XIV. National Catcher (Part Two)

Nanairō

All it took was one inning for everything to go to shit. The bottom two of our lineup quickly got taken down and there wasn't much Haruichi could do when he accidentally popped it to Jun. With a different pitcher in play for our team, they quickly took advantage of his lack of momentum, despite my best efforts and key plays, they scored 6 runs in quick succession before I was able to pick off the third out. I was getting frustrated with them for giving up so easily.

"Hey!" I caught them as we were coming in. They all dropped their heads. "Pick your heads up and face me right now. Is this what you want to do? Lay down your dignity and will and let those bastards walk all over you because what? They're better?" I gritted my teeth, my pride for the team dulling my ability to mince words. "There's a First Year on Varsity right now. And unless we get our shit together right now, he's going to be a reason they hand our asses too us! So what if they're on Varsity and we're not? Who. Cares. We were the ones handing them their asses just last inning, so what happened? We lost momentum? And now you're all so far in your own heads that you don't even realize how dangerous it is. You've handicapped yourself. Willingly too. Doesn't it scare you how you did so well in the first inning compared to now? What, is it because Haruichi and Zono didn't bat? Is that any excuse after what you learned just an hour ago?"

They all say silently. "Answer me. Where is your motivation? Do you plan to back down? Be someone the Tenth graders can look up to, upperclassmen!" I saw all of the Second and Third years suddenly snap out of their haze, realization striking them.

"S-senpai I think you took it-" Haruichi was cut off as a sudden pressuring and confident air exuded from the upperclassmen in the dugout. A grin crossed my face.

"Hey First years... If you're not going to fight... Get out of our way...!" You're wrong... I took it just far enough!

"Let's go you punks!" A dark grin was shared between Mitsuki, Zono, and I. We haven't given up yet you cocky bastards!

"Tanba-senpai is on the mound. If we want to cut through and score again... We'll need to take away his solace... His curve ball. It's going to be vicious, but if we want to close the gap again, that's what it'll take. I want you to make the strike zone your best friend. Zono, remember that grip I showed you earlier to widen your reach?" He nodded. "Use it. Battle it out as long as you can and make him pitch as much as possible. Miyuki will try to read you so be unpredictable, and bunts won't easily scare Tanba-senpai, but if we can get just one of you on base, do whatever it takes! Rely on me to follow you up!" They nodded.

"YES!" Mitsuki walked up to the plate and squatted into a strange batting position, before quickly snapping into his usual one as the pitch was delivered and hit the ball. It was caught by Kuramochi, who eyed me with a shit eating grin.

"Zono-san!" He looked at me, so I pointed to the back fence. "Make them 'em run for it!" Miyuki snickered at my use of Kansai dialect, causing me to cut my eyes at him. He choked down his laughter. Disregarding him, Zono nodded.

He did just what I asked him to, and hit it to the back fence just over left field, where Furuya was lazily running back for it. He got to third base before the ball was back in, but I was too busy cackling to celebrate, because Furuya fell face first trying to get the ball and Jun ended up running to get it.

"S-senpai... Don't laugh at me..." I tried to be serious but the dirt all over his face was too funny.

"S-sorry Furuya, but it's hard not to laugh when you're covered in dirt like that!" Miyuki sighed as I walked to the right batters box.

"Good, you're finally up. Tanba has been impatient. He really wants to kick your ass today." Miyuki grinned mischievously.

"Ah shut it Snake, you don't have to deal with Sawamura begging you to throw every time you walk in the dugouts." I dug my cleats into the dirt as I usually did. "He got angry when I told him he was last, but he didn't know it was because he was the only one I could trust to still have spirit in the very end. I hear you and Chris have been mean wives, refusing to let him pitch." Miyuki chuckled with a small shrug.

"What can I say, I am a snake."

I shook my head with a laugh as I looked at Tanba. "That you are." He seemed irritated at our chattering. "Man he really is impatient!" Miyuki muttered something under his breath.

"Yeah we all are..."

Miyuki ordered a pitch and I saw him shift. "Feigning doesn't work on me, Miyuki."

Clank!

Chink!

I grinned at the oh so satisfying sound of the ball hitting the fence. "Shit, again? You really are a monster." He laughed as Zono and I came back through. For some reason I was grinning at him. I had completely forgotten the fights we had. Man, I really did love baseball, it always solved my problems when I needed it the most.

"YAH! SATŌ! WHERE DO YOU EVEN STORE ALL THAT POWER!" I grinned.

"Come find out!" I saw him get irritated again all the way from the dugout entrance.

"DISRESPECTFUL KOHAI!"

"Sorry Spitz-senpai!" I heard Miyuki laugh at the Third year's incoherent shouts.

