Rebirth of Toujou Hideaki

Days passed by quickly as Toujou attended the class.

The bell rang, signaling the end of another school day at Hikari Gakuen Elementary School. Toujou Hideaki, stood in the hallway of his school.

He glanced at the baseball bat and glove hanging from his backpack.

The thought of practicing alone again weighed on him, but today something felt different.

Today, he was determined to take the next step.

As he walked toward the school gates, his eyes caught a familiar sight.

A group of boys from his grade was gathered around a kid with a head of messy black hair, laughing and chatting.

Ryoma Tachibana was the center of the group—a kid with a reputation for being bold, confident, and a bit rough around the edges.

He was known for his skill on the field, but also for his sharp tongue and tendency to speak his mind.

Despite Ryoma's brashness, there was a presence about him—something that drew people in. Toujou stood at a distance, watching quietly.

"Hey, Toujou!" Ryoma called out, his voice loud and unashamed as he spotted the quiet boy lingering by the gate.

The other kids paused, their eyes shifting toward Toujou, who had only recently started becoming more visible in school.

Ryoma smirked, crossing his arms. "You gonna stand there all day or come join us for some fun?"

Toujou hesitated for a moment before walking over. He'd never been one for attention, but something about the way Ryoma carried himself intrigued him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ryoma asked, his tone more curious than mocking. "You don't talk much, but I've seen you around. You play baseball, right?"

Toujou nodded. "Yeah, but I'm just starting out. Training alone..."

Ryoma raised an eyebrow. "Alone, huh? That's a real rookie move. But I get it. Gotta start somewhere." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Why don't you join us in a game tomorrow? I'm sure you'll be fine."

Toujou blinked. "You want me to play with you?"

Ryoma smirked again. "Yeah, why not? Don't worry, I won't let you embarrass yourself. But if you're serious about baseball, I'll be keeping an eye on you."

---

The next day, Toujou found himself at the park with Ryoma and a few other kids from school.

They formed teams for a casual game, and as the game progressed, Toujou could feel the intensity rising in his chest. It wasn't about winning or losing—it was about testing himself, seeing how far he could push his skills.

Ryoma was a good player, no doubt. His throws were sharp, and he had a good sense of the game.

But what impressed Toujou wasn't just his physical ability—it was his attitude.

Ryoma had a natural confidence, a sense of responsibility that came with being the one to lead the team.

As the game progressed, Toujou noticed something else: Ryoma had an innate understanding of how to read the game. He wasn't just a strong player; he was also an intelligent one.

In the middle of the game, Ryoma caught a high fly ball that Toujou had hit. He looked at the younger boy, his eyes calculating.

"You've got a good arm," Ryoma said, tossing the ball back to him. "But you don't seem like you're giving it your all. That pitch you threw wasn't bad, but you didn't really put everything into it, did you?"

Toujou hesitated. He had been holding back, not wanting to show too much. But Ryoma's directness pierced through that hesitation.

Something about Ryoma's blunt words made him feel like he needed to prove himself.

"Next time," Toujou said quietly, "I'll do better."

---

As the weeks went on, Ryoma and Toujou's bond grew stronger.

Despite their differences in personality—Ryoma's loud, boisterous confidence and Toujou's calm, reserved nature—they found a rhythm together.

Ryoma was brash, always pushing Toujou to go harder, while Toujou offered a quiet but steady determination, never giving up even when things got tough.

One afternoon, after a particularly intense practice session, Ryoma turned to Toujou with a thoughtful expression.

"You know," Ryoma began, his usual smirk softened, "you're not like most of the kids I've played with. You've got this calmness about you. And your pitches… they're not bad at all. In fact, they're pretty damn good for someone your age."

Toujou blinked, surprised by Ryoma's compliment.

"Seriously," Ryoma continued. "You've got something that the others don't. Maybe we could really work together. I'll catch for you. But you've gotta promise me one thing—if you're going to be a pitcher, you've gotta commit to it. No half-assing it."

Toujou nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Ryoma grinned. "Good. Because I'm not letting you slack off. And we'll take it to the next level. No more playing around."

---

With Ryoma's support, Toujou's training became more structured. Ryoma was a natural catcher, with an innate understanding of how to read Toujou's pitches and adjust accordingly.

They spent hours together, working on different grips, pitch speeds, and most importantly, learning how to trust each other as a battery.

Ryoma was relentless in his critique, but in a way that pushed Toujou to become better.

And in turn, Toujou's mature approach to the game, coupled with his natural ability to manipulate spin, impressed Ryoma more and more.

One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, Ryoma clapped Toujou on the back.

"You're starting to get the hang of this," he said. "You've got what it takes to be more than just another kid in the park. But we're gonna need a coach if we really want to take this seriously."

Toujou looked up at Ryoma, his grey eyes thoughtful. "A coach?"

Ryoma nodded, his expression serious for once. "You can't do this alone. And honestly, I think you need someone who can push you even further. I've got a guy in mind. He's a little… unorthodox, but I think he'll be able to help you reach your full potential."

Toujou felt a surge of excitement. He knew this was the next step in his journey.

"I'm ready," he said firmly.

---

Ryoma and Toujou walking off the field together, the setting sun casting long shadows over the diamond. The bond between them was solidifying—a battery that would take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

Little did Toujou know, this partnership would become the key to unlocking his true potential as a pitcher.

To be continued...