Short Summary[]
After the first two innings of the first game, Tokuchi figures out how to get around the busters.
Long Summary[]
It’s the first inning against the Mariners and the bases are loaded. Brooklyn is up next to bat. Although he’s had bad luck against Tokuchi, his hitting percentage for the season is .369, third in the league. Like the others, Brooklyn gets into a bunting stance. Tokuchi throws and Brooklyn feels he can see the pitch better than usual. He doesn’t swing and it’s a ball. The count gets to 2-3. Tokuchi throws the final pitch and Brooklyn hits it. It flies and gets caught by the centre-fielder, making three outs.
Brooklyn angrily throws his helmet down and Takami tells him not to worry as the game has just started. The second inning, Tokuchi strikes out three batters in 20 throws. His unusual pitching makes the other Lycaons nervous. Takami laughs smugly as Tokuchi walks off the field, but suddenly stops when he catches Tokuchi smiling. Things change in the third inning, and Tokuchi consecutively strikes out Yamakawa and Thomas with no wasted pitches. Kitaooji goes up next and Tokuchi intentionally walks him, then does the same to Amami. The Mariners are shocked but Coach Muragachi laughs and declares Tokuchi must be scared. Takami disagrees; he thinks Tokuchi can see right through them. He’s figured out the purpose of the busters and knows there are only three players who can hit effectively against him. If he walks them, no points will be scored. Takami describes Tokuchi as a ‘man who does the impossible.’
Characters[]
- Tokuchi Toua
- Takami
- Brooklyn
- Thomas
- Amami
- Kitaooji
- Yamawaka
- Coach Muragachi
- Commentator Kanemura