It's the game you've all been waiting for! And don't let the chapter title fool you. This story isn't over yet!
~*Final*~
Snow fell softly to the ground as Miyuki stepped off the bus. The air was especially chilly that day. Miyuki breathed on his hands to help warm them up before shoving them inside his pockets. The area was empty except for a few people. All waiting on someone else, paying the boy no mind as he headed towards the gate. He flashed his already paid for ticket to the guard before heading in. Earning a stare from the guy since Miyuki was so early. Just like he'd done once before, he easily made his way down below to the locker rooms. This time it was much easier. Security wasn't too worried about people since the game wasn't set to start for another hour at least. Miyuki made his way into the locker room, past it, and out to the dugout where all kinds of gear laid strewn about.
"It seems like you made it in time." Miyuki turned to see the coach of Kitigawa smiling at him as he nodded in greeting.
"She was there when I needed her. It's about time I start repaying her after all the debt I've racked up." Miyuki chuckled. Looking out at the girls who were warming up.
He could now see how Tonya had been able to pick him out the day they'd first met. Even if she hadn't told him about her knee, it was easy for him to see that she was babying it. Miyuki was sure a few of her teammates had an inkling that she may be hiding something. But they wouldn't question her smiling face. Reassuring them with everything she did as she went about business as usual. Miyuki vaguely wondered if Tonya had been thinking the same thing he was now. That she was an idiot for pushing herself. That things could go really bad if she didn't rest. But even knowing that, he couldn't bring himself to stop her. Because he knew her pain. He knew the driving force behind it. And he would do all he could to help her during this time.
"Even though she made me sit out completely." Miyuki muttered to himself. "Tonya!"
The little brunette's head snapped to his voice immediately. A smile breaking out across her face as she ran over to Miyuki. The boy catching her before she could come barreling down the steps into the dugout. Without a word the two headed back inside. Tonya dropped her pants, sitting in her spandex now. She pulled her knee sleeves down and waited as Miyuki prepared the tape.
"Who knew our roles would ever be reversed?" Tonya asked softly. Watching as Miyuki carefully and skillfully taped her knees up.
"If you'd told me in the beginning that we'd be like this, I'd have said you were nuts." Miyuki chuckled. Finishing up the one knee and moving on to the next.
"You couldn't even stand me back then." She smiled. Feeling Miyuki rub the tape a couple of times to make sure it stuck in place. "Miyuki…."
"I know what you're expecting me to say. And if this was any other game I would chew your ass out till you promised me to sit down. But I know how you feel. Probably better than anyone else. So I won't tell you to take it easy. But don't overdo it. I want you to come out of this in one piece okay?" Miyuki asked. Placing his forehead against hers.
"Don't worry. You'll be wishing I'd hurt myself after all the bragging I'll be doing after this." Tonya promised. Kissing Miyuki quickly before heading back out on the field.
Miyuki couldn't help but smile as he watched the girl rally the troops. A few of them picking on her, motioning to Miyuki in the dugout as the girl played it off. The fire was there in her eyes once again. Focused solely on the game and leading her team to victory. She was determined to make sure that they didn't fall short because of her again this year. All Miyuki could do was stand by and support her till the end. Ready to catch her should she stumble or fall.
The stadium began to fill up. The buzz of voices growing in volume as Miyuki reluctantly left the dugout. Moving to take his spot up top before all the good seats were taken. He could barely believe the energy in the stadium. The excitement tangible as everyone debated who would win this game. Reviewing the stats of both teams closely. Miyuki knew from personal experience that it wasn't the better team that came out on top, it was the one who wanted it more. The one who refused to give up no matter what.
"So, how is she?" Miyuki was pulled from his thoughts by Kuramochi. Looking up to see him and the guys filling in the seats around him.
"Does it matter?" He grinned. Looking down at the bullpen where Tonya was warming up. "I couldn't stop her if I tried."
"That's true." Kuramochi chuckled. Shoving his hands into his pockets to keep them warm.
"Let's just hope the weather stays calm today." Kawakami said. Adjusting the headband he had on to keep his ears warm. Miyuki shared his sentiments. Looking up to the grey sky and hoping the clouds would break soon.
