Chapter 26

Mukai had his tongue out as Seido's second hitter popped a hit to the shortstop.

"Out!"

Haruichi clenched his teeth as he slowed to a jog before walking into the dugout.

"How's it look Kominato?"

Haruichi glanced towards Miyuki as the captain grabbed a batting helmet.

"He uses the corners really well, and I think he threw a screwball for that last pitch." The pinklet stated before shaking his head and setting his bat down.

"You'll get 'em next time Haruichi!" Sawamura stated before giving him the thumbs up.

I'm not even focusing on the game… Damn it.

Sawamura watched as Miyuki brought his glove up to his face, effectively covering his mouth as he began to speak.

"Alright. Time to kick it up a notch, I know it's a little early, but let's start adding in a couple cutter balls, shall we?"

A small smirk painted itself across the pitcher's lips, giving Miyuki all the answer he needed.

"That's what I like to see. Mukai may have his corners, but you have your inside to outside pitches. You also have me calling the shots. What could go wrong?" Miyuki asked, that smirk of his own growing.

0_0_0_0

Kuramochi's weight was focused on his toes, eyes focused on Miyuki's fingers as he signaled a pitch. The shortstop's feet moved, positioning himself for where he calculated to be better positioning should the ball come his way.

Kuramochi's muscles tensed as Sawamura's leg rose, the pitcher's windup carrying out. The shortstop let out a breath as the ball skimmed the strike zone on the outside, barely earning him a strike.

This process repeated each time the first year pitcher began his windup, it was Kuramochi's indication on being ready.

0_0_0_0

"Three for three, you're doing rather well."

"Where's the insult that's supposed to follow that?" Sawamura asked, his gaze scrutinizing the catcher in front of him.

"Why is it that every time I compliment someone, this is the reaction I get?" Miyuki asked while rolling his eyes.

"Might be because you're such a dick most of the time." Sawamura offered nonchalantly.

"I'm hurt."

"Then be nicer?"

Miyuki turned a raised brow towards Sawamura, who in return, had an angelic smile. The catcher slipped his helmet on, pulling his gloves on and grabbing a bat.

"Mukai went three for three as well. Gotta start this off eh?" Miyuki said before sighing.

"Knock 'em dead Captain." Sawamura stated as he made his way to the railing, making to watch Miyuki's at bat.

"You should call me that more often." Miyuki said with a smirk.

"I'll think about it if you hit a homer." Sawamura stated.

0_0_0_0

Mukai rolled his nose as Seido's cleanup batter stood up to the plate. The ump nodded as Miyuki tipped his helmet somewhat as a greeting. Although a practice game didn't attract as big a crowd as a game in a stadium would, Miyuki could still hear his favorite cheer being chanted as he fell into his batting stance.

Mukai regarded Seido's ace with distaste, as if to throw him off his game. Of course, the catcher was anything but perturbed. He returned Mukai's glare with a shit eating grin, managing to tick said pitcher off.

Mukai whipped his arm down, sending the ball towards Miyuki. The ball skimmed Miyuki's shins before slamming into the catcher's mitt.

"Strike!"

Oi oi…

Seido's captain glanced back at the ump, wondering just how he'd seen that as a strike.

Mukai likes to play corners… That was inside bottom corner…

Miyuki fell into his stance as Mukai nodded, interpreting his catcher's sign. Seconds later the ball came screaming towards the cleanup batter.

Straight down the middle? It's definitely a ploy…

Miyuki's muscles twitched in anticipation as the ball continued to head down the middle.

Where's the break?!

Miyuki couldn't help it, it was in his nature to swing, especially if Mukai was throwing him a meatball. Just as the ball should have made contact with his bat, the catcher was met with displeasure as the ball broke lower than he'd aimed for.

"Strike two!"

Mukai stuck his tongue out as Seido's cleanup rolled his shoulders out, enjoying the look of annoyance that passed through his eyes.

0_0_0_0

"Apparently I'm not motivational enough." Sawamura drawled as he chucked Miyuki's glove at him.

"What, a double isn't good enough?" Miyuki asked while raising a brow.

"I was hoping for a homer, not gonna lie."

Miyuki huffed as he pulled his chest guard on, letting Sawamura help with his shin guards as per usual.

"I'll make sure to deliver." Miyuki stated, smirk growing. "For now, focus on their next batter."

0_0_0_0

Haruichi bounced on his toes, working on exerting some of the on field anxiety as he waited for the first pitch. The pinklet watched as Miyuki's fingers signaled the first pitch, followed by Sawamura's nod of acknowledgement.

The second baseman cracked a small smile as he watched the batter scrutinizing his friend from the batter's box.

I'd love to see Eijun's pitches from the batter's point of view.

0_0_0_0

Miyuki glanced up at the scoreboard. Seido was starting their at bats for the fourth inning. Maezono was stepping up to the plate just as Mukai let the rosin bag fall to the dirt.

"Still waiting for that homer."

Miyuki rose a brow as Sawamura leant up against the dugout railing next to him.

"I mean, I know there was no one on base for your last at bat, but striking out is just embarrassing." Sawamura continued.

When did you get on such a high horse?

"That would be insulting, had it come from someone who knew how to bat." Miyuki stated before cracking a smirk.

