See me, Hear me and Call me by my name
Disclaimer: I don't own Ace of diamond. Some quotes from the original manga/anime can only borrowed because they are awesome. I'm not familiar writing with some of the baseball terminology so let me know if I got it wrong or I'm confusing sports games. Review please with a cherry on top. It keeps me going, my fuel, my inspiration get it? Lol Thank you.
Summary: Akagi High was not a junior high school about to be closed down. It's a high school known for winning Koshien for the 100th time. Eijun Sawamura former Eijun Akagi, pitcher, knows this before deciding to transfer to Seido determined. Loosely based on another anime and In answer to several prompts by Eos_Red.
The ball in his hands feel heavy. At 9 1/2 inches in circumference, this mass of rubber held by 108 inches of red thread supposedly only weighs less than a pound but, in his hands, it feels as if it weighs more than that. It's as if it was packed with something else entirely making it so bulky, thick - massive in his palms.
He traces the thread around it with his eyes before looking up across the mound where a signal appears.
Now or never.
He raises his left land and with his right hand in front, he throws. The ball curves before landing swiftly on the catcher's mitt.
"Strike!" The umpire calls.
The crowd screams. The drums start beating. The song plays. Akagi High, the announcer says, wins Koshien for the 100th time.
He looks towards the dugout, the crowds then across the mound once again where the home plate is.
His heart beats.
He couldn't see it.
Why can't he find it?
…
….
…Anyone?
Chapter One My name is Sawamura Eijun
The alarm rings.
10 past 7 in the morning, the clock reads and a small hand slowly creeps out of a lump in the middle of the bed to stop it before it disappears back in.
The radio goes next.
Good Morning Tokyo. It's 76 degrees F today with mostly cloudy skies. Time to welcome the start of autumn!, it booms making the lump in the bed wiggle and then a groan.
The radio follows with a song. He hates this song. This is the song he despises with all his being. THE radio gymnastics song.
Sawamura Eijun, 15 year old, about to start his first day in a new school has no choice but to poke his head out from a mess of blankets to silence the radio. He yawns sleepily, rubbing his eyes and stretching his hands over his head before looking at the calendar marked next to him.
September 22, it reads making him grin. He swings his legs over the edge of the bed to get up…
…then promptly falls.
! !#$ !
# #
"We are so glad to have you in our school, Sawamura." A young black haired woman with glasses tells him as they walk. Takashima Rei, his mind supplies, one of his new school's teachers and most importantly, an assistant coach in the baseball team.
"Your grandfather Eitoku-san has always been someone that we look up to. He helped solidify Seido as one of West Tokyo's Baseball powerhouses in his time. You don't know how happy we were to find out he has a grandson that wants to transfer here." She smiles at him. "We want to welcome you here in Seido and hope you will like it here just like your grandfather did."
The afternoon sun chose this moment to peek in through the clouds. A row of big red buildings stand prominent amongst multiple large baseball fields. He takes a deep breath. The size of the place, notwithstanding, the sheer number of baseball fields around them makes him feel at awe. To think, pretty soon he can play baseball here!
"I hope your grandfather is ok?" Takashima asks, leading him towards one of the buildings.
Distractedly, Sawamura nods at her before following. Takashima guides him inside and into the first floor until finally, they arrive in front of a classroom door. Class 1-B, the sign on the top says.
"I'm sorry you couldn't attend the opening ceremony though." Takashima continues. "Our introductory ceremony has always been greatly acknowledged by students and parents alike." She points towards his head, eyes curious.
Thick white bandages hang loosely around his head. It wraps around his head covering most of his brown hair.
"I'm sorry but what happened exactly?Your guardian didn't actually tell us, only that you had an accident."
Sawamura coughs. "Nothing much, Gocho! A small dog just needed some saving on my way to school. I couldn't possibly leave it there!"
"Gocho?" Takashima asks.
The sound of a young boy reading a passage flows outside the door followed by some clapping and then an older voice requesting for another reader.
He smiles sheepishly.
Takashima stares at him for a few minutes before turning back to the door. She knocks. A middle-age man she calls Fujiwara- sensei lets them in and they start to talk.
Bored, he lets his gaze sweep around the room.
