Starting Again
Warnings: extreme ooc. fem!Eijun. overprotective Seido boys.
Disclaimer: I dont own DnA.
here's chappie two! hope you enjoy!
italics- flashbacks or thoughts.
Hello hello here is chapter 4! Thank you for all the favourites, follows and reviews c:
CHAPTER 4
"Mmm…where is she…" Miyuki Kazuya said as he poked his head up from above the seat, looking around the rest of the bus for a particular girl. This feeling of déjà vu. Unable to spot the girl, he decided to ask her roommate. "Hey Kuramochi, do you know where Ei-I mean, Sawamura is?"
"She said she's not coming." Kuramochi responded immediately like he had expected the question for five years.
"I'm sure managers can come too."
"Yeah, I told her that too. But she said she just didn't want to come."
"Hmmm….I guess she still has the personality of an ace." Miyuki said quietly, nodding to himself after thinking.
"Huh?" Kuramochi's facial expression alone was enough to make it clear that he did not understand what the catcher meant.
But before Kuramochi had a chance to ask, the rest of the seniors, who had eavesdropped on the conversation, interrupted.
"How cheeky, to not watch our match." One grinned, a terrible smile.
"Who does she think she is missing my greatness in action? I'll go teach her a lesson when I get back!" another said with clear motives.
"I wonder if she knows how to play shogi." Said one more, completely missing the whole point.
"Well, I guess we seniors have to teach her a little something when we finish the game." The catcher added cheerfully. The slight smile he wore on his expression as he stared outside the window was ominous.
Kuramochi lost his timing to ask anything. "Bakamura, it's all your fault….just you wait…" But his heart seemed to be on the same wavelength as everyone else.
"Achoo!" Sawamura's soft sneeze resounded through the empty baseball grounds. "Is someone spreading nasty rumors about me?" she said while wiping her nose.
Sawamura was the only one who turned down the invitation to watch the baseball game. Avoiding the coach was certainly one reason, but most importantly, she wasn't sure she could cheer for her team with all her might. If she had completely let go of baseball, then it would have been okay. But now that she was stuck in between, she was sure that her urge to play would resurface, and wouldn't be able to sincerely cheer for the ace on the mound.
"But, whether I go or not, I'm still gonna get beat up by the seniors." Sawamura sighed, giving into her fate. They did know she was a girl right?
Whilst thinking about what to do when she gets attacked, Sawamura started to do a little cleanup of the ground. "Hmmm….."
"Hey, do you want to play catch?" A tall boy nearby called out to Sawamura.
"Huh?" If Sawamura's memory served her correctly, then this person, leaning against the fence, was also a first year. "Why all of a sudden. And, who are you?"
"I'm Furuya Satoru. I got left behind." Furuya replied. "I asked you because you have an incredibly bored expression on now."
Sawamura reached for her face. "Hmm….do I now…."
"So do you want to play or not?"
"Hmm….."She thought for a bit. "Sure but"-she pulled on her manager's shirt-"I'm a girl and a manager, are you sure playing catch with me will suffice?"
He nodded, and walked over with his glove.
"Another weird one has joined." Sawamura murmured to herself as she took her position.
Although the two first years threw back and forth in silence with rather stone expressions, there was no doubt that both were starting to enjoy the situation from the bottom of their hearts.
In spite of all the differences; one a lazy, unexplainable manager and the other a stoic baseball lover, there was something that both of them possessed. That something both of them had would bred competition and demand compassion.
While one will realize it now, the other has to come to terms with her feelings before she does.
"Hey, has anyone ever told you that your throws are disgusting?" said Furuya, breaking the silence.
It seems that Furuya was someone who bluntly spit things out.
"Yeah, I get that quite a bit. I have been trying to keep it in check though." The southpaw replied, "You're the second person to say that so honestly."
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
Unable to keep the conversation going, they shared a few seconds of silence again.
Then Furuya spoke up, "My shoulder's warmed up now, so can I throw a little harder?"
"...eh? Wait, what-"
But before Sawamura could even prepare herself, as her gut had told her that his proper throws are going hurt like hell, with a flick of his wrist-BOOM!
