Chapter Text
In the small town where Eijun grows up, there’s only one school. It’s not that the town itself is in a rural place, or in a place hard to reach. It’s just that the town where he grows up in is a small farming town where mostly old people and people who is in search for a peaceful place to retire lives. Everyone knows everyone there, and the friends Eijun made in middle school, are basically the kids he played with when he was five.
Even when his father began taking him in an hour long drive to his youth baseball club after school, Eijun and his childhood friends remains best friends. His childhood friends too, are the majority people who used to be part of Akagi Junior High baseball team.
So it was exciting to see them, waving towards him as he and the rest of Seido exited the stadium.
"Guys! Hi!" Yelled Eijun as he made his way through the crowd. “I thought I saw you guys in the stands but I was not sure!” he said, separating himself from his teammates.
"Ei-chan!" Greeted his childhood friends, waving their hand towards him. All of them wore a large grin on his face, no doubt excited the pitcher after months of his departure to Tokyo.
Arriving at the loose circle that his friends had made, Eijun can't help the bright grin that overtake his smile. "It's been so long! I miss you guys!" he exclaimed, eyes crinkling in excitement before he whipped his head around his friends. “Man, you guys didn’t change at all! So nostalgic!”
“What’s this?” laughed Wakana. “You’re only gone for a few months, not years, of course we didn’t have a drastic change” at this, the female nudged the pitcher side. “Don’t tell me you will forget us now that you’re some bigshot here in Tokyo?” she teased.
Eijun gasped, face looking scandalous at the accusation. “Never” he said, shaking his head. “Hey, I should be the one saying that to you guys! Did you all forget your beloved captain now that you’re not playing baseball again, huh?”
“Beloved my ass” snorted one of his friends good-naturedly . “If it’s possible I don’t want to deal with your or Nakatani-sensei baseball maniac self”
“How rude!” protested the pitcher, bristling like a wet cat.
His friends laughed at that. It was almost like a daily routine back then, to tease his and Sho-san’s love for baseball. To say, that all the practice they did back in middle school are something out of shounen manga and should not be practiced in real life. Eijun always took that with ease, after all, it was because of that practice and love for baseball that the previously unknown baseball team like Akagi managed to place itself in the national rankings.
It was also because of that gruelling practice that he did since childhood that now he could stood proudly in a team like Seido.
Nobu slung one arm over his shoulder. "I can’t believe this!” said the male, one hand ruffling the top of the southpaw hair. “We came here all the way from Nagano to see you but you’re not even playing!?"
"You should’ve come during the finals” answered Eijun with a grin, slinging one hand on Nobu’s shoulder too. “I’ll definitely play there and took Seido to Koshien”
“Confident, aren’t you?” laughed his middle school catcher, releasing the grip he has on him. “Well, that’s Ei-chan for you, unreasonably confident”
Eijun blinked. “What?” he said. “I can back up my confidence you know”
“Whatever you said”
"Still boastful as ever heh, Ei-chan" teased Wakana from his side, smiling. "But really, it really is a shame, I saw the recording of your match in the quarterfinals in the internet it was amazing"
Another chimed up. “Yeah! So many people praised you in the comments! I even saw so many articles about you”
“Aw, you’re making me blush guys!” laughed Eijun, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “Just wait for Koshien! I’ll show you guys my true skill there!”
“For sure” laughed Nobu. “One of your video in youtube got like thousands of few you know, I was tempted to announce that we used to be in the same team just to get clout”
Wakana grinned at that. “Aren’t you doing it already?” laughed the female before turning her head towards Eijun. “He actually got to be in his team reserve catcher because he used to catch for the Sawamura Eijun”
The southpaw gaped. “For real!?”
Nobu merely shrugged. “It’s a leverage that I’m not afraid to use” explained the catcher. “You’re an amazing player after all, everyone who plays high school baseball practically knows your name by now”
"You're a monster now! I know that you will show your true strength in a strong team!" chirped another, throwing a thumbs up towards Eijun.
Not wanting to lose, another spoke up too. "I always belive that you can do it Ei-chan!"
Ah, what a great validation. Eijun absorbed all the compliments being thrown at him as he laughed along. "Thank you! Thank you!" he said, making a small bow for a show.
Nobu leaned a bit. "Just one more Ei-chan" he grinned. "And you can go to Koshien"
Koshien.
The dream stage. The stage where thousands of players fought for. For a chance to touch Koshien grass and for a chance to play in the tournaments that every high school baseball player yearned for.
