Chapter 1

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.

As soon as the bus had stopped and the coaching staff stepped out of the vehicle, Eijun was jumping out of his seat, maneuvering pass his teammates who were all starting to just stand up. "Excuse me… coming through… coming through!" he called out as he moved towards the bus door.

"Sawamura sempai?" Okumura was confused as he saw his senior move out of his seat like the hounds of hell were chasing after him.

"Oi! Sawamura!" Miyuki called out as he noticed Sawamura passing right by him, while dodging his other teammates, who were all getting ready to move out of the bus. "We are going to have that talk!" he yelled, obviously not caring if his other teammates would hear them.

Eijun looked back, giving his most dubious smile, "sure thing cap! Just need to have a break real quick!" he answered almost in a rush as he ran out of the vehicle.

"Was he that desperate to get to the washroom?" Maezono asked, confused as he could clearly see the panic state of Sawamura.

"I think he might really want to take a dump…" Asou answered teasingly, while grinning, making the other senior players make a face of disgust.

"I think he is running away from you Miyuki…" Kuramochi informed the Seido captain, all serious. While Miyuki just nods once as a sign of agreement, at the same time answering "Well he cannot keep running forever…" while looking at their summer ace back who seems to be running from his life.

"Ehhh… did I miss something?" Maezono turns to look at Miyuki, where the latter seem to act coolly.

"Not really… But I am about to find out later…" Miyuki answered shortly as he stepped out of the bus and looked around their dorm to at least check if the loud pitcher was still around, but with no avail, Sawamura disappeared like a puff of smoke, making him wrinkled his forehead.

—-

"I am kind of curious why is Sawamura running like the hounds of hell are after him?" Kanemaru asked Haruichi while they were helping out the first years to take out their bags from the bottom of the bus.

"Owh… ahm… I think he is just avoiding Miyuki senpai…" Haruichi defended while looking away.

"Why would he be avoiding the captain?" Tojou said as he was handing Kanemaru's bag.

"Huh… I am not sure…" Haruichi answered, making Kanemaru and Tojou look at one another confused, not noticing a few first years eyes looking at them curiously.

Eijun was running as fast as he could, navigating around their dorms towards the Seido parking lot, making sure not one of his teammates were tailing him. The moment he was able to reach the parking area of their dorms, he immediately noticed their coach standing together with his BJ captain Daiki. "Coach! Captain Daiki!" Eijun called out as he ran towards the two people who seemed to just be talking casually.

"Owhhh, hey kid!" Daiki greeted the out of breath Sawamura, the moment he got close to them in "What is the rush? You look like the hounds of hell are chasing you?" Daiki asked casually and at the same time looked at the young ace back to see if someone was chasing him. "Plus what do you mean by getting kidnapped, I was not kidnapped!" Daiki informed while Shoji smiled meaningfully looking at the young pitcher.

"Did you watch the game? What do you think of my play?" Sawamura asked excitedly, as he dodged his BJ captain from a choke hold, ignoring his comment about being kidnapped.

Shoji smiled as he nodded once and mess Sawamura's hair, "I did… It was a great game, Sawamura."

"Which play are we talking about here, Sawamura? Was it when you were giving signs to your rival catcher, or was it when you got injured?" Daiki asked teasingly, making Eijun look surprised.

"Wait? What? How did you know I was giving signs to Itsuki?" Eijun was dumbfounded but he did notice the teasing tone from his BJ captain.

"Owhhh… not much… I was just close enough and familiar with the signs that the both of you do" Daiki answered.

"It was a good game, Sawamura, you exceeded all of my expectations…" Shoji still added, making Sawamura smile in pure joy.

"Im sure you would be proud of him… he was like owning the field… though he did mess up in the end innings" Daiki informed teasingly.

"Hey!" Eijun complained, as he tried to hide his bandaged arm, however Shoji already knew about the injury since Doctor Naofumi halfly reported it to the BJ's head coach when he was first called into the Seido dugout. "But thank you coach, though I know my pinpoint batting is not that great, I was practically guessing where the ball would drop and just swing it," Eijun informed, making Daiki grin, then added

"Yeah, I noticed that… however you were still able to bat it out the field" Daiki was pleased at the same time proud in regards to how Sawamura's batting performance was.

