A/n: SHOUT OUTS!

@miayamamoto55 @angelcake_13

Thank you to these endearing readers who all commented on the last chapter. Even though they left a comment as simple as 'Welcome Back', I thought that it was super sweet. So thank you guys!

SPECIAL Shoutout to @YukinaMizuki I swear I tagged you while I was writing the first time, but it some how got deleted while being published!! I'm sorry, forgive me!😭

Esumi sat on the bench, catching her breath. Her smile slowly grew bigger, as her brother was being hit and kicked by the upperclassmen on the field. It was such a usual sight, that she found it comforting.

Silently, the small framed girl thought of the night prior. Chris, Kanemaru, and Kataoka were helping Eijun with his pitches. The rest of the team was supposed to be cleaning the fields, but had all stopped to see what Eiju would do. Kataoka had been too close to the plate then, but without hesitation, Eijun pitched. Esumi knew all too well that her brother wasn't one to run away from a challenge. She smiled again. Eijun and Miyuki were out on the field, just finishing up their warmup pitches. He gold eyes wandered further past the field. Coach Kazunari was smirking, and Esumi almost laughed out loud. 'He thinks they can steal the game so easily? Think again..'

Akikawa batter stepped up to the batter's box. He swung his bat slightly, before resting in the proper position to bat. Everyone from Seidou was anxious, waiting and hoping that Eijun would be okay. "Don't be so stiff Ei-nii..." Esumi muttered to herself. Her heart was thumping in anticipation. She could practically feel her brother's anxiety. "Idiot.." She sighed to herself, quickly figuring out the thoughts that raced through Eijun's head.

Eijun exhaled, releasing a long puff of air. 'Hey, hey...Your expression is so stiff.' Miyuki shook his head slightly. 'What's the use in continuing Furuya's power play!!'

'Be on your guard and look around!!' Eijun had to mentally remind himself. 'Ahh..I forgot to glare at the runner...' He turned toward first base, where Akikawa's first runner led by a decent margin. Eijun threw the ball to Yuki, in attempts to get the runner out. But the ball flew high.

Seidou's student's gasped, thinking that the ball would hit the runner. Yuki jumped up and caught the ball. Immediately, the students from Seidou began to reprimand Eijun.

"Idiot!"

"That's dangerous!"

"Nice catch Tetsu!"

"W-where are you throwing!"

"Calm down, idiot!"

"Get off the mound!"

"You're too stiff!"

Oota, Seidou's club advisor, pointed at Eijun from the dugout. "Th-that's why I told you!!" He yelled, looking toward Kataoka. "He totally will screw up somewhere!!" When he didn't get a response, Oota glanced at Kataoka again. The coach was not fazed, though.

Esumi shook her head. He hands covered her mouth, hiding away her obvious grin. 'Coach believes in my brother too much to be fazed by something like this..I mean, didn't we all expect Eijun to blunder?'

Miyuki sighed, watching Eijun take deep breaths, trying to calm himself "Do that beafore!" Jun growled from the center field. 'Aw..he's panicking..He's really such a pain.' The second year catcher mentally complained. 'But now that he's up there, it's too late to say anything.' Eijun turned back toward Miyuki, nodding at the sign that the second year was signaling. 'First, a 4-seam in course.' Eijun looked down at the ball in his left hand, checking his grip. 'The pitch you throw for the coach--'

The night before, everyone had witnessed Eijun challenging Kataoka head on. When the coach had placed himself too close to home plate, Eijun only grinned. Chris had made a signal from behind Kataoka, and without waiting a single second, Eijun pitched with everything he had right toward the coach's chest.

"That was a 4-seam just now?" Kataoka had asked Chris. The third year catched nodded his head, looking up at Kataoka.

"Yes..but the course is still a bit weak.."

Kataoka smirked, and looked back at Eijun. "A great pitch, full of feelings.."

Eijun exhaled, running through the motions of his usual pitching style. He swung his right leg, and lunged forward, while squeezing his right hand tightly. His dominant hand snapped over his head, swinging down to the ground. At the last possible second, Eijun released the ball, letting it roll off his fingertips.

