Disclaimer: I do not own Ace of Diamond or Okiku Furikabutte/Big Windup

When Mihashi's father returned home from work that evening, he greeted him cheerfully and with even further excitement when his father took out his favorite grilled bean-jam filled buns from a grocery bag. Unfortunately he couldn't convince his mother to grill some right then and there, he had to wait until after supper.

As Mihashi slumped into the kitchen table chair, his father came back from changing out of his work clothes to grab his suitcase he had left leaning against the wall away in his office.

"Dad, why do you have two suitcases?" Mihashi asked when he noticed the out of place object.

His father looked down at his luggage, one was well worn but still in good shape and the other sleek and polished. His father hadn't gotten a new suitcase in years. "Ah, this? When I was leaving the office I saw this sitting out by the entryway. Not many of us were left in the building and I was worried it might get stolen, so I brought it home with me."

"Honey, isn't that also called steeling?" His mother asked in mock inquiry. Mihashi and his mother shared a look and he hid his smile behind a hand. They both watched the manifestation of panic in his father's expression.

"N-No No! It wasn't like that! There was nobody at the front desk and I jus–"

His father was interrupted by his wife's manic laughter followed by Mihashi.

"Why do you torment me so?" His father asked with a sigh.

"Finish putting away your things dear and wash up dinner is almost ready. You too Ren."

Both males chorused an affirmative, the father with a sigh and Mihashi with a bounce in his step; too exited about the after supper dessert that awaited him.

The family had their supper. Mihashi ate as many buns as he could get away with and eventually turned in for the night. He wished his father goodnight as he passed by his office and headed towards his room. His father was probably going to stay up a little longer to finish paperwork.

The next morning, Mihashi noticed a curious expression on his father as he was about to head off to work.

"Oh, honey. Aren't you going to take back that suitcase today? Don't tell me you really are turning into a thief."

His father gave a hallow laugh. "Don't worry dear, there was a name on the side of it that I recognized. I'll be returning it to them tomorrow. See you later tonight, have a good day at school Ren."

"You too Dad!"

And then again the following day, his father left for work, but Mihashi couldn't help but notice how clammy his father's hands were that morning and how tightly he gripped that second suitcase.

Mihashi stared at the illustration of a man with a suitcase in his English textbook that had made him recall those events some time before. He had been noticing a shift in his father's attitude the past 3 weeks and it had all started that day. And now, again, just this morning, his father's behavior was strange. He had said he'd be gone for a week for work, which wasn't anything unusual. But seeing the way he held his mom's hands just a little longer and a little tighter then before and then just barely he coud see his mother fighting back tears. It was so unusual. And then his father was out the door just after gently patting Mihashi's head; something he hadn't done in years. It was just a very odd set of circumstances and Mihashi's wasn't at all sure what to make of it.

As Mihashi's gaze juggled between the teacher and the illustration in his book, it finally settled on the clock. There was only 2 more hours and 13 minutes until he could pitch again.

Every day was the same though, he would always be so excited to go out to practice, but then he would get a dreadful feeling at having to go back there. Hatake has been progressively getting more and more irate with him lately. It was getting to the point where Hatake wasn't just targetting him just at practice anymore. Now, whenever he and the catcher passed by one another in the hallways, Hatake would intentionally take the course in order to collide shoulders with Mihashi, and always with enough force to knock him over.

Mihashi could understand the Hatake's detest of him though. This was everyone's third year of junior high and there was just 2 more practices until the first game of the Junior League Competition. If they lose this one, then that will be it for baseball. No one will be able to play anymore and Mihashi will have completely ruined baseball for everyone's junior high. No, Mihashi could not blame Hatake at all. It's Mihashi's own fault for refusing to step off the mound in the first place. The team deserves a better pitcher. The team deserves to have Kanou as their real ace.

Class was over. Students were heading off towards their different clubs or going home.

Mihashi was just leaving the locker rooms after changing into his practice uniform and was heading over to the baseball fields. He stopped in his tracks though when he caught sight of Hatake leaning up against the fence right next to the entrance to the dugout. Mihashi tried to swallow back his trepidation and continued on his path.