"SHUT IT MIYUKI!"

"Senpai." I turned and looked at whoever was calling me.

"Eh?"

"There's someone who's asking for you just outside of the dugout. He's really tall." I knitted my eyebrows in confusion, but shook it off.

"I'll go see. Sawamura, go warm up." Sawamura jumped in excitement. I grinned at his spirit.

I quickly notified the Coach that I was going to the bathroom and left. I walked around the backside of the dugout and looked around in confusion. "It's been a while since I've seen you." I whipped around at the sound of a familiar voice. In front of me, taller than before, was a smiling Ji YÅ«ko, his previously blonde hair now shock blue.

"You're here! When did you get here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I quickly hugged him while he chuckled at my inquisitiveness.

"I just got here a couple of hours ago. I had to check in with Takashima-sensei and the dean. I'm formed with you like old times. Also, Takashima-sensei told me The Second string and First String were having a competition, I figured you'd be on the First String. Why aren't you?"

"Long story short, Miyuki and I got into it and I demoted myself, not wanting to affect the team's morale." He sighed.

"It's your second year already shouldn't you be more concerned about getting as much play time in as possible?" I shrugged and scratched my cheek sheepishly.

"I guess I didn't think about it like that. Anyways you should come with me into the dugout. I assume she put you on second string as well?" He nodded briefly.

"What should I do with my bags?" I looked down and picked several up.

"Bring them with you. She gave you a uniform right?" He nodded once again. "Good. I have an inkling feeling we might need your help. Up for it?" He nodded with a confident gleam.

"Of course, I'm always up for a duel against that cocky asshole." I laughed.

"Who taught you swear words in Japanese?"

"You."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Anyways, put your uniform on. Have you practiced pitching recently?" He nodded. "Alright good, I'll warm you up while they finish with offense. Meet me in the bullpen when you're ready." He gave a noise of agreance and went to go change.

I stalked back into the dugout carrying all of his bags and set them down in the corner out of the way. "W-what the hell? Where did those come from?!" I grinned cheekily.

"My prison wallet." No one seemed to get the joke so I leaned down to Haruichi and told him what it meant.

"S-se-senpai!" His face was beet red, causing me to cackle in laughter.

"Haruichi, what did he say?"

"I'd rather not repeat it..." Haruichi mumbled.

"I said-"

"Senpai!" I laughed harder at his embarrassment.

"Ah, Satō, you'd better not be in there teaching my little brother dirty things like I know you are." I sweat dropped and stopped laughing, feeling the threat in his words.

"I'll be back, I'm going to warm someone up." They all grunted in confusion. "I think it's better if I explain later. I'm going to ask Coach to extend the match another inning." They all grunted and before anyone could should profanities I hurriedly walked to the bullpen with my gear.

"DAMNIT SATŌ!" I had a shit-eating grin plastered on my face as I went.

I walked into the bullpen, having put on my gear excitedly along the way. "AHAHA! IS FASTBALL-SEMPAI FINALLY HERE TO CATCH FOR ME?"

"No." Sawamura's idiotic laughter dropped off suddenly.

"T-then why? Aren't I pitching today?"

"So long as I can get coach to agree to an extra inning, yes. But you'll still go last."

"Wha- who would pitch instead of me otherwise Senpai?!"

Right on cue, Ji YÅ«ko walked into the bullpen. "Me."

Sawamura, now irritated went to glare at him but was shocked at how far up he had to look to do so. "A-ah- so tall..." I grinned at the unusually timid Sawamura.

"Sawamura-kun, this is Ji Yūko. You're probably better off calling him Zēro-kun though, a lot of people say his name wrong. He's a second year from Thailand and my old catcher and pitcher, so please treat him with respect." Sawamura seemed irritated all of a sudden as he grit his teeth down at the ground.

"Senpai... How come you'll never catch for me? Am I not good enough, or is it-" I frowned at Sawamura and flicked him between the eyes, stunning and startling him.

"Bakairo! Don't say things like that! You're more than good enough. You have your areas you should improve in and your areas of exceeding talent. I haven't caught for you because Coach and Takashima-sensei are trying to do everything they can for you and Chris-senpai's battery to teach you important lessons." He frowned.

"I don't want to be with Chris anymore!... Why couldn't it be you senpai? He's just so unmotivated and he leaves early and-"

"Enough, Sawamura. Don't let me ever hear you disrespect him again. Forget about pitching today. If you can't improve on and do as he asks without complaint then I can't help you."

"Senpai wait-" I cut him off with a glare.