It’s the stage that Eijun watched every year without fail ever since he turned eight. A place he had always dreamed of. A place, where he will show the world that Sawamura Eijun is here and ready to cement his place in the baseball scene.
"Speaking of it..." said Eijun, eyes trailing around the place near him. "Did you guys go here with anyone else?"
His childhood friends seems to realize something. Realized, what is the true question the southpaw is asking them. "Ah" Echoed one, eyes shifting nervously to one side.
Wakana tilted her head a bit, apologetically. "I'm sorry” said the girl, patting his back gently. “I asked coach Nakatani to come with us but he refused"
A twinge of hurt appeared on his heart as Eijun processed that information.
Sho-san... refused?
"Well, he refused and said something else" added Wakana immediately when she saw how sad Eijun is. "He said that he'll see you when you made your way to Koshien"
Eijun eyes widened at that. "Wait... does that mean..."
Wakana smiled. "He'll come soon, Ei-chan, don't worry"
Back then, when Eijun was still in his second year of middle school, his match against Narumiya was something that affect him greatly.
It was the first time that he had faced a pitcher that is beyond good. Even back then, Narumiya was a player that was whispered amongst the players. An ace of a renowned middle school famous for their baseball, a pitcher that showed a great potential for the future. Someone, who surely would dominate the baseball scene years to come.
To Eijun who was still experiencing his first time in a national tournament, Narumiya was something like a legend. Someone he had heard plenty but never had the pleasure to play against. Eijun, with his rag tag band of members, unknown even in the baseball scene of Nagano one year before, managed to reach the finals of the Middle School National Championship.
He still rememembered what the announcer said when both team arrived at the field. The dark horse vs the reigning champion.
That was the first time he met Narumiya.
If he thought playing against Edogawa junior high school was fun, playing against Narumiya was beyond exciting. It was the first in his life that he had encountered a pitcher that has the same capabilities as him. A player, who dominated his team despites it strong players, and draw everyone attention to him.
Heart thumping fast, and the grin that so wide it ache a little was something that he wore throughout the game. Every time he failed to hit Narumiya pitches, every time Narumiya shot him a glare when he strike him out, it was exciting and so so fun that he doesn’t want it to end.
Even when the umpire yelled out “Game set-!” Eijun doesn’t want to stop because Narumiya is an opponent that he had craved. To play the sport that he loves with an opponent similar to Narumiya is a dream that he’ll make come true by climbing to the top of the baseball scene. One step at a time.
If middle school Narumiya is terrifying, what would high school Narumiya be?
That question was answered as Seido baseball team watched Inashiro match against Sakurazawa. Just like their game, the stands are packed with supporters from both team. Near them, Inashiro second and third strings could be seen cheering for their starters playing on the field.
“STRIKE!” Yelled out the umpire as Inashiro ace strike out the nth batter from Sakurazawa.
Murmurs of astonishment could be heard from the people watching the game. The teen in question was wearing a smug look – Eijun wonders if he can wipe that annoying expression off that Narumiya face – as he jogged back towards the dugout, ending Inashiro turns to defend.
Narumiya, is a monster. That’s what Eijun guess is in everyone’s mind as they watch the game between Inashiro and Sakurazawa.
Just like Eijun, Narumiya hold the record of no runs allowed throughout the tournament. He also perfectly strike out batters in three pitches, like Eijun.
The southpaw narrowed his eyes at that.
On the field, Narumiya with his usual confident expression appeared holding a bat in one hand. He then loudly declared that he’s going to avenge ‘Masa-san’ or Inashiro captain. Though, that confident remark fell short when the ace soon got struck out.
“Narumiya batting…” murmured Eijun.
Miyuki-senpai who stood besides him raised an eyebrow. “He’s good” informed the catcher. “Though compared to his pitching, yeah his batting is a bit lackluster”
“It’s because he’s a complete monster when he’s pitching” snorted Kuramochi-senpai as he leaned forward on the railing in front of him. “Kinda unfair to compare the two”
While Inashiro batter was struggling with Sakurazawa ace, Narumiya completely dominated Sakurazawa batter. The pitcher doesn’t even look like that he’s using his all as he pitch. And that’s the completely terrifying part. That Narumiya still have many untapped potential inside of him just waiting to be released.
By the looks of it, there is no way that Sakurazawa could score a point against Narumiya.
Slowly, as the innings progressed, Inashiro batter started to caught Sakurazawa’s ace timing. They started to make contact and eventually, hit all the balls hurled towards them. Runs are scored, roars of happiness are being yelled by Inashiro’s supporters.
Though, the same can’t be said to Sakurazawa.
“STRIKE!”
“STRIKE-!”
