CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: ONE STEP AWAY

The night before the semi-final match, in the hotel where Waseda Jitsugyo was staying.

All the players of the baseball team gathered in a large room to watch the game footage. The television was showing the defensive plays of Konan High School’s game.

"Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder they were able to defeat the full-strength Nihon University, the Senbatsu champions. Their strength is no joke."

"Their batting lineup is incredibly powerful—Saint, we’re counting on you for tomorrow’s game!"

"Ah, me? No no no no no, I can’t do it alone, we still need everyone’s collective effort!"

The players of Waseda Jitsugyo chatted away while watching TV, discussing tomorrow’s opponent.

But soon, Mr. Izumi and Mr. Sasaki shooed them back to their rooms early, asking them to get some rest to be fully refreshed for the big battle tomorrow.

As the room lights were completely switched off and the entire place sank into darkness, many found it hard to sleep—For this batch of Waseda Jitsugyo players, every game at Koshien was a brand-new experience: They lacked match experience, and thus, facing a moment just a step away from the finals, they inevitably felt a bit raw.

"I can’t believe we’re actually playing the semi-finals at Koshien Stadium—just two steps away from what would have been unimaginable in past Summer Koshien victories!" In the darkness, the excited and sleepless Tsuchiya Ryota was the first to speak out.

His words drew spontaneous echoes from others—the people lying on the tatami mat chattered and soon fell into a deep sleep.

After a whole day of rest, the next morning, the Waseda Jitsugyo players, brimming with energy, boarded the bus heading to Koshien Stadium to prepare for the upcoming semi-final.

In the public interview area before the game, seeing Waseda Jitsugyo’s players appear, excited sports journalists rushed forward, surrounding the team for pre-game interviews—

Among them, Lin Guanglai attracted the most attention, with dozens of reporters gathering in front of him, surrounding him inside and out in layers. Even photographers in charge of shooting were blocked outside the crowd—if it weren’t for Lin Guanglai’s height, they probably wouldn’t have been able to photograph his face at all.

Facing the barrage of questions from the reporters, Lin Guanglai, already accustomed to such situations, responded in an orderly manner:

"Today we’re here to beat Konan, we won’t lose in terms of morale."

"I have no objections to the coach’s personnel arrangements, this match will be tough, I’ll step up when the team needs me."

"I really don’t care about personal stats—if we can beat Konan and make it to the finals, I don’t mind being completely shut down by the opponents."

"Of course, I hope everyone will watch closely—this match, everyone at Waseda Jitsugyo is treating it as the most important game of their lives!"

After finally dealing with the reporters, Lin Guanglai returned to the team lineup. Although being in the spotlight felt good, being surrounded by a crowd in the sweltering summer wasn’t pleasant. He couldn’t help but say:

"Oh—it’s so hot, and there are too many interviewers!"

To this, Kenshu Yasuda beside him nodded in agreement: "Well, after all, Guanglai, you’re already a star player at Koshien; but doing interviews is truly tiring, having to deal with so many journalists..."

Certainly, Takano Ren, as the host of the Summer Koshien, hopes for a thriving landscape of high school baseball with abundant talent; as the biggest sponsor, Asahi Shimbun naturally wants the game to reach greater popularity; and for schools in various places, gaining a Summer Koshien appearance allows them to receive corresponding financial subsidies—

Under these combined factors, participating players, especially those strong, good-looking, or with lots of buzz, naturally can’t say no to interviews. Besides, for players aspiring to enter professional baseball, they really do need media exposure.

The current model is essentially a product of this multi-directional choice.

Under the lead of Takano Ren staff, players from both Waseda Jitsugyo and Konan entered the entrance tunnel, entering the field—this wasn’t the first time for Waseda Jitsugyo to come to Koshien Stadium, but their mindset now was completely different from before.

The vast Koshien Stadium was fully occupied—being in the final two days of the schedule, not a single game could be missed.

First base side.

Lin Guanglai, with his backpack, walked into the player area, put down his gear, and looked up at the stand above their player area:

On the stand, first-year teammates waved to him, their words of encouragement poured out endlessly; the brass band had already started their busy work, playing one magnificent support song after another at Koshien; at the innermost part of the Alps Stand, there was still Waseda’s unique giant drum—this would be struck by designated personnel once the match began.

The stand above the first base side was almost entirely occupied by Waseda supporters, all wearing off-white support uniforms, waving support items, or holding high banners printed with the school motto "Go Waseda Real," turning a large part of Koshien into a sea belonging exclusively to Waseda.

To demonstrate the school’s style, the school leaders of Waseda indeed spared no expense—the supporting team here today is conservatively estimated to be close to eight thousand people, and each of them was filled with excitement and yearning, even happier than the players inside the field.

Under such a powerful encouragement, the players on the field began their pre-match warm-up—fielders practiced catch and throw, while pitcher-catcher combos headed to the bullpen to warm up.

As always, their practice attracted a large batch of reporters and viewers, from start to finish, the flashlights were constantly going off.

The electronic scoreboard above the outfield at this moment displayed the information of this game.

The 92nd National High School Baseball Championship.

Day 14, Game 1.

Semi-final.

Waseda Jitsugyo VS Konan

First base side, Waseda Industrial School, offense first.

Third base side, Konan High School, defense first.

With the time to pitch getting closer, the staff organizing the field orderly exited, and the players from both teams stood in place in front of the player area voluntarily.

In front of home plate, as the four umpires took their positions, the chief umpire Tanaka gave the order: "Teams gather!!!"

"Yassa—!!!"

The players from both teams shouted with great momentum, then began moving from the base lines towards their opponents.

"Pleased to meet you!!!"

After the courtesy ceremony was complete, Konan’s players headed directly to their defensive positions on the field, while Waseda Jitsugyo’s players turned back to prepare for batting.

As the stadium broadcast began introducing the defensive players and the batter stepping up, the semi-final, which would determine the first finalist of this Summer Koshien, officially began.