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...

Chapter 43

Miyuki cough again to release the sudden nervousness he felt as he could notice Riku's stance and overwhelming pressure emanating from the batter box. He turns to look at Carlos who seems to be pulling out the same pressure despite not holding the bat. It has been a while since he had not made a call in a game, and just let the pitcher decide what to do, making Miyuki sigh deeper. I wonder how the others would react to this kind of strategy… Miyuki thought evily as he put down his catcher's mask while smiling and placing his mitt on the outer lower region away from the plate. He watched as Eijun did a quick nod, obviously showing a wind up position and throwing his fastball in deadly accuracy. "Ball!" the umpire yelled, at the same time Miyuki notice Riku's stance change for a bit, now now… we don't want you to swing that bat in anyway cause I don't want to add anymore counts… Miyuki thought as he extends his mitted hand away from the plate and Eijun nodding. As Sawamura did a quick nod, and threw another fastball directly towards the extended mitt, a few murmurs and disappointed reactions could be heard from the audience and the field. "Ball!" as the umpire called on the second pitch, Miyuki could notice the confused look on Carlos face, and with his teammates, especially Kuramochi who was looking at him mouth open This is scary… I don't want to look at the bench… Miyuki thought as he could suddenly feel the dagger like gaze coming directly on their dugout area at the same time he noticed Riku moving closer towards inner plate obviously targeting another outside pitch. Well… It can't be help… better to be carefull than sorry… as Miyuki stood up and move away from the plate, at that time sound of utter disbelief and disappointment echoed throughout the stadium.

"What the hell… they gonna walk him?"

"Did Seido's center line got scared of Inashiro's power hitter"

"Owhhh… common… this is what we were waiting for!"

"Ehhh… Miyuki would actually walk Inashiro's 4th batter?" Ryosuke asked in pure disbelief.

"I think so…" Tetsuya answered unsure on what to expect.

"But it is rare for Miyuki to actually make a batter walk, especially if Sawamura is on the roll" Masuko commented not sure where this strategy was going.

"No… I think something is wrong with Sawamura…" Chris said worried as he looked at Sawamura who seem to be sweating more than intended considering the hot weather.

"Huh… what do you mean? You mean the injury timeout?" Tetsuya asked curiously.

But Chris did not bother to answer his friends and focus towards Seido's center line watching Sawamura closely. What is going on… Sawamura… Miyuki… he thought worriedly.

Miyuki tuned out the comments from the audience that were close to the field, as he received another fastball from Sawamura. "Ball!", that was the third ball, and when Miyuki do a quick glimpse towards Carlos direction he could clearly see the enraged look on his face, especially Riku who was looking at him obviously surprised and mad making him step a bit father away from the baseball plate, and raising his mitt asking for the walk. Honestly, the comment from the audience were quite loud obviously letting them hear what kind of a disappointment they were, but Miyuki was not bothered with it especially as he could see the disbelief in Mei's face and the Inashiro dugout.

"Ball… walk" the umpired called out, making Riku drop the bat he was holding tightly glaring at Miyuki and if looks could kill, the catcher would have been dead a few times already. He had known Miyuki Kazuya since they were children, and he had known he was an aggressive catcher, but now a walk of all times, and worst part it was even an intentional walk, making him more vexed in the outcome of his at bat. He looked at Carlos who was at third obviously throwing draggers at Miyuki as well with his look. I don't know what they are planning, but it is all up to you Mei san… Yamaoka thought as he walked towards first base, and looked at Mei who seems to be also pissed off at Miyuki.

Miyuki on another hand could sense the dagger looks as Riku drop his bat in disappointment and walk out towards first base. He sigh in relief as he watched Inashiro's 4th batter reached 1st base, then turn to look at Sawamura who seems more relaxed than before. I hope this is worth it Sawamura… then Miyuki saw Kuramochi looking at him meaningfully making him smile a bit. If that guy is kind of surprised, I don't want to look at the bench right now… as Miyuki turn his back on Seido's dugout and look out towards the next batter, who was none other than Narumiya Mei.