“STRIKE, BATTER OUT!”
Sakurazawa’s ace looks exhausted. His eyes are dark and Eijun could see how heavy is breath is. The fact that his pitches are being hit left and right also didn’t help that fact. That he, the team ace, fail to defend their score.
Not to mention, the pressure coming from Inashiro dugout is intense.
Narumiya who is on the field is a terrifying opponent. Narumiya, who is on the dugout, is also an intense pressure to every players.
Terrifying, thought Eijun almost offhandedly.
By the 4th inning, the score was 8-0 to Inashiro.
The game was called in the 5th inning. Despite the Sakurazawa ace relentless effort in defending his team, Inashiro batters are just way too strong for him. Narumiya too, is in his top shape. In the five inning played, never allowing any runs passed him.
As if he’s an unbending pillar, supporting his team. An unbreachable fort, that defended his team.
That’s Narumiya Mei.
Eijun huffed, eyes narrowing as he stared at Narumiya’s back. At that moment, the blond pitcher turned around, meeting Eijun’s eyes from the stand. Almost immediately, he cocked his head upwards as a confident smile appeared on the Inashiro’s ace face.
Score against me if you can
A sudden urge to yell overwhelm him but Eijun decided to show a large smile on his face instead. Eyes looking down on Narumiya who’s still on the field. As if you can win against us.
Narumiya is so confident in himself that Eijun really wants to see what will happened if Seido really defeat him in their match. To see, him holding a silver trophy like Eijun did all those years ago.
“We’ll win” said Eijun, eyes determined and catching everyone attention. “They got such a big head now but we’ll win no doubt”
Miyuki-senpai previously tense expression broke into a snicker. “So confident aren’t you pitcher-kun?”
The southpaw huffed, fisting his hand in a fist bump. “I can back up my confidence thank you very much”
Still snickering, Miyuki-senpai bumped his fist back. “That you do”
The champion, Inashiro Industrial aiming to retain their title, or Seido High who was seeking revenge for last year defeat and reaching Koshien for the first time in six years. The curtains to the final battle for the Tokyo representative finally opened.
The day after tomorrow, on the 31st of July, is the fateful match between Inashiro and Seido.
“Miyuki-senpai, do you have-“
Stepping outside of the bathroom, Eijun immediately searched for the familiar face of Seido starting catcher who had been tasked to accompany the trio first years to the bathroom. What Eijun was going to say stopped as he stared at the crowd of Inashiro players surrounding Miyuki-senpai. All of a sudden, all the warning his parents told him about how dangerous things he could encounter in Tokyo replayed inside his head.
The first thing that appeared on his head is mobbing.
“Are- are you guys group bullying-“
“No they’re not” cut Miyuki-senpai as he hit the back of Eijun’s head lightly. “Whatever you’re thinking of it’s wrong”
“But-!”
“Oh it’s Sawamura” said Narumiya, appearing behind from who Eijun recognized as Inashiro reserved player. “You washed you hand yet?”
“Narumiya!” yelled Eijun in surprised before catching what the other pitcher said. “And of course I washed my hand! I’m not disgusting!”
“So” interrupted a red headed player. He has one of his eyes covered with his bangs as he stared at Miyuki-senpai pointedly. “Did you got a good data?”
“I should be the one asking you that” answered Miyuki-senpai with a challenging grin, hand on his hips. “Did you guys got a good data from watching us?”
The Inashiro player scoffed. “Terrible personality as usual, huh” he drawled out.
“Did you regret it?” taunted Inashiro’s reserve player as he leaned forward towards where Miyuki-senpai stood. “To reject Inashiro invitation and going to Seido, you traitor”
Miyuki-senpai raised an eyebrow at that. “Who are you again? Did you play in a game?”
“Sorry that I’m not a starter!”
Said catcher merely snickered at that.
“Ah” voiced out Eijun, eyes wide as if he just realized something. “Are you guys fighting cause Miyuki-senpai rejected the invitation to go to Inashiro?” he questioned, head cocked sideways to show his confusion. “That’s so childish! To think all of you are older than me!”
“Can’t believe Sawamura just called out someone for being childish” laughed Miyuki-senpai, hand slung over Eijun’s shoulder. “Yeah, be more mature guys, can’t help it if I’m such a good player after all”
“Terrible personality as usual senpai” complained Eijun.
“I’m backing you up here, pitcher-kun”
“Anyway” cut off Narumiya, eyes narrowing as he took a step closer towards Eijun. Blue met gold as Narumiya narrowed his eyes pointedly. “Why are you not playing today?”
