The Seidō High School Baseball Team lifted the championship trophy under the gaze of tens of thousands of spectators.
Zhou Hao, a first-year, had started on the edge of the group—but the seniors kept nudging him forward. Before he realized it, he was standing dead center, spotlight blazing.
"What kind of joke is this…?"
He tried to edge away, but Azuma Kiyokuni and Yoshida pressed in on either side, locking him in place. No matter how he squirmed, there was no escape.
"This isn't right!" Zhou Hao protested inwardly. On the field, Seidō's motto was simple: whoever has the ability plays. But ceremonies were different—the captain or the team's soul should be at the center. Not a rookie, no matter if he was the Ace.
Yet his seniors only smiled.
"You deserve this."
"Thank you for choosing Seidō! We would've made it to Koshien without you—but with you, it became so much easier."
Even Azuma, stubborn as always, couldn't hide the truth. Without Zhou Hao, Seidō's semifinal against Inashiro might have ended in disaster. Against Ichidai Third, they could have scraped through. But Inashiro? Without Zhou Hao's blazing fastball, their summer might already have ended.
For the third-years, this wasn't just Seidō's dream—it was their dream, their final shot at Koshien. Zhou Hao had given them that chance. For that, they were truly grateful.
And so, when the trophy was raised high, the picture that spread across newspapers and TV stations showed Zhou Hao front and center, ringed by his seniors.
The photo ignited a nationwide sensation.
Magazines like Baseball Kingdom splashed it on their covers. Television networks replayed the moment endlessly.
Across Japan, powerhouse schools scrambled. Their scouts, coaches, and analysts had expected Inashiro or Ichidai to represent West Tokyo. Some had even been preparing for that matchup for months.
Now everything changed.
"Get me every bit of footage on Seidō!"
"Collect every player profile. If it's not online, dig through Tokyo's schools—they'll have the records."
From Osaka Kiryu to Seiho and beyond, the message spread: Seidō wasn't just another participant. They were a threat.
Back in Tokyo, Seidō's players barely had time to breathe.
Reporters swarmed them. Television crews lined up for interviews. Before, during the tournament, Seidō could decline for the sake of focus. But now? With the title won and Koshien ahead, refusing wasn't an option.
And no one drew more attention than Zhou Hao.
Article after article, headline after headline—yet surprisingly, the spotlight didn't rest on him alone.
Senior reporter Fujio of Baseball Kingdom penned a special on Miyuki Kazuya, the catcher who had stepped up after Chris's injury. His words carried weight:
"If Zhou Hao is the true Ace, then Miyuki is the commander. As a first-year, to make veterans follow and trust his calls—this is a rare gift. Without Miyuki, Seidō's Twin Stars would not shine."
The phrase caught fire: Seidō's Twin Stars.
Ace pitcher Zhou Hao and field general Miyuki Kazuya—two rookies, already carrying the weight of champions.
Celebrations swept the school. Banners unfurled across campus:
"Congratulations on advancing to Koshien!"
"Wishing our baseball team success on the national stage!"
Banquets followed one after another—victory feasts, school ceremonies, sponsor events. No matter how much they celebrated, it never felt excessive.
Yet amid the joy, Kataoka's voice rang firm.
"Don't get complacent. Koshien is just beginning. Stronger teams than Inashiro await us there."
His warning was well founded. Inashiro, for all their West Tokyo dominance, often stumbled early in Koshien. Seidō would not be satisfied with a round-of-16 or quarterfinal exit.
They were aiming for the crown.
And even as the nation turned its eyes to Seidō, new stories began.
Recruitment officer Takashima Rei quietly slipped away to Nagano Prefecture—bringing with her a young player who just might shape Seidō's future even further.
The King's march had only begun.
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