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 28
"Sawamura… is your pitching hand really ok?" Miyuki asked again the moment they got back inside the dugout.
"Ehhhh… yes... cap you really are starting to nag…." Eijun complained as he raised both his hands. "See they are perfectly fine… though my course is not yet there… I am in a superb condition… Hahahahaha"
"Yeah… Miyuki…. Did you not see… Sawamura just particularly got three strikes out the moment he step on the mound" Maezono added.
"Hmmmm…" Miyuki answered, though he was observing Sawamura as their ace move towards the back of the dugout most likely to get some cold water. At the same time Coach Kataoka called out the attention of the next batters, Miyuki cannot seem to remove a feeling of doubt that Sawamura was hiding something and it was making him feel uncomfortable. Damn it… after this final game… I am so going to make him confess… he promised himself as he focus back towards their head coach instructions.
Eijun on another hand had casually walked at back of the dugout to get some drink while there coach is giving instructions with to their bottom batters. It would be hard for them to pitch against a full force Narumiya… Eijun thought gravely as he looked out towards the field, and at the same time he noticed that Narumiya was looking at him bitterly. If looks could kill, he would definitely be inside the grave by now. Crap… I think I made the great king mad… as he tries to look away.
"Eijun… is Narumiya mad at you or something?" Haruichi innocently asked as he moved beside his friend who obviously became tense the moment he saw Narumiya watching him.
"Hahahaha… I guess…" Eijun answered casually as he threw the empty cup on the trash beside the dugout bench. "I probably made him mad with the homerun… hahahaha"
"I think it is more than just the homerun…" Kuramochi added as he overheard Haruichi and Eijun talk. "I think he is out for your blood Sawamura"
"Ehhhhh… common sempai don't joke like that!" Eijun complained at the same time both he and Haruichi move towards the railings of the dugout. However, as if to prove Kuramochi's point Narumiya fully controlled the mound where Eijun watched Tojou get taken out with only two pitches, an inside pitch and a grounded ball where the latter had failed to secure first base. Eijun watched closely as it was Kanemaru's turn to bat, there he could clearly see Itsuki asking another inside pitch, but this time it was a curveball, where Narumiya delivered it with complete accuracy. Damn it… this is going to be difficult, he level up his game calling. Is he not scared of getting a long hit with those pitches… Eijun thought as he watched Tadano make aggressive calls, based on the characteristic of his catcher, Itsuki rarely asked for such aggressive plays unless he was confident that there batters would be able to take those run back, and that is only when they were playing with BJ. I guess he trust his team this much huh… making me jealous… Eijun grin as he heard another strike out call for Kanemaru.
"It seems that this would be another strike out for Narumiya san huh…" Haruichi commented as he notice Sawamura's observing gaze towards the field.
"I guess, that guy is amazing after all" At the same time Eijun slightly made a quick look towards Haruichi that was standing just beside him, "ahmmm… Haruichi… later on the bottom of the inning, can you do a bit of a favor for me…" Eijun asked softly lowering his tone making it more of a whisper making Kominato wrinkled his forehead and turn to look at Eijun seriously.
"Huh… what is going on Eijun?" Kominato asked seriously, this was rare… he knew Eijun as a person who tend to be loud and voice out his opinions. But now seeing his friend all serious and whispering was kind of weird.
"In our defense later… we would be going up against Inashiro's top batters. Ahm… by any chance that Inashiro's 1st batter get on base, could you move a bit closer behind my back so we can prevent a steal." Eijun gaze back towards Kominato seriously as he made the remark.
"Ehhh… then wouldn't it better for it to be Kuramochi sempai to be close at your back? And why are you whispering, isn't this better be talked by the whole team?" Kominato asked confused.
"Yeah I guess..." as Eijun return his gaze back towards the field, at the same time they both heard the call of the umpire for the strike out of Kanemaru and making it Asou turn to bat. "The moment Kuramochi sempai made a sudden change in position on the field, the other team would definitely notice it. Plus right now, I am not that confident to inform the whole team of my plan, they would definitely say I am insane or stupid for that matter. You see Haruichi…" Eijun turn to look at Kominato again with a bright smile this time "I trust you to have my back all the time… thus if I ever made a clutch play or sudden changes I know you would be able to support me… but of course that is only if Kamiya san would be reaching the first base and try to go for a steal. Because honestly as of right now… I don't want any batter's behind my back to see my pitches."
