Chapter 95

Short Summary
Kurai continues to pitch poorly, but when the Fingers’ Amami comes on to bat he says he can tell Kurai can do better than that.

Long Summary
The Secretary calculates the balance after Kurai’s home-run. The run was worth 1 billion, meaning Tokuchi’s salary is now only 230 million yen. Saikawa is beside himself and says Tokuchi will end up his ‘little bitch’.

Kurai throws four ‘ball’s in a row and Mihara shouts at him to ‘get his act together’. The Fingers laugh at Kurai, but the batter Amami suddenly asks Kitaoji if he bets on horse races. Amami claims when he looks at a paddock he can tell which horse is the fastest just by sight and he has a feeling that there’s more to Kurai.

Oikawa phones Tokuchi and frantically asks him what he’s going to do. Tokuchi laughs and tells him not to worry about it, saying putting Kurai on the mound will bring out his potential.

Kurai gives another 4-pitch walk to the next batter; he’s failed to get a single strike. Amami walks on to bat and the Lycaons’ infielders gather round the mound. The commentators suspect they’re talking about a switch-off but Kurai stays on. If Amami hits a home-run, the players on base will mean Tokuchi loses another 3 billion.

Ideguchi tells Kurai to walk Amami. Kurai ignores his advice and throws it down the middle, but Amami lets it go by. To Kurai’s surprise, Amami gets angry and shouts, ‘are you under-estimating me?’ He says he’s not deceived and can see Kurai can do better. He tells Kurai if he’s not mocking him he’ll throw with all he’s got. From the dugout, Tokuchi is surprised but glad to see someone else can discern Kurai’s real ability.

Kurai pitches straight down the middle again and Amami hits it.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Kurai
 * Saikawa: Owner of the Lycaons
 * Saikawa's Secretary
 * Oikawa
 * Ideguchi
 * Amami Taiyou
 * Kitaoji Gou