Hello there! I hope y'all doing well! Happy Halloween! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Hanukkah! I can't believe it's been that long! I apologize for the small hiatus. It's just that I was having inspiration block. I knew what I wanted to write but my mind wasn't in the writing mood despite having small windows of time on some weekends for me to write. But thankfully right after I had my thanksgiving dinner, I opened my laptop, and I got my "writing mood" back. A true thanksgiving miracle lol.
I also hope that you enjoyed last chapter from a while back.
I enjoyed writing it so much. I think the scene with Miyuki and Mei is one of my favorite scenes that I've ever written so I hope you liked it.
Also, I hope you are liking Miyuki's interactions with Azusa. This is supposed to be a slow burn/pining fic, so nothing major will happen anytime soon.
Miyuki only sees Azusa as a little sister… Or so he thinks lol.
Thanks for your support.
I apologize for any grammar mistakes.
Disclaimer: I don't own Daiya No Ace. Yuji Terajima does. I only own this OC.
Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Maybe Not Just Yet
"Not again!" Azusa groaned out in frustration.
The manager crouched down on the ground as she started to pick up the baseballs that she dropped from the basket.
"Are you alright, Azusa-san?" Haruno asked turning around.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Azusa said without looking up to Haruno. She was too preoccupied with her task at hand.
"This is not the first time that you've dropped something today," Haruno said, glancing at her with concern. "You seem very nervous today, is there something wrong?"
Azusa gave her a nervous chuckle in response while getting up with her basket. "Of course I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" she asked in turn with another awkward laugh.
Haruno narrowed her eyes at Azusa, giving her an unconvinced expression. "If you want, I can take that to the shed since you seem so jittery," she offered.
"I'm not jittery!" Azusa protested. "I'm going to the shed real quick and then I'll grab you so we can watch the games together."
"Alright then," Haruno gave her a slow nod."Don't take too long. Remember that Inashiro is playing in the three way robin today," she reminded Azusa.
"Oh, I know," Azusa deadpanned while having a forced smile plastered on her face.
Then she parted ways with Haruno to go towards the shed.
'How could I forget?' Azusa thought bitterly to herself.
It was all she could think about as soon as she got in bed last night and not to mention this morning. Not even spending time with Miyuki last night calm her nerves. Haruno was right. She was jittery. She couldn't stop shaking and was very distracted which greatly annoyed her senpai because of how many times they had to repeat themselves. She was so nervous that she hadn't made any complaints all day long. And she always complains. Always.
But today she was having more important issues than being uncomfortable in the hot summer weather, Sachiko being too bossy, or Sawamura being annoying.
Mei was going to be at Seido any moment now and she had no idea how he was going to act.
Was he going to shout her name for the entire team to hear while looking for her?
Was he going to try to convince her to leave Seido?
Tell everyone that they were siblings?
She was screwed. Some people would say she was exaggerating but in her opinion her fears were well justified. She was the sister of the ace of Seido's top rival team that had been preventing them from going to Koshien. How can she expect people to react kindly to that? The sports world was already competitive as it was.
'I just have to hide until he leaves,' Azusa thought to herself.'If he doesn't see me then he won't embarrass me. The most he can do is to ask Miyuki about me, and I doubt he'll sell me out in this situation.'
'Sounds like a plan!'
"Furuya is not throwing today?" Azusa overheard an overly familiar masculine voice complain.
Oh no…
Azusa froze.
Mei was here.
"Have you two heard of Seido's other amazing pitcher?" Azusa then heard Sawamura's voice.
'Oh great! And he is talking to Mei too?'Azusa pondered as walked discreetly towards the dugout so she could hide behind it and listen to their conversation.
"Yesterday we had a game against Osaka Kiryu and Furuya pitched in the game but the result was horrible!" Sawamura exclaimed.
'What was that idiot doing? He's not only revealing the team's secrets with Mei but also with his senpai Harada-san. BAKA!'Azusa thought angrily.
"He lost eleven runs ins five innings! Five innings!"
'Someone stop him!'
"You're lying," Mei said in disbelief while shaking his head.
"It's the truth!" Sawamura insisted. "And when everyone thought everything was over, a hero..."
"That's enough!" Azusa yelled without realizing that she completely blew her cover.
"Take this!" Kuramochi exclaimed out of the blue as he kicked Sawamura.
