Disclaimer

Diamond no Ace - Sawamura Eijun x Miyuki Kazuya fanfic.

This fanfiction contains shounen-ai. Contains scenes from the anime/manga versions of "Ace of Diamond". SPOILER ALERT.

Chapter 2 coming soon (:

Chapter 1 - Encounter

Chapter Summary

Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya met for the first time in Seido – After an invitation to visit from Takashima Rei, the assistant director of the Seido high school baseball team. He was indecisive whether he should go to Tokyo or not, despite the constant encouragement from his high school team mates and his family. His mindset entirely changed after pitching to Miyuki Kazuya, the genius catcher who is a 2nd year in Seido high. For Kazuya, a memory etched deep in his heart suddenly awakened from catching his pitches – He knew Eijun from way before, in his childhood days.

(Eight Years Ago)

The young Eijun was just 7 years old when his father brought him to a professional baseball game. The stadium was packed full house, and loyal spectators of the game were flooding in the entry gates. In the midst of it all, Eijun lost sight of his father when he went over to chase after his baseball that he dropped as someone who passed by knocked it over. His ball kept rolling (and getting kicked around in the large crowd) until someone picked it up. It was a young boy with glasses, who seemed like he was around the same age. The young boy turned and spotted Eijun running over.

"Is this ball yours..? Here you go" The young boy asked with a warm smile on his face. He loved baseball, and he was happy at the sight of another young fan.

"Yes….thank you very much". Eijun replied meekly as he received the ball.

After receiving the ball, he turned to look around. His father was not in sight. He wandered a bit, trying to spot his father in the crowd. He started to panic. He was lost.

Eijun started weeping on the spot, which scared the young boy from before, who was about to leave with his mum.

"W-Why are you crying…?" The young boy asked worriedly.

"I-I-I-I…..lost my dad…he was just right there but….." Eijun started wiping his tears and blowing his snot. The young boy's mum saw it, and began to take out tissues to help him clear his snot".

"I'll find the officials. I'm sure that we will find this boy's father. Don't cry…you're a big boy already right..?" the young boy's mum consoled Eijun reassuringly while still wiping his face. "Kazuya. Stay in this corner with the boy. I'll go alert the officials to find his father. I'll get back soon so stay put until I come back!"

"Alright, mum. Go on ahead. I'll look after him" replied Kazuya,

As his mother went, Kazuya gave a pat on Eijun's head, seemingly trying his best to console him.

"We'll definitely find your father. Don't worry about it. I'm Miyuki Kazuya, what's your name?"

"E-Eijun. Sawamura Eijun". He felt more reassured from Kazuya's words and began to cheer up a bit.

"Eijun…do you like baseball?" asked Kazuya who was trying to make him feel better.

"Yes…do you like baseball too?" replied Eijun. He started to look at Kazuya in the eye.

"Of course. I play catch with my dad all the time. I have my own glove too, look". Kazuya started searching his backpack and took a glove out. Eijun's eyes started to sparkle.

"So awesome! I wish I had my own glove too!" said Eijun as he replied excitedly.

"How about a small game of catchball? The crowd is clearing up and we have all these space around." Said Kazuya as he initiated a game with Eijun.

"Sure. I want to be the pitcher! Pitchers are so cool!"

Kazuya nodded his head in agreement and stood a distance away while Eijun started throwing the ball.

The two of them played around 10 minutes, and Eijun heard a familiar loud voice from afar. His dad was running towards him, and hugged him tight upon contact. He started to talk in a worried tone.

"Eijun! Where have you been! I have been looking for you around the stadium! Stupid son…don't leave my sight or else I won't bring you to a game again…!"

Kazuya's mum was following right behind and started to converse with her son.

"It took a while for the staff to locate him though. It appears that he went all around the stadium…! He must be worried sick." She immediately noticed the glove and the baseball that her son was holding, and a bright smile appeared on her face. "I see you've made a new friend. You look like you're having fun".

A phone suddenly rang. It was coming from Kazuya's father, whom the mum picked up the phone promptly and answered it. "We'll be right there, honey".

"Daddy's waiting for us. He's reserved us seats already. Let's go, Kazuya. Say goodbye to your friend."

Kazuya approached Eijun to return his ball. Eijun happily replied back "You can have it. Thank you, Kazuya. Will we meet again…?"

Kazuya was feeling sad parting with his new friend and gripped the ball tightly. "We'll see each other again. Next time, in baseball match, and at that time, I'm sure to become better to catch your pitches".

