The ten minute warm up began for Eijun and Miyuki. They began pitching back and forth. A few feet to the side, Esumi had began doing suicides, where she ran back and forth but went a longer distance each time. Chatter along the side continued and time passed on. Soon, Eijun was on the mound. Esumi was in the field. Azuma was in the batter's box. And Miyuki was on the floor, prepared to call plays.

"LISTEN UP YOU STUPID BRAT! HOW ABOUT YOU TRY PUTTING YOUR GAME FACE ON! OR I'LL CHANGE IT FOR YOU WITH A HOMERUN!" Azuma cockily yelled out to Eijun.

"Don't mind! Don't mind!" Esumi called from behind him. Eijun exhaled, covering his mouth with his mitt. He lifted his arms above his head. Next he lifted his right leg high. He stepped forward and swung his arm down hard. The ball bounced and hit Miyuki's mitt with a grunt.

"HAHAHAHA, AND JUST WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!? IF YOU'RE HANDS ARE GONNA SHAKE THAT MUCH FROM FEAR THEN I CAN'T EVEN SWING AT THEM!" Azuma teased, his laugh bellowing out loudly through the field. "IF YOU'RE TOO SCARED TO PITCH THEN JUST SAY SO!"

"Don't mind Ei-nii." Esumi called, encouraging her brother from the fields.

"Sorry, a short time out!" Miyuki called, jogging over to the junior high student. Esumi made her way in too.

"WHAT!? If you're gonna talk you shoulda done it before we started!" Azuma yelled angrily.

"Hey pal...you just threw the ball into the dirt. What's up?" Miyuki questioned, covering his lips with his mitt. Esumi appeared beside Eijun, placing her hand on his shoulder. Eijun clenched his jaw tightly.

"I had a feeling where that pitch was going." Eijun sneered, wiping his chin from sweat that was already starting to form.

"HAHAHAHA OKAY I GET IT! YOU REALIZED HE WAS GONNA BLAST THAT PITCH!" Miyuki teased happily.

"So...so, what's wrong with that?" Eijun took a step back. Slightly shifting so he was standing in front of Esumi.

"Woah! You were on spot there! The pitch you were gonna throw is what he hits best!" Miyuki smirked. "Well..You didn't seem too focused...I figured if he took some of the wind out of your sails, you might grow up a bit. If you had thrown it there's no doubt he'd nail it!"

"Don't mind Ei-nii! I'll stop it! Just like every other home run!" Esumi smiled, holding a thumbs up. That took Miyuki by surprise.

'Does that mean she's stopped a home run before?' He examined the girl's small frame. 'She's so small though..' Miyuki smirked. 'Interesting...'

"I'm impressed with you! So from here on out, let's take out this monster together!" Miyuki said enthusiastically.

When the two boys began to argue, Esumi slipped away to the fields again. She already assumed that Miyuki would offer to form a battery. So she really didn't want to hear the conversation leading up to that point. "I'm going to draw out your ability as far as it will go, so trust in my glove and throw you best pitches!" Miyuki ordered the brunette teen boy. "Only that way, can we truly become 'partners'." Miyuki smirked, hitting Eijun in his stomach. "Nice to meet you, PARTNER!"

"Uh....yes..." Eijun murmured quietly. He watched the strange catcher as he walked back to the home plate. Eijun blushed, thinking to himself. Without further ado, he led his body into the motions of pitching.

Azuma didn't even have time to react. Miyuki smirked, looking up at the tall batter. "In the zone...right?" He asked tauntingly. Azuma cringed with anger. Miyuki stood up, throwing the ball back. "Okay! Batter didn't swing!"

"Jerk! I wanted to see if he could get it all the way!" Azuma claimed in a flustered manner. Esumi smirked at the sight. She watched as Eijun went through the motions again. Esumi felt something in her chest, so she took off before the ball even reached Azuma.

"Ah! The girl is finally on the move!" A spectator pointed out. Takashima's eyes widened.

'The ball hasn't even reached Azuma yet!' She thought, watching Esumi. The ball made contact and flew. Esumi stood at the foul line to Miyuki's right. The ball soared to the right then flew upward.

"Foul!" Esumi called, watching the ball fly. Azuma cursed. Miyuki and Takashima stared at the girl.

'How'd she get there so quick!? Wasn't she just center field!?' Miyuki thought in surprise. 'Don't tell me....she reacted before the ball made contact!'

Another pitch and Azuma hit another foul to the left side. The bystanders dodged the fast oncoming ball, but just barely. Another pitch. It went straight into Miyuki's mit. Miyuki smirked standing from the floor, but still crouched low. His mitt was lined up with Azuma's waist. He was asking for a pitch, right down the middle.

Eijun threw the ball with his whip like arm. Azuma swung for the oncoming ball, but his bat dropped an inch too low. Azuma had missed the ball by a hair. Miyuki grinned. "Nice throw." Eijun grinned happily, and let out a pleased scream.