The smirk quickly disappeared from Akikawa's batter's face. The small white baseball was coming at his fast. He hadn't anticipated the release point of the ball, therefore the object flying toward him had caught him off guard. He grunted, forcing his body to react, and swung his bat to meet the ball. But there had been no contact.

Esumi's heart thumped, her grin inevitable. 'That's the way, Ei-nii!'

Eijun prepared himself for another pitch, going through with his usual movements. In a split second, the ball went flying from the pitcher's hand and toward the batter. The batter swung, lucky enough to make contact, but the ball that flew was deemed a foul. The other members from Akikawa's screamed in disapproval. 'W-what's with his pitching..? It's frigging hard to get the timing right...' the batter scowled, tightening his grip around his bat. He got into position again, staring at Eijun and awaiting the next pitch. Eijun exhaled. Standing up a bit straighter, the pitcher waited a second, then moving to pitch. 'His left arm, hidden by his body--' Eijun released the small white ball. '--suddenly--' The batter grunted, turning his body and swung his bat down to meet the ball. '--wha--this time it's so heavy..!'

The ball flew up, flying toward Masuko on third base. Grinning, Eijun called out to his upperclassman. The ball landed easily in the big third year's mitt. Cheers erupted from the students of Seidou, while the rest of the stands sat baffled.

"Ohh! He got it!"

"For real!?"

"S-Sawamura didn't let a single runner on base?!"

Eijun turned to the dugout, looking his twin sister in the eyes. She grinned, raising her clapping hands out to him. "Hell yeah!!" The older twin cheered. "Yeah! Yeah! YEAH!!" As the Seidou players returned to the dugout, Kuramochi ran up to the first year from behind and sent a flying kick to Eijun's butt.

"Shut up!" Kuramochi yelled, as his younger roommate continued to whine.

Miyuki smiled, obviously satisfied with the performance of Sawamura. 'From a 4-seam to moving...just like I ordered..the course was still a bit weak though...'

"That's some excellent training you put my brother though, Chris-senpai." Esumi addressed the third year catcher. Chris turned to look at the girl that sat besides him. "I've never seen him pitch like this before."

"Thank Miyuki for drawing out his full potential." Chris retorted. Esumi grinned back. She stood as her brother approached the dugout. 'He threw while taking Furuya's feelings to heart...having them hold down here alone is pretty favorable to us!' Chris thought, watching the twins interact with one another.

Oota stood amazed. True, that Eijun wasn't his most favorable player, but he knew that the first year was naturally talented. Eijun messes up a lot, is overly confident, and is everything that Oota can't handle very well. He was amazed that Eijun was able to hold his own, especially considering the circumstances. 'His first relief and a runner behind him...Regardless..he's acting so strong.'

"Ei-nii, that was some great pitching." Esumi complimented.

Eijun placed his hands on his hips and pushed his chest out. "Of course!"

"Don't get so full of yourself." Jun muttered, hitting the back of Eijun's head. The first year groaned, rubbing the back of his head.

"You're so mean, Jun-senpai." Esumi sighed. She reached out to her brother and tousled Eijun's hair. The third year center fielder simply clicked his tongue and turned away. The girl's gold eyes glanced toward her upperclassman, who was heading to speak with Yuki. A small smile formed on her lips, before she turned her attention back to her brother.

Esumi let Eijun step into the dugout, where Haruichi was waiting with a cup of water for her brother. "Sawamura." Kataoka called. Instinctively, both of the twins turned. The older man motioned with his head that he was addressing Esumi. Eijun turned back to what he was doing, and the younger twin stepped up to her coach.

"Yes Coach?" She questioned.

"How are you feeling?" His dark colored eyes bore into that of the first year girl, but Esumi showed no signs of being intimidated.

The girl smirked, placing her hands on her hips. "Ready to go back out there." She stated confidently. Esumi already knew that Kataoka wanted to send her back into the field. It wasn't because Shirasu was tired, nor was he weak. Kataoka just felt that Esumi could handle herself.

Kataoka studied Esumi. There were no signs that she was tired or in pain. She didn't look sick, or like she was about to pass out. In fact, if Kataoka hadn't known any better, he wouldn't have known that Esumi was sick in the first place. "You're sure?"

