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: Hello everyone, I just wanted to say moving forward from this chapter Inashiro's coach name is actually Coach Kunitomo Hiroshige, and I have made a mistake and used Kunimoto instead . Their were a few chapters before posted that I wanted to backtracked, but I was not sure which one it is. So for that... I sadly apologize. I swear it was an honest mistake, and I would be using Inashiro's right name moving forward. Thank you! and stay safe everyone!

Chapter 35

It was the bottom of the 8th inning, and Itsuki eyes were on the mound, watching Eijun and Seido's catcher, Miyuki Kazuya. Eijun and Miyuki were closely talking at the same time he could notice that Eijun was grinning widely, as if they were making jokes before the bottom inning starts, it kind of made him perplexed resulting to fisting his free hand. I won't let it end without showing what I can actually do… you were the one who showed me not to just back down… making Itsuki smile the moment he remembered the first time that Sawamura had grab him in front of the Tokyo Dome entrance. Itsuki took a deep breath in as if settling his determination, then he turn towards the dugout entrance, and notice that it was Mei's turn to bat who seems to be quite pump up for it as well, at the same time coach Kunitomo was giving the next batters some instructions, informing to target Sawamura's fastballs. "Saotome san…" Itsuki called out their 6th batter, as Mei walked out towards the batter's box.

"Don't worry Itsuki… we can get those runs back…" Saotome answered confidently making Carlos and a few Inashiro players smile on the remark.

"We know you guys can do it!" Kento commented smiling widely as he had help ease the mood in the dugout after the 2 lost run.

"Ahm… That was not it…" Itsuki commented seriously as he turn to look out towards the mound and watched Eijun do his windup at the same time throwing his first pitch towards Mei, where the latter made a swing and miss. "Strike!" the umpired yelled, making Itsuki return his gaze back towards Saotome with more resolve in his eyes, which had surprised his team mates.

"Itsuki?" Kento, Inashiro's captain was a bit taken back seeing Itsuki's demeanor however what surprised him was their catcher's firm look.

"When it is your turn to bat, I would be guessing Seido's ace would try to pitch his slow fastball, most likely on the second or third pitch. So for the first pitch I want you to swing in the lower end of the plate." Itsuki inform seriously.

Coach Kunitomo turn to look at Itsuki, however he did not comment but just nod once as if agreeing to Itsuki's information.

"Huh… swing in the lower part of the plate? Why? I thought we would be targeting Seido's fastballs?" Yabe asked confused since a while back, before Narumiya went out, they were given instruction to focus on the fastballs. "Is he going to throw a low fastball or something?"

"No… it is actually to force him to throw his slow fastball." Itsuki look back towards the field as he heard the second 'strike' call by the umpire. "You see… since the moment that Sawamura was put in on the 6th inning, the slow fastball that he often throws usually land in the lower end portion of the plate. Now that his control is back, it could indicate that he can effectively utilize the four corners of the plate with his slow fastball. Thus we could take advantage of his slower fastballs by forcing him to throw it in the upper corner of the plate."

"You seem sure that Sawamura would throw his 131mph fastball huh…" Shirakawa commented looking at Itsuki seriously.

"He has been throwing it since the 6th inning, most like to reserve his strength, so there is no harm in actually trying to target it. As long as he has not figure out about that we knew about that slower fastball then it is most likely he would keep throwing it" Itsuki answered as he turn to look at Shirakawa firmly. "Just do remember… when you notice a slower fastball pitch, loosen your grip on the handle…"

"Huh… why? I don't get it…" Ezaki, Inashiro's 9th batter look bewildered as he listens to Itsuki's instructions at the same time turning to look at their Coach who seems to be thinking deeply and was looking out towards the field.

"Sawamura has superb ball control, at the same time since he can control the strength of the fastball his throwing, it could be assume that the ball rotation has some effects on how his fastball keeps on being on a 131mph speed. Having to grip the bat handle loosely would help in targeting the right angle in order for the bat to hit the ball correctly to have a wider range drop." Coach Kunitomo explained not looking at his players but still focusing at Seido's centerline.

"Ohhhhh" As unanimous sound of acknowledgement echoed within Inashiro's dugout. "Wait… how do you know about this Itsuki sempai?" Akamatsu asked curiously as he turned to look at his senior, who then became quite stiff with his sudden inquiry, making him raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah… how did you know about this Itsuki? You were also the one that inform me about Seido's slower fastball earlier too…" Shirakawa inquired at the same time the other players all turn to look at Itsuki expectantly, making Itsuki avoid their observing gaze.

"Ahmmm… well you see…" Itsuki tries to look for a passable reason, I cannot actually tell them because I knew Eijun's pitching habits… making him a bit nervous as he still avoid their observing gaze.

"This is not the time for such questions, Saotome get ready, and it's your turn to bat." Coach Kunitomo ordered making the others focus turn back towards the field and noticed Mei's annoyed look. It was 1 ball and 2 strikes count, and most likely Narumiya would be strike out soon as Seido's ace threw his splitter making it a swing and miss for Narumiya. "Strike! Batter out!"

