Rebirth of Toujou Hideaki

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Next morning, tsunlight filtered through the tall windows of the gymnasium at Hikari Gakuen Elementary, casting long shadows across the polished floor.

The familiar scent of wood and sweat filled the air as Toujou Hideaki stood on the pitcher's mound, now familiar and comfortable in his stance.

His body had become accustomed to the daily drills, but today, Coach Ichiro Tachibana had something different in mind.

"Alright, Hideaki, we're going to kick things up a notch," Ichiro said, his voice steady as he approached the mound, a bucket of baseballs in hand. "We've worked on your speed and control—now it's time to build your stamina and reaction time. I'm going to introduce some advanced drills."

Toujou nodded, feeling the familiar thrill of anticipation that always accompanied a new challenge.

He had been steadily improving, but he knew that this next step would be even more demanding.

Coach Ichiro set the bucket of baseballs down beside him. "We're going to start with what I call 'the reaction drill.' It's simple in concept, but it'll test both your mental and physical limits."

Toujou raised an eyebrow. He was no stranger to drills, but the mention of testing his mental limits intrigued him.

He already knew that his mental focus was one of his greatest strengths, a skill he had honed in his previous life and carried over into his current form. But could he truly push the boundaries of his mind and body?

Ichiro continued, "I'll stand behind you, and I'll call out the direction you need to throw the ball. You'll have no time to think, just react. The faster your reaction, the more consistent your pitching will become. Let's see how fast you really are."

Toujou took a deep breath, nodded, and positioned himself on the mound.

His focus sharpened as he awaited Ichiro's commands.

He knew that quick reflexes were essential for a pitcher—being able to read the batter's movements and respond swiftly could make all the difference. This drill would test his reaction time under pressure.

Ichiro stood a few feet behind him, watching closely. He was a man of few words, but the intent behind his eyes said it all.

This wasn't just about raw strength or speed; it was about training his mind to act as quickly as his body.

"Left!" Ichiro barked.

Without hesitation, Toujou whipped his body to the side, releasing the ball with a clean motion. It soared to the left side of the target, landing exactly where he'd intended. His body moved in perfect synchronization with his mental command.

"Right!" Ichiro shouted.

Toujou pivoted, throwing the ball to the right in a swift, fluid motion.

The ball hit the mark, though not as precisely as the first throw. He felt a slight adjustment was needed in his grip, but the speed of his reaction had improved.

"Center!" Ichiro called.

Toujou launched the ball straight down the middle, the throw almost instinctual. He didn't have time to think about it—he just reacted. The ball landed perfectly in the center of the zone.

Ichiro gave a quick nod of approval. "Good. You're getting faster. But let's add more difficulty."

He threw another ball into the bucket, retrieved it, and set it on the mound. "Now we'll add another layer: You'll have to control your spin while reacting. I'll call out the spin type before you release the ball."

Toujou's pulse quickened. This was new ground. He had been experimenting with spin control during his solo training, but now he would have to do it while maintaining the speed and precision required in the reaction drill.

"High spin!" Ichiro barked.

Toujou gripped the ball with a curveball spin, adjusting his fingers along the seams. He set himself up quickly, twisting his body into the familiar motion and releasing the ball with force.

The ball arced through the air, the seems to accelerate with precision in the target zone. He felt a rush of accomplishment, but there was no time to celebrate.

"Low Spin!" Ichiro ordered.

Toujou quickly adjusted his grip, feeling the subtle difference in the way the ball rested in his hand. He adjusted his stance slightly, pivoting his wrist as he threw. The ball sliced through the air, just outside the strike zone but with seems to arrived slowly that would have fooled any batter.

"Perfect," Ichiro said, his tone indicating approval, though he never showed much emotion. "You're not just reacting; you're starting to think while you move. That's the next level of control."

Toujou wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, feeling the exhilaration of the drill.

His body was beginning to respond instinctively, and he knew he was getting better.

But what impressed him most wasn't just his physical progress—it was the clarity of his mind as he executed the pitches.

---

After the practice, Toujou went home and sat at his desk, his notebook open in front of him. The pages were filled with his thoughts, notes on drills, and calculations.

He had been meticulously recording his progress, comparing his self-taught techniques with Coach Ichiro's methods.

The differences were stark.

His self-training had been focused primarily on repetition.

But under Ichiro's guidance, he was now learning to combine his physical training with mental sharpness—quick decisions, controlled spins, and adapting his body to every pitch with minimal thought.

Self-Training Notes:

Focused on accuracy.

Ball speed: 50-55 mph.

Spin control: High Spin fastball and Low Spin fastball

Coach Ichiro's Notes:

Reaction drills: Improved mental and physical coordination.

Ball speed: 60 mph (target: 65 mph).

Spin control: Refined high and low spin fastball. Improved precision under pressure.

Toujou underlined the part that stood out to him: Improved precision under pressure. That was the key.

The more he practiced, the more his body and mind began to sync.

He wasn't just throwing pitches anymore—he was making split-second decisions, anticipating the next move before he even made it.

He closed the notebook and went downstairs.

Toujou sat at the dinner table with his family, his mind buzzing with the day's training.

His mother noticed his quiet focus, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she passed him a bowl of rice. "How was practice today, Hideaki?"

"It was good," Toujou replied, glancing up. "Coach Ichiro's drills are getting tougher, but I can feel myself improving."

His mother's eyes softened. "We're proud of you. Keep at it. You'll get there."

Toujou smiled back, feeling the warmth of his family's support. "I will," he said, the determination in his voice clear. "I'm not giving up. Not this time."

---

The next day, as he stood on the mound once more, Toujou felt the weight of his growing confidence.

The road ahead was still long, but with every pitch, every drill, and every passing moment, he knew he was getting closer to his dream. The game was changing, not just on the field, but in his mind.

And with that mental edge, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.