The days after their victory over Reiga Academy were filled with a new energy. The team was no longer just a group of individuals trying to find their footing; they were starting to become a unit. Ryoma could feel it during practice. Every pass, every play, every decision seemed to flow more naturally now, like they were all moving in sync.
A week after the match, the team was gathered in the locker room, a more relaxed atmosphere filling the space. Ryoma leaned against his locker, his arms crossed, watching as his teammates joked and laughed, their earlier nervousness replaced by confidence.
"Hey, Ryoma!" Yuuto called out, his face lighting up as he approached. "You think we can go undefeated from here on out?"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow. "You really want to jinx us already?"
Yuuto shrugged with a grin. "Well, we won the first one. Might as well set our sights higher."
"Keep focused," Ryoma replied, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He couldn't help but feel a little proud. Yuuto was no longer the unsure player he had been during their first practices. He was becoming more confident, more vocal.
"Don't get too cocky," Takumi interjected from across the room, the cigarette dangling from his lips. "We still have a lot of work to do if we want to keep this momentum."
Ryoma turned his gaze to Takumi, who was leaning against the wall, observing the team with a relaxed but calculating expression. Takumi was right, of course. There was still a long way to go.
"Let's focus on making the next match better," Ryoma said, finally stepping away from the locker. He was feeling a sense of responsibility again, but it wasn't as heavy as before. His teammates were starting to carry some of that weight with him.
The next few practices were intense.
The team worked on their weaknesses, taking extra time after official practice hours to focus on specific skills. Ryoma noticed how Shin had been working on his footwork at second base, while Yuuto, despite being quiet, was diligently refining his throws. Even Jiro, who had always struggled with his timing, had been working on his speed and reaction time.
But what impressed Ryoma the most was how they had started to help each other. The team was becoming a support system, pushing each other to be better.
One day after practice, Ryoma stayed behind, watching his teammates leave one by one. He was trying to clear his mind, focusing on their progress. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Takumi approach him.
"You know," Takumi started, breaking the silence. "You're really starting to make a difference here."
Ryoma looked up, surprised by the sudden remark. "What do you mean?"
"I've seen it," Takumi continued, his tone a little more serious than usual. "The way they look at you now. It's not just because you're good. They trust you. They're starting to believe in this team because of you."
Ryoma let the words settle in, the weight of them heavier than he expected. He hadn't really thought about it that way. He was used to being the one to rely on his own skills, to push himself to the limit. But now, as a leader, it was about more than just him.
A few days later, the team gathered around the bulletin board after school. Coach Tsukishima had posted the schedule for their upcoming games, and the match that caught everyone's attention was against a rival school Seido High. The name felt familiar to Ryoma, and as his eyes scanned the list of upcoming opponents, he felt a stir of something—curiosity, maybe even excitement.
"Seido High... they've got some good players," Takumi remarked, his voice carrying a hint of recognition. "We'll need to be at our best."
Ryoma nodded, but something in the back of his mind tugged at him. Seido High. It wasn't just the name that stood out; it was the feeling that something bigger was coming. This wasn't just any match. There was an undercurrent of something that Ryoma couldn't quite place.
Two weeks later, the day of the match against Seido High arrived. The air was thick with anticipation as the team gathered outside the field. Ryoma stood at the front, his eyes scanning the other side of the field where Seido's team was warming up.
There was something about them. They moved with precision, their routines synchronized, like they had been together for years. Ryoma couldn't help but notice the player standing on the mound, his posture perfect as he threw a few warm-up pitches. Furuya Satoru.
And then, there was the batter. He was short, but his movements were fluid, his eyes sharp as he focused on his practice swings. Sawamura Eijun.
A slight chill ran down Ryoma's spine. There was no mistaking it—these two were exceptional. They carried themselves like prodigies, just like he did.
"What do you think?" Takumi asked, leaning in slightly as he noticed Ryoma's gaze.
"They're strong," Ryoma replied quietly. "We'll need to be at our best."
As Ryoma stood there, taking in the scene, a small thought flickered through his mind. The pieces seemed to be falling into place. He didn't know it yet, but this match—this encounter—was going to be a turning point for his team. And it would be the beginning of a new chapter for him as well.
The game would start soon, but for Ryoma, something deeper was stirring. This was just the beginning.