"Ow! What was that for Kuramochi-senpai?"Sawamura complained as he rubbed his arm in pain.
"Don't tell the team's secrets to our rivals," Miyuki chastised, trailing behind Kuramochi.
"Exactly! How dumb can you be?"Azusa asked Sawamura in anger.
"Azusa!" Mei greeted with gleeful smile.
The manager flinched at the mention of her name and then nervously gulped loudly when she realized that she had definitely blown her cover.
"What are you doing here?" Sawamura asked in confusion.
"She is clearly here to greet her big brother, right Azusa?" Mei said with a conceited smirk. "Ne, little sis I gotta say I'm surprised that you've lasted this long," he added with a tease.
"Sister?" both Kuramochi and Sawamura said in unison.
Azusa glared at Mei for revealing her secret. "Of course not! I was just here to stop this idiot!"she replied in anger, pointing to Sawamura.
"So he was telling the truth?" Harada asked, his towering figure and domineering stance with his arms crossed intimidated Azusa.
Azusa took a step back. "I uh-"
"Yeah, that's true," Miyuki said nonchalantly, cutting Azusa off. "Furuya is not doing very well right now."
"Kazuya," Mei began with a distrustful look. "It sounds like a lie when you say it."
Miyuki chuckled.
"So is no one going to answer?" Sawamura interrupted. "Blondie-chan since when are you his sister?" he asked Azusa while pointing to Mei. "And did you know about this Miyuki Kazuya?!" he then asked, turning to Miyuki.
"Oi, I wanna know too but that doesn't mean you have to ask stupid questions, you idiot!" Kuramochi exclaimed, hitting Sawamura again.
"So you're pitching today, Mei?" Miyuki asked, completely ignoring Sawamura and Kuramochi's
squabble.
"I sure am!" he happily replied.
"Great! Time to collect lots of data!"Miyuki exclaimed.
"Don't ignore us!" Both Sawamura and Kuramochi yelled.
Azusa snorted as she crossed her arms across her chest. "That's what you get for being nosy."
"You better pay close attention, Kazuya," Mei said with a confident smile as he turned to Azusa. "And you too, imouto," he added turning to leave with Harada who didn't want to spend more time with Miyuki.
Azusa glared at Mei's back.
That cocky smile meant trouble.
What was he up to now?
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The meeting with Mei didn't go as bad as Azusa anticipated but that only was because only Sawamura, Kuramochi, and Miyuki were there. But it wouldn't be long before the rest of the team finds out. Not with Sawamura's big mouth. However, there were more pressing issues at hand.
Like Mei learning the change-up.
'When did he learn that?' Azusa asked herself feeling annoyed. It was obvious that Mei just pitched that change-up to taunt them. There was no way his coach would allow him to pitch that in a mere practice game.
"What was up with the half-assed throw?" Sawamura asked, oblivious to the tense surroundings while Furuya was falling asleep next to him. Everyone was in silence on the sidelines due to the shock of Mei's new pitch and didn't even bother to correct Sawamura.
"You really don't know anything, huh?" Azusa deadpanned while narrowing her blue eyes at the pitcher.
Sawamura growled at her. "It's not my fault that your brother doesn't know how to pitch!"
"If he didn't know how to pitch then, why would Miyuki-senpai tell you to closely pay attention to his pitching, you dumbass? Azusa shot back.
"Brother?" the third years asked simultaneously, momentarily forgetting about their shock.
'Not again,' Azusa mentally whined to herself.
"Narumiya Azusa… Narumiya Mei," Tetsu connected the dots.
"So it's the same Narumiya?" Jun asked.
"We just found out earlier," Kuramochi said, motioning to Sawamura.
"Well, well, well, someone withhold some important piece of information," Ryousuke said with a sly smirk while glancing at Azusa from the corner of his eye.
Azusa's breath hitched in her throat.
"Narumiya!" Jun loudly called out her name.
"Yes?" Azusa replied, her back still to them since she was facing Sawamura.
"Turn around," Jun ordered in a stern voice.
"..."
"Do it!" Jun urged her.
Azusa slowly turned around. "Yes, Isashiki-senpai?" she said in an uncharacteristically low and respectful tone.
"Why didn't you tell us?!" he asked in an exasperated tone that annoyed Azusa.
