Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, the characters go with their respective creators of diamond no ace and I do not claim ownership of the characters or the world. English is not my first language so I do apologize for spelling/grammatical errors, Thank you! P.S apologize in advance if some of the characters move out of their characteristic traits.

Chapter 42

"STOP!"

As Carlos heard that scream, a ball passed him like a freaking missile headed towards home plate, making him halt his run and reversing his movement towards third plate, going for a slide safe reaching out his hand to reach third base, at the same time Miyuki Kazuya easily catches the missiled like pitch, and throwing his own canon version directly towards third plate, where Kanemaru slightly flinched upon receiving the ball and attempting to tag Carlos who made a slide safe to third. As dust went up due to Carlo's slide to third plate, it was unclear on the audience view if the Inashiro's leadoff was safe, up until the umpire waved his hands declaring a "Safe!" call at the same time the dust were already settling down where it could be seen Carlos hand was touching third plate and Kanemaru 's mitt landing on Carlos back.

"It is a safe! Inashiro's lead off had kept their team on the game! Does this mean Inashiro is on a comeback!" as the announcer yelled, both Seido and Inashiro cheers were cheering none stop, at the same time the audience were on their seats watching the West Tokyo summer finals game with anticipation on their eyes.

Miyuki was already expecting that Carlos would not be tagged out considering how fast his reflexes were at the same time how far his reach could be, but the thing that was surprising him was the Inashiro's catcher as he move his gaze to look at Tadano who was sighing in relief that Carlos was not taken out of the game, then he move his eyes towards Sawamura who seems surprised and proud at the same time with how the game went on. He could remember that when that last pitch was thrown, he though it was a bit high at first, but then he could see a slight upward motion, pretty much the same kind of pitch thrown to him during their bullpen session before the Fall Koshien tournament, making Miyuki wrinkle his forehead and stared at Sawamura who was smiling widely and looking out towards left field. That pitch… I thought it was too high, but their was something about it… at the same time Miyuki turn to look out towards left field and saw Furuya who was standing close towards the wall fence. And when did Furuya move to close towards the fence which was not his normal position… Miyuki's train of thought was suddenly interrupted as he heard Sawamura yelling out "Two outs!" while raising his hand with the two out sign. He did not respond but notice that the Inashiro's catcher was slowly moving back towards their dugout instead with a hidden smile. The moment he hit that pitch, he should have made a run to secure first base, but he did not… or more like he knew he would be taken out with a fly at the same time if he did not yelled out for Carlos to stop, he would have been too close to home plate where I could easily tagged him out… Miyuki mind was working overtime analyzing what happened during that game, not responding to Sawamura's happy cheer of two outs, but instead looking at the Inashiro's catcher back curiously.

Inashiro's dug out were sighing in relief on the tense standoff between their third batter and Seido's ace, while Seido's dugout were a bit disappointed in regards to not being able to tag out Inashiro's lead of. Coach Ochiai turned his gaze towards the left field seeing Furuya warming up his shoulders, as expected of him… he performed well especially that throw… but I don't remember him positioned too close to the fence though, Ah! He might have discerned that drop of that ball. At the same time Coach Ochiai nodding in agreement to his own conclusion, making Seido's manager look confused to the antics of their other coach. Then a loud voice was heard on the center of the field, screaming "Two outs!" and Eijun putting up a two out sign up showing it clearly to his team mates.

"Nice batting Itsuki…" Yamaoka whispered as Tadano passed him making the latter looked up a bit surprised, he rarely could hear his senior comment on anything. "Thank you…" he answered shyly as he move towards their coach.

"Nice batting Itsuki…" Kento said together with the players of Inashiro in the dug out making Itsuki nod once smiling.

"It's good you called out to Carlos before he got too close to home plate, Miyuki could have tagged him out if he got to close" Shirakawa commented along the railings where he watch Tadano just nod.

"Don't worry Itsuki… we will get more runs from Riku!" Mei said confidently, but he just saw Itsuki smiled and head towards the coach.

"I am sorry… I did not know he would use that pitch…" Itsuki apologize quietly head bowed down as he was close to Coach Kunitomo, while Hayashida, Inashiro's president ushered the other players away from the two and ordered them to cheer for Riku instead. Yet Mei's observing gaze did not move away from Itsuki who seems to be having a secret discussion with their coach.

"No… it was unexpected… so that was Sawamura's rising fastball huh… I have watched his videos with his practice games with Mihashi's team, but seeing it first hand is something else" Coach Kunitomo answered in an intrigued way as he was closely watching Seido's ace on the mound yelling for 'two outs'.

