Annoyed by the two, Takumi felt his head throb.
"We'll talk about it during training camp…" he murmured, hesitantly.
Though his words were vague, he had already made up his mind.
If he were to choose a dormitory, it would definitely be Dormitory Five.
Not only because he had a closer relationship with Yōichi, but also because that dormitory was home to many legends.
After training, he went home, took a shower, and went straight to bed.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, he woke early and went for a run with the First String players.
The second- and third-year seniors nearby naturally turned their gaze toward him.
"So, you're the new kid who just got promoted, Yamamoto Takumi, right?" one asked with curiosity.
"Keep it up!" another encouraged warmly.
"I have high hopes for you," a third added sincerely.
At first, Takumi was impressed by these seniors.
Everyone seemed genuinely eager to see how he would perform on the field.
He nodded politely, acknowledging their encouragement with quiet gratitude.
But as they ran, the third-year seniors suddenly quickened their pace.
"Warm-up's over. Now it's time for sprint mode," one declared sharply.
The first to surge ahead was a burly senior, his muscles so pronounced they seemed to bulge beneath his skin.
"Azuma-senpai, you're messing around again." someone teased with a grin.
"Coach has lectured us countless times about morning training," another reminded dryly.
Though they voiced their complaints, their speed didn't waver. A group of them broke into a sprint, as if racing each other.
Takumi knew deep down his stamina was nowhere near theirs.
He wouldn't be foolish enough to try to keep up with them, would he?
Yet, despite this thought, as everyone around him broke into a sprint, he found himself unconsciously quickening his pace.
Before he knew it, he was panting heavily.
'Are these guys all monsters?' he mused in disbelief.
Even as he pushed harder, the First String seniors still lapped him by a full circle.
And it wasn't the first-place runner—it was the last-place runner in the First String who overtook him. That senior crossed the finish line, panting heavily.
When the run ended, Takumi collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained.
"Little Yamamoto-san, your fitness is way behind. You've still got a long way to go, hahaha."
Azuma Kiyokuni plopped down beside him, laughing heartily.
"He just joined the First String and isn't used to it yet. Besides, he hasn't been in the Second String for long either," another senior, who looked somewhat foreign, chuckled knowingly.
This was Takigawa Chris Yū, clearly familiar with Takumi's situation.
"Coach is coming. Aren't you going to stand up?" the team captain, Yūki Tetsuya, snapped sharply.
Azuma raised his hand in a saluting gesture. "Got it, Captain!"
Takumi shakily pushed himself to his feet.
Running the same distance at different speeds produced vastly different levels of fatigue.
He had trained before, but he had never felt this exhausted.
Yet, despite his battered body, he stubbornly stood his ground.
Many second- and third-year seniors watched quietly. When they saw him get up, their gazes softened slightly.
Why had the coach promoted him to the First String?
They understood well.
From the team's perspective, they supported their coach's decision.
But support didn't mean full acceptance in their hearts.
Every player on Seidō's First String was chosen with meticulous care.
Throughout this process, they had worked hard and diligently to earn the opportunity for promotion.
The path they had walked was, without exaggeration, fraught with thorns at every step.
When Miyuki Kazuya was promoted, no one objected.
Although he was also a first-year rookie, he was clearly well-trained and capable of keeping up with the First String's rigorous training.
His strength and effort were undeniable—there was nothing for them to disapprove of.
Takumi's situation was different.
By Seidō's usual standards, he clearly did not qualify for the First String.
Everyone knew this well.
This group of players had worked tirelessly, shedding blood and sweat to finally earn their promotion.
And now, facing a rookie who could stand on equal footing with them simply by relying on talent alone—
how would they feel?
Even if they accepted him outwardly, they could not fully approve in their hearts.
But when they saw that, despite his weaknesses, he himself was determined to improve.
They felt relieved.
His resilience and willingness to endure hardship perfectly embodied Seidō's values.
As the seniors recognized this shared spirit, their initial resistance gradually softened.
"This is Yamamoto Takumi, and he will be training with the First String from now on," Coach Kataoka Tesshin announced deliberately.
Though the news was already well known, he still made a point of formally introducing him.
"There isn't much time left until the Summer Tournament, Yamamoto-san. Here is your training plan," he added firmly.
Miyuki Kazuya and Kuramochi Yōichi, who had hoped Takumi would join their dormitory, looked disappointed.
The team was about to enter a week of intense training, with every slot fully booked.
And yet, Takumi actually had his own exclusive training plan?
This meant he didn't have to participate in the intense group training at all.
"Coach?" Takumi asked hesitantly, doubt evident in his voice.
Not only the others, but he himself was filled with uncertainty.
He couldn't fathom why the coach would do this.
It didn't seem helpful for him to integrate with the team.
A pitcher who couldn't fit in—how could he expect to play in a game?
"Your stamina is too poor; you simply can't handle that training volume," Coach Kataoka Tesshin explained firmly.
According to Seidō's tradition, all players participating in the Summer Tournament must endure a week of intense training.
This grueling regimen was designed to sharpen muscle memory.
But Takumi was clearly not ready for that.
If he joined such rigorous training, not only would his stamina give out, but he might also risk injury.
No matter how traditional Coach Kataoka Tesshin was, knowing Takumi needed to play in the Summer Tournament, he couldn't let him train alongside everyone else.
"Your training will focus on your reactions on the mound, your Spiral ball, and building your stamina…" the coach outlined carefully.
It was impossible to raise him to the First String's intensity in less than a month.
Still, he had a strategy to significantly improve Takumi's stamina.
But given his physical condition, they had to proceed gradually and avoid pushing him too hard.
"Yes, coach," Takumi replied quietly.
Hearing the coach's explanation, he pinched the bridge of his nose and reluctantly accepted it.
There was no other choice—what else could he do with such a frail and fragile body?