A/n: Shoutouts!

(I feel bad for always doing shoutouts to the same people...LEAVE MORE COMMENTS PLEASE)

Thanks to these two people, who took the time to read my newest Haikyuu!!FF, This Little Light Of Mine! I appreciate it!

@aim_haikyuu @AuthorlineChan

On July 25th, Yakushi and Toritsu Chigusa played against one another in the fourth round.

The member's of Seidou's baseball team all seat bunched up in the cafeteria, watching a recording of the match.

"Uwaah! This clean up hitter is unstoppable!"

"Is he heally a freshman!?"

The voices from the crowd had sounded in the background. They excitedly chattered about Yakushi's Todoroki Raichi. Then, also sounding in the background, there was an announcement of Yakushi subbing in a different pitcher.

"Sanada-kun, subbing in for number 6, Mino-kun. Pitcher, Sanada-kun."

The club's advisor, Oota Kazuyoshi, paused the video. Chris stood up, along with Esumi, and the two stood in front of their teammates. "After that, he pitched until the seventh inning, when the game was called at 12-3." Chris read the recorded information from his notebook. "They still carried the momentum of their victory over Ichidai, so Yakushi made their way into the best eight after all." The third year, former catcher looked up to glance at the team. They were all serious, acknowledging the dark horse team, Yakushi High School. "It was also this right hander that held down Ichidai for two innings in the later half."

Esumi spoke up, "Basically, Sanada Shunpei is a strong pitcher that focuses on in-courses. He also aims at the chest for any right handed batters." The girl glanced in between her phone's screen, her notebook, and her teammates. She sighed. "There's no doubt that he's the ace of their team. We have to be cautious of him."

"Pretty unique pitch.." Yuki muttered.

"Why ain't he pitching from the start?" Jun scowled, as he glared in between the first year right fielder and the third year catcher. "He got a handicap or something..?"

"However.." Chris was the one to speak up. He looked back down at the notebook in his left hand. "They used this unorthodox tactic of preserving their ace and suddenly switching out the clean-up hitter.."

"Pretty annoying, if you ask me." Esumi sighed, tapping away at her phones keys. "If this was calculated...then there's a good chance they'll have something in store for us too." The girl pressed her lips into a thin line. "But what's more is their line-up. Number three, Mishima. Number 4, Todoroki. Number five, Akiba." The girl listed loudly. "Their three clean-up hitters had seven clean hits and scored eight points.."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Esumi's right. They might be freshman, but we can't let our guard down against them."

"They stole a base seven times, eh?" Kataoka hummed with interest. Esumi and Chris looked to their rights, where Kataoka and Takashima stood off to the side of the room. They often left the student's to run their own meeting, while Kataoka just organized their game plans and training menus.

"Yes...Their aggressive running made up for their lack of batting." Chris supplied, answering Kataoka's question.

The coach uncrossed his arms, and stared beyond seriously at his students. "While we have to pay attention to their aggressive runners, we also need to watch out for their strong batting line-up." Kataoka heeded, making the teen boys nod their heads. "The fact that they don't bunt will actually put more pressure on the pitchers!"

"They may be harder to beat than we think.." Esumi muttered, but Chris was the only one to hear her since he was standing the closest. He somewhat knew what the girl was thinking, but then again, her data gathering far surpassed his own. The third year silently wondered if the small brunette haired girl knew something that she wasn't sharing with the team.

~__!__~

The meeting had soon come to an end after that. Esumi was on her way back to her dorm, when an arm caught her shoulder. The girl turned back, and looked up. Chris was behind her, watching the right fielder carefully. "Oh, Chris-senpai." Esumi greeted her upperclassman. "Something I can do for you?"

"Back during the meeting.." Chris started out, though he felt a it unsure. Should he really question what Esumi had said earlier? Surely she'd warn the team if there was anything threatening that they should watch out for. Right? Esumi tilted her head, waiting for Chris to continue. She fully turned toward him, waiting patiently. "You said that Yakushi might be a more difficult opponent, than we think...I was just wondering why you said that. Is there anything else we really need to know?"