"Owh… about that… strangely whenever I was with BJ, the pitches thrown at me are sort of heavier compared to when Narumiya san pitch hit my bat. I think that is why I was able to swing as hard as I can '' Eijun informed, thinking deeply. "Or I just felt it was lighter because I was using a steel bat… hmmmm…I am not sure…"

"Well that's because you were learning to bat with mature and stronger pitchers, that is one of the probable reasons, though your form is still kind of lacking." Daiki said in an observing way.

"I think Sawamura's batting style needs improvement, he is only starting to learn how to bat properly. We also need to make certain adjustments with his batting style since it might affect his pitching in the long run." Shoji interjected, making Eiju and Daiki turn towards their coach.

"Huh… I think Sawamura's batting style is closer to your style Shoji '' Daiki said in a bemused tone as he looked at his coach and one of his so-called friends.

"Yes, I was also kind of imitating your batting style coach," Eijun added in an unsure tone.

"Well back then, I was purely an offensive type of player, I don't pitch nor do I want to be a pitcher, you on another hand is a different matter Sawamura, you are more of a flexible type of player, I want you to be an all rounder if possible." Shoji informed smiling at the same look at the young pitcher with proudness in his eyes, "I don't want to compromise on your pitching style with my batting style, that is why I want to create a new batting style that only you can use Sawamura, in that way you can go all out with your pitching, without worrying with batting." Shoji explained, as he could see Sawamura's eyes grew wide with appreciation and happiness.

Daiki immediately put his arms around Sawamura's shoulder, proud of the young Seido ace. "Wow, look at that Sawamura, you made the self centered boring coach of ours create a new style of batting just for you… I guess you really impressed him during your game a while back" at the same time the BJ captain was grinning teasingly.

"Owh common cap, coach is not that self centered…" Eijun defende as he tries to get away from his captain's hold.

Shoji smiled, as he watched his captain and young ace banter at one another playfully after an intense game of the latter. He coughed lightly to get the attention of his two players, which actually worked, as the both of them looked at him curiously, "Ahm… I was wondering… Sawamura, when did you decide to take Narumiya seriously?" He was aware of Yukime's rule when it comes to Sawamura's pitching his BJ fastballs in his high school games at the same time there was like a silent rule in terms of his batting style, though he was never really bothered if in case Sawamura would use his batting in his official games, but he was a bit curious why the young ace decided to use both his newly learned batting style and pitches in his Tokyo qualifier game.

"Owhh… Ahm…" as Eijun tries to look for a proper explanation, "I was always serious when it comes to Narumiya Mei, he is after all recognized as the best pitcher in west Tokyo" Eijun started, as both Shoji and Daiki looked at Eijun seriously. "But the moment that I messed up my five pitches when Tohru sempai and the captain came by before the finals match, I knew I needed to use everything I learned to beat not just Narumiya Mei, but Itsuki as well." Eijun explained.

Shoji confusingly looked at Daiki as the latter looked away as if hiding something. Ahhhh… now I know why those three skipped a BJ official game… Shoji thought as he remembered Maki getting suspended for one game though he was allowed to stay at the dugout, he still never showed up, while Daiki was absent on that same game, with no contact at all and Tohru informing he needed to get a check on his arm. He was not sure if he was annoyed or happy that three of his best players were actually supporting their future ace, as he then turned to look at Sawamura, making his chest feel stuffy, "Is that the reason why you decided to not hide anything from Tesshin anymore?" as Shoji was indicating Seido's head Coach Kataoka.

"Huh… It is not like I was really hiding anything from the boss, he was just way too busy to even notice anything, especially regarding to me… he never really asked me anything… I think…" as Eijun tries to recall if Coach Kataoka ever asked nor reprimanded him in regards to his plays. "Owhhh… he did say to go all out"

"Hmmmm… I see…" as Shoji looked as if he was thinking deeply.

"Anyways… you know you were reckless in the last innings, Sawamura… especially that bounce pitch…" Daiki informed, "how long before you can pitch again?" as he knew the injured arm is Sawamura's pitching hand.

"Owhhh… this… Doc Naofumi said I should be good after five days, though he did say I need to get it checked again, and I am not allowed to hold or pitch any balls for the time being." Eijun informed as he put up his bandaged left arm.

