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 39
Bottom of the 9th inning, Inashiro's turn for offense, Itsuki could feel the challenge that Sawamura was calling out towards him the moment his BJ battery partner step up the mound, looking directly towards his direction and giving him a silent smile. They may not have been battery partners for long in BJ, but he had studied and known Eijun's antics, and this is usually one of his unique stupid gestures when his BJ partner is going all out. "Ok… we are on offense… I want everyone to listen up!" Coach Kunitomo called out, and Itsuki could hear their coach calling out to everyone in the dugout but for some reason he was focus towards Sawamura's final challenge. I won't lose…I will show you I am no longer the same person compared to the time we met in Tokyo Dome. Itsuki thought as he turns his gaze back to their coach who was also looking at him intently.
Coach Kunitomo had notice that the moment Sawamura stood up the mound, he was looking out towards their dugout. Or more specifically towards Tadano, as if challenging the latter, well it was no longer a big surprised to him considering Yukime personally went by and talk to him directly to inform him the involvement of his regular catcher with Seido's current ace. "We will win this game!", Coach Kunitomo could clearly hear the excited comment of one of his players, but as he move to look out towards his team, he notice Tadano looking out directly towards Sawamura, with a serious gaze. "Ok… we are on offense… I want everyone to listen up!" he called out while still focused on Tadano. He noticed when his catcher look became more serious at the same time fisting his dominant hand while moving his gaze towards his direction. This will be a very fascinating inning… not just for Tadano… but for everyone… as Kunitomo move his gaze to his top players including Kamiya Carlos, Shirakawa Katsuyuki, Tadano Itsuki, Yamaoka Riku, and Narumiya Mei. Whatever will be the result of this game… I am already glad that each of you could be able to hold your ground in this game and what ever career path you take. You all have made me proud… making him smile, at the same time the players surrounding him were all surprised since they rarely see their coach smile.
"Ehhhh… what is going on?" Narumiya asked getting chills...
"Huh…." Yamaoka looked confused.
"What the…" Carlos commented taking a step back.
Kento, Inashiro's capatain notice the proud look in their coach eyes, despite his other teammates tensing up due to the unfamiliar seen. He laughed for a bit as he clap both his hands getting the attention of the players, " Ok! I think what coach is trying to say is that the difference in this game is paper thin. We are also cornering them that's for sure, after all it is our batting line up after all! There is no way we can't bring them down. So guys let us go all out and show them Inashiro's sluggers!"
"Yeah!" the Inashiro players yelled as they all got fired up from their captains speech.
"Go out there and show them what this team is made off" Coach Kunitomo remarked seriously making the other players grin and nod in agreement.
Eijun could hear and feel that the Inashiro batters are out for blood as he watched them huddled up and yell out an agreeing cheer. This is really giving me goosebumps… this is it huh… as her turn his gaze back towards the catcher's position and notice that Miyuki sempai was looking at him closely. Huh… what? Did I do something wrong? As he clearly notice the wrinkled forehead of his captain.
Miyuki shook his head, as if reading what Sawamura was thinking about, and answering it as a no, at the same time putting on his catcher's mask and crouching down. He seems to be quite observant now, or was he been observing this whole game while on the dug out and bullpen… I wonder… Miyuki thought seriously as Inashiro's top batters are starting to line up. Ok… we will have that long talk anyways… but now… we are going against their top batters again Sawamura… so don't falter… Miyuki thought as he notice Carlos stepping inside the batter's box.
Eijun nod as if understanding what Miyuki's serious look towards him mean that they would be going to battle Inashiro's top batter for the last round and that he should not falter. He took in deep breaths as he could clearly notice that serious death glare that Inashiro's lead off is giving him. Damn his pressure is intense… if I have been my old self… I would feel this… but this is nothing compared to those guys… I can do this… Eijun thought seriously.
"I hope you are ready for this Kazuya…" Carlos whispered making Miyuki smile on the warning given to him.
"Well I do hope you are ready for this…" Miyuki replied as he gave the first sign towards Sawamura and positioning his mitt in the upper region of the plate, just barely in the tip close to the batters chest.
Eijun nod in agreement for the first pitch, as he took a deep breath in while doing his pitching windup and released this number 7 in full force. He could clearly see when Carlos made a swing for the pitch but before it even reach the plate it made a sharp break towards the right totally missing the bat, and making it look like it disappear in front of the batter. "Strike!" the umpire yelled as the ball directly landed in Miyuki's mitt easily.
