"One hundred percent hitting, a miraculous powerful bat!"
"Three Homeruns, six runs! A super slugger rises..."
"156 km/h pitching speed, the other side of Koshien's super rookie."
...
Originally, due to Zhang Han's identity, the media always held back a bit in their reports about him. But ever since Seido High School Baseball Team's game against Yakushi High School, this phenomenon had disappeared.
Zhang Han's excellence exceeded everyone's imagination. He was no longer something the media could suppress if they wanted to. Coupled with Tokyo Television's live broadcast, it was later said that over a million fans specifically watched that game online.
Zhang Han truly became an overnight sensation.
This level of exposure was almost on par with when he was named a super rookie at Koshien last year. The difference was that he was only one of the team's protagonists last year, but now he was the sole protagonist.
This change in fame was especially noticeable at school.
Originally, Zhang Han was already very well-known at school, attracting attention wherever he went. But people, once they get used to something, it's just that. When his classmates got used to Zhang Han's presence, his treatment was not much different from ordinary people. At most, a few girls would point and whisper behind his back.
Now it was different. No matter where Zhang Han went, people greeted him.
Especially Jinguuji, who was previously the most famous first-year student. He missed that day's game due to an upset stomach, and only heard from his companions later that Zhang Han's pitching speed reached a terrifying 156 km/h. The legendary Fastball pitcher of Seido High School Baseball Team was actually Zhang Han.
The young man's attitude towards Zhang Han was ten times more affectionate than before. He constantly circled around Zhang Han, pestering him to see the 156 km/h Light Speed Ball.
Later, when he heard that Zhang Han's finger was injured, he was even more nervous than Zhang Han himself, insisting on dragging him to the hospital and muttering.
"After the injury, will he not be able to throw that fast anymore?"
He was just a junior. As a senior, Zhang Han felt awkward hitting him. If Jinguuji were in the same grade, he would definitely crack open his head to see what was inside.
This was too much of a jinx.
The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart. Manager Ota happened to overhear a bit and became incredibly nervous. He went back to discuss with Coach Kataoka and Takashima Rei whether they should find a professional sports hospital or high-end clinic to have Zhang Han examined.
Originally, they had a "let's try it and see" attitude towards Zhang Han's left-handed pitching. If Zhang Han could show talent, that would naturally be best. If he couldn't, there would be no loss for anyone. At most, Zhang Han would work a bit harder.
But now, Zhang Han's pitching speed had soared to 156 km/h, and he had even displayed unusual pitching characteristics. Their expectations for Zhang Han had already risen to the level of an Ace. The level of importance was, of course, different.
"It's just a scraped finger. There's no need to make such a fuss, is there?"
Kataoka felt Manager Ota was making a mountain out of a molehill. For baseball players, spraining a hand or scraping skin was very normal.
"You can't say that. Before, after Zhang Han's game against Inashiro, he was sidelined for a long time due to a hairline fracture in his finger. Now, he's just started throwing fast pitches, and his finger is scraped again. Once might be a coincidence, but two consecutive full-power outings, both resulting in injury, might not be a coincidence."
Manager Ota still believed it would be more reassuring to have a professional look at it.
Hearing him say that, Takashima Rei and Kataoka thought about it carefully, and it seemed to be true. Zhang Han's pitching performance was more stunning each time, but also more worrisome each time. Avoiding medical attention was not a solution; any problems had to be faced.
Especially for Zhang Han, if he truly couldn't pitch, he didn't necessarily have to force it. Even relying solely on his hitting ability, Zhang Han could find his own place on the baseball field. And it would be a very significant place.
"Do you know anyone familiar with this?"
Coach Kataoka and Takashima Rei truly didn't know any professionals in this field. At this moment, Ochiai voluntarily offered his help.
"I know someone who previously studied specifically in North America and also learned some mainland Chinese massage techniques. Although not very famous, he is very capable."
Players in his former team who were injured had been treated there. The effect was very good.
"Contact that doctor. We'll go as soon as possible."
They were about to prepare for the semi-finals, and Seido High School Baseball Team's time was very tight. But for Zhang Han, Kataoka still decided to set aside half a day to have him thoroughly examined. Let an expert see if there was really some problem they didn't know about.
Sports and body structure were a specialized field of study. Although sports coaches had some knowledge in this area, most of what they knew was related to their own sport. They were not so clear about the structure of the human body and some taboos in exercise. If Kataoka were proficient in kinesiology and human anatomy, he wouldn't have stood by and watched Chris, whom he had placed high hopes on, get injured due to overtraining.
The response from there was quick. They could depart the day after the game.
Everything went smoothly, but when Takashima Rei informed Zhang Han, his expression was a bit troubled.
"Don't feel burdened. Even if you can't become a pitcher, you will still become a very excellent baseball player."
Takashima Rei thought Zhang Han was worried about his left-handed pitching and proactively tried to reassure him.
"And we think it shouldn't be that serious, but to be cautious, it's better to have a professional look at it. If something happens because of pitching, the consequences might not just be the inability to pitch..."
If his finger was truly injured, his hitting would also be greatly affected.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Han asked.
"The fees for this kind of private clinic are very expensive, right?"
Takashima Rei felt her good intentions had been hit with 180 points of critical damage.
"Didn't we give you a scholarship? And I heard your advertising income is quite a lot..."
"This, it's a bit complicated. In short, I'm very strapped for cash right now, understand?"
"You mean you don't have money, right?"
"They say beautiful women aren't smart, but you, Assistant Director, are clearly not among them."
Takashima Rei was amused by Zhang Han.
"Even if you flatter me, I won't use the Baseball Club's funds to pay your consultation fee. I'll cover it for you personally first, and you can pay me back when you get your scholarship."
"Can't you just deduct it directly from there...?"
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