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 41
Miyuki could notice the serious concentration of the Inashiro catcher the moment he stood up on the batters box which made him wrinkle his forehead. He have been quite different since the start of the game, aside from the fact he had been calling games and moving up the batting position, there is definitely something about him. At the same time as he moved his gaze to Sawamura who was looking back at them with his bright golden eyes, It's the same with you… for some reason you also had change with our finals… well I cant wait to have that long talk we agreed to do… as Miyuki grin looking forward on how he could grill Sawamura with his secrets. He took a deep breath as he moved his mitt near the chest area of the batter. Let us do this Sawamura!
Eijun could clearly see the seriousness in his captain's eyes at the same time with Itsuki's deathly glare, making him smile at the same time nodding in agreement with the first pitch. He drop the rosin bag he was holding, as he carefully fix his grip on the ball, at the same time a bit of pain shot through his wrist. The hell I would let this end like this... he though aggressively as Eijun did his pitching windup and threw his improved cutter directly towards his captain's mitt.
The moment Itsuki stood up on the batters box he took into consideration Carlos position to fist base at the same time the possible pitches that Eijun could throw at him. He slightly took a quick glimpse towards Seido's captain who seems to be observing him as well, making him sigh deeply and raising his bat higher than normal. This is the last inning, ill make sure to let Mei feel at ease… as he saw Eijun nodding once for the agreed pitch. He grip his bat tightly the moment he saw Eijun do his pitching windup and swing as hard as he could, the moment he notice that Eijun had released the ball. 'CLANK!' The bat had made contact with the pitch; however it went directly towards the first base foul line. "Foul!" The umpire yelled.
Eijun released the air he was not sure he was holding the moment he had released the pitch and saw that it sailed directly to the foul line. So his going all out as usual… and here I though he would give me a slack for once… Eijun thought as he received the ball from his captain, at the same time throwing it to first base glaring at Carlos when he made a bit of movement away from first base, and just because he feels like it. He took another deep sigh, as he turn his gaze back towards Itsuki who seems way more focused than usual. Well two can play that game… he though again aggressively as he nod for his next pitch. He fixed the grip on the baseball he was holding, and threw a fastball just below the borderline of the plate, but this time Itsuki did not made a swing and was just keeping his bat on the air looking at him directly.
"Ball!" The umpire called making Miyuki wrinkle his forehead again… he let that one pass… I was hoping he would make a swing… then I guess let us go with this… Miyuki then move a bit in the other region of the plate asking for another fastball. As Eijun threw another fastball directly towards the outhigh position of the plate, Itsuki's bat remained up in the air, not flinching with the out high pitch. "Ball!" the umpire called again, making Miyuki take in a deep breath. He is way to focus… should we go for another borderline and break his balance? Miyuki thought as he went to another outside but lower pitch combination, but he was a bit surprised seeing Sawamura shaking on his sign.
Sorry cap… that won't do… Itsuki is well aware of my borderline pitches, not like you knew about it… if we keep pitching on the side of the plate he would either let it slide and go for a walk or keep fouling until all of my fifteen pitches are gone… Eijun thought as he shook his head for the outlow sign.
Miyuki wrinkled his forehead, as if he could hear Sawamura's explanation on why he refused to do borderline pitches. I am not sure why… but I feel like you are telling me border line pitches would not work… So I guess we would need to force it then huh… keep jamming him and hope to limit the pitches you could throw… Miyuki look towards Itsuki's knee as he position his mitt on the lower center of the plate asking for a changeup. He checked Carlos position at the side of his eye, and it does not seem that the latter would try for a steal thus he asked for something that would annoy Mei's catcher.
Eijun sigh nodding hesitantly, it is not like he does not understand his captain, but he know personally that trying to agitate Itsuki was also not going to work. Of course throwing Narumiya's favorite pitch infront of his catcher should vexed other catchers, but not Itsuki, considering the latter had already catch his change up a few times. Damn… this is why Towa sempai was not happy to let Itsuki play catcher for me. He took a deep breath trying to tune out the slight pain in his pitching hand as he threw his changeup, but as expected Itsuki did not even move a bit once the ball was released and just let it squarely land on Miyuki's mitt. "Ball!" as the umpire called it, Eijun was already sweating, not just because of the heat but because of the burning pain shooting up his hand.
