1 out, runners on second and third.
Facing such a crisis, Hikigaya was surprised he could remain so calm, as if he couldn't feel the pressure at all.
It was normal.
If one wanted to rise to Class A.
Ayanokouji was likely a hurdle that couldn't be skipped.
Pinning hopes on Ayanokouji not demonstrating his strength was somewhat impossible to begin with; now, what was happening was only natural.
He just needed to respond properly.
The next batter was Ike Kanji.
Ike Kanji gripped the middle of the bat tightly and walked to the left batter's box with an excited expression to take his stance.
He was likely feeling excited because of the cheers just now, feeling as if he were highly anticipated.
However, Hikigaya had also heard the cheers from Class C just now. He turned to look at the Class C dugout.
The cheering voices weren't many.
Only Sudo and a few others were in high spirits; others were instead sitting in the dugout looking somewhat listless.
Clearly, they were affected by the campus atmosphere and found it difficult to muster energy.
Rather than saying they were cheering for the game, it was more like they were cheering for the chance to give him a good fix; Hikigaya knew this very well.
Frankly admitting it.
His abilities weren't as good as Hikigaya's, but he also had his own way of fighting.
Looking at Ike Kanji, who had taken his stance, Hikigaya clearly showed a smile of relief and squatted down to continue the game.
Seeing this.
Ike Kanji gave a dark huff.
Although he knew there was a gap between him and Sudo, Hikigaya actually dared to look down on him.
In terms of baseball ability.
Hikigaya wasn't much stronger than him.
What did he think he was, to dare look down on anyone?
He had to teach him a lesson.
However.
"Ball..."
"2 balls..."
After two balls, Hikigaya frowned.
Ike Kanji's hitting ability wasn't strong; strictly speaking, he just relied on luck, swinging wildly just like Sudo.
How could he possibly hit it?
Even if he hit it, it would only be an infield ball or an error, which instead gave them a chance to create a double play.
But.
Sumida clearly had a problem.
Power wasn't the issue, but his control had dropped significantly.
To think he threw two consecutive balls.
Baseball was just like that.
As long as the mindset had even a slight problem and some fluctuations, it would immediately manifest in the pitching.
Full of confidence.
The winning ball he had hidden until now was easily resolved by Ayanokouji; Sumida must have been somewhat shaken.
"Time out."
Hikigaya ran to Sumida, his glove obscuring his expression.
"Sorry, it's all my fault that Ayanokouji hit a double."
"Eh!?"
The originally apprehensive Sumida was suddenly stunned.
"There's no such thing. I also agreed to throw an outside corner ball there. It was indeed my placement that was insufficient."
"That's not it. The position was just right, and the power was sufficient too."
Hikigaya shook his head and glanced at Ayanokouji on second base.
"It's just that guy is a bit abnormal. Besides, if a problem occurs, it's my responsibility. Don't take it to heart; just maintain the previous way. Leave the rest to me."
"I see..."
Sumida nodded.
Although not dare taking responsibility was a flaw, and he lacked Sudo's passion and drive, from another perspective, it was also a strength.
As long as he heard he didn't need to take responsibility.
He could quickly adjust his emotions.
Returning to the catcher's box, Hikigaya placed the ball right in the center.
Let Sumida adjust his mindset first.
There was no need to worry too much.
Ike Kanji wasn't a very powerful batter; normal play would be enough to handle him.
"3 strikes, batter is out."
"Damn it..."
Ike Kanji spat in disgust and walked off the stage.
He was somewhat confused.
Why didn't the luck he usually relied on work this time?
Hikigaya easily judged that his movements were a bit too rushed.
His swing didn't consider the pitch path at all; he was just swinging with all his might after setting his stance, waiting for the ball to come to him.
Perhaps it was also because he was used to Sudo's high-speed balls.
If the ball speed was slowed down a bit, Ike Kanji couldn't hit it at all.
On the other side.
Watching Ike Kanji walk off the stage, Sudo and the others didn't criticize him but instead offered comfort:
"Forget it, don't worry about it. It's not over yet."
"Yeah... I'm sorry."
Ike Kanji nodded and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
It wasn't over yet.
The sixth batter, Horikita Suzune, walked to base directly.
2 outs; bases loaded.
The crisis was still not resolved.
And although her arm strength wasn't great, Horikita Suzune's speed wasn't much slower than the boys.
In terms of base running.
Horikita Suzune instead possessed a threat equal to or even greater than the boys, and the next batter was Koenji Rokusuke.
"Hmm..."
Koenji flicked the bangs on his head and laughed indifferently:
"For commoners, choosing to walk me is indeed a wise judgment. But what do you plan to do this time?"
Well.
It was the other side's turn to mess with his mentality.
However, given Koenji's eccentric personality, it should just be simple small talk.
It didn't matter.
This little thing couldn't be compared to his past experiences at all.
It couldn't shake Hikigaya in the slightest.
The question was.
What to do?
Walk Koenji to base and effectively suppress the following Onodera.
That was indeed a way.
But Miyake Akito would be walked to home plate, and the score would be narrowed to four-to-two, which was a bit of a pity.
Forget it.
It wasn't a solution to always avoid the fight like this.
Furthermore, the school was only this big.
During this time.
He hadn't scouted Koenji doing any training in this regard, nor did he think he had any previous baseball experience.
In any case.
He would test Koenji's strength first.
Inside corner, curveball.
Hikigaya set his glove, and Sumida nodded, his arm snapping like a whip.
Thud.
A crisp sound came from the glove. Hikigaya glanced at Mashima-sensei behind him; both the power and angle were perfect.
"Strike."
Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Koenji nod.
"I see... so it's this kind of feeling. With this kind of curve and angle, commoners would probably shrink back for fear of the ball hitting them."
Hikigaya frowned.
It sounded as if this were indeed Koenji's first time contacting baseball. Was he planning to take the challenge?
Although he didn't deny Koenji's talent in sports, baseball wasn't something to be looked down upon either.
Outside corner, slider.
Watching the oncoming baseball, Koenji's arm veins bulged as he swung the bat instantly.
Bang.
A crisp hitting sound rang out.
"Foul, 2 strikes."
"I see, it seems to be more difficult than I imagined."
Koenji shook his head, looking a bit disappointed. Hikigaya, however, was startled.
This guy...
He hit a 130KM outside corner slider on his first swing.
Are you kidding me...
Although he didn't deny Koenji's physical fitness and talent developed in daily life, this talent was just too strong.
After three consecutive foul balls.
Hikigaya finally chose to use a changeup to settle Koenji.
His expression, however, was a bit solemn.
Is this what a genius is...
Glancing back at Koenji who was walking off, Hikigaya turned back to the dugout.
Although he successfully sealed off Horikita Suzune and the others on the bases.
And ended this inning.
Hikigaya still couldn't feel at ease.
It was the first time he had seen with his own eyes that geniuses truly existed in the world.
Just from observing for over an hour.
Watching a few balls from the outfield dugout, he easily neutralized their two months of hard work.
In the eyes of someone like Koenji.
Baseball was indeed just as he said: a sport of hitting a flying ball.
Of course.
The main reason was that their level wasn't very high.
Without serious training, Koenji clearly couldn't match those top players yet, but this was already terrifying enough.
4-1.
Although they were still leading, Hikigaya couldn't be at ease.
Whether it was Ayanokouji or Koenji.
Not to say they were holding back.
At least both had an inclination to score. Since that was the case, he had to take precautions.
"Everyone..."
Hikigaya returned to the group, his expression serious:
"I have an idea."