Chapter 98

Short Summary
Tokuchi and Kurai being used as fielders means they’ll have to bat, losing Tokuchi a lot more money. With Ideguchi on base, Tokuchi is convinced he can bring the runner home.

Long Summary
Still at the bottom of the first inning in their first game against the Fingers, Nakabayashi pitches against the Lycaons. While a good pitcher, he’s known for having shaky starts.

Saikawa has claimed that Tokuchi’s one point relief strategy will come at a price. He says he’s put at ease being able to watch ‘Tokuchi’s crushing defeat’ but Oikawa maintains that he won’t go down that easily. Saikawa responds that Tokuchi’s made a huge mistake with no chance of winning.

Kojima bats and gets on base. From the dugout, Tokuchi comments ‘this pitcher is a little funny’. Nakabayashi successfully finishes the inning with no runs. At the top of the second, Tokuchi gets put at first base while Kurai is sent on to pitch and immediately gets booed by the audience. He lets two runners on base and Mihara switches him for Tokuchi. Kurai is right next to the crowd as they jeer at him again. Tokuchi strikes out all three batters and Oikawa suddenly understands the mistake the Owner’s referring to. Tokuchi and Kurai being used as fielders means that they’ll both have to bat, which neither are very skilled at. With the One Outs contract, Tokuchi loses 50 million for every 3 outs the batters get.

Tokuchi gets out all three batters. At the bottom of the second, Ideguchi bats first and gets to first base. But with the following lineup being Sugadaira, Kurai then Tokuchi, Ideguchi thinks he has no chance of getting home. Sugadaira and Kurai get struck out bringing Tokuchi’s winnings down to 166.66 million. The other batters say they’ll get ready for defence since Tokuchi will get struck out too, but Tokuchi objects. He says he has no confidence in hitting, but his confidence he can get the runner home is ‘to the brim’.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Saikawa
 * Ideguchi
 * Nakabayashi
 * Oikawa
 * Kurai
 * Kojima