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!

Chapter 16

Eijun slide the door open, this was his fifth door, and finally he was able to see Tohru who was sitting on the edge of the house, overlooking the garden. Even though it was a bit dark, the house light gives the garden a magical atmosphere. "So you finally got away from the old timers huh," Eijun heard Tohru asked as if he was sure he was the one that would be coming. "That was unfare of you Hero sempai… you practically left me to fend for myself" Eijun complained as he walked towards his senior and sitting beside him, noticing a glass of drink that was already empty.

Tohru laugh lightly noticing Eijun's annoyed tone. "They are not that bad… they just never had enough fun in life since they are always at work. So this kind of occasions are quite rare for the family" Tohru started explaining. He turned to look at Eijun and he could see the other smiling solemly. "It was fun, I had never had such a big family before, but sister Yukime's grandfather was so cool" Eijun was smiling as he look down on his hands, remembering how the party had started, and apparently was still ongoing. "I am glad, you know this family save me, and my career. If not for doc, I don't know where I would be right now" Tohru smiled as he turn to look out the garden again. "Eijun… what did Daiki told you?" he asked curiously.

Eijun flinch remembering the commotion in the BJ facility lobby. "The cap told me I was just a temporary replacement for an ace since Furuya got injured, and that I was the same with Miro sempai and would have a greener pasture in life, What does that even mean…" Eijun wrinkled his forehead as he turn to look at Tohru who was still focus towards the garden.

"Daiki could be a douche a lot of times, but you know he does not mean that right. He is someone that has full support of your dream of becoming Seido's ace"

"I know sempai, it is just that… that was the first time I saw the captain being like that…" Eijun felt sad all of a sudden as he could remember their captain's face of agitation and anger.

Tohru sigh seeing Eijun's conflicted expression, "You see, becoming an ace of a high school team would open up a lot of opportunities for any player in this type of game Eijun, and Daiki seem to be quite upset over the fact that you might decide to leave us, and that is also an option given to Miro" Tohru started to explain.

"Huh… I wont leave the team, I like this team sempai plus I want to keep on playing with everyone!" Eijun seriously declared earning a light laugh from Tohru.

"Thank you for that, however not everything is set in stone Eijun, you see right now, what you have only experienced with baseball is playing with us, however there are more options around the field. Like let us say if the coach from White Knights asked you to play for them, don't you want to try playing with that team?" Tohru asked, though he was smiling there is seriousness in his tone, making Eijun wrinkled his forehead.

"Then I will still stay with BJ…" Eijun answered seriously, he does not understand why Tohru was like pushing him away out of the team at the moment, and it is starting to make him feel nervous.

Tohru sighed deeply again, as he turn to look out the garden again "Think of this Eijun, for example you are on a hot desert and you found a bottle of water, of course since that is the first thing you found in the middle of no where then that is the first thing you would grab. But let us say along the way, you found a bottle of coke, juice, and different kind of drinks out their, would you not be curious as what they taste like compared to a bland bottle of water?"

Eijun kept quiet, as he started thinking about what Tohru was trying to imply. "Hero sempai, are you saying that you and the others think that I would leave the team if in case another team ask me to play with them in the future?" he fisted his hand, he could sense that it is like his BJ team do not trust him that he would not leave them considering he had talked with Yukime before that he want to continue pitching for this team.

"It is not what I think or the others think Eijun, this is your future after all thus you have the right to choose what ever you want" Tohru answered sincerely as he smiled looking at the young pitcher who suddenly became tense beside him. "You can say it is like playing in your highschool team, after three years you end up graduating thus having a different set of players, and experiencing a different kind of baseball with them."

"Then… I guess all I need to do is prove to you and the others that I don't intend to abandon the team." Eijun smiled on the thought and stood up moving infront of Tohru blocking his view of the garden. He grinned widely as he raised his pitching hand and form a fist, "I just need to prove that we can be the best battery partner in Japan, and show everyone that I wont leave BJ over any other team because this is the team that had help me grow. Once we become an official battery and play in real games, then we can take the team to the be the top!" Eijun declared seriously, full of determination that could be seen in his bright golden eyes.

Tohru was astounded as he could clearly see the seriousness and determination of the young pitcher who was now standing in front of him grinning widely with a raised pitching had. He smiled a bit however the smile never reached his eyes, and it could be noticed that their was a sign of loneliness and sadness for a bit. Eijun flinch seeing his senior reaction, this is not what he was expecting. Tohru slowly grab Eijun's fisted hand and carefully put it down, sighing deeply "Eijun… we will never officially form a battery in any games" he inform in a sad somber tone as he tries to look down.

