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! P.S apologize in advance if some of the characters move out of their characteristic traits.
Chapter 40
"What is going on?" Itsuki asked seriously as he saw Carlos walking back towards their dugout.
"Owh… Seido's ace seems to have hurt his pitching hand when he catch that grounded pitch" Carlos explained as the referees had announced a fifteen minute injury timeout.
"Huh… is he stupid or what… why the hell did he catch that pitch bare handed… and worst it is his pitching hand…" Mei complained, not noticing Itsuki's worried look.
"I bet that had got to hurt, considering I swing as hard as I could…" Shirakawa added.
Itsuki tried to tune out his teammates comments in regards to Sawamura's condition, as he looked out towards Seido's dugout. During the game, he immediately noticed something was wrong the moment that Seido's catcher and their coach were running towards the mound. At the same time when he saw Eijun grip his pitching hand as they slowly move inside the back end of the dugout away from the prying eyes of the crowd. "I guess this would definitely be our win then if they put that guy back… unless they put back Furuya in the mound…". One of the players said at the same time another comment of "Ehhh… Sawamura is good, but not as good as that Furuya guy, him being benched is expected" Itsuki could clearly hear those comment making him vex and irritated, as he turn his gaze back towards his team. He did not care who made that comment, however he would not sit back and listen to them looking down on his BJ partner. "Eijun is Seido's ace…" Itsuki said seriously and low making the other players turn towards his direction confused. "He will be back on top of that mound… they only need two more outs for the game to end… do not look down on him just because he always gives off that stupid smile… He is more than that… He is one of the best pitcher I know…" at the same time Itsuki turn to look at Coach Kunitomo who was looking back at him not surprised with his outburst with his teammates. "I would be swinging my bat… I know he would be back on that mound…" Itsuki informed as he grab a bat and move out of the dugout towards the sidelines of the bullpen.
"What the hell just happened?" Jinguuji asked totally confused with Tadano's reaction.
"Is it just me… or did he just call Seido's ace by his first name?" Akamatsu, one of Inashiro's first year and Itsuki's junior asked.
"Since when did Seido's ace and our catcher become a thing?" another asked totally confused.
"Ahm… I think that is not what he means. I believe it is best to not underestimate Seido's ace… I think that is what Itsuki wanted to say…" Fukui Kento, Inashiro's captain commented to ease the sudden confused tension in their dugout.
"Sure… Ok…" a few players answered however Mei did not answer and just turn to look at Itsuki seriously, who was swinging his bat in the sidelines.
"How bad is it?" Coach Kataoka asked as the doctor from the stadium was called. This was his second time to comeback in Seido's dugout checking the same player again.
"I don't think there is a fracture or anything severe… however" at the same time the doctor pressed Eijun's proximal palmar section of his palm making the latter face morphed to sudden pain. "I think that with your aggressive batting style and now catching a strong grounded pitch, your hand may have reached its limit for today…"
"No… I can still pitch!" Eijun answered strongly at the same time turning his gaze to look at their head coach Kataoka seriously and pleading at that same time.
Miyuki was fisting his hand as he was standing a few fit away from Sawamura. They were on the end part of the inning, they only need two out and this had happened. He was annoyed and angry at himself. Maybe I should have force him to pitch outside… or maybe a different pitch… damn it… he was seriously reprimanding himself. He had known Sawamura was hell bent in taking Shirakawa out with only inside pitches, but for them to lose a game for it. At the same time looking at Sawamura who was pleading to their coaching staff to get back on the mound despite his hurting hand was adding more guilt to himself.
"I think it would be best to let Furuya get us those two remaining out" Coach Ochiai suggested making the people in the room stiff up with the suggestion.
"Ehhh… I mean sure… now that Kawakami could not pitch… but for Furuya to go back…" Mr. Kazuyoshi, Seido's president was not sure what to say as he could clearly see Sawamura face against it.
"I can pitch! I feel fine now… just a bit of ice and im good!" Eijun complained, but he could notice from his coaching team that no one seems to be listening to him.
"Sawamura… you need to understand that this could affect your future…" Ms. Takashima said slowly as she could clearly see that Sawamura expression was morphing to annoyance and anger.
"My future?... I can pitch… this is the final game… I can go… we just need two more outs!" Eijun yell out, making the other people around him look at him surprised.