"I guess we need to go with Itsuki's plan…Go for it Shinichirou…" Carlos remarked making Saotome nod in agreement as Narumiya return to the dugout obviously frustrated.

"That damn Kazuya… He keeps on asking low balls…" Mei complained as he begrudgingly move to return his bat.

"It is ok Mei san… we will score in the next runs…" Itsuki answered confidently as he move towards the dugout railing making sure he has complete view of the field.

Miyuki watched closely as Inashiro's 6th batter, Saotome step up on the batter's box. Hmmm… I wonder what is Inashiro's plan, Mei was obviously targeting Sawamura's fastball. Is that their plan… as he did a quick look towards Inashiro's dugout, and notice that it seems their players are all excited about something. It is alright… we have momentum…and Sawamura is in good condition. He looked at Sawamura and noticed the serious golden eyes looking at him closely making him grin. He gave his number 9 sign as he position his mitt in the inner low portion of the plate. Let us do this Sawamura…

Sawamura saw the number 9 sign from Miyuki, making him nod once as a sign for agreement. He drop the resin bag he was holding in his pitching hand as he grip the ball in his hand at the same time fixing his grip. He took a deep breath in as he did his pitching windup and threw the improved splitter directly towards Miyuki's mitt, however he noticed that the Inashiro's batter took a step back as he swing his bat in the lower portion of the plate hitting the splitter solidly. Though due to the difficult angle, the ball sailed towards the foul line. "Foul!" as the umpire yelled, Eijun felt a sudden bad omen creeping right at him.

"Wow… the batter hit that far!"

"That should have sailed towards the field!"

Miyuki could hear the spectators loud comments at the same time, his catcher instincts is telling him that something is about to happen. So I guess not everyone is really targeting our fastballs huh… Miyuki thought as the Inashiro's batter hit a very difficult breaking ball. Miyuki looked out towards the mound, and he noticed Sawamura's concentration seems to have doubled. It is fine… we have a two run lead… plus we are in the end innings, we just need to be careful. As Miyuki made a sign for the number 4 and positioned his mitt for a inhigh, just in the border of the plate close to the pitcher's chest. I know you can put a pitch here Sawamura… Miyuki thought as if challenging their Seido ace.

Eijun saw Miyuki gave the sign for his 4 seamer at the same time targeting the in high corner of the plate. He grinned as he nod once in agreement to his catchers sign. It seems you are still being aggressive as usual cap… Eijun thought as he did his windup and threw his 4seamer directly towards Miyuki's mitt making a loud sound upon hitting it with no space to spare. "Strike!" the umpire yelled making the cheers in the stadium grow louder.

Direct on the dot… this is giving me Goosebumps… Miyuki grinned as he threw the ball towards Sawamura. Inashiro's batter was unable to swing, and Miyuki hearing an annoyed side remark too, making his grin grew wider. As he return back to his catching position and asking for another fastball, but this time on the outhigh portion of the plate.

Damn it… with those tight corner pitches… it is just barely on the plate too… This guy really has good ball control. As Saotome was getting annoyed, he turn his eyes towards their dugout and notice Itsuki nodding once, as if telling him he needs to get ready for the fastball. I really hope you are right about this Itsuki… Saotome thought gravely as he slowly loosen his grip on the baseball bat.

Eijun was getting a bit nervous, and right now he does not know why. It is as if something was off but he cannot seems to pinpoint what it was. They already have one out, just two out more and they would be entering the end of the game. As he watched Miyuki give a sign for his moving fastball in the out high portion of the plate, he nod in agreement. Eijun took a deep breath as he fixed his grip on the ball, at the same time he did his windup and threw his three spin fastball directly towards Miyuki's mitt. As the ball sailed towards the stretch, Eijun noticed the batter stepping in, being able to reach the ball and hitting it out towards the right field. Huh… why?... Eijun was bewildered as he watched the ball sailed out landing a bit far from right field.

"It is a hit!" As the announcer yelled, Saotome dashed to second base, but as he was going to try to take third base, Inashiro's based coach yelled stop as the ball from right field was thrown directly towards Kanemaru blocking the third base run. The cheers in the stadium was in an uproar as Inashiro has now a player in a scoring position.

Miyuki was shocked as he was not expecting the fastball would go out right field, and not that far as well. Normally, with Sawamura's moving fastball it would have been grounded but instead it sailed out field. He turn to look at Sawamura as this was his first long hit for the day. "Sawamura!" Miyuki called out as he watched as Sawamura gaze move towards him. He gave a one out sign, as if trying to make his pitcher relaxed. He saw Sawamura nodding once as if agreeing and picking up the white resin bag on the mound as if obviously trying to compose himself. Miyuki sigh, as he crouched back down, and notice Inashiro's 7th batter stepping in all serious. He could sense the pressure from the batter and he knew from experience that his pitcher is most likely sensing it as well.

The tension has become thick the moment Inashiro's 7th batter had step in. "Let's do this..." Kuramochi commented grinning as he bend a bit getting ready for any ball that would go through in defense. Maezono, Kuminato and Kanemaru could also sense the strain pressure in the field as they all look seriously towards the batter. We have your back Eijun… you don't need to carry this game alone… Kominato thought as he position himself near Eijun's blind spot.