Eijun blinked. “Coach told me to?” he answered, confusion could be heard lacing on his tone.
“That means you’re playing during our match?” pressed Narumiya more, inching closer towards where Eijun stood, making the first year took a step back just to be cautions and dragging Miyuki-senpai with him in process..
“Dunno?” said the first year. “I mean I’m not the one who’s arranging who will be playing, ask coach”
Narumiya clicked his tongue. “Play! During our match!” yelled the pitcher as he pointed a finger towards Eijun as the said teen stared at it confusedly. “It will be our showdown as a rival! To see who’s the best southpaw!”
The best southpaw?
“It’s me obviously” answered Eijun in reflex.
“It’s me!” retorted Narumiya.
“Me!”
“Me-“
“Just shut up” chided the red haired Inashiro player as he hit the back of Narumiya’s head.
“Shirakawa!” complained Narumiya as he shot the said player a glare. The glare from Shirakawa look terrifying that the pitcher decided to turn his attention back to both where Eijun and Miyuki stood. “Anyway, our team is the strongest this year” said the teen with a confident smile. “A chance for Koshien, is something that we won’t passed on”
Eijun huffed, folding his arms together. “The same could be said to us!” he declared.
“We’ll see then” replied Narumiya, eyes narrowing and full of challenge. “In the 31st of July”
“Who’s the best team in Tokyo” said Eijun.
Shirakawa took a step closer towards Miyuki-senpai. “You’ll regret not joining Inashiro”
At that, the Inashiro player took their leave.
Watching their retreating back, Eijun turn to stared ta Miyuki-senpai. “Senpai, despite your terrible personality a lot of team really wants you huh…”
“Oi oi”
Just like every match they did before, the whole team are now reviewing their opponent match. Currently, playing in front of them, is Inashiro and Sakurazawa match from earlier. The managers had recorded it beforehand, giving Seido an opportunity to take a closer look towards their upcoming opponent.
The cafetaria fell into silence as they all watched the recording with an intense concentration. Ever since their defeat last summer in the hand of the then reserve pitcher, Narumiya, Seido had been preparing for this moment. For a chance to seek revenge for the loss they had suffered last summer.
“Now that I think about it” voiced out Jun-san as he stared at Narumiya in the screen in front of him. “Can you do crossfire Sawamura?”
Eijun blinked. “I can” he replied.
“Huh” replied the third year, catching the attention of the rest of the team that is now being directed to Eijun. “You’re not using it?”
“Well the coach and Miyuki-senpai kinda banned me on using it” replied the first year, turning his head towards where the second year stood in the cafetaria. “Senpai said something”
Said catcher raised an eyebrow. “I was thinking to make it as a surprise attack you know” drawled out Miyuki-senpai. “And it’s not fun if Sawamura shows everything he can do right of the bat”
“Now that I know Sawamura can do crossfire” said Jun-san as he stood from his seat, eyes turning towards where Eijun sat with both Furuya and Harucchi. “Oi, pitch to me you brat”
“EEHH!?” yelped Eijun. “That’s kinda rude senpai!”
“Come on no complaining” said the third year as he grabbed the back of Eijun’s shirt, dragging him out of his seat. “I want to get the feel of it”
“I mean I have no problem doing it but asked me in a nicer way senpai!” complained the southpaw.
“Please” added Jun-san as if it was a mere afterthought.
Eijun was about to complain that merely adding please is not enough, but another voice cut him off.
“If you’re doing it count me in too Jun-san” said Kuramochi-senpai as he stood up from his seat. “A southpaw that could do crossfire? You’re the perfect Narumiya pitching machine”
“What!?”
As if he doesn’t want to be left out, captain stood up too. “Me too, Sawamura”
“Same here”
“Lets go to the indoor practice area”
“I’m not a Narumiya pitching machine!” yelled Eijun as he got dragged by Seido batting lineup to the indoor practice area.
The projector lit up, showing a baseball match.
“Sawamura huh” said Harada as him and the rest of the Inashiro first string watched the Seido and Yakushi match. In the screen, both Sawamura and Seido starting catcher, Miyuki, could be seen talking about something before starting the inning. “There’s no doubt he’ll be used in our match”
Hirai, Inashiro second baseman nodded his head. “He didn’t pitch in today’s game so Seido coach must’ve told him to rest up in preparation to face us”
“A trump card just for us” drawled out Shirakawa, eyes staring at the screen in front of him.
“I’m flattered” snickered Carlos, crossing his hands together as he leaned back on the chair he’s been sitting in. “A first year southpaw, sounds familiar” said the center fielder as he casted a glance towards a certain pitcher who stayed silent since the briefing began.