"I see… well it kinda sucks, if your team has known of your pitching trajectory… they could have made adjustments and not let you carry the whole game on your own…" as Daiki remembered Sawamura intentionally moving to intercept his own hit pitch resulting for the injury, "but I guess Seido would have problems with your fastballs trajectory, since we also had problem with those before."

"Hahahahaha… yeah… I remembered everyone complaining to Sis Yukime when it comes to fielding practice… but it was fun…" Eijun could clearly remember Yukime calling out every BJ fielder to intercept every hit pitch when they were doing field training.

"If you call that fun… being yelled out by that pretty demon… I see that as a glimpse of hell" as Daiki could feel shivers running down his back.

"Hahahahahaha!" Eijun laughed out loud while trying to point out good characteristics of sis Yukime during their practice while Daiki made faces in every single one of them. At the same time Daiki points out every flaw in Sawamura's Tokyo finals game, making Eijun retaliate.

Shoji was watching his two players teasing each other, then all of a sudden he could remember Sawamura's performance in his final match, including the home runs and Anzai's comment with his performance and the people present to watch the summer Tokyo finals game, making him sigh and think deeply in regards to their conversation after the game, "Shoji, you better find a way to secure a contract from that kid's parents considering that he would be going to Koshien. With his performance today, and his background with BJ, a lot of other teams would be very interested" Anzai informed as he walked beside Shoji moving towards the stadium exit. "I am already checking things about that, however Yukime is way over protective towards him," making Shoji feel displeasure as he could imagine Yukime's sweet face but dark aura the moment she finds out that he asked someone to check on regulations for Sawamura. "Hahahaha… well I could imagine it… he is after all in his growth stage, but with so much potential. I guess he just needs the right people around in order for him to further grow." Anzai answered smiling as he could imagine his own highschool days, at the same time he noticed Shoji pulling out his phone as if checking on a message. "Well anyway, you are already sacrificing too much for that kid, I just hope it is all worth it in the long run." he added, making the BJ coach stop from his tracks, looking away from his phone and toward Anzai instead. "Why do you talk like you are not one of the people interested in my young pitcher, yet at the same time warning me to be wary about something? Is this one of your tricks?" Shoji asked honestly, making Anzai grin as he looked back at his friend. "The baseball world has not been that nice towards you Shoji, I know that first hand, yet you kept on fighting, so what I am doing right now is just helping you make clear decisions for the future, both for your team and yourself. Plus I already have Takahashi in my team, that guy is more than enough for me. We are after all gunning for a back to back championship" as Anzai smiles devilishly. Shoji sighs again, as he starts to move beside his friend, "I am always careful with my decisions Anzai, thanks for the reminder… however I would appreciate it if you keep your team in check, especially if they are dragging one of my main players around" as he put up his phone and let his friend see a message from a certain young pitcher about his BJ captain being kidnapped by WK, making the WK coach burst in laughter as both of them exited the building towards the stadium parking area. Shoji gripped his right thigh as he could remember an injury that had ended his career in the major league, at the same time watching both Daiki and Sawamura tease each other in regards to the younger pitcher's performance in the Koshien finals. He took a deep breath, as if readying himself of a negative outburst as he called out the young pitcher seriously, "Sawamura…" he called out, at the same time a set of eyes moved towards his direction, making him feel bad and bitter for what was about to come. "I would like you to NOT participate in the coming Koshien games" he said in his most calm voice and straight face that he could.

At first Sawamura got curious why his BJ coach was suddenly all serious, but the moment he heard what he just said, he felt like he was being tricked. "Huh…" as he looked at his coach waiting for the punchline of a joke that never came, it then hit him that he was serious as he could notice his BJ captain becoming stiff and moving towards their coach all serious.

"Hey… what do you mean for him not to participate in Koshien?" Daiki asked, annoyed, a few minutes ago, they were all fine, he barely noticed anything amiss, then all of a sudden their BJ coach went all serious. "You are joking right?" Daiki asked again, this time obviously getting mad as he moved towards his coach ready to punch the light out of the man.

Shoji notices Daiki's demeanor, however this is not something he wants to explain at the moment, especially if the young pitcher was around, considering he also knew the BJ's captain short fuse. "I am serious Daiki…" he answered as if not backing down from the BJ captain.