"Sawamura…" Coach Kataoka looked at Eijun firmly and he could clearly see the seriousness in his bright golden eyes staring back at him.
"I am Seido's ace… How come Furuya who was also injured at that time was able to close the game… and now you want me to sit this one out where we only need two more outs. Back at that time I let it slide since Furuya was the ace… but now… I am the ace of this team… how come I cannot close this game?" Eijun asked lowly making Miyuki look at Sawamura in utter surprised. He had known Sawamura was upset about that switch in the finals of the falls game, but to bring it up now… as the other five people look stunned.
"Oi… Sawamura… I think they are just worried about your future… I mean… you have outperformed today," Miyuki tries to explain but as Sawamura look back at him, his words choke up his throat unable to finish what he wanted to say.
"Are you saying Miyuki sempai that Furuya's future was not taken into account during that final game, or your future for that matter?" Eijun asked quietly making the other people truly surprised since this was the first time they saw Sawamura in this demeanor.
"Ahhh… Sawamura…" Mr Kazuyoshi was about to comment when they heard a small voice on the door of the dugout. As they all turned including the doctor who was silently listening to the people around the room, a very familiar person was standing in front of the now opened door.
"I do apologize for disturbing such an important discussion…" the new comer commented.
"Dr. Nafumi! What are you doing here sir!" the stadium doctor called out as he immediately run to the new comer.
"Dr. Nafumi Naota?" Ms. Takashima Rei asked curiously, as she looked at the middle aged man surprised.
"Hello… I was watching today's game… and I saw a very troublesome aggressive player…" as Dr. Nafumi smiled towards Sawamura who was also surprised seeing a very familiar person. This was the second time they meet; the first time was when Hero sempai drag him to the Hirashi hospital after getting his first homerun hit on their little scrimmage match.
"Old man… what are you doing here?" Eijun asked absently as he was already quite familiar with the friendly doctor.
"Hahahaha… well your family asked me to check your match… anyways is it ok if I check?" Dr. Nafumi asked tentatively as he turns to looked at Seido's coaching team.
"Yes! Of course…" Mr. Kazuyoshi answered immediately answered as he recognized the well famed sports doctor.
"Yes please…" Coach Kataoka answered as well as he moves aside to let the new comer doctor through.
Eijun sit back on the bench as he slowly lifted his pitching hand, placing it on the hands of the new Doctor.
"Hmmmm…. You know you have been getting injured lately…" Dr. Naofumi said absently making Eijun feel tense.
"I ahhhh… just wanted to win… I guess…" Eijun answered nervously as he could notice the observing gaze of the adults in the room, including his catcher captain.
"I am sorry… but how did you know Sawamura?" Miyuki asked curiously as he could not stop himself the moment the new comer step in to check on Sawamura. From what he could remember, Dr. Naofumi Naota is the head Director of the well famed Hirashi Hospital and he is also one of the most sought out sports doctor in the country specializing in surgeries.
"Owhhh… I work with Sawamura's guardian family… plus his older sister could be a slave driver… Hahhahaha" the Dr. answered nonchalantly making Sawamura sweat in buckets, and faking a cough. Right now… the pain in his pitching hand seems to lessen with the tension and nervousness he is feeling if his team found out his relation with BJ.
"Guardian family?" Ms. Takashima asked curiously as he turns to look at Eijun, who then turn to look away.
"Hmmm… I guess fifteen pitches would be fine…" Dr. Naofumi finally answered as he turns to look at Sawamura seriously.
"You can still get back on that mound… however you can only pitch fifteen times. With your aggressive batting style a while back and catching a strong grounded ball, you might have a slight sprain, however that still needs to be checked. I can get the mobile clinic here in a few minutes to get it check right away after your game or the moment you step down on the mound."
"Really… then I can still pitch!" Eijun asked excitedly as he turns to look at coach Kataoka with a beaming smile.
"I presume you had too… after all you are the team ace, is he not?" Dr. Naofumi then look at Coach Kataoka seriously. "The ace of the team is the person who carries the teams pride and soul… I believe that is not just a saying…"
"Ahhh well… he may be the current one carrying the ace number however if it could affect his performance in the mound I think it would be best to have Furuya…" Coach Ochiai interjected as he notice the serious look of the Dr. towards Coach Kataoka.