Eijun look surprised, "ehhhh… what do you mean sempai?" Eijun became tense with Tohru's remark at the same time he could see the cloud of sadness in his catcher's expression.

"Well you see… this season and next season is the last time I would be playing with BJ. The year you graduate I would no longer be around BJ as a regular player since I would be having my elbow surgery." Tohru inform seriously as he slowly let go of Eijun's hand that he was holding a while back.

"Wait… What?" Eijun was panicking now, after all that serious talk is it possible that the one leaving the team was his catcher.

Tohru smiled lightly seeing Eijun's panic stricken face. "Eijun can you tell me what is my weakness in the field?" Tohru asked seriously looking at Eijun directly on his eyes.

"Ehhh… Ahm… base stealing?" Eijun answered tentatively, as he tries to remember every strategy they discuss with the team.

"That is correct, with the injury that I have" as Tohru slightly grab his right elbow indicating where his injury is " and with how the pro league is changing year after year, the introduction of new and more talented players, I am not confident I could be able to keep up being in the top catcher standing. Right now, every team in the league is aware of my weakness, thus when they get on base, those teams are not worried of getting tag out in stealing bases since I cannot throw to prevent base stealing. As of this moment, I don't have that much of a competition in terms of being a catcher, thus I am still able to be in the top catcher in the league, but as new graduates and scouts come in, that position is no longer a guarantee." Tohru inform sadly, "honeslty my surgery has long been overdue, so I decided the year you would be graduating in highschool, is the year I would be getting my surgery, well honestly after catching for you a couple of games, you revived that eagerness and excitement in my life again. The love I have for pitching, and I want to stand on that mound again. You are the one that pull that out of me Eijun, and for that I thank you" Tohru looked at Eijun smiling sincerely showing his full gratitude to what this young pitcher has done for him.

"Then after your surgery you can just come back with BJ right?" Eijun asked, he was starting to get a headache. Right now, he was definitely sure everything was spiraling out of control for him, and he has no idea what to do to keep everything he hold dear in its right place.

"I would still be in BJ Eijun, however it will take some time for me to comeback, after surgery there is months of rehabilitation, and the moment I do come back I would no longer be a catcher. I would be standing on that mound again, competing for that ace position"

"Is that the reason why… you had Itsuki?" Eijun was unable to finish his question, he was so confused right now. His emotions are all over the place, he could barely keep up his straight face.

"Ahhhh… honestly with Itsuki I was glad you brought him in, though he is a bit of a passive catcher, he still has change overtime, and yes the reason why I asked Yukime to have Itsuki train with you in the hospital is because I was thinking of letting him be the official catcher for BJ" Tohru easily answered, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Eijun kep quiet, of course if he would think back, Tohru statement's back then when he was saying he would not always be around means he was already planning to move back to being a pitcher. He was about to ask something more when he heard Nina calling out Tohru in the door. Both Tohru and Eijun turn to look at the slinding door, and Nina came out with a squabbling infant, "Hero I am sorry… it is just that I cannot make him sleep" Nina eyes were apologizing as she knew that Eijun and Tohru were having a serious talk.

"It is fine…" Tohru answered as he ruffled Eijun's head standing up, "Eijun you should go back to the party, i just need to do daddy duties before I drive you back to your school" Tohru added as he move towards Nina and took the young child and move out of the room. Eijun kept his head down, not wanting to see his senior leave the room.

"I am sorry Eijun, I am not good in making Eita sleep and he often sleeps fast if Hero is the one holding him" Nina apologized as she walked towards Eijun who was looking down.

" Sister Nina … when did Hero sempai… decide to switch back to being a pitcher?" Eijun asked in a low tone. He was not sure what he is feeling right now, he is so confused in what to do and at the same time what to feel. It felt like the moment he got the ace number, everything was put out of order in his BJ team.

"Owh…" Nina sadly looked at Eijun who was looking down, obviously avoiding her observing gaze. She decided to sit down where Tohru previously sit, and pull Eijun to sit beside her. "So he already told you huh… Hmmmm let me see… I guess during the second promotion game, with the White Knights"

Eijun froze upon the realization that it has been a few months, "So it was that long huh…" that was also before he went to his Koshien game.

