Eijun threw another ball at the net. He was alone in the practice building, Haruichi and Zono having ended their batting practice a while ago. He pitched steadily, trying not to think too much. He knew Kazuya was right, he'd been over thinking and that's not the way he learned. His body needed to feel the action rather than his brain thinking about it. Once the movement was ingrained, he wouldn't forget it.

"I see you're pitching a lot." Eijun heard a familiar voice behind him and spun around. "Do you check your grip every time you pitch?" Chris walked across the floor, smiling at Eijun, with a mitt on his hand.

"Chris-senpai!" Eijun exclaimed, overjoyed to see his mentor. "I haven't seen you in awhile!" I've missed you…you and the other third years.

"Why don't you throw me some pitches?" Chris asked, eyes running over Eijun, confirming everything Miyuki told him. I can't get you over the yips, but I think I can give you another weapon.

Eijun pitched to Chris for a while, seemingly fine. "Your pitching looks good, Sawamura."

"I don't have any problems when there's not a batter." Eijun explained, ruefully.

"I understand. There is one more thing I'd really like to teach you."

Chris then demonstrated to Eijun the low and away pitch, the opposite of the inside pitch Eijun was used to using. "If you can master this, you'll have a great pitch that looks like it's so far away that the batter won't react. Don't try to throw inside if you can't, learn to throw outside. Later, when you regain your inside pitch, you'll have a combination of formidable pitches that will serve you well."

Eijun lit up, happy to have another goal, some help from the catcher who'd helped him so much already. "Yes Chris-senpai, I will work on it! Thank you for showing me." Eijun bowed to Chris, deeply grateful.

"No worries, that's something I've been wanting to show you for a while—I just hadn't had the chance." Chris replied, ruffling Eijun's hair. He's smiling, his eyes look better…If you get control over your pitches, you'll be unbeatable.

The following morning, Eijun was on his way to practice when he heard someone call his name. Turning around, he saw Kazuya heading over to him.

"Oi, idiot! I've been calling you for a while, pay attention!" Kazuya scolded the boy.

"I didn't hear you, Miyuki Kazuya!" Eijun replied, glaring.

"Ok, ok, don't yell at me. Got a minute? I wanted to talk to you." What happened with Chris-senpai? Was he able to help you?

"Sure, we have time before practice, what do you need?" Eijun eyed him warily as he walked to the side of the path and sat down in the grass. Kazuya joined him.

"I'm just checking up on you, Eijun, we haven't had a chance to talk for a few days." Your eyes look lighter, I'm glad.

Eijun laughed lightly, and rubbed his forehead. "I'm fine, Kazuya, really. Something happened yesterday that I wanted to talk to you about, so I'm glad you stopped me. I saw Chris-senpai last night. While I was practicing, he came by the indoor field and talked to me. He also let me pitch to him, and said he wanted me to learn the low and away pitch. It's pretty much the opposite of what I've been doing, so it'll be a challenge. I'll do it, though, I know I can. That way, I can be of use for the team even if I'm unable to pitch the inside ball." Please don't worry about me; you have so much on your shoulders already. "How are you doing, Kazuya? I know coach's not terribly happy with the team right now."

"I'm good, you know me! It's true that coach hasn't been impressed by our performance, and the third years are giving me hell about it, but nothing I can't handle, Eijun." Kazuya smirked. "But thank you for asking, and if I ever need someone to talk to you'll be the first one I'll go to." Kazuya leaned over and let his shoulder bump Eijun's. I really will, I'm not good at talking about my problems to people, but you're worth the effort.

"We should probably get to practice; we don't want to be late…again." Kazuya laughed as he stood up. It makes me happy to see you doing so much better. I only wish it was me that was able to help. I wonder if this is what jealousy feels like…

"Dammit, I still haven't forgiven you for that trick, you manipulative bastard!" Eijun glared at the catcher. Thank you for checking up on me. You've done so much for me already, you have no idea how much I'm depending on you.

Kazuya laughed again, slinging his arm around Eijun's shoulders as they walked to practice. Today they were on time.

From: Me(catch4me .jp)

To: BastardKazuya(miyukik )

Kazuya-

I know you think I'm an idiot but I do eventually figure stuff out.

Thank you for sending Chris-senpai to help me, I really appreciate the way you're always looking out for me. You've been the biggest help—even when you're your usual snarky-smartass self.

I can't wait to be able to help the team again; I hate feeling like I'm weak and unnecessary.

Something you don't know about me:

I love old black and white period movies and dramas. I used to watch them with my grandpa on Saturday afternoons. I love the drama and majesty of those times. Grandpa and I used to pretend that we were Samurai and try to talk like they did. It was fun.

I'm still worried about you. Please take care of yourself, don't let your duties overwhelm you. I'm here if you need me.

Sometimes I realize that you're back in my life, and I can't help but smile.

Thank you.

-Eijun

The second game of the Fall Tournament went without much of a hitch. Again, the batting was not what was expected, and as usual Furuya pitched without pacing himself, earning a lecture from Miyuki. Afterward, Eijun asked Kanemaru to help him practice and he agreed. While Eijun pitched to Kariba, Kanemaru stood impatiently, waiting for Eijun to either hit him with a ball or pitch something he could hit. Eijun did neither—he'd been working on his low and away and it was still very much a work in progress. Unbeknownst to the trio practicing, they were being observed by another trio: Kazuya, Chris, and Coach Kataoka.

"Thank you for coming out and helping him, Chris-senpai." Kazuya said, "I'm sorry I had to ask you to come." You have no idea how sorry I am. I'm beyond irritated that I couldn't fix him myself.