"Yes…" Itsuki answered as he turn to look back to Eijun on the mound, "however I think that is not his best rising pitch yet…" he added as he looked up the scored board seeing a 139mph fast ball speed.

"What do you mean?" Coach Kunitomo asked curiously.

"Eijun's pitches, especially his five fastball pitchballs all have an average speed of 140mph. Both his rising and sinking fastballs all have more speed to them considering how he hold the ball, plus they normally move more on the plate. With the pitch I hit, it did not move that much plus its slower… so I think he was hesitating with that pitch" Itsuki explained. But what I am curious about is Furuya… did he got weary of my long hits that was why he move close towards the fence… unless he knew about Eijun's rising fastball and its trajectory drop… making Itsuki shake his head as if trying to remove that idea… that's impossible, you need to be with Eijun long enough to figure out his rising and sinking fastball trajectory drop… but what if Eijun informed him… impossible. Itsuki was on the thought when he heard their coach voice.

"I guess we need to be wary of Sawamura from now on then…" making Coach Kunitomo smile. "Well you have trained him well…Yukime…" as Coach Kunitomo remembered his friend telling him about Seido's pitcher before. Itsuki did not respond to their coach as he look at Sawamura, what are you up to Eijun... he thought as he grip the bat he had yet to drop.

Kanemaru smiled, upon hearing Sawamura's loud booming voice, that he never thought would help him calm his nerves. "Two outs!" he responded as well showing a two out sign.

Kuramochi looked out towards left field seeing Furuya raising a sign of two outs, when did he move to close to the fence… he thought as he also showed a two out sign. Honestly he got nervous the moment the high pitch was suddenly hit, but for it to go to left directly under Furuya was lucky.

Both Maezono and Kominato responded with "Two outs" at the same time Seido's cheering squad all yelled "Two outs!" as if shadowing the enthusiasm of their ace on the mound.

"That last pitch… what was that pitch?" Takahashi asked as if he was mesmerized looking out towards the field.

"That is Sawamura Eijun's rising fastball…" Sagara answered smiling as he could hear the two out yells of the Seido players.

"Ehhh… rising pitch? You mean Tohru's rising pitch?" Takahashi asked excitedly as he turns to look at Daiki who seem to look away from his sparkling eyes.

"No… Sawamura's rising pitch is way different from Tohru's… a few of our own regulars were taken out because of that pitch" Kohata answered as he look out towards left field noticing the position of the left fielder.

"Really… I want to see that pitch up close? Damn it… lets have a practice game Daiki! This time I will play!" as the WK ace pitcher grab Daiki's arm and shook him, making the latter show annoyance.

"Oi… let me go you jerk…" Daiki protested as he pulls out his arm. "We are on a seasons game, we wont be playing each other under the division finals, plus Sawamura is not yet allowed to play." He added as if reminding the happy pitcher of the current season standings.

"Yeah… that is why I said practice game!" Takahashi suggested earnings a bit of sigh from the other WK players.

"Taiga… the one arranging practice games are our management team, I would suggest you stop pestering BJ's captain about it. He is right we are on season, you just came back from injury… right now all you can do is sit and watch BJ's magic pitcher." Higashi said in a reprimanding tone.

"Owhhh common man… did you not see… that pitch move before it reached plate, aside from that rising motion, it move a bit that is why it sailed out left field… and magic pitcher?" Takahashi explained all excited and asked at the same time.

"It is what BJ fans call that young ace pitcher. Well with the different kind of pitching repertoire that kid has, I am not surprised that is what they would call him." Kohata smiled as he notice the sudden serious look of the kid on the mound. "Right, Daiki?" he added not looking back at Daiki but he could feel that annoyed look from the BJ captain who seem to have kept quiet and pretend to not exist.

"I don't know… I don't care… and what the hell can't you people just watch…" Daiki complained ignoring Takahashi's still sparkling glow that was still looking out towards Sawamura.

Sagara smiled hearing the annoyed tone and look of the BJ captain, as he return his gaze back on the mound. He totally understood the fascination that Takahashi has towards the BJ young ace, but at the same time he wanted to figure out how the ball kept on moving towards the plate, as he lean to focus on the center line. He has taken me out with that rising pitch, but that is not the best you can do kid… I know since I saw you pitch… he thought seriously as he turn to look up the scoreboard and notice that the last pitch speed was only around 139mph which was slower compared to his normal rising pitch thrown in the promotional game.