In the middle of the room, a small pink haired boy is standing up, book in hand. From the looks of it, he was the lucky one chosen to read next before they interrupted. What a unique hair color, he thinks watching as the boy sits down besides a taller boy half sleeping in his desk - hibernating. Sawamura chuckles before looking around some more. The rest of his new classmates sit lazily on their desks, similar books in hand. They look at him curiously.
"Sawamura, would you like to introduce yourself?" Takashima asks when she and the teacher were done.
Sawamura grins. "Hello! My name is Sawamura Eijun. I'm here to join the baseball team. Please take care of me!" He bows.
The head teachers directs him to an empty chair at the back as Takashima leaves. He sits down, bag in hand and most of the students redirect their attention back to the board. Most - because he could still feel it - the staring.
He looks up.
Pink hair and sleepy boy who is now wide awake are staring at him.
He waves, making them blush before turning their attention back to the front as well.
The teacher continues his lecture and Sawamura found himself spending the rest of the afternoon doodling in his notebook out of boredom. It didn't help that he was sitting on the back where most teachers don't pay attention. Sitting near the window with the sun shining and wind blowing on his face makes him feel very sleepy. Thankfully, time flew by fast and seeing as he arrived in the afternoon, it didn't take time at all for the bell to ring. Class for the day has ended.
"Hello, my name is Kominato Haruichi" pink hair introduces himself after class. Sleepy boy stands beside him, holding his bag. "This is Furuya Satoru. We heard you wanted to join the baseball team earlier and it just so happen we're members ourselves. Would you like to come with us?"
Sawamura nods. "Yes please!" Joining a new club is always easier when you have someone you know already. He reaches for his bag. "I'm Sawamura Eijun. Hope we get along!"
Haruichi and Furuya lead him outside. They alternately introduce him to some students they pass by and just plain talk to him about all sorts of stuff. Pink hair has a relatively shy personality but is very friendly trying to get to know him. Sleepy is more reserved, only answering questions here and there although he has no qualm about telling him a little bit more about the baseball team he wants to join. He finds himself liking them immediately. They ask him lots of questions and he tries to answer in kind before the sight of the fields he saw earlier that day distracts him again.
"You can call me Eijun, Haruichi." He tells them excitedly as they neared. "You too Satoru."
"Haruichi? Satoru?" Pink boy repeats, cheeks pink. Sleepy just shrugs. "Sure Eijun. Now why don't you wait here while me and Satoru change. Coach Kataoka or one of the other coaches should be by pretty soon so you can ask them then about joining."
Sawamura nods. Haruichi and Furuya head to one of the smaller buildings near them to change. He takes the chance to observe his surroundings.
From where he was standing, Sawamura can see multiple fields surrounded by metal fences and small buildings here and there. Some of the fields are pack full of several male students practicing. They are either holding a bat, glove or ball playing catch and/or just plain running. In contrast, the field Haruichi chose was relatively empty except for a few stragglers sitting by what looks like a small dugout. There is also a group of older bystanders talking by the fence near him and a couple of female students who are preparing some drinks to the side. Maybe managers?
"Oi! Who are you?" A voice calls him at the back. Sawamura turns to see a blond haired male student he hasn't been introduced yet heading towards him annoyed. "Regular students are not allowed in the baseball field! Stand by the fence if you want to watch."
Oops, he thinks. He forgot that he is still standing in the middle of a baseball field. He must look suspicious. Sawamura opens his mouth to reply before a familiar voice interrupts.
"Sorry Kanemaru." Haruichi answers for him as he comes back, Furuya in tow. "We needed to change so we left him here for a bit. He's not a regular student. He wants to join the team."
Kanemaru frowns. "Well, coach Kataoka is not here and the game is supposed to start so.."
Haruichi's eyes widen. "Oh! I almost forgot about that. Sorry Eijun but we were supposed to have an intrasquad game today."
"Game? What game?" Sawamura inquires. On the corner of his eyes, he sees a small group of young male students approach. More baseball team players by the looks of their jerseys. They were followed by a short portly man wearing an assistant coach uniform as well as a familiar face, Takashima.
"It's a first year game versus the second string." Furuya explains. "Some of the coaches decided to hold a practice match for training while some of the regulars are away."
