A/n: Sorry for being late today guys!

The match between Seidou and Maimon continued, with Seidou stealing another 3 points. Currently, the score was 16 to 0 at the top of the fourth, in Seidou's favor. The spectators were watching the match carefully up until now. They all had taken a liking to Seidou's monster first year pitcher, Furuya. So to see that a new pitcher was walking onto the mound, it had shocked them.

"16 point difference in 4 innings...."

"Seidou already switched their pitcher.."

"A southpaw, also a first year."

"With a score like that, I don't think Tanba the Ace will get an appearance."

Eijun walked onto the mound with an all too obvious grin. Of course the rest of the team knew how Eijun was.

"Be calm!" Yuuki had ordered from first base.

"2 point are allowed!" Jun yelled from the outfield. "Any more and I'll kill you!"

"You don't need to smile." Kuramochi laughed at his roommate.

"Give your best!" Masuko grunted.

"I'm right behind you." Esumi muttered mostly to herself.

"HAAH!?" Jun yelled again, this time directed toward the right fielder. "What the hell kinda encouragement is that? Say it louder!" He demanded, glaring at the girl.

Esumi sighed, knowing that everyone was waiting. She took a deep breath in. "I'm right behind you Ei-nii!!" She yelled toward her brother.

"YES!" Eijun smirked, having heard Esumi say her usual words of encouragement. "I'll let them hit plenty, so please take care of it!"

Jun, then, glared to the left fielder. Furuya was substituted in as the left fielder, much to his dismay. "You say something too!" Jun growled at the stoic first year. But Furuya refused to say anything. He was too mad that Eijun was switched with him.

At home plate, Miyuki was crouched down. In his head, he thought about what kind of pitcher Eijun was. Miyuki glanced toward Kataoka, knowing that the coach had something in mind. The catcher glanced toward the third year catcher in the dugout. Chris had smirked, catching Miyuki's eye.

With frustration building up, Maimon vigorously cheered for their batter to get a good hit. Maimon's coach yelled desperately, "Just concentrate on your own swing! Put in your three years of effort!!" Hearing their coach yell, Maimon began to get louder.

Eijun stood on the mound, amazed by the amount of encouragement Maimon was displaying. 'I guess the feelings of the third years towards their last tournament are the same for each school...' He couldn't help but think.

"BRING IT ON!" The current Maimon batter screamed. He was touched by his teammates sudden cheering.

'Don't get sucked in Sawamura. This is the summer. The real deal.' Miyuki made eye contact with Eijun from his spot behind the batter. The second year catcher signed and moved his mitt into position. Eijun nodded ever-so-discreetly, raising his arms up to pitch. Eijun raised his right leg, swung his arm, and threw the ball forward.

"Ei-nii.." Esumi frowned, just before watching the ball hit the batter in the shoulder.

The Seidou members froze. What had they been expecting from the idiot pitcher?

"Guh, it hurts..but, so lucky..." The current batter groaned, bending over his knees.

"Yeah! Our first runner on a base!"

"That pitcher is nothing special."

"He's shaking like crazy from nervousness!"

Members in Maimon's dugout cheered loudly. They were just starting gain some of their confidence back.

"Sorry, timeout please." Miyuki asked the umpire, as he stood. The umpire nodded, announcing the timeout. Each of Seidou's infielders made their way to the mound. Eijun was startled by the fact that everyone was circling around him.

Kuramochi had reached Eijun first, not hesitating to send a kick to the pitcher's ass. Eijun groaned, letting himself fall onto the floor. "Don't kick me all of a sudden!" Eijun growled, looking up at all of his upperclassmen.

"Wanna give him another?" Ryouichi teased, directing the question to Kuramochi.

"Do it somewhere better hidden." Miyuki added, looking down at Eijun on the floor.

"You want me off the mound?!" Eijun growled. "I'm not going down!! I'm the only one who can save us from this pinch!" Eijun's loud voice echoed toward the outfield. Esumi laughed, trying to cover it up with her hand.

'Pinch? You're one to talk...' Miyuki, Kuramochi, Ryouichi, Masuko, and Yuuki thought.

'What's that?...He's the same as always..' Kuramochi thought, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"The pitch is flying alright. No need to be so worried." Miyuki changed the subject, now aiming to reassure Eijun, and to calm him down. " Just...you're putting in too much strength. Stop thinking about useless stuff. And just look at my mitt." The second year catcher smirked. "Letting it be hit and then fielding is your style!!"

