Rebirth of Toujou Hideaki

The night was quiet save for the faint hum of cicadas outside the window.

Toujou Hideaki sat cross-legged on his futon, his caramel-brown hair slightly disheveled from the day's training

In his lap rested a notebook filled with sketches, notes, and diagrams of various pitching techniques he had studied.

This was his time for reflection, and tonight he wasn't just thinking about the physical mechanics of pitching—he was delving into the psychological warfare that took place on the mound.

---

Toujou opened his laptop and navigated to a collection of professional baseball games he had bookmarked.

He started with one of his favorite pitchers from his past life—a master of deception and control.

The pitcher wasn't the fastest, but his precision and ability to outthink batters made him nearly untouchable.

Toujou watched closely, studying every pitch, every gesture, every pause.

"What was he thinking here?" Toujou murmured, pausing the video at a key moment.

The pitcher had just shaken off the catcher's signal, a faint smirk playing on his lips before throwing a perfect curveball that froze the batter.

It wasn't just the physical execution that mattered—it was the mind game.

The ability to make the batter second-guess, to exploit their fears and tendencies.

---

The next day, Toujou carried his thoughts to the park in his usual spot.

After his usual warm-up routine, he stood before the chalk-drawn strike zone and imagined a batter standing at the plate.

"This isn't just about throwing strikes," he said to himself. "It's about making them think I'm going to throw something else."

He picked up the softball and visualized different scenarios:

"When facing an aggressive batter, I should start with a slower pitch to bait them into swinging early. Follow up with a fastball to capitalize on their impatience." He began to wound up and the ball barely throw it to his desired location due to his weak control.

On the other hand, when dealing with a cautious batter. Throw a fastball just outside the strike zone to make them wary. Then, use a breaking ball to catch them off guard.

"I can't learn a breaking ball yet." as he recall the information he read last night.

When ahead in the count

Use a pitch with minimal spin to disrupt timing, increasing the chance of weak contact.

As he practiced, Toujou imagined each pitch not just as a throw but as a conversation—a subtle negotiation of control between him and the hypothetical batter.

---

After a few hours of drills, Toujou sat on the grass, the ball spinning idly in his hand. His thoughts drifted back to his unique ability to manipulate spin.

"Increasing spin creates the illusion of speed," he mused. "Decreasing spin slows the pitch, but it can throw off their rhythm. What if…"

He stood up, an idea forming. This time, he threw the ball with exaggerated spin, aiming for the top corner of the strike zone. The ball zipped through the air, smacking against the wall with a sharp thud.

Next, he reduced the spin and threw the same pitch. The ball seemed to hang in the air longer before hitting the middle of his imaginary strike zone, but with a softer sound.

Toujou grinned. "It's not just the pitch—it's the contrast." By alternating between high-spin and low-spin pitches, he could force batters to constantly adjust, making it harder for them to settle into a rhythm.

"But I need to learn to control it first." Toujou added.

---

That evening, as Toujou walked home, he felt a growing confidence. His unique spin control was more than just a tool—it was a weapon, one he could wield strategically to gain an edge over any opponent.

Of course, he will definitely used his rebirth as an advantage. "I could used my profession as a psychologist to read the batter. Though, I don't really understand how game calling works."

But it wasn't just about the pitches. It was about understanding the mind of the batter, predicting their reactions, and staying one step ahead.

As he passed by a local baseball field, he paused to watch a group of kids practicing. They were laughing, cheering, and enjoying the game.

Toujou smiled to himself. "One day, I'll stand on the mound with opponents and teammates who push me to my limits. For now, I'll keep preparing for that day."

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To be continued...