Kazuya had grown tired of the same old, same old routine. Easily out-playing rival teams and their genius catchers. Earning spite, fists and bruises of his team mates in return for his retaliation of the established order.
‘You're a pitcher Miyuki! Not the coach… not our catcher… you just need to learn to follow the signs.’
‘You're a nuisance. Just because your pitching wins us games, doesn't mean it's going to save you from our fists- eventually.’
‘One day you'll meet your match and it will wipe that smug look right off your face.’
Kazuya never dreaming their words would come to fruition, until he met him… a rival team’s catcher that could send him swinging for strikes and see through every planned pitching sequence in return for his team.
That day they lost- brutally. Eleven to one in what Kazuya calculated should have been a close game, but the rival catcher saw through all of his carefully thought out plans and made him pay for it when his pitching deteriorated.
“Who is that catcher from the other team?” Kazuya wondered, staring at the person in question until he motioned Kazuya over for a chat after the game.
“Takigawa Chris Yuu, but you can just call me Chris.” As the threads of fate wound together even tighter.
“Miyuki Kazuya,”stated back, like a promise to the dazzling smile of the catcher facing him.
I'll see you again, and this time I won't lose.
***
They did meet again several times until Chris graduated junior high, off to Seido high school to compete against the next level. Kazuya spending his last year perfecting his command of the strike zone with his fast balls, not wanting to let himself down when he met Chris yet again the following spring.
Kazuya late on his very first day of practice at Seido but managing, with just a little help from an old friend noticing his bobbing head beside the equipment shed, to sneak into line with the other first-years. Earning an immediate glare from Kuramochi at his left and the sure promise of a little pain later. Chris’ gaze the only one that mattered as a slow smile spread over his face.
***
Kazuya was lucky enough to make it into the first-string before the summer, but in another unlucky being paired with Miyauchi for practice. The second-year not particularly liking his brand of snark, while Kazuya fighting Miyauchi’s straight-forward calls the entire way.
He was envious of the battery pitching perfectly at his side. Chris making the best use of Tanba’s strengths to call out, “Nice ball!” repeatedly in the pen; more Chris’ calls than Tanba’s strength in Kazuya’s opinion.
Kazuya knew he was just bitter, the taste of envy stuck tightly in the back of his throat. Working even harder on perfecting his fastball, adding in a change-up at the coach’s suggestion and then putting all of his focus on pitching.
Late nights spent throwing balls into the net in the practice arena. Focused. Throwing every ball with a care as it curled away from his fingers to hurtle towards the mesh.
“You’re pitching well Miyuki. Maybe a bit too much though recently.” Chris’ voice making Kazuya jump as the catcher stepped out from the shadows of the door.
Kazuya trying to smirk at Chris’ wise words, but for once failing. Bitterness curling around his tongue at the ‘want’ to earn the ace number, to become Chris’ regular partner on the field.
“Patience Miyuki,” Chris already able to see through Kazuya’s screen of a pained expression, “With the way you’re constantly improving, you'll soon be nipping at Tanba and the other pitchers heels. Don't let it get you down. I have a feeling we’ll be a battery before you know it.”
Kazuya’s frown turning into a silent elation at Chris’ words. The catcher turning back into the darkness outside, Kazuya not missing the carrying chuckle from outside fading as Chris made his way back to the dorms.
FILL: Team MIYUKI KAZUYA/SAWAMURA EIJUN, G
Word count: 663
Kazuya had grown tired of the same old, same old routine. Easily out-playing rival teams and their genius catchers. Earning spite, fists and bruises of his team mates in return for his retaliation of the established order.
‘You're a pitcher Miyuki! Not the coach… not our catcher… you just need to learn to follow the signs.’
‘You're a nuisance. Just because your pitching wins us games, doesn't mean it's going to save you from our fists- eventually.’
‘One day you'll meet your match and it will wipe that smug look right off your face.’
Kazuya never dreaming their words would come to fruition, until he met him… a rival team’s catcher that could send him swinging for strikes and see through every planned pitching sequence in return for his team.
That day they lost- brutally. Eleven to one in what Kazuya calculated should have been a close game, but the rival catcher saw through all of his carefully thought out plans and made him pay for it when his pitching deteriorated.
“Who is that catcher from the other team?” Kazuya wondered, staring at the person in question until he motioned Kazuya over for a chat after the game.
“Takigawa Chris Yuu, but you can just call me Chris.” As the threads of fate wound together even tighter.
“Miyuki Kazuya,”stated back, like a promise to the dazzling smile of the catcher facing him.
I'll see you again, and this time I won't lose.
***
They did meet again several times until Chris graduated junior high, off to Seido high school to compete against the next level. Kazuya spending his last year perfecting his command of the strike zone with his fast balls, not wanting to let himself down when he met Chris yet again the following spring.
Kazuya late on his very first day of practice at Seido but managing, with just a little help from an old friend noticing his bobbing head beside the equipment shed, to sneak into line with the other first-years. Earning an immediate glare from Kuramochi at his left and the sure promise of a little pain later. Chris’ gaze the only one that mattered as a slow smile spread over his face.
***
Kazuya was lucky enough to make it into the first-string before the summer, but in another unlucky being paired with Miyauchi for practice. The second-year not particularly liking his brand of snark, while Kazuya fighting Miyauchi’s straight-forward calls the entire way.
He was envious of the battery pitching perfectly at his side. Chris making the best use of Tanba’s strengths to call out, “Nice ball!” repeatedly in the pen; more Chris’ calls than Tanba’s strength in Kazuya’s opinion.
Kazuya knew he was just bitter, the taste of envy stuck tightly in the back of his throat. Working even harder on perfecting his fastball, adding in a change-up at the coach’s suggestion and then putting all of his focus on pitching.
Late nights spent throwing balls into the net in the practice arena. Focused. Throwing every ball with a care as it curled away from his fingers to hurtle towards the mesh.
“You’re pitching well Miyuki. Maybe a bit too much though recently.” Chris’ voice making Kazuya jump as the catcher stepped out from the shadows of the door.
Kazuya trying to smirk at Chris’ wise words, but for once failing. Bitterness curling around his tongue at the ‘want’ to earn the ace number, to become Chris’ regular partner on the field.
“Patience Miyuki,” Chris already able to see through Kazuya’s screen of a pained expression, “With the way you’re constantly improving, you'll soon be nipping at Tanba and the other pitchers heels. Don't let it get you down. I have a feeling we’ll be a battery before you know it.”
Kazuya’s frown turning into a silent elation at Chris’ words. The catcher turning back into the darkness outside, Kazuya not missing the carrying chuckle from outside fading as Chris made his way back to the dorms.