As the game finally began, Miyuki wondered if he'd been worried for nothing. The girl was playing like she always did. Confidence oozing from her as she led her team perfectly. No fear in her eyes as she did her job as the ace. Shutting down her opponents one after another. Pulling out all her cards this game as her teammates did what it took to back her up. He couldn't help but wonder what it was like to stand on the stage only the chosen few were able to stand on. Was she nervous? Was she scared? Was she having the time of her life? Miyuki couldn't help but grin to himself as he looked down at Tonya. Her face emotionless as she stood in that wide chalked circle.
"Come spring, our roles will be reversed once again." Miyuki smirked. Wanting to experience the feeling that must be coursing through Tonya at the moment. To know she was secretly cheering him on as he was doing now. To be the first one after the game he would see once they'd claimed victory.
For the better half of the game, the scored remained locked at zero's. Both teams doing whatever it took to turn the tides and get the momentum in their favor. Fans cheered loudly up top for their favored team to win. The will and fire of both teams burning brightly as they continued the power struggle. Each wanting to be the first to break that endless stream of zero's on the scoreboard. The weather was beginning to take its toll on the teams, even if they wouldn't show it. Some were huddled together for warmth, others pulled out hand warmers and slipped into jackets the managers had kept warm for them.
"This is why I'd rather play in the summer." Tonya muttered. Feeling the ache in her knees grow as she by passed a warm blanket that the second stringers had kept warm for her. She gave them a brief smile to show she appreciated the gesture as she got ready to head back out.
"How are your knees?" Riko asked. Joining her friend outside the dugout as they waited on the other pitcher to warm up.
"Does it matter? I won't back down. Not when we're so close." She grinned. Adjusting her helmet as Riko sighed. Placing the bat on her shoulders as she stretched her arms out.
"Don't make this a repeat of last year okay? I'd like to play a full year with you if possible." Riko chastised as Tonya waved over her shoulder.
The girl made her way to the plate. Recalling the semifinals last year and what had led to her accident. She'd allowed her mind to become clouded with outside distractions. Her pride had gotten the better of her and made her reckless. Because of that she'd paid dearly. The constant ache in her knees reminding her time and time again of her stupidity. Tonya had tried to do it all on her own. But this year was different. Unlike last time, she wasn't alone. She wasn't trying to shoulder her burden alone. She had people she could trust and count on. People who would take some of the weight on her shoulders and help relieve her.
"Even if I wanted to, he wouldn't let me shut him out. Not now." Tonya grinned. Sparing a glance up at the stands where Miyuki sat. The two locking gazes briefly. Watching as he gave her a thumbs up before she stepped into the batter's box.
Doing something she knew would get her ass chewed out later on, Tonya crowded the plate. Putting her knees right in the line of fire as she took up her batting stance. If they were going to make something happen, it had to be now. Any pitcher worth their salt knew that when a batter crowded the plate they were being challenged. It was how they responded to that challenge it what made them a true pitcher. And she knew that the girl on the mound now wouldn't back down. Her team wouldn't be here now if their pitched was afraid to attack.
The pitched nodded. Sparing Tonya a brief look before going through her windup. Releasing the ball at an incredible speed as Tonya took a step to swing. Hesitating just a bit when she saw it start to break. She leaned back just in time to avoid taking the ball to her mask. It had been a rise ball. Tonya took a deep breath, calming herself as she set up once again. No fear in her eyes as the pitched went through her motions again. This time the ball dropped hard. Again, the girl held off from swinging. The count now two balls and no strikes.
'If I were her, I'd be looking for a strike right about now.' Tonya thought to herself as she set up once more.
Her prediction would be right. The next pitch was a fastball to the outside corner. Clearly they'd done their homework on Tonya's batting habits. While she could turn on inside pitches all day, she was constantly struggling with outside ones. Never able to connect solid with them and always popping them up to someone. A smirk crossed her lips as she stepped hard towards the ball. Catching on the end of the bat and sending it over the second baseman's head. Doing just enough to get her a single as she jogged to first. Not wanting to push her knees too much when she knew she'd have to run once Riko got up to bat.
