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.

Chapter 44

Eijun was being swarmed by his teammates the moment the 'Out' call was made by the umpire. He did notice Narumiya's somber look as he saw his captain remain on the catcher's position and did not run towards him, most likely to console Narumiya with the lost. As Eijun was about to be lifted, they saw Mr. Kazuyoshi in a panic mode as he stop the other players from lifting him, and as if on cue, he noticed Dr. Nafumi standing in Seido's bullpen beside Coach Kataoka waving his hand as if calling him in to come. Owh… yeah… fifteen pitches… I need to get check… as Eijun could hear the loud cheers of his team, he quietly moves around his teammates and move up towards their dugout.

"You did well Sawamura…" Coach Kataoka praised as he put his hand on Sawamura's shoulder.

"Hehehehe… thank you boss… this is only the beginning… next stop is the Koshien title!" he proudly answered making Coach Ochiai and Coach Kataoka look at him in surprise.

"Well that is nice and all, but I need to have you checked first before you go gunning for the Koshien title" Dr. Naofumi interjected as he pushed Sawamura towards the back exiting the Seido dugout.

"Ehhh… I am fine… the pain is not that bad…" Eijun complained as he noticed Ms. Takashima Rei standing outside the lobby as if waiting for their exit.

"That was superb pitching Sawamura…" Ms. Rei commented praising him making Eijun blush in embarrassment.

"Hehehehe… I hope I just get back before the awards are given out" Eijun answered as they walked out towards the back.

Ms. Rei smiled seeing Sawamura's usual happy personality. "I hope so too… you have proved yourself this summer Sawamura… I am sure everyone knows that… especially you pitching in that kind of situation."

"Ahhhh… but it does not seem to hurt that much anymore…" as Eijun look at his pitching hand.

"Sure…. Try fisting it now…" Dr. Naofumi interjected, where Sawamura did what was told and the moment Eijun did fisted his pitching hand, a shot of pain shoot from his hand to his wrist making him halt on his steps. "You are on adrenaline, that pain would be more painful when you calm down… so I need to see if there is any permanent damage or something, or else it would be my head with your sister…" Dr. Naofumi answered as he could see Sawamura's confused look.

"I'm sorry… what do you mean permanent damage… I thought this was just a light sprain?" Ms. Rei asked in a panic state that moment she heard the permanent part. "Isn't that why we allowed Sawamura to pitch because it was supposed to be light?" she added nervously.

"No injury is light Ms. Takashima… being a sports doctor, I have known that first hand… what we can do is see the damage, fix it, and make adjustments." Dr. Naofumi easily answered at the same time they stepped out towards the back part of the stadium where a mobile clinic was parked.

Ms. Takashima was about to ask more but the moment she saw the vehicle she suddenly stop and was nailed on the spot , as she could clearly see a black and green mobile med van parked just outside of the back entrance. "Huh…. How did you? Isnt that a NPB medical van?" Ms. Takashima asked surprised as the vehicle parked has a big logo of the Tokyo Black Jaguars stamped on the sides.

"Ehhhhh…" Eijun also stood surprised and nervous as he looked at Dr. Naofumi in utter disbelief. Wait was he not brief about me hiding my involvement with the team.

"Huh… Owh… you mean this… well this was the closest one we have so I made some calls to borrow this… don't worry everything is confidential Ms. Takashima" Dr. Naofumi answered easily, then ushered Sawamura to enter the vehicle. "Now… if you wont mind Ms. Takashima to wait here for a bit while we check on Sawamura's pitching hand, it would not take that much of your time, rest assured as well that Hirashi medical vans has the most advance and best medical tools there is, that is why each NPB teams have one on stanby." Dr. Naofumi explained smiling at the same time waving to Ms. Takashima who look dumbfounded unable to speak, and the Dr. did not wait for the Seido management team to recover as he closed the door of the vehicle and sighed in relief looking at Sawamura who seems to be surprised and look at the good doctor in pure disbelief. "Well now… that is done… if you would please remove your shirt… your full of sweat… the last thing we need is for you to get colds" the Dr. casually ordered, making the nurse on inside the vehicle laugh lightly.