Kominato was dumbfounded, as he was looking at Eijun bright smile, it was the same old smile he was used too but the person who was talking to him right now and asking for a favor feels so different. It is not just with the idea at all, but the confidence of Eijun was different that it makes him want to support him whatever plan he has despite no approval from there coaches. He smiled nodding to Eijun request, at the same time he have a feeling Sawamura has a reason why he does not want any batter on second base just behind the pitcher back. "Ok… I will make sure to not let Kamiya san reach any base."
Eijun bright smile became wider as he turn his gaze back towards the field. He saw as Itsuki asked for a change up from Narumiya making Asou make a swing and miss. The next pitch was an inside fastball where Asou still made a miss and last an outside cutter sealed the deal totally cutting Seido's offense with 2 strike out and an out with a ground ball. "Thank you Haruichi… hehehehe. That guy is totally geared up now… hehehehe… this is so exciting!" Eijun grin as he put on his mitt and move up the dugout.
"You seem ready to go huh Sawamura?" Asou complained as he was just returning back from the field.
"Hehehehe… sure thing Asou sempai! Just three more innings! We can do this!" He cheered loudly making Asou smile. Even though they failed to get any runs from Narumiya for there offense, for some reason Sawamura does not seem to be affected at all. As a batter, it was there job to help there pitcher relieve some pressure on the game, yet it is quite noticeable that Sawamura does not seem pressure on the game at all.
"Huh! Yeah… time for defense… I have left field covered!" Asou responded as if forgetting the failed bat attempt from Narumiya.
"Hahahahaha…. Let us go Seido!" Eijun yelled out as he jog towards the mound.
"Hey Miyuki… don't you think Sawamura seems more excited than usual?" Kuramochi asked seriously as they were stepping out of the dugout. Sawamura was already out and jogging towards the mound.
"I guess…" Miyuki answered curtly, though he did notice Sawamura was indeed excited and confident for some reason. Normally in the 7th inning with a tied game, both teams should already feel the pressure of the time constraints. But for Sawamura, it was different; it is like they were still in the 1st innings, and they do not have a tied game at the same time Sawamura was able to pull the team also making the other players not feel the pressure of a stalled game.
"There is just something off about him since the 4th inning. I just cannot put my finger on it… but defending behind him is relaxing… Ughh… I just cannot explain it damn it!" Kuramochi added as they slowly walked back towards the field.
"I know what you mean… Sawamura's pitches feel different but it has his spirit in them… I just cannot explain it either" making both Kuramochi and Miyuki sigh at the same time.
"Hey! What are you both sighing deeply there… it is time for our defense! Let us go! Maezono happily chimed in between them, making Kuramochi and Miyuki sigh deeper.
"I guess the only thing we can do is ask him after the game right…" Kuramochi informs as Miyuki nod in agreement.
"Huh… ask who after the game?" Maezono asked completely clueless who they were talking about.
Miyuki did not answer but instead jog towards the catcher position. Right now there is no better place to be than in that position. Honestly it was quite stressful and exhilarating at the same time. As he put on his catcher's mask, he could clearly see Sawamura bright golden eyes fixed towards him, making his blood boil with anticipation. This is it… this kind of thrill… Sawamura we are back against the top batters of Inashiro… let us show everyone what you are capable of… he smiled happily as he know all of Sawamura focus was already on him.
Eijun grinned the moment he noticed Miyuki's serious gaze towards him as if informing him they are against the best among the best batters in West Tokyo. I say let us go captain… as he position his pitching hand behind his back, in a bow down position waiting for Inashiro's first batter to step in. He could clearly see the moment Kamiya, Inashiro's first batter step in the field at the same time the crowd was going wild.
"I wonder how your pitcher would handle this guy… he has fast legs you know…" Takahashi informs making Daiki feel irritated in the remark. Honestly he had tried very hard to tune out the side comments of the White Knights players during the whole game, but he was already reaching his limit. There are some comments that he could not help but comment back which was so weird since he was just sitting there and he is not friends with them nor his teammates. If Miro finds him there he would be dead, or if Maki, Asano and Towa finds out he was with Sagara's group he would not hear the end of there teasing. He took a deep sigh as he kept his mouth shut and look out towards the mound. This was Sawamura's second time out on the mound. Based from his observation, his pitch course was still off, however he was already utilizing his perfected pitching form thus Inashiro's batter are having a hard time timing his pitch.