"Ball!" the moment the first ball was called out, Shoji immediately smiled as he watched the players on the field. I never thought you would go with this strategy, Sawamura…

"You seem to be happy with how the game is going Shoji…" Anzai commented noticing the wide grin from the BJ head coach. "Well considering with how their strategy is going… I would say I am not surprised" he added as if noticing the obvious seriousness in the BJ's young pitcher look.

"I have no idea what you mean…" Shoji answered feigning ignorance, yet he knew he could never trick the WK head coach. He is a good strategist after all.

Anzai gave a light laugh as he lean on the railing on the side of the stadium overlooking the field, where he could closely watch the BJ young pitcher. "In the league, walking out power hitters is not a mundane strategy, it is quite common especially for BJ, but the impact on the field is great especially with children being all young, easily manipulated by their emotions and pressure on the field. That young ace of yours, is well aware on how the other team would react the moment he made the decision to let their 4th batter walk, he had been trained well, he knew what kind of game play would hurt the other team the most… he suites BJ's playstyle." At the same time the umpire called out for another ball.

"I know right… best part, everyone in the field had no idea what is really going on…" Shoji grin wider as he looks out towards Sawamura with eyes shimmering with a proudness clearly hearing the 4th ball call by the umpire. Back on the BJ facility, he made sure to drill Sawamura every strategy and sign he used in any BJ game, which was why he was so pleased that Sawamura was actually learning fast and adapting them in his own plays.

"Look at you Shoji… smiling like a proud father… hahahaha" Anzai teased.

Shoji tried to school his face, as he could sense the teasing tone from his coach friend, however seeing how Sawamura's plays and how the young pitcher was making him happy with every pitch after pitch, he could not help him self feel like a proud father indeed. Now if only Sawamura could be able to learn to how determine pitch angle drops properly than his pin point batting technique would be deadly, feared not just a pitcher but a batter as well… ahhh I could not wait for when Sawamura could officially play for my team. Shoji thought happily as he could see the full determination in his young pitcher movements.

During the intense battle between Sawamura and Tadano, they were all holding their breaths, as they watched every pitch that was thrown to the Inashiro catcher, but none made any comment or said anything the moment they all saw the last pitch directly moving towards left field landing on top of the left fielder. "I wonder if Eijun told that left fielder where to stay…" Tohru said that moment he saw the left fielder easily catching the fly ball and throwing directly to home plate in full strength like a freaking missile headed towards its target in complete accuracy.

"That was a 151mph throw you know…" Miro commented when he notice Tohru grabbing his injured elbow.

"Yeah… and that Seido catcher is like a freaking canon or something, that's a quick and deadly arm throw to third… too bad the third fielder was a second late…" Sagato said as he was looking closely towards the third base Seido player. A few BJ players all agreed on the remark of their pitcher as they return their gaze back towards the mound where Sawamura had called for a timeout.

"Are you surprised Tohru?" Miro asked Tohru quietly in order for the other players not to overhear them, at the same time he looked at the catcher who was sitting beside him seriously.

"I have always known that catcher could throw like that…" Tohru answered nonchalantly making Miro sigh as he return his gaze back towards the field where the Seido players are all returning back to their places.

"That is not what I mean Tohru, and you know it…" Miro commented, but Tohru did not answer and look out towards Eijun who seems to be up to something. It was not that he was mad or disappointed that Eijun had to use one of his BJ fast ball pitches to take Tadano out, but what seem to bother him was the ability of the catcher to actually react to that pitch. If Tadano was unable to hit that pitch, the catcher could be able to catch it easily which could earn them a strike call. He really is a versatile catcher… he could grow more the moment he goes pro… I wonder which team would take him … Tohru thought seriously focused solely now towards Seido's catcher, 'Captain Miyuki Kazuya'.

"Hey… Tohru… that left fielder… he moved to another position" Maki commented the moment the Inashiro's 4th batter was walked. Making all the other players turn their gaze towards left field, and they did notice that the player did move closer to the foul line area, but not on top of it.