"It wasn't a problem." Chris replied, "This was something I'd wanted to tell him about for a while, and was glad for the opportunity." I can see you are way more invested in Sawamura then you're willing to admit, Miyuki. You're not the only one with eyes in your head.

Coach Kataoka interjected, "It's up to him now to get himself back on track. We just have to step back and support him as best we can." The other two nodded in agreement and walked away.

During the third game, Furuya gave away three runs in the first inning, before being replaced by Nori, who pitched a good game. They managed to win but the score was 6-4, a lot closer than it should have been. After the game, the coach was furious. He sent the team out to run, and forbid them from using balls in practice. They ran for much of the evening, wearing themselves out.

After running, Furuya and Kazuya were walking back to the dorms when Coach Ochiai stopped them. Kazuya wasn't really surprised to find that Ochiai didn't agree with Coach Kataoka's move of switching Furuya out so soon—he'd had questions about the motivations of the new coach for a while. Ochiai also indicated that he would never switch out the ace and that they needed to be patient with the situation for just a little while longer. Kazuya walked away, wondering.

The next day at practice, Coach Kataoka didn't let up. He made them run drills and laps, exhausting everyone except Eijun. Kazuya stewed all practice about the conversation he'd had the evening before, trying to figure out what was going on.

Later that evening, Eijun sought out Kazuya. He dragged him out of his room and away from the ongoing Mario Kart marathon, heading down to the vending machines.

"It's my turn to buy." Eijun said, handing Kazuya a can of coffee. Popping the top of his drink, Eijun walked over to the bench and sat down, Kazuya close behind.

They sipped at their drinks for a bit, just enjoying the cool night air—late September was still warm, but the nights cooled down nicely.

"I assume you dragged me out here for a reason, Sawamura." Kazuya said, curious. Is everything alright, what's wrong?

"I did. I want to know what's gotten you so distracted, Kazuya. You were out of it all practice. Are you alright?" My turn to help you. Don't try to downplay it, I won't allow it.

Kazuya sighed and ran his hand over his face. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I've just been puzzling over something I heard yesterday, trying to figure out what it means." Eijun glanced over at his friend and leaned into him for a second. "What's going on? Maybe together we could figure it out."

"Oi, don't get ahead of yourself, Eijun. Just because you got a good grade on one test in literature doesn't make you a genius, you know."

"Jerk! I may not be a genius but I may be able to help. Don't try to brush me off either, Kazuya, it won't work. I'm stubborn."

Thinking about the multitude of emails in his Eijun folder, Kazuya couldn't do anything but agree. You are a pigheaded little shit...but I'm afraid the only thing you're going to get out of this is that Ochiai wants Furuya to be the ace. Kazuya told Eijun about the discussion he'd had with Ochiai.

Eijun listened intently, letting Kazuya talk until he was finished relaying the conversation. Wait...he thinks Furuya's the only ace? I'll show him...No wait, that's not the important part of this conversation. Besides, Furuya is the ace right now.

"What do you think he meant by being patient?" Eijun inquired, "Is the General leaving?"

"I don't know, that's what's been concerning me. We haven't been told anything—but that guy is not alum as most of our assistants are. I'm not sure what that means." Wow, again with the surprises, Eijun. I'm impressed. Kazuya shrugged. "I guess we just have to let the adults do the adult stuff, Eijun, and we take care of our game. Kataoka is still our coach, so nothing's going to change there. At least for now." Talking about that helped. I didn't expect that—just having someone to bounce ideas against is nice. But Eijun, be careful. I don't think Ochiai has your best interests at heart. I'll be watching your back.

"How are you, how's the new pitch coming along?" Kazuya changed the subject.

"Oh, you know me, still working on it. It's going to take some time, but I'm getting close." I'm going to stop being a burden on you soon. I'm going to figure this out Kazuya, I promise.

"Thank you for the coffee, Eijun. And the talk. I'm beat; I've got to go chase those idiots out of my room so I can sleep. I swear, if that roommate of yours is on my bed he's dead." Kazuya yawned and stood up, throwing away his empty can.

Eijun did the same. "Anytime, Kazuya. It's my pleasure." He reached out and rested his hand on Kazuya's shoulder.

"Good luck with the Mario Kart squad." I hope I've helped you, I want to help you.

Kazuya smirked, "Thanks! If they give me any trouble, I'll just double their running tomorrow. Maybe I'll make them use a tire." Wait for it...

"Stay away from my tire, Miyuki Kazuya! We're in a committed relationship!" Eijun screeched.

"Ok, ok. No tire. Happy?" It's nice to know that he is sometimes still so very predictable. Eijun just glared.

"Good night, Sawamura, don't stay up too late!" Kazuya waved as he strolled off in the direction of his dorm room.

"Sometimes you can be such an asshole!" Eijun muttered.

He heard Kazuya reply. "Thank you!" Really, thank you. You've helped a lot.

"That was not a compliment, Bakayuki!" Take care of yourself, please; the team is depending on you.

From: Me(miyukik )

To: Ei-chan(catch4me .jp)

Eijun-

Thank you for hauling me out of Mario Kart hell tonight. Talking to you really helped me sort things out. I'm still unsure what Ochiai's motivations are, but I guess we'll find out eventually.

I'm glad that your pitch is coming along; we're going to need you in a few weeks. The Fall Tournament is going to be rough, and would be nearly impossible without you.

I'm so tired, coach is killing us. Well, except for you, Mr. MyTireisMyLife. I guess all that running you do is good for something after all.

Something you don't know about me:

I've never visited my mother's grave. My father goes every year for Obon, but I have never been. I've never wanted to go. I didn't want to return to Nagano, to see you, and then have to leave again. I thought it better to forget that part of my life, to move on.

I was an idiot.

Hope you get some rest, I don't think coach is going to make tomorrow any easier.

-Kazuya