'Good thing I practiced hitting outside pitches with Rei before this game.' Tonya sighed. Realizing how much of a gamble she'd taken.
With that one hit, Kitigawa finally got things started. Riko managed to get on base, with their third batter moving the both of them. Lily easily cleared the bases, getting them four runs right there. Two more batters got on before a double play and strike out happened. Leaving the score at 4-0 before the teams had to swap. Tonya grinned to herself as she got her glove and stepped up on to the field. Hesitating just a bit as she looked to the now slightly messy chalk outlining the mound.
"Hey Rei, I was wrong." Tonya called out. Looking to her kohai who stood there with her head tilted in confusion. "Remember how I once told you that as pitchers our minds were only allowed to be filled with thoughts for ourselves and what we had to do?"
"Yes. You meant that we stand alone on that mound and that it's up to us to help lead the team right?" Rei asked. Stepping closer to her senpai, curious as to what she was trying to relay to her.
"While we stand alone, we aren't alone. It took me some time to realize that fact. Don't ever be afraid to look to those around you for strength. Both on and off the field." She grinned before taking off. Leaving Rei with quite a bit to think about as the game resumed.
With renewed vigor, Tonya threw her best. Striking out the first batter with ease. She may've allowed the second one on base, but her faith in her team proved right as she jammed the next batter. Allowing them to create a double play and shut out their opponents as they swapped once again. The momentum was with Kitigawa at the moment. They knew they had to score more in order to solidify their lead. Not growing comfortable just yet as they managed to get another run before the swap.
'So far so good. If we're following the coach's plan then I need to shut these girls down here so that Rei can go in without worry.' Tonya thought to herself as she stepped up to the plate.
Despite the high she was on at the moment, Tonya made sure to rein in the adrenaline coursing through her body. Blocking out the roar of the crowd and the calls of her teammates as she focused on the batters before her. The first one managed to get a hit, punching the ball just over Riko's head and into left. Earning her a single. The second batter did her best to try and move her teammate, but resulted in a high pop up into right. Somehow the runner barely managed to beat the throw to second, making her safe.
Unfazed by the runner, Tonya turned her attention to the next batter. Checking Lily's call before setting up on the plate. By now the temperature had dropped a few degrees and the cold was piercing her joints. Ding her best to block out the pain, Tonya went through her wind up. Pushing a little too hard with her right leg. Right as she'd pushed off the plate, her knee buckled. This in turn caused her to send the ball a little high. Giving the batter the pitch she'd wanted as she turned on it. Sending the ball flying over the barrier.
"Tonya!" Lily called out. Yanking her mask off as she started to head out to her pitcher. A hand stopped her though as the captain watched her ace slowly push herself back up.
"Sorry guys! My bad!" The brunette called out to her teammates. Slapping a smile on her face as she held up a finger. "We got one! Let's get two more!"
There were echoes to her call as Tonya walked to the back of the circle. Breathing slowly as she shook out her right leg. Once she was good again, Tonya stepped up and finished the job. Shutting down the next two batters. Having to battle it out since they'd kept fouling the ball off. Forcing her to throw about eight pitches a piece between the two.
"Tonya-senpai?" Rei was the first to her side once the girl reached the dugout. Guiding the injured girl to the bench where a warm blanket waited.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Tonya smiled softly. Enjoying the warmth spreading through her as she glanced to the score board. 4-2 with two innings left. "That's not a big enough lead. We need to wake up our sticks now."
"You just worry about getting on base. We'll move you." The pitcher looked up to see her two friends with matching grins looking down at her. Each holding a hand out to her.
Tonya nodded firmly, pulling herself up as another player waited with a helmet for her. She slapped it on her head, grabbed a bat, and headed out. The situation so far? One out and no runners. Tonya stepped up to the plate. This time backing off it as she stared the pitcher down. Biting her lip as she shifted her weight on to her right leg. Ignoring the pain as the ball came screaming to her. Luck was with her though as the pitch decided to throw her drop. Tonya turned on the pitch and pulled it hard. Hitting the gap between third and short. Fighting back the wave of pain from having to twist on her right leg in order to get the hit. Securing herself a spot on first as she did her best to keep her weight off her leg.