Eijun could sense an edgy atmosphere from his teammates at the same time as he turn to look at the batter, it is as if there was a stifling air surrounding them making it hard to breath. He slowly closed his eyes and did his normal breathing exercise. This kind of pressure is nothing compared to BJ… compared with I went against Sagara san… this is nothing… Eijun thought positively as he breath out the air he took in and opened his eyes looking straight directly towards Miyuki.

Miyuki felt a shiver run down his spine as he saw Sawamura's serious look. I cannot get enough of this guy… Common let us do this Sawamura… Miyuki thought as he position his mitt in the dead center of the plate asking for his pure spin fastball. He watched as Eijun nod once, and did his windup throwing his pure spin fastball directly landing on his mitt without moving an inch. The batter did a swing and totally miss the ball earning a "Strike!" call from the umpire.

"Tsk…"

Miyuki clearly heard the batter as he threw the ball towards Sawamura. So I guess they do seem to have a plan… As he slightly glimpse towards Inashiro dugout, but what got his attention was not Inashiro's coach but their catcher. It was a slight movement, but he had been playing baseball for far too long not to notice and observe opposing teams. He knew that at that moment, it was not their Coach who was making the call, but it was the Inashiro's catcher. It seems that the Inashiro catcher had made a sign where the batter slight fixed his hat as if acknowledging the sign. What is going on… something is up… Miyuki thought as he think of a way to figure out Inashiro's play. He turn his gaze towards the mound, as he noticed Sawamura was still looking at him closely, as if confused why he has not yet asked for the next pitch. I need to know what they are up too… He took a deep breath as he position his mitt in the inlow portion of the plate asking for his moving fastball.

Eijun was a bit nervous as Miyuki took his time in giving the next sign. He noticed as if his catcher was being observant about something and its making him more perplexed than he is at the moment. He could still sense that dreadful feeling creeping up on him, as he nod in agreement for his moving fastball. He drop the resin bag, and fixed the grip of the ball, he took a deep breath in as he did his windup and threw his pitch, but he noticed as the ball sailed towards Miyuki's mitt, the batter did a step back directly targeting the inlow ball. The moment the bat hit the ball it went towards the first base direction, where Maezono tried to catch the ball however it went out towards the foul line. "Foul!" the umpire yelled making Eijun sigh in relief. "Damn it…" he thought annoyingly, that was a close call, but as he returns his gaze back towards Miyuki he went rigid, as he noticed Miyuki's serious look. It has been a long time since he could remember their captain looking scary like that. Crap… was he not happy with that pitch? Eijun thought nervously.

Now Miyuki knew the time the batters were making quick steps in the batter's box was no fluke. He has no idea what pitch they were targeting, but it was more like they were targeting his pitcher's rhythm. So I guess… this is what they were trying to go for huh… you guys intends to disrupt my pitcher's rhythm now that Sawamura's ball control is back, you want to break his rhythm, so that he would throw some meatballs for your batters to fish out… Worse part is it is not your coach making the calls. As Miyuki serious gaze turn towards Inashiro's catcher, he noticed the slight movement of his hands obviously giving another sign to the batter, and the latter fixing his baseball cap as if again agreeing with the sign. I don't know what those slight signs are, but I am sure… they are up to something… Miyuki raise his hand as if informing the infielders to move closer, at the same time the infielders moving in close. I may not figure out what you are thinking, but I sure as hell will not let you ruin Sawamura's rhythm, Miyuki thought full of determination.

"Whoah… Seido's captain move in for tight defense… It seems they are not letting Inashiro come home!" the announcer yelled as the stadium cheers of both teams are booming.

Miyuki crouched back down, as he position his mitt for an out high, requesting for another fastball. He knew Sawamura would not decline his call, as the latter nod and do his windup. He watched as the ball was released and sailed towards the stretch directly moving to where his mitt is positioned. Ok… nice position Sawamura… but as if on cue, a bat had blocked the pitched directly sending it far towards right field again.

Eijun felt shock the moment his fastball was again hit out towards right field. "Back home!" Maezono yelled, as Eijun watched the ball bounced once before Shirasu sempai was able to grab it. It will not make it… Eijun thought grimly. Shirasu immediately grab the ball and threw it directly towards Miyuki in full force, but as if on slow motion, Eijun watched as the second base runner made a slide safe being able touch home plate before Miyuki could be able to tag him out. "Safe!" the umpire screamed in order for the call to be heard in the loud cheers of the fans of Inashiro.

"And just like that! Inashiro has easily gained a run with a runner in a scoring position again!" at the same time wild cheers are roaring within the Stadium. Seido's alumnus was all surprised by the lost run, especially Chris who stood up the moment the pitch was hit out the right field. "You have got to be kidding me!" Ryosuke commented annoyed as he clearly saw a remarkable play from Inashiro. Nabe on another hand looked worried as Seido's cheers being led by Seki is being drowned out by Inashiro's deafening cheers. At the same time he could see Miyuki also tensing up in the lost run. Despite the loud cheers, Miyuki could clearly hear the Announcer's excited voice on the speaker making him gripped the baseball ball on his hand tightly.