“So far in the game, he didn’t let any players on base” explained Harada again. “His pitch count is low too considering he did many perfect three strikeouts throughout his game”
“Despite Seido tendency to rotate their pitchers, he also played in most of the innings” said Shirakawa, voice low. “I guess we can see who’s Seido’s next ace is”
After all, the current ace, Tanba, had only played In one game with a lackluster performance. For a school like Seido, Sensen should’ve been an easy opponent. But Tanba let a run being stolen from under their nose, making the team struggled in the earlier inning.
With Sawamura though, even when he faced a school with strong batting lineup with Yakushi, he successfully defended Seido and made their opponent scoreless.
The Inashiro players won’t even be surprised if in the fall, Seido ace number would be in the hand of a first year.
Nodding his head, Harada opened his mouth. “He usually follow Miyuki’s direction while pitching, and we know how annoying his gameplay is”
Shirakawa clicked his tongue. “I hate him”
“Who doesn’t?” muttered Yabe, remembering a certain catcher with terrible personality. “The guy is a dick”
“His pitching repertoire is consisted on variations of fastballs, a circle changeup and a cutter” continue Harada as he replayed the clip where Sawamura struck out Todoroki. “He didn’t use any other pitches throughout the tournament so-“
“There is no way” interrupted a familiar voice. “That his pitching repertoire is only that”
All of their attention is now turned towards the source of the voice. Narumiya Mei sat back on his chair, chin propped high with his arm crossed as he stared intently at the clip in front of him.
It was weird to see their ace wide awake and doesn’t look bored for the team briefing. Usually the blond would start complaining about being sleepy before bailing out of the room. This time though, he could see how serious he is in today’s briefing.
Considering his obsession towards Seido’s number 10, they should’ve expected it.
“Mei” said Yoshizawa, Inashiro third baseman, sharply. “What do you mean by that?”
Narumiya clicked his tongue. “He knows how to throw a changeup since he’s in the second year of middle school” said the pitcher, a hint of annoyance could be heard from his tone. “There’s no way a pitcher like him didn’t learn more or broaden his repertoire”
A deafening silence fell into the room.
“You’re telling me” started Carlos. “He have a wider range than those four pitches?”
The blond nodded. “Troublesome” he muttered. “But there’s no way he only has four pitches, he was learning about breaking ball back in middle school”
“I see” said Harada after a moment of silence. “This four pitches is a already a problem considering he could reach 150km/h while still have a perfect control over it” said the catcher, eyes full of contemplation. “It’s different from Seido other first year pitcher”
“The guy’s control is a mess” said Carlos with a smirk. “We should be more wary for Sawamura though, I can already imagine the headache facing him and his unknown number of pitches”
“Added by Miyuki’s game calling, we really need to be wary of him…” added Harada as a clip where Sawamura struck out Yakushi’s ace with a cutter played in front of doubt. No doubt it was all Miyuki, what with him and his nasty personality.
“Sawamura also used to do his game calling” said Mei as in after thought. “So don’t just expect Kazuya’s kind of game”
“You seems to know him” said Shirakawa, casting a glance towards the pitcher who is leaning back on his chair. “Being buddy with the enemies huh”
“Played against him in middle school” snorted Narumiya, eyes narrowing. “A troublesome opponent”
A memory of him, standing on the dugout with wide eyes and mouth hanging open. Of him, being fascinated with this pitcher that came out of nowhere and take the world of baseball by storm. Of his blue eyes staring at burning golden eyes as he stood on the mound in front of him.
He doesn’t want to admit it, but he knows back then, if Sawamura’s team doesn’t suck as bad as it is, the chance of his middle school team to win the finals was low. Since then, the name Sawamura has been whispered by everyone. His face plastered on the magazine, speculations about his future high school, about his future is all everyone talked about.
This match between Seido and Inshiro was arranged by fate, he was sure of it. To give him a chance to properly face Sawamura at his strongest.
“Okay so based on Mei’s information we should except maybe one or two more pitches from Sawamura” started Harada, scribbling something in his paper. “It’s no use if Mei lay Seido scoreless but we didn’t manage to score” he said.
“That’s true, we’ll tell coach this tomorrow morning”
A chance for him to finally settle the annoyance and rivalry that he had decided back then all those years ago.
CLANG!
“Foul, Sawamura” deadpanned Chris-senpai.
“Again!?”
“How can you be bad at hitting from pitching machine but actually good at hitting actual pitchers?” asked the third years, watching from the batting cage next to him.