"No, Sawamura. You've said enough. Go cool off in the dugout. And unless you're cheering on the team, keep your mouth shut and think about the way you just bad talked a senpai. I understand you're frustrated and I understand he can be difficult to work with, but you need to grow the hell up." I pointed him out of the bullpen. "Ono-san, I know this is a lot to ask but can you please warm up Zēro-kun for me? I need to cool off." He nodded. "Sorry Ji Yūko, I'll see you on the field. I'm not myself right now." He smiled ruefully but acknowledged my apology.

I stepped out of the bullpen, running a hand through my hair after removing my mask. "Damn... And I was in a really good mood too... He just had to run his mouth about Chris of all people, hope he doesn't say anything like that in front of Miyuki... He'll lose his shit."

Miyuki respected Chris more than I did, as Chris was the only catcher to even beat him in call making, as Miyuki and I were pretty evenly matched. When Chris injured himself, Miyuki didn't take it well, and whether he realized it or not, I knew what was going through his head. We may not have talked, since I was outcasted from the team, but I had him in every class. I still knew what he was doing, thinking, saying. He respected Chris so much, and I knew that Sawamura saying that would do more than just piss him off. Chris may take words such as his without consequence, but it wasn't going to fly.

"Out! Change." With a sigh I masked my irritation with a forced grin.

"Let's finish them off! No runs!" I got to the plate. I noticed Sawamura sulking in the dugout but quickly looked away because it made me angry.

"Hey Satōshi! Why are you so quiet!" I heard my teammates screaming for me to be loud and instantly I felt as if my mood brightened significantly.

"YAH! SATŌ YOU BETTER NOT BE GETTING WORN OUT, WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH YOU!" I could almost cry, even First string was making me feel better.

Miyuki walked up to the plate, watching as Ji YÅ«ko and I warmed him up, my energy mostly regained. "In the bullpen, what was all that about? We saw Sawamura come storming out."

"He's not pitching."

"Ah really? Even the nice Senpai is being mean~" I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, what did you say to him? He hasn't said a word to anyone since you came walking out all pissed looking." I decided against telling him about what was said about Chris.

"I told him if he couldn't deal with not pitching first and having to wait, to shut up and go sit down." I knew it wasn't convincing, but Miyuki didn't say anything. He'd more than likely ask me about it later.

"Ah... I guess that kinda makes sense." I looked up to see him giving me a knowing look. "Anyways, shouldn't you be overjoyed? Your favorite catcher is back~" He grinned. "Besides me, of course."

"Shut it, Snake!" He cackled in laughter as Coach called him to the plate. I silently asked Ji YÅ«ko if it was the same pitches as before, but he added in our battery's old signs for Slider and cutter. I nodded shortly and looked at Miyuki.

He's relaxed. He knows he more than likely won't hit anything while no one is on base... It is his curse after all. Let's keep them inside. I signalled for a cutter to his chest. Ji YÅ«ko delivered the ball with more speed than I anticipated, surprising me and almost making me miss the ball.

"Strike One!"

"Damn, I should've payed attention! He's faster than I remember the bastard being, haha!"

"He always pitched after me remember?"

"All I remember is you showing up at my school and embarrassing the hell out of my Coach before Finals, where we barely beat you two. Even then we still ended up not going to Nationals because of the Coach's misconduct." I laughed slightly, remembering the dream I had a few nights ago about the past.

"That's okay, at least one of us has been there."

"Ah shut it." I grinned and signalled for a forkball down the middle. He's a sucker for those...

Clink!

"Foul!" I popped up watching the ball he knocked straight up, and dove backwards for it just before it hit the ground. The fall hurt, but it was worth the free out.

"Batter out!" I threw the ball back to Ji YÅ«ko while holding up my pointer finger.

"Damn, looked like it hurt! That catcher must be a beast! And who is that pitcher? He's been pitching straight to the catcher's call with no hesitation! He's the first all game."

"He just got here earlier I think. I saw the catcher talking to him behind the dugout. He vastly outsizes everyone on the team, he makes the catcher look tiny!"

"Oi, oi, the alumni really are kissing your ass tonight aren't they?" Shirasu approached the plate.

"Can't help it, I do have a great ass." I snickered at his dismay at my comments.

"They're right though, that is one massive dude. He's almost 214cm isn't he? Miyuki said he was tall, but not that tall." I frowned. Miyuki knew he was coming...? Why didn't he tell me?

"So he knew he was coming?" Shirasu nodded.

"Didn't you know? Miyuki was the one who vouched for him when the Office of Foreign Affairs questioned his Visa request. He applied for a 5 year visa instead of a school visa so he could stay longer." Why didn't he tell me?

"How come you know all this?"

