I Am A Shadow (DnA Fanfic)

8. Exhausted, Then Better?

Esumi was in class the next morning. Her nose was buried in a book again. She felt bad that she's been so caught up in practice, that she's been unable to read. A hand suddenly slammed down on her desk. Esumi jumped, letting out a small squeak. She looked up and saw her twin. Eijun stood before his sister, trying his best to hold back from laughing outloud. With a small smile, Esumi stood up and smacked her brother's arm. "That's not funny Eijun!" She scolded. The class gasped a bit.

"Esumi actually called Sawamura by his full name!"

"Woah!"

The twins ignored their classmates, as Eijun broke into laughter. "Oh come on Esu!" He laughed. "Hey, in my defense I called you." Eijun said with his hands up. Esumi pouted, crossing her arms.

"Don't do that again." She sighed. "Now, was there something you needed?" Esumi asked, sitting back in her seat. Eijun calmed down from laughing, turning serious. Esumi looked confused as Eijun asked his question. "Huh? Strong point?"

"My strong point in pitching. Like Furuya's fastball and Tanba-senpai's curves." Eijun supplied. Esumi nodded, thinking a bit.

"Who else did you ask?" Esumi answered back with another question. Eijun frowned that his twin was evading.

"Kuramochi-senpai, Masuko-senpai, and I just asked Haruichi." Eijun said. "Now answer!"

"Okay, okay.." Esumi giggled. "Well, you have a knack for encouraging others, not that many want to admit." The younger twin thought a bit. "Hmm..oh! You always have someone you're fighting for. That's a good trait." Esumi smiled happily. Eijun wrote this in a small notebook that he's been carrying around.

"Ah! Thanks Esu!" Eijun thanked his twin sister. Esumi let out a laugh as Eijun retreated back to his desk.

'Ei-nii sure is energetic.' She thought, watching her brother scribble in his small book. 'At this rate, Ei-nii will pass me up. I better work harder..' Esumi grinned, resting her head in her right palm.

All throughout the day, Esumi was subconsciously thinking about ways to perfect her newest style. She had to perfect it before the summer tournament. She already knew to circle her style around agility and acrobatics. Esumi wouldn't be able to 'disappear' anymore, since she's standing out to the crowds now. Her acrobatics would be used when she tries to stop home run, she knew that for sure. Now she just had to somehow incorporate her speed.

Esumi stopped walking toward the baseball fields. She suddenly had an epiphany. "What if i can still be a shadow...?" She asked with a grin. If she couldn't be a shadow naturally, she would force herself to disappear.

Esumi ran toward Kataoka's office quickly. She knocked on the door once she arrived and awaited to be given access to enter. "Come in." Her coach's deep voice came from the other side of the door. Esumi inhaled deeply to regain her breath, and opened the door.

"Excuse me, Kataoka-san?" She asked, stepping in front of the older male's desk. "I was wondering if I could do practice individually today?" Esumi asked politely, looking Kataoka straight in the eyes. Kataoka paused, staring back at the younger twin.

"For what reason, Sawamura?" He asked Esumi back. Esumi took a breath, fixing her posture.

"I wanted to perfect this new playing style I'm working on.." Esumi paused to find the right words to use. "I don't want the others to see it just yet." She grinned a bit. Esumi internally hoped that she'd be able to practice by herself. "It's only for today sir." She added on.

Kataoka observed the Sawamura girl. He saw a fire lit in her eyes. He smirked, nodding his head. Esumi had smiled even bigger if possible. She thanked that coach and sped out to practice. Kataoka watched just as she sped around the corner toward the fields. "I'm interested to see your new style, Sawamura Esumi." He muttered.