I Am A Shadow (DnA Fanfic)

10. Moving On Up! Part 2

In the dugout of Seidou's second string's final game, the coaches discussed the pitch that Eijun threw. Takashima leaned over the bench that Kataoka was sitting on. She stared at the teen boy on the mound. "Coach...what do you intend to do?" Takashima asked lowly to the coach. "Even though the ball is livelier than before, with that unrefined pitching pose, it shouldn't be used on the mound yet." She continued with calculating eyes.

"That kid is testing it out..." Kataoka said bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest. "How to get ahold of the right feeling for this pitching form." Chris glanced from the coach and assistant coach to the teen on the mound.

Chris stepped up besides Kataoka. He looked seriously at the coach. "Please allow him to continue pitching." Chris asked sincerely. Other Seidou players in the dugout looked at the third year catcher in shock. Kataoka didn't reply, as he stared expressionlessly at the field.

"Will he awaken? Or will he continue to flounder?" Kataoka questioned seriously. "I have met a few extraordinary pitchers who managed to convert their instincts into weapons. In the past two months, the strength he gained from pulling a tire....never giving up, always looking forward, and never giving up...Those people who are destined to awake, will awake even after a short period of time!" Kataoka said wisely, giving a hard stare toward Eijun. "Chris...you've been his catcher for the past month, are you able to bring out his talent in this match?"

Chris looked in shock at his coach. The word Kataoka asked him slowly swept through his brain. He processed the sentence by letters, then syllables, then words. He saw the other members protest and mutter, but he heard nothing. He faintly heard Kataoka continue to speak. He heard Kataoka faintly tell him that this was his last chance to get on the field. Kataoka told Chris that the kid on the mound was waiting for him. Chris balled his fists and clenched his teeth. Through his eyes, he saw Eijun pitch another ball and walk the next batter. Chris saw the fire within Eijun's eyes. Chris saw the hope Eijun had that he'd come on the field as the catcher.

"No outs and the bases loaded!?"

"What's that pitcher doing?!"

"None of his pitches are reaching the strike zone!"

"We made a trip here to cheer Seidou on! Not to watch such a lousy match!!"

"Change the pitcher!!"

"Change the pitcher!"

The spectators grew angry with the performance, beginning to demand that Seidou change their pitcher. Chris internally fought in his head. He wasn't sure if he should, but he knew he wanted to.

~__!__~

"Player substitute!" Kataoka called from the dugout. The audience began to cheer, thinking that Eijun was finally stepping off. Eijun felt his stomach tighten. The feeling of dread and disappointment making itself clear.

Eijun looked disappointingly back toward the dugout, pointing to himself. "Is it me?" The players on the field looked shocked that a pitcher wasn't stepping up, but a catcher.

"Catcher Ono stepping off...Coming in is Takikawa." Kataoka stepped aside to let Chris by. Chris stepped onto the field with a small smirk. He noticed the expressions of his teammates and friends. Chris was even slightly amused by their expressions mixed with confusion and happiness.

"Chris-senpai." Eijun grinned happily. He had waited long for the time he'd be able to form a battery with Chris.

"Chris-senpai...This guys control..I can't..." Ono tried to explain, but was cut off by the older catcher.

"I know." Chris said, walking onto the mound with the rest of the Seidou members playing. "The fact the we haven't conceded a point until now has all been because of you, Ono. We've been keeping up our defense when there are runners. Just leave it to me now." Chris told Ono. He lightly tapped Ono's chest with the back of his mit. Ono looked shocked for a spare moment.