Damn it… that was his fourth pitch… its ok… we can take him out carefully… Miyuki thought, the count now was 3 balls 1 strike, if they mess this up, it could result to a walk crowding the second and first base. Miyuki blew a bit of air as he checked Inashiro's feet positioning then he position his mitt on the dead center of the plate, asking for Sawamura's pure spin fastball. He watched as Eijun nod in full agreement, and watched as his pitcher released the pitch in full force totally missing Itsuki's bat due to swinging late. "Strike!"
"That is five…" Kuramochi whispered to himself as he closely look out towards Sawamura's back. Both Sawamura and Miyuki have been careful in throwing his pitches, though having to count and know how many pitches their ace could throw adds more pressure to him. Damn it Miyuki… take that bastard out already… ground it if needed… will handle the rest… as Kuramochi gave a slight sign making Haruichi, Maezono, and Kanemaru tense up, and as if sensing the added pressure they all slightly bend their knees, waiting for any balls that would go through their way.
3 Balls 2 Strike, a runner in first… Eijun was carefully assessing the situation on the field, as he made a slight look towards first base. For some reason, he feels calm despite the pressure of the inning, and the situation with his pitching hand. Aside from the fact that the sensation on his fingertips are still their despite a pain shooting up his hand. Its ok… we can win this… Eijun thought seriously nodding with Miyuki's sign. He filled his lungs with air, as he raised his knee for his windup and releasing his pitch focus solely towards his catcher's mitt.
A "Foul!" called for the 6th pitch, and another "Foul!" for the 7th pitch by the umpires, making the audience in the stadium breathes in with anticipation, and excitement unaware of the suffocating tension within the field for the young players.
"Good… you're pressuring him… keep the count up…" Daiki whispered as he was looking closely at Itsuki. Ignoring the remarks of the audience of why the batter was not able to keep the ball on play.
Kohata smiled upon noticing Daiki's comment on the ongoing game. "I was under the impression you were rooting for your young ace pitcher Daiki?" he asked teasingly.
"Huh! Mind you damn business Kohata!" Daiki bursted out surprised that the WK catcher was actually observing him. Honestly, he was not rooting for anyone, however in order for their young pitcher to improve; he needs to figure out how he could solve this situation.
"This is why it is difficult to have your catcher be a batter, he practically could notice your quirks" Takahashi remarked ignoring Daiki's outburst to his catcher. "I mean seriously… why did your team took a catcher from a different team. I think the Seido catcher is fine enough…" he added making Daiki more irritated. And as if to prove Takahashi's point the umpired called out "Foul!"
"Will you just sit and watch for crying out loud!" Daiki answered annoyed with the WK main pitcher. He was still not happy letting another pitcher observe their young ace.
"Hmmm his on a full count you know, 3 balls, 2 strikes… what is the next play for the BJ ace?" Sagara whispered leaning forward as if not to miss whatever is happening on the field. And as if all of a sudden a very loud voice shouting "YOU CAN DO IT, EIJUN!" came from the upper left side of the stadium bleachers.
"Ehhh what was that?"
"Huh…"
"Who was that?"
"Was that a Seido fan?"
And different murmurs could be heard from the audience however Daiki could immediately recognize the voice of the person who just yelled. Hahahaha… so you did watch the game huh…Tohru… Daiki thought as he smiled.
"I never knew he had a loud voice…" Kohata casually commented making Daiki tense up and look at the WK catcher surprised.
"What the… how did you?" But before Daiki could even finish what he was saying, Takahashi chimed in seeming excited.
"Ehhhh who was that Kyoya?" Takahashi asked eagerly.
"Hahahaha… who else… BJ's main catcher…" Sagara answered smiling.
"Whoa…. Never knew that Tohru have that kind of loud voice!" one of the WK commented making the other players nod in agreement and make funny remarks as well.
"I expected him to be the mysterious quiet type of guy?" another commented.
"Well make sense if their captain is here, then I guess the others players of BJ would be around as well… but I guess I could be sure that one is cheering for his pitcher…" Kohata smiled knowingly while looking at Daiki meaningfully and the latter avoiding his gaze.
Tohru knew something was off the moment that Eijun had stepped back out from that fifteen minute long time out. Eijun… are you injured? And as if a dreading prominetion the first pitch which was Eijun's cutter had sailed directly towards the foul line. "Damn it… he was able to react to that…" Tohru commented annoyingly as he was closely looking at Itsuki and Eijun's final match up.