Taking offense to his tone, the manager glared at him, forgetting all about timidness around him. "Maybe because it's none of your business?" she retorted.
Jun's eye twitched in annoyance. "What did you say?"
Ryousuke just cleared his throat which startled Azusa.
"I m-mean…" Azusa stuttered. Jun, she could handle sometimes. But Ryousuke? No well in hell. He still scared the hell out of her. Even if he didn't say anything to her.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Tanba asked as well.
Azusa felt sweat bead on her forehead and her hands getting clammy. A sign that she was getting nervous. No matter where she looked, she couldn't shake the feeling of the team's eyes on her who were observing her every move. If this was how it felt being the center of attention then she didn't want any of it.
She gulped loudly. "I… Uh…,"
"I bet she is a spy," Sawamura loudly accused her while pointing at her.
Azusa widened her eyes in surprise as she was feeling as if a knife just pierced through her heart. This was it. This was one of her most dreadful nightmares; to be accused of being a spy. She was half-expecting it which is why it shouldn't be that shocking. But what she didn't expect was that Sawamura was going to be the to say it first. She thought the loudmouth pitcher was her friend.
Perhaps she was wrong.
"I-"
"That's enough," Miyuki interrupted in a firm tone. Everyone turned to him, shocked by his outburst.
"But," Sawamura began in protest.
"I said enough," he reiterated a little irritated but later regained his composure. "Interrogating her, it's not going to help you become a pitcher of Narumiya's caliber," he added with a smirk.
Sawamura gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"Besides," the catcher continued. "We have to get ready for next game. Tanba-san?"
Azusa sighed in relief as everyone seemed to switch gears. They seemed focused on the summer tournament and how they were going to get better to defeat Mei.
'Thank you Kazuya,' the manager said mentally.
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'This is just great,' Azusa thought to herself in sarcasm.'Just when I don't think it can get worse, it does.'
After the team momentarily put behind the discovery of her ties with Mei they were looking forward to the last game of the three-way robin. Seido Vs. Shuhoku. This is where Tanba was supposed to show his capabilities as the ace to both the team and the coach. He was doing well with his new pitch and he was working well with Miyuki.
Until he got hit by a pitch while he was up to his at bat.
Everyone was in shock due to the unexpected turn of events. Not one really expected this considering how well things were going with the team. Even the coach who usually had a stoic facade couldn't hide his shock and concern for Tanba as he ran as fast as he could to his aid.
Naturally the match ended, and Tanba was taken to the hospital. After that, gloominess set in the atmosphere and the entire team was abnormally quiet. Usually the cafeteria was filled with chatter and loud laughter from the players who enjoyed their downtime after a day of arduous training. Specially today since it was the end of the hell week. But who could celebrate when a fellow teammate was injured?
If Azusa knew it was going to be this awkward then she would've had Haruno go to the cafeteria and pick up the request notebook instead.
"You still haven't retired for the day honey?" A middle-aged petite brunette with a kind smile asked Azusa.
Azusa smiled at the woman across from her in the kitchen. "Almost done, Tanaka-san," she replied while gesturing at the small notebook.
"Go get some rest soon," the older lady urged. "It's not good to overwork yourself, Narumiya-chan."
"I-"
"See? It's the same last name. I told you earlier! She is Narumiya Mei's sister! I heard it from the upperclassmen," Azusa heard someone whisper behind her.
The manager slightly turned around to see who was talking about her. Immediately two members of the second string team who were sitting behind her turned around.
As her eyes left them, she scanned the rest of the room and suddenly she noticed that some of them were giving her weird looks and whispering among themselves.
"If she's Narumiya Mei's sister then what is she doing here?"
"Does she talk about the team to her brother?"
"Can she even be trusted?"
"She is probably a spy from Inashiro."
"Why is she even allowed to be here then?"
Azusa didn't know whether she was imagining things or not but she could clearly hear those things.
"Are you alright dear?" The cafeteria lady asked, making Azusa snap out of her thoughts.
The manager turned to her. "Yes!" she said rather abruptly. "I have to go now. Good night Tanaka-san!" Azusa said with a slight bow before turning around and started walking rapidly towards the exit.
She had to get out of the cafeteria.
She just had to.
She was feeling as if the room was enclosing in on her and that she couldn't breathe due to everyone looking at her.
She just had to get out of there.
