Wanna take a swing?

The short-haired boy with black hair had a determined look in his eyes as he waited for an answer. Neo, on the other hand, was confused.

“What do you mean by ‘take a swing’?”

The boy chuckled softly.

“Well, it’s simple. You just hit the ball with the bat.”

Neo observed the rest of the baseball team practicing. There were four boys besides the one talking to him. One was tall and skinny with black hair, running alongside another boy who looked very similar to the one speaking, except his hair was so short it seemed shaved.

Neo’s focus shifted to the other two boys. One was of medium height with light brown hair, and the other was short with dyed red hair. Both were practicing batting. When the boy with brown hair hit the ball, Neo flinched at the sound.

“I’ve never done this before.”

The black-haired boy looked disappointed by the response, almost annoyed.

“That’s not what I asked. Do you want to try?”

A heavy silence filled the air, as if time itself had paused, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Neo’s answer. He glanced around, thinking carefully before finally responding.

“I do.”

The black-haired boy smiled and turned to the rest of the team.

“Shike! Grab that bat for me.”

Neo watched curiously as the short, red-haired boy retrieved a blue baseball bat from a bag on the ground.

“What’s your name?” The black-haired boy asked.

“Neo. And yours?”

Shike handed the bat to the black-haired boy.

“Takeshi.”

Up close, the bat had a sticker shaped like an arrow with the words Blue Lightning on it. Neo gave it a swing—it felt light yet heavy at the same time. A strange sense of nostalgia washed over him as he moved it, as if the bat was an extension of his arm.

“Now that you’re getting used to it, are you ready?”

Neo stood still, unsure of what was about to happen, glancing around before finally looking at Takeshi with confusion.

“Oh, right… I forgot you don’t know what to do. Let me explain,” Takeshi said, pointing to one corner of the diamond on the ground. “First, go over there.”

Neo walked to first base.

“Shike! You’ll pitch.”

Shike looked concerned.

“Are you sure? The kid doesn’t even know what he’s doing.”

“Yes, and don’t hold back. Pitch like you always do.”

Shike was surprised.

“Alright, but don’t complain if he doesn’t even see the ball.”

Takeshi just smiled, and Shike, now annoyed, took his position. The other boys on the team gathered to watch what would happen next.

“Now, get ready to swing. That means just hit the ball and send it flying when Shike pitches,” Takeshi instructed as he stepped away.

Neo assumed a perfect batting stance. Had he really never played baseball before?

Shike prepared to pitch. Neo’s breathing grew heavier, and all the sounds around him began to fade until they disappeared completely. It was just him and the ball.

The red-haired boy took a running start and hurled the ball with force. It spun and twisted, making it hard to track. Neo couldn’t predict where it would be or when to swing.

Without realizing it, his body moved on its own. As the ball came close enough, Neo closed his eyes.

The bat connected with a loud crack, and Neo opened his eyes to see the ball soaring far away—so far it left the school grounds.

Everyone was stunned, but no one more than Shike. Takeshi looked satisfied, as if he had been expecting this.

“Sorry, guys. I just lost your ball. If you want, I can go get it for you,” Neo said, both happy he had hit it and guilty for losing it.

“Don’t worry about the ball. That was amazing, kid. I can see you’ve got potential as a hitter,” said the tall, skinny boy.

“Thanks,” Neo replied with a smile.

“That was incredible! I almost never hit one like that,” said the boy with light brown hair.

“What’s your name again?” Shike asked.

“Neo. My name’s Neo.”

“Hey, don’t you guys have any manners? Introduce yourselves!” Takeshi scolded.

The tallest boy stepped forward.

“Sorry for my lack of manners earlier. My name’s Pietro.”

He extended his hand, and Neo shook it.

“Nice to meet you.”

Neo glanced at the boy with the shaved head, who stood a little apart from the group. Unlike the others, he seemed quiet.

“That’s my brother Tadashi,” Takeshi explained, noticing Neo’s interest. “He’s not very social, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad person. I’d say he has his own way of speaking.”

Tadashi gave Neo a small wave, which Neo returned.

The boy with the pompadour approached, giving Neo a light slap on the back.

“So your name’s Neo, huh? Man, that hit was seriously impressive. I only pull off something like that by sheer luck.”

“And you are?”

“Maeda. My name’s Maeda. And by the way, this short guy here is our best pitcher, Shike.”

Shike bristled at the comment.

“Hey, don’t call me short!” Everyone gave him a look, as if finding it odd he was upset about something so obvious. He retorted, “You’re all just too tall!”

Neo laughed.

“Nice to meet you all.”

With everyone introduced, Takeshi added, “The team is not complete today. Lenner’s out with his girlfriend, and Nagoya is probably helping his grandma at the shop. Maybe you’ll meet them someday.”

He extended his hand to Neo, who shook it lightly.

“Nice to meet you, Neo.”

Neo felt a bit uneasy, not because of the handshake, but because of Takeshi’s piercing gaze.

“Nice to meet you too.”

As they let go, Takeshi glanced at his watch.

“Alright, everyone, it’s time to eat. Let’s wrap up practice for today. I’m sure we’re all starving.”

“Good! I was dying of hunger,” Maeda said.

Everyone agreed and began to leave, leaving Neo alone. Takeshi turned back to the solitary boy.

“Neo, want to have lunch with us? My treat.”

“Sure,” Neo said, smiling.