Zhang Han stayed at home for three days.
To him, it felt like he had just returned, barely had time to rest, and already the days had slipped away. But clearly, Lan He's motherly affection had been fully expressed. If he stayed any longer, he would probably be forced to witness another round of emotional drama between mother and daughter.
Based on his past experience, whenever that happened, the small savings he had painstakingly accumulated would shrink noticeably.
If you cannot afford to provoke them, you can at least avoid them.
Early on the fourth morning after returning home, Zhang Han packed his clothes neatly into his suitcase. On the dining table downstairs sat a sumptuous breakfast, far more elaborate than usual.
Lan Yu was dressed unusually demurely, her tone gentle and soft.
Zhang Han's instincts immediately sounded the alarm.
With this posture, it would cost at least twenty thousand yen.
He did not hesitate.
Grabbing his suitcase, he rushed toward the door.
"Eat before you go!" Lan He called out in confusion.
"No, the team is gathering today!" Zhang Han shouted back while already halfway out.
He waved quickly toward the house and fled.
That was too close.
He took the electric train, and the ride was smooth. When he arrived at Seido High School, the campus was quiet. School had not yet officially started, so the grounds felt unusually empty.
The gatekeeper spotted him from afar and waved enthusiastically.
Since returning from Koshien, Zhang Han had faintly sensed that his presence on campus might feel different.
He just had not expected it to happen so quickly.
He smiled and greeted the gatekeeper before stepping inside.
The dormitory area was nearly deserted. Over the past few days, very few students had returned. Without the regular cafeteria schedule and team activities, the campus felt almost tranquil.
Although no one would be cooking for him, there was also a certain freedom in that.
He could train on his own schedule.
He could prepare in advance for the Autumn Tournament.
"I'm really diligent," Zhang Han muttered to himself.
If a self-motivated player like him could not succeed, then perhaps the world truly would be unfair.
As he approached the baseball field, something felt off.
It was not empty.
In fact, it was bustling.
Dozens of players were already on the field, fully dressed in practice uniforms. Some were taking batting practice. Others were working on pitching drills. A few were practicing fielding footwork and glove work.
Even more surprising were the third-year seniors.
They were supposed to have retired.
Instead, they had divided themselves into two teams and were playing a full practice game.
The scoreboard showed the fifth inning.
13 to 3.
Zhang Han blinked.
He quickly identified the players. One team consisted of first-string regulars and key substitutes from the summer roster. The other team was made up of substitute players and strong second-team members.
A red-white game.
The seniors' move was bold.
"Substitution! We demand a substitution!"
The moment the substitute side spotted Zhang Han, they lit up.
"Zhang Han, you're too lazy! Why are you only coming now? You haven't even warmed up yet. Can you play?"
Not playing when a game was available would be absurd.
"No problem. Give me five minutes."
Zhang Han sprinted back to the dormitory, dropped his suitcase, and changed clothes at lightning speed.
"Don't skip warm-up. You'll get injured," Hidezawa warned sharply, though concern was obvious in his tone.
"I ran here. That counts as warm-up," Zhang Han replied with a grin.
He joined the substitute team, immediately taking the field alongside Azuma Kiyokuni and the other seniors.
In the distance, several first- and second-year players watched enviously.
Comparison truly steals joy.
They also wanted to participate in the seniors' practice game, but the third-years paid them no attention.
Unlike Zhang Han, who was welcomed instantly.
"Hey, you're a first-string player too. Why aren't you trying harder? Why didn't they invite you?" Kuramochi muttered to Miyuki with irritation.
Miyuki smiled bitterly.
He understood perfectly well.
He had always spoken freely around the seniors, often teasing them without restraint. Many of them found him annoying.
Why would they voluntarily invite him to join and make themselves uncomfortable?
Zhang Han was different.
He was strong, cooperative, and never tried to steal the spotlight unnecessarily. A player with ability and good temperament was naturally popular.
After half a game, Zhang Han felt sweat soaking his back. His muscles loosened. Every pore seemed open.
This was the feeling he preferred.
The baseball field felt more natural than home.
"By the way," Zhang Han asked between innings, "why are you all back so early? Didn't you want to stay home longer? You were talking about reuniting with your families."
"The National Sports Tournament is coming," Tanaka explained. "You guys have to prepare for the Autumn Tournament. The Director said we third-years will participate in the National Sports Tournament as well."
The top eight teams from Koshien were invited to compete in the National Sports Tournament in autumn. It was essentially an exhibition event, sometimes even featuring practice games against professional teams.
The ranking was not particularly significant, but the experience and exposure were valuable.
"Oh right. I forgot top eight comes with that perk. But you didn't need to come back this early."
"After two days at home, it felt strange," Yamada grinned, showing his small fangs. "We're used to training. Without it, our bodies feel uncomfortable."
"You hit another one out!" Hidezawa glared at Zhang Han as the ball sailed over the fence.
Zhang Han spread his hands innocently.
What could he do? The pitch was too inviting. Not swinging would have been unnatural.
To be honest, if the opportunity had not been so perfect, he might have held back slightly. After all, the seniors were about to leave. It would have been nice to give them a softer memory.
"Have you signed up for the professional draft?" Zhang Han asked curiously.
He was genuinely interested in their future plans.
"Why are you thinking about professional baseball already?" Azuma Kiyokuni approached with his large belly swaying. "Are you impatient? Too bad, you've got time before that."
Then he shrugged.
"I signed up."
Hidezawa and Tanaka are going to university. Some schools have already contacted them. They might end up graduates of famous universities."
Zhang Han nodded.
Each of them was stepping onto a different path.
Some would chase professional dreams.
Some would pursue academics.
Baseball had brought them together.
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