Everyone showed terrified expressions and scrambled into their respective vehicles. The EVO and 86 launched immediately, leaving Takahashi Ryosuke, who had been pulled back into the car by Keisuke, and Yukinoshita Yukino, who was resting in the cabin, completely bewildered by their panic.
Although the Test of Courage at Chiba Prefecture Sobu High School seemed to have a small hiccup, amidst the lingering terror and the arguments of those who survived, everyone's emotions were running high. However, Goto Hitori, leaning over the front seat, felt that tonight's Test of Courage activity was actually quite interesting... Chapter 038: Baseball Crisis, a Difficult Obstacle to Challenge.
Tokyo, late at night. Having returned home, Goto Hitori was exhausted and collapsed onto her bed, almost falling asleep instantly.
"Hitori, don't fall asleep yet. Go take a shower."
Just then, her mother called out to her, waking her from her half-asleep state.
"Uh... can I skip it tonight? I'm so tired~~~~"
She couldn't quite get up and responded lazily.
Suddenly, her phone chimed with a "ding-dong" notification. A text message had arrived. She was a bit puzzled; her phone never received messages other than from family or spam. It was already midnight—who would be texting her now? However, the name that popped up was [Shifu Chen Yao].
"Shifu!"
Goto Hitori sprang up from the bed like a launch start, staring at the message in astonishment.
"What should I do? What should I do? Shifu texted me. What's the right thing to do now..."
The young girl sat on the bed with her head in her hands, her brain short-circuiting for a moment.
It was the first time in her life a boy had texted her, even if it was her Shifu... But it was also the first time a friend had contacted her, even if it was the Shifu she respected... This was indeed a day worth commemorating.
She cautiously opened the message. The content read: [Are you free tomorrow afternoon? I have a match this Saturday, and it suddenly occurred to me that you, Goto, are the first disciple in my life. If possible, would you like to play some baseball near your house at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon to get to know each other better?]
"...Eh, play baseball?"
Goto Hitori had an awkward expression on her face. Why did her Shifu suddenly invite her to play baseball?
But since it was the first time her respected Shifu had invited her out, she still gave it great importance. Unfortunately, her athletic talent was poor. What if she embarrassed her Shifu while playing baseball? She felt like committing seppuku on the spot wouldn't be enough to atone... So, she crawled off the bed, picked up the guitar worth 1 million yen from the bedside, and began trying to swing it like a batter to get a feel for it.
But while she was swinging the guitar to herself, she inadvertently noticed the doorway of her white room; her parents and younger sister were watching her with expressions of extreme suspicion and unease... In the living room, Goto Hitori bowed deeply and apologized, saying, "I'm so sorry for using the guitar Dad bought me as a baseball bat..."
"So why were you suddenly swinging the guitar? I was worried enough when your father let you participate in that Test of Courage tonight. Have you met someone? Can you tell Mama what kind of person they are?"
Her mother, Goto Michiyo, looked at her and asked worriedly.
Goto Hitori fell silent for a moment. Under the gaze of her father and mother, she finally came clean, bowed again, and said seriously, "Yes, Dad, Mom... Actually, I've taken someone as my Shifu."
The Goto family all showed surprised expressions. Her younger sister, Nijika, asked in surprise, "Big sister, are you giving up the guitar to learn karate instead?"
Goto Hitori explained to Nijika with a helpless smile, "No, I've taken a senior one year older than me as my life mentor. Because he's Chinese, I have to call him Shifu."
The Goto family fell silent. After all, Hitori was an extremely socially anxious girl. Suddenly going to Chiba to find some Service Club, then the Test of Courage, and now taking a Shifu—it was a bit much information at once. But seeing how serious Hitori was, it seemed like a formal apprenticeship. In both China and Japan, taking a Shifu is a very serious matter.
"I think I understand. We agree to you having a Shifu, but we're going to see who he is tomorrow. You won't object to that, right?"
Her father asked with a smile.
