Chapter Text
“Now for the ceremonial first pitch here at the Tokyo Dome for the World Baseball Classic, please welcome Sawamura Eijun, center of the popular boy group ACE!”
The announcer’s voice boomed across Tokyo Dome, immediately stirring the crowd into a frenzy.
Eijun walked toward the mound, grinning brightly along with the official mascot of Samurai Japan, Samurai Tamabe, beside him. He wore a customized Samurai Japan jersey, SAWAMURA written across the back, the number 1 sitting proudly beneath it.
Behind him, Kominato Haruichi followed, equally decked out in his own customized jersey, KOMINATO and the number 4 written at the back as well, while walking with Giabyi, representing the mascot of the stadium’s home team, the Yomiuri Giants.
The crowd erupted.
“EI-CHAN, YOU’RE SO PRETTY!”
“EI-CHAN, YOU CAN DO IT!”
“EI-CHAN, EVEN IF YOU MISS, IT’LL STILL BE A STRIKE IN MY HEART!”
The energy only intensified as the announcer continued, “Catching the pitch is Samurai Japan’s star catcher, Miyuki Kazuya! And stepping up to bat is ACE’s main rapper, Kominato Haruichi!”
Their group’s latest single, Homerun, blasted through the stadium speakers, the upbeat tempo syncing perfectly with the electric atmosphere. Cameras flashed wildly as Haruichi took his stance at the plate, adjusting his grip with surprising familiarity.
Up on the big screen, Furuya, Kanemaru, and Tojou appeared from the dugout, cheering for their bandmates.
“OSHI! OSHI!” Eijun shouted toward the stands.
“OSHI!” The crowd roared back in perfect unison, the call-and-response echoing across the stadium like a wave.
When a stadium staff member handed him the ball and glove, another swell of anticipation rolled through the audience as they waited for the idol’s first pitch. Camera flashes exploded across the stands, all fighting for the perfect shot of the idol’s pitch and wind up for their own article.
Most of the crowd there, even fans, expected a casual, awkward toss. The kind idols usually gave during ceremonial pitches, usually far away from the home plate or a ball.
However, what they got instead was something else entirely as Eijun started his wind up.
His leg raised impossibly high, with his right hand forming a tight wall that completely concealed his left hand from view. For a split second, everything stilled, like the air itself was holding its breath.
Then
BAM!
The sound of the pitch slicing through the air snapped the moment wide open.
The ball shot straight into Miyuki’s mitt, dead center. No adjustment. No reach. A perfect target hit.
For half a heartbeat, the entire stadium fell silent.
Then it exploded.
“D-DID YOU SEE THAT?!”
“WHAT THE–EI-CHAN CAN PITCH LIKE THAT?!”
Even from the stands, you could tell, it wasn’t just clean. It was fast. Easily low-to-mid 140s km/h. Definitely not beginner's luck or a fluke.
That was a real pitch.
On the mound, Eijun blinked, then broke into his usual bright grin, bowing quickly before waving at the crowd like nothing unusual had happened.
Like he hadn’t just shocked all forty-six thousand people jam packed in this stadium.
He was about to jog back to the dugout when Eijun suddenly went back and cleaned the stride mark he made with his hand before bowing at the mound. After that, he proceeded to jog back with Haruichi toward the dugout, where the rest of ACE was already waiting, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
Among fans, it was common knowledge that Eijun liked baseball. No, he loved it.
He talked about it endlessly during fan meets, going off on excited tangents about teams, players, and games. Fans often gifted him merchandise from his favorite teams, which never failed to earn them that signature wide, sunlit smile.
But this…
This wasn’t what they expected when it was announced that Eijun would be doing the ceremonial first pitch.
What Eijun didn’t know was that that simple gesture, paired with his earlier pitch, didn’t just win over more fans. It earned him the respect of the baseball community.
It showed something deeper: his humility, and his genuine respect. Not just for the game, but for the professionals who dedicate their lives to it.
⚾️⚾️⚾️
The group then proceeded to perform their new song, Homerun, at the makeshift stage platform at the side of the field. Fans and non-fans alike tuned in and cheered for the group, with many non-fans already making mental notes to check them out later, especially the group’s center, Sawamura Eijun.
Once their performance was finished, the group was escorted to a VIP box, away from the crowd, where they could rest and watch the rest of the match.
“FUAAH!” Eijun exclaimed, practically buzzing with excitement even after performing. “DID YOU SEE HOW SHOCKED MIYUKI KAZUYA WAS WHEN I THREW A FOUR-SEAMER AT HIM?! DHAHAHA!”
“Aaah–! I can't believe I got THE Miyuki Kazuya to catch for my pitch!!” His arms flailed wildly as he rambled on, not giving anyone the chance to respond. “He’s even more handsome up close and his build?! His thighs are insane like–!”
“Like I think I can die peacefully now!”
SMACK.
“No dying,” Kanemaru said flatly, pulling his hand back after smacking the back of Eijun’s head. “Also, stop fangirling over your pretty boy.”
“OW! KANEMARU, WHY’D YOU DO THAT?!” Eijun clutched his head, glaring. “DON’T YOU KNOW THIS FACE IS JAPAN’S NATIONAL TREASURE?!”
“Yeah, Kanemaru, why’d you do that?” Haruichi asked calmly, immediately boosting Eijun’s confidence.
“See? Even Haruichi–”
“Didn’t you know he’ll lose all of his remaining brain cells if you keep doing that?”
Silence.
Then Tojou laughed.
Kanemaru snorted.
Even Furuya let out a quiet chuckle.
Eijun froze, slowly turning toward Haruichi, finger trembling as he pointed at him.
“T-THIS IS BETRAYAL! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO HARUICHI?!” he exclaimed, visibly shocked.
“Look,” Haruichi said, unfazed. “Your pretty boy catcher’s already crouching on the field.”
“WHERE?!”
Just like that, Eijun’s anger disappeared as he whipped around to face the field, eyes scanning eagerly.
There, behind home plate, was Miyuki Kazuya, already in position.
Eijun pressed closer, watching him intently.
Sawamura Eijun, center of Japan’s number one boy group, ACE, has a teeny tiny bit (his words) of a crush on Samurai Japan and Yomiuri Giants’ star catcher, Miyuki Kazuya.
Emphasis on the teeny tiny bit.
Yeah.
Not like he has an entire room dedicated to the catcher’s merchandise, or that he owns the catcher’s official signed Giants jersey, the one Miyuki himself auctioned. He definitely does not have a copy of his jersey during his Seidou High School days.
Yeah.
Definitely just a tiny bit.