Eijun nod in agreement as he removed his mitted hand, and slowly remove his Seido jersey and undershirt. He knew he was already sweating hard on the mound but seeing his undershirt mark with sweat was still surreal. "We have your spare white shirt and cooling packs on the side Sawamura…" the kind nurse informed as she was looking at Sawamura that was focused on his Seido jersey with the big number 1 at the back. "Ehhh…. How?" as Eijun looked at the Doc who was pretty much preparing the x-ray machine.

"Hmmmm…. Owh… Mihashi made sure that when one of his staff drove the vehicle here, that some of your stuff would be present. Don't worry it is a plain white shirt…" the Doctor answered smiling.

"So Coach Shoji was present to watch the game…" Eijun answered smiling lightly, he was feeling so happy right now, aside from the fact that he knew Hero sempai was present on the game, their BJ head coach was also present, making him feel important.

"He is not the only one you know… the whole BJ team was present to the game, aside from a few Hirashi family members, and few NPB scouts." The Doctor mentioned as he motioned for Sawamura to enter the x-ray room. "Now put your hand up like that… we will do at least 6 frames for both hands" he added strictly making Eijun nod in full agreement.

Eijun slowly followed the instructions given to him by Dr. Naofumi as they made x-ray shots frame by frame. It took them at least a good 30 minutes for both his left and right hands and arms. They also did a fully body examination for good measure, and as Eijun was done, he was then asked to put on his cool pads and the fresh white shirt on top of the cool pads. "You know Sawamura… that was a good game… I am sure Dr. Yukmime would be proud of you!" Dr. Naofumi smiled as he was writing some prescription medicine and pulling out stock medicines on the vehicle. While the kind nurse started to bandage Sawamura's pitching hand.

"Really?" Eijun smiled brightly as he could not wait to inform sister Yukime about the result of the game. "I will inform her as soon as I get my phone!" he added raising his pitching hand and noticing it bandaged. The good doctor smiled seeing Eijun's happy personality showing, "well I do hope you would have a good explanation with your hand though" making Eijun turn to the Doctor worried. "Crap… what should I tell her? I was not reckless I swear!" Eijun said in a panic making Dr. Naofumi laugh lightly.

"Well you are not allowed to pitch or hold a ball for five days. Then after that, you need to get it check after again. Your injury is mostly a result of your batting, since you had been batting hard and missing the sweet spots of the bat, worst you were using a steel bat, the post-impact vibration made on by that steel bat had sting your hand, and since your hands are not used to it, it would definetly hurt bad. Adding a ball that has a speed of more than 100mph that was grounded and catching it barehanded with your pitching hand none the less…" making Dr. Naofumi sigh remembering how Sawamura could be reckless, "you have abused your hands in a short span of time Sawamura. I recommended you either slowly get used to that pin point batting or abandoned that kind of style of batting in order not to affect your pitching."

Eijun turn to look at his bandaged pitching hand, it was a good thing it just needed to be bandaged and not casted at the same time not to be moved around for at least five days, not pitching or holding a ball for five days… I can live with that, Eijun thought smiling. They at least have two weeks of preparation before they go to the Koshien tournament, means he has enough time to heal. "I don't want to abandon that style of batting." Eijun answered in full determination. "I have never been able to take a home run before, nor hit a ball pass center, but with that batting style I have been able to do both. Plus that kind of batting style was taught to me by coach Shoji, I am not abandoning something that was seriously taught to me just because I did not try my best. I will master it, the same with my numbers and fastballs"

Dr. Naofumi smiled and nod in agreement, as he then move towards the vehicle door. "Well I guess that is that… we have made Ms. Takashima wait for you way to long…" making Eijun nod in agreement as he took his mitt and Seido undershit and jersey on his other hand.

"I am sorry for the long wait Ms. Takashima" Dr. Naofumi greeted as he opened the door casually and move close to the waiting Seido management member.