"I think Inashiro's 1st batter would get on a base…" Sagara remark making Daiki glare at the person beside him though he still did not make any comment at the same time Sagara completely ignored his glare too.
"Owhhh… why you think so Sano?" Higashi asked curiously.
"Well… Sawamura's pitch course is still off, that means his rhythm is not yet there…" Sagara casually answered making Daiki totally snap his cool.
"Don't be so sure of that Sagara… our pitcher is a jack of all trades… he has a lot of tricks…" Daiki commented bitterly earning a big laugh from Sagara.
"Owhhh and his alive again!" Takashi cheered laughing lightly as well. "You know man… you won't die in actually telling us what you think about the game" he added earning a bitter glare from Daiki again.
"Huh… and you get information about our ace… forget it…" Daiki answered briefly looking back towards the mound.
"Well, this is his second time on the mound… I want to see more of his pitches…" Kohata casually remark earning a bit of a growl from Daiki thus making him smile. Kohata move his gaze towards Sawamura, he was amazed with the pitcher's attitude. Despite having a tied score and there team failing to get any run from the previous offense, Seido's ace does not seem to be pressured. Instead he seems to be more excited for some reason. I like his positive vibe… I really am interested in what you can do… Kohata watched closely as the bottom of the 7th inning is about to begin and Seido is on offense.
It was the bottom of the 7th inning and Kamiya was at bat. The moment he step on the batter's box Miyuki notice the wide stance and the choking of the bat. Are they targeting his fastballs or his breaking ball… I need to see what pitch would make them react… he thought as he slowly put his mitt on the lower outside of the plate, asking for his number 4 just barely in the outside corner of the plate. He watched as Eijun nod in agreement, did his windup and threw the ball directly towards the mitt. Miyuki notice that Carlos did flinch for a bit but did not swing the bat thus the ball landed directly on his mitt. "Ball!" the umpire called, making Miyuki wrinkles his forehead. I did not think he intentionally let that one pass, though Sawamura's pitch course is still off…if he is studying Sawamura's timing this would not be good as he stood up and threw the ball back towards Sawamura. "Nice pitch Sawamura!" he remarked loudly making Eijun nod in agreement. For the next pitch he positioned his mitt in the dead center of the plate, and asked for his pure spin fastball, where Eijun nod in agreement. Miyuki watched closely as Eijun did his windup and threw the ball directly towards the middle of the plate, this time Carlos did make a swing however since Sawamura's pitch course was a bit off, the ball sailed a bit high compared to the middle of the plate thus totally missing the bat and landing on Miyuki's mitt. "Strike!" the umpire yelled. Miyuki took in a deep breath in as he threw the ball back to Eijun. Well that was interesting… if Sawamura's pitch course was not off that would have been hit, so I guess they are targeting his fastballs, if that is the case… then let us go with this… as Miyuki gave the sign for his cutter.
Eijun flinch the moment he saw the number 7 sign. This was the first time that Miyuki sempai had asked for his cutter in the game. He nod in agreement, took a deep breath as he did his windup and threw his improved cutter towards the plate. As the ball sailed towards the plate, it made a sudden break to the right however Carlos was able to reach the pitch and hit the ball when he shifted his bat hold. Even though it was not a strong hit, it was enough for him to make a hit and dash securing first base as Kanemaru failed to pass the ball to first base fast enough to tag the runner out.
How the hell… damn it… he grab the tip hold of the bat to make a bunt hit on our cutter… Miyuki thought annoyingly as he watched Carlos smiled and secured first base. Miyuki was getting agitated however he heard his name being called by none other than Sawamura who was smiling raising his pointing finger upward.
"Miyuki sempai!" Eijun called out his captain as he noticed his annoyed look. He had notice ever since the failed bat of Narumiya's changeup in the 4th inning, Miyuki's sempai demeanor and patience were short. Thus he decided to just help him cool down a bit as he gave his most annoying smile, "Let us focus on the batter!"
Miyuki felt like he was suddenly splashed with cold water in a hot summer day. Normally he would be the one calling out his pitcher and making them calm, but he guessed that he was also feeling tensed, annoyed and agitated and just refusing to recognize it. He smiled behind his catcher mask as he nod in response to Sawamura's remark and crouched back down. He took a deep breath in and out as he watched Katsuyuki step in the batter box. Thank you Sawamura… you have no idea how I needed that... Miyuki thought wholeheartedly as he gaze back towards Eijun all serious now focus in making sure to take out the following Inashiro's batter.