Chapter 3, University Clubs

Koshien

It is not only due to strong capabilities and good fortune that one can achieve the championship; it is impossible to attain such a title, let alone aspire to consecutive victories in both spring and summer. Over a span of more than one hundred years, only seven teams have been able to accomplish this.

The two countries of China and Japan are separated by the sea, and although there are deep-seated grievances between them, the cultural influence they exert on each other has never ceased. However, Kitahara Hidetaka's understanding of Japanese universities is limited to glimpses gained from anime works such as "Slam Dunk" and "School Days." Now, bearing the identity of a Japanese high school student, he is wary of attracting suspicious glances, fearing that he might be subjected to scientific dissection. Therefore, he often pretends to understand things he does not, hoping that the other party will speak more so that he has something to respond to.

However, once the championship is won, it brings both fame and fortune. After all, the Hanshin Koshien Stadium can accommodate 50,000 spectators, and the Koshien tournament is broadcast live in its entirety by Japan's national television network, with peak viewership exceeding 30 million. Key players have the opportunity to become professional baseball players with annual salaries exceeding 100 million, while most other team members are likely to be recruited by prestigious schools.

Although Kitahara Shuji does not believe that Uchida Yuma has a chance to reach Koshien, let alone achieve consecutive championships in spring and summer, he appreciates Uchida's ambition. He likes people with aspirations and sincerely wishes him: "I wish you success, Uchida! If you can make it to Koshien, I will definitely be there to cheer you on."

Uchida Yuma's words were powerful and resolute, leaving no room for doubt, which immediately made Kitahara Shuji feel a sense of respect, realizing that everyone indeed has aspirations—even the despicable ones

I watched last year's Koshien finals and also saw your training on www.hetushucom... you are ten Pacific Oceans away from them

Uchida Yuma also interjected, "That's right! So, Kitahara and I should join the baseball club, and together we will enter Koshien! This is what passionate youth is all about!"

Kitahara Shuji said ambiguously: "I haven't thought it through yet... By the way, won't participating in club activities affect academic performance? The purpose of high school is to get into university, right? Shouldn't we be fully dedicated to studying?"

"In my usual training, I only exerted one percent of my effort! Alu, let me tell you, my potential is beyond your imagination. As long as I have a good partner, I am almost certain to make it to Koshien!"

Just looking at his expression, he is almost drooling, as if he has reached the point of changing three girlfriends a week, or is imagining himself juggling five relationships at once, with two hands, three legs, and one boat, enjoying a blissful life like an immortal

The business program builds upon the foundation of the general curriculum by adding practical skills, such as accounting, game programming, and electronic office management. The typical goal is to prepare students for universities with specific requirements, or for those who have little hope of further education and are ready to enter the workforce directly after high school graduation

The two of them began to argue across the table. Kitahara Hirotsugu quickly pretended to send an email and took out an old mobile phone to check some information, which finally allowed him to understand a little better

... ...

Therefore, based on this competition, students who perform exceptionally well can receive direct recommendations for admission to universities, qualifying them as special recommendation students. This represents almost the only hope for some academically challenged students who aspire to prestigious universities.

Uchida Yuma chuckled, but immediately straightened his expression and sat up properly, saying seriously: "I am preparing to join the baseball club, striving to reach Koshien within three years"

Regarding baseball, although he has only been in Japan for less than ten days, he has already been deeply affected by it. Newspapers discuss it every day, with no moment of respite. This sport is not popular in China, but it has a significant market in Japan, making it arguably the most popular sport in the country (ranked first among men, third among women, and first overall). There are many reasons for this, such as its role as a spiritual support for the Japanese people after the war; the fact that baseball is both a team sport and emphasizes one-on-one confrontation, making it highly entertaining; and the potential for miracles to occur. Even in the ninth inning (the final inning), with two outs (only one batter remaining) and a significant score deficit, there remains the possibility of a comeback, which can easily excite both participants and spectators. When a miraculous inning occurs, it can even become a hot topic in society.

Shida Ritsu gently nodded, and Uchida Yuma revealed a look that was indeed as I expected, smirking as he turned to look at Kitahara Hidetaka, who smiled and countered, "What about you? Which club are you planning to join?"

The talkative Uchida Yuma has indeed taken the initiative to speak again, "That's right, which club are you planning to join? Aritsu should still be in the kendo club, right?"

He sat there smiling as he listened to Uchida and Hoshima bicker for a while, then interrupted them, saying: "I have thought it over and decided not to participate in the club activities."