"Yes." Esumi stated confidently.

"Then you're back out there in the next inning." Kataoka stated. Esumi replied with a loud 'yes'. "Notify Shirasu." Again Esumi replied loud and clear.

"Bottom of the fourth, Seidou's turn to bat." The announcer spoke through the intercom. "Number three, center--"

Jun marched out onto the field, with his bat in his right hand. "MY TURN!!" he yelled in his usually loud voice.

Esumi glanced toward Jun, noticing that something was off. On the bench besides her was a helmet. She sighed, picking it up and stepping out of the dugout. "Jun-senpai, you idiot! Your helmet!" Esumi yelled loudly, catching the center fielder's attention.

"Who're you calling an idiot, idiot!" Jun growled, stomping back to the dugout. Esumi stood before him, holding his helmet out to him. A smirk was plastered on her face. "What?"

"Don't be so nervous senpai. I'm sure you'll get a hit in..." Esumi paused, her smirk widening. "...Eventually." She added, effectively pissing Jun off even more.

"You little--" Jun went to hit Esumi's head, but the smaller girl dodged.

"Oi, you're going to make the umpire mad.." She grinned cheekily, placing the helmet into her upperclassman's hand. "Get to the batter's box already." Esumi ushered.

With no room for argument, Jun scowled. He turned around and headed to the batter's box, where Akikawa's catcher and the umpire were waiting. Jun bowed to both of them, then stepped into the batter's box. The third year set up to bat. 'The first year brats showed us their feelings....and us third years...can't just stay quiet and watch here!!'

You, Akikawa's pitcher, got ready to pitch. His motions were fluid, all the way up to throwing the baseball. Jun was shocked for a moment, watching the ball's path. 'The clean-up hitter for the second time. I'll be more merciless with my attacks now.' You thought.

"Don't--" Jun grunted, stepped forward to swing. "-look down--" He turned his hips, with his shoulders following soon after. "-on me!!"

The ball soared high into the air, heading toward the left field. It dropped, bouncing just along the inside of the left line. Jun took off running. Akikawa's fielders were slow in getting the ball, allowing Jun to get to second base.

Next, stepping up to the plate, was Yuki. You and Yuki glared at each other. You steadied himself, and took a breath. Once he was ready, Akikawa's pitch lifted his left leg and prepared to pitch. Seconds later, the ball was gone from You's hands. Yuki swung his bat, hitting the ball to the right. "F-foul!" The umpire declared, unsure.

Yuki inhaled deeply, then exhaled. The first baseman bent his knees and prepared his bat for the next play.

After so many pitches, Yuki was able to squeeze out four balls, just from his pressure alone.

"Ooh? The first walk?" Eijun questioned. He looked at his twin sister for confirmation. She nodded.

"Bottom of the fourth, after Isashiki-kun's two base hit, it's one out and runners on first and second." The announcer stated. "Next up is the power hitter, number five, Masuko-kun. Will they be able to make use of this chance?"

Mauko was already in the batter's box. The quiet third year watched the pitcher from the opposing team closely. You was panting ever so slightly. Clearing his head from insignificant thoughts, You pitched the ball. At the last possible moment, Masuko switched to a bunting position.

You went to get the ball. Masuko took off toward first base, while Jun made it to third and Yuki made it to second. Masuko had gotten out, but his bunt provided the perfect opportunity for Seidou to finally make it onto the scoreboard. "Nice bunt, that got them off their feet!" Eijun yelled, as his roommate came back to the dugout. "Unlike someone else's." The first year added in casually, knowing that Kuramochi was close by. The shortstop growled at the obvious reference towards himself.

"Number six, catcher, Miyuki-kun."

Miyuki confidently stepped up to the home plate. 'I saw him shaken for the first time when he pitched to Tetsu-san..Now is the only time to break him...' The scheming second year catcher thought to himself. Miyuki stood in confusion, when You motioned for his team's outfielders to move in.

"Eh?" Esumi hummed, leaning against the rail of the dugout. "That asshole." She laughed. Eijun stared at his twin, not knowing who she was talking to or what she was talking about.

