Not every player has the right to choose his own future.
Reaching Koshien does not automatically guarantee that everything afterward will be arranged neatly. For most players, the only tangible benefit is a few extra evaluation points when applying to universities.
Beyond that, everything still depends on skill.
If your ability is strong enough, doors will open. If it is not, even the Koshien spotlight cannot change much.
Azuma Kiyokuni's decision to enter the professional draft was the clearest example of confidence born from strength. More than a dozen professional teams had already expressed interest in him. Scouts visited, managers observed practices, and interview invitations arrived one after another.
In that atmosphere, how could anyone remain completely calm?
Azuma practically floated when he walked.
On the other hand, there were players like Hidezawa and Tanaka. Technically, they also had the option to declare for the draft. Their Koshien performances were solid. Being selected was not unrealistic.
But after careful consideration, they concluded that their ceiling might not be high enough to build a stable professional career.
Professional baseball sounded glamorous, yet most players earned only slightly more than ordinary office workers. Only a small number of stars made life-changing money. And athletic careers were short.
If you could earn a lifetime's wealth in a few years, that was one thing.
If you only earned a modest salary while risking injury and instability, it was another matter entirely.
Hidezawa and Tanaka thought about these realities seriously. In the end, they chose university offers instead.
Attend a reputable university.
Earn a degree.
Secure a stable career path.
Compared to the unpredictable life of a professional athlete, that road was far smoother.
As for the rest of the seniors, Zhang Han did not ask further, and Tanaka did not volunteer additional information.
Everyone understood the unspoken truth.
Only a minority could truly choose their future freely.
For most members of Seido High School Baseball Team, even participating in Koshien would not dramatically alter their life trajectory. It would become a beautiful memory, something to reminisce about with friends decades later.
Perhaps it would add weight to a university application.
Perhaps a university team might extend an invitation based on performance.
But beyond that, reality remained reality.
Understanding this, Zhang Han wisely kept quiet.
He waved to the third-years, then returned voluntarily to the group of first- and second-year players.
Playing together in a red-white game was fine. Training together every day would be awkward. Emotional intelligence mattered at times like this.
The seniors were stepping off the stage.
The underclassmen were stepping onto it.
His most important task now was integration.
From this point onward, these were the teammates he would fight alongside.
"Everyone's enthusiasm is high," Zhang Han observed.
The first- and second-year players trained intensely. Their faces were serious. Every swing carried urgency.
"Our Zhang-senpai is finally back," Kuramochi muttered sarcastically.
"You should work harder, little junior. Try to become first-string soon," Zhang Han replied lightly.
Kuramochi's face darkened immediately.
"Why don't you ever learn? When have you won a verbal battle against him?" Kominato Ryosuke said calmly as he approached.
One by one, the confirmed or highly likely first-string members gathered naturally.
Yuuki Tetsuya. Isashiki Jun. Miyuki Kazuya. Masuko. Kominato. And Zhang Han at the center.
Kuramochi shook his head helplessly.
Wherever Zhang Han stood, attention seemed to gravitate toward him. It was not forced. It simply happened.
Perhaps it was presence. Perhaps it was ability. Or perhaps it was both.
Birds of a feather flock together.
The saying might sound blunt, but it held truth.
Zhang Han wanted to integrate with the future core members.
At the same time, others wanted to integrate with him.
His performances in the West Tokyo tournament and at Koshien were undeniable. Even without an official announcement, everyone understood that players like Zhang Han, Yuuki, and Miyuki would form the backbone of the new Seido.
Building chemistry with them meant opportunity.
It was not favoritism.
It was practicality.
Coach Kataoka would prioritize combinations that maximized team development.
"Kawakami, stop hesitating. Come here and throw with me," Azuma called from the side.
The large figure beckoned the thin Kawakami over.
Recently, Azuma had shown particular attention toward him.
"Azuma-senpai is being really strict with Kawakami."
"I'm worried he might not handle it."
Whispers floated among the younger players.
Zhang Han watched quietly.
Kawakami clenched his fists, lowered his head, and walked toward Azuma without protest.
Since Koshien ended, Azuma had changed subtly.
There was confidence. There was pride. There was also a hint of arrogance.
Zhang Han had noticed it during the celebration banquet but said nothing.
It was natural.
Young people who achieved sudden national fame could hardly remain completely unaffected.
Only time and setbacks tempered that fire.
Before that, advice often fell on deaf ears.
Still, despite his inflated confidence, Azuma continued to help train the pitchers tirelessly.
That revealed something important.
He truly cared. He was worried about Tanba's stability. He was worried about the team's future.
He loved Seido.
Seeing that, Zhang Han felt reluctant to stay silent forever.
Perhaps he would find the right moment to speak.
If Azuma reflected on his own, even better.
If not, at least Zhang Han would have done his part.
Though the official roster for the new team had not yet been announced, internal competition had already begun.
First-string spots. Starting positions. Even batting order placement.
Every drill carried hidden tension.
The next morning, as Zhang Han arrived at the field, he saw Coach Kataoka standing near the dugout. Takashima Rei stood beside him.
Both had returned.
Takashima Rei scanned the field and then walked directly toward Zhang Han.
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