"Blondie-chan!" Sawamura suddenly called out as Azusa was about to walk out the door.
"What?" She demanded in a harsh tone.
The pitcher was unfazed by her tone and approached her as soon as he finished putting down his tray.
"Where are you going so fast?" he asked. "Are you spending the night in the dorms tonight? We can always hang out-"
"Why?" Azusa cut him off while glaring at him.
Sawamura blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Apparently I'm a spy according to you and everyone else," she replied with contempt. "Do you really think that's smart to hang out with spies?" She asked with sarcasm.
Sawamura gave her a baffled look. "But-"
"I have to go!" The manager said before leaving the cafeteria.
She didn't want to listen to Sawamura had to say to her.
It was obvious how everyone felt about her.
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Azusa couldn't contain her tears by the time she got to her shared room with Haruno. She broke down sobbing as she threw herself on her bed feeling thankful that Haruno wasn't there so she could be alone. Azusa didn't even bother in turning on the light, already being familiar with her bunk bed. She just wanted to be alone in the darkness along with her sorrow.
She knew it.
She knew that this would happen.
That everyone would shun her as soon as the team found out that she was Mei's sister.
She just didn't know that it would hurt this much.
Despite all of the pain that Azusa was feeling she couldn't bring herself to be truly mad at the team. She couldn't blame them for not trusting her and being suspicious of her true intentions. She had to admit that it did look suspicious that she was the manager of one of her brother's rival teams. But all she ever wanted was the chance to be her own person and grow on her own.
Ever since Azusa was a child, it was always her and Mei since they were close in age. They had two older sisters but since the age gap was so large, Mei was her best friend practically since birth. So she didn't mind that it was just them two. Specially after they discovered the world of baseball after their father had taken them to a professional baseball game. Mei was completely smitten after watching the game and declared to the family that he'd be the best pitcher of which she gleefully responded that she would help him be the best of the pitcher of Japan.
Azusa also was enamored by baseball. The stadium, the bright green grass, the plays, and the suspense. She loved everything. The excitement of never knowing what could happen at any given moment made her fall in love with the sport. Not to mention that baseball also deepened her bond with her older brother. It was the only thing they talked which greatly baffled their family. No one understood their obsession but they were fine with that since they had each other.
Mei had always been a great pitcher. He was even deemed a prodigy ever since he started playing and Azusa was incredibly proud of him. Every step of the way. She always helped him with whatever she could to aid him to make his dream come true and he could become the best pitcher of Japan. And she did it gladly. No one ever forced her to do it. She did it because it made her happy and out of love for her brother.
But towards the end of her junior high years she just couldn't do it anymore. Azusa was starting to feel lost and the sport that united her with Mei so much was starting to drive them apart. As the years passed, everything was becoming more and more about Mei. About how he seemed to always improve with every game, how popular he was, how everyone liked him despite of his bratty personality and how he was definitely going to be a professional player.
Mei, Mei, Mei.
Everything was about Mei.
Which was starting to made her feel very insecure and unsure of her identity. Who she was besides being Narumiya Mei's sister? Did she have a dream of her own? A life of her own? Was she destined to live in Mei's shadow forever? She didn't want to, but she was starting to resent Mei over that. Azusa was completely aware that her confidence issues were not Mei's fault, but she couldn't help but to feel that way. Also, it was not like Mei helped his cause. He always seemed to add fuel to the fire with his selfish personality. Always assuming that she would be there for him. He never seemed to care about what she wanted. He never asked her if she had any interests outside of baseball or if she still wanted to help him at all.
He never asked her how she felt.
Azusa was feeling trapped, and she didn't know how to get out Mei's shadow.
She didn't even think it was possible.
That was until she met Miyuki Kazuya.
The moment Azusa spotted Miyuki at the match between him and Mei where Miyuki bested him back in junior high she was intrigued by him. He was so passionate, determined, resilient, and bold during the game that she couldn't help but to feel a fire inside of her. It was as if his passion for baseball was contagious. She could tell right off the bat that he loved baseball with all of his heart. He was not like the other players who only saw baseball as a club activity. And she couldn't help but to admire his passion.
His passion made her want to feel that same fire that he had. That fire, that drove you to work hard for your dreams and for something that you believed in. That fire didn't allow you to live in someone's else shadow. She wanted to be like him. People like Miyuki don't get eclipsed by anything or anyone.