"...I object!" Goto Hitori was startled and immediately raised her hand in opposition.
"We approve; your objection is overruled." In the end, the three family members opposite her raised their hands in favor. This democratic method left her feeling like crying... The next afternoon at five o'clock, during twilight, by a riverbank in Tokyo. Students were walking in small groups after school, and the bustling sounds were quite reassuring. At this moment, a pink-haired girl carrying a guitar bag arrived at the riverbank near her home as agreed.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
Goto Hitori took small breaths. She had been waiting all day for her Shifu's arrival, and she felt a bit anxious.
After all, this was her Shifu's invitation. As a disciple, she should bow at the venue and call out "Shifu, thank you for your hard work" to follow proper etiquette.
"Goto, over here."
Just as Goto Hitori was looking around helplessly, Chen Yao's voice came from the riverbank. She looked over and saw the boy standing on the green field. He still wore a confident expression, looking so refreshed as if nothing could affect him.
"Shifu, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting!"
The girl said hurriedly, walking toward him.
Her strange behavior drew the gazes of those around her, making her feel an immediate surge of pressure, almost like social death... Chen Yao noticed that the girl seemed to be falling into anxiety over others' gazes again, but quickly asked, "Is that your family behind you?"
These words immediately stunned Goto Hitori. She turned around in confusion and saw her parents and sister, who had been following her all the way there.
"Dad, Mom, and Nijika, why did you guys come anyway..."
Goto Hitori, carrying her guitar, asked with an embarrassed face.
Her parents and sister were all smiles, but they soon began to observe the young man. Realizing he was the Ace Pitcher, Mr. Chen Yao, who had dominated the baseball field last week, they exchanged glances and understood why Hitori wanted him as her Shifu.
"You're Mr. Chen Yao, right? It seems our Hitori has been in your care."
Goto Hitori's father bowed slightly and used honorifics to address the high school sophomore.
"No, I've also been looked after by Goto." Chen Yao's manner was generous and proper as he bowed, formally meeting his junior's family.
Goto Michiyo placed a hand on Hitori's head and said, "Our child has always been very shy around strangers, but she has always hoped to gain the recognition of her Classmates and teachers through her own strength. Unfortunately, things don't always go well. I was originally worried her Shifu might be some bad person with ulterior motives, but after seeing it's the Ace Pitcher who defeated Hachioji High School, I'm relieved. You're a good kid. I also remember you're called Mr. Chen Yao, that game-winning ACE. Mr. Chen Yao, can I entrust Hitori to your care?"
Pressed down by her mother's hand, Goto Hitori couldn't help but lower her head as well.
"Yes. Thank you both for coming all this way. Since Goto has asked me to teach her some life experiences, I will do my best to help her. As a senior of sorts, I've already promised Goto, and I will definitely keep my word."
Chen Yao said to them.
It must be said that not only the Goto parents but even Nijika could see that this young man seemed to treat Hitori as a very special student. This strange pair of Shifu and disciple were only one year apart in age, yet they had somehow formed this relationship.
Nevertheless, the family bowed to Chen Yao to express their gratitude, and after saying goodbye to Hitori, they headed back home.
"Phew, I told them not to come, but they still followed me secretly..."
Goto Hitori watched her family leave helplessly, but she also knew they cared for her deeply and were worried she might be exploited by bad people. Her heart felt warm.
"Goto, the reason I asked you to play baseball is that I feel if I can convey some things to you through baseball, there might be some unexpected results. Try catching my ball with the glove."
Chen Yao handed the glove to Goto Hitori. She was stunned for a moment, and after taking it, she found the glove to be very large and thick, feeling as if it would fall off easily... She was a bit troubled. In truth, her interest in baseball wasn't high, and she didn't understand what her Shifu meant by trying to convey principles through baseball—it wasn't like a samurai movie where martial arts are used to pass on secret techniques... "No, I can't embarrass Shifu. Hitori, you have to pull yourself together!"
Thinking this, Goto Hitori put on the glove, secured it, and began playing catch with Chen Yao on the green field by the river.