Sawamura's eyes lit up. "I'm a first year too! And I am going to join the baseball team. Can I play?" He asks.
They look back at him embarrassed.
"I'm not su-" Kanemaru starts only to be interrupted once again, this time by a laugh.
Sawamura finds that the group from earlier has finally reached them. The portly man, Outa, his nameplate reads, reaches them laughing as the rest of the newly arrived players stare at him curiously.
"That's a good attitude right there!" Outa says good-naturedly.
"Sawamura, it's nice seeing you again." Takashima greets before gesturing to the top of his head. "But I'm afraid that with an injury like that, you better rest for now even if you want to join the team."
She motions for the other players to start their warm up. Haruichi smiles at him apologetically before he and the other two join the group.
"This is nothing, Gocho!" Sawamura protests. "I needed to help a flock of baby birds back to their nests so I fell off a tree! I couldn't leave it like that!"
"Baby bird? Nests?" Coach Outa and the others repeat, looking at him.
Takashima just shakes her head before signaling for him to step aside.
Sawamura pouts. Fortunately, with some pleading, Takashima and coach Outa let him stay in the dugout with the other first years despite not having an official baseball uniform. He settles in and make some introductions. Shortly after, both sets of players chose a captain and move to take their positions.
The captain of each team tosses a coin.
Heads.
The first year will start offense.
A tall player from the second string, Tanba - the announcer calls, walks to the mound gripping the ball followed by another tall brown haired student in catcher gear. The game starts and a familiar first year batter, Kanemaru, joins them at the plate. With the sempais' height, shaved heads and fierce eyes, Sawamura feels that it makes the first year look very small in comparison. Like a child about to be scolded, he laments.
Kanemaru grips his bat and shakily hold it in front of him. Tanba releases the ball.
Strike! The umpire yells.
"You can do it, Kanemaru!" Sawamura shouts encouragingly from his place in the dugout. Kanemaru blushes in reply before glaring at him and getting ready for another at-bat.
Kanemaru was unable to hit the next pitches. Just the same, Sawamura feels a familiar pang of excitement build up even as each first year batter strikes out and the announcer calls to change sides. Furuya, the most awake Sawamura saw him today, soon after moves toward the mound with a first year catcher, Wataru, his uniform reads.
"You really like baseball don't you, Sawamura?" Takashima says beside him. "I mean I wouldn't expect anything else from Eitoku-san's grandson but it's nice to see it either way."
"Of course!" Sawamura gushes in, his eyes focused on the game. "Grandfather always say playing baseball is the best!." In front, Wataru crouches down signal at the ready and Furuya throws the ball swiftly towards him. Fast! That was fast - at least 150km/hr! The batter missed! His fingers twitch.
"Nice one Furuya!" The other first years shout excitedly.
Regrettably, this was one of the few times they were able to do so as Wataru was unable to catch most of Furuya's pitches. It caused them lot of runs and it didn't surprise him that Takashima took Furuya out as a pitcher after a couple rounds of defense.
Although disappointed, he understands where Takashima is coming from. The second string batters can hardly bat against his powerful pitches; however, forcing a first year like Wataru who appears extremely nervous to catch them in a simple game increases risk of injury. As a result, the first years call for some changes. Takashima places Furuya to the left outfield and another first year, Hideaki, relieves him as pitcher.
Sawamura looks at the scoreboard. 6 innings in and the first years were unable to score a single run. The opposite team meanwhile has managed to get 20 runs out of them so far. He smiles. But now it's their turn for offense again.
Sawamura grabs a bat lying on the sides. "Don't mind! Don't mind!" He says before handing it out to Haruichi, the next batter in line. Most of the other first years sit limply in their chairs, Furuya half asleep once more. "We still have a couple more innings to score."
"Shut up!" Kanemaru yells. "You're not the one playing out there! We're the one's getting creamed! The sempais are good. They're bigger and better than us!" He stands up in irritation.
Haruichi, face worried, moves in from of him but Sawamura just shrugs before calmly putting his hand up.
"I'm not playing." Sawamura appeases. "But the game is not over yet so we can only try our best. Isn't that what we owe to the baseball gods?"
