We still don’t know his decision on that day

Shigeno Shin's response made Chris-senpai's serious face soften up. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions that Shigeno Shin couldn't fully comprehend. It was a brief moment, but it left Shigeno Shin feeling uncertain.

(Chris-Senpai, what are you thinking about?).

Shigeno Shin tilted his head slightly and started to think to himself in a secretive manner.

"You are currently in the growth stage and your fastball will continue to increase in speed and power in the future. This will improve your overall strength within the next one to two years. At this stage, it is important to focus on building a strong foundation, especially for pitchers. Physical fitness is a crucial aspect of this."

Chris gave a gentle look at Shigeno Shin and said in a soft tone.

"I get it, Chris-Senpai."

"Let's talk about your breaking ball. Essentially, the forkball is similar to a change-up pitch. However, the forkball emphasizes the falling arc. Based on your wrist, I think there are some adjustments you can make. Here's what I suggest...".

"Yes!".

"By the way, there one more thing..."

"As a pitcher for Seidou, it's important to understand..."

"Yes, I understand, Chris-Senpai".

"Let me emphasize this to you again..."

The pitcher finds joy in working together with the catcher, building a deeper understanding, and improving their pitching skills. Similarly, the catcher also takes pleasure in developing a pitcher's strength and potential. Chris-senpai is a friendly and happy teenager, and having a talented junior pitcher like Shigeno Shin is a bonus.

Chris-senpai's instinctive impulse as a catcher is highly stimulated by it.

And, for Chris-senpai.

Shigeno Shin's persistence and love for baseball is evident, as is the resemblance to his past self.

That insatiable thirst for knowledge about all things related to baseball.

That desire to be on the mound, on the field, and to experience everything that baseball has to offer.

It deeply touches even the softest part of Chris-senpai's heart.

Perhaps I am unable to hold on to my place on the field any longer.

(However, before I graduate, I want to dedicate my youth to fulfilling my goals, bring back the glory of my alma mater, and bring the most respected coach to that holy place. For this, we need to develop an ace pitcher who can truly determine everything for the team.)

(Make this team and the coach the number one in Japan.)

Seidou High School hasn't qualified for Koshien in five years. The glory of the famous school is just a joke. Chris-senpai is very aware of the pressure on his coach. High school baseball seems to be just a joke. children's play, but in Japan, in schools like Seidou High School, it is more than just a simple club activity.

Performance is everything!!.

Five years has been too long. This year is the time when Seidou High School must qualify for the Koshien!!.

before that happened.

absolute!.

I will never fall!!.

Bet everything on him.

This is the most resolute determination of the teenager Takigawa Chris Yuu, a 2nd-year catcher at Seidou High School!!.

That night.

Shigeno Shin didn't know what kind of determination the young man standing in front of him, who always had a gentle smile, was teaching him. Shigeno Shin didn't understand that he and this senpai formed a battery. What kind of pain is it to endure the moment of wanton excitement on the field?

The lack of awareness.

Some people may think it's a stupid choice to risk a potentially brilliant future career just for the sake of a high school club activity.

But that's the silly charm of high school baseball.

This is where young people are at their most passionate!!.

Early the next morning, Seidou High School, Seidou Spirit Dorm, in the cafeteria dedicated to the baseball club.

At the end of the morning routine, time for morning exercise.

The cafeteria is already full with all the current members of the baseball club. It's been two or three weeks since they joined the club. Even the freshmen have gradually begun to adapt to all the rhythms of daily life at Seidou High School, including the three main things in the cafeteria. the Rice Bowl rules.

Except for a few people who still can't eat three large bowls of rice in the allotted time, and one or two who can't eat three large bowls of rice no matter how hard they try, the other freshmen all manage to do it in the allotted time. Here, they already finished eating these three big bowls of rice.

The intensity of training at Seidou High School is very high.

Teenagers of fifteen or sixteen are still growing. After daily high-intensity training, their appetite naturally increases. For a meal of this type, freshmen will naturally adapt very quickly.

Of course, among the few freshmen who haven't yet managed to adapt to Seidou's high school food.

Known as a genius, Miyuki Kazuya, the future catcher of Seidou High School, is naturally the most "shameful".

All meals.

This guy can eat two bowls full, which is good enough.

In the third bowl, he either doesn't eat and tries to run away or looks for someone to help him. The targets are always Shigeno Shin or Kuramochi Yoichi.

However, Shigeno Shin always rightly refused.

Except Kuramochi is always in trouble, he's problematic.

"I'm not going to do that, why should I help you eat, etc."

Then, in the end, he always helps Miyuki half-heartedly. They finish the remaining half bowl of rice together, which makes Shigeno Shin very suspicious.

(maybe this guy, Kuramochi, is the legendary "Tsundere")

Of course, there will be times when this kind of behavior is exposed. When that time comes, Miyuki and Kuramochi will have bad luck together.

When the time comes.

This is the moment that Shigeno Shin will be happy to see.

It can be used as a spice in everyday life. Shigeno Shin sincerely believes that its occasional practice will help his physical and mental health.

At least Shigeno Shin believes that Kuramochi Yoichi and Miyuki Kazuya, the two so-called worst friends, are having fun.

Likewise this morning at mealtime.

Shigeno Shin, Miyuki Kazuya, and Kuramochi Yoichi were sitting next to each other.

with the other first-year freshmen.

They've known each other for a relatively short time and are classmates. It's human nature. The three of them can't help but get closer. Compared to other freshmen, the relationship between the three of them is better. The others are a little closer.

At least, that's how it seems to others.

"By the way, Shin, you have a great appetite. You can eat four bowls of rice."

Miyuki Kazuya is still struggling to eat the second bowl of rice.

Shigeno Shin's fourth bowl of rice was almost empty.

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A/N: Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been back, but I'm not quite there yet. Slow chapters from time to time.

Hugs and stay well.