Eijun got up from the floor, "THEN I'M LETTING THE HIT THEM ALL! PLEASE TAKE CARE OF IT, EVERYONE!!"

"Like I said you're too pumped up.."

"No chit-chat."

"When we get back, you get a sparring."

'How embarrassing...' The second string members from Seidou thought angrily, as the regulars made their way back to their designated positions.

"FUAHAHAHA! There is our chance!" Maimon's coach was, once again, loud and arrogant. "Like hell I'll let it go so easily!" He rapidly signed to his batter, who was awaiting for the timeout to end. Maimon's next batter got ready to bunt.

Eijun exhaled on the mound. He eyed the batter carefully. The runner on first inched his way toward second, seemingly going for the steal. Eijun eyed the runner, making him hesitate in the steal. Eijun flew through the movements of pitching. The batter watched Eijun's wind up. 'Huh?' The batter blinked. 'Somehow his form...His arm is so slow...' Eijun's form was set up for that his body blocked the view of his pitching hand. Without any warning, Eijun lashed the ball out toward the batter. Maimon's current batter flinched in shock. The ball's speed was a surprise.

The batter successfully made contact, bunting the ball back toward the field.

"I-it hit the ground!"

"But the ball's power isn't gone yet!"

The spectators yelled anxiously. Miyuki stood, calling out orders toward the idiot pitcher on the mound. "Sawamura, ball to second base!" Eijun caught the ball that hit the ground. He spun his torso, and launched the ball to second base. Kuramochi covered the base, catching the ball that was thrown toward second. The shortstop stepped on base, and threw the ball toward first. Yuuki lunged forward, with his right foot still on base. The batter dove for first base desperately. The ball created a loud smack against Yuuki's mitt.

It was a double play.

Eijun cheered. Subconsciously, his eyes met the gold pair from the field. Eijun's eyes sparked with hopes of being praised by his genius twin sister. Esumi stood in right field, hands on her hips. A grin was playing on her lips. Seeing the wide grin on Esumi's face, made Eijun even more excited.

After things had calmed down a bit, the game progressed to the top of the fifth inning. Seidou was at bat, with one out. There were runners on second and third. Currently up to bat was Seidou's final first year, Kominato Haruichi. The Seidou dugout was full of cheers. Haruichi swung his bat, easily getting on base.

Eijun was getting pumped up again, though since he sucked at batting, the poor Sawamura twin was switched out. Furuya was up to bat next. "Next...is my turn.." Furuya began, heading out to the batter's box. "So don't get in the way." He directed toward Eijun.

"Bastard! Don't get cocky just because you had three strikeouts!" Eijun yelled heatedly. Esumi made her way back to the dugout, due to getting home because of Haruichi's bat. "Coach!! Feel free to switch me in for him anytime!" Eijun turned toward Kataoka.

"Shut up!" Kataoka demanded

"Ei-nii, stop." The young brunette haired girl sighed. Eijun's head snapped toward his twin. He grinned, handing Esumi a towel and a cup of water. Esumi gratefully took the items, swinging the towel around her neck and sipping at the water in hand.

~__!__~

Kawakami was put into the game, fulfilling his role as relief pitcher. The second year swung his arm, finally ending the match again Maimon.

"GAME SET!" The umpire declared.

The Seidou students in the stands cheered for their regulars.

"Yeah! We ended it with three strikeouts!"

"Nice pitching Kawakami!"

Seidou baseball's regulars were now making their way to the fields to end the match. Eijun glanced toward the Maimon regulars, who's third years were in tears. Eijun was slightly shocked by their expressions. "Their year has ended." Esumi whispered, pausing besides her brother. Eijun looked down at his twin. "This was their last chance, just like it is their last chance." Esumi added, this time scanning over Seidou's third years. "This time, we made it." Esumi walked away, heading to line up by bib numbers.

"Line up properly." The umpire asked both teams. "Bow!"

Both teams bowed at one another. They reached forward to shake each other's hands.

"Keep on fighting."

"Make sure to get to koushien!!"

"I have no regrets, having given my best."

"You too first year boy." A male from Maimon's team directed toward Eijun. The Seidou first year pitcher was surprised that he was approached. Esumi was besides Eijun, as both turned toward the teen. "Keep working hard!" The male told Eijun, reaching out to shake the older twin's hand.