Eijun was getting used to the loud cheers/ around the stadium as he look far out the left field smiling, and bowing slightly as if saying Thank you to Furuya, who had responded to his request. He could notice Furuya's surprised expression from his slight bow at the same time smiling and showing a two out sign. Ok… just one more out… runner on third… Eijun thought seriously as he watched Itsuki walking back to their dugout. I hope his ok… I did not mean to use that pitch… but I had no choice… I am glad it work fine… at the same time Inashiro's cheer and band went on an uproar as Inashiro's 4th batter and clean up went up to bat. Well crap…. Ahm… how to handle this… Eijun thought tuning out the stadium noise. As he looks out towards Miyuki, he could notice that he was wary with the incoming batter. I guess I have no choice… I am going to bet everything on this… at the same time he raised his hand calling out his captain, "Time out!".

Miyuki could hear the loud cheers of Inashiro's band and supporters, well it was already expected, since the next person at bat would be none other than Inashiro's clean up and power hitter Yamaoka Riku. Well isn't he rearing to go… he thought as he watched the upcoming batter standing proud and walking towards the batters box looking for blood. I don't think Sawamura could jamn him… his not holding back… I wonder what we could do with the number of pitches we have… Miyuki was on that thought when he heard Sawamura's usual normal loud voice asking for a 'time out'. "Ehhh… May I ask for a Time out!" Miyuki asked immediately from the umpire where the latter nod in agreement thus he jog towards the mound. "What's going on Sawamura? Is it your hand? Has it started to hurt more?" Miyuki asked unsure, the moment he got close, at the same time notice that the infielders also move towards the mound.

"Ahhh… well you see Miyuki sempai…" Eijun started but then turn to look at Kanemaru and the other infielders who also came close towards the mound upon the call of the timeout.

"Sorry Miyuki sempai, Sawamura… I should have taken him out with that pass…" Kanemaru started as he feels bad for not being able to tag out Carlos with such accurate ball passes starting from left field.

"Don't sweat it Kanemaru… we need to change gears…" Miyuki answered nonchalantly noticing the uneasiness of Sawamura looking away from his teammates.

"Yeah… it is not like you can beat that guy, his reflexes are insane…" Kuramochi added. He was actually surprised with how Inashiro's response towards the thrown ball from left field.

"We just need to defend tight… you don't have to worry Eijun…" Kominato said where he saw Eijun hesitantly smiling and nodding in agreement. Maezono was about to comment something however Miyuki immediately interjected to what ever he was about to say.

"Ok… now that is done… why don't you guys goback to your positions… I just need to ask Sawamura about the you know what…" as Miyuki turn to look at Kuramochi who seems to figure out what he was talking about, thus he pushed Kominato away from the mound and turn to look at Kanemaru seriously. "Yeah yeah… pitcher and catcher thing… let us go guys… we have to level up our fielding." Kuramochi called out, making Kanemaru confused but nod in agreement as he also move out of the center of the field and return back to third base. Maezono look at Miyuki closely and turn to look at Sawamura who seems to be a bit tense at the same time sweating hard. " You do realize we have your back right?" Maezono asked seriously, making Miyuki smile and nod in agreement not responding verbally thus he was just satisfied with his nod and turn to return back to first base.

"Sorry about that cap…" Eijun apologized as he put up his mitt to cover his mouth.

"Nah… I figure you don't want the others to know your hurting…so how is your hand?" Miyuki asked seriously as he was also covering his mouth with his mitt.

"Well, I need to be honest with you Cap… I don't think I can jamm him… my hand is hurting… I can still the feel the sensation on my fingertips though, however whenever I grip the ball the pain start shooting up" Eijun started and notice the concern look on Miyuki's face but before his captain could be able to voice out concern, he kept on talking "but it does not mean I cannot pitch… I can pitch until a hundred, and right now I wont hand over this mound to anyone" With full determination.

Miyuki slightly look down and saw Sawamura's pitching hand with the rosin bag shaking for a bit. "Don't be stupid… you don't have to push this to far Sawamura… if you can't then we can ask…" but before Miyuki could finish what he was saying Sawamura immediately crowded his personal space looking at him dead on the face seriously.

"Don't Miyuki sempai… don't even try pulling me out now. You told me you trust me right… then I have a plan"

Miyuki look at Eijun headon, surprised with how straight his junior pitcher could be, but then again Sawamura had never bothered being formal with him ever since they first met. "What do you mean you have a plan Sawamura?" he was also getting curious.

"Cap…" as Eijun started then shook his head as he look at his senior catcher directly on his eyes, "No… Miyuki sempai… I want to walk Inashiro's 4th batter."