"Eijun… back then he just had the thought, but after your Hawks game… he finally got the resolve. Please don't be sad… Hero was afraid of the surgery since it is not a guarantee that after he do it that he could be able to play as he used too, but because of you, he had the courage to go throught with it" Nina commented sincerely.

"I wanted to at least form an official battery with Hero sempai in an official game, so that those people that only see his weakness would recognize him as strong catcher" Eijun answered quietly. His voice was low however since Nina was close to him she could hear him loud and clear.

"Then why don't you just graduate a year earlier?" a rough tone interjected between the two making both Nina and Eijun turn and saw Yuuta casually walking in the open sliding door.

"Ehhh… What do you mean brother Yuuta?" Eijun asked curiously making Nina raise an eyebrow with the casual remark.

"Are you not aware Eijun that the youngest player who had played in pro league is 15 years old, I believe he played for Cincinnati Reds in the Major League Baseball in America" Yuuta stated as he move closer towards them.

"Brother Yuuta don't… I think Yukime need to have a say in his…" Nina interjected making Eijun frown, "Huh?"

"My younger sister is not here, it would be a while before she even come's back, and since I am her older brother I have the right to take Eijun in my care. Plus he is within the requirements, Eijun's birthday falls in March, he would be eighteen when the next season start" Yuuta explained, making Eijun more confused and Nina sighing in defeat. "Eijun if you are serious in regards to forming an official battery with Hero in any official game, then I can help you, however you need to think this carefully." Yuuta inform seriously as he looked at Eijun direct on his eyes.

Eijun got nervous with the way the other man was looking at him, however he was serious in terms of forming an official battery with Hero sempai. He could remember the sensation and adrenaline of pitching to him ever since they form a battery during his first promotional game, without holding back. He wanted to experience that kind of sensation again, it was seemingly close to the feeling when Miyuki sempai catch for him for the first time before he decided to join Seido. "What do I need to do Brother Yuuta?" Eijun asked seriously.

Yuuta smiled, seeing the determination in Eijun's eyes, "Well first of you would need to take an exam" Yuuta clearly noticed Eijun tensing up and started to look away, making him smile more. "This advance exam could help you in terms of being able to graduate a year earlier, and this is only available to a few individuals, like geniuses and prodigies. However, I believe you have a talent in baseball Eijun, and with my backup I could be able to put your name in under a recommendation. And at the same time Nina could be able to tutor personally."

Eijun eyes started to brighten upon mentioning that Nina would personally help in regards to tutoring, as he turn to look at the latter, he immediately noticed that Nina seems to be worried with the idea of Yuuta. "Sister Nina?"

Nina sighed, of course she would be glad if incase that Eijun could be able to form an official battery with his husband, but not everything is all chocolates and cream. She need to let Eijun know that there are certain circumstances in taking that exam. "Eijun, that exam is hard… you need to get at least a score with an average of ninety percent every subject, and if you failed you wont be allowed to play for a whole year, that means if you take the exam this fall, you wont be able to join the fall tournament games, and if you fail then it would most likely, you won't be allowed to play baseball for your whole third year in official games"

Eijun looked down towards his pitching hand. He was now starting to understand how much of a critical decision he is facing right now. If he decide to take the exam and pass, then he could form an official battery with Hero sempai, but if he fail then he could kiss his high school baseball goodbye. "Eijun…" as Eijun heard his name, he saw Yuuta opening his palm, "may I have your phone?" Eijun was unsure what was going on, as he pulled his phone out of his back pocket and handed it to Yuuta easily.

"I will be putting in my personal number here, you can call me anytime once you made your decision, we are not rushing you or anything, this is something for you to personally decide." As Yuuta handed Eijun his phone back, he put his hand on his shoulders and smiled, "Whatevery you decide, this family will be behind you, so you can take your time, and just focus on playing your summer tournament with Seido"

Eijun did not answer and look at the number registered on his phone. He could feel his usual calm and in control emotions are all over the place. He knew he has a new responsibility of being the ace of his Seido team, however he does not want to loose the opportunity of having an official battery with Hero considering he was the one who taught him all about his current fastballs.

"Eijun I think it is best to wait for Yukime to return, before you decide on anything" Nina adviced solemnly, as she can notice the conflict on Eijun face. Eijun did not answered, making Nina nervous. "Why don't we return back to Seido, you only have two days before the opening of your summer tournament, brother Yuuta can you tell Hero I took Eijun back to his dorm instead?" Nina asked as she put her arm around Eijun's shoulder. Yuuta nodded in agreement as he watched both Eijun and Nina walked out of the room.