At the same time, Miyuki-senpai who was also standing near him said, “Sawamura, bunt”
Eijun proceed to do a perfect bunt.
“What!?” Yelled Zono-senpai who was standing by the pitching machine. “That- that was a perfect bunt!”
“HAHAHAH who do you think I am!?” boasted Eijun before he yelped and narrowly missed a ball being launched by the pitching machine in front of him. He almost forgot, that he’s in the middle of a batting practice with a machine.
“You’re good at bunting just cause you’re not afraid of balls” called out Kuramochi-senpai with a narrowed eyes.
“Of course I don’t! baseball balls are friends!”
“See, baseball fanatic” deadpanned the shortstop which was answered by Miyuki-senpai loud snicker.
Chris-senpai approached him, his face thoughtful. “You’re really good at batting though, Sawamura” said the third year. “You didn’t practice with pitching machine previously?”
Eijun blinked. “Well, my middle school can’t afford fancy baseball equipment” he explained, scratching his cheek. “I still haven’t gotten used to pitching machines”
The third year raised an eyebrow at that. “They can’t?” echoed the older. “So back then you’ve been practicing with….”
“Well- I used to do my batting exercise while imagining I’m the one who pitch you know, to familiarize it and stuff” said the pitcher, a remembering back all the practice he did before. Sure, Sho-san actually bought a pitching machine after he became Eijun’s personal coach – he took the job seriously, despite what he said – but they rarely used it in the end. “Oh, also with Sho-san of course!” grinned Eijun. “I did batting practice while he pitch!”
After years of batting practice with Sho-san, ex pro baseball player, his own generation prodigy, winner of Koshien throughout all his years of high school, MLB MVP player, Eijun bound to be good at batting of course.
That explanation seems to satisfy Chris-senpai too, because the older merely had his eyes widened a bit before he nodded. “Make sense” he said. “Okay, I think that’s enough of batting practice for today”
“Huh?” voiced out Eijun, wide eyes blinking. “I just got started!”
“Lets have you pitch” said the older as he guided Eijun to stood in front of the batter cage.
“To who?” asked the pitcher.
“Them” answered Chris-senpai, pointing his thumb towards Seido batting lineup who was staring at him like hungery wolves.
He grinned. How exciting!
“Sawamura, Furuya” turning around to the familiar voice, both Eijun and Furuya stared at Tanba-senpai who was standing behind them. Near him is both Miyauchi-senpai. Miyuki-senpai, and Kawakami-senpai. “Lets learn Inashiro data while having lunch”
Exchanging glance with Furuya, Eijun immediately nodded his head. “Of course senpai!” he replied, standing up before following the older members with Furuya walking besides him.
Arriving at the cafetaria, Chris-senpai is already there. His familiar notebook are opened in front of him.
“As expected” said the third year catcher when all of them are seated around him. “We have to look out for Inashiro 1stand 2nd batters”
Miyauchi-senpai nodded. “Yeah, the might try to pull something to unsettle us” said the catcher, reading the notes written in Chris-senpai’s notebook.
“Of course we have to watch out for the cleanup, but the most terrifying thing about Inashiro is… their obsession for victory”
Obsession for victory, Eijun can almost relate to that. After all, victors are the one that got remembered. Even if you bawled your eyes out in the field, or made a mess out of yourseld, by the end of the day, victors are the one who got remembered.
Victory is a familiar concept to Eijun. After he first discovered baseball, it was almost victory after victory for him. Never the third, never below. First and second seems always be the norm for him. But he doesn’t want to be the second place. He doesn’t want to be the second best person. Hates the fact of being the first loser.
To Eijun, victory is 1st place or nothing.
“During our game against Inashiro last year” started Chris-senpai once again. “The deciding factor was a squeeze play made by their cleanup”
“In other words” spoke Miyuki-senpai. “This is a team that knows best how to play a game they can’t afford to lose”
Eijun nodded, followed by both Furuya and Nori-senpai.
“Senpai” said the southpaw, catching the attention of the three catcher.
Miyuki-senpai raised an eyebrow. “What is it Sawamura?”
“The only I need to do is to not let them get to base right?” he said, confidence could be heard from his tone.
The grin on the second year catcher is wide. “Confident aren’t you”
“Course I am” grinned the southpaw. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to beat Narumiya since middle school”
“Heh” snickered the catcher before he slung an arm around the southpaw shoulder. “The game tomorrow, lets go all out with your numbers”
If possible, the grin on Eijun’s face grow wider.
After lunch, the pitchers and catchers move to bullpen for a pitching practice. Eijun was hurling a ball towards where Miyuki-senpai crouched in front of him when a weirdly familiar voice appeared.