Miyuki was not sure he heard him right, but he thought he heard Sawamura say he wanted to walk a batter specifically the 4th batter, now of all times, where they have a runner on third; sure first base was open but to let someone walk on this crucial part of the game. Was he scared to get a hit? Either way if they make Riku walk and secure first base, it would be the winning run. "I am sorry? You want to do what?" But Miyuki could see the serious glare of Sawamura look that was still crowding his personal space. "Are you serious..." Miyuki asked again and was about to retaliate but it was obvious Sawamura was dead searious on letting the 4th batter walk. Is it because he cannot jamm him, or is there something more to it, making him took a step back to create space between him and Sawamura who was seriously now crowding his personal face and making him feel uncomfortable. "Ahm… ok … what do you mean Sawamura?" he asked gently this time as he was studying his pitcher closely and noticed the normal evil grin breaking in his pitcher's face.

"Well you see Miyuki sempai… if we walk Inashiro's 4th batter, the next batter would be Narumiya Mei… and we will take him out for sure!" Eijun said confidently.

Miyuki sigh to release some tension that he could feel was building up. He was not sure what he was feeling right now, he was worried that is for sure, but now he kind of feel annoyed because he felt like Sawamura is looking down on Narumiya Mei of all people. Miyuki took in deep breaths before looking at Sawamura trying his best to be calm, "Sure we can do that… but Sawamura have you forgotten, you can only pitch fifteen pitches. With the 3rd batter, that was already nine pitches. If we gonna walk their clean up, that adds four useless pitches, so what we have left is what… two pitches, against Mei is pretty much reckless and stupid…" Miyuki explained, but as he look at Sawamura, the latter confidence, and optimism was showing directly on his pitcher's serious face.

"I am not looking down on any one Miyuki sempai, especially towards Narumiya san, however if Narumiya, Mei would be the next one to bat after Inashiro's 4th batter, then don't you think that he would be fired up to get a hit, that he might actually loose his cool and be reckless?" Eijun asked seriously.

"Yes… sure… let us say that would be his feelings after having their power hitter walk, but antagonizing Mei is not gonna work, he is a good batter… we cannot just take him out with a grounder or…" Miyuki was thinking what pitches could work to take Mei out with only two remaining pitch, "if a light hit was made by Mei, it could result to Carlos running home and that would be the tying run, and if Riku is on first there is a big change he could either secure a scoring position or worst run home…" but as Miyuki was thinking of different scenario, he notice's Sawamura's bright smile.

"Two pitches is enough Miyuki sempai… plus you wanted to catch it right… that pitch in the bullpen…" Eijun said meaningfully making Miyuki gape in full surprise.

Miyuki flinch upon hearing what Sawamura had said, "Don't tell me… you … since when?" Miyuki looked at Sawamura in utter disbelief upon hearing the pitch that he caught in their bullpen session before. Wait… since when can you pitch like that… or more like, since when have you been hiding pitches from me… at the same time Miyuki remember the slower fastball too, yet Sawamura was smiling wider showing no sign of regret.

"We can do this partner, I will show you the best art" at the same time Eijun tap his mitt in Miyuki's chest with his most dubious smile.

Miyuki was not sure how to react, if he is rather confused, mad or annoyed with his junior, however he did mention that he trust Sawamura, but now he never thought that the latter was actually hiding more things from him. He wanted to nag Sawamura, but they are in the end of their final's game and it would either be a lost or a win. Was he strong enough to risk it with his pitcher, as Miyuki looked back to Sawamura's bright golden eyes looking back at him, he fisted his free hand raising an eyebrow. "Fine… we are so going to have that damn talk Sawamura!" Miyuki finally said in full defeat as he tap his own mitt in his pitcher's chest making Sawamura's smile grew bigger like the crescent moon in a dark night. Miyuki took another sigh of defeat as he jog back towards the catcher's position, looking around the field, watching where each players had been positioned, and as he move his gaze towards the Seido dugout, he could notice the deadly look for their coach, making him cough for a bit and crouched down back down nodding once to the umpire as if saying they were ready. Miyuki raised his hands to give a sign to his teammates though he doubt it would help in the kind of play they plan to do.

"Ok? Play Ball!" as the umpire call for the resume of the game, audience within the stadium shows anticipation and excitement as Seido's center line go against Inashiro's 4th batter, which was also felt by every players on the field. Seido's infielder all moved closer getting ready for any grounded ball, while Carlos was waiting for any hit to sprint straight home.

A/N: Ok... this has been such a loooong overdue... but better late than never. (wink wink) Anyways I did a quick remake on Chapter 41, just to fix the game play of Itsuki with the strike out (thank you for the reader who point out the strike out for me.) I was suppose to upload my anniversary surprise a month ago, but then i thought 'hey why not just ripped it all out like a band aid' so i just decided to just upload everything in one go. Originally my surprise was for Miyuki and Kohata meeting, but then i just made this my surprise instead(wink wink) have fun with the long chapters!