Chapter 106

Short Summary
Muruwaka goes on to bat and finally hits the ball, earning Tokuchi 3 billion yen.

Long Summary
Saikawa is confident Tokuchi must be panicking because he was counting on the Fingers using ‘half-assed pitchers’ against Muruwaka. The Fingers’ coach is pleased to see the Lycaons members seem to have lost their morale. He thinks of Kurai’s pitch as being a ‘phenomenal fastball’ but nothing else, while Kawanaka has the ability to take away the opponent’s fighting spirit with his skill.

Mihara comes out and announces Muruwaka as a pinch hitter. The commentators wonder why he would take such a risk when the Lycaons only have a one-run lead and should be aiming to score some insurance runs. In the dugout, Mihara asks Tokuchi why he had him send out Muruwaka and Tokuchi replies that it’s obviously because he’s going to hit it. Mihara assumes Tokuchi has found a way to overcome Muruwaka’s fear of the ball but Tokuchi laughs and tosses a ball at Muruwaka, who jumps out the way. Mihara is confused, having thought Muruwaka was cured, but Tokuchi says a phobia isn’t something you can get rid of easily. He asks Mihara why the Japanese constantly try to erase weak points rather than focus on increasing their strengths. He points out that he himself cannot throw very fast but hasn’t let it get in his way. Muruwaka has two advantages he can use to compensate for his fear. The first is strength but Tokuchi doesn’t reveal the other, telling Mihara to ‘just watch’.

Kawanaka has two runners on base, but he ignores them and pitches form the full windup. He throws an even faster pitch than before and Muruwaka hits it. It travels all the way to the stands making it a home run.

Saikawa jumps up in a fury shouting it must be a mistake. With the runners on base getting home, this RBI has gained Tokuchi 3 billion yen, finally putting him in the black.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Muruwaka
 * Manager Mihara
 * Saikawa: Owner of the Lycaons
 * Kawanaka
 * The Fingers' coach