"Mihashi." The catcher spoke with irritation in his voice.

Mihashi froze in his place just beside the much larger boy. For fear of making the other even angrier, he made no eye contact and kept his eyes to the ground.

"I want to talk to you about something." Hatake pulled up from his position and began to walk away. "Follow me." At first when Mihashi made no move to follow the other boy clicked his tongue, "Mehashi!" he spoke with much more menace than before. It made Mihashi jump and he begin shuffling after the other, trailing a few steps behind.

When they were at a more secluded area over by one of the school buildings, Hatake finally turned around to face Mihashi with a sharp glare and crossed arms. "Well? You know why I called you here right?"

Mihashi gave a slow hesitant nod.

"We've lost all of our games up till now because of you. This is our last chance and you're going to ruin everything if you keep this up."

"I-I-I'm s-sorry." Mihashi stuttered, still not able to look up from the ground.

"You really are revolting every time you speak." Hatake took a step towards him.

"S-sorry."

"I don't get why you don't just leave, why stay when it's obvious nobody wants you here? Why bother even playing?" And another step. "Any decent person would know not to be so selfish in making others hate the game they loved." And another.

Mihashi could see the shadow looming over him. "I-I'm s-sorry."

"If you keep this up, then I might have to try taking things a little further to see if that will finally make you understand."

"I'm s-sorry."

"I've already told you a million times now, but you really just don't care at all do you? So you can see why I'm going to have to use other means. You get what I'm saying don't you?" There was a breath of a pause and then Hatake suddenly snatched a fist full of Mihashi's hair and yanked his head down. "Force is really the only way to get it through thick skulls like yours!" Hatake bent down to whisper into Mihashi's ear who was still stuttering out broken apologies. "This will be your last warning. If you don't step off the mound, I'm going to break your arm." The catcher gave Mihashi's head another rough jerk down before he finally letting go and began to walk back towards the fields. "I'm going to give you until tomorrow at the end of practice to give it up."

By the time Hatake was out of view Mihashi was on the ground pathetically shivering and curled into a tight ball.

Mihashi was selfish. He was so-so very selfish. He knew he had to get off the mound. He had to. He had to. Nobody wanted him on the team, they never have in these 3 years. They were going to lose their last chance if he didn't step off the mound.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

I'm sorry I'm so pathetic. I'm sorry I can't throw. I'm sorry I won't step off the mound. I'm sorry my pitches are so slow. I'm sorry my voice is disgusting. I'm sorry I'm on the team. I'm sorry I'm only here because of favoritism. I'm sorry I'm a terrible pitcher. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

The practice that day was like most of the other practices before. They ran as a group with him at the very back, alone. It was the only place they tolerated him being. He got to pitch that day only because the coach had to force Hatake to catch his throws. And then practice ended and as usual he saw Hatake and Kanou in the bull pen practicing pitches while he was on his way home. It left his stomach feeling empty every time he saw it. And when he got home, he threw 50 more pitches of his other throws in the backyard.

The next day however as soon as he stepped onto the field he felt the hateful stares from everyone. The air felt thick and musty. It grew to become difficult for Mihashi to breath properly. He avoided making eye contact with everyone and his legs felt weak. He only just barely heard the coach yell at everyone to start running. He ran in the back as usual and when the coach said they were going to run a scrimmage to prepare for tomorrow's game he could feel the glares from the others multiply tenfold.

He kept his head down until he made it to the mound and had to look up at the catcher. But Hatake was sporting such an utterly dark expression and Mihashi had to turn away immediately. If looks could kill…

But before he knew it the couch blew the whistle to signal the end of the scrimmage and practice was over. A cold rush ran through his whole body.

He never stepped off the mound.

Mihashi slowly turned to face the catcher and froze. Hatake was staring straight through him and those eyes were terrifying, so cold they were.

Mihashi could not move for what felt like hours and then he was suddenly walking forward so he just let his body go through the motions.

I'm going to break your arm

The sound rung in his head.

Hatake had to be furious with him. He was supposed to step off the mound and give it to Kanou today but… he just couldn't. It was like he just forgot about it completely whenever he was on the mound. And now practice was over.