'Bastard...' Miyuki scoffed, preparing for the oncoming pitch. 'You're planning to repair the breaking machine with force...? I walked number four, but there's no problem if I hold them down...that's basically what he's saying with this..' Miyuki had to keep himself from laughing. 'Interesting!!'

Jun scowled, leading off of third base. You moved to pitch, and once he did, Jun took off to run for home. The pitch quickly made it to the batter's box, and into the catcher's mitt. Miyuki didn't even flinch. Jun headed back to third base, tapping on it with his foot.

"Strike." The umpire called.

'Damn. That's hard..' Miyuki grinned, watching Akikawa's catcher throw the ball back to the mound. 'A curve barely in the zone..what will happen next?' You pitched the ball again. Miyuki barely nicking it, causing the ball to fly into the gate behind the umpire. 'Kuh...an inside straight..'

"Cornered?" Esumi muttered, observing the way You pitches. "From an outside low breaking ball, to an inside high to the opposite corner...That's tough."

You pitched again, resulting in the same thing as the last pitch. With the next pitch, Miyuki was efficiently able to guess where You was going to pitch. His bat connected with the ball. The small object landing in the outfield, between the left and center fielders.

Akikawa's member's began to panic, therefore resulting in getting the ball back slowly. In that time, both Jun and Yuki were able to make it home. And Miyuki stopping on third base.

Seidou was now in the lead. Three to two.

~__!__~

In the next play, You was able to ward off Seidou's squeeze play by getting Miyuki out at home plate.

Top of the fifth, with Eijun pitching and Esumi back on the field, Akikawa's batter's struggled against Eijun's pitching. Though the batters made contact, the ball always flew toward one of the fielders.

It was an easy three outs.

Bottom of the fifth, Jun was back in the batter's box. But You wouldn't let a repeat of the previous inning, and quickly of Jun out. Kuramochi followed up, and it wasn't long until he got out too. Ryosuke was the next to step up to bat. He was the only one that had made contact, but it ended up being a grounder to Akikawa's shortstop.

Now in the second half of the match, top of the sixth, Eijun stood pitching on the mound. The older Sawamura pitched with confidence against the ace of Akikawa. Not even You was able to get the wild Eijun's timing down. Eijun cheered when he got You out.

"One out!" He called to his teammates on the field.

Bottom of the sixth, two outs. Runners on first and second.

Miyuki and Yuki both inched off their bases. Esumi stepped up to the plate, taking a couple of practice swings. She sighed, and bent her knees. With her bat in the right position, You moved to pitch. Esumi hit the ball with the tip of her bat, getting a grounder to third. The third baseman picked up the ball quickly, rocketing across the field to first. Esumi dove to touch the plate, but the ball had beat her.

Esumi clicked her tongue, as Akikawa cheered. She stood, and returned to the dugout with Yuki and Miyuki. "Don't worry about it Esumi-chan." Miyuki patted the top of Esumi's head. She sighed and nodded.

"Take some swings and get ready, Kominato." Kataoka called out to the first year. "Be ready at any time." Esumi grinned at Haruichi, who would finally get to play in the match. "Also, Tanba. This is a job only you, who shoulders the ace number, can do. Put pressure on the opponent's bench from the bullpen!!"

Soon, Tanba was in the bullpen with Ono.

"No way..."

"The ace at this point of the game?"

"So from the beginning, they were holding him back, planning to go all out in the latter half?"

The players of Akikawa chattered nervously. You stared at Tanba from across the field. 'N-no...that can't be...Their bench shouldn't have anticipated..that their starting pitcher would switch out in the fourth inning..' You clenched his fists and bared his teeth. 'What was also beyond our speculation was that no mark, first year southpaw. Not to mention that sister of his, with her speed and ball sense.'

On the mound, Eijun was pitching fast, one after another. He didn't give his opponents the opportunity to even think. Each of the pitches accumulated so quickly, that Eijun was able to get two outs in the blink of an eye.

"Th-three easy outs this inning too?''

"Why can't they hit these pitches...?"

"He's only throwing straights!"

"But it's quick and smart pitching. Though it looks idiotic."

"What was his name again?"

"Sawamura...Sawamura Eijun."

Eijun got back to the dugout, only to be confronted by Kataoka. "Nice ball."