"Yes! I'll work hard with my life on the line!" Eijun yelled enthusiastically.

"Eh?" The other Maimon member raised his eyebrows.

""I'll work hard for your part also." Eijun continued. "So please give us your support!"

"Ei-nii.." Esumi sighed, tugging on her brother's sleeve.

"You were surprising too." Another voice interjected. Esumi turned her gaze toward a taller male to her left. She tilted her head to the side, wondering if the male was addressing her. The teen laughed a bit. "You're Sawamura Esumi, right? The right fielder?"

"Yes.." She replied, looking up at the tall teen. She assumed that he was a third year from the faint tears in his eyes.

"Miss of few words, I see." He grinned, reaching out to shake Esumi's hand. "Make it to Koushien for us." Esumi looked down at the extended hand, then back up to the Maimon member in front of her. A grinned formed on her face.

"Of course." Was Esumi's short response.

In the end, the game against Maimon had ended 18-0, in the fifth inning.

And Seidou was advancing toward the third round.

~__!__~

Seidou was preparing to get back to school. Esumi was waiting around the bus. Her other teammates were quickly loading everything they brought onto the bus. She had tried to help, but no one would let her. Esumi frowned, pulling out her phone as it had began to ring. "Hello?" She answered, clicking the speaker option.

"Su-chan!" A male voice rang through the small device. A couple of the Seidou members had paused, hearing a male voice speaking to their female player. Esumi's eyes widened.

"Wah!" Esumi cried, making Eijun appear at his twin's side in an instant. "I forgot! Where are you guys!" The girl ignored her brother's presence, along with the other regulars that began to circle around her. Her gold eyes scanned the crowd of people for any familiar faces.

"We're by the buses, Su-chan, but I don't--" The male's voice was cut off by a female voice in the background.

"SUMI-SUMI!" Naatsuki's voice squealed, gradually fading from that of the phone. Her voice grew louder, and before Esumi could even look up from her phone, she was tackled to the ground. Esumi had let out a squeal in a pitiful attempt to regain her balance, but the body on top of her pushed her to the ground anyways.

"Naa-chan..." Esumi laughed, pushing a blonde haired figure off of her. Naatsuki grinned, pulling up the right fielder. She had short blonde hair, with a little side ponytail on the right. Her eyes were a bluish-violet. She was slightly taller than Esumi, but that could've been the fact that she was wearing two inch heels. "Nice to see you again. Where is-?" Esumi began but was cut off by a voice calling her.

"OI, SUMI~!" It was a male's, but different from the one on the phone. The Seidou regulars watched helplessly as a group of teens made their way toward Esumi. The teen that had called Esumi has tall, almost passing up Jun's height. He had tan skin and long, oddly white hair. Against his skin and hair, light blue eyes hidden behind bangs.

"Daichi." Esumi greeted, giving the male a hug. Masuko recalled the name, from that one time he walked Esumi back to her dorm. Daichi had called to congratulate Esumi for making the regulars. A shorter girl that was roughly the same height as Esumi, pulled Daichi away. Daichi narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue.

"Esu-chi." The girl smiled, hugging Esumi tightly. Esumi let out a small whisper, 'Riko-chan'. This girl had long black hair that was pulled into a very loose ponytail. Her eyes were a seemingly orange color. "Great game, by the way."

"Great?!" The voice from the phone yelled out. "It was amazing! Fantastic!" He pushed past his other friends and casually wrapped the small brunette into a tight hug. He lifted her off the floor and spun her. Once the male put her down, Esumi pulled away and examine the boy. He had spiky black hair with the brownest eyes ever seen. Every shade of brown was evident.

"You're hyper, as always, Kenta." Esumi laughed, placing her hands on the taller boy's shoulders to stop him from bouncing.

"You should have seem him in the stands, Esu-chan." A familiar girlish voice spoke up. The team had recognized it as the girl the saw, that time they spied on Esumi. It was Hana, with her short black hair and bright blue eyes. Esumi only laughed in response, pulling Hana into a light hug.

"Everyone was so excited to find out that you had a single digit bib." Fuji's familiar smooth voice cut in. He smiled, adjusting his glasses. Fuji opened his arms for Esumi to run into. "Hell, you didn't even tell me that." He looked down at the brunette in his arms. Esumi smiled and shrugged.