"Sawamura performance in the mound had been fine, and I believe letting him pitch fifteen more times won't hurt. If I listen to your suggestion coach, then does that mean fatigue that is being experienced by your first pitcher could not affect that pitchers performance? Who might I say had lead to your lost in your spring semifinal game…" Dr. Naofumi answered while smiling making the other people in the team feel edgy.
"Ehhh…" Miyuki was so surprised with how the Doctor was well aware of their games at the same time how he was casually addressing their coach staff yet aggressive at the same time. What is going on, how is he related to Sawamura, for him to defend him this much.
The stadium Doctor tried to do a fake cough to lessen the rising tension between Dr. Naofumi and Seido's coaching team. I don't know who that kid is… but I think he knew a lot of top people… and Seido needs to figure that out unless they want their own career and games to end here. The Doctor then tries to intervene as he step in between the people in the room. "I think letting him pitch for fifteen times is fine too… he did say he can still pitch, however if it passed fifteen pitches then I believe the kid would gladly sit back on the bench." As the Doctor turns to look at Eijun who seem pleased and nod in full agreement.
"Ok… I would let Sawamura back on the mound… however I want Kaneda to warm up in the bullpen…" Coach Kataoka said finally.
"Thank you! You will not regret this boss!" Eijun answered happily as he grip the ice pack on his pitching hand, and run towards the door heading to the dugout field.
"Miyuki… I don't know if you can take those outs with just fifteen pitches… however I believe that you and Sawamura could make it work." Coach Kataoka commented as Miyuki turn to follow Sawamura, nodding once in agreement.
"I hope you did not make us loose our chance for the Koshien ticket…" Coach Ochiai said bitterly.
"I think you would be more surprised in what that kid can do…" Dr. Naofumi said smiling as he was being shown out of by the stadium doctor.
"Ehhh…. Common Dr. Naofumi… stop teasing them… I know a good place to watch the rest of the game!" the stadium Doctor pleaded as he walk side by side with the other person.
"Hahahaha… ok ok…. Stop rushing…" Dr. Naofumi answered casually.
"Thank you…" Coach Kataoka commented as he bowed down to the well famed Doctor who does not seem surprised.
"You should not worry about it Coach Kataoka… Even if I have not step in… I know you would be putting that boy back in the mound… I just help with your conscience…" Dr. Naofumi answered smiling as he wave and step out of the room.
Coach Kataoka sigh, as he turn his back to the people who all looked surprised with what happened, and move back towards the field dugout.
As Eijun step back in the field, his teammates immediately flocked back to his personal space.
"Sawamura are you ok?"
"Could you pitch?"
"What hurts… did coach let you back out?"
"Hey! Stop that…" Miyuki stepped in as he could notice Sawamura's nervous demeanor. "We have a game to play… so get back to your spots!" he added seriously.
"Ehhhh…." It was a unison of disagreement however since it was the captain, they were unable to complain.
Eijun turn to look at Furuya who was standing near the entrance of the dugout looking at him intently. He smiled as he moves close tapping his mitt once to the other pitcher's chest. "You remember what you promised right before the inning started?"
Furuya looked serious while nodding once as he remember what Eijun asked him to do to certain batters namely Tadano or Mei once they are up to bat.
"Ok… then I will depend on you…" Eijun answered as he walks back out towards the mound.
"Hey… Miyuki… is Sawamura really ok?" Kuramochi asked as he could notice that for some reason Sawamura's demeanor was different at the same time avoiding answering his teammate's questions which was so not his nature.
"Yeah… well I hope so… we can only do fifteen pitches…" Miyuki said softly making it Kuramochi would be the only one to hear.
"What… are you joking right now!" Kuramochi was surprised he looked at Miyuki like he grew another head.
"No… I wish I was but I'm not…" Miyuki answered seriously as he turns to look at Eijun who was walking up towards the mound. At the same time Coach Kataoka coming out from the back room and calling the attention of the other players in the dugout.