"Yeah… well even if those two had little practice together and had not been long in being battery partners, they have a certain chemistry that is hard to find to other make shift battery" Towa commented seriously also looking closely towards Sawamura, at the same time a 'Ball' was called in a borderline pitch. "This is why I told him not to show his pitches…" he added vexed on the outcome of the game. He had known Sawamura was a different kind of pitcher, since he met the boy back in their first promotional game. That kid has the ability to easily adapt to any kind of catcher, not that he intends to tell anyone about it, since he knew that their coach and Dr. Yukime already knows about it.
"Tadano as a catcher is good, but as a batter his great. With Shoji's coaching he practically has a flexible batting style that is why he could keep up with Sawamura's border line pitches." Maki explained nonchalantly looking at Tadano's side.
"Sorry to burst your bubble Maki, I don't think that is the case, I think there is something wrong with Sawamura… if it's his normal pitches, and those pitches should have already been grounded not fouled…" Miro said in a serious tone.
"Ehhh… him injured? Wait why the hell is still on the mound then?" Maki asked confused as he turn to look at their co-captain in utter disbelief.
"They are on a finals game… it is most likely Sawamura begged to stay on the mound… he has that kind of personality after all" Towa answered his friend, though he did notice that Sawamura's pitches did not move on the plate as much as it should have.
"Hmmmm… then I guess it is Tadano's win…" Sagato answered calmly making the other BJ players turn to their pitcher in utter doubt.
"What… Sagato you!" Maki tried to grab his teammate however the other players who was sitting in between the two of them immediately stop Maki from reaching their passive pitcher.
"Maki calm down…"
"Hey… what the hell man… can you chill… you will attract attention"
"Let me go… ima wring that bastards neck!" Maki commented at the same time they heard another 'Ball' call from the umpire.
"Don't be mad Maki, I am just saying facts. You see you guys are all focused towards Sawamura, however me and Tadano had been battery partners for a while since the kid was not around. Tadano may not look like a scary catcher or strategist as a matter of fact…" Sagato explains as he move a bit away from a annoyed looking Maki. "Tadano's being a catcher is scary in terms of how he can recognize every movement and quirk of his pitcher, he may not be the aggressive type but he is smart and applies thing logically and analytically when his on the field. That is how he could calmly defuse tense situations. His good in doing pep talks at the same time being able to know the condition of his pitcher." He added making Maki ease up and realizes a bad thing as he turns his gaze back to the field.
"And I am guessing Sawamura is already aware of it… the problem there is his catcher has no idea of it…" Towa commented as they saw Sawamura's 7th pitch sailing out towards the foul line.
Tohru was closely listening to his teammates, and he totally understood that he might have some fault in terms of Tadano and Eijun's battery. He was the one who did asked Doctor Yukime to let them stay as battery partners despite the latter disagreement and attend some of their BJ practices, at the same time he was also the one that explained to Tadano how Eijun's moving pitches and variation work. It was all in a technical manner, however he never though that Tadano would actually have the instinct to respond to their young ace pitches. There is also the possibility of Eijun being injured, at the same time Tohru looked up the scored board noticing that Eijun pitches had not drop to 139mph nor went up to 141mph which was usually the speed of his fastballs. "Foul!" the moment Tohru heard that call, he felt like he was on that mound, all alone, where all the stadium pressure was crushing him, thus he instinctively stood up and yelled as loud as he could "YOU CAN DO IT, EIJUN!" uncaring who was beside him or looking at him for that matter.
Wakana, and Sawamura's grand father and father heard the loud yell. Wakana grip her chest tightly as she take in deep breath and shouting "Go for it, Ei chan!" as loud as she could. Both Eijun's grandfather and father look at Wakana in full surprised, yet they did not falter though as they look at each other and smiled, and started yelling Eijun's name. As if on cue, the whole stadium audience started cheering for Seido's ace.
"Do it Sawamura!" Ryosuke yelled as well making the other seniors cheer for their junior.
"Strike him out!"
"Go Sawamura!"
