Chapter 1
Backstory – The Fall and the Resolve
Ren Asakura, born on August 23, in Kanagawa Prefecture, was once an average middle school baseball player who lost his love for the game and quit in his 2nd year. But even after walking away from the field, his body never stopped — he kept running and training daily, clinging silently to the dream he had buried.
By the end of middle school, something inside him reignited. Ren made a promise to himself: to return stronger, tougher, and more focused. He aimed for Kensei Academy, one of Japan’s most elite baseball schools. His parents supported his decision, and he moved into the school dorms, ready for a new beginning.
The Fight and Suspension Arc
Three days into school life, a quarrel with members of the football team escalated. Even though Ren wasn’t at fault, school rules were strict — and so was the baseball coach. He suspended Ren from team activities for two months (April & May), banning him from practice and matches.
But Ren didn’t complain. He respectfully asked the coach if he could train alone using the field and gym — and the coach, impressed by his spirit, agreed.
The Solo Training Grind
Ren created a hardcore 2-month plan:
Running 5km daily, sometimes dragging a tire
Sprint drills and fielding reps
Core and arm strength workouts
Batting practice, day and night
Watching and analyzing 5 professional/high school games weekly to sharpen strategy and instincts
Though some teammates laughed behind his back, a few senior dormmates silently admired him. Ren trained relentlessly — not for others, but to prove something to himself.
Slow-Burn Love Subplot
Around day 10 of solo training, Ren caught the attention of the girls’ volleyball team practicing nearby in the gym with equipment.
Miyo Tanaka, a talented first-year setter, noticed how nervous he was when retrieving his bag near them. So she quietly brought it to him and introduced herself. From there, their interactions grew — brief hellos, shy eye contact during workouts, and short conversations at school.
Their slow, subtle bond added warmth to Ren’s tough journey.
The Coach’s Comeback Offer
When Ren’s suspension ended, the coach told him:
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll join the B Team’s practice. There’s a big match coming up against a strong rival school. You’re on the roster, but you have to prove yourself in practice to get actual playtime.”
Nervous but motivated, Ren threw himself into training harder than ever.
Pre-Match Vending Machine Scene
After gym training, Ren bumped into Miyo again. She struggled with her wallet and couldn’t buy a drink. Ren offered, and she reluctantly accepted.
They sat on opposite ends of a bench — and for the first time, really talked.
She revealed she’d become the team’s main setter for the last 3 matches and asked, “I thought your suspension is over. So, what about you?”
He told her about his return from suspension and said he is on the B Team roster for the next match but is probably just on the bench the whole time.
She teased, “You better stay positive. Who knows? Well, I might come watch the match tomorrow... with my friends.”
He smiled, “With your friends, huh...?”
She laughed, “Just focus on the game, okay?”
Then they both left for their dorms.
The Match — First Test
Ren wasn’t in the starting lineup, but in the 3rd inning, the starting shortstop made a costly error and was substituted out.
Ren stepped in under high pressure: bases loaded, no outs, facing the cleanup hitter.
The batter hit a fast, low line drive. Ren made a spectacular backward catch, then threw to third base to complete a double play. The crowd erupted.
Later, he hit a home run in the 7th inning and drove in a run in the 9th, helping Kensei’s B Team win the match.
Post-Match Moment
That evening, just as Ren was walking toward the dorm, he heard a familiar voice.
“I told you to stay positive.”
He turned — it was Miyo. For a moment, he just stared. She looked different somehow under the evening light.
“Yeah...” he said, finally smiling. “Guess you gave me the power to hit that home run.”
She looked down, smiling, clearly flustered.
They teased each other for a moment, and then Ren offered, “Let me buy you a drink?”
Miyo shook her head. “Not today. I’m already late for the dorm... maybe another time?”
She waved goodbye and walked off.
Ren stood there, bottle still in hand, staring after her.
“Did she mean it?”
He overthought the whole thing all the way to his room.
Summer Training Camp and Rising
The coach kept Ren on the B Team for summer training camp, hinting that with enough progress, he might make it to the A Team before the Prefectural Qualifiers.
Ren trained hard alongside other promising first-years: Renji Nakamura (pitcher), Shota Yamazaki, Daiki Moriyama, and Haru Saito. They were hungry. Competitive. Determined.
Meanwhile, elite rookies like Takumi Ishida, Kaito Fujimoto, and Yuuto Takahashi were already shining on the A Team.
Despite the gap, Ren secured a starting shortstop spot for the B Team. His plays? Sharp. Focus? Unbreakable.
Wins followed. Whispers started. Even some seniors took notice. But definitely, he was not on that level yet of his seniors.
A Team Debut and Rivalry
A week before camp ended, the coach gave Ren a shot in the A Team’s practice match. Stars like Takumi and Kaito were on the bench. People whispered. He batted 9th. In the 3rd inning, he slammed another home run — the first run of the match. Later, a flawless relay with the second baseman created a key double play. Kensei A Team won by a single run.
After the match, the cocky second-year shortstop Ren Aoyama smirked at him: “You’re lucky, brat. You got to play in the A Team... but don’t expect to play much.”
Before Ren could reply, Takumi clapped his back: “Nice game.”
After that match, he got to play in one more match until the end of the summer camp.
A-Team Roster Announced
📜 The Announcement – Jersey #20
The last day of the week, Kensei’s A-Team roster for the Koshien Prefectural Qualifiers was finally announced. Twenty players were selected — the best of the best.
One by one, the names were called. Expected stars filled the list. Takumi Ishida — the top first-year — was among the key 18.
Still no Ren.
When the 19th name wasn’t his, Ren quietly lowered his expectations.
Then...
“Jersey Number 20: Ren Asakura.”
There was a beat of silence before the B Team members around him clapped slowly. The first years cheered. The cocky second-year shortstop across the room just stared — eyes burning — before turning away.
Later, at the dorms, Ren celebrated with the other first-years — joking while eating, relaxing in the bath, still processing it all.
That night, alone in his room, he picked up his phone and messaged Miyo.
Ren:
Made the A Team roster. Jersey number 20. Not the best, but… it’s something.
A minute later, a reply came.
Miyo:
(photo attached)
Starting setter for the Girls’ Volleyball Team 💁♀️ Prefectural Qualifiers, here I come.
Let’s both aim for Nationals, Tenshi-kun 💪✨
Ren blinked at the nickname.
Ren:
Tenshi?
Miyo:
I was gonna call you Cold-Hearted-kun 😏 but this sounds better. You don’t mind… do you?
He couldn’t help but smile at the screen.
Ren:
I’ll think of a nickname for you too.
Tomorrow.
The Road to Koshien Begins
School was set to reopen the day after tomorrow.
That’s why tomorrow, the team had a rest day.
But just three days after that…
The Prefectural Qualifiers would begin.
The opening ceremony? One day before the first match.
Kensei’s A Team had already begun preparations — the first step toward Koshien.
Early morning drills started before sunrise: towel pitching, swing reps, grounder circuits.
Even players who didn’t make the final 20 showed up —
Because Kensei wasn’t just a team.
It was a culture.
A legacy.