"You didn't? Most of the team knows. Miyuki had to miss a day of practice to do it." I felt a troubled expression cross my features. A few hours my ass... I feel like an idiot now, why didn't he just tell me that he was coming? He didn't have to sacrifice a day of practice for him...

I shook the thoughts away, making a mental note to come back to it later.

• • •

With nothing more notable coming out of the last inning we decided to leave the game where it was before Nori had the chance to pitch. It was a tie, and by all of our efforts, the coach knew the score would remain tied no matter how hard we pushed. We bowed to each other and I walked back to the dugout and grabbed mine and some of Ji YÅ«ko's things.

"You look irritated, troubled, and angry. What's up?" I shook my head wordlessly, too many things running through my mind to explain coherently. Ji YÅ«ko didn't prod the subject again, and I enjoyed the silence until Sawamura walked up to me, visibly upset.

"Senpai, it's not fair! Why didn't I get the chance to explain myself! Why did you just tell me to shut up instead of listening! I should've had the chance!" The others looked at me and I nodded towards the exit of the dugout.

"Sawamura, keep your voice down. You gave up your chance to pitch the moment you decided to run your mouth about an upperclassman like that. You'd better hope Miyuki doesn't hear you talking about Chris like that, or you might have a reason to dislike him other than his personality. If you're going to act like a child then you should go run and clear your head."

"Who named you team captain! You can't tell me to run!" I slammed him by his shirt into the wall of the dugout. I felt my back cramp, eluding to why my anger was over flowing.

"Listen here, shithead! Just because you're frustrated with your battery-mate doesn't mean you get to act like a total ass and not face any consequences. If you're too immature to see that Chris-senpai is trying to help you then get the fuck out, because we don't need a dense idiot causing problems."

"What about you then huh? You and Miyuki are always fighting each other!"

"There's a difference between you and me. For one, I know my faults and admit to them. Yes me and Miyuki fight, but it's because we expect more of each other! And as much as I may want to hate him sometimes I can't, and I won't talk shit about him to anyone outside of the situation no matter how frustrated I get with him, because that's none of their fucking business." I felt anger boiling over quickly. "And the difference between you and me is I have respect for the person who helpd me be who I am. So shut up about things you have no clue about!"

"You're such a hypocrite-"

"Sawamura." We both looked over and saw Miyuki approaching with a pissed look. "Shut up. Satō is right. It's none of your business about our battery if you can't have the respect to keep your mouth shut about your battery mate. Nothing Satō has said is wrong, so take his advice and run with it. Preferably before he kicks your ass." Sawamura jerked away from me and shoved past me.

"What's with him today..."

"So, want to tell me what the fight in the bullpen was really about or are we both going to play stupid?"

"He was badmouthing Chris. Didn't want to ruin your mood earlier."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Well you're certainly right about it ruining my mood. Don't know how you'd know that though."

"Miyuki, it was obvious when you got depressed last year in class why. Chris was injured. I'm not stupid, I may have not been talking to you, but I always worried about when you'd self destruct or depress yourself." His eyes widened slightly and I looked away, leaning against the wall. "Don't look at me like that, Bakairo." He sighed and shook his head.

"What about your surprise from earlier? I didn't know he was coming!" I rolled my eyes.

"Bullshit you didn't." He sweat dropped.

"Don't know wha-"

"Shirasu snitched on you when he was at bat. The whole team other than me knew? What kind of conspiracy is this?" He snickered. "He also told me you missed an entire day of practice to vouch for him so he could get his Visa. And as much as I appreciate that, what the hell were you thinking? A whole day? For someone you hardly know?"

He sighed and scratched his forehead. "You see, we were actually planning to tell you as a surprise tonight, but then the match threw a wrench in things. Not to mention we weren't really talking and I didn't want to piss you off further." I sighed.

"Seems we've both been trying to look out for each other..." He nodded, looking at the sky.

"You coming back to First String?"

"Depends on Coach."

"We never did settle the dispute of who is better."

"Obviously me." He cackled at my remark.

"I don't know about that one, you almost took out the poor second baseman! Hahaha!" I rolled my eyes.

"You almost overthrew first, so shut it." He sweat dropped at that.

"Guess we'll have to split the National Catcher title huh?"

"I don't know, I didn't agree to all that..." I rolled my eyes and pushed him playfully.

"Shut it, Bakazuya. Let's go. I'm supposed to be tutoring a First year on Catching after dinner." He snickered but followed.

"Always the nice Senpai~" I carried my stuff, since Ji YÅ«ko took all of his.

"Shut it dork."

"Shorty."

"Glasses."

"Stupid."

"Big head."

"My head isn't the only thing that's big~"

"SHUT IT!"

"Hahaha!"

"You're so gross..."

"Thanks!"