38 Summer

Chen Xin and Su Qing hurried over.

Then they saw Tanba already lying on the ground, surrounded by a group from Seido.

"What happened?"

Su Qing quickly asked.

"Tanba got hit by Shu Bei's pitcher. It was a hit-by-pitch to the head. That's terrifying. I hope he's okay."

!!!!

A hit-by-pitch to the head? How could it be a hit-by-pitch to the head? What kind of head shot only required two months of recovery? Wouldn't that take half his life?

Yet Chen Xin breathed a sigh of relief when he heard it.

"Good thing I replaced Tanba's helmet with a new C-Type Helmet before the game."

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go check on him."

They were from Inashiro, so it would be awkward for them to go over. But Chen Xin was different—he was from Seido. At a time like this, he should be the one showing concern.

"Right."

Chen Xin hurried over. He trusted the helmet he had given Tanba, but what if something really had happened? He would be held responsible!

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"Leave me your contact info."

Su Qing took out the phone he used for streaming, and Chen Xin pulled out the same kind of phone. They looked at each other and instantly understood.

After exchanging contact information, Su Qing watched Chen Xin leave.

The next time they met would probably be in summer.

Unfortunately, Seido and Inashiro would only meet in the final game. He truly hoped that day would come sooner. Beating up little kids was fun, sure, but striking you out would feel even better.

This time, I definitely won't lose to you again!

"We're heading back."

Coach Kunimoto's low voice roused the Inashiro players, who were still reeling in shock.

"Yes."

With Coach Kunimoto leading them, everyone marched off in orderly formation.

As though he had sensed something, Chen Xin turned and glanced back. But all he saw were the backs of the Inashiro players. Everyone wore the same clothes, and Su Qing had a cap on, so there was no way to tell which one was him from behind.

Chen Xin turned back and smiled. He also wanted to face Su Qing sooner. If he kept beating up weak opponents like this, he was afraid his bat would rust—even though it was wooden. It was only a metaphor!

Su Qing at his peak was definitely one of the toughest pitchers he had ever faced: an incredibly fast fastball with bizarre movement, a changeup that could surprise you at any time, and a sinker that was no slower than his fastball and broke sharply!

It had been over ten years since he'd seen that, hadn't it? He really wanted to see it again! To see it one more time, then crush it with the bat in his hands!

I know you want to get rid of me too.

This summer! Let's face each other once again!

Chen Xin ran toward the field. After all, Tanba was the most complete pitcher on their team. If something really happened to Tanba, they would be in serious trouble!—

After returning to Inashiro, Su Qing received word that Tanba was fine. The new helmet Chen Xin had given him had protected him well, and Tanba had not been badly injured as he had been in the original story.

For some reason, Su Qing felt a tiny bit disappointed upon seeing the news. If Tanba was fine, Sawamura and Furuya would have fewer chances to take the mound, right?

He still hoped the two of them could grow quickly. Pitchers grew fastest on the field, after all. The Pitcher's Mound was a place whose experience could never be replicated off the field.

But things had turned out this way. If he regretted it, that would be far too inhumane!

Ever since Tada joined the First String, Su Qing's pitching-and-catching partner during practice had changed from Yamagami to Tada. Su Qing had suggested it himself, and Coach Kunimoto had agreed. Summer was coming, and he truly had no time to train Tada anymore. But from every angle, Tada was highly likely to become Inashiro's main catcher that autumn.

Moreover, Su Qing and Tada were both first-years. In the future, they would be Inashiro's main battery. Naturally, Coach Kunimoto had no reason to object to putting them together.

Yamagami felt wronged, but he could not really say anything. In terms of closeness to Su Qing, he could not compare with Tada. In terms of catching, he seemed unable to compare with Tada either! Forget it. He should just go brood in a corner.

Narumiya Mei had not been having an easy time these past few days either. Su Qing had gone crazy, dragging him off for extra training every day. And he could not exactly refuse, because Su Qing really was doing it for his own good.

Still, Su Qing had a good sense of moderation. He kept every session firmly under control. Once they reached the prescribed amount, even if they had not achieved the intended training effect, he would not let Narumiya Mei continue.

After the training camp ended, Inashiro's overall training load dropped by a level—or rather, the First String's did. Summer was close, and Coach Kunimoto did not want anyone getting injured before summer had even begun.

Their current training mainly served to maintain the players' condition, so they could face the coming summer season with bodies and spirits at their peak.

Thanks to Su Qing, Tada got to catch Narumiya Mei's pitches early, and he was thrilled beyond measure. Narumiya Mei was delighted too. Who would have thought the little tagalong always following Su Qing around was actually his fanboy? Hahahahaha!

Su Qing rolled his eyes at him. He truly could not understand where Narumiya Mei's bizarre competitive streak came from.

That day, after Su Qing and Narumiya Mei finished their extra training and returned to the dorm, Harada was changing clothes.

"Back from the drawing?"

"Yeah."

During practice that day, Su Qing had noticed that Harada had not changed into his training uniform and had been wearing his school uniform the whole time. When he asked, he learned that Harada had gone to the drawing. Su Qing had wanted to go too. It sounded like such an interesting meeting, and he wanted to join in on the fun. But he learned that if he went, Harada could not, because there were simply too many teams participating in Tokyo—an entire 260 teams!

If every team sent several people, how could the Conference Room possibly hold them all?

If Su Qing went, the task of drawing lots would definitely fall to him.

Su Qing immediately shook his head. If he drew badly, wouldn't he become Inashiro's sinner?! And what if going to draw the lots changed the plot? Forget it, forget it. He wasn't going.

Harada handed the freshly printed tournament bracket to Su Qing, only for Narumiya Mei to snatch it away.

"Let me see, let me see. Su Qing just got here, so he doesn't know which teams are strong."

Su Qing rolled his eyes. He might not know much, but he had a god's-eye view—he knew exactly which teams were the strongest!

"Oh!!! The captain's luck with the draw is pretty damn good! Ichidai Third High, Immortal Spring, and Seido are all in the other half of the bracket. In our half, the only somewhat strong team is Sakurazawa! This draw is amazing!"

Harada folded his arms. Though he said nothing, he lifted his chin.

Everyone was delighted. Only Su Qing inwardly complained, How is this Harada's good luck? It's obviously because that dog of an author wanted Seido to face more strong teams for more exciting material.

Inashiro was the final boss. After overcoming five trials and defeating six generals, he had honestly thought Inashiro would also fall to Seido. Yet unexpectedly, Seido lost—and Little Angel had to take responsibility for it. That was just ridiculous.