"Wait wait!" Eijun panicked as he could notice the glare their captain was sending their coach, making him immediately move in between the two men. "I think the coach has his reasons, I mean, he just said my performance was great, right?" As Eijun looked at his BJ coach all nervous now, something was off, he could sense it especially as he noticed the serious look his coach gave him.

"No… I am serious about this Sawamura… I do not want you to participate in the 18 players competing for the Koshien title" Shoji said seriously, making Daiki burst in anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you! We are talking about the summer Koshien here… it's the Summer Koshien, not the fall Koshien… Do you even know what that means!" Daiki raged as he tried to control himself not to hit his coach and one of the people he could actually call a friend.

Eijun's face morphed in disbelief as he realized his BJ coach was suddenly dead serious about him not participating, "Eh… wait… if its about me getting injured, the doc said I just need to rest for a couple of days, then I can be back in tip top shape" Eijun explain desperately as he grip his bandaged pitching hand.

"You don't have the right to pull him out Shoji, that is not your call!" Daiki added.

"No… it is not about your injury Sawamura, I am sure I would get a report once I get back in the headquarters about that, plus your performance is indeed great, passing my expectations," Shoji answered solemnly as he looked at the petrified young pitcher looking at him in disbelief and betrayal. It hurt him seeing Sawamura's look, but he must do what he believed would be best for his team.

"Ahm…then… then… I will perform better… I will perform all nine innings if I have to… is that the reason why you want me to be dropped from the lineup coach, because I did not pitch in all innings. I will do my best in the future… so please… just… not you…" Eijun tries to make an argument as he thinks of what could possibly be the reason why his BJ coach would not allow him to join Koshien, "if … if… it's my pitching… then I would get strikeouts… and home runs… I promise to get all home runs when I am at bat!" Eijun added with a pleading look, he felt confused, as he could notice the somber look of his BJ coach.

"No Sawamura, you are fine the way you are, you don't have to strain yourself any further. The problem here is that Shoji seems to have hit his head in a span of just three minutes… I think all I need to do is shake him a bit to get himself back." Daiki convincingly said as he kept glaring at their BJ coach, making Shoji groan, but deep inside he felt proud seeing Daiki changing in order to protect their younger player.

Shoji coughed a bit, to hide his appearing smile, and looked at Sawamura's panic stricken face, trying to hold Daiki back from actually trying to get close to him, considering the young ace wont stand a chance against the bulky Jaguar captain. "How about we make a bet, Sawamura" he started making Daiki raise an eyebrow and Sawamura looking at him more confused than ever. He tried to cough again, to hide his breaking seriousness, and looked at both his players. "I would inform Tesshin, and your other Seido coaching staff about your involvement with us, and if… just if… a single one of them refused in regards to my decision to drop you out of the lineup for the incoming Koshien game, then I would gladly back down" he informed.

"Huh! What the hell are you planning for Shoji?" Daiki asked more on the confuse side now, he had been playing for Shoji for a few years now to not notice the antics of his coach and honestly he felt that their BJ coach was up to something, but he can't seem to figure it out, making him feel vexed towards the man.

"Ahm… I don't…" Eijun was unsure but Shoji immediately cut him off, this time with a smiling face.

"Considering your performance in your past two games, and how you have become a focal point in every match Seido has won… I am sure at least one of them would disagree with me, or do you not trust your Seido coaches that much?" he asked, seeing the puzzled look of Sawamura.

Sawamura gripped his injured hand, as he looked back at his BJ coach in full defiance now. "Fine! I am sure the boss would disagree with you… when are we going to talk with them?" Eijun asked grimly, unsure what would happen when his Seido and BJ coach actually do meet.

Shoji smiled widely, as if catching his prey in a trap, "Good, why don't we do it now?" he informed nonchalantly as he started to walk towards the Seido's dorm.

"Huh! What?" Daiki was bewildered as he immediately followed Shoji.

"Wait! Now!" Eijun panicked as he also followed his BJ coach.

