It was still in Coach Kataoka's office.
Seeing Zhang Han arrive, Manager Ota and Coach Ochiai used the excuses of a meeting and a bathroom break, respectively, to escape.
It was simply unreasonable to persuade others to give up their hobbies, no matter how you looked at it.
Especially when the person being persuaded was Zhang Han.
In the office, Zhang Han respectfully called out, "Coach," and then looked expectantly at Kataoka, waiting for him to speak.
Kataoka knew this was his job, but Ota and Coach Ochiai were too disloyal; they just left.
It would have been better if they had stayed and listened, helping to smooth things over.
Kataoka organized his words, thinking about where to start his explanation. In the end, he reluctantly gave up; no matter from what angle he approached it, these words would be very uncomfortable.
"Do you know why I wanted you to pitch with your right hand in this game?"
Kataoka decided it was better to be direct.
In his eyes, Zhang Han was different from an ordinary fifteen-year-old boy. Because of his life experiences, he was much more mature than an average player.
There was no need to beat around the bush with him; it was better to just tell him the truth directly.
Zhang Han would make his own judgment.
"You want to test the strength of my right-handed pitching to see if there's a chance for me to play in the Kanto Tournament or Summer Tournament? I wonder how the test results were?"
Zhang Han's eyes showed clear anticipation.
Although his left-handed pitching was stronger, Zhang Han had practiced his right-handed pitching for three full years before.
He didn't want to give up.
Seeing Zhang Han's expression, Kataoka felt that his previously confident words were now a bit difficult to utter.
"The test results were excellent! Even without considering your left-handed pitching, your right-handed pitching can contribute greatly to the team. If you are willing, after the Kanto Tournament, you will be our team's new Ace."
The surprise on Zhang Han's face barely showed for a moment before he reined it in.
Coach Kataoka's words, how did they sound so strange to him?
What did he mean, 'if he was willing'? Since when was the Ace position of the Seido High School Baseball Team up to the player himself?
"Coach, is there something you haven't told me?"
"Yes!"
When it came down to it, Coach Kataoka was still very responsible.
He did not evade the question but told Zhang Han his previous plan completely and frankly.
"I secretly saw you practicing pitching with your right hand. When I and the other coaches concluded that your right hand wasn't good, you weren't convinced, were you?"
"No…"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhang Han's face.
He practiced right-handed pitching after his left hand was injured, and he hadn't practiced it too seriously; it was just for fun.
He didn't expect Coach Kataoka to see it.
"When I first asked you to pitch with your right hand on the mound, I wasn't hoping to see your prowess. I was trying to teach you that people aren't omnipotent, that not everything can be done well. That's why I gathered our best freshmen for the job. Their hitting strength is genuine, even if the rest is still raw. By my original plan, you should have given up at least two or three runs today."
Coach Kataoka's frank words were like a bolt from the blue for Zhang Han.
He had never imagined that Coach Kataoka harbored such dark thoughts before.
"You mean?"
"I mean I underestimated you. There really are people in this world who can do everything well, and today you proved you're one of them. So as a reward, I'll make you the Ace of this team. The other First string players will welcome the stability you bring. But I'll say this now: if your right-handed pitching is ever surpassed by someone else's, I won't hesitate to pull you back down. I need you to understand that going in."
"Yes!"
Zhang Han's brain hadn't reacted for a moment.
But he still agreed immediately and turned to leave.
Kataoka watched Zhang Han's back, and when Zhang Han turned around, he immediately lowered his head, as if he was busy with other things.
Zhang Han turned back, looking at Coach Kataoka, who was busy with other things with his head down, and a struggle flashed in his eyes.
As a pitcher, how could he be indifferent to the Ace position? Now that the Ace position was within reach, logically he shouldn't say anything more to change things.
But something else nagged at him.
"Coach. There's one more thing I want to ask. Why did you and the other coaches not think highly of my right-handed pitching in the first place? My control is clearly better with my right hand, and I pick up breaking balls quickly with it too."
"Was your ball hit out?"
Kataoka looked up and only asked one question.
All the words in Zhang Han's mouth were instantly dried up.
No!
He really wanted to say that confidently, but he really couldn't bring himself to say it.
Although there were reasons for his carelessness and his lack of seriousness.
But in the end, he still had a ball hit out by Kominato Haruichi, and if that ball hadn't been coordinated with Chris, it might even have turned into a run.
Under such facts, Zhang Han's face was not thick enough to ignore it.
"I know what you want to say; there was indeed an element of coincidence in that. But even a first-year freshman managed to make contact with it, and there are plenty of hitters nationwide who could do the same. Your right hand has real power behind it, I won't deny that. But your left hand is still a level above it, and against the kind of hitters waiting for us at Koshien, that gap matters."
Zhang Han's right hand was tightly clenched, his palm damp.
He thought of the opponents he'd faced, and would face. Of the powerful hitters of the Osaka Kiryu High School Baseball Team.
But he lifted his head anyway.
"Then I'll close that gap. Coach. I accept. I'll be the Ace. But I don't want it handed to me because a test went well for one game. Give me the position, and I'll spend every day earning the right to keep it. By the time the Summer Tournament starts, I want there to be no doubt left in anyone's mind, yours, the team's, or the other schools'."
Kataoka looked at Zhang Han in front of him. He truly liked Zhang Han's personality.
He wouldn't just obey because it was said by the team's coach, or accept a gift without meaning to pay it back.
He had his own ideas and his own persistence.
This was also an essential quality for a successful baseball player.
Hard practice and physical talent were certainly important.
How many such players are there nationwide? Probably not a thousand, but eight hundred every year.
But how many players ultimately reach the pinnacle of the pyramid? Only a few dozen, or even a dozen or so.
Zhang Han clearly possessed these qualities.
He was a player who thought and acted with his brain.
"Good. Then it's settled, after the Kanto Tournament, I'll announce it to the team. But I'll say this once, and I want you to remember it: the position is yours to keep, not to lose. I expect you to train like it. Don't push yourself past the point of no return."
Chapter Name: The Ace!!!
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