"Owhhh nooo… I was not waiting that long…" Ms. Takashima answered, thought Sawamura did notice that she was holding her phone either talking or texting someone.

"Well, I have informed Sawamura of what needs to be done with his hand, now I just need to inform you as well so you can just inform Coach Kataoka?"

Ms. Takashima nod once then turn to look at Sawamura who was moving out of the vehicle. "Sawamura, Miyuki and the others are already on the side gate, why don't you go their since Chris and your other seniors all came to cheer for everyone" she informed, making Sawamura break into a bright smile.

"Ehhh Master is here! Yes… I am going!" as Eijun bowed down to the nurse and Dr. Naofumi who just nod in acknowledgement smiling, and then he run towards the side entrance of the Meiji Jingu Stadium, ignoring the glances of people as he run towards the direction that Miss Takashima mentioned.

"Nice job, Miyuki!" Chris casually greeted the moment he saw his juniors all gathering at the side of the gate.

"Chris sempai…" Miyuki greeted smiling, at the same time slightly bowing as he notice their other third years seniors moving towards them.

"Ryo san!" Kuramochi cheered as he recognized his previous partner.

"Nii san…" Haruichi also greeted a bit shy as Kuramochi was already talking loud and informing them how the game was stressful.

"You are way to hyper for your own good Kuramochi…" Masuko commented, making the sedio players and other senior grin.

"Huh! Of course…we are going to Koshien!" Kuramochi yelled again.

"Miyuki…" Chris called out casually, as they all were watching Kuramochi's cheers. At the same time Miyuki turn to look at him curiously. "I noticed Sawamura was not on the awarding ceremony" Chris commented, making Miyuki turn to look back towards his cheerful teammates.

"No… he got injured, before the start of the 9th inning, so he needed to get checked right after the game" Miyuki answered unsure.

"Huh… figures…" Chris answered making Miyuki turn to him surprised. "I figured something was different in his pitching when he went up on the 9th. Though his spirit is still their, it became a bit slower, at the same time I noticed it was not moving more when it got close to the plate. That is how I knew something was off… I am amazed you could still made decent call despite you knowing him being injured"

"No… it was not me… Sawamura was pretty much making the shots on that last inning…" Miyuki answered as he could recall the bright golden eyes looking back at him on top of the mound, making him fist his right catching hand, as he could feel the sensation of catching Sawamura's fastball pitches.

"What do you mean Miyuki?" Chris asked curiously as he could notice the conflicted look of his junior catcher.

"Chris sempai…" Miyuki started thinking deeply, as he look at his senior seriously "has Sawamura ever told you anything… especially about his fastballs?"

"Fastballs? Do you mean his numbers? The one that both of you are working on?" Chris asked confused.

"No… sure his numbers are a part of it… but I mean… like his fastballs… like new fastballs pitches. Example would be… a rising fastball pitch" Miyuki said seriously looking at his senior, at the same time notice the surprised look.

"Sawamura can pitch a rising fastball? Huh? Since when?" Chris asked in full surprised. He and Sawamura have an open communication, his junior usually calls him or updates him nonstop ever since the summer started, but he could not remember Samura telling him about any new fastball pitches, his numbers, yes but for his fastballs.

"I don't know… but its not just that… he could pitch other fastballs" Miyuki added.

"Huh… Sawamura being secretive is not like him…" Chris commented.

"I know… that is why I am going to ask him after…" Miyuki answered casually as he took in a deep sigh, imagining how he could grill his pitcher when they are back at Seido.

"I think I want to be around when that happens" Chris smiled on the comment, making Miyuki grin as well.

"Hey! What are the both of you talking so secretively over their?" Tetsuya asked as he had noticed the quiet talk between the two catchers.

"Nothing much Tetsu san… just catching up" Miyuki answered casually.

"Really?" Yuki Tetsuya was not conviced at the same time they heard a loud voice, quite familiar to all of them.

