Starting Again
Warnings: extreme ooc. fem!Eijun. overprotective Seido boys.
Disclaimer: I dont own DnA.
CHAPTER 6
"So that's the plan." A brown-haired girl summed up her explanation.
"Yep. Sounds fine to me." Kominato Haruichi heeded her words and nodded.
Sawamura then sensed a vein popping in forehead of Kanemura Shinji.
"….hm? What is it Kanemaru-kun?"
"Don't what is it me!" shouted Kanemaru, cutting short his muttering and grabbing the girl by her shirt. "You know exactly why I'm angry! And don't try to be polite and call me Kanemaru-kun when you don't mean it!"
"Calm down Kanemaru-kun!" Kominato tried to calm the blonde boy.
"That's right Kanemaru-kun!" Sawamura cried in agreement, with a sarcastic grin on her face. "Don't get so disheveled! Your selling point is your dryness so you have to take care of your rare characteristic!"
"Y-you! It's all your fault to begin with! You call this a counter attack plan but I wasn't assigned anything and yet you still invited me to join in! What is this? Are you making fun of me? You are aren't you?!"
"Hahahaha of course not," Sawamura moved her hand to her mouth and went 'ah' as she raised her face. "….then watch Kawakami-senpai's pitches as carefully as you can."
"Hey, you clearly made that up just now didn't you?"
Kanemaru forced out a long and deep sigh and placed his hands on his hips in resignation. "Ahhhhhhh"
"Next Batter!"
In his little bout with the female player, power, irritation, anger, everything drained from Kanemaru's body. It was beyond tired, it was closer to exhaustion and he just slumped in a chair. It made the earlier exhaustion from the scrimmage seem like nothing. "Oi, the Coach is calling for the next batter. Hurry up and go Bakamura."
"Roger." Sawamura said with a wave of her hand. "Make sure you do watch Kawakami-senpai's pitches!" she added before walking up to the batter's box.
"Yeah, yeah hurry up and go."
"I think Sawamura-san left you out on purpose." said Kominato abruptly, appearing behind the blondie. "You were feeling down earlier right? But now-"
"Ha! It looks like I had been dancing to her tune since the very beginning."
Last night during dinner, when Sawamura was still bathing, the super rookie, Furuya Satoru had picked a fight with the seniors. Even though he had no ill intentions, and plainly just wanted a legitimate reason for the genius catcher to catch his pitches, he had said 'I won't let anyone hit my pitch tomorrow'. However, the seniors, as prideful as they are probably took it as 'the seniors can't hit my pitch.'
Thus, it was perfectly natural for Furuya Satoru to be the subject of many hostile gazes.
That being said, while it wasn't a hostile gaze that Sawamura was fighting against, be it because of envy or jealously or maybe a mix of both, Sawamura sensed some intensive gazes from other players as she made it to the batter's box.
"I haven't purposely angered the seniors like Furuya so why am I getting a similar treatment…." The female muttered.
"-And I thought you said that you weren't a player." The Coach said while chuckling, just enough that Sawamura could hear from behind the helmet.
"I only said maybe." Sawamura scrunched her eyebrows and put herself on guard because this Coach, was slier than he appears.
But, doing her job was higher on her priorities list and so she decided to focus on the fielders, their positions, and the pitcher, Kawakami Norifumi.
"Hit to pitch Nori-"
"Nori-senpai! Let's have a good game." Sawamura interrupted with a brazen attitude and overly intimate choice of words, as if she was bantering. However, the glint in her eyes certainly did not imply such friendliness.
Hahaha, same as always Sawamura! Kawakami smiled at himself, ready to pitch.
"Foul!"
Slightly out on the first-base line.
"Foul!"
Flies off bat into back fence.
"Foul!"
"Foul!"
"Foul!"
"Whew, Nori-senpai, you're really getting the corners." Sawamura began cracking her neck. "Please go easy on me."
Who the heck is this girl? The catcher, Miyauchi, internally groaned. No matter where Nori pitches, she always makes contact. Is she doing this on purpose? "Come on Nori! You're pitching well!"
"Wow! Look! That girl, she's really hanging in there!"
"How does she know what pitch is coming….."
"She has technique…."
Kanemaru was speechless and put the cup to his mouth and gulped it in full.
"Everyone should watch carefully. Sawamura-san is trying to show us all the different type of pitches Kawakami-senpai possesses." Said Kominato, the first one to snap out of it.
"Foul!"
"Let's put an end to it, Nori-senpai." Sawamura smiled.
"That's my line!" Kawakami breathed in deeply and grinned broadly, "Don't complain if you get struck out!"
