Rebirth of Toujou Hideaki

The next day, as he stood on the mound once more, Ryoma crouched behind him, ready. Toujou could feel the rhythm between them settling into place.

They were more than just pitcher and catcher now—they were a team, and with Coach Ichiro's guidance, they were starting to shape their future.

With each passing day, Toujou knew he was growing stronger, and now, with Ryoma at his side, that growth was becoming more than just physical. It was mental, emotional—together, they were building something that could take them far.

And with that mental edge, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"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."

---

The air was crisp, the last remnants of afternoon warmth lingering on the ground as Coach Ichiro Tachibana stood with his stopwatch, eyes keenly fixed on Toujou's movements.

"Alright, Hideaki," Coach Tachibana called out, his voice steady but filled with expectation. "Let's see how your speed holds up after all this work."

Toujou Hideaki stood on the pitcher's mound, his eyes narrowed in focus.

The past few months of training had been grueling, but his body had begun to respond.

He felt his muscles tighten in preparation as he gripped the ball—firm but relaxed.

The rhythm of his throws had become second nature, and now it was time to see how far he'd come.

With a deep breath, Toujou wound up, his body flowing seamlessly through the familiar motion.

His fastball whistled through the air, landing squarely in Ryoma's mitt.

55 miles per hour, the radar gun beeped, confirming the figure. Already pretty fast for an elementary baseball player.

Coach Tachibana raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment immediately.

The speed was consistent, and the improvement was visible over the months.

"That's good," Coach Tachibana remarked. "But we're not just looking for speed. Show me your control."

Toujou nodded, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

He gripped the ball again, this time concentrating on the placement, ensuring his fingers guided it with precision.

He released the ball, watching it sail toward Ryoma, landing perfectly in the strike zone.

"Nice," Coach said, making a quick note on his clipboard. "But now, let's see that spin. Focus on controlling the movement. You've got the basics down; let's work on making those pitches unpredictable."

Toujou's hand tightened around the ball as he focused on the spin. He threw a high spin fastball, watching as it veered left before settling into Ryoma's glove.

Next, he tested his low spin fastball, marveling at how see it broke late in the air in Ryoma's perspective.

With each throw, he could feel the ball's movement becoming more fluid, more natural.

The psychological edge that had once felt like an abstract concept began to feel real.

The sense of control, of dictating the pace of the game through the placement of his pitches, was empowering.

"Good," Coach Ichiro commented, his gaze never leaving the field. "But remember, you need to adjust on the fly in a game. Training is one thing, but games reveal your true character."

As the practice continued, Coach Ichiro gathered the team—an eclectic group of elementary school players, still raw and unpolished in their skills.

They were a mix of personalities: some were passionate, others simply played for fun.

Toujou could see that not all of them were fully committed to the game, and their skills reflected that.

Some of them still fumbled with basic catches and missed throws, their movements unrefined and awkward.

Ryoma was the only one who truly seemed to understand the stakes.

He was quick, confident, and already operating as if he were part of a high-level team.

He had his moments of arrogance, of course, but his passion for baseball was evident in the way he played.

The other fielders, however, were more like the younger version of himself—impatient, eager, but unsure of how to move forward.

"You guys need to step it up," Ryoma said, his voice almost stern as he threw a ball toward one of the younger fielders, who missed it by a mile.

The younger players, unsure of themselves, muttered under their breath, but none of them questioned the statement. Ryoma was their best player, and his expectations were always high.

---

Coach Ichiro, sensing the tension among the young players, decided it was time for a challenge. He turned to Toujou and Ryoma.

"Tomorrow, we have a practice match against a private elementary school team. I want to see how you handle this. You'll lead the team, Hideaki. Show me if you're ready to take on the responsibility of a leader."

Toujou's heart skipped a beat. This was unexpected.

A real test, not just in terms of his pitching, but his ability to lead a group of young, untested players who still didn't fully grasp the game's nuances.

"You've come a long way with your training, Hideaki," Coach Ichiro continued, his voice calm but firm. "Now it's time to test your leadership under pressure. You'll be calling the shots tomorrow. Can you bring the team together, even when the game gets tough? Show me what you've learned."

Toujou nodded, trying to suppress the swirl of nerves in his stomach.

He knew this was more than just about throwing pitches.

This was about his ability to lead, to inspire these players to rise above their own doubts and hesitations. He had to be their anchor, their confidence.

---

As the sun dipped lower and the practice session wound down, Toujou stood on the pitcher's mound, looking at his teammates. Ryoma approached him, a rare, serious expression on his face.

"Don't forget, you've got more than just skills. You've got a mind for the game. Just trust your instincts and make sure those guys follow you."

Toujou gave a small, appreciative smile. "I'll do my best."

Afterward, as the team packed up and the field grew quieter, Toujou walked over to his family, who had come to watch the practice.

His mother gave him a warm, encouraging smile, while his father offered a rare thumbs-up.

"You've grown so much," his mother said softly. "We're proud of you, Hideaki."

"Thanks," he replied, his voice steady but filled with a quiet determination. "I'm not done yet."

As he looked around at his family, his teammates, and Ryoma, Toujou felt a surge of confidence.

He knew tomorrow would be a challenge, but he was ready. He had the skills. He had the control. And now, he had the leadership.

The test had come sooner than expected, but Toujou Hideaki was determined to pass it with everything he had.