"Master!" Eijun greeted happily the moment he saw his senior standing close to his senior Seido captain and Miyuki sempai. He run at full speed excited to greet and inform Chris sempai all of his improvements, especially he wanted to get some feedback in regards to his performance in the finals summer game.

"Sawamura… good job on the game" Chris said smiling as he notice his loud junior obviously running towards their direction.

"Hehehehe… thank you master! I was so motivated to pitch!" Eijun answered proudly, while catching his breath.

"That's nice Sawamura… how is your hand?" Miyuki interjected as he noticed, Sawamura obviously ignoring his presence and was only focused on Chris, at the same time his pitching hand which seems to be bandaged. It is not casted… that's a good thing… he thought seriously.

"Owhhh this…" as Eijun raised his pitching hand obviously showing that it was bandaged heavily, "It is not a big deal… just a few days rest it would be fine…" he answered nonchalantly but as if on cue, he was suddenly crowded by his teammates with concern looks.

"Sawamura… you were injured? Since when?" Kanemaru asked totally baffled.

"Eijun… wait… was it that bounced pitched?" Haruichi asked obviously feeling bad.

"What the hell Sawamura… you should have told us!" Maezono commented annoyed.

"How bad is it? Will you not join Koshien?" Tojou asked seriously. At the same time other questions were popping out one by out making Sawamura feel overwhelmed on how to answere his seniors and his teammates.

"Look at that Sawamura… suddenly all popular" Kuramochi commented as he and Miyuki step aside to give way to their teammate's to get close to Sawamura.

"Yeah…well he deserves it… I just hope it is nothing serious…" Miyuki answered as he was still looking towards Sawamura's bandaged hands.

"Psshhh… you know Sawamura… no one can tie that person down…" Kuramochi answered casually, but then he turned his gaze towards the exit as he could hear a bit of whisper and commotion from the group of people surrounding them.

"Yeah… I wonder how I can get every answer out from him later…" Miyuki commented, then notice Kuramochi not answering and was looking out towards the exit dumbfounded that is when he notice and heard the commotion of people talking around them.

"Hey… isn't that…"

"No way… what are they doing here?"

"Oh my gosh! He look so good…" as a few girls giggle.

"Common… let us get some authograph…"

"Do you think we can get an interview?"

"Are you stupid… do you not recognized the other person with them… wait… what is that guy doing with the champs" as a person obviously a reporter started taking pictures.

Miyuki could not help himself, as he also turn towards the exit and notice a very familiar, popular catcher walking towards his direction, making him gape in total disbelief.

"Miyuki Kazuya right?" the new comer asked smiling.

"Hey…. Hey… Miyuki… that's… that's…" Kuramochi was unsure what to do as he suddenly grab Miyuki's arm to make sure he was not dreaming as a very familiar group was moving towards their direction, at the same time a very popular person was now standing a few feet away from them smiling.

"Ahm… yes?" Miyuki was not sure how to answer, he was looking at the the person he admired at the same time want to win against a game. No way… am I dreaming… What is he doing here… on a season too..

Kohata smiled wider as he noticed the dumbstruck look of the catcher. "That was a good game… you showed your versatility towards the two different pitchers… that is rare for a catcher to have. Such interesting talents and skills you have. I am looking forward the moment you become pro" Kohata commented at the same time he turn towards Sawamura's direction, and noticed all the other Seido players were also looking towards them in complete shock.

"Oi… Miyuki!" Kuramochi grab Miyuki's arm again as if to wake him up from his sudden trance.

"Owhhh… ahm… yes… Thank you!" Miyuki answered totally fascinated by the person standing in front of him.

"Good luck in your Koshien games…" Kohata added as he lift his hand for a handshake and Miyuki accepting it totally unsure, making Kohata grin, ignoring the commotion they were already creating from the other bystanders looking at them. Then he turns and walked towards Sawamura where he could notice the recognition in the glint of his eyes, yet the pitcher seems to act cool making him grin wider. The moment he was a step away from the young pitcher he noticed that the latter took a step back, but since he was crowded by his teammates he was unable to run away. "Nice game… though I did notice you were being forcefull with your pitches… I guess I can see why…" as Kohata noticed the bandaged pitching hand of the young BJ ace.