Esumi hummed. "Oh, about that." She chuckled slightly. "I don't think it's really any important information. Just that the bat that Yakushi's number four practices with.." Chris was intrigued, wondering where the conversation was leading. "It's a type of weighted bat, much heavier than the ones we practice with today. It's definitely not a standard bat. The weight in the tip is probably around 2.3 to 3.6kg (5-10 lbs)." Chris's eyes went wide with that.

"He practices with a bat that heavy?" Chris asked. The girl before him nodded her head.

"I noticed it at first, when I got lost with Ei-nii, Haru-kun, and Furuya-kun." Esumi explained. "It was hard to tell at first, but the way his arms were much more tense than how any of you guys bat..That sort of gave it away. The started weights for bats nowadays are only 33 ounces (0.94kg/0.02lbs). Even a few years ago, the standard weight was 1.4kg (3lbs)." Esumi sighed, pausing to take a deep breath again. "I didn't share this because you all already saw Number four bat during Ichidai's game. You all knew that he was a monster batter. Tell the team the weight of the bat he practices with, seemed pointless."

Chris nodded his head, understanding. "I see. Sorry for keeping you." Esumi shook her head, waving off the third year's apology.

"It's fine Chris-senpai." She smiled, before dismissing herself toward her dorm.

~__!__~

July 26th, the day before Quarterfinals.

Chris was practicing pitches with Eijun, and Kanemaru was batting. Slowly, Eijun flowed through his movements and let the ball roll off his fingertips. Kanemaru could only watch as the ball flew past him and into Chris's mit. "Good." Chris nodded approvingly.

Kanemaru clicked his tongue. 'He seems to be in top form..' The first year thought, pulling his bat back again to prepare for another pitch. 'He's definitely gotten more confident after that match against Akikawa.' The honey blonde observed as Eijun cheered himself on, repeatedly chanting 'good' under his breath. "Be quiet!" Kanemaru scowled at his fellow first year.

"It's about time we called quits, Sawamura." Chris stood up from his crouched position behind Kanemaru. The third year threw the ball back to Eijun.

Eijun, on the other hand, had other plans. He wanted to keep pitching. "No..Please a little longer!" He exclaimed, bowing his head at his teammates.

Again, Kanemaru clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Hey, hey. The match is tomorrow."

"My pitch is still weak from time to time." Eijun admitted with a straight face. "And I get the feeling I won't be able to hold them down with a half-assed pitch." Chris smirked at that.

"That's only if we get a chance to play, Sawamura!" Kanemaru yelled.

"I just need to be prepared!" Eijun shouted back.

To Eijun's right, Furuya was practicing his pitches with Miyuki. The raven haired pitcher threw the ball with a loud exhale. The ball landed with a loud smack into the palm of Miyuki's mit. "Well, not bad." The second year smirked.

"A quick wind-up against stealing?" Takashima questioned behind the safety net that was set between her and Miyuki.

"Yes. It should work well against Yakushi." Miyuki explained briefly.

Takashima looked down at the official catcher, whom she recruited herself two years ago. "Though he might not be drawing out his pull power with that form." She hinted, and Miyuki nodded back at her.

"His power might drop, but his control is still good." Miyuki agreed. "We really might be able to make use of this.."

And to Furuya's right was Kawakami, the team's right handed slide pitcher. Ono was catching for him. He caught the grounder that Kawakami had just pitched. "Don't worry about it hitting the ground Kawakami." The second year looked up at the pitcher a few feet away from him. "If you carefully throw it low, it defend against long hit." Ono advised, receiving a nod back from Kawakami.

Oota grinned at Ono from behind the safety net with Takashima. "Kawakami has the best control for low pitches after all! Right Ono!!" Once the second year went back to focusing on Kawakami, Oota noticed that Takashima was speaking to him.