"Nice pitching." Chris added.

Eijun froze, 'S-Seidou's big twos are praising me...' He grinned happily, pulling the unexpecting Esumi into a tight hug as she walked by. 'They're praising me!!'

"Ei-nii, what are you doing?!" Esumi complained, struggling out of her brother's tight grasp.

'I don't praise you because you immediately let it go to your head..' Miyuki thought, shaking his head at the twins.

"You guys planning to take this game into extra innings?" Kataoka spoke loudly, catching his team's attention. "If you're really aiming to rule the nation...then take as many points as you can in the remaining innings." He stated clearly. Of course, Kataoka had high expectations for each and every one of his members. He wouldn't expect anything less from them.

"Seidou high school, subbing players. Number seven, Sakai-kun, subs out for Kominato Haruichi-kun."

"Harucchi!" Eijun called, waiting from the safety box. "Leave your back to me! Just go wild!"

Haruichi smiled, though confused. "That's Kawakami-senpai's line." The pink haired first year stated bluntly. Haruichi shook away his thoughts, and leaned over the plate, resting his bat near his right shoulder.

You thought to himself, wondering what Haruichi--a mere first year--was doing in the batter's box with a wooden bat. You scowled, and set off to pitch. As usual, his movements were smooth all the way through to the release of the ball. You aimed for Haruichi's knees, and in that moment, the latter spread his legs. Haruichi was aiming for the very first pitch. You narrowed his eyes, thinking that it was useless.

Haruichi move his hips. He dipped his right shoulder downwards, in order to catch the ball with the tip of his bat. The ball bounced toward the left field, pushing through the third and second baseman's reach. The left fielder moved to catch the bouncing ball. Once standing safely on first base, he embarrassedly held his fist out to Eijun, his brother, and the rest of his teammates.

After, Eijun was able to pull off a successful bunt. It was the only thing he was good at, other than pitching. With the bunt, Haruichi easily made it to second, while Eijun got out. Next up was Kuramochi. The shortstop worked to calm himself, thinking about what Kataoka told him before he came to the batter's box. 'Listen...this late in the game, the pressure on their defence should be quite high..don't hit a fly..smash a grounder to the right side!' And Kuramochi did exactly that.

Being the fastest, along with Esumi, Kuramochi bolted toward first base. He was able to make it after Akikawa's shortstop stumbled to return the ball to first. Now it was one out, with runners on first and third.

For the next pitch, Kuramochi began to run without a lead. Akikawa's catcher stood to throw to second, but You yelled for him not to throw. Kuramochi slid to second. Akikawa's coach called for a timeout, and his team members all gathered at the mound.

The next batter from Seidou's line up, was Ryosuke, who was going for a squeeze. You panicked, trying to change the pitch and the last minute. The pitch was off. The runners took off, moving in unison. Ryosuke leaned out to tap the ball. It was better than the catcher snatching it. Luckily Ryosuke got to it first, hitting the ball away. That second provided enough time for Haruichi to slid home.

Four to two.

You retrieved the ball, turning to throw to first in order to get Ryosuke out. Kuramochi took the shot, hurrying to home. First baseman got the ball, quickly throwing back home. Kuramochi dropped into a slid, just as Akikawa's catcher caught the ball. Seidou's shortstop dodged the catcher's hand and tapped the base.

Five to two.

While everyone was caught in the two point squeeze play, Ryosuke ran to second and slid to safe.

~__!__~

Soon after the two point play at the bottom of the sixth inning, Kawakami was subbed in to close up.

Two outs and a runner on second.

Miyuki signed with his right hand. Kawakami nodded, and pitched the ball. Panicked and under pressure, Akikawa's batter mis-swung.

"Strike, batter out!" The umpire declared loudly for everyone to hear. "Game, set!"

Cheers erupted through the stadium, as Seidou's members ran toward the field.

The score was eight to two.

The two teams lined up, and bowed.

Seidou had advanced into the Top 8.

A/n: WINNER OF THE POLL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

.....

Final Standings:

3rd--Kominato Haruichi (18 votes)

2nd--Miyuki Kazuya (23 votes)

1st--ISASHIKI JUN (24 votes)

Congrats Jun!