"When you're interviewed, you can speak freely, as long as you don't deviate from the outline we gave you earlier."
Coach Kataoka was still uneasy. Before Zhang Han's exclusive interview, he specifically called him over and reminded him once more.
Zhang Han nodded repeatedly.
Although his attitude was very cooperative, he was speechless inside. It felt like he had gone back to elementary school in his hometown, with the teacher repeatedly reminding him about homework.
He wasn't a three-year-old child. Did he really need this much reminding? Accepting an interview was no small matter. Of course he knew what he could say and what he shouldn't say.
After the reminder, Kataoka hesitated, as if he still wanted to say something.
"Coach, if you have something to say, just say it directly."
Zhang Han was considerate enough to speak up first.
Their Director was nearly thirty years old, yet he hadn't even found a girlfriend, let alone gotten married. If he kept things bottled up and it affected his health, Zhang Han would feel guilty. It was better to let him speak freely.
"After the exclusive interview, if nothing unexpected happens, those reporters will probably praise you. Don't believe them. Those things are deceptive and worthless. Strength and performance are what truly matter."
Kataoka could not bear to see such a promising talent walk down the same path he once did, so he could not help but add a few more words.
Hearing this, Zhang Han first looked at Kataoka in surprise, then nodded solemnly.
"You can rest assured."
Ono Binchi had said the same thing last year, when Zhang Han won the national runner-up at Matsukata.
Zhang Han could feel the kindness and sincerity behind those words. Setting everything else aside, just that sincerity alone made him deeply grateful.
After finishing his talk with Kataoka, Zhang Han followed Azuma Kiyokuni, Yuuki Tetsuya, Hidezawa, and Miyuki Kazuya to accept the interview.
Generally speaking, when interviewing a baseball team, the media would only interview one or two players, and at most no more than three.
Seido High School, however, brought out five players at once, nearly half the team.
No wonder the outside world was so optimistic about Seido.
This lineup was simply too luxurious. With so many star players gathered together, it was impossible not to attract attention.
When the group arrived in the interview hall, a large number of reporters were already waiting. The moment they appeared, the reporters immediately swarmed forward.
"Everyone, one by one. Don't rush. Everyone will have a chance to ask questions."
Manager Ota, chubby and smiling from ear to ear, stood at the front to maintain order.
Koshien was truly different.
As he kept order, Ota sighed inwardly.
Back in Tokyo, when Seido defeated Inashiro and Ichidai San, it had already caused quite a stir. Reporters had also tried every means to interview them.
At the time, Ota thought that scene was lively enough.
But compared to now, it was nothing.
Although the number of reporters here was not especially large, they were all from major media outlets, and there were even television stations present.
The overall level was several tiers higher.
Baseball Kingdom and Baseball Weekly, which had seemed quite prestigious before, could now only be considered second-rate among this group, unable even to secure a spot in the front row.
The reporters formed a circle around them. More than a dozen microphones and over twenty cameras were aimed at the players, flashes going off nonstop.
After the photo session ended, the reporters began asking questions.
The first questions were almost all directed at Azuma Kiyokuni.
Although the other players had also performed very well, they were still overshadowed by Azuma, who had hit two home runs.
That alone was not the most important point.
More importantly, Azuma Kiyokuni was very likely to participate in the upcoming professional draft. According to private rumors, professional scouts had already shown interest in him.
And that was before Koshien even began.
Now that Azuma had delivered such an outstanding performance on the Koshien stage, people naturally wanted to know his thoughts and his future plans.
Happy. Happy. Very happy.
Azuma Kiyokuni's face was filled with pure joy.
The team had secured its first victory and advanced to the top sixteen. As the spiritual leader of the team, he felt nothing but happiness.
When asked about today's opponent, he said they were very resilient.
When asked about the opponent they would face the day after tomorrow, he said he was looking forward to it very much.
These answers surprised not only the reporters, but also Zhang Han.
Since when did his senpai learn to speak such polite words?
And not only that, he spoke them smoothly and naturally, making Zhang Han admire him from the bottom of his heart.
Zhang Han had always thought Azuma-senpai was a rough, straightforward type.
To put it bluntly, someone all muscle and little thought.
But now it seemed he had misunderstood him.
He was indeed muscular, but his mind was not simple at all.
If he wanted to act like a good boy, he could do it convincingly.
Besides Azuma, when questions were directed at Hidezawa, his answers were similar.
He expressed gratitude for the Director's guidance and the help of his teammates, saying that most of his achievements were thanks to others, with only a small portion due to his own efforts.
Zhang Han almost suspected that these two senpai had been swapped out backstage.
According to Zhang Han's original impression, shouldn't Azuma have slapped his big belly and laughed loudly, saying, "This is only natural"?
Or say something like, "I'm just too strong. That's why those Hosen guys were scared stiff."
And shouldn't Hidezawa, with a cold expression, have said that the opponents were not worthy of facing him?
What was going on now?
Zhang Han glanced at Miyuki and saw him wearing a serious expression, nodding continuously as his senpai spoke.
Indeed, life was all about acting.
Yuuki, on the other hand, was still honest.
He said whatever came to his mind, though his answers were extremely simple.
When asked how he felt after winning the game, he thought for a moment before answering.
"Happy."
"So, what is the future goal of the Seido High School Baseball Team?"
"Keep winning."
"Keep winning for what?"
"To be happy."
Concise and direct, without a single extra word.
The reporter who asked him the questions soon had a dark line appear across his forehead.
After the three senpai finished answering questions, the focus naturally shifted to the two underclassmen.
Miyuki was questioned first.
In fact, stories about Miyuki had already appeared in special reports by Baseball Kingdom and Baseball Weekly during the regional tournament.
The savior of the Seido High School Baseball Team.
The number one catcher of the new era.
Amateurs watched for excitement, experts watched for skill. As professional baseball magazines, their interviews were extremely high-level, sparing no praise for Miyuki and nearly placing him on a pedestal.
As a result, Miyuki had grown slightly conceited. Although he had not completely lost himself, he showed little respect for his senpai and enjoyed arguing with them.
If the third-year players were to vote for their least favorite first-year, at least eighty percent of them would vote for Miyuki.
But to not be envied is to be mediocre.
While envied, everyone also had to admit that Miyuki was truly a genius, and a very rare one at that.
After Chris was injured, it was Miyuki who shouldered the heavy responsibility of Seido High School's catcher.
If not for him, who knew what would have happened to Seido High School?
Naturally, the media was extremely enthusiastic about such a legendary figure and eagerly hoped to get more fresh material from Miyuki's mouth.
But they were destined to be disappointed.
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