"His up to something…" Towa commented, though they all already knew it the moment that Sawamura had thrown his rising fastball to take out Tadano.

"It is a good strategy, antagonizing the 5th batter by walking the 4th batter in a win or lose part of the game." Tohru said while breaking into a smile. Of course, you just have to apply one of BJ's strategy in your finals game Eijun. Coach Shoji would be very proud of you. As Tohru could remember how the young pitcher was freaking out in regards to all the signs and strategies that their team use. He had to personally help him too and create more simple signs in order for their young ace to figure out which strategy they were doing.

"His serious in winning this game alone huh… look at the Seido's players… they all look surprised, and Seido's coaching staff seems unsure, their seem to be a bit of discussion their too" Masato was unable to keep his thought to himself as he look out towards the Seido dugout.

"Its fine… as long as that left fielder does not move out of his position, and the center line is in the same page, they would win this game" Tohru answered seriously looking out towards Seido's center line, fisting his pitching hand as he knew what kind of pressure is on the shoulders of the pitcher on the mound right now, a pressure he was well familiar with. You can do this Eijun… trust your pitch.

"Yui… call out Kaneda… tell him to prepare for a change!" Coach Kataoka called out as he was looking out towards their center line. Miyuki… did you notice what Sawamura had thrown… is that the reason why you walked that 4th batter… is it because of Sawamura's pitching hand. Kataoka's eye's was looking out towards Sawamura who was on top of the mound, obviously noticing the beads of sweat forming on his face. Should I call him in… what should I do… as Kataoka remember the feeling he had when he watched Furuya on top of the spring tournament where their team had lost. But at the same time the feeling was a bit different, especially the moment he saw the last pitch that had taken out Inashiro's third batter.

"I think it would be best to let Furuya handle the next batter" Coach Ochiai suggested lightly as he could notice the conflicted look of Coach Kataoka's face. "Narumiya Mei is still part of Inashiro's clean up and he has a good average in terms of batting, to let Sawamura risking two more pitches is difficult" He added.

Seido's president and manager both turn to look at their head coach who had yet to make any comment or remark on the suggestion. Yet Mr. Kazuyoshi does not want to agree with Coach Ochiai in his decision to pull out Sawamura now. He turn to look at Kawakami who seem to be looking out towards Sawamura seriously, If only… if only Kawakami could pitch… as he could sense the building tension between the two coaches of Seido.

"If we don't put Furuya on the mound, this could be our last chance to secure the summer title…" Coach Ochiai informed again, noticing Coach Kataoka did not move nor make a remark on his suggestion.

Coach Kataoka could clearly understand the sound judgement of his colleague, however as he was looking at Sawamura on top of the mound, who was only focus towards his catcher, he could clearly remember the time when Sawamura had asked him to keep pitching during their fall finals tournament, at the same time when he had taken strike outs on their spring tournament, making him fist his hands. "Sawamura is our ace… I would let him stay on the mound up until his count is up" Coach Kataoka finally said making the other players and Coach Ochiai surprised.

"I see… well I hope you did not waste our chance for the summer ticket yet again…" Coach Ochiai remarked as he also turn to gaze out towards the field focusing on Seido's centerline.

"Sawamura sempai…" Okumura called out his senior as he could notice the slight shaking of the latter's pitching hand that was holding the rosin bag.

"He can do it…" Higasa commented earning a surprised look from the Seido players in the dugout.

"Of course he can… He is Sawamura after all" Kawakami added as he moved towards the railing and took in as much air as he could. "You can do this Sawamura!" he yelled, resulting for all the players of Seido who was in the dug out started to called out to Sawamura's name. The players who were on the bleachers could hear the loud cheers of their teammates in the dugout, making Seki signal for the band to start playing a song and loud cheers again had erupted in Seido's section.