Eijun slightly wiped the beading sweat on his forehead, as he catched the returned ball back from his catcher. He took in deepbreaths as he looks at his captain asking for his improved splitter just barely on the plate. He nod in agreement, took another deepbreath, did his pitching windup and threw his number nine in full force, towards the catcher's mitt. "CLANK!" as the bat connected, instead of the improved splitter being grounded, it sailed up towards the right foul line. "Foul!" the umpire called out, making Eijun releases his breath. It was not grounded huh… figures… you do have a flexible batting style… Eijun thought as he picked up the drop rosin bag. He had been carefully keeping his poker face during the match, but his pitching hand was already starting to shake, and he was skillfully hiding it behind his back or his mitt. How many was that again… ahhh right… that's my eight pitch… with a full count …
"Sawamura!" Miyuki called out as Eijun turn to look at him in a serious glare. It is fine… we will not walk him… I swear to you! Miyuki thought as if projecting the idea to his pitcher with a serious gleam in his eyes making Sawamura face look in surprised at the same time he threw the ball back to his pitcher.
Hehehehe… seems like cap is out for blood… Eijun carefully catched the thrown ball, being careful not to let the referees or his teammates notice his shaking hand, just one more strike… one strike to go… as Eijun was getting his resolve to suck up the pain in his pitching hand a loud booming voice came out of the left side of the bleachers.
"YOU CAN DO IT, EIJUN!"
Eijun immediately looked up towards the direction of the voice, however he was not sure which part of the left side bleacher it came from since the stadium was fully packed for the finals game. Ehhhh… wait… isn't that Hero sempai? His here… he really is here watching us… Eijun though smiling as he turn to look at Itsuki who seem surprised with the loud shout as well and look up towards the left bleachers then look back at Eijun meaningfully. Eijun smile grew wider as he looks around the field, and notice Furuya looking at him seriously, at the same time recognize where the other pitcher was standing. And not too long after Tohru's loud cheer, other people in the stadium started calling out his name and cheering for him. He was a bit taken back as the stadium seems like the same with Tokyo dome, during the promotional games and the Hawks practice game. They were all calling out to him, the ace. I see… I guess I have to end this today Itsuki… sorry but this time this will be my win… Eijun thought as he turn his gaze back towards the plate, directly looking at his BJ battery partner.
Both Itsuki and Miyuki were taken aback from Eijun sudden change in demeanor. There was something about the air around him that change as the loud cheer could be heard around the stadium, calling out Seido's ace, with boomming and roaring cheers around the field. This is like the same… the first time I catched for you… in that promotional game… Itsuki thought seriously as flashback of Sawamura suddenly grabbing him form the door of Tokyo dome came flashing in his head. And that time were people in the dome were loudly cheering for him when they were taking out WK best players with strike outs. This is the thrill… this has always been the thrill you showed me… ever since you became my battery partner, this is something that Mei could never replicate… just you Sawamura… its just you Eijun… Itsuki smiled as he raised his bat higher than normal, and go into a batting stance in full concentration. Let's go Eijun…
Miyuki could notice that something had change not just to his pitcher but also with the batter standing on the box. He looked around, and could feel the intense concentration his teammates were sending out the field. As he looked at the sideline, he could see Carlos was not faking this time, he was going for a steal, disregarding the loud cheer of Sawamura's name on the field. This is giving me goosebumps… you really are something… Sawamura… Miyuki smiled behind his catchers mask as he position his mitt in the upmid portion of the plate asking for his fourseamer. He noticed Eijun nodding once, but their was something about his look that made him double his concentration.
Eijun took in a deepbreath and feel his lungs with air as deep as he could, then raised his leg as high as he could, no longer bothering with Inashiro's leadoff. As he took a step infront throwing his pitch as hard as he could. At the same time Carlos made a run for home. "Steal!" Maezon yelled.
Ehhh… it's a bit high Sawamura… Miyuki thought as he moves his mitt a bit out of plate to catch the high pitch.
"CLANK!"
The moment the bat hit the pitched ball, the audience in the stadium took in deepbreaths as the ball pop up towards left field. Carlos did not wait or look where the ball would go, he made the decision to sprint to home plate the moment he saw Seido's ace took a step forward, not yet releasing the ball. The moment the ball was hit, he immediately passed second based where he could see Kominato calling out 'back home' but he did not stop as he keep up his fastest speed not slowing down, the moment he passed third based not really bothering to look at the third base coach, just in between homeplate and third base, having a clear view of home base a sudden yell was heard on the wide field.
"STOP!"
A/N: (wink, wink) I was contemplating if I should release this next week, but then imma just leave it here... and let me myself and I suffer until then see you on our anniversary guys! love you all! Keep safe and healthy everyone (smiling)