"I'm worried about Furuya-kun's stamina..." The vice president spoke. "But these three seem to be in good shape." She added glancing from Eijun to Furuya to Kawakami. Oota and Takashima turned to watch the team's ace.

Tanba was pitching to the right of Kawakami, with Miyauchi as his partner. Kataoka stood behind the third year, personally coaching the returning ace. Tanaba pitched the ball, and Miyauchi had to raise his left hand slightly to catch the ball. "It's off again." Kataoka chided.

"Yes." Tanba nodded back at the coach.

"He's obviously got the right mindset." Takashima mentioned to Oota. "But Tanba-kun still isn't back to his former strength..." 'Tanba-kun's recovery is also vital for the team..but after all, you might only regain you match senses in a real match..' The woman thought silently to herself.

~__!__~

Kataoka gathered three of four of Seidou's pitchers. He crouched in front of the two first years and the second year. "Our starting pitcher tomorrow...will be Furuya, like always." Eijun slightly glared up at his taller rival. Furuya didn't pay Eijun any mind though. "But....considering Furuya's stamina, we'll switch him out earlier tomorrow. Starting from the fourth inning, it'll be Sawamura. And from the seventh, it'll be Kawakami." Kataoka took a quick glance at the three pitchers. "Still, this might change slightly depending on how the game is going....Be prepared at all times.."

"That means you're counting on me, right?!" Eijun yelled stupidly.

'A pitching order with three innings each, huh?' Miyuki thought, also being present since he was the team's official catcher. 'Well, they pitched in the previous games, too. When we pre-emptively change out pitchers before their batting order come around, we can prevent them from getting used to the pitching.' He reasoned, running through scenarios in his head. 'Though, that only applies when these three pitched like planned...'

"Wh-what about Tanba, Coach?" Oota asked. "You haven't even called him here..."

Kataoka looked down at the ground, with a solemn expression. "I can't let him get on the mound in his current condition..." The present players were surprised, yet they understood well.

"N-no way.." Oota frowned at the coach's decision. "He was always aiming for the quarterfinals..."

"So what." Kataoka said without mercy. "Tanba won't pitch in tomorrow's game. You guys do your job with that in mind!!"

"GOT IT BOSS!!" Eijun mock saluted. "I'll definitely live up to your expectations!!"

"Stop calling me Boss..."

"Yes, Boss!!"

~__!__~

On the other hand, Tanba was running through sheet batting again. He practiced with his fellow third years, and Esumi was dragged along as well. Currently, Tanba was on the mound, with a clear sweat coating his skin. Jun was batting, as Chris was catching. Tanba pitched the ball, while Jun swung his bat and hit the ball away with brute force. "WRAAAA!" Jun yelled loudly when he swung his bat. "What's up, Tanba? Give me some better pitches!"

"Jun-senpai's so demanding.." Esumi muttered to the older Kominato brother. "Isn't he being a little too harsh?"

"Well, some of them were good...But still.." The pink haired third year chuckled, with a smirk playing at his lips.

"You're just the same, Ryosuke-senpai." Esumi shook her head at her teammates.

Tanba panted, catching his breath after having pitched quite a few balls already. "What's up, calling quits?" Yuki called out to Tanba.

The pitcher, inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "No...one more round.." He first spoke under his breath. "One more round, please..." Tanba spoke louder this time.

Jun clicked his tongue and grinned widely. "Don't exhaust yourself before a game." He chided, pulling off his protective helmet. "We'll still tag along, though."

"Yeah." Masuko nodded gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest. "We'll stick with you until the end."

Ryosuke chuckled and looked up at the big power batter to his left. "You're stomach's growling.." The pinkette pointed out the loud rumbling sound.

"Go at your own pace, Tanba-senpai." Esumi smiled in the most comforting way. The addressed third year relaxed at the words.

