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 20

July 28, the day of the final highschool baseball summer tournament will begin around 1 pm in the afternoon. Though it was still quite early, the stadium was starting to get packed including the outfield bleachers in order to watch the finals game between the well famed West Tokyo power house schools. Last years summer champions and a runner up for the Koshien finals Inajitsu Jitsugyou with the ace pitcher Narumiya Mei versus Seidou High fall tournament champion and top eight in the Fall Koshien. This is a rematch for last years summer finals.

"What are you guys doing here?" Daiki was annoyed seeing a very familiar face very close to the field seats.

Sagara looked up from his baseball cap smiling nonchalantly recognizing the annoyed tone from the new comer. "Yo! Daiki… fancy seeing you here!" he greeted happily.

"Ugh… don't give me that million dollar smile of yours, im asking again what the hell are you people doing here?" Daiki asked seeing that the ace batter of the well famed White knights was watching a highschool final game.

"Owh… common be nice man… seat here…." Sagara motioned to sit beside him as if they were actually close friends, making Daiki wrinkle his forehead. He looked around as if trying to look for another sit that was still close to the field.

"The stadium is well packed, I prefer you stay with us if you want to watch that ace pitcher of yours…" Kohata remarked as he looked at Daiki slightly from his sit then move his field of vision back to the field, as the players were already starting to assemble in the field doing their fielding practice.

Daiki was seriously irritated at the moment, but what add to the displeasure was the fact that the regular players of the NPB last season champions Saitama White Knights were all present watching the game. "Don't you guys have like a game or two to go attend too… don't you have scouts or something for this kind of stuff…" Daiki mockingly asked as he had no choice but to sit close to Sagara.

"You know Daiki, unlike BJ we have strong relieve players so we regulars can skip a game or two, how about you? Does your coach know you are here instead of a game?" Sagara asked cheerfully, making Daiki frown more, "none of your business…" he answered rudely.

"Daiki we appraise your team in actually protecting that ace pitcher's of yours… we barely even know anything about the kid, it was surprising, yet your team just made one small mistake…" Kohata said ignoring Daiki's attitude with their ace batter.

"Owhhh really… and what could that be huh top one NPB catcher Kohata Kyoya" Daiki said as sarcastic as he could making Sagara laughed for a bit.

"You failed to cover the catcher on our second promotional game, we were surprised to find out those two go to different schools too" Kohata answered still ignoring Daiki's sarcastic tone as he was also looking out towards the field, watching the fielding practing of Inashiro.

"Hmp…" Daiki no longer responded as he looked out towards the field. It was true, in the last practice game they had with WK, BJ totally forgot about Tadano Itsuki's cover since they were only focus towards Eijun, thus it made sense that the opposing team would figure out who Sawamura was through Tadano making him sighed deeply as he realized the late mistake they made.

"Honestly I look forward to what kind of pitches that kid would do against Narumiya Mei, his a draft candidate you know…" Takahashi commented, he was seated behind Daiki making the latter look back.

"Yeah we know… what you guys planning to get that Narumiya kid?" Daiki asked seriously.

"Nah… I am still with the team so I doubt we can utilize that kid in full force, however that ace pitcher of Seido is another matter, the kid is pro trained already, it would be wicked and a relief to have someone like him battle ready in the dugout. Honestly speaking I would be relieved having him in my back, a hidden ace." Takahashi answered snickering. Daiki scowl as he moved back his attention towards the field as it was Seido's turn for fielding practice. Takahashi Taiga was WK ace pitcher, though the pitcher was pretty much a no show for the last two promotional game, he is still one of the best pitchers in the pro-league,and Daiki feel sort of uncomfortable over the fact that such person is closely watching Sawamura's pitching. At the same time he feel annoyed over the fact that Sawamura would be seen as another strong relieve pitcher because for him, he is an ace pitcher not just a shadow behind Ace pitcher. "You can kiss that wish goodbye Takahashi, as long as I am playing pro, I will not let that kid be a relieve pitcher again." Daiki answered sternly and with determination, making Takahasi grin and the other players frown surprisingly. They are all surprised seeing a new side of the well famed temper problem BJ captain.

"Hey… Daiki how do you think your ace pitcher would do? With his battery partner I mean?" Sagara asked curiously getting Daiki's attention. It was already a given that a catcher in a battery would already have first hand experience in terms of a pitchers repertoire of pitches, and if both people tend to be in opposite team in a game, it would be quite detrimental for the pitcher.

"He will be fine… Sawamura is not the same old kid you guys know…" Daiki confidently answered, not noticing a group of eyes moving towards his direction.