Uchida Yuma chuckled and said, "Of course you have to go, we are friends, how can you not go!" After a pause, he patted his chest and boldly declared, "Kitahara, do you want to join me in the baseball club? I will be your catcher and take you to Koshien!" As he spoke, he became lost in thought, "By then, when we win the championship, those girls will go crazy for us, and it will be easy for us to date!"

I do not wish to speak it out

It goes without saying that the audience for the baseball finals in the national summer competition surpasses that of professional baseball, demonstrating a significant influence. The scenes depicted in anime and television dramas, where reporters swarm around high school star athletes, are indeed based on reality. When these athletes return home after winning championships, they are greeted by thousands of people lining the streets, treated like heroes.

Hidetaka Kitahara was left speechless; how can this guy manage to steer every topic back to girls? It seems that high school students in various countries are quite similar!

The final physical arts curriculum primarily focuses on subjects such as sports, music, and fine arts, striving towards goals such as becoming athletes, musicians, or cartoonists. Consequently, students are more actively engaged in club activities and exhibit greater enthusiasm. The school also arranges courses to provide them with more time for professional practice, enabling them to achieve excellent results in competitions. Japan has a comprehensive national competition organization system for higher education institutions, complete with professional judges, venues, dedicated public websites, national television stations, and newspapers that provide coverage, as well as special interviews with reporters. All participants have detailed personal profiles, and the competition events encompass nearly all sports and artistic activities that high school students can participate in.

You have already said it, you bastard! Do you understand baseball? I remember you, m. hetushu. comcom, have loved playing with string since childhood and have never participated in a little league baseball team, right? From elementary school until now, you haven't even played softball, nor have you played rubber baseball; you really know nothing at all. On what basis do you say I cannot make it to Koshien?

If that high school boy named Hidetoshi Kitayama were still around, he would probably join some club. But now that I occupy this body, this life should belong to me, and it should be up to me to decide!

Shidao Lvy expressed dissatisfaction, saying: "Do not speak of things that cannot be accomplished!"

Japan and China differ in that there is no specialized sports school system during the elementary and junior high school stages. However, there is a corresponding system of school clubs, especially after entering high school, where students' choices of sports clubs become polarized—one type is merely a hobby, while the other treats it as a lifelong career. This becomes much more serious and is no longer just a playful activity

Shidao Luyayan said: "How is that possible? If the club activities yield results, one can also qualify for university recommendations! Even if it's not for the sake of recommendations, participating in club activities can invigorate a person, allowing them to vent any frustrations they may have... During university interviews, club achievements are also taken into consideration, as it seems that prestigious schools do not favor students who only study hard without engaging in other activities"

The general education class follows the curriculum guidelines set by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, with seventy percent of students enrolled in this category, representing the most typical high school students

"Are you asking about the club?" Kitahara Shuji mumbled while taking a big bite of ramen.

Even without mentioning the actual benefits, Koshien is the ultimate dream for Japanese youth. In order to enter Koshien, they are willing to endure three years of excessive training, even at the cost of lifelong ailments.

Hidetaka Kitahara glanced at the information online and felt somewhat astonished. Japanese high school students clearly have a much richer daily life compared to their Chinese counterparts. With a large population and a low university admission rate in China, the competitive pressure is quite significant. It is all about studying, and to think of engaging in such activities is truly a daydream

Koshien refers to a baseball stadium located in Hyogo Prefecture, Kansai. It was completed in 1924, coinciding with the year of the Jiazi (甲子) in the Chinese calendar, hence it is called Koshien Stadium. This venue is designated for the finals of the National High School Baseball Championship in Japan, where nearly 5,000 teams participate in regional qualifiers, engaging in head-to-head elimination matches. Ultimately, 49 teams are selected from eight regions to compete at Koshien Stadium for the championship. (Note: The qualification for the Koshien Spring Tournament is determined by past performance, while only the Summer Tournament involves 4,000 to 5,000 teams in elimination rounds. Therefore, the Summer Tournament is generally regarded as the most prestigious, representing the pinnacle of dominance.)

The nearby Shidao Lu had finished eating and was gently wiping the corners of his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief. He cast a disdainful glance at Uchida Yuma and quietly asked Kitahara Shuji, "No need to pay attention to him! Which club does Kitahara-kun want to join?"

The Special Advanced Class is a top-tier student program aimed at prestigious universities, designed by the school to cultivate outstanding students with the intention of enhancing its reputation

Yes, not only do we need to enter the national competition, but we also aim to win the championship, and after winning, we strive for consecutive victories in both spring and summer

Huh? Do you mean that I cannot enter Koshien?

At the same time, in cultural courses, Japanese high schools are often divided into special advancement courses, general courses, physical education and arts courses, and business courses