"I made a beautiful bunt last inning!" Sawamura declared, whirling around to focus on Miyuki.

"Our idiot has to have some sort of talent, don't you think?" Miyuki's smirk only grew as he watched his pitcher simmer.

The battery's attention was grabbed when the crowd exploded with cheers. They focused back on the game, watching as Maezono successfully made it to second base before turning to the dugout with a raised fist.

"Maezono!" Sawamura cheered.

Miyuki glanced at Sawamura out of the corner of his sports glasses.

Why is it that I'm so drawn to you?

"What is it?" Sawamura asked, suddenly feeling Miyuki's eyes on him.

"Hm?" Miyuki asked, snapping out of his reverie. "I was just wondering how an idiot who can't even hit made it to such a prestigious school as Seido." Miyuki stated.

0_0_0_0

Kuramochi rolled his shoulder as he made his way towards his position for the fifth inning. He glanced towards Haruichi out of the corner of his eye. At a quick glance, it was easy to miss the small black bags under the petite second baseman's eyes as he too, took his position on the field.

What, Furuya isn't treating you well?

Kuramochi scoffed before focusing on Meazono as he chucked practice grounders to the infield players.

0_0_0_0

Two outs. Bases loaded and cleanup up… I don't like this.

Seido's captain watched as his pitcher used his shoulder to wipe away the sweat that had built up on his forehead before readjusting his baseball cap.

He's exhausted… I want this out as soon as possible.

"Focus on the batter Sawamura!" Miyuki heard Kuramochi shout.

"We've got your back Eijun!" The pitcher's best friend followed up with.

I want to jam their cleanup batter if we can.. Get the team's moral back up… I can't just let all of Eijun's work die on the field like this.

Miyuki's gaze fell on his clearly troubled southpaw's eyes.

Don't worry. I'm right here. I'm leading you, give me your best pitch! We'll take him out together!

Miyuki spread his arms out wide, indicating for Sawamura to throw his best pitch. His smirk resurfaced as his favorite golden eyes filled with determination.

0_0_0_0

Sawamura watched as Miyuki spread his arms out, giving him the same trust that he himself put into his catcher. The southpaw couldn't help but smile as his determination broke through his doubt.

The Teito batter didn't even matter anymore, all he could see was Miyuki's glove as he wound up.

Seido's southpaw whipped his arm down, launching his favorite moving fast ball down from the mound, screaming towards the plate.

Of course, no one would have expected what came next. One second Sawamura was throwing his best pitch towards Miyuki's glove, and the next, he was withering in pain as his right wrist exploded with pain.

"Sawamura!"

"Eijun!"

"Shit!"

Collective shouts were being screamed as the pitcher opened his eyes, vision swimming with tears. The baseball rolled away on the ground, it's little momentum taunting him as he stumbled towards it before throwing it towards Miyuki for the out at home.

Teito's runners all froze as Miyuki caught the ball and stepped on the plate before chucking his glove, along with his catcher's mast on the ground and dashing towards the mound.

Sawamura had plopped himself on the ground, his glove laying forgotten in the sand beside him as he cradled his wrist.

"Talk to me, how bad?" Miyuki asked as he fell next to the pitcher.

He reached towards the southpaw's wrist, only to widen his eyes as Sawamura recoiled from his touch. Sawamura's breathing was heavy as he tried to suppress the tears falling down his cheeks, though the attempt was in vain.

"Ice. Right away!"

Miyuki looked up to see Kataoka right behind him, bending down to assess the southpaw. The field was surrounded with nothing but a dark aura as Seido's team worried for their lovable idiot.

0_0_0_0

Kawakami had been sent out after both the coach, along with some medics had taken Sawamura off the field. The boy had been driven to the hospital immediately, no ifs, ands or buts to be heard.

"Catcher change."

Miyuki looked up numbly as Kataoka stepped out of the dugout, grim expression in place.

Seido's catcher, captain and cleanup batter had let three pitches go right by him. Even though Teito hadn't managed to score off of them, it was simply inexcusable to play so poorly.

Miyuki passed Ono silently, even as the second string catcher pat him on the bat.

"I'll finish this." Ono promised, giving Miyuki a look that the captain hated the most.

Miyuki clenched his jaw as he sat on the bench, chucking his helmet in the corner of the duggout. He leant forward, letting his fringe cover his view.

"Miyuki…"

The assistant manager was trying to be gentle. He knew all too well that it was not her fault, though he couldn't help but let some anger seep through his words.

"Not right now Rei." He said, his voice as dark as his aura.

Damn it…

Miyuki chewed on the inside of his cheek.

Damn it…

The catcher clenched his fists.

Damn it all to hell!

Miyuki stood, leaving the the dugout.

0_0_0_0

Kataoka watched as Miyuki beat himself up. He knew, without a doubt, how much pressure he had put on the captain's shoulders. When Rei stood to follow after the catcher, Kataoka rose his arm, effectively stopping her before simply shaking his head.

Miyuki was a difficult character to deal with, this was all too clear in Seido's coach's eyes.

"Let him cool off."

0_0_0_0

"Kazuya."

Miyuki's eyes widened as he heard his name. That voice, one he almost never got to hear, and yet, he knew so well. The catcher bit down into his cheek, effectively drawing blood.

"Dad."