"Baseball gods?" Some of the first year repeat. They look at each other. "Are you an idiot?!"
Sawamura grins. "Nope, just really like baseball. Now why don't you show them what you got! Let's fight to the death!"
Haruichi bows his head, bangs covering his eyes. "If you say it like that, Eijun. I really want to answer it."
Haruichi makes his way to the plate with his bat. Not long after, Tanba once again starts his windup and throws the ball. Haruichi calmly watches the first two pitches go by and then it was the third. He changes his grip. He steps forward and he swings.
The ball goes far into the outfield!
Haruichi runs.
"Go pinkie!" Sawamura yells as Haruichi makes it to first base. He turns back. The first years are now standing up, chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Furuya, next in line, prepares for his at-bat. Sawamura stares.
Furuya sighs. "This might be useless at this point.." Furuya says. "But I will try to help you out."
Tanba once more begins his windup. Furuya grips his bat. Furuya misses the first pitch. However, Haruichi was able to steal second at this time. They hold their breath…
…and the sound of the metal bat echoes across the field as Furuya hits the second pitch.
Sawamura joins the crowd screaming.
Furuya gets tagged out in first base but Haruichi was able to make it to third base. What powerful arms! No wonder his pitches are so fast and Wataru, only in his first year, is having a hard time catching them. He can't wait to play with him more and more! Haruichi is also great. He was able to hit a pitch the others in his group was having trouble with and not to mention his legs. He ran so fast around the bases!
Sawamura leans forwards in anticipation. It's only the start for this inning. They have a chance.
Another first year batter comes to the plate for his at-bat, Haruichi waiting in third base. Tanba and his catcher went to regroup for some time before coming back in. Tanba takes a deep breath. The first year call for offense. To their disappointment, however, the batter was unable to hit Tanba's pitches.
So close! Sawamura thinks, eyes sparkling. One more hit and Haruichi can go home! They can score!
"Sub me in Gocho! Please let me play!" He pleads, glancing at Takashima and the rest of the first years. "I'm a first year too! I already have my shoes. Let me just borrow a uniform!"
Takashima stares back, eyebrows raised.
Subbing in for Takatsu, the overhead announces, is pinch hitter Sawamura Eijun - pinch hitter Sawamura.
Sawamura walks towards the home plate holding his bat. He grins, waving towards Haruichi before looking towards the mound where the pitcher is. Tanba, eyes fierce, matches his stare.
"Hmph, so you think you can you can hit our ace's pitches?" Ono, the second string catcher, asks provocatively. He crouches down at the ready. "You're not even a part of the team yet, first year."
Sawamura shakes his head. "Nope, my batting's the worst!"
"What?!"
"It's true but…" He grips his bat tight.
Tanba begins his windup…
"I AM THE GOD OF BUNTING!" He bellows, grounding the ball far into the infield.
He runs and Haruichi does the same.
Squeeze play! The crowd shouts.
He gets tagged out and the next batter misses, earning them their third out for this inning. However, Sawamura and the other first year players continue to laugh excitedly as they received their first score in the game.
Good job, Haruichi! Sawamura! They pat their shoulders.
Takashima smiles. "So now what, Sawamura?" She asks.
Sawamura smirks. "Now we defend!"
Everyone watches in shock as a new first year student replaces Wataru, the previous first year catcher and drags Furuya back to the mound. The game ends 20-1 in favor of the second string but Sawamura Eijun, aspiring baseball member of Seido High baseball team, was able to catch all of Furuya's pitches and shut them out in the last innings.
"Oh? This is interesting!" A new voice barges in.
Sempais! The first years shout, looking up at his back.
Sawamura turns. A brown haired young male student with glasses squats near the fence cackling. Beside him, a couple of new faces join him looking as if they have just arrived with the big bags on their shoulders.
Sawamura gasped. "Oh my God?! It's you!"
"Me?" The student asks, gesturing to himself.
Sawamura nods, his heart beating. He finally saw him! MK! The legendary catcher prodigy! And he looks just like from before!
Sawamura raises his hands. "Miyu-Miyu!" He cries out.
Notes: Gocho - corporal Gunso - Seargeant ^_^