"You sort of change Daiki…" Sagara commented making the other WK players nod in agreement.

"Huh… what the hell does that even mean?" Daiki asked obviously ignoring the observing gaze that was now focus towards him as he only look out towards Sawamura being loud as usual in the sidelines.

"I noticed this too, ever since that kid started showing up with your games, you acted like a real captain. I mean you started being responsible and at the same time supported your juniors." Sagara added, earning a light tap on his soldier on his side as if warning him to be careful with his words towards the BJ captain.

Daiki turn to look at Sagara as if confirming it was him saying things straight to his face, then focused back towards the field watching Sawamura laughing and cheering for Furuya in the bullpen. "I guess… that kid kind of pulled out something in me I thought I totally forgot about a long time ago. The kid has a special charm in him that a lot of people don't really notice. That is why I wanted to stay behind him, watch him pitch and be his support."

Kohata was looking closely at Daiki while listening to his words making him look at the BJ's pitcher, who was most likely Seido's current ace pitcher Sawamura Eijun. He was curious with the pitcher ever since he found about him from Higashi in the first promotional game, honestly speaking he wanted to go to that game but there coach refused since he was a regular. He also was intrigue over the fact that BJ current young ace candidate was not the first ace pitcher Seido, it is more like the kid was kept hidden in a while, or most probably not noticed at all due to Furuya, Satoru. As Kohata focus on the field and look at Sawamura closely he cannot remove that feeling of anticipation and eagerness to actually meet the kid, "You know Daiki, honestly speaking I think that kid do not match your team. No offense… you guys have a strong team, but that kid has unique pitches, and Tohru cannot really bring out his full potential" he said unable to stop himself.

Everyone including Sagara turn to look at Kohata surprised while others looked horrified upon his remark. Their catcher just kind of made a bad remark towards the catcher of BJ where in which the captain of the said team was sitting beside them who was well famed for having a bad temper. "Oi Kyoya… watch it!" Higashi reprimanded, as he was sitting beside Sagara. "Sorry about that Daiki… ignore him… he tends to have a bad mouth sometimes" he added as he looked towards Daiki.

Daiki turn to look at Kohata for a moment and then nodding at Higashi's apology. Though honestly speaking, he does not feel offended in Kohata's remark because deep down in his gut he feel like that Sawamura has more on what he can actually do when he is on top of that mound. As he looked out the field observing Sawamura who was now huddling up in the corner with his team as if having a meeting. "I am not sure what you mean by 'Tohru is unable to utilize Sawamura' I am not a catcher, and I barely know stuff about game calling and pitches, but based on our Hawks games, he and Sawamura are in sync and a good battery." he answered calmly earning a more surprised look from the people surrounding him.

"Oh my god… where is Daiki Koji? What did you do to him? What the hell is that kid, is he a magician or something?" Sagara continuously remarked earning a glare from his other teammates.

"Shut it Sagara, I am just saying what I think…" Daiki ignored him as he tries to listen to Seido's huddle obviously having a pep talk.

Kohata smiled seeing Daiki's solemn and mature attitude towards them, as he also look out towards Seido's direction. "Based on your Hawks games, Tohru utilized at least 85% percent of fastball game calling, but that kid pitcher of yours has wicked breaking balls too. And with the way his breaking ball works based on his quarter finals game, the dependency on fastball can go as low as 30%, hell you can even go a single inning or two with no fastball thrown at all. Tohru cannot bring that in full use due to his injury. The fact that you guys have a hole in your defense in terms of base stealing is still present, but with that kid base stealing has become difficult due to his high percentage of grounding pitches, but it does not really show the full hundred percent of the pitcher's potential."

Daiki smiled watching Seido raise their hands as if declaring they were out for blood in the field. "I never knew you were the analytic type Kohata… I guessed you studied and watch our pitcher games" he commented as he watched Sawamura move inside the dugout and the announcer introducing the starting players in the field for Inashiro, the game was about to begin now.

"I am not that analytic type, a lot of pitcher's bore me to death… however I am curious to see what kind of pitcher he is. His presence on the mound on the practice game was intriguing making me want to have a try on putting a mask on and sitting infront of him. On another thought, have you ever thought on moving to a different team Daiki?" Kohata asked making Daiki turn towards his direction obviously confused with the question and the other players looking baffled with the question of there main catcher with the BJ captain.

"Are you headhunting me Kohata?" Daiki asked mockingly making the other players uncomfortable on the direction of the conversation yet Sagara was more intrigue and happy with the idea.

