Lang Zhi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lang Zhi (朗致)
Alias(es)	Sasaki Rōchi 87
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kinoshita Little League; Seido High School baseball team 8 87
Occupation/Role	Student; infielder with a focus on Shortstop 87 203
First Appearance	Chapter 2 (as Sasaki Rōchi) 2

Background

Lang Zhi was bullied by several former members of his middle school's baseball club. The group blamed him after he and an assistant teacher discovered them playing pornographic videos in the club facilities, which led to their removal from the club. Kōshū identified the bullies and intimidated them into stopping without fighting them. 3

Four months after Kōshū joined the Sasaki household, Lang Zhi and Kōshū decided to join Little League together. Lang Zhi initially hesitated because of his insecurities, but baseball became a major part of his relationship with Kōshū and his own development. 4

When Shen Qing became pregnant, Lang Zhi withdrew to his room and struggled with the prospect of another sibling. Kōshū responded by setting him a seven-day assignment meant to push him into engaging more openly with the family. 18 19

Lang Zhi later entered Seido alongside Kōshū. He had difficulty adapting to the dormitory, the intensity of high-school training, and the confidence required around senior players. He was assigned to the Second String during Spring Break while being evaluated as a potential Shortstop. 87 88 90

Appearance

Lang Zhi is noticeably shorter than Kōshū and has a prickly hair whorl that others—including Kōshū and Miyuki—are prone to touch. 173

• He grew 10 centimeters between his second year of middle school and first year of high school, though he remains sensitive about being compared with Kōshū's height. 303
• He experienced growing pains during winter training preparations. 44

Personality

Lang Zhi is competitive, emotionally expressive, and easily provoked by comparisons with Kōshū. Kōshū's exceptional talent and the attention it receives initially make Lang Zhi jealous and insecure, particularly when Kōshū is selected for the U15 Representative Team. 5 55

Despite his tendency to sulk, complain, or attempt to outmaneuver his older brother, Lang Zhi is conscientious about his own shortcomings. He trains seriously when given structure, worries about his future position, and gradually becomes more willing to communicate directly with Kōshū. 19 72 199

His dependence on Kōshū remains a recurring obstacle. Lang Zhi wants to improve and be recognized on his own merits, but he often feels left behind as Kōshū's ambitions and social world expand. 393 401

Abilities & Skills

Dynamic Vision

Lang Zhi possesses unusually sharp dynamic vision. He can use a ball's seams as a reference to estimate its speed and spin, making him capable of recognizing subtle differences in pitch trajectory. 72 230

• Identified that an outside pitch was not a Straight Ball by its spin and path. 230
• His visual recognition does not automatically translate into solid contact; he still needs the physical ability and technique to hit difficult pitches well. 230
• Coach Kinoshita specifically asked Kōshū to study Lang Zhi's use of seam recognition. 72

Batting

Lang Zhi develops into a dependable situational hitter for Kinoshita Little League. Coach Kinoshita considers placing him third in the batting order and has Coach Ninomiya prepare a strength-focused training plan for him. 72

• Hit a high outside fastball after entering a state of flow during a game. 41
• Drove in a run with runners on second and third, then reached first base. 72
• Attempted to steal after reaching first but was caught out. 72
• His thin build initially limits his hitting power despite his visual talent. 230 303

Fielding

Lang Zhi is evaluated primarily as a Shortstop, though Seido tests him at several infield and outfield positions. 87 203

• Impressed Seido's First String during a fielding test with his agility and drive. 87
• Worked with Kominato Haruichi to improve his ground-ball catches. 100
• Played Shortstop, Third Base, Left Field, and Center Field in practice matches while Seido considered his best role. 203
• Must surpass Kuramochi's defensive reliability, experience, and team trust to claim the Shortstop position. 203

Relationships

• Kōshū — Stepbrother, teammate, rival, and primary mentor. Their relationship shifts from intimidation and rivalry to mutual support; Lang Zhi eventually addresses him seriously as “brother.” 3 72 113
• Shen Qing — Mother. Lang Zhi receives consistent maternal care from her, though he struggles with changes in the household during her pregnancy and after the arrival of younger siblings. 18 44 302
• Mr. Sasaki — Father. His enthusiasm for seeing both boys play baseball helps motivate Lang Zhi and Kōshū to pursue Seido together. 34
• Hayakawa Aki — Former Kinoshita teammate and friend. Hayakawa understands Lang Zhi's batting tendencies well enough to formulate strategies against him after they become opponents. 43 230
• Kominato Haruichi — Seido teammate and training partner. Haruichi helps Lang Zhi refine his ground-ball fielding and respects his persistence. 100
• Kuramochi — Senior Shortstop and informal mentor. He shares Shortstop Essentials with Lang Zhi and encourages him to focus on his own game. 126 208
• Qian Xue — Younger sister. A conflict between them leaves Lang Zhi emotionally isolated until Qian Xue apologizes with Kōshū's mediation. 302
• You — Younger brother. Lang Zhi is part of You's blended-family household alongside Kōshū and Qian Xue. 302 306

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bullying Incident

Lang Zhi's bullying by former baseball-club members exposes the tension between him and Kōshū, while Kōshū's intervention becomes an early turning point in their relationship. 3

Kinoshita Little League

Lang Zhi joins Little League with Kōshū, initially fears being overshadowed by him, and gradually develops as a Shortstop and batter. His sharp visual tracking becomes one of his defining baseball strengths. 4 5 72

Seido Integration

After entering Seido, Lang Zhi is placed in the Second String and must adapt to dorm life, intense conditioning, and the gap between himself and established First String players. 87 88 90

Pursuit of the Shortstop Position

Lang Zhi works on his fielding with Haruichi and is tested at multiple defensive positions. His long-term goal becomes reclaiming the Shortstop position and proving that he belongs in the First String. 100 203 395

Independence from Kōshū

As Kōshū gains recognition as Seido's Ace, Lang Zhi increasingly confronts his own insecurity and dependence. He begins considering whether to pursue professional baseball rather than remain only “Kōshū's younger brother.” 393 401

Trivia

• Lang Zhi keeps old elementary-school textbooks and manga in storage boxes. 29
• He has an interest in anime girls that Kōshū discovers and uses to manipulate him early in their relationship. 2
• He believes shaving eyebrows can bring good luck, but accidentally removes a large section of Kōshū's eyebrow while trying to help him. 77
• He carefully counts the contents of his lunchbox, including the exact number of chicken nuggets, rice balls, and other items. 36
• During a televised league skills competition, Kōshū uses Lang Zhi's head as a pillow while standing and sleeping. 52