Azusa envied him for that.
And she also loved him for that.
At first, she didn't do anything to be like Miyuki and was just content with being his friend. Well, she was more than content. Miyuki and Mei were her best friends and nothing made her happier in the world. She stayed complacent since she naively thought that things always would've stayed the same. Just the three of them forever.
But that changed when she found out that Miyuki was going to Seido instead of Inashiro.
Miyuki's decision came as a tremendous shock for both her and Mei. Although they never discussed their high school plans. She've always assumed that Miyuki and Mei would go to the same high school where she would join them as well. Together they would've made an invincible team.
But his decision altered the way she thought things would go.
However, his decision was what made her brave enough to take control over her own life.
'Kazuya!' Azusa called out as she doubled over, gasping for air. She ran after Miyuki as soon as she saw him walk towards his house.
Miyuki, who had just crossed the entrance of his house, turned around. He smirked down at her. "It seems like I'm pretty popular with the Narumiya family today," he said in a sarcastic tone.
Azusa widened her eyes in surprise as she straightened up her back. "You talked to Mei today?"
"Yes."
"About you choosing Seido over Inashiro?" she asked. "Is that true?"
Miyuki paused for a second before answering. "Yes."
Azusa felt her heart skip a beat and her head spin. Her world was unraveling. She was not going to see Miyuki as frequent again. He had go against the future that both her and Mei planned out. She gave him a longing look, as if she was scared that this was the last time she would see him. Azusa took in his figure; he was wearing a purple sweater with black jeans. A change from the uniform that she almost always sees him in. His glasses and his smirk were the only familiar things in sight.
"Do you want to come in?" the catcher offered. He gestured towards his house.
Azusa dubiously glanced at him and then at his home. His home looked like a traditional Japanese western type two story house and next to it there was his father's business 'Miyuki Steel.'Any other day she would've been over the moon if Miyuki offered her to go to his home but now it was different.
The air was tense, and it was obvious that he was trying to diffuse the awkward situation.
"So?" he pressed.
Azusa took a deep breath before giving him a slight nod. "Alright then."
Azusa slowly walked behind him while she looked around half-expecting Miyuki's father to come out of his workshop but it was only them until they reached the porch and Miyuki let them in. Which surprised her considering that the sun was going down, and nightfall was coming soon.
"Tea?" he asked without facing her.
"S-sure," she accepted while removing her brown combat boots.
Azusa had to admit that she was a little nervous. This was her first time at Miyuki's house. Before, she only had met him outside of his house. But this was entirely different. As far as she knew it was a big deal when guys invite girls over to their homes. She looked down at her outfit and inwardly couldn't look a little better? More enticing? She was wearing her favorite worn out light ripped jeans with a red hoddie. Her blonde shoulder-length hair was disheveled, and she wasn't even wearing lipgloss.
Plain Jane much?
Azusa furiously shook her head.
Now it was not the time to worry about those things.
She didn't come for that.
She came to obtain answers.
Azusa walked through the small living room furnished with a black sofa and a wooden coffee table. There was a mantle above the fireplace with family pictures. She arrived to the long galley kitchen where Miyuki was taking out two white mugs out of the cupboards while the tea was boiling on the stove.
"You can take seat over there," the catcher said, pointing to the small dining table towards the end of the room, past the kitchen.
"I'm more than capable of helping you, y'know that right?" she asked with a little sass in her tone. She was trying to be her normal self around him.
Miyuki shot her a smirk which lead her think that he was going to tease her. "But then I wouldn't be a good host," he said instead.
Azusa chuckled. "I don't think anyone expects you to be one," she teased.
The catcher pouted. "You wound me, Azu-chan," he said. "I never have guests over so humor me," he then added in a humorous tone.
"Fine," she rolled her eyes in faux exasperation as she walked down the kitchen to take a seat at the dining table.
"Are your parents coming soon?" Azusa asked in curiosity.
"My dad probably won't come back from his workshop anytime soon," Miyuki nonchalantly replied while pouring the tea from teapot in the mugs.
Azusa made a noncommittal sound. "And what about your mom?"
Miyuki stiffened for a quick moment before putting the pot back on the stove but later recovered. He grabbed both mugs and walked towards Azusa in silence. He then set both mugs on the table.
