Chapter 16: Preparation and Team Unity
Despite the victory against Seishin Elementary Baseball team in the practice game, their flaws were exposed.
As the players gathered in the Hikari Gakuen field, Coach Ichiro Tachibana stood before them, arms crossed. His sharp gaze swept across the team.
"Good game," he finally said, breaking the silence. "But far from perfect."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in. No one objected. They knew it was the truth.
"You all played hard, but Seishin exposed some serious flaws in our team," Ichiro continued. "We'll analyze those mistakes and correct them in training. A narrow win like this is a wake-up call—we're not ready for the Inter-district Friendly Match yet."
The weight of his words settled over the team. No one wanted to be complacent.
Toujou clenched his fists. This victory wasn't enough.
Hikari Gakuen's Field Drills
The Hikari Gakuen baseball field was buzzing with activity.
Coach Ichiro Tachibana stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping over his young, inexperienced players.
He barked out instructions, correcting footwork and teaching defensive drills. The clumsy, playful energy of the team was evident, but the enthusiasm they displayed made up for their lack of refinement.
Near the bullpen, Ryoma threw a ball toward Toujou Hideaki, who caught it with ease.
"Hey, Toujou," Ryoma called, pausing to adjust his glove. "Can you believe we're actually going to face other districts? I mean, I'm pumped, but..." His voice trailed off, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
Toujou smiled faintly, throwing the ball back with precision. "Nervous, Ryoma?"
"Not nervous! Just... Okay, maybe a little. Those kids from private schools probably eat, sleep, and breathe baseball. What if we're not good enough?"
Toujou's smile softened. "That's what we're training for. You'll see—you're stronger than you think."
As they played catch, Ryoma relaxed, his usual bold demeanor returning. "I guess with you on the mound, we've got nothing to worry about. Just don't make me look bad as your catcher, okay?"
Toujou chuckled. "Deal."
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A Private Talk with Coach Ichiro
Later that day, Coach Ichiro Tachibana called Toujou aside. "Hideaki, let's chat for a bit."
They moved to the side of the field, away from the other players. The coach's expression was serious but kind.
"You weren't yourself during the practice match," Ichiro began. "Your leadership shone, but your pitching... it wasn't at its best. Something's holding you back. What's going on?"
Toujou hesitated, his fingers tightening around the ball in his hand. For a moment, he debated staying silent, but the weight of his insecurities was too much to bear.
"I..." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm scared, Coach."
Ichiro's eyebrows furrowed, but he remained silent, letting Toujou continue.
"In my mind, I can still see it. I was on the mound, but everything fell apart. I gave up twelve runs in a scrimmage game... I let my team down. It's like... no matter how hard I train, I'll never be good enough. There are other pitchers out there—geniuses like Narumiya and Miyuki. What if I can't measure up?"
Ichiro's gaze softened. "Hideaki, you've been carrying this weight alone, haven't you?"
Toujou nodded silently, his head bowed.
"Listen to me," Ichiro said firmly. "You're not that same player anymore. You're stronger, smarter, and more prepared now. You started earlier than most pitchers, and you've got something special—your control and your spin. Those aren't things that just anyone can do. Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own growth."
Toujou blinked, his coach's words settling in his mind.
Ichiro continued, "Mistakes will happen. Even the best pitchers give up runs. What sets great players apart is how they bounce back. Believe in your own abilities, and don't let fear shackle you."
For the first time in a while, Toujou felt lighter. The fear that had been weighing on him began to fade.
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Training Intensifies
With a renewed sense of purpose, Toujou threw himself into training. He worked harder than ever, determined to refine his skills.
He spent hours pitching, playing defense, and participating in team drills to build cohesion with his teammates.
Two weeks before the tournament, Coach Ichiro pulled Toujou aside for a specialized training session.
"Hideaki, let's talk about your spin control," Ichiro said, holding up a ball. "You've got something rare. Most pitchers don't have the awareness or ability to manipulate spin the way you do. Let me explain what makes it so powerful."
Ichiro demonstrated the difference between slow spin and high spin, explaining how each affected the batter's perception of the pitch.
"When you use slow spin," Ichiro said, "the ball appears slower to the batter, throwing off their timing. They'll think they have more time to swing than they actually do."
He then increased the spin on the ball. "And with high spin, the pitch looks faster and more intimidating, making it harder for the batter to react in time. If you can master this and pair it with your control, you'll be nearly untouchable."
"This type of pitch can be your edge but throwing it too much will make other batter eventually adapt to your pitches. Why don't you mixed it up with your normal fastball?" Coach Ichiro suggested.
Toujou nodded, absorbing every word. He practiced tirelessly, experimenting with the spin of his pitches and learning how to use it strategically.
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As the tournament drew closer, Toujou's confidence grew. The idea of facing players like Narumiya and Miyuki no longer filled him with dread—it fueled his determination.
He couldn't wait to prove himself on the mound, to show that he was more than just a pitcher with potential.
He was Toujou Hideaki, and he was ready to take the next step.
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