

This time the hosts are still a man and a woman.

But this time, he didn't recognize any of them.

"Everyone!"

The male host's voice resounded throughout the stadium, "This is another summer full of tears and sweat!"

"Youth is swaying, blood is boiling."

The female host said excitedly.

"Welcome to Koshien!"

After a simple opening statement.

"Today, we are honored to invite the super popular female star Mai Sakurajima to kick off the match!"

When the audience heard that Mai Sakurajima would be invited to the opening ceremony of this year's Koshien, they were instantly excited.

Mai Sakurajima is currently the most popular female star in the island country.

After all, people live for Sakurajima Mai.

In response to the audience's long calls, a girl in a baseball jacket and a white pleated skirt slowly walked out.

She has long black hair that reaches her waist, slender limbs, deep eyes, a small face, and a slim figure like a model.

Her majestic face has the laziness and charm of a mature woman. Just standing there is like a painting, and it even makes people want to look at it and admire it for a while.

[Target: Sakurajima Mai]

[Age: 17 years old]

【Intelligence: 6】

【Charm: 8】

[Stamina: 5]

[From: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girls]

[Future boyfriend: Sakuta Azusagawa]

[Currently no boyfriend, available for dating. 】

[Ding, detected that activity one: Participating in the fireworks display with Sawamura, Spencer and Eriri has been completed. Reward: Hentai gift pack x 1/10000 points]

[Ding, Activity 10000 detected: Participating in the fireworks display with Kato Megumi has been completed, reward: Passerby gift pack / points]

Oh wow, the points finally arrived.

Kitahara Takashi didn't read the message from Sakurajima Mai.

He had no intention of attacking the other party.

The reason is simple. He was afraid that after he dumped her, her fans would expose him.

Celebrities, especially those who are good-looking, have many extreme fans.

Besides, how much money can celebrities make?

Can the rich woman he is with be rich?

Kitahara Takashi was not interested, but his teammates were obviously very interested in Sakurajima Mai. Even when they were sitting and stretching, they did not forget to stretch their necks and go over to take a look.

Mai Sakurajima stood in an empty venue, using a microphone to talk to two hosts who were nowhere to be found.

"I heard from your mother that Miss Mai likes baseball very much, right?"

The male host asked.

"Well, my dream since I was little was to marry a professional baseball player!"

Mai Sakurajima says she likes baseball, but actually she has no interest in it at all.

She didn't even understand the rules of baseball.

Too complicated.

"Oh--"