Although she didn't think baseball could convey any profound truths, playing with Chen Yao gave her an indescribable feeling. After all, this was her first time playing sports with someone else, and it brought a strange sense of comfort and fun.
Chen Yao's thoughts were actually quite simple. Goto Hitori was already like a junior to him, and subconsciously, a disciple. However, modern society didn't care for such things, so he just wanted to spend more time with her. For a former ember, the Shifu-disciple relationship was extraordinary, though Goto Hitori was unaware of this.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh... The riverside breeze brushed against them. Goto Hitori missed a catch and had to turn around to clumsily pick up the ball. Chen Yao watched her; although she seemed a bit clumsy, she appeared willing to play. After throwing the ball a few times, she started to get the hang of it.
"Hitori, you know, pitching is a lot like life. Once you've decided what kind of ball to throw, you must throw it with all your might in that instant to break through the defense. Otherwise, it will just be a 'ball.' Do you have a goal in your own life?"
Chen Yao threw another ball, which hit Goto Hitori's glove, as he asked.
"Eh?" Goto Hitori was stunned by the question, and the ball slipped from her hand. She hesitated for a moment, shook her head, and replied, "I've never thought about such a serious question before."
A goal for the future? She seemed to have never considered it. Being asked so suddenly made her mind wander a bit.
Just as the wind blew along the riverbank, a group of high school students happened to pass by. They spotted a familiar face and stopped in their tracks.
"Shifu, catch..."
Goto Hitori tossed the ball back to Chen Yao. After playing for a while, she felt that baseball was actually quite interesting.
At that moment, a group of high school students came down from the riverside path and walked toward Chen Yao. Goto Hitori noticed they all had very short buzz cuts, likely members of a Baseball Club. Unlike Chen Yao's normal hair length, they seemed to come with ill intent.
"You're the ACE of Chiba Sobu High School, Classmate Chen Yao, aren't you? We've seen your games. Next week, it's our Seido against your Sobu," a first-year baseball player asked.
Chen Yao and Goto Hitori were both taken aback as they looked at the group. Goto Hitori seemed to have heard of Seido High School; it was apparently one of the three major baseball powerhouses in Tokyo. The girls in her class had talked about them, especially their famous cheering squad, which was more than twice as renowned as Hachioji's. They were very famous.
"What do they want with Shifu?"
Goto Hitori stood in the sunlight on the riverbank, ball in hand, wondering to herself.
Chen Yao looked at the students. From their appearance, they were likely all new first-year members. It was exactly at this age that they tended to be full of fighting spirit and somewhat arrogant. He remained silent for a moment before simply nodding. "Hello. Then we shall see each other on the field this Saturday."
Just as he was about to continue playing catch with Goto Hitori, another boy from Seido High School spoke up. "Even though you're an international student, your pitching technique is indeed impressive, and you're good at scoring hits. However, your team's overall strength is just too poor. We thought you'd still be in training camp, but here you are playing catch with your girlfriend. Aren't you looking down on Seido a bit too much?"
Those words carried a hint of hostility. Goto Hitori clearly felt the enmity from these people and sensed their combative nature. She was a bit worried that with so many of them, it might be bad for Shifu Chen Yao. More importantly, their words seemed to belittle Chen Yao, as if his team was destined to lose next week, which sparked a bit of resentment in her.
"Shifu's team... w-won't lose..."
Standing on the grassy slope, Goto Hitori couldn't help but speak up. Her brow was furrowed, but her momentum was slightly lacking, making her seem rather cute instead.
Shifu?
The students from Seido High School looked at each other in confusion. Why did this girl call Chen Yao 'Shifu'?
This time, Chen Yao's tone was no longer polite. He said coldly, "If you think my team is doomed to fail, then by all means, give it your best shot. We welcome your challenge anytime. But we cannot have a match here. I am playing catch with my junior; could you please not disturb us?"
