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.

A/N: WARNING! WARNING! EXTREME WARNING! HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SPOILER AHEAD... If you don't want spoilers then I strongly recommend to just skip this chapter and just check the next chapter. But hey I did put a bit of Tadano performance, but anyways... still SPOILERS! Don't hate me for me this (sad) but I want to at least keep it real... so read in your own risk since you have been warned. SPOILERS! WARNING!

Chapter 21

Team Lineup:

Seido High - Inashiro Jitsugyou

Kuramochi – SS-(1)- Kamiya – CF

Kominato – 2nd B- (2) - Shirakawa – SS

Shirasu – RF - (3) - Tadano – C

Miyuki – C -(4) - Yamaoka – 1st B

Maezon – 1st B - (5)- Narumiya - P

Furuya – P -(6) - Saotome – RF

Toujou – CF -(7) - Yabe – 3rd B

Kanemaru – 3rd B - (8) - Jinguuji – LF

Asou – LF - (9) - Ezaki – 2nd B

It was the top of the first inning and Kuramochi was at bat. It was obvious that he was a troublesome batter that needed to be handled carefully due to having an increase of batting average for the past year. Thus in the first pitch Tadano asked for a curveball, where it pass directly through Kuramochi and the latter did not swing. "Strike!" the umpire yelled as the loud cheers in the stadium could be heard. The next pitch was a outside low fastball, however as Narumiya did his windup and threw the ball, Kuramochi did not miss that the fastball thrown was a bit hight thus he was able to step in hitting the pitch towards the left field and dashing towards first base. Itsuki sighed as he noticed Mei was focusing on the runner in first base Kuramochi and he knew that is not a good sign. When Narumiya focus was back to him again, the first pitch thrown to Kominato was an outside fastball however it misses the mark of the plate thus the umpire called it as a ball. Tadano gave a sign for a cutter where Narumiya smiled and threw the pitch towards the plate, and as Kominato tried to hit the pitch it was grounded towards third base, where the third base throw the pitch easily to first base earning them there first out. The third batter was Shirasu who easily bunted and helped advance Kuramochi to third though he was tag out when Narumiya pass the ball towards first base. The next pitcher was Seido's main cannon Miyuki Kazuya where the whole Jinguu stadium cheers for excitement could be heard as the showdown of Seido's main cannon and Inashiro's ace started. Tadano inhaled deeply as he watched Miyuki step in the batter box, he remembered the evening before the final game that he had a talk with Mei san in terms of his pitches against Miyuki Kazuya, informing him not to use his change up, thus he gave a sign for his cutter. He watched Mei did his windup and threw the ball, he was startled when Miyuki swing his bat and connected to the ball good thing it went back towards Narumiya's direction earning them their third out. As he walked back towards the dugout Mei was complaining about the pitch he asked, though he did praised Miyuki intense focus he noticed the seriousness in Narumiya declaration. "I won't let him touch my stuff again!"

It was the start of the bottom of the 1st inning, and the starting pitcher was no other than Furuya Satoru. The first pitch was a fastball in a speed thrown around 155km, the second and third pitch were all off course, earning a 2 ball 1 strike count against Inashiro's leadoff Kamiya. On the third pitch, Kamiya was able to easily hit the wide fastball thrown by Furuya towards right field making him secure up until second base with his speed. Inashiro's second batter was Shirakawa who made a successful bunt making Carlos secure third base. Now it was the third batter, as Tadano move close to the batter's box, Miyuki feel uneasy for some reason. Miyuki slightly glimpse towards Inashiro's dugout, based on the previous research made by Nabe, Tadano Itsuki usually bat on the sixth position yet in today's game he was move up the batting lineup which made him confused in regards to Inashiro's coach decision. Based on Nabe's information, he is a capable batter, and there is a chance they might play a squeeze here, however I want Furuya to focus on the batter Miyuki though as he looked at Furuya closely.

Sawamura wince the moment he saw Itsuki move towards the batter's box. I don't like this… why did he went up the batting line up… don't tell me Itsuki you… Eijun grew quiet as he closely watched Tadano get ready for the pitch. He remembered Tohru's remarked during the indoor quick catching session they had, "among the both of you, you are in a severely disadvantage position. If you inted to take him on then you would need to apply everything you know not just in Seido but with us as well". Does he intend to use everything he knows in this game as well… he was in deep thought that he did not notice Okumura was looking at him intently. Eijun watched Itsuki closely as Furuya threw his first pitch where Itsuki easily let it go, "Ball!" the umpire called out. Damn it Itsuki you jerk… Eijun though as he unknowingly smiled, making Okumura expression morph into confusion.

It is ok… we will handle this carefully… Miyuki though as he gave the next sign to Furuya and the latter nodded in agreement. The next pitch was a fastball where Miyuki was surprised when Itsuki hit the pitch it was a long hit but it went towards the foul line. "Foul!" the umpire called out. Miyuki wrinkled his forehead, as he watched Tadano return back to his batting stance. When can he hit long… or was that a fluke, Miyuki was confused as the last pitch was hit long towards the foul line and base on Nabe information Tadano Itsuki was not considered a power hitter. He gave another sign for another breaking ball, where it did not hit the mark. "Ball!" the umpire called.