"No hard feelings then."
Kawakami stepped hard in front of the rubber, swinging his arm in from the side. After hitting fouls off all of his pitches, there was no need for anymore feint balls.
With a deep breath, Sawamura swung her bat. It had been quite some time since she last batted seriously. Not that she was bad at it, it was just that her skills have definitely dulled in the few months since quitting baseball.
Instinctively realizing the immediate need to settle this, and that any easy balls will fly, Kawakami subconsciously threw the one ball he had sealed himself.
Sawamura swung her bat with the intentions of making contact with the ball right in the sweet spot. Yet in the instant before contact, it dove downward.
Shit. A sinker.
Unable to even foul off this pitch, Sawamura proceeded to swing through and she bit her lip as she saw the ball fly straight to the third baseman's glove. You really did it this time, Nori-senpai.
Her at-bat was essentially over. Maybe I should have spent those mornings swinging my bat instead of going for walks.
"Don't give up! The third baseman dropped the ball!"
Kominato suddenly shouted, as he watched the ball slide out of the glove upon impact.
Sawamura recovered from her momentary shock and acted accordingly. That is, running through first base before the ball was delivered to first baseman.
With a lunge, a tumble and a uniform covered in dirt, the call of a single word ignited hope among the first years.
"SAFE!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd and first years alike.
"That's the first guy to be on base!"
"WoW!"
But the first-year baseman wasn't so nice. "Hey, first year," he sneered with a sarcastic tone, "don't get full of yourself with that lucky hit."
"-phewwwww", without replying to the first baseman, Sawamura returned to the base and exhaled a deep breath with complete calm. "Lucky, if it weren't for Haruichi's call then I would have definitely been out. And after all I said, it would have been quite embarrassing…."
"…"
"Huh?" Sawamura suddenly spun around and looked at the first year baseman. "Did you say something Senpai?"
The first baseman blinked rapidly a couple of times, "N-no, nothing." He unintentionally answered back weakly. He was taken back and caught off guard because this female player casually ignored his statement earlier but she could catch on to his quiet mumblings.
"Hmmm….okay then." Sawamura said. "Wah! This muddy uniform makes me look like Kuromochi-senpai!"
The first baseman was sure already. Despite having talked to the first year girl for only 5 seconds, he was sure that she was the 'my pace' type that completely ignores other people as she feels and only listens when she wants.
"Next batter!"
"Yes! I'm calling for a member change!" A small pink-haired boy took a step out from the dug-out, "I'm the pinch hitter." He announced, earning laughs from the public audience.
"Go! Go! Harucchi! Smack it hard!" Sawamura yelled out, watching her conspirator walk towards the batter box. While she was unaware of it, she dropped honorifics on whim and comes up with nicknames that are to her preference.
"H-Harucchi?" Kominato repeated his nickname, blushing to the roots of his hair with his head drooped down.
For a guy, Kominato's build was comparatively smaller to the rest of the baseball team. Kominato and Sawamura weren't exactly the same size, but they could easily fit into each other's clothing. So it wouldn't be weird if he was underestimated because of his small stature.
"Heh!" the first baseman scoffed. "With that small body, I wonder if he can swing the bat properly. Woah! He's even using a wooden bat! My bet is that either his bat will break or he will get blown away by the ball. Hahahahaha! Are you alright with that unreliable-looking boy batting? Female first-year."
"I appreciate your worry, but I think you should worry about yourself instead. Deep down you actually know, don't you? What sort of batter Harucchi is."
"…."
The first baseman clicked his tongue in a blatantly irritated manner, turned towards the female who was already talking a lead, and said, "I hope you don't end up stranded on the base."
Sawamura only giggled and laughed in response. "Even if you know our plan, you won't be able to stop us from earning a run."
"….plan?"
"Mmmm….I think it'll feel better to earn a run without tricks."
Waving a hand, "Harucchi!" She called for the attention of the batter and gave the thumbs up sign.
"….plan B….really…."
The look in her eyes told Kominato that she was not joking.
He took a deep breath, "I will definitely get you back home! Let's score a run together!"
Sawamura nodded happily. "Yup, yup that's better."
All the pressure was stockpiled on top of the small pink-haired batter. Not only did he just announce to everyone that he was going to score a run, but the pure smile on the face of Sawamura on first base, was permeated with heavy pressure, enough to make him avert his eyes.
"Play ball!"
Kominato gripped his bat short before getting into stance.
As confused as the crowd, Miyauchi showed an unusual expression that sat on the fence between worrying and thinking. Should we throw a ball to the outside to see his reaction?