Esumi lunged at her twin, clinging to his neck. "I didn't get any action.." She pouted. Eijun laughed hugging her and messing up her hair. "Ei-nii!" She tried to push him away.

"Thanks for trusting in me, Esu." Eijun grinned. Esumi's eyes widened in mild shock.

"Osu." She nodded.

~__!__~

"Thank you very much for everything today." Eijun thanked Takashima as he and his twin got ready to board their train home.

"I think this whole episode has given Azuma-kun some experience. I thought he could use some humility before going pro." Takashima chuckled. Eijun sighed, his eyes drooping a bit. Esumi smiled. "The Tokyo area has many veterans packed in together. Whether the reward is worth the effort, I can't really say...Even so, should you two decide to take up the challenge at our high school, please let us know. Because now you have the privilege of officially 'choosing' our school." Takashima stated.

"Yes.." The twins replied in unison. A minute later, they boarded the train. Eijun sat at the window, staring out of it. It was obvious that he was thinking about the match with Azuma and his battery with Miyuki. Unlike him, Esumi was not satisfied.

"I still didn't get to touch the ball.." Esumi pouted, crossing her arms like a child. She turned her head away from her brother. Deciding not to ponder the match, she pulled out her book. 'Guess I'll just leave our decision in Ei-nii's hands..' She thought, opening her book to the marked page.

Later that night the twins arrived at home in time for dinner. Esumi sat quietly, enjoying the homemade meal. Eijun looked about ready to die from fatigue. Food kept falling from his chopsticks before it even reached his mouth.

"What's up with him? He's been like this ever since he came back from Tokyo." Father wondered aloud.

"He's not even eating the croquettes I made..." Mother added in. "At least Esumi-chan is.." She smiled at her daughter. Esumi looked up from her food and gave that ghost smile of hers.

"Hey...Eijun.." Grandfather murmured. "WHAT'S WITH THAT EXPRESSIONLESS FACE!?" He suddenly broke out, slapping his grandson. "MEALS ARE FOR ATHLETES! SO IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA FIGHT, THEN GET OUT!"

After dinner, the twins headed to their rooms. Eijun was on his bed reading a magazine, that featured Miyuki. The match earlier kept replaying over and over in his head. He sighed. He wanted to get better, but he wanted to stay with his friends too. Eijun looked at the pictures posted above his desk. It was him team. All having fun and making memories together. "W....What am I thinking? Leaving this for Tokyo? That's crazy!" Eijun muttered to himself.

Esumi was laying on her stomach upon her bed. Her phone was open, but the only thing seen were small black words. She was researching the possible team members of Seidou. She scrolled through the page with her right hand, scanning the words at a quick pace. Like a sponge, she soaked everything in. With her left, Esumi recorded any important notes in a black notebook. Every couple pages was filled with information of a different person. She sighed, closing her phone and setting her pencil down. 'This is enough for now..' She thought and placed the things on her desk.

~__!__~

Esumi walked down the hall with a small hop in her step, humming a tune. She was happier than normal. She felt like something good was going to happen. Beside her, Eijun dragged his feet through the building tiredly. Bags were noticeable under his gold eyes. The two entered class, suddenly being greeted by their friends.

"Ah...Ei! Esu!"

"Congratulations! You guys did it!"

"Congratulations Ei! Esu!" They all yelled happily, running toward the twins.

"Eh?" Eijun and Esumi stared at their friends in a confused manner.

"You guys were scouted by Seidou, weren't you?"

"It's a pretty historic achievement!"

"Your grandfather came by my place and told us."

"Yeah, mine too!"

"Mine, too!" They laughed cheerfully at the twin's silly grandfather.

"Wait a minute! We haven't said anything about going to Seidou!" Eijun spoke, Esumi nodding in agreement.

"Huh? Why?" Their teammates asked in unison.

"And why!? It's all the way out in Tokyo guys! Going to Tokyo just for baseball!? You get it?" Eijun argued with his friends.

"Yeah, but Seidou knows how good you two are!"

"It's really something to be thrilled about!"

"He's right! This kind of chance won't come twice!"

"You should definitely challenge them!"

"If it's the twins, then you guys can do it!"

"N-no but we're..." Eijun tried to argue, but it was obvious he was losing. Esumi frowned at their friend's persistence.

"With your grades, it's pretty much impossible for you to go to the same school as us." Wakana stated bluntly. "Excluding you Esu-chan."

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT AT ALL!" Eijun retorted. "Shut up! The entrance exams aren't for a while! And if I got serious about it-!!"

Eijun was cut off from speaking by Wakana. "You already know you want to go to Tokyo..." She stated without looking a Eijun. "That's what your grandfather told us yesterday. He said ever since you got back from Tokyo, you've been kind of weird. He said it was like you were shocked by the baseball you saw in Tokyo." The others laughed, and grinned encouragingly at the twins.

