Osaka Prefecture Daito City, Osaka Tsubaki High School.

On the outermost side of the Osaka Tsubaki Baseball Club training ground, there was a huge announcement board clearly displaying today's match schedule in black and white:

Invitation Match: Osaka Tsubaki VS Waseda Real.

Surrounding the training ground, it was already crowded with people: not only Tsubaki's own students but also many local residents had come to the field's edge, either leaning on the fence to watch inside or picnicking on the lawn waiting for the match to start—a high school baseball practice match had attracted nearly a thousand spectators, a level of attention far beyond everyone's expectations.

"Wow—there are so many people today, usually we don't have this many spectators for practice matches with other teams, right?" Seeing the almost encircling crowd, Osaka Tsubaki Baseball Club's second-year player, second baseman Onishi Yuuya expressed sincere amazement.

"Indeed, such a scene, I'd wager even the third-year seniors haven't experienced this," the team's right fielder Mizuhara Gakuto also remarked in awe next to Onishi Yuuya.

Just as the two were indulged in the ambiance, a strange shout suddenly came from behind: "Ahhh—no way, why is Yukari here? Didn't she say she was not interested in baseball?"

Upon turning back, the source was their classmate and teammate, first baseman Tandate Ryoki—seeing his incredulous expression, Onishi Yuuya couldn't help but laugh:

"Hahahahahahahahaha—Ryoki, I mean... hmm, is there a possibility?"

"That Yukari is actually not uninterested in baseball, but just uninterested in you playing baseball?"

Upon hearing this, Tandate Ryoki showed a face of total disagreement, but before he could speak, Mizuhara Gakuto poked fun again:

"Indeed, Ryoki—as Yukari's classmate, I know she really likes Waseda's Lin; also, you say Yukari is not interested in baseball, yet she's watched Jintaro's practices many times..."

Saying this, facing Tandate Ryoki's hopeless expression, Mizuhara Gakuto suddenly felt amused, and then mimicked a girl's voice:

"Oh, Lin is so handsome, and his skills are amazing, really, how could there be such a high school player... but Mr. Fujinami is not bad either, tall and fast, truly a dilemma..."

Before Tandate Ryoki could open his mouth in rebuttal, a serious voice came from behind the three:

"Enough, stop fooling around—Waseda's team is here, quickly warm up and start the match!"

The owner of the voice was the third-year senior, Osaka Tsubaki's main outfielder, Fujita Genki.

Seeing the senior speak, the playful expressions of the trio immediately turned serious, and their attention shifted from outside to the match.

As one of the most prestigious teams in Osaka and Kansai Region, Osaka Tsubaki has failed to make it to the Summer Koshien for two consecutive years—which is utterly unacceptable for a team aiming for national victory since its founding; therefore, over the past year, the entire baseball club united, trained intensely, vowing to defeat their old rival Luzheng Society and secure the qualification to represent Osaka in the Summer甲 this year.

The upcoming match against Waseda Real, to all at Osaka Tsubaki, is considered a Summer甲-level high-quality duel—they Osaka Tsubaki are ready to take the Senbatsu champion as their whetstone.

The crowd outside the field suddenly stirred, mixed with cheers and screams: it seemed Waseda's team had arrived.

Members of the Waseda Jitsugyo Baseball Club arrived one after another, led by not only the team supervisor and captain but also the currently recognized greatest talent of this generation, Lin Guanglai.

The Osaka Tsubaki players focused their gazes on him, each person's eyes held different emotions: unease, envy, and a desire to compete against him on the field.

Even Tsubaki's players felt uneasy, given Lin Guanglai's reputation, many powerful hitters had fallen before him, especially the strength of Luzheng Society's lineup was known best by the Osaka Tsubaki players—they were well aware of such a powerful opponent becoming the backdrop for Lin Guanglai's record creation, how could they not feel uneasy?

Of course, Tsubaki's players also envied him, especially the first and second-year players: not only because Lin Guanglai had achieved multiple victories, but also because he became a starter from his first year.

For Osaka Tsubaki, which implements an elite policy, every player is a potential ace elsewhere in a middle-tier school; but when gathered, newcomers must either show talents surpassing prodigies or wait silently for seniors' graduation—the current lineup includes only Fujinami Jintaro, who is seen as having talent comparable to Lin Guanglai, with other positions occupied by third-year seniors.

Regarding Osaka Tsubaki's ace pitcher Fujinami Jintaro, his eyes only held deep competitiveness—from a young age, always seen as a genius, he didn't consider himself to be much lesser than Lin Guanglai, merely lacking a stage to showcase himself; today's match was an opportunity.

Apart from Mr. Fujinami, another person's gaze had been fixed on Lin Guanglai since entering the field: Mori Yuuya, the first-year catcher, gazing at his prey like a bloodthirsty wolf, followed Lin Guanglai until he went to the bullpen for practice.

Since entering Osaka Tsubaki Baseball Club in spring, Mori Yuuya had demonstrated talent far beyond his peers, though less skilled as a catcher, his powerful batting strength remained impressive—especially his unique swing posture, causing immense psychological pressure on pitchers.

During the pre-match handshake, when Lin Guanglai walked up to Mori Yuuya, he found the other held his hand tightly, looked directly into his eyes, and said:

"You better be careful—during the match, I'll hit each of your pitches out of the field."

Lin Guanglai raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.

"Hey—what's the meaning of this? Does Osaka Tsubaki's player even lack basic game etiquette?" Lin Guanglai remained silent, but his teammate nearby grew furious upon hearing Mori Yuuya's challenge and angrily shouted towards his direction.

This minor commotion surprisingly attracted the attention of Osaka Tsubaki's captain Hirohata Real.

"Mori! What are you doing? Is this how you treat our guests?" After understanding the situation, Hirohata Real, Osaka Tsubaki's current captain, sternly reprimanded the disrespectful Mori Yuuya.

The Tsubaki players knew this junior's nature—as they casually remarked, "If not for his extraordinary baseball talent given by heaven, he might have become a street punk long ago."

Usually speaking casually to seniors without honorifics, acting impudent in the team, all tolerated because of good camaraderie—their nationwide presence at Osaka Tsubaki was naturally challenged for national victory here; if one was powerful enough, character flaws could be forgiven.

But Hirohata Real was indeed unexpected as just a minute of unobserved Mori Yuuya led to provoking the opponent—this behavior before outsiders took on a completely different meaning.

Subsequently, Hirohata Real forced Mori Yuuya to bow his head, and together they apologized to Lin Guanglai.

Lin Guanglai naturally paid little mind to Mori Yuuya's provocation; of course, he wasn't as overly forgiving as imagined.

Accepting Hirohata Real's apology representing Tsubaki, glancing at Mori Yuuya's number behind, Lin Guanglai humorously replied:

"Come back and say that to me when you become a starter at Tsubaki."

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