There was no hint of a threat in his words, yet they carried an invisible pressure far stronger than the combined presence of the five or six of them, leaving them momentarily intimidated.
"Hmph, then we shall wait and see. Sobu High School has always been a traditionally weak team; you only made it to the top sixteen this time by luck. But all nine of us at Seido are the elite of the elite. Chen Yao, prepare yourself. You can't win alone. Baseball is played by nine people; one-man baseball will never reach Koshien Stadium. And since we're playing on Seido's home turf this time, you're doomed to lose."
After leaving those harsh words, the group of high school baseball players turned and left.
Chen Yao fell silent. In truth, they weren't wrong. The current overall strength of Chiba Sobu High School made them a third-rate weak team. Fortunately, they had a backbone to barely keep them going. With next week's game being an away match, the situation was extremely unfavorable.
However, he had no intention of losing. No matter what, he was determined to give it his all and advance another round.
"..."
Goto Hitori watched the group leave after their harsh words, feeling very upset. After all, that was her Shifu's team, and she wouldn't allow anyone to look down on her Shifu or his team. Yet, she looked at Chen Yao's silhouette again. Though he stood in the grass as unaffected as a banner, he was, like her, a'special one' who didn't quite fit in, and his team spirit didn't seem very strong.
"It'll be fine... Shifu Chen Yao definitely won't lose next week."
She thought silently to herself.
Chapter 039: Goto Hitori's Song
As the sun set, time was almost up. Aside from being harassed by the Seido High School Baseball Club, Chen Yao and Goto Hitori had a fairly pleasant time. At twilight, the river was turned golden by the setting sun, creating an indescribable sense of tranquility that momentarily dazed Goto Hitori.
"Hitori, thank you very much for practicing with me today. I had a great time... Hm? Do you always bring your guitar to school?"
Chen Yao noticed the guitar bag Goto Hitori had placed on the grass and asked.
"Yes, actually... actually, I planned to bring the guitar to attract attention, but so far, no one has actively brought up the guitar with me..."
Goto Hitori nodded, a hint of regret in her voice as she mentioned it.
"...If you don't mind, could you play a song on the guitar for me? I've actually never heard a guitar song played live before."
Chen Yao was silent for a moment before asking.
Goto Hitori was stunned and instinctively shook her head rapidly, feeling that such a thing was too embarrassing. She had never performed live before. But since it was a request from her Shifu, she hesitated for a moment before nodding quickly.
"I won't force you to do these things, but I am a bit curious about what kind of emotions Hitori's playing holds. After all, music is a window that allows one to perceive the performer's soul."
Chen Yao said to Goto Hitori, even though these were words he had read in a book.
Goto Hitori's cheeks flushed a little, and she looked quite embarrassed as she whispered, "Perceiving the soul and all that... but I have no experience playing live... M-Shifu, if I don't play well, please be gentle with your words..."
She took out the guitar. Before playing, she specifically looked around to see if anyone was there. After confirming there were very few people, she began to tune the strings. After some preparation, she started playing a piece of light music by Hayao Miyazaki, 'Become the Wind'.
After a brief intro of light guitar sounds, in front of the beautiful scenery and her admired senior, she sat on the grass, immersed in the performance, and began to sing softly along:
"Close your eyes that you always forgot to shut, reach out your hands once more, and find again that song of love hidden in the blue sky."
"I cannot forget the days when I was always by your side, or the days when I gazed at the starry sky alone at dawn."
"This one and only heart, please do not let it pass the time in sadness..."
"I will turn even your sighs into the spring breeze."
...The girl sang with total immersion, her voice beautiful and the melody full of emotion. She sat on the lush grass, while Chen Yao sat beside her, listening to her heart's voice at this moment.
Perhaps Goto Hitori felt Chen Yao's loneliness as well as her own. Two lonely people used this song to 'Become the Wind.' Or perhaps she really didn't think that much and simply chose this song to dedicate to her Shifu and senior.
"La la la la, softly humming the melody, it lingers on my lips as I continue forward..."