“Sawamura and Miyuki” said a new voice, yet it sounds pretty familiar to Eijun. “At last, I saw this battery once again”
Miyuki-senpai has his eyes widened as he stared at the person who just said that behind Eijun. “Ah” echoed the catcher. Eijun, in turn, blinked dumbly as he stared at the change on the older expression.
“Oi Oi” drawled the person, voice low. “It’s been a while brat.
Blinking again, Eijun slowly turned his head only to meet a familiar face. Someone with a huge body and large grin stood before him. He looks familiar, was the first thing that appeared on the southpaw mind. As if he had played with him before. A sudden rush of memories appeared on his head. Of him partnering with Miyuki-senpai for the first time, of him trying out the splitter for the first time with the said catcher.
Of him, finally feeling the joy of a battery partner.
And as he remembered the instance why he choose Seido in the first place, the very person that made him partnered up with Miyuki-senpai appeared. Azusa-senpai, Seido’s last year cleanup and now playing for the pros.
“Y-YOU!?” Yelled Eijun, pointing his finger towards the older.
The older, puffed his chest. “Yeah, me” he said, and oddly proud tinge on his tone.
“AZUSA-SENPAI!?”
Silence, descended between them.
“WHO ARE YOU CALLING AZUSA YOU DAMN BRAT!?” Azusa – who apparently is not Azusa? – yelling was accompanied by Miyuki-senpai loud laugh.
Apparently his name is Azuma-senpai and Miyuki-senpai has the nerve to never corrected him for it.
Said catcher merely laughed when he was asked about it. The situation seems to be so funny for the second year that he actually need to crouched down just so he didn’t fall down from the laughing fit he’s having. “It’s just way too funny” he said after a long session of laughing.
“It’s almost a year since them Miyuki Kazuya!” yelled Eijun, bristling as if the other had committed a grave sin against him. Maybe he did. “And- Metabolic-senpai did you always been this large?”
“Meta-“ chocked out Azuma-senpai. “Brat now you finally know my name use it!” he yelled out as he but his head towards Eijun’s own.
“Senpai you’re so violent! Now I know why you’re still in the 2nd string!”
“You still haven’t got your mouth checked huh!?”
Eijun poke out his tongue.
“A- amazing…” muttered Kawakami-senpai. “I know the story where he insulted Azuma-senpai and Seido when he came to try out but to witness it first hand is…”
“Sawamura really has no fear” said Tanba-senpai, watching the bickering duo in front of him.
Both of their bickering was stopped when Miyuki-senpai finally had enough laugh and decided that it’s finally time for practice. “Okay okay that’s enough” said the catcher between laugh. “We need to practice more for the match tomorrow”
“You stop laughing first senpai!” protested Eijun, turning his head towards the snickering second year.
“Alright, Azuma-senpai, let’s stop” said the catcher finally, though there’s still an amused smile on his face, landing a hand on the taller shoulder. “It’s time for practice”
Azuma-senpai clicked his tongue. “Che” he said, narrowing his eyes. “You’re still insolent I see, Miyuki”
“And you need to lose weight to play in games senpai” replied the catcher immediately.
“Ugh, I almost forgot how terrible your personality is” grunted out the alumni, throwing a glare towards the catcher.
“Right!?” agreed on Eijun.
Miyuki-senpai raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so now the both of you are in agreement to bully me? I see how it is now”
“Still good at talking” grumbled the older. “Anyway, I came here for a reason”
Both Eijun and Miyuki-senpai blinked. “To give us sports drink?”
“No, I’m here to face you Sawamura” said Azuma-senpai with a challenging smirk on his face. “I saw the video of your matches but I want to see how much you’ve improved ever since the last time we faced each other”
“Ohhh?” said Eijun, excitement bubbling down his stomach. “Are you challenging me, senpai!?”
“’course” answered the older with a large grin. “Lets see how good you are”
Both Miyuki-senpai and him exchanged a grin before nodding his head. “Sure” replied the pitcher. “I hope you improved senpai cause I’ve improved by leaps and bound!”
“I’ll be the judge for that” grinned Azuma-senpai as he pointed the both of them using a bat that was just given to him. “Come with me all you’ve got”
If Azuma can’t hit a pitch thrown by Sawamura when he and Miyuki just become a battery, what made him he can hit a pitch thrown by Sawamura when he had been battery with the catcher for the whole summer?
Of course, once again, Azuma was beaten by Sawamura and Miyuki.
Summer, for a losing team, ends early.
