Diamond No Ace: Echoes Of The Ace

Chapter 23: This Isn't Over

"Onii-chan?!?!" Eijun let out a soul-wrenching cry, startled by the sight of the first-string players standing nearby.

Among them stood Kuramochi, looking particularly perplexed by Eijun's outburst, while Ryosuke Kominato, who had noticed his partner's unusual behavior, seemed to sense something interesting was unfolding.

The situation grew awkward as no one spoke for a moment until Ryousuke finally broke the silence.

"Who exactly were you calling 'Onii-chan' just now?"

"Onii-chan? Ah, no, I meant Kominato-senpai," Eijun replied quickly.

"Me?" Ryousuke asked.

"Kominato-senpai, aren't you Haruichi's older brother?" Eijun explained.

"Yes, I am," Ryousuke confirmed with a nod.

"Well, I'm good friends with Haruichi, so naturally, his brother is like a brother to me too," Eijun declared, though he wondered whether Haruichi would be okay with suddenly gaining another "younger brother."

Ryousuke smiled warmly at this unexpected new "younger brother," while Kuramochi, standing to the side, ground his teeth in frustration.

"This idiot—does he call just anyone 'Onii-chan'?"

Caught between the conflicting emotions of Ryousuke's amusement and Kuramochi's irritation, Eijun shivered involuntarily.

"So, um, are you all here to buy drinks too?" Eijun asked, attempting to change the topic.

"Yeah, we are. And we happened to overhear something pretty interesting too," Ryousuke replied, smiling in a way that didn't quite feel reassuring.

Eijun panicked, realizing the first-string players might have heard the earlier conversation.

"Kominato-senpai, it's not what it sounds like! They weren't talking about you all on purpose. No, wait, they didn't mean anything bad... uh, I mean—"

Watching Eijun flustered and stumbling over his words, Isashiki rolled his eyes. "Relax. We're not going to do anything to them. Though I have to say, it's annoying to hear my teammates being underestimated. Tanba will show them what a real difference in skill looks like."

Eijun stared at Isashiki, whose imposing presence was enough to leave him starstruck. "Wow, he's so cool, so commanding!"

Kuramochi, observing Eijun's starry-eyed admiration, grew sour. "Again? Now he's fawning over Jun-san? This kid is so fickle!"

Meanwhile, Yuuki stretched out a hand and ruffled Eijun's hair. Surprised, Eijun blinked up at him in confusion.

"Thanks for standing up for Tanba earlier," Yuuki said gently.

"I wasn't standing up for him! Tanba-senpai is genuinely strong!" Eijun instinctively retorted. Because of Chris, Eijun had a great deal of respect for Tanba and wouldn't tolerate anyone badmouthing him.

"I see," Yuuki replied, gazing at Eijun with warmth. This was the same boy who had helped save Chris's baseball career and was now willing to risk alienating his new teammates to defend Tanba.

It was hard to believe he was the same headstrong rookie who had once yelled at Azuma on the field.

Feeling like he was being treated like a child, Eijun puffed out his cheeks in frustration, which only made the upperclassmen want to tease him more.

One by one, they ruffled his hair until Kuramochi, in particular, went too far, pulling Eijun into a headlock and messing up his hair until it looked like a bird's nest.

Dejected, Eijun slumped into the cafeteria. He needed food to heal his wounded pride.

Unfortunately, Miyuki wasn't about to let him off the hook, appearing with a tray of food and sitting beside him.

"So, how's preparation for the practice game coming along? Looks like you freshmen have been working hard these past few days," Miyuki commented casually.

"Huh? What's it to you? Don't tell me you're here to spy on us!" Eijun shot back.

"Why would I need to spy? I'm not even playing tomorrow," Miyuki said, exasperated by Eijun's odd train of thought.

"Then why are you here? Don't tell me you're interested in my pitching! No, that can't be it. You've already said I'm a lousy pitcher!" Eijun accused, clearly having pieced together the truth only to dismiss it because of Miyuki's past remarks.

Miyuki couldn't help but feel like he had dug his own grave. "Why do I always set myself up like this?"

"I get it! You're here because of Chris-senpai!" Eijun suddenly exclaimed, his expression shifting to anger. "You're trying to find out when Chris-senpai will return so you can prepare to face him, aren't you? Forget it! I'm not telling you anything!"

Grabbing Miyuki by the collar, Eijun yanked him up with surprising strength.

Miyuki, hanging limply in Eijun's grasp, thought to himself, "Not bad—his arm strength has improved. Wait, why am I impressed right now?! Can't this kid think anything positive about me for once?"

"Listen, I'm your senpai. And no, I'm not here to get any information about Chris-senpai," Miyuki explained, though he thought to himself, "I have Chris's email, you know." "Stop looking at me like I'm some kind of villain. I'm not a bad guy!"

"Hah! You're clearly not a good guy, though! Troublemaking glasses-wearer!" Eijun retorted.

As the two argued, Furuya, who had just finished his meal, spotted his target: Miyuki. Carrying his tray, he weaved through the cafeteria and approached them.

Neither Eijun nor Miyuki noticed as Furuya lowered his tray between them, forcing Eijun to release Miyuki's collar.

Seizing the opportunity, Furuya wedged himself into the small space between them, pushing Eijun aside without a word.

"Can I sit here, Miyuki-senpai?" Furuya asked.

"Furuya, can't you see I'm already sitting here? There are open seats on the other side," Eijun complained, feeling his personal space invaded.

However, Furuya completely ignored Eijun and stared intently at Miyuki.

"Miyuki-senpai, in this weekend's practice game, I'll make sure no one can hit my pitches. So… will you catch for me?"

The moment Furuya said this, he instantly became the center of attention.

The atmosphere in the cafeteria froze, and Eijun felt his patience snapping.

He had just dealt with three guys badmouthing Tanba, and now Furuya was here causing trouble with the second-string seniors.

This year's rookies are way too much to handle!

"Hey, rookie," one of the second-string players spoke up with a sharp tone. "You're saying no one will hit your pitches? Do you even know where you are? You just graduated middle school, and now you're acting this cocky? You want Miyuki to catch for you? How about you put up some results first!"

Surrounded by upperclassmen, Furuya showed no reaction.

Eijun, on the other hand, broke out in a cold sweat.

Just as he was about to step in to smooth things over, a calm yet powerful voice broke the tension.

"Enough. This is pathetic." Tanba's voice silenced the room.

"In this place, only performance matters," Tanba continued, his tone steady and commanding.

"Yes, sir." The second-string players immediately backed down, deferring to the ace.

The conflict dissipated as quickly as it had started.

Eijun looked at Tanba with awe. As expected of the ace. To calm everyone down with just a few words—that's only possible for someone truly trusted by everyone.

Eijun turned to Furuya and offered, "Furuya, come train with us later."

But Furuya shook his head. "No need. I don't think anyone other than Miyuki-senpai can catch my pitches."

"Hey, that's way too rude! Furuya, don't walk away!" Eijun shouted, his frustration boiling over as he watched Furuya leave.

Eijun clenched his fists tightly, staring at Furuya's retreating figure.

---This isn't over.

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