As promised, Riko did her job and moved Tonya. Getting a single off a little bleeder hit over the first baseman's head. Just barely beating out the throw and keeping her safe. The two shared a thumbs up as cheers rang out for Lily to smash the ball once more. But the other team wasn't about to let that happen. Instead, they chose to walk Lily. Hoping to get a double off the next batter since she hadn't hit anything all day.
Cheers of encouragement rang out for the batter as she stepped up to the plate. She would move her teammates one way or another. Already having her mind set as she went after the first pitch with all she had. The ball went into the foul range, but the fielder managed to chase it down. The minute it was caught cheers from the other team's bench rang out. What they forgot in their temporary celebration though was that the runner could tag up on a caught ball at their own risk. Even if it was a ball that was caught foul. The minute the ball was caught Tonya was gone. Taking off for home. Screams for the ball to be thrown in could be heard as the left fielder threw the ball as hard as she could. Over shooting her third baseman and going for home. The ball was sent flying off course though before it could reach the catcher. The reason for this?
"No!" Miyuki hollered. Rising out of his seat as the smack of the ball against skin could still be heard ringing in his ears.
In over throwing her cut off, the ball had gone straight down the line. Hitting Tonya in the back of her right knee while she'd been running. Causing her knee to buckle instantly. Biting back her scream, Tonya used the downward motion to launch herself into a dive. Sliding in safe at home as the catcher chased down the ball while the other two runners advanced. Temporarily putting their worry on hold as they knew Tonya would want them to keep with the game and not worry about her. Once the ball was secure, the umpire called time. Rushing to Tonya's side as the girl picked herself out of the snow/mud mixture that had formed behind the plate.
"Grey are you alright?" The coach asked as she knelt beside her player.
"…I don't think I can stand..." The girl whispered softly. Keeping her gaze down as she fought against the tears threatening to fall.
"It's fine. That's why we're here." Her coach smiled.
Tonya nodded her thanks as two of her teammates got on either side of her. Helping her up slowly as she avoided putting weight on her right leg. Applause and cheers rang out from all around as the Kitigawa girls made their way back to the dugout. A spot on the back bench already cleared for her as Tonya put her left foot down. Stopping her teammates as she shook her head.
"I want to sit up front. I may be out of the game, but I'm not leaving you guys to finish this alone." Tonya grunted. Lifting her head for the first time as her teammates nodded in understanding.
Up top…
"Are they letting her stay? Shouldn't they take her to the hospital?" Sawamura asked. Looking to Miyuki for answers as the catcher clenched his hands into fists.
"Miyuki-senpai…" Haruichi said softly. Unsure of what else to say to quell the storm raging inside their captain.
"You're pissed. But you're still up here." Kuramochi pointed out. Glancing to his friend who just lowered his head. Interlocking his hands as he took a calming breath.
"I know if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't want her to run to my aid. On the field we can't help each other. We can only give our support and watch from a distance. No matter how much it kills us." Miyuki hissed. Increasing his grip as he forced himself to raise his head. To see that another had taken the mound from the one he cared about.
"Nothing fancy Rei! Just hit your spots and you'll be fine!" Miyuki froze upon heading that voice.
His gaze shifted to the dugout. Even though he couldn't see her, he knew that Tonya had to be towards the front of the dugout. Still cheering her heart out for her team despite the pain she must be in. Miyuki shook his head. Chuckling weakly to himself as he couldn't believe the girl. Still putting her teammates first over herself as she called out to the fielders.
'At least she keeps things interesting.' Miyuki smirked as he stood up. Finding his voice once again as he joined the rest of his teammates and the Kitigawa cheering section. Yelling their hearts out for their team to come out victorious.
It took me forever to decide on how to write this chapter. All in all I'm happy with how it turned out. Even if it took me longer than necessary to do this. I had too many ideas and it was hard to try and narrow things down. Anyways I'm done rambling. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will see all you lovelies next time!