And Eijun is determined to prolonged this summer as long as possible.
As the final practice before the finals of Summer Tournament, the Seido first string members lined up.
What can be done, has been done.
Bowing their heads, all of them yelled, “We will be back!”
Because, this will not be their final time on practicing on this field.
To this field on which we have spent three years together-
They will be back for Koshien.
“The starting pitcher for tomorrow will be Sawamura” said coach. “The relief will be Tanba”
Eijun let out an excited grin on his face as he nodded at coach’s words. This will be their finaly debried for tomorrow’s match and at the same time, the coach will decide who is the starters for tomorrow’s game.
When he heard his name being called for the starting pitcher tomorrow, his heart soared up. He had been growing restless after all, after the Sensen match where he didn’t play at all. So now, to hear that he will be playing a game tomorrow, and to Inashiro no less, made all the piling frustration inside of him paid off.
Continuing his words, the coach once again opened his mouth. “Depends on the game, I will put out Kawakami and Furuya depending on the situation”
Both pitchers nodded their head, resolution could be seen on their expression.
“I expect all of you to play the best game tomorrow!”
“Yessir!”
It was night, and both Eijun and Furuya stood in front of the vending machines.
Ever since the daily meeting in Miyuki-senpai room happen, it seems that Eijun and Furuya has become the older members unofficial errand boys for drinks. Oddly, the taller pitcher seems to be enjoying the tasks that have been giving to them, diligently taking notes and listen attentively to every senpais orders.
The fluorescent light shone on their face as the both of them stared at the drink option in front of them. Hand hovering just above the buttons, ready to decide which drink they should get.
“What do you think is better? Orange or Grape?” asked Eijun, staring at the new kind of drink that just got added in the vending machine. It was pretty popular and Eijun remembered Sho-san actually advertised it for a short moment of time to gain a quick money.
Furuya blinked, staring at the vending machine too. “I like the lemon flavor” he replied, his own bottle of lemon flavoured drink already on his hand.
“Should I pick orange then? Orange and lemon is like cousins right?” said the southpaw, eyes squinting at the options in front of him. “Both of them are kind of sour”
“I thought tangerine are the cousins of orange” replied Furuya. “They look the same”
“I’ll get apple then!” declared Eijun as he boldly pressed the button for the apple flavoured drink.
“Can I get a taste?”
Their conversation continue as they made their way towards Miyuki-senpai dorm with drinks in hand. The track from the vending machine towards the dorms are actually short, but the older members are just lazy to buy their own drinks so they resort on ordering the younger members for it.
Arriving in front of the familiar blue door, Eijun opened it without knocking. “We’re back with the drinks-“
“Ah” said Miyuki-senpai as if he was startled with something, head looking up from whatever he was looking.
In front of him, is the Seido team who was holding his phone and looking at it intently.
“That’s my phone!?” yelled Eijun, releasing the stack of drinks from his hand to the ground in a loud clang! “What are you guys doing!?” he screeched, ambling towards where the team are huddled up.
“Sawamura the drink!” yelled Kuramochi-senpai, catching one of the bottles that is now tumbling down the floor.
Eijun ignore it and tried to get the phone from where Jun-san is holding it. “Senpai my phone!”
“What’s wrong in checking juniors behaviour!?” Yelled Jun-san back, holding it higher than where the pitcher could reach.
“Why are you mad!?” yelped Eijun back, jumping on his place to grab it.
Tetsu-san spoke up. “It’s Kuramochi, he was curious about the person that you keep texting with” said the captain, giving Kuramochi-senpai a proud look as he pat his back. “He was wondering if you got yourself a girlfriend”
“I keep telling him it’s not my girlfriend! It’s my coach from back home!” complained Eijun, casting a look towards Kuramochi-senpai.
“Your ‘Sho-san?’” asked Miyuki-senpai, raising a doubtful eyebrow. “You talked so much about him that I feel that I know the guy already even though I never met him before” commented the older with a snicker.
Eijun huffed. “Of course I talked so much about him! Sho-san is the best!”
“Is that so? We should confirm it by email then~” said Jun-san as he angled his phone.
“What!?”
“Lets send your text buddy a picture of your senpais” informed the older as the rest of the members began huddling around him, talking a selfie together.
“Furuya why are you joining them!?”
July 31st
In a train station deep inside Nagano, a man stood silently. Dark sunglasses and face mask could be seen adorning his face, making some suspicious looks casted on him. The man in question seems to not notice or he just doesn’t care. All of his attention was casted on the device on his hand.
"Ah" said the man, watching his phone screen. "What time is the finals?"