Eijun could feel his pitching had was already shaking, yet he did not release the rosin bag he was holding. Its ok… I can still pitch… just two more pitches… runner on third and first… no counts yet… Eijun was mentally taking note the situation they are in as he watched Narumiya Mei step on the batters box, obviously whispering something to his catcher. Sorry Miyuki sempai for dragging you around on my selfishness… either way… I wanted us to reach a bigger world of baseball… making Eijun smile as he could remember their time during the Hakuryu and Sankou game, and realizing that this might be his last chance to actually play the summer tournament with Seido and with him. He took a deep breath in as he watched Miyuki giving a sign for his number 7 on the first pitch with serious eyes. He nod in full agreement, taking in deep breaths, as he drop the rosin bag, fixed the grip on the ball, and did his pitching windup, raising his knee up close to his body, making sure of a tight form and releasing his improved cutter pitch in all the force he could muster.

Miyuki was seriously looking back at Mei as the latter was walking towards the batter box glaring at him. I never thought that Sawamura would be so right about Mei loosing his cool… he thought grinning as he crouched down the moment Mei step on the batter's box and fixing his footing position.

"I can't believe you could be this sly, Kazuya, annoying raccoon" Mei whispered yet Miyuki could clearly hear it loud and clear making him smirk.

"Surprised huh… I did not even know I had it in me too…" Miyuki answered casually further noticing Mei taking in deep breaths as if calming his nerves.

"Yeah… well I hope you did not make a huge mistake on this one" Mei answered sending a deadly scowl to Seido's catcher and the latter laughing it out. Narumiya then turn towards Seido's ace who seems for some reason had change in the duration of their game. Mei could easily notice the serious look the pitcher was giving, yet he seems to be way to calm for his liking. He also noticed that he was not that loud as usual compared to their previous finals game. Huh… did this brat matured or something… he thought annoyingly, but his gut was telling him other wise and he always follows his insticts when it comes to baseball. Well I know you are thirsty for that out… I will make you regret putting me up to bat you brat… as Mei held his steel bat tighter and higher. He watched as Sawamura nod in agreement on whatever Kazuya sign was, and saw him do his pitching windup. The moment he saw his pitching wind up he flinch for a bit, yet he swing his bat as hard as he could but then the ball suddenly disappeared in front of him and noticed a hard sound hitting the mitt just behind him making him irritated. "Tsk"

"Strike!" the umpired called making Miyuki shudder the moment he received Sawamura's improve cutter. So you can still throw like that huh… damn it… that is the best cutter you have thrown today… Miyuki thought as he looked at his mitt where the ball landed directly as if it was meant to be their in the first place. "So that's his cutter huh…" Miyuki could hear Mei's remark yet he did not respond as he turn to look at Sawamura and notice the very serious look he was projecting, the very same look he had seen during the Hakuryu game that is giving him chills. "Nice pitch Sawamura!" Miyuki called out as he threw the ball back towards the pitcher and the latter nodding in agreement.

"Fourteen…" Kuramochi was taking in his surroundings carefully. He knew he was the only person that Miyuki informed in regards to Sawamura condition and being allowed to pitch fifteen times and he thought that the reason why their captain did not inform he team is because they want them to focus on the game at hand. He made a slight hand movement, making Maezon, Kominato and Kanemaru lower their center in order to be ready for any grounded pitch. Like hell I would let you guys carry all of us… Kuramochi thought as he could notice Miyuki's serious look behind his catcher's mask.

As Miyuki crouched back down after throwing the ball back to his pitcher, he noticed that obvious broad smile as if telling him tot get ready. He fixed his catcher's mask, hit his mitt twice with his free hand to fix the fitting as he spread both his arms as if telling his pitcher he was ready. Let us do this Sawamura… show me that pitch one more time…

Eijun smile grew wider the moment he noticed that his captain did not give him any sign, but instead spread his arms wide as if telling him he was ready. He could feel his pitching hand was unsteady and the pain was pretty much making it self known to him, yet he was to excited to not let this opportunity pass. This is a do or die situation cap… so I hope as hell you could catch this… as Eijun took in another deep breath, and made a quick glimpse towards left field and notice Furuya standing directly under the positioned he wanted. This is my win… Narumiya Mei… Eijun thought as he did his pitching windup, raising his knee close to his body, making his tight pitching windup and throwing his rising fastball.