Kawakami nodded at Miyauchi's call and started his wind-up. Just a moment after he was about to release the ball, Kominato spread his hands apart and brought it back together at the knob.
He changed his grip! Shit-
A ball to the outside against an unfamiliar batter, Kominato thought as he fearlessly smiled at the incoming ball. There's no easier pitch to hit than this.
Whooosh-it sounded.
It was the sound of Kominato's bat swinging through. At the same time, there was the sound of the ball hit perfectly and it felt as if time stopped upon contact. But it really took just a second, before becoming a powerful liner hit down third.
"Fair!"
Surprised by the long hit, the first baseman lost focus of the game, completely forgetting about the runner who had started running the moment the pitcher threw.
"Shoot! Hurry! The runner's past second base!"
"There's no way we're going to give up a run to first years!" Right fielder yelled, picking up the ball.
The crowd shouted with excitement as if they were commentators, "Woah! She's gone past third!"
"She's running straight for home!"
Catching the ball delivered straight to him, the baton was passed. The home base was his territory. It was his job as the catcher to get the runner out, and to prevent the other team from scoring.
But Miyauchi concluded that there was absolutely no way that he could lose, a consideration that was neither conceited nor overconfident. Even though Sawamura has shown to not be an amateur in baseball, in the end, she was still just a first year and a girl to boot. There was no way she could overcome the defining difference of pure physical strength between females and males. But that doesn't mean he'll go easy on her.
"I'll blow you away!"
Miyauchi clasped the ball in his glove and for sure, aimed it towards Sawamura, coming in for the dive.
A yell rang out-and that was all.
"Wow! The first years finally scored a run!"
"The batter was good, but I also gotta hand it to the runner who didn't stop!"
The cheers didn't stop there.
"She did it Takako-senpai! Eijun-chan did it! She scored a run!"
"Amazing…"
But of course, it was the first years that were by far, the most hyped up about their first run.
"She actually did it!"
"We scored a run!"
Two people let out sighs of relief, while two other looked furious.
The former two were Kominato and Sawamura.
"Wow! She actually did it…" Kominato said, letting a sigh slip.
To be honest, Kominato had slightly underestimated the seniors' fielding skills as he didn't expect them to relay it back to the catcher so fast. If it was him, he would have definitely stopped at third base. So he was in awe of Sawamura, for being able to pull that off.
"Phew," without reacting to the crowd, Sawamura walked back towards the bench as usual and sighed as if she had completed a job.
The latter were Miyuki and Kanemaru.
At Sawamura's run in, Kanemaru had almost cheered out loud with everyone. Tightening his face against the impulse, he kept a stern expression. And as the female player returned, they made eye contact and she gave a thumbs up.
The sight of her giving him a thumbs up with such a self-assured expression was annoying as hell. He could feel an angry vein throbbing in his head.
The gaze of Tanba and Furuya focused on Miyuki, who was sitting in front of them.
Miyuki Kazuya was the unpredictable strategist of Seido. Coming up and executing strategies that warps the normalcy, taking drastic measures since his appointment. The two pitchers concentrated their gazes on him with expectations of some laugh or joke of some sort to be given to the risky plan that ended in success.
Miyuki's shoulders trembled. He leaned his upper body forward over his knees and his slumped back shook up and down.
They could only watch over that strange sight until moments later, Tanba spoke up, "Oi Miyuki….are you laughing or are you angry….?"
The catcher let out a sigh and lifted his face, "I'm happy for the first years cause they've won their first run and all but," He grounded his teeth. "How she got the run is the problem! Why is she always so….so reckless!"
"Isn't that normal though? Charging into catcher for a run….Ryousuke and Kuramochi do it a lot." Tanba stated.
"Not with that kind of timing and disadvantage. The timing was completely on Miyauchi's side. Even Ryo-san and Kuramochi think about whether or not they can make the run by taking in consideration of the timing and power of the catcher."
"What exactly are you angry about?"
"She forcefully twisted herself to avoid the path of the glove, and in the same motion, she reached her hand out and slammed it on the home plate. I'm angry about how she could have seriously injured her shoulders or hips." Miyuki explained, adding in a small voice, "…..and she just recovered from her old injury too…."
Not a single comment was raised from Tanba. But the other pitcher who was listening in in silence spoke up,
"….Miyuki-senpai….doesn't that you're just worried about her?"
"….."
The stillness continued for a little longer.
Miyuki straightened his back, and coughed once, returning to business. "If she gets injured then I'll have one less interesting pitcher to mess with. Now let's concentrate on the match. She's pitching this time round. If we miss it then all this waiting will be for nothing." He said in one breath.
