"Impossible!"
Watching Class C's Hondo turn and leave, Hikigaya didn't take it to heart.
Since private points couldn't be used, he naturally had to think of other ways.
Unity was Class B's rare advantage.
Naturally, it had to be utilized.
Therefore.
Hikigaya constantly contacted everyone in Class C.
Encouraging them to betray their class and go easy in the special exam.
Understandably.
They all refused.
From talents with high academic ability like Yukimura down to ordinary people like Ike Kanji and Hondo, everyone chose to refuse.
This was also perfectly natural.
Class C not only possessed outstanding talents like Sudo, Koenji, Hirata, and Horikita Suzune, but they were also gaining momentum.
At first glance.
The possibility of rising to Class A was very high.
Without seeing tangible benefits, there was absolutely no reason to betray the class. They were even afraid of being misunderstood by their comrades, turning their heads and leaving as soon as they saw Hikigaya.
However.
Even if they refused, it didn't matter.
Hikigaya preferred to focus on psychological warfare.
He only needed them to have the possibility of another choice in their hearts.
After school, at the baseball field.
Although the school's baseball club was a "salted fish" (lazy/inactive) club, the equipment was very complete—even much better than ordinary schools.
At this time.
The members of Class B were challenging the formal participants.
The main method was through four tests: pitching, catching, hitting, and running speed, to select the eight most capable members.
To state the conclusion directly.
Hikigaya currently lacked the ability to participate.
Although he had practiced since childhood and hoped in elementary school to use baseball as a catalyst to integrate into the group.
But practicing alone and playing a match are two completely different things.
To put it simply.
Hitting was okay; he had played at the batting center.
He could barely achieve a passing grade.
But pitching and catching were completely no good.
Both the pitcher and other participants need a certain level of throwing ability.
Trying to maintain high speed while accurately throwing into the opponent's glove is unexpectedly difficult; it requires at least several weeks of practice.
Everyone was tested one by one, and finally, it was Sumida's turn.
Hikigaya stood to the side with a speedometer, aiming it at the two people on the baseball field.
Kanzaki was wearing catcher gear and crouching on the ground.
On the pitcher's mound.
Sumida raised his left leg high, his body coiled, and as his left foot stepped down, his right arm swung like a whip.
With a pop.
A white light flashed before his eyes, and the ball hit the shoulder strap directly. Kanzaki fell onto his backside.
"Sorry, sorry, Kanzaki. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Sorry, I haven't practiced in too long. My hands are a bit rusty; my control isn't very good."
"That's not it. This should be enough."
Kanzaki was actually quite satisfied.
On the other side, Hikigaya and the others walked toward them with the speedometer.
"What was that just now? It was way too fast."
"Amazing, I didn't expect you to be so good at baseball, Sumida. Why didn't you say so before?"
Everyone was chattering non-stop, genuinely startled by Sumida's strength.
Truly worthy of being a middle school ace and fourth batter.
"130 kilometers per hour. Sumida, isn't this super strong? You could already play professionally, right?"
Hikigaya looked at the numbers on the speedometer, equally shocked.
It's worth mentioning.
His own ball speed was 50 kilometers per hour, which is considered fast for a beginner.
"It's okay; it's not as exaggerated as you guys say. In a national tournament, this would probably only be considered below-average."
Sumida Makoto shook his head and smiled nonchalantly:
"Besides, I specialize in breaking balls. Ball speed isn't my strength."
"Honestly, don't learn humility from Hikigaya. This way, our chance of winning should be even greater."
Everyone teased, and Hikigaya was also somewhat speechless.
He chose to trust the judgment of a professional like Sumida here.
A 130 km/h breaking ball.
Maybe it really wasn't much in a national tournament, but in this school with only a "salted fish" baseball club.
It was simply super strong!
"Then, Sumida."
Since it was a baseball match, Hikigaya was more inclined to trust a professional's judgment.
"Who do you think should participate in the match?"
"Eh?"
Hearing this.
Sumida was momentarily stunned, then quickly changed his tune:
"Shouldn't we all consider this together? Hikigaya, who do you think should participate, or should we arrange more girls?"
"..."
Unfortunately.
Although his strength was good.
But this guy has a tendency to avoid responsibility.
Hikigaya thought for a moment and said:
"Given the current situation, the rewards for the last two special exams have been particularly high. I feel there's no need to pursue rewards excessively."
"Except for Ichinose, who must participate, shouldn't the other girls focus on the study group? What do you all think?"
"Agreed!"
"But..."
Shirami Chihiro looked at Ichinose with a worried gaze.
"Honami-chan, I saw online that baseball matches often last for several hours. Will it really be okay?"
Baseball requires several hours of continuous, strenuous exercise.
To some extent.
Compared to the uninhabited island exam where one could freely choose rest times.
Baseball might test physical endurance even more.
For Ichinose, who wasn't particularly good at sports, it was undoubtedly a challenge.
"It's fine."
Ichinose clenched her small fists as if cheering herself up.
"I'll take the time to train hard over these two months and try not to cause trouble for everyone."
"Then the next thing is the positions. Hitomi."
Hikigaya took the record sheet from Tsube Hitomi's hand.
From a moment ago.
Tsube Hitomi had been standing nearby recording everyone's scores and strengths.
Using Sumida's various strengths as a baseline of A.
Most people were around C or D.
It's worth mentioning.
Hikigaya's evaluation for fly balls was A. This was mainly because he used to play alone and could basically only catch fly balls.
"Then we'll start deciding positions next. If there's anything wrong, Sumida, I'll rely on you to tell me."
"Yeah, I know."
As long as he didn't have to take responsibility, Sumida was quite reliable.
"First, pitcher Sumida Makoto, left fielder Ichinose Honami, then the shortstop will be given to the fast-footed Shibata... next..."
These few should be confirmed.
One could say they were the best configuration for each position.
Next.
Hikigaya had a bit of a headache.
Sumida Makoto, Shibata Sou, Kanzaki Ryuji, Hamaguchi Tetsuya, Yonezu Haruto.
These five were considered relatively good at baseball.
Although not as good as Sumida, they basically all played well.
Whether it was catching, pitching, or hitting, they all had a certain level and could be considered baseball veterans.
But the others.
Although they could play baseball, it was basically limited to a casual level.
About the same as Hikigaya.
However.
Since Class B was like this, Class C's situation was likely not much better.
Everyone clearly understood this situation.
"Speaking of which."
Shibata said somewhat puzzledly: "Hikigaya, you're definitely going to participate, right? What position are you planning to play?"
"Me?"
Hikigaya was stunned.
He hadn't intended to participate in the match, as he really wasn't good at baseball.
Although he could train for two months.
It would be better to let those who could already play practice exclusively for two months; the results would surely be better than his.
Even if there were a gap in talent.
Hikigaya didn't think he had extraordinary talent in sports.
It's just...
Since the gap wasn't very large.
In everyone's eyes.
As the class leader, Hikigaya would inevitably have to participate, right?
I see. No wonder Sumida likes to avoid responsibility; it's probably this kind of feeling.
Hikigaya felt a bit awkward.
If they lost, wouldn't it all be blamed on him?
That couldn't be helped.
Hikigaya looked toward the baseball field, wondering what position he could play...