Short Summary[]
The first All-Stars match begins. Nishina takes the opportunity to ask Tamaki about Tokuchi’s pitching abilities. Tokuchi comes up with a simple strategy to completely ruin the opponent’s game.
Long Summary[]
Nishina sits in the changing room after losing to Tokuchi, thinking he’s never felt this way 'til now. He gets a phone call; Tawanaka asks him if he’s found to a way stop Tokuchi yet and says he’s looking forward to the game, then hangs up.
The first All-Star match begins. The P-League team includes Tokuchi and Kojima, as well as the Mariners’ Takami, Kawanaka, Amami, Kitaooji, Thomas and Brooklyn. On the S-League team are members from the Sparrows, Boosters, Condors, Jaguars, Doragoons and Gallarians.
Nishina is greeted politely by Takami. He says Nishina's experience in the S-League will mean everything to their game and asks for his advice. Nishina instead asks about Tokuchi. He explains when he went up against him last week, it was like the ball had a will of its own, even though it was slower than 130km/h. Takami tells him everyone says that when they go up against Tokuchi, despite his fastballs beings ‘slower and lazier than a high school kid’s.’ He explains that Tokuchi can freely change the rotation on his fastballs, a bit like a changeup, but Tokuchi doesn’t need to change his grip and can decide upon the pitch at the moment of release. In addition, he can throw balls high-speed balls with low rotation, and vice versa. But the truly great thing about him is his ‘demonic insight’. He reads the batter's state of mind and throws a pitch that will miss the bat with certainty. If he thinks they won’t swing, he throws a weak fastball down the middle. Takami reveals he believes Tokuchi will break the batter strikeout record easily. Like Nishina said, you don’t realise his greatness until you go up against him directly, but by then it’s too late and you’ve been had. Nishina’s fears increase.
The starting pitchers are Kawanaka for the P-League and Kagawa for the S-League. Tanabe watches the match on TV. He told Coach Imawano to not use Tokuchi until the very last moment of the second game. Saving him for last will keep up the interest of the viewers, but Tanabe also hopes the endless waiting will mentally wear Tokuchi out. Imawano also has something to gain if Tokuchi fails to set the record and loses face.
Nishina asks Imawano when he plans to use Tokuchi. Imawano says he’ll save Tokuchi for a crisis, but he doesn’t know when that’ll be. Tokuchi laughs and tells him not to lie; he already decided he would go last tomorrow. It’s convenient for ratings and being made to wait will hopefully mentally exhaust him. Imawano doesn’t respond; he got it exactly right. Tokuchi tells him it’s a cheap shot and his nerves won’t wear down from something like that. Nishina can’t believe he’s really a rookie.
At the top of the first, the Lycaons’ Inomachi is up to bat first. Nishina observes Tokuchi call Inomachi over and whisper something. Commentator Sasaki says the first pitch will obviously be a fastball. Kagawa pitches and Inomachi performs a safety bunt. The fielders are completely caught off guard and Inomachi gets to first. Nishina is shocked and asks Tokuchi if he told Inomachi to do it. Tokuchi laughs and says the All-Stars is a game between teams that were scraped together. The defence don’t have a mutual understanding at the very beginning of the first game. Additionally, pitcher Kagawa is the only Sparrows player on his team and is isolated. The top of the first is when they have the most chinks in their armour.
Thomas is the second batter. As soon as Kagawa releases the ball, Inomachi runs and gets to second. Nishina asks Tokuchi if this was his doing too. Tokuchi laughs again and says with this they’ve messed up Kagawa’s rhythm and will score points effortlessly now.
Two-thirds into the first inning, Kagawa walks off the mound, having given up four runs. The S-League get through their pitchers quickly, their game thrown off. The first match finishes 11-4 to the P-League.
Nishina is stunned at the effect that first move had. Takami reminds Nishina what he said about Tokuchi’s ‘demonic insight’. Nishina is stricken. Tokuchi will easily set the new record.
Characters[]
- Tokuchi Toua
- Nishina
- Inomachi
- Tawanaka
- Takami
- Thomas
- Kawanaka
- Coach Imawano
- Pitcher Kagawa
- Commentator Sasaki