A hand gripped his shoulder and the next thing he knew he was being shoved away and suddenly his face was hitting the ground.

"Mihashi. Give up on being the ace right now." He heard Hatake say low emotionless voice, but he was too nerve wrecked to respond and all that was coming out was slurred mumblings. "You're only here because of some stupid favor, this is just you being pigheaded now. Give it up Mihashi."

Mihashi tried to speak.

Hatake read it as a refusal. "I said," Mihashi could feel a heavy weight pressing on his back and his right arm was being pulled back behind him at an uncomfortable angle. "Give it up right now." He said in a deceptively calm tone. Opposing pressure was being put on his upper arm now as Hatake continued to pull his arm behind him. "You know what will happen if you don't."

It hurts! It hurts! Why won't he say anything? Why can't any words come out? Make it stop, it hurts!

"You really just don't get it, do you Mihashi? I will break your arm, right here, right now if you don't give up being ace. I don't care if I get suspended, as long as Kanou finally gets to play!"

Please make it stop I can't take it! Please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

"You won't get it unless I go that far, will you?!"

It's going to break! It's going to break! It's going to breakItsgoingtobreakITSGOINGTOBREAK!

"Hatake, that's enough. He's not going to do it."

Mihashi's arm was dropped but the weight on his back did not recede.

Hatake clicked his tongue. "Then what am I supposed to do Tobio? This is Kanou's last chance!" He slammed Mihashi's face into the ground. "I really was about to break his arm." Then the catcher got up and Mihashi could breathe again, but the sudden intake of dirt into his lungs made him cough and gag. Saliva and snot going everywhere. He could hear Hatake sneering somewhere behind him. "He makes me so disgusted."

"Whatever, let's just leave it Hatake. Who knows, maybe a miracle will happen and he'll suddenly disappear." Tobio said with a laugh.

He saw Hatake feet stop next to him out of the corner of his eye."Mihashi. Don't be alone with me ever again or I really won't be able to stop myself next time."

Mihashi continued to catch his breath as he heard the other two's steps get quieter as they got further away. He laid there and thought about what a terrible person he was. It was because of him that everyone has come to hate baseball. If Kanou was the ace, they would all be able to love the sport again. He didn't deserve the ace number, never had and probably never will. He should give up the mound, but he knows he won't.

Exhausted from fear, Mihashi somehow made it home a little bit later. He threw 50 more balls, ate supper with his mother -both distracted with their own distressed thoughts to notice their corresponding expressions- and headed off to bed.

It was the 6th inning 0 – 3, batter on second, no outs. This is their last chance to play baseball. He has to make it last as long as possible. But… Mihashi gulped, he doesn't know what to do. What should he pitch? Please tell me where to put the ball Hatake-kun.

He looked to the catcher for a sign.

None was given.

He could feel everyone's glares on him as he tried to hide his face with his ball cap atop the mound. They were all looking at him and yet he still felt invisible.

The batter was waiting for his throw. He has to throw it now. What does he throw? He doesn't know. Just aim for the mit. That's the only place to put it.

Mihashi throws.

A metallic clang.

The ball went soaring.

0 - 5, the game came to an end.

Everyone lined up for the bow. The noticeable gap between the ace and the other players during the formality was ignored. This is it. It's all over now. He ruined baseball for everyone. All because he couldn't get off the mound. He was the only one shedding any tears, but not because of the loss or the end of their season. It was because he was the worst. The absolute wort. His teammates hate him and he deserves it. Everything, all of their glares, dismisals, words of rebuke, violence, all of it.

Sirens could be heard off in the distance and as all the players stepped off the field a police officer came up to their coach. Words were spoken between the two before the coach pointed at Mihashi and the officer turned to look at him. Mihashi hadn't stopped shaking since the last inning and now it was instantly becoming worse when the police officer made a beeline towards him.

"Mihashi Ren may I presume."

"Y-y-yes." He was barely able to get out.

"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but you are going to have to come with me down to the station."

There was only one thing he heard as he walked passed the team for what was to be the last time.

"Too bad this couldn't happen before the game."

I wonder if anyone will read this story...