With that said, Kazuya and Eijun made a pinky promise to continue baseball in the future and departed on their respective ways. Kazuya has never forgot Eijun, and the ball that he received from him was something he greatly treasured.

At the current time, Eijun visited the baseball grounds in Seido high school. Eijun witnessed the high and almighty third year Azuma, who was going to be a draft pick for the professional baseball league next year. Eijun's sense of justice couldn't stand his "high horses", and he decided to rebutt back, eventually picking a duel with the arrogant guy.

Kazuya was resting in the middle of practice, and witnessed the scene. He immediately noticed a familiar face – that was the same Eijun that he had met many years ago, and he could not forget.

"What's with the 360 degrees change in attitude since then?" Kazuya smirked as he remembered the young and meek Eijun. "Ah-h it's not cute at all".

"Rei-chan can I catch his pitches?" A voice responded coolly to the conversation between Takashima Rei, Eijun and the complacent third year Azuma-sempai.

After which, Eijun and Kazuya started "monster-slaying" against Azuma, and the 11 pitches that Eijun had threw had changed his entire baseball life. Eijun was overwhelmed with the once-in-a-lifetime experience pitching with hardballs to Kazuya that he had finally made up his mind – He wanted to pair up with an amazing pitcher like him.

On the very night, Kazuya couldn't settle down his heart that kept thumping upon his re-encounter with Eijun. He was overjoyed and excited. He secretly prayed that this would not be the last time he could see him.

Kazuya's wish did come true, when he saw Eijun on the first day of practice for the year. He was hiding behind the storehouse, afraid of joining in the crowd that has properly aligned and listening to the head coach speak. Well, Kazuya was also late as he couldn't catch much sleep lately thinking of Eijun (in secret). Eijun himself, was incredibly late as he overslept, and his roommates did not even bother to wake him up. He was deeply furious at his sempais. Looking at the situation, Kazuya decided to play a little prank on Eijun just to see how he would react.

As expected, Eijun had totally fell for his prank to use him as a cover. Kazuya was punished along with his two roommates and Eijun, to run the entire morning.

"I'm never gonna trust you ever again!" Eijun furiously shouted towards Kazuya whom he was chasing right behind. Kazuya just laughed at the situation instead.

"Why thank you for your compliment!" replied Kazuya with a cheeky smile.

Kazuya found it fun to tease the now easily agitated Eijun, but he had missed the younger version of Eijun whom he found was meek and cute. "I guess Eijun is at his rebellious age now…huh…" thought Kazuya in his head, while he started reminiscing while running. He had hoped Eijun would remember him. However, now as a 2nd year sempai, he felt that it was his responsibility to guide Eijun. He was still immature, but had lots of hidden potential. That was what Kazuya thought when he first caught his pitches a while back.

Even in the afternoon, Coach Kataoka made Eijun do running as he did not apologise for his tardiness, whereas his sempais (who were punished alongside him) did.

When night started to fall, baseball practice ended. Eijun continued to run around the field.

Kazuya started to worry a bit for Eijun who seemed to be overworking himself. "You should stop now. Don't you know that rest is also important for a player?"

The tired Eijun then fell back to the ground, with Kazuya grabbing him from behind and supporting him.

Kazuya then turned to look at Eijun in the eye and patted him on his head while he talked to him. "There's no need for you to feel hasty, Sawamura…".

Eijun immediately broke free from Kazuya and retorted back while he stood up. "Miyuki-sempai…If you're so free, you'll catch my pitches will you!?"

Upon hearing Eijun's loud voice again, Kazuya broke out in laughter and soon calmed down and spoke a serious tone. "Well…if you can talk like that you're still full of energy huh…If you want me to catch your pitches, you'll have to be in the first string team."

"You don't have to tell me that I'm already trying to do it!" exclaimed Eijun.

Kazuya suddenly took Eijun's left hand and felt his fingers and palm as his fingers traced through Eijun's.

"It must hurt with so many blisters. You have lots of old and new ones... I can tell how much you really want the ace position. The journey as a real pitcher is especially tough, especially in a competitive environment like Seido."

Kazuya paused for a moment after talking, and revealed a gentle smile which surprised the tired pitcher.

"Good luck, Eijun".

Eijun was dumbfounded by Kazuya's sudden gentle gestures towards him, and removed his left hand awkwardly. "I-I'll eventually make you acknowledge my skills as a pitcher. Just you wait" said Eijun in a meek voice, which he then shyly walked away and leaving the dumbfounded Kazuya behind.