Rebirth of Toujou Hideaki

The crisp morning air at Hikari Gakuen baseball field was filled with the sound of balls hitting gloves and bats.

Under Coach Ichiro Tachibana's watchful eye, the team diligently went through their drills, their determination growing as the inter-district tournament drew closer.

Despite their inexperience, the young players showed glimpses of potential, much to the coach's quiet satisfaction.

Field Practice

Toujou Hideaki stood on the mound, carefully observing his teammates.

Today's drill focused on fielding grounders, and Toujou was eager to see how well Kazuki Hoshino and Yuto Akamine would perform.

"Alright, Hoshino! Stay low, keep your eyes on the ball!" Toujou called out as he sent a sharp grounder toward Kazuki at shortstop.

Kazuki fumbled the first few attempts, his expression turning frustrated.

"Relax, don't rush it," Toujou encouraged. He jogged over, patting Kazuki on the back. "You're quick with your feet. Trust your instincts and take your time."

Kazuki nodded, a determined look replacing his earlier frustration. On the next try, he fielded the ball cleanly and made a solid throw to first base. The team erupted into cheers, boosting Kazuki's confidence.

Meanwhile, in the outfield, Yuto Akamine stood ready, his eyes fixed on the ball. Toujou switched his focus to him.

"Akamine, let's test your speed! Get ready for a pop fly," Toujou said with a grin. He threw the ball high into the air, watching as Yuto sprinted after it.

Yuto stumbled slightly but managed to make the catch. His quiet fist pump afterward didn't go unnoticed by Toujou.

"Nice one, Akamine! With a bit more practice, you'll be catching those like a pro," Toujou said, earning a rare smile from the reserved outfielder.

---

Batting Practice

After field practice, it was time for batting. Ryoma positioned himself behind the plate, catching Toujou's pitches to help their teammates practice.

"Toujou, how about throwing those tricky spins of yours?" Ryoma suggested with a smirk.

Toujou laughed. "You sure? They might not even make contact."

"Let's give them a challenge," Ryoma said, adjusting his stance.

Kazuki stepped up to the plate, gripping the bat nervously. Toujou threw a fastball with a higher spin, making it appear faster than it was. Kazuki swung and missed, stumbling slightly.

"Whoa, what was that?" Kazuki exclaimed.

"Pay attention to the spin," Ryoma advised. "It's not just about speed; the spin makes a difference."

After a few more attempts and some tips from Toujou, Kazuki managed to make contact, sending the ball into the outfield.

His teammates cheered as he rounded the bases, his earlier nerves replaced with excitement.

When Yuto took his turn, Toujou switched to a slower spin pitch. The deceptive speed caused Yuto to swing too early on his first try.

"Don't rush it, Akamine," Toujou called out. "Let the ball come to you."

On the next pitch, Yuto adjusted his timing and sent a clean hit toward center field. The team's applause echoed across the field.

---

During a special team meeting, Coach Ichiro revealed the tournament brackets.

Bracket A:

Hikari Gakuen vs. Minato Elementary Baseball Team

Seishin Elementary vs. Midori Academy

Bracket B:

Seidou Junior vs. Hoshikawa Elementary

Inashiro Junior vs. Rikkai Elementary

Bracket C:

Bracket D:

The room buzzed with excitement. Their first opponent was Shirokane, a powerhouse team that had made deep runs in previous tournaments.

Toujou's eyes sharpened. He knew this was Mei Narumiya's old team.

"Looks like we'll have our hands full," Ryoma muttered.

Toujou cracked his knuckles, determination burning in his gaze. "Then we better be ready."

---

During lunch, the team gathered under a tree, sharing snacks and stories. Kazuki's jokes had everyone laughing, while Yuto sat quietly, observing the lively scene.

"Toujou, how do you stay so calm on the mound?" Kazuki asked, breaking the momentary silence.

Toujou thought for a moment. "I think about my team. Knowing you're all behind me makes it easier to focus."

"That's cheesy," Kazuki teased, but his grin showed he appreciated the sentiment.

---

During a special team meeting, Coach Ichiro revealed the tournament brackets.

Bracket 1:

Hikari Gakuen vs. Minato Elementary Baseball Team

Seishin Elementary vs. Sumida Academy

Bracket 2:

Akikawa Academy vs. Hoshikawa Elementary

Midori Junior vs. Rikkai Elementary

.

.

.

The room buzzed with excitement. Their first opponent was Minato, one of the powerhouse team that had made deep runs in previous tournaments.

Toujou's eyes sharpened.

"Looks like we'll have our hands full," Ryoma muttered.

Toujou cracked his knuckles, determination burning in his gaze. "Then we better be ready."

---

From a distance, Coach Ichiro watched the team interact, his gaze lingering on Toujou.

Despite the boy's natural leadership and skill, the coach knew there was something holding him back.

The friendly match had revealed Toujou's hesitation on the mound, but Ichiro was confident the young pitcher would overcome it.

---

Meanwhile...

At Shirokane Elementary, Mei Narumiya's coach unfolded the inter-district tournament bracket before his team.

"Akikawa Academy, led by Miyuki Kazuya, will be our biggest challenge," the coach declared.

Mei smirked. "I'll crush him like last time."

On the other hand, at Akikawa Academy, Miyuki studied the bracket with keen interest.

"This time, I'll get the better of Narumiya," he muttered, determination lighting his eyes.

Neither team had noticed the dark horse quietly preparing to make its mark—Hikari Gakuen Elementary.