Kohata smiled seeing Daiki's confused reaction, normally the BJ captain would be offended and start to create a scene, plus in the question he never mentioned Miro who he knew the BJ captain is a close friend and tag along partner, but the current BJ captain was acting mature and civil for a change. "If that kid join a different team, would you consider joining him if a offer was also made for you? But take note that Miro Kiseki is not included" he asked.

Daiki scoff as he looked back towards Seido's dugout. He thought of Sawamura the first time they met in the first promotional game, and at the same time the realization that Miro would not always be by his side anymore made him have a clear way of thinking. "Yeah… I will" he answered sharply gaining more shocked reaction around him.

Kohata's smile grew wider and Sagara turn to look at him also smiling brightly. "I'll keep that in mind Daiki." He answered briefly.

"Dang it… I cannot wait for the National Japan team to be formed… this will be so much fun!" Sagara commented eagerly.

Daiki ignored and tried to tune out the WK players surrounding him as they make comments on each player on the field, as he watched Sawamura in the dugout being loud as usual obviously cheering for the starting batter. It was the start of the game, and Inashiro would be defending first. As he looked out towards the field, he noticed Tadano was looking up the bleachers, obviously on his direction looking confused, as they made eye contact he noticed the bewildered expression on his face making him grin widely. He noticed Tadano commented something as if asking him what he was doing, though he was not sure what he means by that question, if he ment him being present on the game or being with a very awkward crowd considering he was sitting with Sagara WK ace batter which also includes WK regular players, making him smile broader and he made a sign to focus on the game. He watched as Tadano wrinkled his forehead as if not satisfied with his answer, thought the latter did put on his catcher's mask as he looked back to the mound and crouched back on his catching position.

On the other side of the stadium a bit far from the fields, but not that far enough that the players could not not be seen. " Has anyone seen the captain?" Maki asked curiously among his teammates.

"I thought Miro went to check on him? his not answering my calls" Towa answered still looking out the field as the game was about to begin.

Miro turn to look at his teammates then turn to check on his phone again. He did called Daiki a few times, and even drop by his apartment before going to Sawamura's finals game but Daiki was not home and has not answered his calls. "I bet he is here somewhere, he would not miss Sawamura's final game" he answered instead, not letting the other notice his annoyance that his friend has refuse to even message him back.

Tohru smiled on the thought that Daiki would miss Sawamura's final game. Honestly speaking, all of the BJ regulars were there now watching his final game with Tadano, and he is sure his coach is somewhere out the stadium too. It was a good thing there game was postponed for the next day too.

"Hey Tohru... who you cheering this time? Sawamura or Tadano?" Asano asked curiously.

"None... both of them are strong players" Tohru answered curtly earning doubtful stares from the other players.

"Liar..." Maki accused earning nods from the other players.

"I am with Sawamura on this..." Towa commented, making the other players make on bets on who would win between the two young BJ future players.

Tohru on another hand just smiled and refused to make any bet between the two players. Honestly speaking he was leaning towards Eijun however he kind of feel bad for Tadano since he also thought the other player. As he closely look at Tadano on the field he noticed he was looking up towards the audience which made him wrinkle his forehead. He was a bit far from the field thus he could not clearly see who he was looking at though he noticed Tadano seem confused but returned back to his catching position in the field. He was a bit curious what he was looking at, thus decided to ask Tadano after the game instead.

The game was about to begin, and Itsuki was stretching for a bit in the catcher position after catching for Mei san for there warm up, when he noticed a quite familiar face on top of the bleachers near the field. When he looked up, his guess was satisfied when he did noticed Black Jaguars captain Daiki Koji was indeed present but what baffled him was that he was sitting beside Sagara Sano, the monster hitter of White Knights plus the whole regular team of that team. He wanted to asked what he was doing, but instead just got a sign to focus on the current game. What the hell is the captain doing here, and why is he with White Knights, I did not notice any other BJ players, nor Tohru sempai… what is going on… he thought as he sighed upon crouching down to his catching position, and watched as Kuramochi, Seido's first batter step in the batter box. He looked slightly towards Seido's dugout looking towards Eijun who was pretty much being loud as usual. I am guessing he did not notice the captain at all…that is because he is Eijun after all… making him smile on the thought. He again inhale and exhale for a bit as he looked towards the mound and saw Narumiya Mei who was now obviously looking as a king waiting for the game to begin. As he watched Kuramochi swing his bat a few times, and then settled to a batting position, he smile inwardly. The game is about to begin now… he thought excitedly.