"Ok everyone we are on the last pace of our game! I want everyone to support the people on the field. I don't care if you no longer have any voice by tomorrow as long as you can show you support. I want everyone to focus and think of this as the finals of the Koshien game! Show them Seido baseball!" Coach Kataoka ordered earnings a big 'Yes!' from the players. "Kaneda I want you to prepare in the bullpen!" he added making the other players turn to look at the other pitcher who seems to be unsure.
"It will be fine Kaneda…" Kawakami commented seeing the younger pitcher tensing up.
Kaneda turn to look at his senior then return his gaze back to their coach. "Yes sir!"
"The game would be resuming… players please return back to your positions!" the announcer called out as the players from both teams are returning back to the field.
"I hope Sawamura is ok…" Ryosuke commented making the other senior players turn to look at him seriously.
"He is fine… I know his fine…" Chris answered unsure yet his attention was on the pitcher that was now standing on top of the mound.
" I believe the couch would not send him out their unless he is back to his normal form" Tetsuya said in a firm manner making the other senior Seido players nod in agreement.
I know I can pitch… fifteen is more than enough for me to get those two outs… we will win this game… Eijun was thinking positively and deeply as he open and closed his pitching hand. The pain was still there, but it is something he could bare if needed in order to keep staying on top of the mound. He was really upset a while back when the discussion of him to be put back on the bench came up, that is why he was glad that Old man Naofumi appeared on the right time. Hmmmm… why is the old man here anyways… if his here does that mean Brother Yuuta is here as well… What about the BJ team… Eijun was on that though when he noticed the next batter was moving up on the batter box and it was none other than Tadano Itsuki. Hehehehe… I knew it would be worth it to fight and stay on top of this mound… he smiled as he could clearly see the serious look on Itsuki's face.
"Sawamura!" Miyuki called out as he noticed that Sawamura was looking closely on the incoming batter. The moment that his pitcher looked back at him, he raised his hand showing a number one sign… Let us do this… one batter at a time… he thought as if sending them directly to his pitcher. He saw as Sawamura smiled and nod in full agreement which surprised him, since he knew that his pitcher's hand was still hurting yet the smile he gave him was serious and deadly at the same time.
Itsuki noticed the moment that Eijun went out of the dugout back room, despite him swinging his bat, he was attentive towards Seido's dugout. Im glad his back… as he saw Eijun being crowded by his teammates most likely asking if his fine. I got worried that he won't be back for the last two outs… I have known since we became battery partners that there was something about Seido and you… even though we were banned from talking about our team by Coach Shoji, you often times let things slip… as he could remember the times they were talking about his pitches and their variety. He sigh as he suddenly looked up on the audience stand and notice their BJ captain looking seriously back at him mouthing 'Don't you dare hold back…' . He smiled making a nod once as agreement.
"Itsuki… your up" Mei called out as he was walking slowly towards Tadano handing him his protector and cap.
"Yes… Thank you Mei san…" Itsuki answered as he took them from Mei and put them on.
"Owhhh… your back… and here I thought I saw a different side of you…" Mei commented seriously looking at Tadano observing him closely.
Itsuki flinched upon Mei's comment. Honestly he knew he might have slip a while back, but he was not happy on how his teammates think lowly of Sawamura and that he could easily be replaced, since after all Sawamura Eijun is not your ordinary pitcher. "Ehhh… what do you mean Mei san? I have always been me?" Tadano tries to act innocent however he could notice that Narumiya Mei's observing look did not change.
"Uhhuh… sure…" Mei answered shortly, as he gave one last look before walking back towards the dugout waving. "Just get us that tying run…" he added walking away.
Itsuki smiled nodding once despite him knowing that Mei was not looking back at him. He also did notice Coach Kunitomo look towards him and nodding once as if giving him a sign to do what he pleased. His smile grew wider as he took a deep breath in and started to walk towards the batter's box. He could feel Eijun's observing gaze towards him the moment he started walking and moving towards the batter box and then standing directly on it. He took another deep breath as he notice Miyuki Kazuya's observing gaze, but that was not the thing that was giving him the chills, after all this would be their last bout… him and Eijun… as he put up his bat up and looked at his BJ pitcher all serious. Now… this is the final showdown… let us do this Eijun… he thought seriously glaring directly at his BJ partner.
A/N: Our anniversary is coming soon ever since i wrote this fanfic... their would definitely be a surprise, hope you like it! Stay safe and healthy everyone 3 love you guys!