"Damn… the pitch is hard to catch…" Carlos complained but yet still smiling as he positioned himself back to his batting position.
Miyuki wrinkled his forehead as he could clearly see Carlos does not seem affected with that breaking ball. I wonder what is he planning… he thought seriously as he gave the next sign. He saw Eijun nodding in agreement for the second pitch, a changeup however as the ball was pitched towards him, he notice that Carlos did not make a swing thus resulting for a ball. I see… he seems to be targeting a specific pitch of Sawamura huh… then I guess this would be fine… as Miyuki gave another sign for his four seam in the out low portion of the plate. As Eijun threw the pitch, Miyuki could notice that Carlos flinch as if trying to decide to swing the bat but did not do so, thus the ball landing directly towards his mitt just barely inside the plate thus resulting for the umpire calling it ball. So they are targeting our fastballs yet again… Miyuki thought not surprised. The count now was 2 balls 1 strike, as he looked down towards Carlos feet, he could notice that he was close to the plate, thus he decided to move in, and asked for a inlow splitter.
Eijun nod in agreement as he saw the sign for his new splitter, and his target would be close to the batter's feet. He took in deep breaths ignoring Carlo's pressure on the batter's box and fixing his grip. He did his pitching windup and threw his splitter in full force, and as he saw Carlos making the swing, the ball had hit the lower end portion of the bat, thus resulting for it to be grounded and moving directly towards second base. Eijun failed to reach the ball in time due to the ball force being fast, passing him directly, but at the same time Kuminato tried to catch the grounded ball however it bounced twice totaling missing his mitt moving pass his direction.
The moment Carlos felt the shallow hit from his bat, he immediately took off to first base, not caring where the ball went. His mind was in one thing, to reach first base, after that this team would handle the rest. As he dashed out, he could clearly see that Sawamura and Kuminato had failed to catched the grounded ball, however Kuramochi was able to recover it, thus he made the decision to make a slide to reach first base as Kuramochi threw the ball to Maezono as hard as he could. Dust had risen from Carlos sliding towards first base, at the same time the umpire called "Safe!" as Maezono had failed to tag the runner on time. "Hell Yeah!" Carlos yelled at the same time Inashiro had erupted in cheers as if they have already secured the tying score.
"Sorry Eijun… I was a step late…" Haruichi apologized towards Sawamura as the latter just smiled and raised his mitt as if saying don't bother with it. "Thank you Ryo-san…" Haruichi then turned towards Kuramochi who seems annoyed over the throw.
"Bleh… it's fine… I threw a bit wide… that guy really runs fast dang it…" Kuramochi complained as he gives a death glare towards Carlos smiling face.
"It's alright… let's change gears!" Miyuki called out as he could see the annoyed faces of his team mates. I already knew he runs fast, but to risk for a slide safe for first base… I guess they are not champions for nothing… Miyuki thought seriously as he could see Carlos giving him a wink as if teasing him. I knew that Sawamura would jam him, but I guess he was swinging in full force to let the ball bounce twice… Miyuki sigh as he turn to look at Sawamura who seems to be irritated that Carlos was in first base and had thrown the ball to first base twice as if making sure that Carlos would not get any far lead. Having him in first base is troublesome… I wonder if we could take him out again… Miyuki thought seriously as he crouched back down in his position. Hmmm… but I doubt he would take a risk to steal considering he knows Sawamura could do a back toss… Miyuki then notice Kuminato moving in between Sawamura and the second plate getting ready for a back toss play if incase Carlos did try to make a steal for second plate. The most troublesome person right now is… Miyuki thought as Inashiro's next batter had step in. I hope we could take him out the same way we did for the past innings… But I highly doubt it… as Miyuki closely observes Shirakawa's batting stance had move close towards the plate, as if preventing of an inside, or more like bating for it.
Eijun could notice Shirakawa had move quite close to the plate, just in the border line of the batter's box as if totally shutting down inside pitches. You bastard… Eijun thought annoyed as he memories of the dead ball he had thrown last year came back flashing in his head. He notice that Miyuki was giving him a very serious look as if telling him to calm down. I am calm… I have never been calm in my life until today… Eijun complained as he blew out air obviously getting annoyed.
Miyuki wrinkled his forehead obviously noticing Sawamura's annoyance towards Shirakawa's tactics. I said calm down… not freaking tense up… you need to relax… you can handle this… with your superb control you can easily pitch in this tight inside space, we can also result to a brush ball, or if worst we can just take him out with outside pitches… Miyuki thought as if he was reprimanding Sawamura's annoyed look.