"That jerk…" Eijun muttered softly as he was closely watching the field.

"Sawamura sempai you ok?" Okumura asked curiously, he could not stop himself from being inquisitive in his senior reaction because at the moment Sawamura was more interested in the batter than there pitcher.

"Huh… yeah… I am good, that Furuya is just starting to warm up nothing new about that!" Eijun laughed on the question, though his gaze was not towards Furuya at all but it was with Itsuki.

Miyuki asked for another vertical slider, where Furuya easily pitched it. Though Itsuki was able to hit the pitch, he was obviously jammed where it was easily catched by Tojou. Before Carlos could even try to go for home plate the ball was easily returned to Miyuki.

His pitches are heavier than I thought… Itsuki thought as he returned back towards the dugout. "How was it Tadano? Can you hit it?" Kunimoto asked quietly not to let the other players overhear his question in the dugout. Itsuki smiled as he looked back towards Seido's pitcher. "It is much heavier than I expected, but I can at least make it in the outfield if I get a clean hit" he answered confidently and silently as he was beside the coach. He saw his coach Kunimoto nod in agreement, "Then make use all of Mihashi's teaching, the last thing I would need is hearing him complain about not letting you have a free will to bat as you like". Itsuki smiled on the thought, "yes coach" he answered as he entered the dugout.

"Hey what are you and coach talking about whispering?" Narumiya asked loudly as Tadano went to get his catching gear.

"Huh… what do you mean Mei san… coach was saying I should let you relax more" Tadano answered nonchalantly.

"Meh… don't worry about that… let Riku handle that!" Mei loudly informs.

"I understand Mei san…" Itsuki answered immediately. He has not told anyone about his extra practice session nor the fact that he was also a battery partner for Seido's ace. The only person who knew about everything was there coach Kunimoto who was also quiet about the matter with BJ and Sawamura. There was also a time where his BJ coach was in Inashiro complaining to coach Kunimoto in not letting him be a clean up batter which made him laugh on the thought. He had refrain himself from batting the way he was taught by coach Mihashi since he was worried about the reaction of his team, but this was the finals game and coach Kunimoto did agreed to put him on third bat position thus he want to show that he has also improved in his batting. It was Yamaoka's turn to bat, and he is Inashiro's cleanup, Itsuki watched Miyuki closely as he notice the first pitched asked was a breaking ball where Yamaoka did a swing and miss. The next pitch was a fastball, where Yamaoka did make a hard swing however the ball was grounded straight towards Seido's shortstop Kuramochi thus earning the third out. Itsuki smiled as he stood up heading out towards the field, this is getting exciting… I will show everyone Narumiya Mei is the king of the mound… he thought as he made a quick glimpse at Seido's dugout and did notice Eijun was watching him closely making him grin more behind his mask.

Upon entering of the second inning, Narumiya Mei has started to gear up his pitches making Itsuki's game calling easier. It seems Mei san has already settled in a rhythm, making Itsuki smile as they have taken out the Seido's batter one by one. In the bottom of the second, Narumiya was walked off, and the next batter bunted in order to advance the runner, while the 7th batter was strike out earning a 2 out and a runner in second base. The next batter was again walked with the count of 3 balls 2 strikes making Miyuki look at the Inashiro dug out for a bit although Furuya is pitching well, I cannot shake of this bad feeling he thought. He took a deep sigh and asked for Furuya's fastball making the batter swing and miss. The next pitch was another fastball when it was hit and pop to second base where Kominato easily catches the ball earning them there third out in the inning. Eijun was cheering Furuya upon returning back to the dugout handing him a cup of water "All's well that ends well, for the time being! Now it's time to attack!" he remarked earning a thanks from the other pitcher.

Top of the third and Eijun could notice there was something different from Narumiya Mei the moment he step out of the dugout, you can call it instinct or gut feeling but he knew the moment Inashiro's ace pitcher step on top of the mound he could sense trouble. It was the same feeling he had when they were facing strong opponents with BJ before. As he look at Itsuki, he notice the other seem relax and at the same time crouching confidently making him fist his pitching hand. I don't like this feeling… and as if the foreboding feeling was not enough he watched as Kanemaru, Asou and Kuramochi were strike out. Eijun could feel the excitement in his blood boiling. "I say bring it!" as he laughs out loudly, "The guy that we've trained for a whole year to defeat has to be at least that capable! Makes him an opponent worth bringing down!" and as Eijun said those words his Seido teammates smiled. Eijun watched as Furuya was in full throttle striking out Carlos easily though he had walked Shirakawa on another hand. Next it was Itsuki's turn and Eijun could feel his anticipation, he knew his catcher was up to something and this was the best bet he would make a move, "be careful cap…" he muttered silently though Okumura overheard it making him turn to his senior once again obviously baffled.