Finally you had thrown a meat ball! It is my win now! Mei thought excitedly as he noticed it was a high pitch thus he grip his steel bat tightly and swing as hard as he could. "MEI! DON'T HIT THAT PITCH!" as Narumiya heard the scream his bat had already connected to the ball sailing it up towards left field. I hit it finnally it's our win… Narumiya was excited for a second and then he noticed the direction of the fly ball and Furuya, Satoru position. Wait… wait… when did he move their?

Itsuki was feeling restless the moment he watched Eijun walked Yamaoka. What is going on… they would not risk having a runner on third and first in a win or loose game. We only need a single run to tie and another run to win… But as Tadano saw Eijun tight pitching form his dreadful feeling had intensified making him move towards their dugout railing. "Strike!" as the umpire called for the first pitch, he could see Eijun was sweating hard, yet their were no indication of worry having a runner on third and first, and then it hit him as he move his gaze towards left field and notice Furuya was standing close to the foul line. Wait…when did he change his position… don't tell me… Eijun you would not… but even before Itsuki could voice out his theory he already notice that Eijun was doing his wind up. Wait… it can't be… and as if on cue, he watched as Eijun released a fastball with a rising motion, "MEI! DON'T HIT THAT PITCH!" he yelled out from the dug out but it was too late, Narumiya had already made a batting swing motion the moment the ball was released and hitting the bat cleanly resulting to a fly towards left field.

"CLANK!" as the sound of the bat could be heard towards the stadium, Carlos was ready to go for a run, but then noticed Furuya was on a different position, unlike his usual place. Wait… wait… at the same time he notice Sawamura raising his pitching hand as if posing for the win and as if on cue, Furuya Satoru was able to easily catch the fly ball sent towards left field.

"Out!" as the umpire called the moment he saw Furuya cleanly catches the fly ball sent to left field easily and raising it as if to show everyone he had catch the fly ball. "SEIDO! SEIDO WON THE WEST TOKYO REP MATCH!" as the announcer yelled, Seido fans went on an uproar while the players all run towards the mound, straight towards Sawamura who seem to have done the victory pose even before Furuya was able to catch the pitch. "With the score of 4-3, Seido had once again entered the Koshien Tournament representing West Tokyo after the fall victory!" the announcer added all excited.

"Why… I hit that pitch as hard as I can… why did it only fall their?" Mei was confused as he watched Seido's outfielder, infielders, and dugout players run towards the mound.

"It's Sawamura's new pitch…" Miyuki answered softly as he did not run towards Sawamura who was then swarmed by his teammates.

"New pitch? So that is not a meat ball huh… I see…" Mei answered softly as he looked down gripping his bat tightly.

"Mei…"

"Narumiya san…"

"So this is how it ends huh…" Shirakawa commented bitterly as he tries to hold his tears. Other Inashiro players especially the seniors who where all kneeling down, while Carlos move towards Mei to guide him back towards their dugout head down.

Why… why did I not notice it… I should have known he would throw that pitch again… was I to conceited that I thought that he would throw that pitch only to me… Itsuki's mind was in turmoil as he watched Mei head bowed down. Damn it… why… as Itsuki fisted his hands and looked down, trying hard not to cry.

"You did well… You have performed more than what I have anticipated and have made me proud. This lost is not your fault" Coach Kunitomo whispered as he move close to Tadano who seem to be upset to the outcome of the game. At the same time Coach Kunitomo looked at his team proudly and said in a loud booming voice, "You have done well everyone! You all have performed far more than what I have expected. This is only a stumble, but I am sure every one would stand again from this light fall and walk the future proudly and strongly in whatever future path you choose here on out!" and that was like a cue as the senior players who were kneeling all stood up with tears streaming in the eyes looking proud and serious towards their coach. "Inashiro blood is flowing to each one of you… and with that… you will never let this stumble be your downfall" Coach Kunitomo added, as he was looking directly towards Narumiya who was sitting bowed down.