"It's your weak point Ei!"

"Even though you're a pitcher, you're really easy to read!"

"Be more like Esu-chan!" They teased the blushing male.

"Don't worry about it at all! No matter where you go, we'll all cheer for you guys!"

"Yeah, because you'll be our representatives!"

"Congratulations Ei and Esu!"

Eijun clenched his fists tightly and looked at the ground. Esumi easily saw that he was frustrated that their teammates couldn't see that he wanted to play with them. But Esumi also saw that her brother really did want to go to Tokyo. She admitted that their baseball was interesting in Tokyo. 'They've got lots of interesting players.' She thought.

~__!__~

At dinner again, Eijun was a bit dazed. He kept replaying his match with Azuma. And he also thought about what his friends kept saying. He was so confused at what to do. Esumi said she wouldn't help. She claimed that she had put her trust in him to make the best choice. Eijun mentally sighed.

"Heh, he's like that again." Father smirked, watching his son. Esumi sat beside Eijun, eating quietly like always.

"What's with that? Is my cooking that bad?" Mother cried.

"It's great mother." Esumi smiled. Mother grinned hugging her daughter tightly.

"This is why your mommy's favorite!" Mother cooed happily, hugging Esumi into her chest. Esumi didn't care and continued eating normally.

"Eijun. Tonight's slap is going to be a lot worse!" Grandfather yelled, winding up his arm. He was about to make contact, when Eijun spoke.

"Grandpa...You went and told everyone about the scouting talk.." Eijun didn't even ask. He stated the fact very seriously and bluntly.

"No..That, uh...I just.." Grandfather struggled for words.

Eijun began to laugh, partially. "I couldn't tell them. They're all so happy about me going to Tokyo. 'I'm going to stay here and play baseball with you guys!' No matter how many times I thought I should yell that. In the end...I couldn't tell them anything at all.." Eijun frowned in frustration. He stared down at his food, not really seeing anything there. "God....why am I..I WANTED TO TELL THEM..I WAS SHAKING SO HARD...TOKYO SEEMED LIKE MY FIRST REAL TEST SINCE I WAS BORN..BUT..THEY..THEY'RE MY BEST FRIENDS! They don't get it...It's like this and I have to go to Tokyo, and they're happy.. God!" Eijun finished his rant.

"Ei...Eijun." Grandfather spoke. "EIJUN! DON'T BE SO FULL OF YOURSELF! YOU'RE SUCH AN IDIOT!" He slapped his grandson anyway. "What's with that!? You're friends are celebrating for you! You thought if you bawled for a bit, someone would stop you? HUH? AND THEN WHAT? IS YOUR FRIENDSHIP SOMETHING BROKEN SO EASILY BY PARTING!?"

"Hey Eijun, is going to Tokyo alone all that scary?" Father asked, taking a drink from his cup.

"W-what are you...I'm not.." Eijun stammered.

"So isn't it fine if you go?" Father retorted quickly. "You said it was like a test for you? In your heart, you already know the answer was no way I'm not right? Of course it's not really a normal high school...It's a baseball kingdom that gathers only people like the aces and cleanup hitters from every junior high...signing off with that kind of place, of course you'd be scared. But you know Eijun...If you hide those feeling here now..won't you regret it for the rest of your life?"

Esumi slipped quietly from the room. She soundlessly snuck up to her room and shut the door. From her closet she pulled out her suitcase. 'Better get packing.' She smiled happily. Esumi heard yelling from downstairs, followed by the front door opening. She went over and peeked through her curtains, to see her twin biking off into the night. 'Here we come.' She thought, turning to pack. The door opened. Esumi looked up and saw her family, minus her idiot twin brother.

"Ah, Esumi. We didn't even hear you come up here." Father smiled at his little girl. Esumi laughed, and apologized for leaving suddenly.

"So you're going to follow Ei-chan?" Mother questioned, seeing the luggage on Esumi's bed.

"OF COURSE SHE IS! SHE GOT OFFERED TOO!" Grandfather yelled in approval.

"I have to watch Ei-nii." She smiled.

"That's my girl." Father nodded with a smirk.

"Ah, Esu-chan grew into a fine young lady." Mother cooed, once again pulling the girl into her own chest in a tight hug.

"I might not be able to play though..but at least Ei-nii wii..." Esumi smiled sadly. Father scowled.

"What makes you think you're not going to be a player!?" He fumed angrily. Esumi sighed.

"Girls can't play on a boys team.." She paused, thinking. "Even if we can, it'd be a long process with the higher up to approve.." Esumi explained lightly so her family would understand.

"THAT SCOUT WOMAN BETTER GET YOU TO PLAY!!" Grandfather was now fuming too. Esumi sighed.

"Well I'm heading to bed. Good night." She led her family members to the door.

"Good night Esumi-chan." Mother replied, pushing the angry males back downstairs.

"Get home safe, Ei-nii.."