"Yes… now… Isn't it better to ask them while your performance is still fresh in their minds" Shoji answered calmly as he navigated the way towards Kataoka's office. He could notice Sawamura's uneasiness, but he stopped complaining as he closely followed him, while Daiki also did not comment, but followed closely behind. Unbeknown to the young pitcher, he had found out where Seido's head coach office was ever since the spring tournament, since he was preparing to give Kataoka an earful before, but had stop himself from doing it considering they were gonna start their season, thus he does not need Sawamura to show him the way, as he confidently walk towards the main coaching office.

Eijun was feeling nervous, for the past months he had been careful to not let anyone know about his practice session with BJ, but now they are going to inform his team about his involvement with them. He looked at his side, seeing his BJ captain walking beside him, he was glad he was with them, because he was not sure what to do or feel at the moment. He looked at his BJ coach's back as he was following closely behind. What is wrong with you today? Everything was fine a while back, and then as if just a snap of a finger, you change… as he could remember the serious look their BJ coach gave him a while back. Was I teasing the captain a while back too much, or maybe because of my injury… At the same time Eijun looked at his bandaged pitching hand. He knew he was being reckless and forceful when he decided to let Furuya pitch another inning, but he never thought he would get in trouble for it. I don't know what to do… at the same time he could remember sister Yukime and Hero's senpai face, while already starting to feel dread when he noticed Coach Shoji stopping in front of a closed door. Then it suddenly hit him, he never showed him where Coach's Kataoka' office was and yet they are in front of that door right now. "Huh… wait… How did you know where to go?" Eijun asked, horrified as he immediately moved up front blocking his BJ coach from even knocking on the closed door.

Shoji looked surprised as he noticed Sawamura's nervousness all over his face trying to block him from even trying to get to the door. " Sawamura… you need to move… we do not have all day you know…" he added, making him sense Daiki sighing in disbelief while Sawamura looked more alarmed than ever.

"You know what coach… I think it is best we do this tomorrow… you know… because I am sure everyone is tired… and are way too busy since we need to debrief about today's game… yeah, that's it.. How about tomorrow instead?" Sawamura asked however as if on cue, the door suddenly opened showing Miss. Takashima Rei looking surprised seeing Sawamura blocking the door.

"Sawamura? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?" She was full of concern as she looked at Sawamura's pitching hand.

"Huh! No… I mean… yes… But no…" Eijun tries to explain towards Miss Takashima, while also trying to figure out how to hide two grown men behind him.

Shoji could notice Sawamura's plan, making him grin, however he was serious in regards to having the talk with Kataoka, thus he gave his most boying smile, at the same time coughing for a bit to get the attention of the assistant coach and scout of Seido. He noticed the woman looking up towards their direction looking confused and concerned at the same time. "Good evening, I would like to have a talk with Seido's head coach?"

Takashima wrinkles her forehead as she tries to remember where he saw the two good looking men now standing behind Sawamura emitting an aura of authority. "Yes? I'm sorry but who might you be?" she asked curiously. The man smile grew wider, making her feel a bit uneasy, but her jaw officially drop the moment the man in front answered with full boldness, "I am Mihashi Shoji, Tokyo Black Jaguars Head Coach, and behind me is Daiki Koji, Tokyo Black Jaguars team captain" at the same time a calling card was handed over, making Takashima unsure and pale as she accepted the cards in pure disbelief. She took a step back making way for the newcomers to come in, while looking at the cards that were handed to her.

Coach Kataoka was talking with Coach Ochiai, when he noticed Sawamura entering with uneasiness obvious from his demeanor, "Sawamura, is something wrong?" he asked, then he spotted the two men following not far behind, leaving him shocked, "Shoji…" he uttered softly.

"It's been a while, Tesshin…" Coach Mihashi Shoji greeted.

A/N: Hello everyone! I would just like to sincerely apologize for not being able to update in regards to the status of the story. But rest assured, I would be confirming I will be finishing this work, so no need to worry, (smile) Last year, I have officially joined the Corporate world, though it was far from what I had expected, thus I was not able to write, nor provide updates. To the people who had continously read, (reread) my work, and had left messages or comments, I extend my profound gratitude to you. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity and encouragement to write again. I hope everyone would like this Season of the Hidden Ace! Thank you so very much, stay safe! and officially I am back, looking forward for everyones opinion for this season, Love everyone lots (heart) stay safe and healthy.