The ball flew at an amazing speed straight into Sawamura's glove and impacted with a loud noise.
A noise loud enough to make you cover your ears rang out and a force destructive enough pushed the girl to the ground.
"…."
"Ah sorry, I threw a little too hard." He immediately apologized. "Is your hand okay?"
On hearing his apology, the hulking figure sitting on the ground cross-legged nodded blankly. Sure, her hand was throbbing, but it didn't come close to the beating of her heart. An inexplicable sense of excitement began bubbling forth from her heart.
"Are you really okay?" Furuya pressed, really wondering if the small girl was okay. Even the guys on his past team had suffered weeks of pain from his throw and never associated with him again.
"Yep, I'm fine, like so" she replied with a wave of her palm, showing a brilliant smile. "But," Sawamura kept her smile as she stood up, and still with the smile, she showed in her hand a baseball and- "next time please warn me before you do that."
She swung her arm down frighteningly quick and the ball suddenly entered Furuya's field of vision.
What-
Furuya thought the ball would fly straight into his glove but it suddenly broke and headed straight into his face.
"Argh-" he groaned as he drew his glove back and knocked the ball off its trajectory. If he had reacted a second later, he would have had to spend the next few days with a ball mark on his face.
"See how scary it can be if you don't control your power?" Sawamura said innocently.
"…"
Miyuki Kazuya is not the only one I need to pay attention too. Furuya thought. Although there wasn't much change, anyone could tell that his current face expression was one of sheer delight. He realized the something she had from her throw. "What's your name?"
"…..Sawamura Eijun."
"Manager…."
"….hm?" Sawamura started thinking that Furuya Satoru was getting weirder and weirder as he spoke.
"Sawamura Eijun."
"Y-yep!" In response to his serious tone, Sawamura tensed up.
"I won't hand over the Ace position."
"….."
"…..that's all." Said Furuya, walking away.
Staring at his back figure as her self-proclaimed rival walked away, she was at a loss of words.
"….huh?"
"Although we won 13-9 against Ichidai, I can't say I'm impressed." Assistant Coach Takashima Rei stated with a cold tone, reviewing the results of the game.
"There…there…..those kids did their best and we managed to win didn't we!" said Ota Manager. It was a tone needlessly trying to be energetic. "The crowd was impressed with our strong batting line up were they not?"
"The problem lies not with our offense, but with our defense. The other schools were saying again, 'Seido is stilling missing a true ace.' "
"…Sure our pitchers weren't doing that well today….."
"What do you think about this Coach?"
Kataoka Coach looked at them with a stern expression and he spoke with a deep voice. "For the Summer Tournament, I plan on using anyone who can help us win, regardless of year and gender."
"Coach….." Takashima still didn't understand what the Coach's true intent was. That's why she couldn't say anything else.
But as Ota Manager had absolutely no idea what the Coach was planning, he pressed further. "Coach! Are you sure about that?"
"We do have some promising first year's though." Said Takashima.
Ota Manager thought for a bit and a few names came to mind. "That's right! There was that boy who did exceptionally well in the long distance throw and Toujou Hideaki-kun from Matsukata Senior who left visible accomplishment."
Takashima nodded in response.
"So there are two potential first year's that can contribute?"
"No there's actually-"
"There are three." The coach cut in abruptly, taking the words right out of Takashima's mouth. "There are three."
"So how has our Bakamura been?" Kuramochi came clapping Sawamura on the shoulder with a disgustingly gentle smile. Behind him stood a group of guys with the same disgusting smile on their faces. It seemed that they demanded a legitimate reason why the first year girl had the guts to skip their match. Sawamura had expected this, however, clearly they had been riled up by some stupid catcher.
I am so going to beat him up. She swore determinedly in her head.
"Who knows? I have no idea how Bakamura has been, but Sawamura is hale and hearty." Sawamura commented casually in response. "So how was your match senpa-"
"KICKKK-"
The kick which Kuramochi had prepared for first years who lacked respect for their seniors, was trained and completed with the arrival of Sawamura and it solidly landed in her back.
"Arughhh!"