Yuki stepped up to the left side of home plate. He prepared to bat. "Okay, one out and a runner on second." The captain announced. Tanba inhaled, and began his usual motions of pitching. He took a wide step forward with his left leg. His right arm followed, gripping the baseball tightly between his thumb, index, and middle fingers. Tanba puffed out air, as he swung the ball down with all his might and focused energy.

Yuki had no time to react. The ball had already landed in Chris's mit before the captain even realized. "That was a nice one Tanba-senpai!" Esumi encouraged, her hands cupped around her mouth.

"Even Tetsu couldn't hit that!" Jun cackled. The other members present began to argue whether the pitch was a ball or a strike.

"Guys, that's enough!" Miyuki sighed at the nonregulars that decided to help with Tanba's practice. "And it was a ball!" He added.

"An-another devil showed up!!" Jun growled, eyeing Miyuki and Kataoka.

Esumi turned her head at the sight of Kataoka, Takashima, and Miyuki walking up to them. "Coach. Takashima-san." The girl greeted with the nodded of her head. The two adults nodded back. A small smile on Takashima's lips, as she was greeted by the young first year girl.

"What? No greeting for me, Esumi-chan?" Miyuki smirked, sliding his left arm around his juniors shoulders. Esumi smiled, before slipping out of the catcher's grip. She completely disregarded the catcher, still not greeting him, as she left stand by Masuko. Miyuki sighed with a fond smile, before turning to a panting Tanba that stood on the mound. "I'll help you stretch Tanba-san." The second year offered.

Kataoka spoke, "You still can't accept your own condition?" The field went silent when Tanba didn't answer. Yuki and Chris quietly watched. Tanba wiped away the sweat dripping down his chin with the back of his right wrist. Kataoka didn't say anything for a good minute or so. "The fifth inning..." The ace glance up at his coach, very briefly. "Get ready for the fifth tomorrow." Tanaba looked surprised, as did Miyuki, who was just told a couple hours ago that the ace wouldn't be participating in tomorrow's match. "Yakushi is strong." Kataoka stated. Everyone knew this. "It might become a wild game. And if it comes to that, I'll definitely put you on the mound. You, who is the Ace of Seidou!" Tanba went even more wide eyed, if that was even possible. "Show me your...effort of three years."

The third years smirked.

'I see now..' Miyuki smiled. 'He told the other three that Tanba-san wouldn't pitch, so that they'd focus more on their own roles...And he also let Tanba-san bild up confidence by telling him he's the ace of the team..That's what the coach was after.' The second year hummed to himself. He habitually glanced at the others around him, before his gaze fell upon Esumi. The glow in her eyes showed that she, too, had figured out the coach's true intentions. She was a smart girl after all, so there was no way Esumi wouldn't have figured it out. Maybe she even figured it out before himself.

"Okay..finish up here!" Kataoka order the team. "Shall I help you stretch, Tanba?" He, then, asked the third year ace that was trying to walk away without being detected. Apparently, that didn't work though. Tanaba looked at his coach nervously. "You don't want me to?"

"HAHAHAH!! Let him, Tanba!" Jun laughed loudly, almost as loud as Kuramochi would at times like this.

"How nice~" Ryosuke hummed. "The privilege of the ace."

"Aren't you even more nervous than before a game?" Yuki teased, with his cool smirk widening across his lips.

Tanba frowned, "You guys!!"

Esumi walked behind everyone, silently watching from the comfort of her shadows. She watched her reliable seniors joke around, and she was suddenly reminded that they, too, were just high school students. They usually looked so matured during games. Seeing such a sight, where the third years were all relaxed and joking around. It was a nice, rare sight.

'I'll have to do my best too.' The right fielder thought to herself. 'Can't let them show me up.' Her last thoughts made her smirk.

A/n: I know this chapter is short, compared to my other ones.

But I really wanted to start Yakushi and Seidou's match in a new chapter.

Hope you understand!

Thoughts about the FF up to now would be great. ty ty <3