Outside pitch… hell no… im taking him out with inside pitches alone… Eijun shook his head aggressively as if knowing what his catcher was thinking about.
Miyuki sighed in defeat, he totally understood why Sawamura was hell bent in taking out Shirakawa with only inside pitches, considering what happened last year. However, if they messed up, it could either lead for Carlos taking third base or worst running home. He looked back towards the dugout and notice Coach Kataoka nodding once, as if reminding him what he told him before they went back towards the field. "Miyuki… Don't ease up on your calling, utilize the whole plate, with Sawamura's pitching, he could easily target the course you wanted" as Miyuki could clearly see the confident look of their Coach while saying those words. He took another deep breath, as he move in closely towards the inner plate, asking for his pure spin fastball inlow just in the boundary of the plate, close to the batter's feet.
Eijun nod in agreement happily as he could clearly see that he and his captain are back on the same page again with Inashiro's second batter. He took a side look to first base and threw the ball once to Maezono sempai to keep Carlos in check.
"Owhhh common… it was not that far of a lead…" Carlos complained as he slide back towards first base.
Pshhhh… I won't let you take anymore base… Eijun thought aggressively, as he turn his gaze back towards his captain. He fixed his grip to the ball, as he did his pitching windup and threw the ball directly towards Miyuki's mitt in full strength where he could clearly see Shirakawa making a swing, but missing the ball thus landing directly towards his catcher. "Strike!" the umpire yelled making Eijun sigh in relief. Good thing it hit the plate… Eijun thought happily.
Miyuki sigh in nervousness as he noticed that pitch was a bit lower than usual, good thing he was able to frame it properly making it look like it was received in the lower end of the plate, thus earning a 'strike' call from the umpire.
"You got lucky..." Shirakawa whispered, making Miyuki grin widely upon hearing the displeasing comment. Maybe… however with Sawamura's pitching… as Miyuki turn to look at Sawamura who was staring back at him with bright golden eyes, I don't consider that lucky… making Miyuki snicker as he gave the sign for a changeup. He watched as Eijun did a quick nod as agreement and took in deep breaths as he did his pitching windup and throw the changeup, but this time Shirakawa did not make a swing and watched the ball land directly in Miyuki's mitt. "Ball!" the umpired called out. Hmmmm… so I guess you are not as aggressive as I was expecting… Miyuki thought as he turn to look back towards Carlos who again slowly increased his lead out, however as he noticed Miyuki was looking back at him squarely, he slowly jog back towards first base while smiling. What is it with you guys… can you not give me a break for a bit… Miyuki thought as he look at Shirakawa's stance on the base and the closeness he has towards the inner plate. If you wont move… I'll force you to move… as Miyuki put up his mitt closely towards Shirakawa's chest area asking for his fastball.
Eijun wrinkled his forehead for a bit, but still nod towards his catcher's sign. It is fine… I have taken him out a few times with fastballs… however this time he is way to close to the inner plate, thus if that case, I need to target the upper region of the plate, just barely on the tip… Eijun thought seriously as he could imagine a 6 area square in front of his captain's mitt. He took a quick glimpse towards Carlos making sure that his lead was not that wide, at the same time he checked where's Haruichi's position if in case he would another back toss. He drop the rosin bag he was holding, as he fixed the grip on the ball, did his pitching windup and threw his 4 seam fastball directly towards the upper region of the plate.
Shirakawa was unable to swing his bat as he watched the ball thrown was like headed directly towards him making him flinch, and closing his eyes instinctively, but the ball just pass by his chest area landing directly in Miyuki's mitt. What the hell… are they trying to hit me… Shirakawa complained as he annoyingly looked at Miyuki who was smiling behind his catcher's mask. "Strike!" the umpired called making Shirakawa looked at the umpire in disbelief. Damn it… I had known that there are risk in stepping close to the plate… however I can't believe they called that a strike… that was a freaking brushback pitch… Shirakawa turn his gaze back towards Sawamura who was looking back from the mound seemingly unfazed with the ball he had just thrown. I see so you're not scared to hit me anymore huh… he thought as he took in deep breaths to compose his breathing, at the same time raising his bat getting ready for the pitch… well two can play that game… it is a 2 strike 1 ball count…
"You can do it Sawamura!"
"Just one more strike Sawamura sempai!"