The southpaw groaned in agony and fell to her knees. The other seniors who had plans to teach the girl a lesson, started to pity her after that kick decided to hold it off. "K-kuramochi-senpai….do you know how to hold back?"
"Hyayaya!" he chuckled, "I am holding back!"
"Ha…ha…ha…I see." And she raised both her hands. "Please learn the proper definition of holding back Kuramochi-senpai. I don't think kicking your cute junior in the back is called 'holding back.'"
"Hyayayayya! I see you still have the energy, do you want to go round 2?"
Sawamura slightly raised her right shoulder, as if recoiling in horror. "No it's fine!"
"You sure?"
"Oi Kuramochi, stop teasing Sawamura so much."
"Yuuki-senpai!" "Tetsu-san."
"Can you get up Sawamura?" said the reliable captain as he stretched his hand out.
"Y-yep, I mean yes!" Sawamura gratefully took his hand and stood up. "Thank you very much! I just wish all the other seniors were as nice as you!" she added, shooting Kuramochi and Miyuki a glare.
"Uwah….we sure are hated." Miyuki said in a giddy tone, "But this relationship isn't bad hey?"
"Hyayaya, I'm gonna beat her up later!"
Both watched Sawamura interact with the other players. One stroking her head, one elbowing her stomach, one informing her of his own greatness and one protecting her like a soldier. It's only her second day here and she has already fit right in.
"She has this charismatic charm that draws people together." Miyuki commented. It was an expression almost like a father watching over his precious daughter. "If only she took up the mound again…."
"Mmm.…"
"-REGULARS!" the Coach's loud order assembled all the members on the field.
Accustomed to the Coach's voice and orders, all the members of the Seido baseball team immediately gathered in front of the Coach.
Even though she seemed more like a player, associating with the regulars more than learning about a manager's duties, she was still a manager and so, she followed her fellow manager, Haruno, as the players left.
"Sawamura you come too." The Coach's voice suddenly rang out.
"Y-yes?" The southpaw manager immediately turned around and replied to the Coach's voice, but did that person not just call her name?
"What are you doing? Hurry up and join the line. Everyone's waiting."
"Huh? Where?"
"I'm telling you to hurry up and join the line." He said like with all the strictness of a Coach instructing a player dilly-dallying.
"B-but manager duties…." She responded back, but the Coach continued to look at her in silence. That expression told her that he wouldn't settle for anything.
She scratched her head quickly and averted her eyes.
Walking over towards everyone else, under the scrutiny of everyone, she felt a little uncomfortable. Unfortunately, she failed her 'natural' walk, and had an unsightly tumble. It was a very uncool display.
"What are you doing you idiot," said Miyuki with an exasperated voice as he walked over to Sawamura. "You alright? There's no need for you to act any stupider, stupid."
"Shut up-I mean, why thank you for your kindness .ki-se. !" she in that particular tone that Miyuki hated as she took his hand and was pulled to her feet.
She saw the Coach over his shoulder and gave a small nod, signaling that she was fine.
Now everyone, including one manager, were gathered on the baseball ground.
"-well, as you know, the Summer Tournament is coming up."
Everyone replied with a nod.
"There are still regular spots available. And so, for everyone to have and equal chance to appeal themselves, we will be having a first year vs senior match tomorrow!"
"what…." A slight murmur started.
"Regulars have the day off! Starting pitcher for the senior team will be Tanba, Kawakami will be on relief!"
"Yes sir!" came replies filled with spirit.
Why do I need to be here…..Sawamura wondered.
"Starting pitcher for the first year, Toujou Hideaki!"
"Y-yes!"
"Relief pitchers are Furuya Satoru and," The coach's gaze swept through the crowd before resting on a certain brown haired girl.
"Sawamura Eijun!"
"…"
Blue eyes lit up. Other eyes widened in surprise. Some choked on their words.
A certain catcher grinned broadly. An odd light in his eyes, originating from ecstasy.
The said girl, was genuinely surprised and left speechless. "What….."
"I said you're a relief pitcher tomorrow."
"WHAT?!"
A/N: how was it? please leave a review :)