"Ahmmmm… It is not that bad… sir…" Eijun answered obviously nervous at the same time tries to hide his bandaged hand, and look around noticing his teammates were all captivated by the person standing infront of him, what the hell is going on… why is the WK catcher here… ehhhh I don't know what to do… my cover would be totally blown if this guy said something Eijun was panic striken in his head, when he suddenly notice a very familiar person not far from them, but was surrounded by the WK players, making him totally open his mouth in totally disbelief. What am I going to do… i don't want to blow my cover yet… what are they even doing here…. Eijun mind was working over drive.

"Well… I guess that's good… I look forward to more of your pitching… Ace" Kohata answered casually grinning, though he mentioned the ace word a bit lower and his look was as if trying to convey a message. At the same time a loud voice came shouting making Kohata and Sawamura turn towards the WK players.

"Hey magic pitcher! I can't wait for you to step on the mound again… and have a pitching duel. I will show you what a real back toss looks like!" Takahashi called out waving at Sawamura cheerfully.

"Hey! Takahashi… what the hell do you think you're doing! You jerk!" Daiki tried to reprimand the WK pitcher but Sagara's right arm was around his shoulders making his movement restricted.

"Ehhhh…" Eijun was not sure what to do… the moment he recognized his BJ captain with the WK teams, all kind of thoughts came running through his head. What is going on… why is captain Daiki with them… and who the hell is that guy…where are Hero sempai… the whole BJ team? as he could clearly see the person who just yelled waving at him all happy as if they have known each other for long. He also notice Sagara's silent smile while his arms was still around his BJ's captain shoulders, slightly nodding as if wanting to greet him too.

"Do ignore him… he is just full of energy… He got really motivated seeing you pitch. Well see you around Sawamura…" as Kohata made a quick wave, Eijun could clearly see the WK catcher casually walking back towards his team, noticing a few female audience moving towards him as if asking for a autograph, but the catcher just smiled and notion towards Daiki who seems to be annoyed and was trying to get out of Sagara's hold but was not budging. "I apologized… I wanted to take that picture too… however as you can see we have a very wild jaguar on our hands… and he is very impatient…" Eijun heard the WK catcher answered to the female fans as he was walking back towards his team.

"Oh my god… Sawamura… why did you not ask for an authograph!" Kanemaru was excited and disappointed at the same time, as he could notice the NPB players casually walking away from them.

"Huh… what… who?" Eijun asked confused pretending he has no idea who were the people who came and greeted them.

"Ahmmm… that guy was Kohata Kyoya, White Knights main catcher, and the other guy yelling was Takahashi Taiga, White Knights main pitcher, they are the number one catcher and pitcher in NPB right now" Tojou explained, obviously hiding his excitement and disappointment as well.

"Ehhhhhh…" Eijun looked back as he could see the WK members getting farther away, but his attention was with his BJ captain who seems to look like they were good buddies with the WK team.

"Takahashi Taiga is also one of the only two pitchers who could actually do a back toss" Haruichi added.

"Huh… WAIT WHAT!" Eijun then turn towards his friend who seems to be also disappointed to not get any remembrance from the famous team.

"Is this really the first time you saw them Sawamura?" Chris asked curiously, especially on how the NPB catcher's way of greeting Sawamura, made it look they knew each other.

"What? Of course master… I don't know them at all!" Eijun answered nervously avoiding his gaze.

Chris wrinkled his forehead noticing Sawamurasudden avoidance. Well this is interesting… he thought at the same time as he looked back towards Miyuki, he could also see that Miyuki noticed Sawamura's uneasiness. This is getting more interesting every minute… making him smile. "You should haved asked for an autograph Sawamura… that guy is quite popular too…" Chris casually said obviously trying to hide his amusment.

"Ehhh…. EHHHHHH!" Eijun answered totally confused.