Why is he talking so fast? Furuya wondered, not saying anything as he watched the girl walk to the mound. I can finally see…..her pitching.
However, in contrast to the fervent cheers of support from the first years, majority of the seniors looked on mockingly.
"You just scored one run. Don't get so cocky first years." One senior said, prepping his batting gear.
"Both teams line up!" The Coach suddenly yelled, surprising both teams.
"C-coach! Please let us continue! We can't let it end with the first years taking a run from us." Miyauchi lodged a serious protest, which was casually ignored by the Coach.
"It's over. Even if we continue, the difference will only get larger and larger."
Sawamura took a glance at the score. The Coach was by no means wrong.
19-1
But her unfortunately long relationship with Miyuki told her that the bet wasn't going to get called off even if the Coach stopped the match.
As she was thinking of reasonable plan to convince the Coach to continue the match, he spoke up once more.
"However, if all the first years want to continue this match, then it's a different story."
"….."
"So, what is it?" said the Coach as he fixed his gaze on the first years.
"Ah, uh-"
The first years fell silent.
They would glance at each other, but when their eyes met, they quickly averted their eyes and made a complicated face.
Considering the importance of the game for the first years and the current score, it would not be strange to just throw in the towel when there's a chance. Even if they do continue to earn runs, now that the monster rookie left, how would they stop the offense of the seniors?
It was too much. For Sawamura, even though she seemed quite skilled in baseball-
"-ahahahaa. Ahahahahhahahah!"
However. Sawamura simply erupted into laughter. She did not seem to mind the chance to give up, and simply walked to the mound, Kominato quickly following behind. "What. That makes everything simpler doesn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that while I was trying to think of a way to continue this game, the Coach generously suggested the most simple and easy way out! -So" Sawamura raised her arms before bringing them down again as she fixed her gaze on the first years. While she only stood three-quarters their height, her figure brimming with confidence on the mound seemed to exude the charismatic aura of a true leader. "So, why are you hesitating?"
"….."
"You say you want to play baseball, and then before you can grow some balls, you say you don't want to play. What do you guys really want to do?"
Sawamura smirked- and she continued mocking her teammates.
"In this situation, a situation where you are against a formidable opponent, you decide to give up because it's 'uncool' and 'hopeless'. But fearlessly try show off when you have the upper-hand. How stupid. If only guys like you are playing baseball, then guys are not nearly as the baseball association says. If this is all you've got, then I have might as well have stormed my way into the Koshien instead of wasting time waiting for permission."
"Shut up-"
Closing her eyes, Sawamura ignored every minor complaint and simply, continued. "You think this chance will fall into your laps every time it doesn't go your way?"
"…..."
"What did you spend your middle school days doing?"
"….."
Numerous sounds of scraping grit.
"Can you really proudly exclaim to your girlfriend and buddies that you did your best today?"
"..."
"Can you really tell them you're a member of the prestigious Seido Baseball club with a smile?"
"..."
"If you can, then you're far worse than-"
That two-faced catcher, Sawamura meant to finish, but she took a strong blow to the back of her head, so her line was forcibly stopped. She turned around and saw Kanemaru standing there with his hand balled into a fist.
Looking around her, she noticed that her teammates were in position, the unwilling expression on the faces no longer present. If anything, they looked rather mad.
"Shut up! What're you doing. We're all ready to start the match so cut your monologue short and start pitching." Kanemaru said.
Instantly, their eyes sparked. And as if they were waiting for the moment, their voices went in sync.
"That's right Sawamura!"
"Why are you in charge?!"
"Just to let you know, we didn't join this team out of sheer envy."
"Of course we're frustrated!"
"That's why, we're going to pay back this debt back now!" The said in unison.
Whatever happened during the time she started ignoring the presence of people around her to when she got hit, was beyond her thinking and imaginative abilities. Sawamura stood still, looking at Kanemaru blankly, but she then let out an astounded laugh.
"….what the heck is that…..you guys are the best."
Once they saw a small smile form on the small female's face, they all instantly turned towards the Coach and pleaded.
"Please let us continue this game, Coach!"
"Please!"
"Please!"
"Please!"
At the first years' fervent plea, and the first year female's broad smile, the Coach spoke.
"Why couldn't you play with this much enthusiasm from the start?" The Coach lowered the tone of his voice a bit as his eyes teemed with a challenging glint. "In high school baseball, you don't get a second chance."
"Yes sir!"
Everyone bowed their heads lastly and dispersed. The managers hugged each other while the guys at the dug-out did high fives.
"Pitcher change! Pitcher, Sawamura Eijun!"
TBC...