Loud cheers could from the Seido section, cheering loud for their summer ace, and Miyuki had been carefully zoning out the noise from the audience. His fastball's are on fire… he kept throwing it to the very same spot I wanted… this guy is incredible… Miyuki thought as he crouch back down in catcher's position after throwing the ball back to Sawamura. He looked at Shirakawa's batting stance and could notice that the latter seem to have move a bit, thus he gave the sigh for his number 9, just barely in the inlow region of the plate. He watched as Sawamura nod in agreement, drop the resin bag, do his pitching windup and threw the improved splitter.
Since Shirakawa was expecting for a fastball, he swing his bat as strong as he could, however it only hit the bottom of the bat sending it back towards first base. Damn it… Shirakawa complained as he attempts to make a run, but before his legs could even take a step, he notice Sawamura stretching out his pitching hand, grabbing the ball directly at the same time turning towards firstbase in case Carlos make's an attempt to run for second base. Did he… did he just grabbed that with his pitching hand? Shirakawa was surprised and was nailed on his spot as he could clearly see Sawamura, have a knee down on the ground obviously to keep his balance and ready to throw, but what surprised him is Carlos getting stuck in first base, where he could clearly see the latter looking at Sawamura as if confused and surprised at the same time.
Carlos was already planning to make a dash, the moment that Katsuyuki would make the hit but what he was not expecting when he was going for the sprint was that Seido's ace movement and look. The instant the ball had hit the bat, he notice Seido's ace move immediately towards the left as if he knew that the ball was moving towards that direction directly, at the same time grab the hit pitched with his bare hands considering it was a strong hit, that had got to hurt… he thought on impulse and as he looked at Sawamura who has a knee kneeling on the ground, he was taken back with the serious look, the glare and glow of his bright golden eyes, at the same time the intense pressure he was emitting as if challenging him to try to attempt a steal while he was around. He was instantly nailed on his spot unable to move, just looking back at Sawamura confused and surprised.
The moment that Eijun had thrown his number 9, he was already expecting that the ball would be grounded when it was hit, but what surprised him is that he instinctively move towards the left, and just suddenly jumping out stretching out his pitching hand to grab the ball barehanded at the same time turning to make sure to throw either to second or first base incase Carlos had make a run for it. It was as if the whole stadium was quiet as he could clearly see the uneasiness in Carlos eyes, keeping him in first base. He took a deep breath as he raised the ball, making sure that umpire's would clearly see that he was able to catch the pitch. "Out! Batter out!" the umpire called out earning a loud cheer from the stadium.
"What the hell… Sawamura… that was so cool!" Maezono praised.
"Eijun… that was amazing…" Haruichi called out as he move close towards Sawamura who then drop down his raised arm.
"That was an amazing play Sawa…" Kuramochi was also about to praise Sawamura when he notice the uneasiness look that their ace pitcher was giving.
Miyuki sighed in relief the moment the ball was hit strongly towards the left and Eijun catching it bare handed. Ehhhh… wait… bare handed… as Miyuki immediately looked up and turn to look towards Sawamura who has yet to stand up from his kneeling position. With his pitching hand… no… no… no… Miyuki face distorted to panic as he clearly notice the distressed look of Haruichi who was now bending down towards Sawamura. Fuck… what is he thinking about… Miyuki immediately drop his catcher's mask as he run towards Sawamura ignoring the umpire and Shirakawa's confused look.
"Oi… are you ok?" the first base referee inquired as he notice that Sawamura did not move nor attempt to stand.
"Sawamura?" Maezono asked tentatively.
"Eijun kun…" Haruichi called out bending down, and noticed the pained looked of Sawamura obviously trying to keep his composure while his right hand was holding his pitching hand wrist.
"Sawamura… we need ice pack!" Kuramochi yelled out, ignoring the fact that the referee was close to him. Kuramochi could clearly notice the alarming look of Haruichi, at the same time Miyuki running towards them. He also notice Coach Kataoka immediately moving out the dugout headed towards them.
"Sawamura… what hurts… let me see…" Miyuki asked immediately as he kneeled down as well trying to grab his pitching hand.
The moment that Eijun raised the ball up for the umpire's to see, a shock of pain traveled from his hand directly towards his wrist making him slowly move his arm down carefully. However the pain did not disappear, but instead intensified the moment that his hand was down, making him release the ball he was holding tightly, rolling down the ground. He impulsively remove his right hand from the mitt, and grab his wrist in order to try to keep the pain from intensifying. What the hell is going on… it hurts… it hurts… Eijun face morphed in complete pain as he ignored the person that was already crowding his personal space as he tries to tighten the hold of his wrist as if trying to block the pain that traveled from his palm.