"Esu~!" Eijun whined, not liking that all these people were being handsy with his sister. Esumi laughed and pulled away from Fuji. She spun around, facing her teammates.

"Sorry." Esumi apologized. "Senpai, these are my friends from middle school." Esumi pointed out each of her friends as she said their designated name. "Guys, these are my teammates." Esumi pointed to each of the Seidou regulars.

"Nice to finally meet you." Yuuki spoke for Seidou. "Esumi-chan speaks very fondly of you all." Yuuki glanced toward Esumi, who grinned widely.

"It's nice to meet you all too." Riko grinned, leaning forward.

"You guys are all Sumi ever talks about." Daichi added with a smirk. His eyes met Esumi's. The brunette haired girl frowned at the information exchanged.

"Thanks for taking care of Su-chan all the time." Kenta beamed, throwing his arm around the aforementioned girl's shoulder.

"We really appreciate you all taking care of her." Hana had continued with small, and polite smile.

"Well, we better let you go now." Fuji interrupted, pulling Kenta's arm off Esumi. "I'm sure that you all need to rest, since you just finished a game." Fuji bowed, dismissing himself and the rest of Esumi's friends.

Esumi waved them off, a grin still evident. Eijun latched onto his sister quickly. "How come the only one I've met before now was Fuji?" He questioned, looking at Esumi's pleased expression. The girl besides his shrugged.

"You never asked, I guess?" Esumi pondered, lowering her hand when her friends disappeared.

"I don't like that white haired guy." Jun spat. Esumi tilted her head, silently asking 'why?' "He looks too much like a flirt." Was the midfielder's answer.

"He's not, Jun-senpai. Daichi's like that with everyone." Esumi grinned happily. "Even with guys." She winked at her teammates. A red hue dusted their cheeks, causing Esumi to laugh. "Why are you all blushing!?" Esumi's eyes were shut tightly. Her arms wrapped around her stomach as a constricting pain began to form.

"Sh-shut up!" They had all yelled at her. Esumi retreated to the awaiting bus, before she was attacked. The Seidou regulars chased after the still laughing girl.

"Ah!" Esumi squealed from inside the vehicle, just as it began to move. "Stop! Ei-nii, help!" She cried out of laughter.

The bus, then, made it's way back to Seidou High School.

~__!__~

The moment the Seidou team had reached the school again, the air became thick. Esumi's smile had disappeared and reverted back to her shy stoic expression. Since it was still day time, Kataoka had ordered for practice until curfew to commence. The students yelled a reply and went to change into their practice gear immediately.

Chris, Miyauchi, and Miyuki stood in front of the pitchers that had participated in that day's match. "While it was the all important first game," Chris crossed his arms, looking down at Eijun and Furuya. "you two put in too much strength." The third year pitcher looked in between the two first year pitchers that had played. "Sawamura..it was all fine until the double play, but after that, the two four balls were unneeded." Chris looked to the reckless first year at his right. Eijun sat on the ground, with his knees bent and his elbows resting upon them. Chris turned to the monster rookie on his left, who was sitting in the same position as Eijun. "As we advance, the opponent well investigate us. Pitching like today won't work anymore Furuya."

Miyuki stood next to the third year, left hand stuffed inside his pant's pocket. "Do you two even know of the word 'control'?"

"Stop making a fuss in the bullpen!" Miyauchi huffed, having both hands on his hips. Kawakami didn't utter a word as the freshman got criticized.

"What would you have done if the batter was a A rod?" Chris continued to present the freshman pitchers with the things they did wrong in the match again Maimon.

Standing a few feet away, Takashima discussed Seidou's next opponent with Kataoka. "Their lineup powered up from spring and their ace, Manaka, got the finishing touch too..." Takashima muttered, walking alongside Kataoka. The coach glanced toward his newest pitchers. Takashima followed his gaze. "I'm afraid in the match with Ichidai, the completion of our pitchers will be deciding the outcome." She paused, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as a gust of wind passed through.

"There are still two more games." Kataoka began, turning in the opposite direction. "First, we have to win the next game."

A/N: Guys! Partake in my poll!

Decide little Esumi's fate!

https://www.quotev.com/quiz/8423346/I-Am-A-Shadow-Poll