"She's dead," he replied in an even tone as he took a seat across from her.
Azusa gasped in surprise, glancing at him with widened cerulean eyes. She certainly wasn't expecting that response. Even though Miyuki didn't talk a lot about his family, she naively assumed that he had both his parents. And now her assumption had made him uncomfortable.
"I'm so s-sorry, K-kazuya," she stammered. "I didn't know," she added feeling embarrassed as well.
Miyuki gave her a reassuring smile. "It's fine," he said sincerely. "I've never mentioned it so there is no reason why you should know that."
She smiled sheepishly at him, but she was still not at ease. Azusa looked down at her piping hot tea to avoid making eye contact with Miyuki. Not only was she embarrassed, but she was also confused. Did Mei know about this? They did spend a lot of time together without her so maybe he confided in her brother. She has known Miyuki for about three years now and she just discovered that his mother was deceased. What else didn't she know about him? It just dawned on her that she didn't know much about the elusive catcher. After a whole three years.
Was she a terrible friend?
"So was it Mei who told you about me going to Seido?" Miyuki asked, breaking the awkward silence.
Azusa slowly looked up from her tea to meet his brown eyes. "No," she replied in a timid tone. "We met after school and Carlos and Shirakawa were tagging along with him so they were the ones who told me."
Miyuki grinned at her. "Were they going on and on about how I was going to regret my decision?" he asked in teasing tone.
Azusa couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. "Yes," she nodded."Specially Shirakawa."
The catcher snorted. "I'm not surprised," he said. "That kid hates my guts or something."
She laughed. "He really does."
Miyuki joined in her laughter. "I don't know what I did to him."
"You're insufferable, but he always has a stick up his ass so probably nothing," she said while stifling her laughter. Then she suddenly stopped laughing. "Ne, Kazuya?" she said in a serious tone.
"Yes?"
"Why did you choose Seido?" Azusa finally asked while glancing at his caramel brown eyes.
Miyuki returned her deep gaze. "For a couple of reasons," he replied.
"Like Takigawa-kun?" she pressed. "He goes to Seido as well."
Miyuki's eyes flickered in curiosity. "Why bring him up?"
Azusa narrowed her eyes at him."Because it always drove you crazy that you couldn't beat him. Not even once," she reminded him.
The catcher chuckled before taking a sip of his tea. "You're right," he admitted. "I didn't get the chance to beat him in junior high so I want to compete with him again and take the main catcher's spot from him," Miyuki revealed.
Azusa raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "You're willing to pass up the opportunity to form a battery with Mei and being with a great team just so you can compete with that catcher again? Is it that important?"she asked in disbelief.
"It is," Miyuki said firmly. Without a shred of doubt in his tone. "Also," he began with a confident grin. "The idea of being in Mei's all-star team doesn't sound enticing to me. Where's the fun in that? You know that I love challenges. I much rather be Mei's opponent so I can go against him and his all-star team. Can you imagine how fun it will be? Taking him down?" he asked, barely being able to contain his excitement."
Azusa shot him at quizzical look since she was confused by his reaction. Trying to defeat Mei? "Even if that means not going to Koshien?" she asked.
Miyuki smirked at her. "Who said that I was not going to Koshien?" he replied with a question of his own; his smirk widening with each word.
Azusa widened her eyes in surprise.
How could he be so confident?
Unlike Inashiro, Seido was not doing well since they haven't been to Koshien in years. And now that Mei, who was one of best pitchers in Tokyo, was going to join the team they were going to be a lot more stronger. Not to mention that Mei was going to get stronger as well.
He really thinks that he can defeat Mei?
Then again, it shouldn't surprise her.
This was Miyuki Kazuya after all.
The genius catcher.
This was why she had always been so enticed by Miyuki. Because of his drive, determination, and passion. His fire. That fire, that she had always admired and wanted to have on her own. He always inspired her to want to be better. If only she could be more like him.
'Who said that you can't?' a voice inside her head asked her.
Azusa smirked to herself. That was right. Who said that she couldn't be like him? Who said that she was just Mei's shadow? That she couldn't shine brightly like the sun just like Miyuki?
The only one stopping her was herself with her self-doubts.
She could… No, she was going to shine in the path that she will forge for herself.
No one would be able to eclipse her.
"Maybe we'll be both at Koshien," Azusa said confidently.