Itsuki looked around the field and took into account the position of every fielder. He took a deep breath in as he tap his bat in his baseball hat once and fixing it again. In the outside it would look like a simple gesture however Shirakawa notice the sign Itsuki made as he prepare to go for the score. Itsuki step on the batters box and prepare to swing his bat. I am sorry Eijun… but we will be the one who will go to the finals… blame your team if you cannot get on top of that mound… he thought as he watched Furuya throw a low slider where he did not make a swing. "Ball!" the umpire yelled.

Miyuki could feel something was off the moment Tadano tap his bat on his baseball hat. He had been a catcher for way to long to not recognize it was a sign, as he look at the Inashiro bench he could see coach Kunimoto expression did not change one bit. Is it possible Tadano is making this call himself… what are they planning.. he knew he was overthinking but he does not like it how the momentum was leaning towards Inashiro's favor. The next pitch was Furuya's well famed fastball where it went directly towards the mitt, "Strike!" as the umpire yelled; Miyuki could notice that Tadano did not even flinch.

His fastball's are on fire today, normally he would be holding back but it seems his on full throttle, honestly speaking you are a scary pitcher Furuya, however I am no longer the same as last year. Your pitches could not compare to Mei san, nor to Eijun… Itsuki thought as he watched Furuya do his wind up for the next pitch, compare to pro league pitches, or to Eijun pro pitches… your control is lacking… you are nothing more but a run away train… as he watched Furuya release the ball, he took a deep breath in as he swing his bat directly connecting to the ball making it sail towards right field passing Shirasu's head hitting the wall. Shirakawa did not miss the moment the ball connected to Itsuki's bat thus he made the run for home and Tadano was able to secure second plate. The crowd goes wild as the first to score was none other than Inashiro.

Miyuki was somewhat relieve that Furuya did not self destruct on the mound after the run and hit from Tadano. They were able to at least take out Yamaoka, and Narumiya limiting their lost run to only one. However he could feel the responsibility of the lost run and at the same time that uneasy feeling that was growing when it comes to Inashiro's catcher was not disappearing at all.

"Don't sweat it Furuya… the cap will score those runs back!" Eijun said while laughing out loud making the atmosphere in the dugout lighter despite the lost run.

"Will score next inning Furuya…" Haruichi added as Furuya nodded in agreement.

Miyuki looked at Sawamura smiling on the thought, he was glad that he was in the team, and honestly speaking he was happy he was able to be in the team with the loud second year because if not for Sawamura he was not sure how to handle the atmosphere of the team at the same time to go and exceed the expectation of his junior.

"Ok time to score back those runs!" Eijun yelled as the top of the 4th inning was about to begin.

"Sawamura sempai… I think it is best to warm up now" Okumura commented.

"Huh… ok… sure…" as Eijun walk towards the dugout, he did not throw any ball at all and was still looking towards the field. It was Haruichi's turn to bat and as he watched Narumiya in full glory dominating the mound striking out Kominato in three pitches, he understood why Itsuki kept on saying that Narumiya Mei was a better pitcher. He kept on watching as the third batter Shirasu was on the batting box and was able to hit Narumiya's slider despite him being off balance. Now they have a runner on second base and it was Miyuki Kazuya's turn to bat. Eijun was gripping the ball tight in his hand as he closely watches Itsuki make calls and able to catch Narumiya pitches. The count was 3 balls – 2 strikes, that was when Itsuki made the call for Narumiya's changeup and as he watched it, he noticed that the drop of the pitch was indeed looking like a screw ball but closely resembles to his sinking fastball. As he watched Miyuki try to hit the pitch it totally miss thus striking him out. In that moment loud cheers could be heard in the stadium at the same time the feeling of the momentum turning in favor for Inashiro could be felt. "That is some wicked change up…" Eijun commented as he looked closely at Narumiya who was like a big giant on top of the mound, unshakable and like a proud king.

"Sawamura sempai! We wont loose!" Okumura called out. He was also watching when Miyuki sempai totally miss the changeup thus totally shifting the momentum of the game towards Inashiro's favor.

"Huh… sure thing wolf boy… I mean young Okumura!" Eijun answered nonchalantly. Honestly speaking he was not worried, with Itsuki's game calling and Narumiya's pitching it seems like scoring was going to be hard but it was not impossible. Eijun wrinkled as he put his mitt on his chest, it is weird… I don't feel nervous or worried that we would loose… is it because I can go full out today… huh… strange… Eijun smiled on the thought and watched Itsuki and Narumiya striked out Zono sempai thus ending there turn on offense on the fourth inning.

"Sawamura sempai!" Yui called out as he was jogging towards the bullpen.

"Yo! Young Yui wassup!" Eijun easily answered making Okumura and Yui confused as they can clearly see that Sawamura does not seem to be worried about the outcome of there offense, nor the fact that the team is having a hard time scoring points off Inashiro's ace.

"Ahm… the coach said you should prepare…" Yui said slowly.

"Huh… owh… ok…" Eijun answered seriously though he was looking at Furuya closely. Last year Furuya was also pulled out on the 4th inning, was he going to be pull out again this year. Eijun grip the baseball that was still on his hand, honestly speaking he does not hate Furuya since he was someone he wanted to beat, and seeing him getting pulled out in this situation was not sitting well with him, not one bit.