Ryo Akai, a former star soccer player, began at Meisei High before switching to baseball. His relationship with his older stepbrother, Kenjou High slugger Tomohito Akai, remains strained due to past family conflicts. Ryo quit baseball after feeling overshadowed by Tomohito's abilities, despite his own natural talent and enduring love for the sport.

During junior high, Ryo served as class representative alongside Otomi Tachibana, for whom he developed feelings. Classmate Arisa Mita, sister of Meisei player Hiroki Mita, harbored romantic feelings for him at that time.

Persuaded to join the Meisei baseball team in his first year by Toma Tachibana's intervention, Ryo's return stemmed from Tomohito's calculated move. Tomohito revealed their stepbrother dynamic and shared family struggles to Toma, positioning himself as the "bad guy" to motivate Ryo. He explicitly acknowledged Ryo's hitting prowess and defensive capabilities in center field.

As a Meisei player, Ryo contributed as a skilled and speedy hitter. Playing center field leveraged his athleticism, fulfilling the potential Tomohito recognized. Rejoining baseball and interacting with the team marked significant development, though underlying tensions with Tomohito persisted.